{capture the moment}

Introducing Home Made

The vision I am about to present to you today is one that I actually came up with LAST Christmas, and I have been holding onto it all this time, waiting for the right time to release it!  Lauren Meader and I have worked together to bring this concept to fruition and I am proud to say that it's execution turned out flawlessly.

I present you with Home Made.  A stamp set that is full of windows, doors, shutters, curtains, bricks, stones and even an outdoor porch light, all perfectly scaled to coordinate with an easy-to-use house template.  That's right.  You can decorate these little houses to your hearts content for only a few cents each since you'll printing the templates right onto cardstock from your home computer.  There are many alterable houses on the market, but our version is easy & inexpensive enough that you can make them over and over again.

The details.

• Home Made will be available for purchase on November 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Home Made contains a total of 23 stamps (20 images and 3 sentiments) which coordinate in scale with the new Home Made Timeless Template.
  

I have always admired architecture and the "artistic" side of it.  The way the certain curve of a window makes a house look so graceful.  Or the structure of a front door becoming warm & welcoming.  I am hopelessly in love with the architectural details like this that I was able to include in these images and I hope you're smitten too.  Let me show you how I put them to good use.

A little holiday house pairing vintage cream, melon berry & dark chocolate...

windows and doors and pine boughs, oh my!

A few tips about these adorable little house templates. 

1. Just so I warned you, they are very addictive.

2. The top comes off so it can easily be used as a gift box.

3. The boxes are really sturdy and can hold really heavy items, like a dozen homemade cookies!

4. It is easiest to put the house together and stamp the window and door elements on separate sheets of cardstock.  Cut them out then adhere them in place.  Centering and stamping errors won't be an issue after you put the effort into putting the house together.

5. The pine boughs for my house were created with the pine bough punch by Martha Stewart.

6. These little houses turn out so cute, they can definitely just be used as home decor, then they can be permanently displayed!

Notice the curtain detail in the window?  That would actually be my dear husband (David) who thought of that concept.  And he made me swear to give him full credit during the corresponding countdown post.  Who knows?  Perhaps David needs to start designing with me more often. *wink*

The curtains are a separate image that can be stamped in the color of your choice.

Then the window frame image can be stamped directly on top of it in a darker color.  Easy peasy!

This architectural themed stamp set doesn't have to be JUST for decorating three-dimensional houses.  It also works wonderfully on cards!  Here I've used the same elements as my house, only applied them to a card front.

The window has shutters added to it this time, stamped in Dark Chocolate.

And one more glitter technique (if you aren't sick of them yet!).  I scored the top and bottom edges of my sentiment strip with my Scor-pal and then ran a 2-way glue pen just above the score lines, followed by a sprinkling of glitter.  Really adds definition to the edges.

Want more inspiration?  I challenged the Design Team to create their own version of the template house along with a card, showcasing the idea, once again, that this set doesn't have to be JUST for the house!  The results were truly breath-taking!  

CLICK HERE to read more from Becky Oehlers.

CLICK HERE to read more from Betsy Veldman.

CLICK HERE to read more from Dawn McVey.

CLICK HERE to read more from Debbie Olson.

CLICK HERE to read more from Geny Cassady.

CLICK HERE to read more from Heather Nichols.

CLICK HERE to read more from Lauren Meader.

CLICK HERE to read more from Lisa Johnson.

CLICK HERE to read more from Melissa Phillips.

CLICK HERE to read more from Michelle Wooderson.

CLICK HERE to read more from Niki Estes.

Hasn't the team done an AMAZING job! I felt like a kid on Christmas morning as opened each of their emails that contained photos of their projects!  Each and every one of the gals put their own imprint on this extra special template and stamp set.  With this much inspiration, how can you possibly resist making your own!

I hope you have enjoyed today's presentation!  So what do you think about the new line of Home Made products?  The coordination possibilities along with the options with each item separately are truly endless!  Did you learn anything new today?  See something you want to try for yourself? Just for taking the time to do so, we are offering up an AMAZING prize package...

• Home Made stamp set
• Home Made template
• Prisma Glitter
  

You have until 7am EST, Saturday, November 14th to leave a comment and be eligible to win.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.  One winner will be randomly selected and announced the same day no later than noon EST.  The winning announcement will be made on our November Release Winners page.

Alli Miles is showcasing more from her set, Communique Curves.

Dawn McVey has more to show you with Signature Greetings!

