Postmarks...

Welcome to the first group post day of the Papertrey Ink March countdown!  Today the design team is featuring a brand new set that I'm soooo excited about.  I have been waiting and waiting for my very own Papertrey postage set and it's finally here...and better than I could have ever expected!

Nichole designed this set based on some ideas that Mish and I sent her...apparently Mish has been dying to have a PTI postage set too!  I'm so excited to see it brought to life..

This set will be so perfect for so many different types of projects for so many different occasions.  There are basic postage bits and pieces, great for scrapbooking and papercrafting, but what I think makes this set ultra special is that it's got some elements that make it perfect for cardmakers.  All of the little sentiments wrapped around the cancellation circles add just a subtle touch of customization.  I love it!  The set will be available for puchase on the 15th of March from Papertrey Ink.

So, on to my project.  I chose to create a Get Well themed card using several different elements from this set. 

Nichole designed all of the elements to look so authentic.  Add a few distressing techniques and you have a very authentic looking vintage piece.  There are also a couple of dies that coordinate!  There is a tiny envelope and a postage stamp, both of which I included in the little collage on the front of my card.  I also added in some Background Basics: Text Style, which is a perfect complement for this set.  The sentiments from the new Sending You set also coordinate so well!

 
On my card today, I used a few different distressing techniques...let me show you a few step-by-steps. 

I started off by inking the edges of my stamped piece with my favorite method...just brushing them with a Creamy Brown Cat's Eye chalk ink from Clearsnap...

 

I then did a little water distressing on the edges.  Just wet your fingers under the faucet and run them along the edges of your stamped piece. 

 

Allow it to set for just a minute to let the water soften the cardstock.  Then use your fingers to push, crinkle, and distress the edges...you can do a little or a lot.  If it's not wet enough, use your fingers to brush on a little more water.

 

Now let your piece dry...you can use a heat gun to speed it up if you want...

 

Next I wanted my postcard to look like it had some water staining.  I used some Old Lace Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels...

 

I unscrewed the lid and used the pump as a dropper to drop a few drops here and there...

 

Let it dry and voila!  An instantly aged look. 

 

I hope you enjoyed today's design team showcase of the new Postmarks set, available on the 15th of March from Papertrey Ink!  Be sure to hop around to the other DT members to see their creations using this set...

Danielle Flanders
Jess Witty
Erin Lincoln
Maile Belles
Nichole Heady
Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Melissa Phillilps
Michelle Wooderson

 
Stamps:  Postmarks, Background Basics: Text Style, Sending You
Ink:  Smokey Shadow, True Black, Ocean Tides
Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Kraft
Dies:  Postmark, Tiny Envelope, Parisian Lace Doily
Other:  Postmarks patterned paper, New Leaf Baker's twine, flower from Prima, Old Lace Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels