pine is here.

love songs revisited

Happy New Year everyone! I hope everyone had a fun and safe New Years celebration - whether you were out celebrating with family and friends or spending a quiet evening at home (the second is what we did because of me not feeling well due to a cold.)

The first of the month means that is also time for the Papertrey Ink senior design team challenge. This month my projects will focus on the Valentine's day holiday that is coming up very soon. Today, the senior team is sharing projects made with Lisa's Love Songs set. One of my favorite things about revisiting these older sets is bring able to use them along with products that didn't exist when they were first released. It really expands the possibilities of my stamp collection!

For my cards that I have to share today, I pulled out my Simple Valentine patterned paper to use with the Love Songs set. Using this patterned paper really puts a new festive spin on the Valentine projects that I created with this set.

One of my favorites in the set is the letters that spell out "love". I used some of the new banner builder dies to make a sweet Valentine banner with Simple Valentine paper and then added the letters on each banner piece.

The "o" is a die cut a heart prints heart with some red glitter added to it. Love how this card turned out!

For this card I used the heart balloon images. Instead of doing the 2 step stamping technique to color in the hearts, I used Simple Valentine paper to paper piece these sweet polka dot balloons. The double ended banner die was the perfect place to put the sentiment for this card.

I added some clear glitter to the balloons for a little extra shimmer and now this card is ready to send off to a special someone!

Make sure to stop by all of the senior team's blogs to see the projects that they have to share: Nichole, Betsy, Dawn, Lisa, and Mish.

Supplies:

all supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted

Love Banner Card

stamps: Love Songs

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow

cardstock: kraft, Pure Poppy, Simple Valentine

other: banner builder collection die, heart prints die, Hibiscus Burst twill ribbon, corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers), red glitter (Martha Stewart), heart brads (unknown)

Love Balloons Card

stamps: Love Songs

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow

cardstock: white, kraft, Simple Valentine

other: double ended banner die, clear glitter (Martha Stewart), corner chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

I dug up some past projects that I made with the Love Songs set...

Another card made with the "love" letter images in the set along with the sweet "xoxo" background. You can find the supply list for this card here in the Papertrey Ink gallery.

And for this project, I created some quick and easy Valentines with the set. You can see my whole process in creating these here.

Thanks for stopping by today and Happy New Year again!

merry christmas

I have gotten so many questions about how I did the poinsettia card made for the December Papertrey Ink release made with the Year of Flowers: Poinsettia set. The poinsettia is paper pieced using the small image of the poinsettia stamped onto the polka dot paper from the Simple Valentine collection and the large poinsettia image stamped once on the polka dot paper and once on the Ripe Avocado paper from the Bitty Box Basics patterned paper collection.

Next I did shading with Copic markers. I used R29 & R24 for the petals on the polka dot papers. I did the darkest shades to the inside of the petals and left the polka dot print showing towards the tips. I shaded the same way for the leaves using YG95 & YG93. The middle of the poinsettia is colored with R39 & R29 with the darkest tones to the center. 

I crumpled each layer and then layered them onto each other, turning the pieces until they fit the way I liked and adhered everything together with glue dots. I used clear rhinestones in the center and colored them with Copic markers to match.

I hope that answers any questions that you were wondering about! You can find the supply list for this card and other projects for the December release over in the Papertrey Ink gallery.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas! Hopefully you are close to being done with your shopping, crafting, and gift wrapping. I am close, but have a few more things to finish up yet ;)

From my family to yours, sending wishes for a wonderful holiday weekend.

little bitty bird is available for purchase!

One more post today to let you know that Little Bitty Bird is available for sale now over at Papertrey Ink. The sentiment has been corrected - the graphic will be updated soon in the store - be assured that you will receive the correct version.

Thank you all so much again and happy shopping!

melissa's and mishie's 12 days of christmas

Hi everyone! Today I was invited to play along with Melissa and Mish for their 12 days of Christmas posts that they have been sharing - Dawn is playing today too! Today is day 10 and the theme is stocking stuffers and gifts for girls.

The project/gift that I have to share today is something that I give to my girls every year - and ornament with a picture from the current year. They both have a collection of these ornaments and I know that when they are older, they will love looking back at all of the ornaments and how they looked as they were growing up each year. I found the frames last year after the season and snapped them up - who can't resist a little buttoned up frame? You could definitely do something similar yourself by just getting a plain frame and glueing buttons onto it too!

I made a tag to attach to each frame that has their name and the year along with this super fun and festive Santa from Hero Arts. The date stamp is from my MSS: Library Ledger stamp set and the alphabet that I used to add the girls names is from Hero Arts.

