Everyone has a niche in this world, and each person's is different. We all have specific activities that we are drawn too, things that *speak* to us, things that are a perfect match for our creativity, our personalities, our souls. Lauren Meader's niche is paper crafting templates, and LOTS of them. Big, small, intricate, simple. You name it, she has designed it. Have you ever wanted to replicate her ideas? Well now's your chance!
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Papertrey Ink is thrilled to have partnered with Lauren Meader to bring you an all new EXCLUSIVE line of printable templates. These templates are all formatted to be easily printed from your home computer right onto standard 8.5 x 11 cardstock. How's that for easy?!?!?! Not only will you get the opportunity to print the templates as many times as you like, you will also get exclusive project ideas from our design team that show you unique ways on HOW to use the templates! And it gets better. Lauren will be releasing TWO brand new templates EVERY month, along with our regular stamp releases! Here's a few details....
---> all downloads will only be $5 each! These downloads will include:
- a printable template file, ready to cut and score. All of them will be sized for standard 8.5 x 11 sheets!
- unlimited, lifetime use of the template. Print as many times as you like!
- an exclusive project idea handout, containing 5-6 full-color project ideas with complete instructions & supply lists!
--->The templates and project ideas will be a fun mixture of seasonal holiday themes and things appropriate for everyday!
--->Two new templates will be released each month, allowing you to slowly build your own My Timeless Templates library!
--->You won't believe how quick and easy the templates are to use! Click, print, cut, score, assemble. You'll be able to put together quick treat packaging in under 5 minutes flat!
--->Don't forget that you can always change & tweak templates after you have printed them. You can add things like windows, handles, size, etc... This makes each individual template really worth that of at least 4 or 5 template ideas!
--->All templates & handouts will be provided in a pdf format.
--->This month we will be releasing a special THIRD template that will be available as a FREE download on the 15th, just so you can get your toes wet and see what this new product line is all about!
So are you ready to see one of these exclusive templates in action? Let's go!
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I chose to work with a template that Lauren has named For Keep{sake}. It is an adorable little box that was originally intended to make a beautiful presentation for an ornament of some kind, but as you will see a bit later on in my post, I had different plans! So first, I simply printed my template out. For this particular project, you need to print out two of the box templates and one of the lid. (The two pieces of the box are adhered together end to end to form the four sides!) It is so fun to be in design mode before you even print and choose your color scheme! I ended it up selecting Ripe Avocado and Spring Moss.
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After printing, it was time for scoring using the Scor-pal of course! (Dotted lines represent areas that need to be scored.) You know you will be hooked on Lauren's fabulous templates each month, and there is no better companion tool than the Scor-pal. So, if you do not yet have one, I would highly recommend ratcheting it up to the top of your list! This is the number one tool for these types of projects, in both my opinion & Lauren's!
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Next step in preparing the template, is using a ruler and craft knife to cut along all of the solid lines, right on your Scor-pal using the Scor-mat! Now how easy is that!!! (If you prefer to use a paper trimmer, you could also use that instead, but interior cuts for the window, may be just a bit trickier.)
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I also cut & scored the lid. For the two slots in it's center, I used the Making Memories slot punch to replicate the slots used on the template.
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Now we are going to create our own pattern to decorate the sides of this box using a few stamps and some ink! First up is this snowflake from Heather Nichols new October set entitled Snowfall (and also a companion set entitled Snowfall Additions). I have loved Heather's easy going style since the first moment I laid eyes on it, and this set is no exception! I stamped these snowflakes in Ocean Tides ink onto the spring moss box bases.
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Next, I pulled out one of Papertrey's classic favorites, Borders and Corners Circle, and stamped one of the small dotted borders in Ripe Avocado around the center of each of the large snowflakes.
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I then used one of the small reverse snowflakes from the Snowfall set to fill in around the large snowflakes. These were also stamped with Ripe Avocado ink. Didn't these two sets come together to build a beautiful pattern?
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I wanted to add a bit of shimmer & shine, so I pulled out some gold metallic mist from last month's release and spritzed it all over my stamped cardstock. It is difficult to capture how pretty this is in real life (you can click to enlarge the photo and get a bit of a better view)! I love how these mists can completely change the color of our cardstocks, kind of like adding a few new colors to the spectrum! The gold mist changed spring moss into a special sparkly yellow-green that is perfect for the holidays!
