{capture the moment}

Spring Fling Challenge!

Spring has officially arrived and everyone's projects across the web depict this.  You'll find fresh color schemes, spring flowers and much, much more.  It is fascinating how just a change in the weather can bring about a change in trends and what product people are choosing to use at the moment.

THE CHALLENGE...

I thought I would see what some of my design team members were feeling inspired by this spring and had them share their inspiration pieces with you.  It was so interesting to see how they were all different yet had an underlying common thread.  I hope you will enjoy what they have put together for all of you today.  It is just AMAZING eye candy, if nothing else!!!

So, without further ado, here are the inspiration pieces from the team.  You can click directly on the link above each image to read more about their projects on their individual blogs.  Take your time, enjoy each word and really feel the awakening of spring deep down in your creative soul!

CLICK HERE to read more from Becky...

CLICK HERE to read more from Lisa...

CLICK HERE to read more from Kelly...

CLICK HERE to read more from Heather...

CLICK HERE to read more from Michelle....

CLICK HERE to read more from Lauren....

So, are you feeling as inspired as I am now?!?!  We thought you might be, so we are including you in the fun! 

• Create a project using elements from one of the inspiration photos shown today.
• Upload your project to your blog or favorite online gallery (PTI, SCS, 2Peas, PhotoBucket, etc...)
• Post your link here using the Mister Linky Box below.
• All linked participants will be eligible to win.
• This challenge closes at 8am EST, Monday, May 4th.
• You must provide a link directly to your project or post.
• Any links that do not adhere to this stipulation will be deleted.
• If your link has been deleted, feel free to submit again and add your corrected link to the list.

One of the linked participants will be randomly selected to win a FREE stamp set of their choice!  The lucky winner will be listed on our May Prize Page after noon EST May. 4th.  Good luck to everyone and happy spring!!!

BIG Announcement!

I have a BIG announcement today that Lauren and I have been extremely anxious about sharing with you!  If you have ever wanted to be involved in our design team directly, you will now have the opportunity to do so, just by sharing some of your best work with us!

Many of you already enter our popular Guest Star Stamper Contest each month.  We will now have a special category for any and all projects that utilize the Timeless Templates!  You can read all about the GSS upload instructions and rules HERE!

All winners of the monthly GSS contest categories normally get a free stamp set of their choice.  However, the winner of this new Timeless Templates category will receive an amazing opportunity and a bit of free product of a different sort instead! 

FREE Unreleased Templates & Papertrey Stardom!

The chosen Timeless Templates winner will get BOTH of the never-before seen templates that will be released the following month FREE, a full four weeks early!!!  As a winner, you will be assigned to create a project using one of these new templates, just like a member of the team! Your project will be prominently featured in the idea download included with the template when it is released the following month!  Right alongside our other design team members!  You'll even get a toot during our monthly countdown!!!

Don't worry, you will have a full three weeks after we announce you as the winner to create your assigned project.  You'll have a bit of information to provide along with a few photos to fulfill your assignment.  The written portion is easy, just like the type of thing you would put together for a publication (supply list and instructions).

What we are looking for:

• well-executed projects using any of the Timeless Templates.
• good photography of the project, try integrating interesting angles.
• Papertrey products make-up the majority of the supply list.
• neatness counts! Straight cuts, tidy stamping, no adhesive showing, etc.

You have until May 13th to enter this month's contest!  So, will YOU be the next Timeless Templates Guest Designer?  Have fun and we look forward to seeing your entries!

April Blog Hop

Tonight is Papertrey's big monthly Blog Hop and I have been looking forward to it for a few weeks now!  This month's challenge was to show us your best use of one of our exclusive Timeless Templates.  Have you tried them yet?  Customers have been giving us SO much amazing feedback about them and now anxiously await the two new templates we release each and every month!

If you want to play along tonight and want to see what everyone's talking about, you can download  the FREE trial version, Recipe Wrap-up, that we have available on our website HERE.  One of the cool things about the templates is the five exclusive project ideas that are included with each one.  They contain beautiful, full-color photographs, complete supply lists and instructions.  Plus each of the Design Team Members initial thoughts of the template and what else they are thinking about doing with them in the future. Just all around an amazing resource that many have already found to be indispensable!

To help everyone get warmed up for tonight, I thought I would share some of my personal projects that I have created using Lauren's Timeless Templates!  You can click on the link underneath each project to be directed to the original blog post and complete details!

This quick & easy use of the Desktop Organizer template allowed me to create a very sophisticated gift that only costs $3.40 in supplies to create!

Basket Basics uses an amazingly quick and easy technique that Lauren developed to weave your own paper basket.  With the one I created HERE, I left the handle off for a different take on it.  You could even add two handles, one on each side as an additional option.  Wouldn't it be pretty woven from our linen vellum cardstock too?

Everyone knows that purse's are a girl's best friend!  Our Purse-onality Clutch template is perfect for SO many uses & occassions!  For my project HERE, I found that it holds eight Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares perfectly.  The little custom wraps I made with special birthday wishes added to each one makes a great little gift for someone special!

Create a unique, customizable card set that can all be stored in the popular Filed with Flair template.

Using one of the newest templates, From the Desk of, to create a beautiful stationery gift.  An inexpensive project that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I used the Take Along Tote template along with a few cupcake baking essentials here to create a fun cupcake kit for a birthday girl!

