Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Make It Market Kit: All Through the House

Hey there, friends, I've had a wonderful last-minute opportunity to join the Papertrey Ink Make It Market design team for today's All Through the House introduction. Kind of like a really awesome guest gig!

You may already be in the know with this kit, as the team's posts went up quite a bit earlier this morning. If you haven't seen this morning's introductions, I'll be sure to link to them at the end.

First, all the kit details:

The next Make It Market Kit will be released on October 1st (tomorrow) and it is entitled "All Through the House." This is Betsy's much anticipated big holiday kit for the year. There are actually two kits, a main kit with the basic dies, stamps and paper. Then a Trimmings Kit will all kinds of fun extras. The kit revolves around a basic matchbox design and dozens of options for customizing and altering them! Betsy has integrated SO many amazing details into everything here, not only will your projects be gorgeous, but quick and easy to put together too. From gift card holders to tree ornaments, dimensional gift tags to place card holders, and even just intriguing card accents, you will never run out of options with this kit! You will have fun experimenting and playing with all of the contents once they show up at your door.

ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE KIT CONTENTS:

All Through the House stamp set
All Through the House die collection
All Through the House: Base die collection
All Through the House: Frame die collection
All Through the House: Box Top die collection
All Through the House paper pad
Total Retail Cost: $115

TRIMMINGS KIT CONTENTS

Petite LED Lights, set of 4
Miniature Cardinals, set of 2
Miniature Wooden Mice, set of 3
1" Miniature Sisal Wreaths, set of 3
1-1/2" Miniature Sisal trees
Miniature Lamposts
Small Silver Knobs, set of 6
Cotton Snow, 0.75 oz.
Wide Eyelets
3 yds. 1-1/2" Red Twill Chevron Ribbon
3 yds. Red Shimmer Baker's Twine
1 yd. Parrot Green 1/8" velvet ribbon
1 yd. Red Scalloped Trim
1 yd. Light Blue Velvet Ribbon
1 yd. Red/Silver Pom-pom Trim
1 yd. Silver Tinsel Trim
Total Retail Cost: $50 

There will be a limited number of these exclusive kits available, so be sure to get yours on Thursday! The "All Through the House" Kit will be available for sale beginning on October 1st at 10pm ET, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.


I've been busy creating today and am excited to share my projects. The kit is beautifully designed and so easy to work with! One thing I'll mention is that I did not have the Trimmings Kit to work with. So everything you see here (unless otherwise indicated) was done with just the main kit plus ribbon, twine, and cardstock. I love, love, love the Trimmings kit, but you can create some pretty awesome projects without it, too! 


The matchbox design is clever and super versatile. For my first project, I've used the matchbox and frames to create a darling little gift box. It is sized perfectly to hold a gift card, but would obviously work for any small gift item or sweet treats. 

I started by assembling a card stock matchbox. Next I used the matchbox wrap die to create the matchbox sleeve. Then I used the frame to cut out the pretty box top and bottom. The top is a pre-printed pattern. It's beautiful as-is, but for just a little extra, I die-cut a wreath and cardinal and popped them up on the lamp post


The frame has slider slits on the two long sides, perfectly for threading some ribbon through or a card stock strip. I used some Soft Stone satin ribbon, tied off in a bow and topped with some True Black baker's twine.

The tag was done with a arched door die in the kit. It is designed to score on the left side of the doorway, so you can create a door flap that is hinged on one side for opening and closing. Easy enough to trim along that left score line to make this fun tag shape.


Because the top and bottom frames are adhered to the sleeve, the box slides open without having to untie anything. My matchbox was made from Aqua Mist card stock. I used one of the dies to cut a rectangle piece of patterned paper to fit the back of the box perfectly. 


Here's a look from the side, where you can see how the ribbon thread through, and you can see the diagonal green striped pattern, which is the sleeve.

Super elegant, yet so easy to create!



My next project is an ornament, where I've used the inside of the matchbox to create a darling scene.



There are many different pre-printed scenes that you can quickly die-cut and adhere to the inside. Additional elements are ready to die-cut individually -- stockings, trees, the logs and flame, and more -- perfect for layering and creating lots and lots of dimension.

