Seeing spots and butterfly dreams...

 

Are all of you Papertrey fans having a good time yet?  Can you believe all of the awesome goodies Nichole and the gang have for us?  And you haven't even seen all of the stamp sets yet!!  I am excited to help introduce two sets tonight....I've got lots of projects, tips and how-to's to share, so grab something to drink and settle in! 

First off is Dot Spot...we've seen a bit of this set popping up in design team projects during the Anniversary party and so far it sounds like you love what you see!  This is a super fun background building set, but it doesn't have to be just about backgrounds....this set can take center stage as well.  Let me show you a few things....

First off, for some reason, this set reminds me of string art.  Ya, I know.  Weird, huh?  You know what I mean...those little wall hangings from years back with all of the little pins and the intricate strings wrapped around them?  Well, that was the inspiration for this fun birthday card...I think this would be perfect for a teen boy....isn't that a tough demographic for paper crafting???  

Let me give you a few tips if you'd like to try this yourself!  First of all, draw a line down the center of your cardstock block.  My block is 3 3/4" square. 

Next, stamp the largest Dot Spot image, making sure that one of the larger dots at the top of the circle is alligned with the pencil marking.  I'm pointing at the dot I'm talking about with my pencil in the photo below.  This assures that the top of your star will be pointing straight up.

Next, punch a star from cardstock using the Fiskars star punch that coordinates with Star Prints.  Lay the punch in the center of the circle and use it as a guide to pierce your cardstock and affix your brads.

Next, begin wrapping your thread around the brads to create a star shape.  Start by wrapping it a few times around the first brad just to secure it. 

Keep wrapping...

I went around the star twice, then wrapped it around the last brad a few times to secure it in place.

Then just embellish with a punched star stamped with Star Prints, and a button.  I also added a sentiment from Star Prints. 

And then I got to thinking that this could be just as fun in a girl version for a young/teen girl.  You know mee and girlie colors...

 I used two different colors of thread to really brighten it up and make it pop.

 
Fun, fun! 

Ok...one more project using Dot Spot...a fun gift bag using the Fold 'n Go template.  I used Dot Spot to create a jumbo focal point flower...it brought this background set front and center!

  
A bunch of the different sized Dot Spot images are stamped in various colors on the side panels of the gift bag to create a fun design.

And there's one more thing to note here....notice the scalloped border along the bottom.  One of the Dot Spot circles fits perfectly inside the scallops of the new medium sized scallop border dies.  Border making heaven.  :-)

So, like I said, I get to help introduce TWO new sets tonight.  Now for the next...this is Niki's very first set!  (Congrats, Niki!!!) It's called Butterfly Dreams and if you love butterflies (waving hand here!!!) then you will love this set.  There are solid butterflies, patterned butterflies, butterflies to color and butterlies in tons if different sizes!!  There is sure to be one that's perfect for you project! 

And then there is that new butterfly die that we've been seeing quite a bit of in the Anniversary posts...well, I'm sure you've figuered it out by now that it coordinates with this set! It matches the majority of the butterflies in the set.  No more fussy cutting!  Yay! 

My first project is soft and pretty and springy, featuring the butterflies cut with the new die...and lots of Pretty Pastels scalloped diecut borders. 

Having the die makes it so easy to make multiple cut-outs.  I probably would have throught twice (or three times) about a card design like this if I had to cut all of those butterflies by hand!!  :-)

Next up, I went much bolder,  In fact, I think this card could actually be used for a masculine birthday card.  Butterflies on a man card...is that acceptable?  :-)  I think it could work. 

 

Couple of things to check out here...I used the diecut a little differently here.  I used the negative portion of the diecut and layed it over my stamped butterfly.  Then I pierced around it.  I like the way that turned out!

Then, notice how the butterfly background image lines up perfectly with the smallest scallop die?  I love that!  Was it planned?  I don't know...but it sure looks like it!

To get this look, you will need to stamp the background image twice, filling in the empty spaces with the next row of stamping. 

Stamping it once looks like this.  Allign the center of the butterfly body with the lowest point on the scallop.

Then go back and stamp again, filling in the gaps.  You will basically end up with rows of butterflies instead of a background.  What a fun border!

 I finished it off with a bit of Backgroud Basics: Text Style II. 

Ok...last project.  Still with me?  You know me....when I start working with these new sets I can't stop!!  I went for a dramatic look with this last card.  Pink and black and shimmery and elegant.

I snuck in some of that luscious new black felt cut with the new frame die.  The dimensional butterfly was made using three diecut butterflies... this technique will give you maximum dimension and looks so pretty! 

 

Here's how..

Start by diecutting three butterfly shapes.  Stamp and color them.

 Fold them in half...

Then adhere them together, one wing at a time.  This creates a dimensional butterfly that will not flatten out and is colored and detailed from every angle once it is adhered to your project.  So pretty.  I stitched mine to the felt, then added a bit of glitter. 

 

Phew!!!  I think that's all for tonight!!  I'll be back tomorrow night for group post night and another new set!  I don't think you've even seen a tiny bit of a peek of this one, so it'll be a treat for sure!

Looking for more inspiration? Dawn has some projects using her new set,Heather's been busy with her set, and you can see more of Niki's butterflies over on her blog!

 

Wish Big Boy
Stamps:  Dot Spot,Star Prints 
Ink:  True Black, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening
Cardstock:  Kraft, Enchanted Evening, Vintage Cream
Other:  brads, embroidery floss, Fiskars star punch, Ripe Avocado button

Wish Big Girl
Stamps:  Dot Spot, Star Prints
Ink:  Raspberry Fizz, Smokey Shadow, Aqua Mist
Cardstock:  Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream
Other:  brads, embroidery floss, Fiskars star punch, Plum Pudding button

Dot Spot Gift Bag
Stamps:  Dot Spot, Blooming Button Bits
Ink:  Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Spring Rain
Cardstock:  Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream
Other:  Simple Valentine patterned paper, Orange Zest button, scallop die, Fold 'n Go template

Butterfly Thank You
Stamps:  Butterfly Dreams
Ink: Lavender Moon, Spring Rain, Spring Moss, Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate
Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Kraft
Other:  Butterfly die, scallop die,Pretty Pastels patterned paper, pearls

Butterfly Happy Birthday
Stamps:  Butterfly Dreams, Background Basics: Text Style II
Ink:  True Black, Smokey Shadow
Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Kraft, Smokey Shadow, Orange Zest
Other:  Autumn Abundance patterned paper, Rustic buttons, scalloped die, decorative scissors

Pink Butterfly Thank You
Stamps:  Butterfly Dreams, Background Basics: Text Style II
Ink: Smokey Shadow, True Black
Cardstock:  Rustic Cream, Kraft,Pink Shimmer
Other:  True Black felt, Frame #1 Die, Butterfly die, pearls, Vintage Cream satin ribbon, Sweet Blush button, Cuttlebug Tiny Tag die