Papertrey Ink Anniversary Festivities! {plus a freebie}

I cannot believe that it is February again! This is a very exciting time for Papertrey ink as they enter their fifth year in the business! Each year seems to top the previous! Thank you all so very much for your support and love - both for my stamping and my family. We have endured so much that my blessings jar is overflowing!

Today, the Papertrey Stamp Designers are supposed to be sharing our favorite stamp set with you. As a mom to six, there is no real way for me to choose a *favorite*. Like my spectacular six, each of my stamp sets is unique and fun in its own way. It's so hard to choose a favorite stamp set. Last year I had several sets come out and the year was quite a whirlwind for me - with Todd and Karen's traumatic injuries - and life in general. As their healing started to plateau and I got back into crafting, the time I felt most creative was when I was working with Lock and Key. I created in *THE ZONE* and it seems that every single time I took that set out - magic was unlocked (pardon the pun). If you want to see my favorite Lock & Key posts, click {here}.



Now onto the freebie! The image I created is perfect for you to make those last minute Valentines! Super cute - print it on Red, Kraft, Pink, Purple - just about anything and whip up some cards in no time!

Here is my super simple valentine with the freebie!



Click {HERE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD}...and be sure to stop by all the other Stamp Designer blogs to see what they have listed as their *favorites*....

Nichole Heady
Lizzie Jones
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Heather Nichols
Lexi Daly
Lisa Johnson
Maile Belles
Melissa Bickford
Tiffany Pastor

I really hope that you will take the time to create something from the freebie sheet that Nichole has created! Be sure to enter the contest too! Just create something fun with the images and add it to the contest {here}

Please feel free to let me know which of my sets was YOUR favorite!








paper: rasberry, black and white
ink: printer, copics
misc: ribbon, glitter pen & punches


Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!

Lock & Key Release Day!

So it is the 15th of December and your cart is empty! The new Papertrey Ink release time is now 10pm EST. That will be the NEW Product Release Time. Go to Papertrey Ink tonight and order your Christmas goodies!

Here is a full view of the Lock & Key Set.





And for $5, you can also own the die for the Lock & Key set! I am telling you, it makes your life *SO* much easier! Well, your stamping life!




Each and every month I release a stamp set, I am intrigued with the designs shown by Nichole's design team. This month is INCREDIBLE! Some are detailed, some are so simple, yet exquisite! Stop by each and every blog to see the way these ladies used Lock & Key.

• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Betsy Veldman
• Danielle Flanders
• Jess Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Maile Belles
• Nichole Heady
• Dawn McVey
• Debbie Olson
• Heather Nichols
• Melissa Phillilps
• Michelle Wooderson

Thank you so much for your comments, your support and love during this release! Happy Holidays!


Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!

Introducing: Lock & Key, Day Six

Oh the possibilities! Skeleton keys for weddings are SO hot right now!

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Clean and simple - white on white - cream on cream - with a hint of white is clearly so perfect for weddings!


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Now it is easy and economical to create personalized place cards, favors & items for your wedding using the Lock & Key stamp set, a little paper, ribbon and some imagination!

I created a tag, which the guests can use to write advice to the newlyweds, a save the date card and a table place card. I also made a keepsake for the couple, using some alcohol inks and a little ribbon, adhesive pearls and ribbon.

Aren't these cute Save The Date reminders? Just type out the information on the back!
So simple, yet so elegant! A little paper, some pearls, ribbon and rustic thread and you have an inexpensive way to begin your personalized wedding ensemble!





Next is a simple, yet elegant way to create your own place cards for your wedding: Simply print out the table number and then stamp the key on the back (I used the key with the heart). I die cut the lock and added a pearl to the corner. I also used the leafy vine die and cut the die in half and distressed it with ink, gluing it atop the place card.





An inexpensive and fun way to create memories from your wedding, have each guest write a piece of advice on a tag and collect them in a basket. Once you get back from the Honeymoon, read through the advice and place them in a scrapbook.


Simple die cut lock, tied on with some rustic thread. A little pearl for elegance!

The key is die cut and sponged, as is the edge of the tag!


Finally, here is the ornament:

I die cut the key and lock and made a "our first house" ornament for the couple to place on their first Christmas tree as husband and wife. A little gem on the key, some distressing and some rustic thread.


Some adhesive pearls make this ornament so elegant! The sentiment, printed on cardstock is adhered to the front of the ornament! The unique pattern which the alcohol inks create on ceramic is so beautiful and elegant!

It looks so pretty on the tree!


What do you think? I hope you enjoyed these ideas!