I die cut the snowflake from my Peace be Still die set from a lightweight coasterboard that I purchased here. I wasn't sure that the die would cut through, but it did! I also cut a circle of the lightweight coasterboard to layer behind the red patterned paper. That makes this tag extra durable and an ornament in itself.

The present is paper pieced with patterned papers by My Minds Eye and Basic grey.

I covered the snowflakes with Mika flakes - I been on the search for these since Betsy shared holiday projects that included them. I finally found them at my local craft store - they were called "Retro Flakes" and I got a nice big container of them to last me a long time.

Here's a look at the back of the tag/ornament. I attached another snowflake from my Peace be Still die set with a snowflake brad and red button layered on top.

And now... Mishie and Melissa have been sharing holiday recipes with all of you and Mish said that I should include one too. I really, really am not much of a cook. I do make cookies once in a while, but usually under supervision ;)

If you are like me, you will LOVE this recipe for these frosted sugar cookies:

Get in your car and drive to your nearest grocery store (I usually stop by my local Target...)

Head over to the bakery area. Scope out the cookie selection. Think about the color theme you are going for... 

Choose a box of frosted cookies, grab one more just in case.

At home, get out a festive Christmas plate (or any plate.)

Arrange cookies on the plate.

Rest. And eat cookies from the extra box you bought.

:)

love tags

Welcome to the final day of the Papertrey Ink December release countdown. Tomorrow (the 15th) is the day when you can purchase the new stamp sets and products that I (and the whole Papertrey Ink design team) have been sharing the past several days. With the exception of Little Bitty Bird.

Today is another group post to share tag and cards made with the collaboration set: 2010 Love Tags. I have a few images in the set that I designed along with other Papertrey Ink stamp designers. You will want to link up to the whole design team to see what we all have created with all of the super cute and fun images included in the 2010 Love Tags set.

Here are the projects that I am sharing today. I created a Valentine theme tag/treat wrap and then used the same tag set image to create a card for another occasion - namely a wedding in this case!

To create my tag, I stamped the all over heart background image (designed to fill the 1 3/4" circle area) in Pure Poppy. Then I stamped the script "love" as well as the "hugs & kisses" sentiment in True Black onto the red heart background. I had to add some red glitter in the heart "o". Valentine's Day is another holiday when you have the best excuse to use sparkle and bling.

My treat container is created with the new Favor It Box 3 die - these are the kind of template container projects that are right up my alley when all of the cutting and scoring is done for me and all I have to do is add a little adhesive to put the box together.

Here is the same tag, just with a color/cardstock change to give it a completely different look. I used Shimmer White cardstock, stamped the heart background in Chai in (from the Tea Dye Duo) and then embossed the script "love" over the top in white.

The "happily ever after" sentiment is from the Big & Bold Wishes set and is just right to complete this wedding card.

Here's one more card to share today...

I used stamps from my new Fillable Frames #11 set, some more images that I designed from 2010 Love Tags, and a frame and some flourishes from the Mat Stack 2 Collection set. I used a combination of Scarlett Jewel, Fresh Snow, and Smokey Shadow ink to create a collage look with the images.

To make my main sentiment stand out, I used the Fillable Frame #11 die cut in kraft and popped it up a bit from the rest of the collaged images.

Make sure to stop by Nichole's blog where you can get peeks and link up to the whole design team's projects made with 2010 Love Tags. Melissa and Dawn will also have projects to share on their blogs today with the things they having coming out for this month's release!

Tonight is the night for the countdown release party over in the Papertrey forums. Come on over and say hi! The party takes place 10:00PM-midnight EST.

Thanks again for taking time to stop by my blog and for all of the wonderful comments during the countdown! See you soon!

Supplies:

all supplies from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted

Love Tag Treat Tag & Box

stamps: 2010 Love Tags

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy

cardstock: kraft, white

other: Pure Poppy felt & satin ribbon, Rustic Jute button twine, Favor Box 3 die, Limitless Layers die, 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success), red glitter (Martha Stewart), heart pin (Making Memories), pewter eyelet (unknown)

Love Happily Ever After Card

stamps: 2010 Love Tags, Big & Bold Wishes

ink: Tea Dye Duo, Versamark (Tsukineko)

cardstock: White Shimmer

other: Fresh Snow satin ribbon, Rustic White button twine, white embossing powder, Limitless Layers die, double ended banner die, 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success), heart pin (Making Memories), pewter eyelet (unknown)

Valentine Stamped Collage Card

stamps: 2010 Love Tags, Mat Stack 2 Collection, Fillable Frames #11

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, Smokey Shadow, Scarlett Jewel

cardstock: kraft, Scarlett Jewel

other: Scarlett Jewel grosgrain ribbon, Fillable Frames #11 die, Heart Prints die, clear rhinestones, tiny attacher (Ranger)

love lives here

Welcome to day 4 of the Papertrey Ink December release countdown. Today the whole design team is sharing heartfelt/homemade gift ideas using the new set Love Lives Here. This set is a collaboration by Nichole and Melissa Phillips. You are just going to love the cozy, loving feel of the set. Plus there is a whole little set of dies that make creating images and accents so easy.

