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Introducing Heart Prints

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for fabulously versatile & basic images for your stamp collection that you can depend on as a "go to" set. Most of the time these dependable sets end up being flowers and upon this realization I decided to design a new basic set that could really help to spice things up! I analyzed some of the trends I had noticed in fashion and stamping. There was a motif that I saw repeatedly, and that was the heart. I knew I wanted to prove that hearts could be used as a trendy decorative accent for many occasions, not just revolving solely around Valentine's Day either!

And that is how Heart Prints was born! A collection of heart images that feature a variety of patterns and looks to suit almost any style card you wish to create. There are a total of nine large heart images and eight small heart images. And might I add, all but one of the large hearts have a coordinating small heart featuring the same pattern. This size pairing works beautifully when nesting the images.
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All of the hearts contained in Heart Prints coordinate with heart punches from EK Success, which we will now be carrying! I love having coordinating punches like this because it makes quick & easy work in comparison to cutting out the shapes by hand!
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You can combine several different patterned hearts together to create a stunning series of focal points. By throwing in a rainbow of color choices too, not much else is needed other than the crisp Vintage Cream card base and the perfect sentiment.
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Speaking of sentiments, I created an entire sentiment set to go along with these patterned hearts to make easy work of integrating the motif into everyday projects. Heart Prints Sentiments contains several incredible sentiments that carry on the theme of "hearts & love". the addition of this sentiment set turns Heart Prints into a year-round basic that you will find yourself turning towards again and again. I'm already in love and I've only just begun exploring its possibilities!
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One little detail about this project that I thought I might get inquiries about... I drew the border by hand with a ruler and pen after I added the sentiment. It was really easy to do and helps to tie the project together!
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As I mentioned earlier, the large & small hearts can be combined to create many different nesting possibilities. The linear heart image shown here is the only large heart that does not have a smaller counterpart. The reason being is that the third heart from the center of this concentric layering coordinates with the small heart punch. So, essentially you are getting a two-for-one deal!
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I just love the way this project turned out! It was so fun to create and I have the perfect person in mind to send it to as well! The large heart images were used this time, stamped in Papertrey's NEW Fresh Snow pigment ink. LOVE, love, love this ink. It is the best white ink on the market, hands down!Just wait until you see the results you will get when you try it yourself! The sentiment was stamped on a small strip of acetate using black palette ink (with just a slight heat-set). Being able to overlay the sentiment like that over the multiple layers of the projects really helps create some wonderful visual balance, I think!

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So there you have it! What are your thoughts on utilizing hearts as fresh and fun year-round motif? I would love to hear your input! Sounds to me like a good reason to do another giveaway! Let me know your opinions on the subject and I will choose one random comment to win...

Heart Prints

Heart Prints Sentiments

and our NEW Fresh Snow pigment ink!

The Fine Print: One comment will be chosen randomly as the winner. The winner will be announced around 11:30pm EST, Thursday, December 11th right here at the end of this post. Please play nice, only one comment per person.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-12-12 06:15:12 UTC

And comment # 147 belongs to...

"My initial thought was "Oh. Hearts."

Now it's "OH!!! H*E*A*R*T*S!!!!"

Seeing truly is believing...The lovely details do, indeed, make this an amazing set. Well done!"

Posted by: Mary O.K. | December 11, 2008 at 06:48 AM

Congratulations, Mary! Please email customer service with your shipping information so we can get your prize package out to you! And thank you to everyone else for sharing your excitement with me about these sets! I appreciate it so much!

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See what Heather Nichols created with Heart Prints today!

Lisa Johnson has another peek at her set today!

Lauren Meader reveals a bit about one of her new templates!

Candice Aguilar has a few things to share about her latest set as well!