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Next up was creating a focal point for the front of my box. I stamped one of the large snowflakes in white ink onto Ocean Tides cardstock.
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One of the COOLEST things about Heather's new set is that all of the snowflakes are compatible with ALL four sizes of Marvy snowflake punches, which we will begin carrying this month! I chose to use the one that matched up with the Mega size! I just inverted my punch and I was done!
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Here's a peek at the completed box. To jazz up the window openings a bit, I stamped the smallest dots from Polka Dot Basics onto transparency using white acrylic paint. I adhered them inside, around the opening with double tacky tape. The snowflake is adhered with a bit of foam tape at its center, really making it pop from the surface of the box!
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I loved the way this little tag turned out and thought I would show you the fun way that I was able to hang it from the lid.
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I threaded a button with twine and inserted both ends of the twine into the hole of the tag. Once pulled through a simple knot held everything in place at the back of the tag. Not only is the button securely in place, but it allows one to do something a bit different other than a standard hole at the top of the tag!
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As the tag states, winter has a whole lot of *brrrrrrrr*! Why not put together a little something that will make someone nice and cozy as the curl up on the couch after a long day? Like I explained earlier, the lid of this box was originally designed to hang an ornament from. I used the same feature to hold a bag of tea in place, to go with the chocolate cookie crisps! I found that most tea bags fit perfectly in our small glassine bags.
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The Ocean Tides grosgrain ribbon was simply wrapped around the glassine bag holding the tea and the ends were inserted through the two slots in the lid that I showed earlier. Once the bow is tied at the top, the tea bag won't go anywhere and it is held nice and neatly away from the cookies inside! Mmmmm, peppermint tea and chocolate cookies! I can't think of a better combination!
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All stampers like coordination, not to mention versatility with our suppplies, so why not give the homemade cookies held inside a little style as well? I created a mask by punching the snowflake from some scrap cardstock. I held it over each of the cookies while they were hot from the oven and gently dusted them with confectioners sugar. The end result is a pretty little snowflake featured proudly on each of your yummy treats!
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I hope you are as excited for BOTH Lauren's My Timeless Templates and Heather's Snowfall stamp sets as I am! Whether used together or seperately, they are both sure to be an amazing additions to your paper crafting collection!!!
So let me know what you think about either of these new items and you will be entered to win! Just for sharing your thoughts with us you will have
a chance to win
one FREE template download and your very own copies of Snowfall & Snowfall Additions.
Fine Print: Contest will close @ 11pm EST tonight (Saturday, October 11th). The winner will be chosen via a Random Number Generator and posted here. Winner is responsible for providing shipping address after announcement has been made. Please, only one entry per person.
CONTEST NOW CLOSED: Lauren and I both appreciate all of your kind words and excitement in regards to our new venture. Just wait until you see exactly what your $5 will be getting you! The winner of our contest is...
I am so happy about this partnership between Papertrey Ink and Lauren!
Papertrey is for me THE company to go to for packaging gifts and
homemade goodies. It has this wonderful mix of elegance and whimsy and
all the projects are gorgeous and stunning. Same can be said for
Lauren's creations, she really has a gift for turning simple offerings
into the most beautiful gift! This was a match made in heaven, and I am
looking forward to discovering those templates and what the DT comes up
with using them!
Congratulations!! :-D
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See what else Lauren has been cooking up some of her new templates!
Melissa has another amazing idea using Merry & Bright Additions.
Heather is showcasing more about Snowfall as well!
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Stamps: Snowfall & Snowfall Additions (available October 15th), Borders & Corners Circle & Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Ocean Tideas & Ripe Avocado Palette, white pigment
Paper: Spring Moss, Ocean Tides, Stamper's Select White
Other: Ocean Tides Grosgrain, small glassine bag, white acrylic paint, slot punch from Making Memories, scalloped scissors, MEga snowfalke punch, extra jumbo scalloped circle punch, transparency sheets from Office Depot, For Keep{sake} My Timeless Template.
Oh my gosh! That is fabulous. I have always admired Lauren's style.
It's a good life!
Terri E.
Posted by: Terri E. | October 11, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Love this!! How do you guys come up with such great ideas? LOL Can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Ally V. | October 11, 2008 at 06:02 AM
What a great idea!! Lauren is certainly talented as are the rest of the designers so this will be a perfect fit for everyone! Congrats--I would love to win! :)
Posted by: KathyC | October 11, 2008 at 06:06 AM
WEll all these "foodie" things are fabulous!! This is an amazing idea!! What a great collection to have!