Tiffany Pastor stamped another project to share with you using her new set, Christmas Friends.

Stamps: Home Made (available November 15th)

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Vintage Cream

Paper: Vintage Cream, Classic Kraft, Melon Berry, Spring Moss

Other: Melon Berry Vintage Buttons, Rustic Jute Button Twine, Prisma Glitter, T1 Copic marker (for shading under curtains), Martha Stewart Pine Bough Punch, glue dots, 2-way glue pen, Scor-tape

Finished Size: 4.75" x 3.5" around, 5.25" tall (house), 4.25" x 5.5" (card)

Introducing Communique Curves & Sentiments

After making a major move to a new home, Alli Miles is joining us again as she introduces two new stamp sets to you this month; Communique (pronounced come-you-na-kay) Curves and Communique Curves Sentiments.  Communique Curves would be considered a holiday set upon first glance, but when you really start to look at the amazingly versatile graphics she has included in it, you'll see how it can be used for SO many occasions.  Which is always a good thing!

The details.

• Communique Curves will be available for purchase on November 15th
• It will retail for $24.
• Communique Curves contains a total of 23 stamps (9 images and 14 sentiments)

To give you the flexibility and versatility that you have come to know Papertrey ink for, Alli has created a companion sentiment set.  At only $5, it is a good investment that will carry the graphics in the original set throughout the year.

The details.

• Communique Curves Sentiments will be available for purchase on November 15th
• It will retail for $5 (please note, this does not include a CD case or label).
• Communique Curves Sentiments contains a total of 8 stamps (7 sentiments and 1 image).

I am SO incredibly excited to show you some of the things I have created with these sets!  Let's begin, shall we!  To showcase the versatility you will discover between these two sets, I created a few holiday cards with Communique Curves, then a second card using the same layout that utilizes one of the sentiments from the coordinating $5 set, turning it into something that has a year-round application.

(click on the image above for a larger view)  

This first card uses one of my FAVORITE images from Alli's set, a funky modern tree ornament.  I wanted to have something to hang the ornaments from, and what better to use than one of the branch images from Turning a New Leaf (available November 15th as well)!  They are stamped in Ripe Avocado, while the ornaments themselves are stamped in Pure Poppy.  I did a bit of paper piercing to "hang" the ornaments from the branch.

The sentiment is stamped in the lower corner using True Black ink.  Do you not LOVE the fonts Alli selected for the sentiments in these sets?  They just make me SO incredibly happy!  I used a ruler and pen to draw a 1/2-inch border around the Vintage Cream block.  Notice a little bit of that pretty pattern peeking out from underneath the focal point?  That's more of the FABULOUS Background Basics: Diamonds (also available November 15th), my new favorite background set!  It is stamped with Versamark ink onto Pure Poppy cardstock.

(click on the image above for a larger view)

Now let's change up the colors and turn that design into a thank you card with Asian influences.  I got inspired to do this because to me, those ornaments can totally pass as paper lanterns! To switch things up, I stamped the leaves in Smokey Shadow and the *lanterns* in Summer Sunrise.  The sentiment is from the small $5 companion set and stamped in True Black ink, just like the original card.

Black rhinestones were added to accent the branches and help create visual balance.  A different leaf image from Turning a New Leaf was stamped in Versamark onto Smokey Shadow cardstock to create a decorative mat layer.  I am just giddy over how this card has turned out!  Definitely will be making more of these!

(click on the image above for a larger view)

This simple holiday card uses a striped square that Alli included in Communique Curves.  When I was experimenting, I found that it looked really pretty to have several squares lined up, forming almost a variegated pattern.  It also helped that this striped square image coordinates with our 3/4" square punch!  I stamped my squares in alternates of Enchanted Evening and Spring Rain.  All of the squares were adhered in place with foam dimensionals.

As a special accent to break up all the right angles, I punched a snowflake (marvy yellow extra jumbo) from white cardstock, ran it through my Xyron Sticker Maker and coated it with our Prisma Glitter.  I really like how it turned out when it was adhered in place.  A perfect, simple touch.

One other little tidbit that I did when creating this project was the "trough" I created for glitter between two scored lines.  After the lines were scored, it was very easy to run my 2-way glue pen between them and then sprinkle on some glitter, shaking off the excess.  The score lines contained everything and made for a nice & neat accent strip.