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Small Hearts, Great Love card

Stamps: Heart Prints & Heart Prints Sentiments (available December 15th)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Dark Chocolate palette inks

Paper: Vintage Cream

Other: chocolate Pigment Pro Writer from American Crafts, ruler, small heart punch from EK Success

Finished Size: 3.5 x 6 inches

Heart of Possibilities card

Stamps: Heart Prints & Heart Prints Sentiments (available December 15th)

Ink: Fresh Snow pigment (available December 15th), Ocean Tides & Black Noir palette

Paper: Classic Kraft, Stamper's Select White and Ocean Tides

Other: buttons from Buttons Galore, acetate, white embroidery floss from DMC, corner rounder punch, paper piercer

Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches

December 11, 2008 in all countdown posts, just cards | Permalink | Comments (691)

Introducing Forest Friends

Candice Aguilar has become well-known and recognizable for her clean, whimsical style. When brainstorming ideas & themes to base a new set on, I instantly knew that the woodland creature trend that is so prominent now, would be a perfect fit. When I saw her first draft, it was obvious that it was match made in heaven! Her new set, entitled Forest Friends, is just the CUTEST collection of critters I have ever seen! It was all I could do not to reveal the set in it's entirety tonight so you could see the entire "family" she drew! I've learned to pace myself over the last two year's of doing these countdowns though, so today's project will showcase just the sweet little skunk!

If you look closely at the skunk, you will see how a few simple, well-thought out lines create this little guy. I love the soft curve of the stripes down his back and that cute little button of a nose! And notice the font combination that Candice chose for the sentiments? LOVE it! The retro font used in a lot of the emphasis words contained in this set is just fabulous! So fresh and funky! Almost creating a style all it's own!
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Speaking of the sentiment, this particular one (Stop and smell the flowers) got me to thinking about a technique I dabbled in about four years ago! Creating my own scratch & sniff components! It's an oldie; perhaps you remember doing it too! And after thinking about it a bit more, we as paper crafters have really brought our projects up a notch in the past few years by incorporating the element of touch with textures, etc... Why not start thinking about some fun ways you can embellish your themed projects with scents? With my card in particular, I thought of a few different scenarios.
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Create your own scratch & sniff embossing powder. I have always mixed Kool-Aid packets (no sugar added, just the flavoring) with clear embossing powder. You want about 1 part Kool-Aid to two-parts embossing powder. You can make just what you need for a project, or make a larger batch and store it in a labeled container. With an expansive selection of "flavors" available, you can create something to suit almost any project! Pink Lemonade is one of my personal favorites since it doesn't have a lot of color to it and blends in quite nicely with the embossing powder. You use this homemade scratch & sniff concoction just as you would normal embossing powder!

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I just discovered these Potpourri Pellets at Wal-Mart last week. One packet costs about a $1 and contains hundreds of these little transparent dots that almost look like droplets of glass. They average from 1/8 to 3/16-inch in diameter, making them the perfect center for a flower or adhered in a row for a border. You could pretty much use them any place you might normally use a rhinestone or self-adhesive pearl. They are permanently saturated with their assigned scent, so the recipient would be welcomed with the sweet smell as soon as they opened the envelope!

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One additional option is to use a tiny drop or two of a fragrance oil on your flowers, which is what I did on my project today. I found some in the potpourri section of the store. You could also use essential oils that are used in making cosmetics and other beauty products. Remember, a little goes a long way!

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So, have you added scents to your paper crafting projects in the past? Does today's post inspire any ideas for you and your creativity today? Think about mixing pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in with your embossing powders for a special home baked smell on a project that features gingerbread men or other holiday baking theme. What's your mother's favorite flower? Wouldn't she be thrilled to have a special birthday card that features an image of that bloom PAIRED with the smell she loves so much. It would be like having a fresh bouquet arriving in an envelope!

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Oh, and I almost forgot! What do you think of the patterned papers used on today's project? They are all from the new December patterned paper collection, Raspberry Fizz Mix (don't forget that you can click on the image for a larger view!). I am SO in love with this collection! I am going to have a lot of trouble not using it on every single project I create this week! Just to help fend off some questions now, there is not a stamp set being released this month that coordinates with this paper. Notice I said THIS month! A few of the elements that I designed for these patterns made their way into a set that will be released in January, so you'll just have to wait and see what will be! Regardless, the vibrancy of the color, paired with the bold patterns jsut really make the collection fun to use. You will gt fabulous results no matter what you pair this paper with! It practically does the work for you!