The All Boxed Up template is one of our most popular downloads.  One of my favorite projects of all time is THIS ONE, using a chic boutique style with a black & white basics color scheme.

I hope this little walk down memory lane inspired you to give these templates a try if you haven't done so yet!  OR even if you have used them already, maybe even remind you of a project you have been wanting to try your hand at.  Either way, take some time today to get creative with one of the many Timeless Templates including in our ever-expanding library!  And be sure to share your results at the Blog Hop tonight and have a change to win a free stamp set!  It is a great way to have fun on a Saturday night without having to leave the comfort of your own home (and in your pj's even!!!).  Hope to see you there!

*OFFICIAL* April Release Party Contest

Now's your chance to win the April "I Want it All" package!  Just share your answer to the question below for your chance to win big!

"What is your preference?  Coffee of tea?"

Contest closes at 11:30 pm EST. One comment will be chosen randomly and announced here before midnight.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.

Good luck to all the participants!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

 

Congrats on your big win, Melissa!  Please be sure to email customer service with your shipping information so we can get that package out to you!  And thanks to everyone else for playing!  It's been a great release because of your support!

Introducing Guide Lines Grid Cardstock

You've all let us know loud and clear that you LOVE both of our Guide Lines stamp sets.  I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to get more from  my stamping time so there's more room for fun and more projects completed!  The grid images included in both of the Guide Lines sets can be a bit time consuming, especially if you have a large area to cover.  We have developed a new product that is the PERFECT solution for quick and easy patterns made with both of these stamp sets!

Guide Lines Grid Cardstocks printed with the grid patterns found in both of the coordinating stamp sets.  The grids are in a very light gray, making them a wonderful neutral which will practically disappear once you overlay your colorful patterned pieces on top.  The grids are printed on our high quality Stamper's Select White cardstock so your images will stamp crisply and evenly.  We have two types of the cardstock releasing this month...

Guide Lines I Grid Cardstock
featuring the same basic grid pattern found in the original Guide Lines stamp set. 
10 (8.5 x 11" sheets) for $3

Guide Lines II Grid Cardstock
featuring the same circular grid pattern found in the our follow up set, Guide Lines Two.
10 (8.5 x 11" sheets) for $3

We are waiting to see how well this new product is received before going forward with an expanded lineup.  A vintage cream option, for example, is something I personally would like to see come next!

(click on photo for larger view)

You definitely do not need to limit yourself to using the new grid cardstocks with just the Guide Lines sets.  I am sure with some experimentation, new compatible sets will be discovered all the time!  I pulled out one of our very first sets, Faux Ribbon, to create this really pretty plaid using the Guide Lines Grid I cardstock. 

The basic grid is just what I needed to make perfectly positioned lines to build the plaid.  I was THRILLED with how easy it was and how great the results were!  I found the best method to be to cut the grid cardstock down to a piece measuring 5-1/2-inches square.  That way as you are stamping the lines, you can see both ends of the stamp and line them up perfectly every time!  After I was done stamping, I removed the thread from my sewing machine and stitched/pierced holes along all of the gridlines.  When the paper was completed, you couldn't even tell that it had ever been printed with any kind of grid!

(click on photo for larger view)

Next is a project I created using a simple circle border from Borders & Corners in conjunction with the Guide Lines Grid Cardstock II.  And I'll be honest.  I just NEEDED to create something that would coordinate with one of the fun teapots I created yesterday with my Copics! *wink*

(click on photo for larger view)

I decided to embrace the circular grid pattern and incorporate it more into my design.  The border stamp I chose was just slightly larger than the circle portions of the grid so the images highlighted the gray areas rather then covering them up.  Fun, isn't it!

Lastly, I figured I couldn't showcase this great new product without using it as it was intended!  On this project I used the Guide Lines Grid cardstock II along with the Guide Lines II stamp set.  I paired the colors raspberry fizz, ripe avocado and smokey shadow for this particular pattern and I think it turned out beautifully together.

Our new Smokey Shadow cardstock flanks the top of the card along with the beautiful sentiment "Praying for You" found in Damask Designs, which is heat embossed with white filigree embossing powder. 

So there you have the final product introduction for the April Release!  I hope you have enjoyed all of the projects this week and hopefully learned a few new tips or techniques! 

I would love it if you would hsare one thing that has stood out to you this week, or perhaps even what you learned that you hope to apply to a project yourself soon.

Leave a comment on today's post for your chance to win...

a complete Guide Lines Collection!

-the original Guide Lines stamp set

-Guide Lines II stamp set

-Guide Lines I Grid Cardstock

-Guide Lines II Grid Cardstock

This is a $45 value!  This contest will end at 11:30pm EST, Tuesday, April 14th.  The winner will be announced shortly before the release at midnight, here on our April Release Prize Winner page.  Please play nice, only one entry per person.  Good luck!

 

See what Becky Oehlers did with some Guide Lines Grid Cardstock!

Kelly Lunceford shares three amazing projects with you today, all using new stamps from the April release!

Dawn McVey has been busy creating actual shower invitations and favors for your viewing pleasure!

Lauren Meader has more to show you using her new April templates!

Lisa Johnson has done it again with more amazing projects using Spts & Dots!

Heather Nichols creatred one more project to knock your socks off with her new April set!

Supply lists coming soon.