4- Introducing Polka Dot Basics

If you haven't noticed by now, I am fanatic about polka dots.  Any size, any color, I love them all.  I have been jotting down characteristics I would want in THE ultimate polka dot set for a few months now.  I am proud to make this set a reality and now offer it to all of you!

There are SIX different polka dot background stamps in this set.  This is an example of the smallest dots included.  They are a little less than 1/8-inch in diameter each.  For this strip of paper I stamped them with white pigment ink.

These are the third size up.  I wanted to show you how well the actual stamps are designed.  They are specially designed so that when you repeat images, they will fit together like puzzle pieces WITHOUT having to compensate towards the left or the right, making your pattern seamless!  This characteristic was a HUGE priority for me and I am so thrilled that I was able to execute it with all six patterns.  (I used our new Aqua Mist Palette Ink here)

Then there are these dots.  The largest of the set.  This particular size and the next one down have both solid and outline images.  Meaning you can use them separately (like I did here) or layer them on top of one another using different colors.

After I finished all my polka dot stamping, I pieced together a card front for my 5-1/2 inch square card.  Notice that I integrated a strip of our new Spring Moss twill tape into the pattern.  I loved that I was able to cut the twill at the edge of the card front and didn't need to worry about any fraying!  So exciting!

I ended up deciding to stamp on the twill tape with the "just because" sentiment from Shapes By Design.  I used white pigment ink and it worked beautifully!

I wanted to add a floral accent, so I ended up using one portion of the unique stem stamp from Women of Life.  I trimmed it down, matted it with Spring Moss cardstock followed by a layer of vellum.  Because of the layers on the card front alternating with Spring Moss & Aqua Mist cardstock already, I knew my Spring Moss Mat would blend into the pattern.  Matting with vellum is one of my favorite tricks for when a colored mat would be "too much" or get "lost" in your background.

I decided to mix things up a little bit and use a die cut with the stem instead of a stamp.  I die-cut this pretty flower with Aqua Mist cardstock.

I adhered the flower in place and topped it off with a small button from my stash.

And here is the completed card.  I just LOVE the way the stamping turned out on the twill!  So understated but a perfect compliment to the project all at the same time!

I thought I would share another little something that I like to do when I am hand-delivering cards.  Papertrey's Large Glassine Bags make the perfect specialty envelope and they are SO inexpensive compared to the real thing.  These bags are only 16-cents each!

 

First, I scored it at 5.75 inches from the bottom edge.

I then trimmed the top with scalloped scissors.

Two snips down the sides and then across the score line on the top layer only, creating your envelope flap!

After I inserted my card, I fastened it shut with this custom seal made with coordinating products used throughout the rest of the project.

To finish it I made a small label for the front of the envelope using a rectangle scalloped punch and the "sister" stamp from Women of Life.  I really love the soft look the glassine bag/envelope adds to the presentation of the card!

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So, do you love polka dots too? 

Would you like to receive a FREE set of Polka Dot Basics? 

I would love to hear from all the polka dot lovers out there!  Leave a comment on this post to enter to win.  I will pick one comment using the Random Number Generator.  This contest will close as of Wednesday (02/12/08) at 12pm (est).  The winner's name will be announced here!  Good luck to everyone!  Polka dot lovers unite!

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Still want to see more?

Be sure to stop by Heather's blog today!  She is featuring another sneak peek using Polka Dot Basics!  Her fun technique demonstrated with her tutorial is out of this world!  I can't wait to try it myself!

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SUPPLY LIST-

Inks: Aqua Mist & Spring Moss Palette inks, White Craft ink from SU!

Stamps: Women of Life, Shapes By Design & Polka Dot Basics from Papertrey

Paper: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss & White cardstock from Papertrey, vellum from SU!

Other: Spring Moss Twill Tape from Papertrey, scalloped scissors from SU! (retired), large glassine bag from Papertrey, extra jumbo scalloped circle punch & super jumbo scalloped rectangle punch from Marvy, Flower die from Cuttlebug (Provo Craft)

Comments

[Cindy S]

I love these! Wonderful having them line up so well without needing to offset them!

[Claire]

polka dots are always amazing. you can alter them in so many ways. I love using them to highlight words or pictures. I love using them to decorate paper for wrapping. I like to use big solid polka dots on something I've been working on if I've made a mistake. People will think I do it intentionally and it still looks great

[Claire]

polka dots are always amazing. you can alter them in so many ways. I love using them to highlight words or pictures. I love using them to decorate paper for wrapping. I like to use big solid polka dots on something I've been working on if I've made a mistake. People will think I do it intentionally and it still looks great

[Michelle]

Oh my goodness! Those polka dots are awesome! I love the hollow ones and the teeny tiny ones, too!

[Cindy Keery]

I love polka dots! What a great set!

-Cindy

[otter]

I think this is my favorite so far!!!! OMG!!! AWESOME!!!

[Laura]

I love those dots! What an efficent way to stamp a background.

[buzzy]

I can see this will be a versatile, go to set, for many applications. Very cool!

[Dee (OkieDee)]

What an elegant gift...Ya gotta love polka dots...I love them stamped, embossed..anyway I can get them. I really like the open circles also.. Wonderful idea with the glassine bags...I will have to get the polka dots also..thanks for the mini tut..now I hope I win them...I would love to give them a new home. Hugs...Dee in Oklahoma

[Elizebeth]

I LOVE polka dots! I am SOOOOO glad you are coming out with this set. I am constantly looking for a background that is subtle enough to not steal the show, but also has some oomph.

[Laura]

Gotta love those dots!

[Harriet Skelly]

Polka dots are awesome and in all these different sizes they are so fun to mix and match! Love this set!

[Harriet Skelly]

Polka dots are awesome and in all these different sizes they are so fun to mix and match! Love this set!

[Maureen W.]

I'm so excited about this set because I just *love* polka dots!! Can't wait to see the full set!!

[Theresa]

Fantastic polka dot stamps. The effect looks like some beautiful patterned paper, that you can customise to any colour pallet. Really amazing.

[Lisa]

How cute. I love polka dots - can't tell you how much polka dotted ribbon I own... Thank you for creating a seamless repeat - this is something that has always bugged me with background stamps. I'm glad to see stamp designers thinking like digital designers.

[yoorah]

Always loved polka dots!

[Heather J.]

I love this set!!! I love polka dots as well and having such an interchangeable set is going to be awesome. Yes, I "need" this set...along with the ribbon, ink, paper, boxes....!!!!!

[Victoria]

Oh, I love polka dots...especially the little dots-they are my fav!!! They make me happy!!! Polka dots to me represent happiness. I can't wait to see what the whole looks like. It will definitely be a MUST on the 15th!... I guess I can look at it as a good head start on next years anniversary set. Can't wait!

[Jan Scholl]

those large circle polka dots are pretty neat. most think only of the smaller ones. Mix it up and play.

[Adelina]

Oh I'd love to play with the polka dot set! How are you going to do this again next month?! WOW!

[Chris L.]

I just love polka dots! This set looks like so much fun! And I love the ability to repeat easily!

[Erin]

Yep...going to need these.

[Chrystal]

Finally, POLKA DOTS!!! So versatile and they NEVER go out of style!

[Bobbi]

I love polka dots... and the "Just Because" is so perfect!