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So now that I have introduced a few new things from our December release to you, how would you feel about having a chance to win them? One random comment from this post will be selected to receive

Forest Friends

Forest Friends Sentiments

AND Raspberry Fizz Mix 8x8 paper pad

(this is a $47 value!)

The Fine Print: One comment will be chosen randomly as the winner. The winner will be announced around 11:30pm EST, Wednesday, December 10th right here at the end of this post. Please play nice, only one comment per person.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

For the first time in the history of utilizing the Random Number Generator, it rolled out a single digit!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-12-11 06:17:04 UTC

And comment # 6 belongs to...

"The little skunk is so saucy looking and I love the new papers. This little skunk should definitely be called "Flower". Can't wait to see more! "

Posted by: Ann Lind | December 09, 2008 at 11:29 PM

Congratulations, Ann! Please contact Customer Service with your shipping address so we can get your prize package out to you! And thanks to everyone else for playing! All of your excitement is contagious!

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Be sure to stop by Lauren Meader's blog to see what she has created with Forest Friends!

Candice Aguilar has inked the set up too to show you a little preview!

Lisa Johnson has a set being released this month as well, which she shows you a peek at today in her post!

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Stamps: Forest Friends (available December 15th)

Ink: Versamark (for embossing), Black Noir Palette

Paper: Raspberry Fizz Mix (available December 15th), Stamper's Select White, Classic Kraft

Other: Raspberry Fizz satin ribon (available December 15th), mini black brads from Making Memories, Filigree White detail embossing powder, foam dimensionals, corner rounder punch (for scalloped edge)

Finished Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.5 inches

December 09, 2008 in all countdown posts, just cards | Permalink | Comments (681)

Moxie Fab World & Trends

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One of my dearest friends in the industry, Cath Edvalson (creative editor for Paper Crafts magazine), has recently begun a new blog entitled "Moxie Fab World". For those that might know Cath personally, "Moxie Fab" is a phrase that she uses often, and has lent itself to the title of a column she writes for the magazine as well. She interviewed me for a weekly feature on her blog called Ask Around, which relates to trend-watching in the paper crafting industry. I thought you would enjoy reading over my answers on this fabulous Wednesday morning. Enjoy!

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I had some requests for the links to the projects showcased on Cath's blog today! Here you go!

Lavender Sachets

Heartfelt Muffins

Nautical Baby Bucket Ensemble

Rustic Fabric Flowers Card

December 03, 2008 in friends of Papertrey, the inside scoop | Permalink | Comments (6)

Senior DT Challenge: Cash & Carry

December 1st has arrived, and with that the push for all of the holiday shopping to be completed before the big day begins! And with that, there may be some of you who prefer to avoid the hustle & bustle of crowds and just stick with the one-size-fits all option of gift cards or cash. I have always enjoyed trying to come up with unique presentations for such a gift, and this month I challenged the Senior Design Team to do just that for all of you. You will love all of their amazing ideas &contributions, so be sure to stop by and visit each of them today so your recipients can cash & carry in style!

Debbie developed this quick and easy template that has a wonderfully unique shape to it.
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Michelle used a candy cane theme theme to create these adorable little pocket holders. She even integrated some fun silver tinsel pipe cleaners!
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Lisa used felt as the medium of her choice to create this stunning holder which can hang on the tree.
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Lauren designed this amazing snowman to hold a gift card between his mitten hands! Be sure to read her full post to see the same concept applied to both Santa and a reindeer
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Heather used classic holiday colors to create a fun wallet style holder with a neat integration of ribbon. You just have to check it out!
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I hope you have enjoyed all of the hard work that the team put into this month's challenge. I know that I myself will be using a few of their ideas for some hard-to-shop-for people on my list! Enjoy the beginning of this holiday season and happy stamping!