{capture the moment}

5

I just know you are gonna love this set as much as I do.  The anticipation of the full reveal is just about killing me!  So let the countdown begin, only 5 days until this special spring release from Papertrey will be available for purchase!

This pretty pink card uses one of my favorite stamps in the set, and that is "the boot".  I got inspired to design this stamp by some photos in one of my new favorite magazines called Blueprint, published by Martha Stewart.  This adorable little piece of footwear has polka dots; what's not to love?!?!  Because I LOVE quick and easy 2-step stamping, the little "boot loop" at the top along with the toe are each separate stamps.  It makes it easy to add a punch of an accent color.  And of course, since these are acrylics, it's a breeze to line them up. The little background paper was stamped with some flowers included in the set.  When designing my sets, I always like there to be two or three sizes of the same image.  If it is cute, and you love it, the more sizes available means more use and added versatility.  The two larger flowers are on the patterned paper, and the smallest is stamped on the grosgrain ribbon with dye ink.  The two larger flowers have interchangeable centers, which I LOVE.  It makes it look like you paid attention to the details!  As a finishing touch, the perfect sentiment.  You have to have something cute to say to make it appropriate to put a boot on the front of a card!!!  The quote,"You can deal with anything if you have the right shoes." couldn't be a better pair (no pun intended) for this image. See you tomorrow for #4!

Another FAB blog to add to your list!

Michelle Wooderson has joined the blogging world and has taken Papertrey images to a whole new level, all at the same time!  Check out these two sets of projects for some Butterfly Kisses inspiration...
set #1: she does a great job of combining the images with patterned papers.
set #2: be sure to also read her tips on using acrylics.
Stop by and tell her I sent ya!

Could you be the next Guest Star Stamper?

Have you ever imagined one of YOUR projects displayed in our Ink Pad online gallery?  Does the thought of FREE stamps make you happy?  If you answered yes to one of the above questions, then the Guest Star Stamper contest is for you! 

This month we are looking for entries created with BUTTERFLY KISSES!  Scans or photos of projects need to be sent in by  April 13th.   Out of all the projects we receive, only ONE will be chosen.  This artist will be named our Guest Star Stamper of the month. The winner will be announced in our Ink Pad gallery at 12am EST on the 15th of the month.  This winning entry will be displayed as the first "new" project in our gallery with the Guest Star Stamper logo beside their name.  This project will be a permanent addition to the gallery.  The Guest Star Stamper will receive a complimentary copy of the set of images debuted on April 15th, being one of the first to receive it!  Go here for all the details!  I personally will be judging all the entries!  I am really looking forward to seeing your submissions!  So, will you be the next Guest Star Stamper?

BIG news!

Have you heard the BIG news?  Papertrey Ink will be debuting a SPECIAL RELEASE stamp set on April 1st @ 12am EST!  And just wait till you see it!  The Design Team & I have gone nuts for it, and we know you will too!  A countdown featuring this set will begin right here on Tuesday, March 27th.  I'll give you a hint as to the theme of the special release images... if you get this set your friends will be green with envy!

Thank you!

It has been nearly 48 hours since our latest release, and WOW, what an overwhelming response we have had!  It says a lot when we receive notes from customers (who haven't even gotten their orders yet!), thanking us for even designing this set.  What a heart-warming validation for all the effort & thought invested in this set of images!

Did you notice the tip sheet we compiled for Butterfly Kisses?  If not, you can find it here.  If you scroll down to the very end, you will see what I like to call my "Punch Lines".  Since I design all of my images to coordinate with punches, I like to have this list to refer to when creating.  Now you can benefit from the list, without having to do any time-consuming experimentation yourself!  Also within this list are 10 fun things to do with Butterfly Kisses!  One of which is to create a mask and create your own custom patterned butterfly with all the bits& pieces we have included for you in the set.  I thought I would show you step by step how quick and easy this can be!
1.  Stamp outline onto scratch paper.  Cut just inside the outline with a craft knife.

2. Stamp outline on your project cardstock (here I am using kraft).

3. Adhere mask to project using re-positionable adhesive.  Stamp your desired pattern within the mask. (Note: for the centers of my flowers I inked one single dot from the polka dot butterfly overlay.  If you look in the upper-left corner, I have left an inked version for you to see.  This was so easy to do since these are acrylics!)

4. Remove mask and admire your work!
I also did some "fancy" cutting for this project...
1. Use straight edge & craft knife to cut line, omitting the areas where the wings "over hang".
2. Remove straight edge and cut around outside of wings with craft knife.

And here's the finished project!  It was a little outside my comfort zone with the colors and distressing, but I am pretty happy with the results! Speaking of results, Amy Rysavy has been working hard over in the Papertrey Ink Pad gallery!  There were some hold-ups with the shipment of her set and she just received it yesterday afternoon and she already created three samples for us!  Two of them can be seen here, with third being added this weekend!  So be sure to come back and visit!  We have some special things in store for all of you in the coming weeks.  (There was a little hint at the end of yesterday's post, did anyone catch it?)  I'll keep you posted!