The new stamp sets and products that I am sharing today will be available to purchase on December 15th at Papertrey Ink.

The set really reminded me of time I spend and feelings that I have for my family. Our family and extended family has had some especially difficult challenges this past year. I truly find comfort and calm when we are all able to spend time together and sometimes it helps make those challenges a little bit easier to deal with.

For my handmade gift, I created a mini book (left) with pictures taken this past Thanksgiving. A little something to remind us of time together and the people we love. I also created a coordinating card (right.) I am not totally sure I want to give this book away, but if I did the card will definitely go with it!

The frame image from my new Fillable Frames #11 set worked perfectly to put a title on the cover of the mini book as well as hold the sentiment on the card. I used the Tabbed Mini Book Page for the pages in my book. It made getting the pages for the book ready so quick and everything lined up just right.

Here are pictures of the pages in the book - you can click any image to see it larger.

The sentiments in the Love Lives Here set just really capture the essence of love for family.

And yes, I got myself one of the Fujifilm Instax cameras. Super fun to use and we now have little photos of random things setting on shelves around our home - I love it. I also love how the pictures are instantly in my hand and ready to incorporate into a project like this. 

This little book isn't perfect, you can see staples and scraps throughout the book. I could have redone some of the pages, but chose to leave them as is. Family isn't perfect and it's the small pieces that are all held together that makes us what we are. It's character and charm. The mini book completely reflects that.

If you take a look at the mini book layout, I kept it simple. I used 4 patterned papers, kraft paper, and coordinating ink. I used the same layout on the left hand pages and kept similar elements on each right hand page. It doesn't take piles and piles of scrapbook supplies to create a project like this. In fact, limiting your supplies and layout designs like this, you will complete the project quickly and the book will look good design wise. Keep it simple and have fun!

Make sure to go to Nichole's blog to link up to the whole design team for more heartfelt/handmade gift ideas. Melissa and Dawn will also have projects to share on their blogs today with the things they having coming out for this month's release!

See you tomorrow for the final day of the countdown before the release. Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Supplies:

all supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise indicated

Love Lives Here Mini Book & Card

stamps: Love Lives Here, Fillable Frames #11

ink: True Black, Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Scarlett Jewel

cardstock: kraft, Rustic Cream, Bitty Box Basics, Dotty Biscotti, Turning a New Leaf, In Bloom

other: Love Lives Here dies, Fillable Frames #11 dies, small scallop border die, 1/4" silk ribbon, 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success), tiny attacher (Ranger), clip rings (Office Max)

these sweet little birds will be worth the wait

Welcome to day 3 of the Papertrey Ink December release countdown. Even though there will be a delay in the sale of Little Bitty Bird, I have a few projects today to share with you that use the set. Fillable Frames #11 will be available for purchase as scheduled on December 15th. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I promise that Little Bitty Bird will be worth the wait!

For the first card I have to share, I die cut the bird body from Ocean Tides felt. I got a little detailed with this little bird embroidering the bird image onto the felt piece. I used the stamp image as a guide and did a backstitch for the body and beak and a french knot for the eye.

I wanted the little bird to stand out and not compete with the background so I kept the card base very simple and monochromatic. I used the Fillable Frames #11 die for my image base in kraft and it works perfectly so the little bird is the center of attention.

Time consuming and super detailed? Maybe. But, I really love little hand crafting projects like this and love when I can incorporate them into my paper crafting projects.

For this card I used the bird body die cut so that I could set the little bird right into the tree. I used a light peach colored Copic marker to add a rosy belly to my bird. It looks like she is waiting for someone to meet her in the tree, doesn't it? The "miss you" sentiment fit perfectly with this card in the frame image from Fillable Frames #11

There are more exciting sneak peeks to see today: Nichole & Lisa are showcasing the Mat Stack 2 Collection and Nichole & Erin are also showcasing the Year of Flowers: Poinsettia set. Melissa and Dawn will also have projects to share on their blogs today with the things they having coming out for this month's release!