I did a little bit of my own thing for this scene. The background is trimmed down from one of the larger matchbook wraps. I added various die-cuts, including a vellum-backed window made from two dies. I used that same arched doorway die that I used for the tag on the first project to cut the arched opening in the background pattern and to cut the vellum backing. Then I used another die for the white mullions layer. I also stamped some garlands above the fireplace.


I adhered the frame shape to both the front and backof the ornament, then added trees and the adorable 3D gift boxes to the front and Santa and his sleigh at the top. Betsy seriously thought of everything with all these wonderful details!


To make a ribbon hanging loop, I threaded some New Leaf ribbon through the ribbon slits on the back frame, secured a loop at the top using two buttons, and then added some fun jingle bells (from my stash, not included in the kit) to the bottom "tail."


I wanted to dress up the window frame, so I added some silver tinsel from my stash around the opening. Super festive! The Trimmings kit has some silver tinsel, too.


Just a closer look at how I did the ribbon loop and how I added Santa. To make sure he wasn't hidden behind the front frame, I just added a strip of card stock, folded at a 90-degree angle. One side is attached to the box, the other to the sleigh. This gives the extra height, but the little strip is still hidden by the frame. (I hope that makes sense!)

Almost forgot to mention this: Attaching the ribbon loop to the back side like this does create some balance issues because most of the weight is in the front. To make the ornament hang better, I added some weight to the back by die-cutting two extra frames out of Papertrey's new super heavyweight tag stock and gluing them to the back frame.The extra layers really help -- otherwise, the ornament wants to pitch forward. 




This last project is a super quick one. I took advantage of every efficiency Betsy builds into these awesome kits and just layered a whole bunch of pre-designed die-cuts to make an adorable scene.


Aren't these different elements just so sweet?!


In addition to die-cutting all the pre-designed elements, I die-cut a snow layer for the roof, adding glitter (from my personal supply, i.e., not in the kit) to the drippy parts (how's that for a fancy, technical term?)


I have to tell you I had a super fun idea for inside the hinged door, but just couldn't pull it off for today. My house was originally going to be a tag, and inside the door, I wanted to add a photograph of my little guy standing in a doorway and sized just right, so that you'd open the door and he'd be standing there to greet you! For a tag, wouldn't this be a fun way to indicate who the gift is from? I can't wait to try that another time. For this card, I trimmed down a fireplace scene from one of the pre-designed wraps and layered that behind the door. A sweet peek into the inside of the house.



That's it for me today. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember, "All Through the House" will be available for sale beginning on October 1st at 10pm ET, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.

Last, but certainly not least, for more inspiration, visit the Make It Market designers:




Saturday, September 26, 2015

Happy Fall - SFYTT


Happy Fall, indeed! Today I'm playing along with Reverse Confetti's September Sketch For You To Try. 



Have you joined in the fun yet? If not, there's still time. The deadline is noon CST on the 29th. Hope you'll join us! All are welcome to play, and if you use Reverse Confetti stamps, you're eligible for a $20 Reverse Confetti gift certificate.

Here's the sketch, and the link-up is HERE:



I pulled out three new favorite products from the fantastic September release: Pumpkin Patch, Double Scallop Garland, and Thanks Tag.


Pretty straightforward stamping, die-cutting, and layering. If you have any questions, just ask!

For more SFYTT inspiration, visit the Reverse Confetti blog today.

Happy weekend!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Let's Chill + Giveaway

Hello, friends, I'm over on the Reverse Confetti blog today, taking a fresh look at the Let's Chill Confetti Cuts die set for the weekly Wednesday in the Works feature.

Hope you'll join me there for TEN fresh, new "beyond the popsicle" projects. Plus, Jen is giving away THREE Let's Chill Confetti Cuts die sets!

Remember these dies ...


... that make this cute popsicle?


You won't believe all the things you can do with the three different parts! Here's just one idea:


I used three popsicle pieces, folded over onto some baker's twine, to make the largest banner there in the middle. The sentiment, from Posted Note Sentiments, is  stamped and embossed in white. The other garlands are die-cut from the Double Scallop Garland and the Circle Garland. The fun, bright colors and woodgrain background are all Basic Grey B-Side patterns.

Stop by the Reverse Confetti blog for the other NINE ideas for the popsicle dies, including holiday projects, a sea creature, a hair accessory, a movie character, and more. Not to mention the giveaway!!
Good luck!


