Introducing Rustic Branches
I am about to introduce one of my favorite people in the industry as an *official* stamp designer, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Heather Nichols is talented beyond belief and has developed her own unique style that can be recognized instantly. It's rustic, yet clean & simple. Heather style is carried over into her very first stamp set for Papertrey Ink entitled Rustic Branches. With wreaths & branches that have various overlays, it is like being provided with a canvas to embellish to suit your style, color scheme or season. I am anxious to see the many variations you will create once you get this versatile set in your hands!
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For my project today I decided to bring out a bit of fabric, muslin to be specific. I like the earthiness of it, which I think works so well with this new set. I wanted to create some personalized sachets as a small gift for a dear friend. In order to make measurements an unnecessary task, I just die cut the fabric using the largest scalloped square from the Nestabilities. I cut four scalloped squares so that I could create two sachets. Muslin is one of the best choices for this type of project for it's breathability. The loose weave will allow the scent of the lavender I am filling them will permeate the space they reside in!
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Next, I stamped the outline wreath image with Landscape Palette ink in the center of two of the squares.
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The outline berry overlay was next, stamped with Lavender Moon ink. I also added a monogram using the Ambassador Monogram Edition Alphabet in the center of the wreath. The letters fit perfectly!
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I used one of the smaller standard square Nestbailities dies and a Mark-B-Gone pen to draw a seam line around the perimeter of the scalloped squares. The Mark-B-Gone pen can be found in any sewing section, even at Wal-Mart. It is easy to remove later on, but is vibrant enough that it is easy to use as a guide while you need it.
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I stitched three sides of the sachets with my sewing machine, backstitching at the beginning and end to prevent the thread from unraveling. I found that you could achieve the neatest finished appearance by starting in a corner and ending in a corner. I then filled my sachet with dried lavender. There are a variety of sources for lavender and other fillers you could use for sachets. A great retailer of organic lavender is The Lavender Fields General Store. Only fill the bag about halfway to allow room to add the last seam on the sewing machine.
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I stitched the last side of the sachet to complete it. I loved how easy it was to get everything perfectly the straight by using the lines as a guide. It worked out really well.
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To eliminate the Mark-B-Gone pen lines, I just dabbed them with a moist paper towel. They disappear like magic! Set aside to allow to dry when you have finished this step.
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Here are the finished sachets! I think they look like something right out of a boutique!
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As a last finishing touch, I tied the two sachets together using Lavender Moon satin ribbon. I made a tag from Kraft cardstock using Tag Trio and stamped the "Handmade by" image from Heather's set. I was able to sign & date the back of the tag to make it more personal!
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The sachets definitely could not be given by themselves, so a coordinating card was definitely in order! I started by die cutting a piece of muslin fabric and a piece of vintage cream cardstock at the same time with a smaller scalloped square from the Nestabilities.
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I kept the two layers together and stitched around the perimeter with my sewing machine, repeating the look of the sachets. I then stamped the same wreath & berries in the center. As an extra touch, I stitched lavender seed beads onto each berry using a needle & thread.
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I wanted to keep my card base really simple, but yet give it a bit of character, so I got out one of my all time favorite background sets, Polka Dot Basics. I measured the width of the particular set of dots I chose and scored two sets of lines above and below the measurement on the BACK of the front cover using my Scor-Pal.
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I then flipped the card over and stamped my dots in between the score lines. Perfect!
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I adhered my focal point to the center with foam dimensionals and added the "thankful" sentiment from Rustic Branches to the bottom corner. Super simple but showcasing a few details, like I talked about in yesterday's post.
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Here is the finished ensemble all together. I love how peaceful everything looks and the soothing nature it seems to exude. Who wouldn't love to receive something pampering like this? If you wanted to turn this more into a holiday gift, you could stamp the berries in red and fill the sachets with pine needles. Inexpensive and so thoughtful!
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For an additional peek at Rustic Branches, be sure to stop by Heather's blog today!
Lisa has more to share with you as well using her latest set!