Thanks so much for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

Supplies:

All supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Sweet Stitched Little Bird Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird

ink: True Black, Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow

cardstock: kraft, Ocean Tides

other: Ocean Tides felt, button & satin ribbon, Rustic Jute button twine, Fillable Frames #11, small scallop border punch, Little Bitty Bird die, Background Basics: Diamonds impression plate, Copic markers, embroidery floss (DMC)

Miss You Bird Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Fillable Frames #11, Polka Dot Basics II

ink: True Black, Spring Rain, Fresh Snow

cardstock: white, kraft, Sugar Plum

other: Little Bitty Bird die, Fillable Frames #11 die, Rustic Jute button twine, Copic markers

delay in the sale of little bitty bird

First off, I want to thank everyone for their input on the Papertrey Ink forums about a sentiment that is included in the Little Bitty Bird set that was scheduled to be released on December 15th. There will be a delay in the sale of the set so that we can correct the grammar error in the current sentiment "everyday is a new opportunity to make a new happy ending."

Here is the statement from Nichole:

Regarding "Everyday..." from Little Bitty Bird, this is an issue that slid through the system as an honest oversight. There should be a space between the two, reading "Every day...". Because of this error we will be delaying the sale of the set and taking the time to replace the sentiment with the correct version. We will not know how much of a delay this change will pose on the release of the set until we can speak with our manufacturer on Monday, but we anticipate that it will be about 2-3 weeks. We will definitely keep you updated with the status because we know how anxious many of you are to purchase this adorable set of images.

I will continue to share projects from this set through the rest of the countdown and will be sure to let you all know when it is available to purchase.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support!

more little bitty bird and fillable frames #11

Welcome to day 2 of the Papertrey Ink December release countdown! Yesterday I introduced my 2 new sets: Little Bitty Bird and Fillable Frames #11 and today I have more projects to share using both sets. Nichole is also showcasing my 2 new sets today so be sure to head over there, too, for more inspiration.

All of the new stamp sets and products that I am sharing today will be available to purchase on December 15th at Papertrey Ink.

*please see details on this post about the delay of the sale of the Little Bitty Bird set

I mentioned yesterday that both sets have a coordinating die cut and here is what the Little Bitty Bird die looks like. There are 4 bird bodies that correspond to the 4 little bird image sizes that are included in the set. You will be able to make your own bird families!

I die cut the birds from Blueberry Sky felt - a great color for bright little bluebirds! I laid out all of the shapes to you can see how they appear after you have die cut them.

For the eyes, I went to my bead box and stitched on little black seed beads. You could use a marker, paint, punched circles, french knots, etc. to make the eyes on your birds.

Next I stamped the bird images to attach the bird bodies to so that they would have legs. I used glue dots to attach the felt bodies. It worked best to put the glue dot onto the stamped bird images on the cardstock versus fighting with the glue dot to stick to the felt piece. The looped border right below the bird family is also included in the Little Bitty Bird set.

Here's my little bird family all lined up for their card debut - how sweet are they? Can't you just see bird made with the rainbow of colors of felt that Papertrey carries?

I finished my card off by attaching my main bird image to Blueberry Sky cardstock that I stamped polka dots onto with Fresh Snow ink. A few details like the scalloped border on the edge of the Blueberry Sky piece and the Pure Poppy bakers twine tied through a white button bring the whole design together.

 

Next, I decided to make a little tag using the tree image included in the set. I am using the Tag Sale #1 die for my little tag project.

I spotlighted the little bird and flower on a small scalloped circle in Rustic Cream cardstock. I created the sentiment from the words in the Little Bitty Bird set and added a bit of ribbon and stitching to finish of my tag.

Wouldn't a sweet friend's day be brightened by a little gift with this little bright bird on it?

The Little Bitty Bird set has just the right combination of word and images to make some sweet little Valentine's day cards - or just a card to give to a loved one any day of the year. I stamped Dawn's new Background Basics: Sheet Music in Chamomile ink on the spiral notebook page that I die cut from white paper and then distressed the edges with the Tea Dye Duo inks.  I stamped my love birds on top along with the sentiment and then stitch on a heart that I die cut from Pure Poppy felt.

Inside the card I used a sentiment from Fillable Frames #11 and stamped the heart from the Little Bitty Bird set.

I love the vintage feel this card has. This is a layout that could be used again and again for so many card designs.

One last card for you today...

For this card I used the masking technique to make my main image area one layer. You can learn more about masking on this post. I stamped the frame image on a sticky note and then cut it out - you could use the die cut to make your mask, but I wanted the surrounding tree images to stamp right up next to the frame image.

