Introducing Bird Watching & Additions

Melissa Bickford has been building quite a following since her very first stamp set released with us, Women of Life.  Both of her new sets this month will be sure to add even more "groupies" to her expanding fan base!  Bird Watching and Bird Watching Additions play homage to the oh-so-trendy birds that pop up on paper crating projects left and right these days. Melissa will by highlighting her use of the sets all week on her blog, so be sure to visit her often!  I created a few things when I was playing with them myself and have put together a fun group of projects to share with you today!

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First up is this adorable house-warming gift set.  Both Bird Watching & Bird Watching Additions contain these fun patterned birds in a variety of shapes and sizes along with mix & match leg lengths!  I just LOVE the way Melissa's designs allow you so much customization!  I was able to create a fun background for the sentiment block by stamping a bird *line-up* with aqua mist ink.  The sentiment that is overlaid on top of them is from Boards & Beams.

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The card is quite simple in design.  I used the leaf & vine image from Beyond Basic Borders (heat embossed with White Filigree Powder) for the custom patterned paper on the left.

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The other side features not one but TWO exciting new products!  One is an all-new background set called Background Basics: Text Style!  (A little bit more about that later in this post!)  The other is a brand new way to antique edges and achieve a vintage tea dye look with just one easy step!

It's called the Vintage Touch: Tea Dye Duo Ink System. This revolutionary antiquing ink system is a special product developed and manufactured exclusively for Papertrey Ink! In the past, whenever I want to add a vintage look to my cardstock, I would use a sponge to apply ink to the cardstock to achieve a softer look rather than harsh look that is achieved by brushing the ink pad to the paper. Until now that is!

Save yourself a step by using these specially formulated ink cubes that contain a tea dye ink perfect for antiquing almost anything! The unique sponge material that the ink pad's surface is made from allows you to achieve that soft sponged look directly to the paper with the ink pad! You can use both colors together for an even more realistic aged look. Just start with the lighter color first and follow up with a smaller layer of the darker hue. This two-toned layering provides realistic results that only take seconds to achieve!

This ink comes in a set of two 1x1 cubes and will be retailing for $5. This specific duo is designed to work cohesively with our vintage cream and classic kraft cardstocks.  We will be coming out with additional shades in the future!!!  I love this stuff!!!

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Now back to the project!  The second aspect of my ensemble is this adorable little "Bird Box" that I designed.  I thought that the bird seed it contains, paired with a nice bird feeder, would be a great gift for a friend or neighbor who has recently moved into a new home.  I know I would love to receive something like that!  I was inspired by the shape of one of the very birdhouses that Melissa drew for this set when developing this template!  I put together a printable version of the box so that you make your own with ease!

Click on the link below to download your own free copy!
Download Bird Box Template

This Bird Box is super easy to put together, as it is just two pieces!  You can either cut your own straight-edged roof or use the largest Long Rectangle Nestabilties Die (from the Large set) to create a scalloped roof.  There are so many possibilities, I am sure you will have lots of fun with it!

I thought it would be a nice detail to feature some clapboard siding on the front of this birdhouse, so I printed the template a second time on white typing paper.  I cut several 1/2-inch strips of aqua mist cardstock and sponged the bottom edges with fresh snow ink. 

I adhered the strips to the typing paper template, starting at the bottom and working my way up overlapping them slightly, just like they do with real clapboards.  After I was done, I was able to flip the entire piece over, front side down, and use the edges of the typing paper template as a cutting guide for trimming. 

I was then able to adhere the altered front directly to the assembled template, and it fit perfectly!  I filled a bag with birdseed and tied it off with ribbon.  Once the bag is placed in the house, you can see how nicely the contents show through the *window*.  Two holes were made in the center of the roof to allow the ribbon to be threaded through.

I stamped a tag that coordinated with the card and tied it in place on top of the roof.  Notice the pattern on the roof?  It is created with the scalloped image found in Background Basics: Retro!

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Now for another fun project that has a totally different look and feel from the first I shared with you.  This one is very simple & clean, but embraces the *rustic* nature that this set can take on, depending on how you use it.

The detail in this focal panel is what makes the project.  This birdhouse trio image was stamped in Palette Noir ink onto classic kraft cardstock.  I used the Pure Poppy Copic Trio, along with the Dark Chocolate Trio, to color in the houses.  A slight outline with C1 helped to make the image pop from the background a bit.  I stamped a different text stamp (another from the new Background Basics: Text Style) directly over the colored image using Versamark ink. 

I am just totally infatuated with the Text backgrounds right now!  This new set contains three different font styles of text that is formatted in long 1 x 4.75-inch strips.  They are so incredibly easy to repeat and fill any size area that you need! 

Last, but certainly not least is one more project that was inspired by the color of my beloved peonies that bloomed this week.  *ahhhhh*  They are truly one of my favorite flowers...

For this project, I did something a bit different with the birds.  They were carefully trimmed out, run through a Xyron Sticker Maker upside down and dipped in our super sparkly glitter.

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Summer sunrise twill & hibiscus burst stitched ribbon were used to create the textural borders that finish off this project.  I think anyone would love to receive something with a little shimmer & shine like this, especially on their birthday!  And don't you just love Melissa's font choices for this sentiment?!?!?

I would love to hear your feedback about today's projects.  Your encouragement and opinions are so appreciated!  Especially today!  We had severe weather here in Tennessee, yesterday & last night, with severe winds and what looks to be some tornado activity.  We lost our power and experienced some pretty extensive flooding for a while because of all the rain.  It was a blessing that everyone was safe and sound.  But needless to say, I was worried all day about finishing the preparations for today's post and was so relieved when the power came back on at 5pm!  Just in the nick of time! 

