If you've been a dedicated customer of Papertrey Ink for any length of time, you know we love to listen to our customers. It only makes sense that the people who purchase and use the products have a say in what's added to our store. Every month we try to check a thing or two off the ever-growing suggestion list. This month we get to check off a special set dedicated to the backs of your projects, designed for either the proud Papertrey stamper or someone who actively sells items made with our products. Trademarks is a beautiful set of nine images that will be retailing for $15.
Many of the images in this set allow you space to add your name and the date your creation was stamped, making it a fun way to finish even the back cover of your cards with class. The images are are also appropriate for homemade gift items, especially those using any of our Timeless Templates! It proves that you made it, just for that special someone! Since this set is not necessarily full of images that can be used as focal points on a project, I thought I would share my version of Lauren's new June Timeless Template, Pack a Picnic with a little Trademarks thrown in for good measure!
(click on image for larger view)
Every month I think Lauren cannot possibly top her previous templates, but once again she has just knocked my socks off! Her version of a picnic basket is just one of the cutest darn things I think I have ever seen! And it goes together so easily! The angles may look complicated, but she's done all the work for you, so you are only a few cuts and scores away from making your very own in any color & style you desire!
After putting my version of the basket together, I thought you all might be interested in having an easy way to recreate the floral embellishment that I created on the front. Isn't it just to die for?!? I love it! I think I am going to keep this basket for awhile, right here on my desk just so I can just look at it! *wink* Back to the subject at hand, I created a printable template so you can make this lickety split!
Download Papertrey stitched stem template
When you print the template, you will notice that the area around the stem piercing guide is framed with an out-of-the-ordinary shape. Once cropped to the dimensions of the frame, your template will fit perfectly between the side tabs of the front of the basket, making it super easy to get it perfectly centered! You want to lay this template on the finished "good" side of the template (the side that will be facing out when the basket is constructed).
While holding the template in place, pierce through both layers (template & basket piece) at the same time. When you remove the template, you will be left with this.
After your piercing is done, it is time to add the stitches. I separated my embroidery floss in half (three strands) and did an easy straight stitch. It only takes a few minutes to do when you already have the holes pierced for you like this.
The flowers were created with gathered bits of our ribbon (fresh snow grosgrain, satin & velvet). I did a simple line of stitching with needle & thread along one edge of the ribbon and then pulled it tight, stitching the ends together. Once flattened, the gathered ribbon forms a pleated ring that resembles a flower when a vintage lemon tart button added to the center. I thought I would show you the best way I found to attach these little beauties to my projects. First, I pierced two holes through the cardstock about where I would want the center of the flower to fall. I threaded a small piece of our rustic jute button twine up through the holes and then through the center opening of the gathered ribbon ring.
By adding a button onto the twine that is a bit larger than the opening of the ribbon ring, everything will stay in place without any additional adhesive.
Finish it off by knotting the twine tightly. Viola, a little inexpensive flower held tightly in place with no risk of falling off once it reaches its final destination!
Now for the leaves! I decided to print the template onto the cardstock I wanted to use for the leaves since their template is on there too. I cropped the area around the leaves and stamped the reverse side with Background Basics: Text Style (like Dawn has been doing a lot lately). That way once the leaves are cut out, I don't need to stamp each of them individually with the pattern.
Once the leaves are cut out, it's time to adhere them in place! You can keep the template nearby as a reference to help you to place the leaves.
Aren't they just an adorable bunch! I bet they'd look real cute on a card front too!
(click on image for larger view)
Here is another shot of the finished project.
I am loving the lid & and handle combination as accents for Pack a Picnic. Lauren thinks of EVERYTHING when she designs these things! It is so fun to just cut along a few lines and everything comes together fitting perfectly!
Now how about that new stamp set! I used one of my favorite, FAVORITE, favorite labels from Trademarks to make a little tag to attach to my picnic basket. This particular label has a circular opening at the top that allows you to add the date, your initials, a small stamped image or whatever else you can dream up! I think adding a tag like this to a gift really makes it more personal and serves as a confirmation that, YES, you really made it!
So, did you enjoy today's project? Think you might recreate it and make something like it of your very own after you can get your hands on the Pack a Picnic template on the 15th? I would love to hear your thoughts about either the project or the stamp set! Just add your comment below to have a chance to win!!!
- Trademarks stamp set
- Pack a Picnic template
You have until 8am EST , Thursday, June 12th, 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 June Prize Page, after noon EST the same day. Please play nice, only one comment per person.
Thanks for stopping by today and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow as we reveal some more exciting projects and products!
If you are interested in the more "business side" of using Trademarks for craft sales and such, be sure to check out Heather Nichols' blog today to see how she showcased it!
Lisa Johnson has another project to share using her highly anticipated June stamp set.
Lauren Meader reveals her second new template for this month, Card Couture!
Kelly Lunceford has an itty bitty peek at what she contributed to our exclusive design idea download to accompany Card Couture.
Leigh Ann Baird joins us again as a guest to share yet another peek at the new template.
Stamps: Trademarks (available June 15th), Polka Dot Basics, Background Basics: Text Style
Ink: fresh snow, new leaf
Paper: aqua mist, new leaf, stamper's select white
Other: vintage lemon tart & aqua mist buttons, lemon tart stitched ribbon, fresh snow grosgrain, satin & velvet ribbons, rustic jute button twine, white gel pen (Uniball), green brads (unknown), paper piercer, border punch (Fiskars), needle & thread
Finished Size: 5.5" x 5.5"