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Stamps: Rustic Wreath, Ambassador Monogram Edition Alphabet, Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Landscape, Lavender Moon Palette inks, vanilla pigment
Paper: Classic Kraft, Vintage Cream
Other: Lavender Moon satin ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Tag Trio, Scor-Pal, sewing machine, lavender, muslin fabric
Just Stunning.
Posted by: Becky | August 10, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Beautiful, as always. Are you sure you're not related to Martha Stewart?! :)
Posted by: Steph | August 10, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Wow! These are just beautiful!
Posted by: Angela K | August 10, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Wow, that is just precious! I love your sachets, and it all just came together so beautifully! What a wonderful gift, I'm sure it will be truly appreciated! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | August 10, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Nichole, these are amazing projects. I can't wait to get Piney's new set. She is awesome!
Posted by: Joy Kennedy (JoyOfStamping) | August 11, 2008 at 12:17 AM
What a lovely elegant gift.
Posted by: Susy | August 11, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Beautiful!! And what a great gift idea!
Posted by: Denean | August 11, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Nichole, what a beautiful sachet and card! It perfectly represents Pine (Heather)... peaceful, earthy, minimalistic. I am beyond excited to play with her set!
Posted by: hb | August 11, 2008 at 05:44 AM
I LOVE this stamp! But mostly, I LOVE this idea....maybe I WILL pull my sewing machine out! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kathleen | August 11, 2008 at 05:59 AM
This is just precious. Love the added touch of the beads on the card. You always finish everything is such a lovely way.
Posted by: SueB | August 11, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Incredible! The time and thought you put into a gift is just amazing.
Posted by: Alyssa | August 11, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Very cute. I think these would be adorable just stuffed with fiberfill too and given as little doll pillows to a little girl! This set looks so pretty! Can't wait to see everything on Friday!
Posted by: Alicia Weiman | August 11, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Breathtaking....
Posted by: Renee V. (happystamper05) | August 11, 2008 at 07:27 AM
This is so elegant and what a thoughtful gift. I can smell the lavendar almost!
Posted by: Mish | August 11, 2008 at 08:04 AM
I cannot recall any project that you've done that I have not admired. Your card style is just so beautifully elegant --
Thank you!
Posted by: Loydene | August 11, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Oh my! This is breath taking! Wow! I am speechless! What a beauty! TFS! Hope you are doing well! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Buck | August 11, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Wow, what a beautiful project and card! This set is simply beautiful and I think it represents Heather perfectly! I'm so excited for her first set!
Posted by: Tami McBeain (tmarie) | August 11, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I love these projects. I even have the pens from my quilting days.
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | August 11, 2008 at 08:39 AM
So cute! I love lavender and will have to make some of these for myself! I hardly EVER make anything for myself!
Posted by: Denise Rose | August 11, 2008 at 09:01 AM
I'm going to make these as soon as I get home from work tonight!!!! this is a SUPER craft - I've made lavender sachets before - but these look absolutely gorgeous! thanks for sharing your methods Nicole!!!
Posted by: Julia Aston | August 11, 2008 at 09:35 AM
what a lovely project! thanks for sharing your awesome talent, Nichole!
Posted by: Christine Villacarlos | August 11, 2008 at 10:22 AM
THUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me?! Wow Nichole. I'm not worthy. You are just amazing.
Posted by: Lauren (mytime) | August 11, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Wowza! I love this...such a simple idea but what impact it has with all the details you added...the beads on the card was such a great touch...never would have thought of that. I can't wait to get this set so I can duplicate!
Charmaine
Posted by: Charmaine | August 11, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Nichole - that is so gorgeous and I LOVE that you supply your readers with an endless supply of handmade gift ideas! Can't wait to see more...
Kerry
Posted by: kerry davis | August 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I love love LOVE this gift, it's wonderful, thoughtful, imaginative and just super :D! Oh yes, and it smells nice, that's alway a bonus ;o)
Posted by: Erica | August 11, 2008 at 12:08 PM