Posted by: Janine | October 11, 2008 at 06:11 AM
OMG---these are going to be so great! When can I get them? I love your samples and Laurens as well!
Posted by: Wendy | October 11, 2008 at 06:15 AM
All I can say is "Brilliant!" - the template, the snowflake stamp which fits the snowflake punch, and the idea that pulls everything together! The only things I'm not quite sure about are the new colors - but as soon as I have them in my hands, all doubt will quickly pass! Thanks, Nichole, you continue to amaze us!
Posted by: Tricia Dee | October 11, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Wow! the templates sound and look fantastic. I can see them being so versatile and easy to put together. I'm loving Heather's stamp sets, the rustic feel she brings in with her individual ideas and projects are a breath of fresh air. This is looking a wonderful release month.
Posted by: June | October 11, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Cannot wait. Snowflakes and snowmen - cannot get enough. Lauren's creative ideas will make the season that much more fun! Would love to win.
Posted by: Jazzi | October 11, 2008 at 06:25 AM
I just changed offices and was trying to figure out what I was going ot give my co-workers this Christmas. This is just PERFECT! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Posted by: Karen A | October 11, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Great ideas! I can't wait to see the templates and stamps...I love the idea of being able to have them at my fingertips... I love the idea of using the stamp to make a mask for your cookies...I am thinking that is a great idea for brownies and mini cakes as well.. Great job!
Posted by: Winnie | October 11, 2008 at 06:30 AM
I love this project...how perfect for the mail person to find on a cold delivery day! I am so excited about this months release I can hardly contain myself!
Posted by: Robyn, Maine, USA | October 11, 2008 at 06:31 AM
What an awesome package! An ordinary cookie gets an exceptional debut. Nicole and Lauren are trendsetters.
Posted by: Rita | October 11, 2008 at 06:33 AM
I love these templates! I cannot wait to download them and play. What fun!
Posted by: Gina D. | October 11, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Wow, you guys at PT never fail to impress...you just get better and better. The templates idea is awesome and love your project Nichole.
Posted by: Linda | October 11, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Oh my word, I am so excited for Lauren, couldn't happen to a nicer gal. And of course, the snowflakes are just fabulous as well.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Posted by: Tina | October 11, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Oh my goodness. I am so excited..I love Lauren's creativeness and now combined with Papertrey...what could be better!
Posted by: Katie | October 11, 2008 at 06:37 AM
This is awesome!!! I love all the projects you make and now for so little $$$ we have the templates available to us. BRILLIANT!
Posted by: donna calamari | October 11, 2008 at 06:40 AM
I am SO excited about Lauren's templates!! Her blog is amazing and I can't wait to see the templates she creates!!
Posted by: Amanda Angert | October 11, 2008 at 06:41 AM
I really like the Snowfall set along with its additions! What creativity you all have!
Posted by: Katie | October 11, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Oh, my goodness! When I looked at all your sneak peaks I thought, "I'm in so much trouble!" And now I know that I am. The stamp club that I'm a member of is swapping packaging items next month so this is perfect timing. Can't wait to see what else Lauren has come up with! Two months ago I didn't even know that stamping blogs existed -- now I'm addicted to the point of needing intervention! I'm so impressed and inspired! Thanks for all your hard work!!!!
Posted by: Janelle | October 11, 2008 at 06:42 AM
These templates are AWESOME!!! But that doesn't surprise me with Lauren. Can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.
Posted by: Kim Howard | October 11, 2008 at 06:43 AM
What a great idea! I am a huge fan of Laurens! Also lovey that mitten! too cute!! lisa k in tx
Posted by: Lisa K in TX | October 11, 2008 at 06:45 AM
Gorgeous I always love the end results!! This is the cutest project and love how everything matches!!! Thanks so much for bringing this to us!! :)Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | October 11, 2008 at 06:46 AM
I love seeing all the projects Lauren creates and now we have the opportunity to recreate them with those templates... AMAZING! Looking forward to another wonderful release!
Posted by: Marica | October 11, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Packaging templates that are easily downloaded will be a great addition to have on hand for making gifts. And, I love the snowflake mask for decorating the cookies! You ladies are so creative!!
Posted by: Loydine | October 11, 2008 at 06:49 AM