Friday, September 18, 2015

BeYOUtiful

I'm over on the Taylored Expressions blog today. Hope you'll join me there!

Here's a little peek at my card:


I used some gorgeous new Taylored Expressions products: the Southwest Cutting Plate, Fine Feathers dies, and Free Spirit stamp set.

You can see additional photos and learn about my inspiration and process HERE.

Thanks for visiting, and happy weekend!







Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Pop Pop Pop


It's time for a new Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge!

We hope you'll play along! The LEAD of this challenge will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge! Please visit the Curtain Call Challenge blog for all the challenge info and deadline.


 pnpflowersinc.com


I thought it would be fun to do something with real popcorn. While searching Pinterest for interesting popcorn recipes, I ran across this. The recipe looks tasty, but it was the rolled over brown bag "bowl" with the clothespinned tag that caught my eye. 


I added some jute string to my brown bag, then tied on a tag done with Reverse Confetti's Square Tag Confetti Cuts die, along with the Sugary Sweet Sentiments and Forever Fall stamp sets.


I added two Leafy die-cuts for some extra color. 

Make sure you visit each of the designers' blogs for more inspiration.

Pop Pop Pop Designers


Thanks so much for stopping by! I've had to sit out the last two Curtain Call challenges, so it feels great to play along again!


Papertrey Ink September Release In Review

The Papertrey Ink September release will be available in the store tonight at 10 pm EST. Who's ready to shop? 

I have loved creating with these new products, and have just a few more things to share today.

First up, Enclosed: Bell, by Dawn McVey:


I used this pretty bell die a little differently. I left off the overlay layer (a bell-shaped frame with the word "joy" running through it, and instead layered on a glittery "holiday" die-cut from Christmas Cheer, (which I simply cannot put down!).


The holly is from Enclosed: Bell. The background is watercolored with Aqua Mist ink.


Stamps: Enclosed: Bell, Christmas Cheer

Dies: Enclosed: Bell, Christmas Cheer

Ink: Aqua Mist, Pinefeather, Pure Poppy, VersaMark

Paper: watercolor paper, white card stock, Soft Stone Stripe patterned paper, Make It Market Mini Kit: Holiday Folk, Luxe Silver card stock

Other: baker's twine, watercolor brush, foam adhesive, silver glass glitter





Deck the Halls is also by Dawn McVey. I love this pretty wreath!


I stamped the greenery in Spring Moss and Ripe Avocado, the pinecones in Dark Chocolate, and the bow in Pinefeather. The sentiment is from the Christmas Cheer stamp set and Christmas Cheer dies.



The background is stamped repeatedly with the Fa La La La La sentiment (from Deck the Halls) in Soft Stone.


Stamps: Deck the Halls, Christmas Cheer

Dies: Christmas Cheer

Ink: Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Pinefeather, Dark Chocolate, Soft Stone

Paper: white and Soft Stone card stock

Other: sewing machine, foam tape





Here's a CAS card using Treetops Glisten by Maile Belles. I created a snowy hill out of white card stock using one of the Sentiment Splits: Curve Vertical dies. I adhered the white panel to one of the patterns from the Treetops Glisten paper pack, stamped a sentiment and adhered some Treetops Glisten die-cuts that I loosely watercolored with Pinefeather ink.


Stamps: Treetops Glisten

Dies: Treetops Glisten, Sentiment Splits: Curve Vertical

Ink: Smokey Shadow, Pinfeather

Paper: white card stock, Treetops Glisten patterned paper

Other: watercolor brush, foam tape






This card features more of those watercolored trees, another of the patterns from the Treetops Glisten paper pack, AND ... another new die set, String Frames, by Erin Lincoln. I used the largest rectangle, which cuts the stitching holes at the corners, allowing you to create perfect string frames in no time. 


I used the largest rectangle die to add the baker's twine frame around this scene. Super cool, and lots of different choices in this fun die set.

Stamps: Treetops Glisten

Dies: Treetops Glisten, String Frames

Ink: VersaMark, Pinefeather

Paper:Soft Stone card stock, watercolor paper, Treetops Glisten patterned paper

Other: baker's twine, watercolor brush, white embossing powder



Be sure visit the design team blogs for lots more inspiration:


Thanks so much for stopping by, for joining us in our countdown, and for all the kind and encouraging comments. It means so much!