All supplies Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted!
wedding ensemble:

stamps: Lock & Key (available 12/15/11 at Papertrey Ink)
ink: sweet blush, berry sorbet
paper: cream, sweet blush
misc: sweet blush ribbon, rustic thread, adhesive pearls (purchased at Michael's), Lock & Key die, leafy vine die

Ornament:
paper: cream, sweet blush
ink: sweet blush (on key & lock), adirondack alcohol inks (on ornament), adhesive pearls, sweet blush ribbon, rustic thread

stop by the other designer blogs to see what they have going on!


Nichole,
Dawn
Heather
Melissa &
Lisa are all blogging about the latest PTI goodies!




Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!

Introducing: Lock & Key, Day Five

Designers love the look of white on white and cream on cream! I do too!


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I thought it would be nice to create a love note as elegant as the designs above!

What I ended up creating exploded into a clear favorite of mine! I cannot wait to hide this in Todd's suitcase the next time he goes away on business, with a little handwritten love note!




I used layers of papertrey cream cardstock, die cut and edge cut. The sentiment in in chocolate and the keys are stamped with brilliance platinum. I used a little of the platinum ink on the edges of the die cut shapes. Some pearls and some cream ribbon on the card!


close up


here is another inspiration photo:


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I think using chocolate and scarlet red makes for quite an elegant look!



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This is a simple design. I loved how the first inspirational photo had a bunch of keys tied together!

Each of the keys was die cut and stamped with a different color ink, then tied with twill and rustic thread. The base was die cut on the bottom, then impressed. I layered and pleated some lace I found in my craft closet. A layer of PTI scarlet ribbon was placed on top of that, and then I placed some buttons on each side!




So what do you think?


be sure to stop by the other blogs!!!
Nichole,
Dawn
Heather
Melissa &
Lisa







cream card:
stamps: Lock & Key (available 12.15.11)
paper: cream
ink: brillance platinum, chocolate
misc: cream ribbon, pearls, dimensionals, die cut, edge die


scarlett chocolate card:

stamps: Lock & Key (available 12.15.11)
paper: cream, chocolate, scarlett jewel
ink: chocolate, gold, chai
misc: buttons, dimensionals, die cut, edge die, ribbon, twill, lace


Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!

Introducing: Lock & Key, Day Four

Normally I just show cards, but this find (which I posted earlier this week) online was so cute, I had to try and replicate it!
Here is the frame I found online:

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The keys in the shadow box each look so unique against the kraft, cream and black. It lets the intricate details of each key come to life!


Here is my version!

First, I used some metallic inks to distress the black frame.

Then, I die cut the keys with a bunch of different scraps of cardstock: chocolate, cream, and some SU! caramel. I used a variety of inks, including chocolate, chai, versamark and a variety of brilliance ink pads. I used some embossing powders (gold, pirate gold, stardust, silver) on the keys as well to give them dimension and bling!


I placed the keys on a piece of PTI Kraft cardstock - spaced randomly, adhered with foam squares.


another close up:

more close ups:










Here is what I created using a frame I found in my craft closet!



Here it is in the Sunroom (my favorite room in the house)


Be sure to check out all the wonderful goodies that the other ladies are featuring on their blogs:

Nichole,
Dawn
Heather
Melissa &
Lisa








stamps: Lock & Key (available 12.15.11 at Papertrey Ink)
paper: kraft, chocolate, cream & SU! caramel
ink: brilliance (copper, platinum, gold, versamark and PTI chocolate & chai)
misc: frame (5x7 black matted), dimensionals, PTI key die, embossing powder (gold, silver, stardust, clear)

Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!

Introducing: Lock & Key, Day Three

You came back to check out more samples? WOW! Thank you!

I love the cool look of blues with black! The hint of aqua against the sharp color black with a hint of white! So awesome, don't you think?



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I used Aqua Mist paired with black and white on these cards - two different layouts with the same colors, different sentiment. Check it out:



a closer look:


Here is another design:



A closer look:



So what do you think?

Wait.....Nichole & company have more to show you!


Be sure to check them out too!

Nichole,
Dawn
Heather
Melissa &
Lisa








happy life:
stamps: Lock & Key (available 12.15.11 at PTI)
paper: aqua mist, black polka dot designer paper, white
ink: black, aqua mist
misc: dies, corner rounder, punch, dimensionals


wisdom:

stamps: Lock & Key (available 12.15.11 at PTI)
paper: aqua mist, black polka dot designer paper, white
ink: black
misc: dies, corner rounder, punch, dimensionals, ribbons



Enjoy every single moment of today!!!!!!