I have been looking forward to today's post since I began planning the schedule for Anniversary Events over a month ago! We have a super fun game planned for you and I can hardly wait for all of you to begin playing! But all that will come at the end of the post (I need to learn to pace myself) because right now I need to show you another brand-new stamp set!
Tags for Spring is a sequel to the extremely successful set, 2008 Holiday Tags, where several of our stamp designers contributed images for a single set that all coordinate with the super jumbo scalloped circle punch. Well, we asked each of them to draw something up under the same premise only with a spring & Easter theme. Let's just say that they did not disappoint. In fact, a few of our design team members have told me that this is one of their favorite sets we've ever released. I have to agree, because not only does it contain simple beautiful images, it also has versatility that extends beyond the season it was intended for. Onto a project!
As I mentioned before, just like 2008 Holiday Tags, this set contains several circular images that average about 1-3/4" in diameter. The one I decided to work with was a leafy circular background contributed by Alli Miles. This is one of my FAVORITE images and I can already visualize dozens & dozens of other ways to use it!
To begin my project, I wanted to create some wrapped nuggets as part of a spring treat for a friend. I decided to adapt the circular image to the white labels I was using by centering the image on every other label in a row (you can see the label outline a bit more clearly if you click to enlarge the image). These images were stamped in aqua mist ink. It's a bit hard to tell in this photo, but some labels have the whole *middle* filled with pattern, while in between those are labels that have two edges of the image meeting in the center. I liked how both turned out and decided to roll with it.
These small "friend" and "enjoy" sentiments (that are included in the new set) are stamped in dark chocolate ink in the center of each label.
Here's a peek at the wrapped labels completed. I wanted a few bolder splashes of aqua mist among my group of nuggets, so I punched some of the Bitty Dots Basics aqua mist paper using a super jumbo scalloped rectangle punch. I ran them through my Xyron Sticker Maker and adhered them to the labels for a perfect fit. So cute!
All of the nuggets are placed together in a organdy drawstring bag tied with Aqua Mist Swiss Dot ribbon. The tag uses the same image that I applied to the nugget labels. The "Happiness" sentiment is from Tags for Spring as well, and it is stamped in dark chocolate. I used one of our NEW! vintage cream buttons threaded with twine to attach the tag to the ribbon bow. Did I already mention how much I *love* the circular leaf background image!!!
If you have been keeping a close eye on the sneak peeks this week, Lauren showed you one of her new templates, Basket Basics (you can see a few of her examples HERE and HERE). I have been dying to play with it myself, so I printed it onto kraft cardstock and assembled! Before assembly though, I stamped the stripe block from Background Basics: Retro onto the strips of the basket using vintage cream ink. I also distressed the edges just a bit with Frayed Burlap Distress ink (Ranger). Instead of adding the handle that is included, I opted to make a pretty scalloped liner for it, with vintage cream satin ribbon ties at the four corners. I have to say that the way Lauren designed this template it is a cinch to put together. With a few unique traits she integrated into the design, there is hardly any weaving required. She's a smart cookie, I tell ya!
(click on photo to enlarge)
Here is my completed project. When I was done and stepped back from my project, I could hardly believe that the whole thing was made from paper! I just love how soothing the color combo is and look forward to giving this to a special friend as a thank you for helping me out so often when I've needed her.
So, did you notice any interesting watermarks on the photo directly above? I am beyond enthusiastic to introduce you to the first annual Papertrey Bunny Hunt, Blog Hop & Search Challenge!
In honor of Papertrey Ink’s new stamp set “Tags for Spring”, we are hosting a Bunny Hunt and you are all invited! Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to visit each design team member’s blog below and locate the main photo of their “Tags for Spring” project, which will be watermarked with the official Bunny Hunt logo (just like in the lower left-hand corner of my official photo above). Search each of the twelve photos (11 team members plus mine) for a small white outline of a bunny that looks like this:
(Isn't that bunny cute as can be? It's designed by Alli Miles!) DO NOT count bunnies that are part of the project or stamped (solid or in color) or ANYTHING other than this bunny. Only the white outline bunny images will be included in the final count. Be forewarned that some photos may not have any bunnies hidden within them and others may feature as many as three! Use the downloadable checklist below to keep track of your progress.
Once completed, calculate your final grand total and add your official entry to the comment section of this post! Your comment should include your *final* answer as to how many TOTAL bunnies you found hidden between the twelve photos. Most bunnies are pretty easy to find, but there are a few that could be a bit tricky, so look carefully!
So, what's in it for you, you're wondering? A fabulous anniversary size prize package of course!
Now how fun is THAT! I had a blast filling all of those eggs for one special someone, and the special someone could very well be YOU! So get comfy and begin the hunt, and while you're at it, take time to savor the amazing projects using Tags for Spring too!
Click on each designer's name to be linked directly to their blogs. Happy hunting!
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The Bunny Hunt guesses need to be posted no later than tonight (Feb.13th) at midnight EST. The winner randomly selected with a correct guess will be listed on our special Anniversary Prize Page after 12 noon EST, February 14th. You can always access this list through the Anniversary Quick Link list to the upper left sidebar here. A copy of the list will also be updated daily in our customer forum.
Dawn McVey has some additional projects up using the highly anticipated Damask Designs.
Heather Nichols shows you additional uses for her Beyond Basic Borders & Journaling Lines sets.
And don't forget Melissa Bickford has a few more things up her sleeve with Background Basics: Retro!
Lauren Meader has another template project for you too!
Stamps: Tags for Spring & Background Basics: Retro (available Feb. 15th)
Ink: aqua mist, vintage cream, dark chocolate, frayed burlap distress (Ranger)
Paper: classic kraft, aqua mist, vintage cream, 2008 Bitty Dots Basics (aqua mist)
Other: vintage cream satin ribbon, aqua mist swiss dots ribbons, vintage cream button, twine, white labels, scalloped scissors (Fiskars), 2" circle punch (EK Success), organdy bag (from stash), Hershey's Nuggets
Fished Size: (basket) 3" wide, 2.75" deep