Next I stamped the tree images across the card and over the masked area.

When I removed the mask, this is the result. The sentiment I used is from the Little Bitty Bird set and it fits right into the Fillable Frames #11 frame image opening. Next I colored the tree leaves in with Copic markers.

To finish up my card, I added some stitched lines ground the trees on and a bit of patterned paper on the top edge of the card. 

I love this simple, rustic look - it inspires me to look for more images that would work with the masking technique in this way.

Like I mentioned at the beginning of today's post, Nichole is also sharing more about my 2 sets today. Melissa and Dawn will also have projects to share on their blogs today with the things they having coming out for this month's release!

Thank you for stopping by - see you tomorrow for day 3!

Supplies:

All supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.

Happy Everything Birds Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Polka Dot Basics II

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy

cardstock: white, kraft, Blueberry Sky

other: Little Bitty Bird dies, small scallop border die, Pure Poppy bakers twine, white button, Blueberry sky felt, black seed beads (Darice)

For You Friend Tag

stamps: Little Bitty Bird

ink: True Black

cardstock: kraft, Rustic Cream, Distressed Dots

other: Tag Sale #1 die, Love Lives Here die, Copic Markers, 1/4" silk ribbon, Rustic Jute button twine

Vintage Love Birds Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Fillable Frames #11, Background Basics: Sheet Music

ink: Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow, Tea Dye Duo

cardstock: white, kraft, Distressed Dots

other: Spiral Notebook Page die, Heart Prints die, small scallop border die, Pure Poppy felt, Rustic Jute button twine, Copic markers

Simple Trees Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Fillable Frames #11

ink: Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow

cardstock: kraft, Sugar Plum

other: Copic markers, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers) 

introducing little bitty bird and fillable frames #11

Hi everyone! Welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink December release countdown. I have 2 stamp sets to share with you (both of which have coordinating dies) for this release and I was also a contributor to this month's tag set which you will see more of in the next few days.

My first set to share is called Little Bitty Bird. This set retails for $15 and includes sweet little bird images and coordinating images in my favorite whimsical/rustic style. This set has single words to build your own sentiments as well as some complete sentiments to use on your projects. With the cold of winter upon us, this set will prove to bring you a little sunshine and keep you dreaming of spring.

My second set is the 11th in the Fillable Frames series. This month's frame has a bookplate-like shape. The frame image center is open and there are perfectly sized sentiments that fit into the opening so you can stamp your frame and sentiment at the same time. All of the frames and sentiments in the Fillable Frames are designed to work together and so your frame and sentiment combinations are endless - and you can use them on their own too. The frame has a coordinating die cut that you can purchase as well. The Fillable Frames #11 set and die will retail for $5 each.

All of the new stamp sets and products that I am sharing today will be available for purchase on December 15th at Papertrey Ink.

*please see details on this post about the delay of the sale of the Little Bitty Bird set

Now on to my projects that I am sharing today...

For this card I perched 2 of the birds on the frame image from Fillable Frames #11. I used a card layout that I shared on this post about using inspiration from your past projects and sketches. The patterned paper that you can see on the right edge of the card is from my Happy Spots collection that was released last month and I added the scallop edge using the Eyelet Lace border die and paper from the Bitty Box Basics collection.

I secured the card closed with some white buttons and Rustic Jute button twine. I love little details like this.

And one more card for today...

For this card I stamped the branch image from the Little Bitty Bird set and perched one of the birds on it He looked like the perfect image to have on a card to say "hello". The Background Basics: Woodgrain set was perfect for adding that woodsy tree feeling.

And how about that fantastic felt flower? I know that Nichole and Betsy will be sharing more about the dies and how to make the flowers (you are going to LOVE how easy it is!)

There are more sneak peeks on this first day of the countdown: Nichole and Betsy will be sharing about Melissa's new Make a Wish & Make a Wish Additions sets. Dawn also has lots of fun things to share over an her blog too!

See you back here tomorrow for more! Thanks so much for stopping by today :)

Supplies:

all supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted

Little Bitty Bird Friends Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Fillable Frames #11

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow

cardstock: kraft, Happy Spots, Bitty Box Basics

other: Eyelet Lace border die, white buttons, Rustic Jute button twine, Copic markers, Stardust pen (Sakura)

Hello Bird Card

stamps: Little Bitty Bird, Background Basics: Woodgrain

ink: True Black, Fresh Snow

cardstock: white, kraft, Ocean Tides

other: Ocean Tides felt, Bloom Builders die, white & Harvest Gold buttons, Rustic Jute button twine, Copic markers, circle die (Spellbinders)