So, just for sharing your feedback with me today, I have a few little goodies for you to have a chance at winning!

• Bird Watching
• Bird Watching Additions
• Background Basics: Text Style
• Vintage Touch: Tea Dye Duo, Chamomile & Chai blend

That's nearly a $60 value!  You have until 8am EST to share your thoughts here.  One comment will be randomly chosen to win this fun prize package.  The winner will be announced HERE on our May Prize Page, after noon EST, Monday, May 11th.  Please play nice, only one comment per person. 

Thanks for stopping by today and I look forward to seeing you around the rest of this week!  I thought I would leave you with a few additional peony shots that I took before the storms hit here!

 

 

Stop by Melissa Bickford's blog to see what she created using her new sets today!

Lauren Meader not only used Bird Watching in a project she shares today, but she also reveals one of her new May templates!

Kelly Lunceford is sharing a peek at the new template as well!

Lisa Johnson has some fun things to share regarding her latest set, Let Freedom Ring!

 

CLICK HERE for a complete supply list for all of the above projects.

Comments

[Nicole Jackson]

Nichole,

The bird house you made was adorable...as well as the card that went with it. Soo cute, like the sayings too. Can't wait to see the whole set.

[Lee Cockrum]

My neighbor LOVES to build birdhouses, and his 80th birthday celebration is in July, I would love to make a card for him, and perhaps some little gift boxes for the guests, made with the little birdhouse template!! That would be so great!

[erica m.]

I am really excited about the tea dye duo! Those birds are so cute-love the sparkly ones.

[Jamie]

All three projects are wonderful in a different way! You are so kind to share the bird house template with us. And I'm excited for the text background stamps, as well as Melissa's bird set! I especially like the color combo of the hibiscus, summer sunrise and kraft...i never would've thought of that one!

[Michelle in Boise]

OMGosh look at that birdhouse you created!! Oh that would be soooo cute for little treat things for the kids too! LOVE IT!! And thanks for sharing the photos of those BEAUTIFUL!!! peonies....luscious!

[Cari]

You are seriously just way too creative!! I love it all!

[Tori Wild]

Thanks so much for the template!! Love the birds and that birdhouse is just perfect for it!!

[Lolita]

The birdhouse is adorable. I have so many ideas of how to use it. I'm thinking of using it for Valentine gift's for my son's class next year. Nothing like really planning ahead. The tea dye duo is incredible. And those birds and birdhouse stamps - I'm hooked. Thanks for a wonderful preview!!!

[Melanie Brown]

Just when I think you have everything covered you surprise me! Oh and those flowers are beautiful! They are my most favorite as well!!

[Deborah]

The bird house template and bird house stamps are adorable! Can hardly wait until the 15th!

[Diane S. (momoffive)]

I'm speechless, and that hardly ever happens. I am WOWed by everything you shared today. I keep thinking you have thought of everything and then you give us even more! WOW!!! Thanks for all you do!

[Michele aka DerbyLea]

Those bird houses are too die for. I love everything I have seen so far! The tea ink... that really looks intriguing to me... I think I need to cut back on the grocery bill so I can have more stamp money.

[Linda C.]

WOW! Love everything on this post! The birdhouses are so unique. The bird house itself is very clever & creative. And, the colors are picture perfect!

[Anette Eakins]

Adorable projects as usual! I'm really excited about the tea-dye duo. I age my projects more often than not, so anything to make that task easier is more than welcome. Can't wait to see the rest of the release!!!
Thanks,
Anette(snowmom13)

[Kristi Lewis]

Wow, everything your fingers touch, turn to gold. Your projects are adorable. You are such an inspiration

[Crafty Math Chick]

Your sneak peeks are always worth waiting up for. Glad to hear everyone weathered the storm.

~Meredith

[Ginaj]

As always, I am in trouble. Love the birdhouses! and the new ink looks very cool. Can't wait to see the rest!

[erinkmckinney]

Ohh...beautiful bird inspired projects. I love birds and these are no exception!! This looks like great set; I can't wait to see the other images.
I am super excited about the ink duo also...very cool!! Shading with ink can be tricky, so these will be very handy!

[Elizabeth S.]

Nichole, just when I think it can't get any better, I am in awe again of all that you and the others come up with. I just love this little bird house. It is adorable!! This is going to be another irresistable month at PTI.

[Natasha]

These projects are all fabulous! I cannot wait to get the text background set, I know I will love it. The tea inks look really neat too. Can't wait until the 15th.

[Patti]

I'm so glad that everyone is safe! Your projects just make me want to swoon. :) The tea dye...the Text Style..the birds..the peonys. Shoot, I am even love with your kitchen. I think I'm sold on white subway tile now! :) Can't wait to see what you have brewing for tomorrow.

[Maryann T.]

Wow....I love the tea dye and the text background!!!! I CAN NOT wait to get my hands on them. =)

[Carol W]

So many exciting peeks within this peek! I am really intrigued with the tea dye duo. Hope we'll get to see some "action shots" of how it's used during this reveal! I love the clear, step-by-step sequences I so often see here on your blog and those of the design team!

[Karen H.. (kthaman)]

Oh My!! I am in love with the text background. I also loved how you used the retro background to make the shingles. That set is on my list, but it just moved up to the top! Your bird house box is adorable. The Vintage Touch duo sounds intriguing. I love the look of it but have a hard time achieving the soft edges...I definitely want to try this new product!

[Kimberly S]

The birdhouse is adorable, and Birdwatching was my favorite of the sneak peeks and does not look like it will disappoint...but, wow, I am so excited about the tea dye duo! I am abysmal at antiquing and just stopped doing it, since it seemed like I kept ruining my cards. I think the two complimentary tones will help so much, as well as the built-in applicators. Great idea. Thank you for continuing to innovate.