(click on the image above for a larger view)

Here's the "flipped" version of the card, this time adapted as an everyday hello card.  The hello coming from the $5 mini set.  I used my classic rainbow color scheme with the squares this time; (from L to R) terracotta tile, pure poppy, summer sunrise, ripe avocado, and ocean tides.  The sentiment is stamped in True Black.

Instead of a glittered snowflake, I added a glittered star (x-large Fiskars).  I repeated the same scored & glittered border at the bottom of the card and rounded the corners as well.  Love, love, love it when I can use this rainbow scheme.  It always makes for such a happy and cheerful card!

To showcase even MORE of the versatility you will discover between these two sets, I have challenged the design team to create a holiday card with Communique Curves, then a second card using the same layout that utilizes on of the images from Communique Sentiments that is an example of a year-round application.  Trust me.  You aren't going to want to miss one morsel of this!

CLICK HERE for more from Melissa Phillips.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Becky Oehlers.........................................

..........

CLICK HERE for more from Dawn McVey.

......................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Geny Cassady.

.................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Debbie Olson

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Heather Nichols.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Lisa Johnson.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Betsy Veldman.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Michelle Wooderson.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Lauren Meader.

.......................................................................

CLICK HERE for more from Niki Estes.

There you have it!  I don't know about you, but I am BEYOND inspired by all of these amazing ideas.  I mean really, how easy is it to just make a couple more cards after you already have the design planned out?  What a great way to build up a card stash!

I hope you have enjoyed today's presentation!  So what do you think about Communique Curves & Sentiments sets?  They are a pretty cool concepts, and we owe them to Alli!  Did you learn anything new today?  See something you want to try for yourself? Just for taking the time to do so, we are offering up an AMAZING prize package...

• Communique Curves stamp set
• Communique Curves Sentiments stamp set
  
• Borders & Corners Circle stamp set
• Green Tea Leaves patterned paper
  

You have until 7am EST, Friday, November 13th to leave a comment and be eligible to win.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.  One winner will be randomly selected and announced the same day no later than noon EST.  The winning announcement will be made on our November Release Winners page.

Alli Miles is showcasing more from her set, Communique Curves.

Dawn McVey has more to show you with Signature Greetings!

Tiffany Pastor stamped another project to share with you using her new set, Christmas Friends.

Lauren Meader has a few more peeks at the November Timeless Templates.

 

Complete supply lists for all of today's projects can be found HERE.

Introducing Turning a New Leaf & Signature Greetings

One of things I have been trying to be more aware of lately while I am stamping is what type of images I use most often and how they can be improved upon.  Paying attention to these "trends" within my own stamping space has really helped me to gain a better perspective as a stamp designer.  One image I seemed to go back to over and over again was the large leaf silhouette in Beautiful Blooms.  That's when it occurred to me that a set focusing solely on leaves that stay in line with that basic style would be a great addition to my stamping arsenal (not to mention we had quite a few customer requests too!)

The details.

• Turning a New Leaf will be available for purchase on November 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Turning a New Leaf contains a total of 14 leaf images.

Another type of image I am drawn to over and over again?  Anything containing Dawn McVey's handwriting!  Papertrey is super excited to introduce an everyday occasions greeting set that is the perfect follow-up to the popular Signature Christmas!

The details.

• Signature Greetings will be available for purchase on November 15th.
• It will retail for $24
• Signature Greetings contains 15 large sentiment images.

Let's get onto some projects using these two sets together (and more!)

Anyone that visits my blog often knows that clean & simple is my true comfort zone when it comes to stamping.  This first card is as clean & simple as it gets and I just LOVE it!  I stamped a fern image from Turning a New Leaf across the bottom edge of my Ocean Tides cardstock using Ocean Tides ink.  *sigh*  don't you just love it!  I can see making these in several different colors.

I then stamped the sentiment from Signature Greetings using Versamark ink.  I heat set it with White Filigree embossing powder to make it *pop* from the page.  Dawn's sentiments work BEAUTIFULLY with all of our Filigree Embossing powders!

This next project uses one of the leaf images to build a background.  It started with one of the text images from Background Basics: Text Style II stamped across Orange Zest cardstock with Smokey Shadow ink.  I then stamped the leaf image (from the new Turning a New Leaf) repeatedly on top of the type using Terracotta Tile ink.  Don't you just LOVE the shape of this leaf!  I just want to use it on EVERYTHING! (perhaps it would make a good tattoo! *wink*)

The completed card looks SO rich and elegant with this color combination.  Almost like I was able to scoop up some of autumn in all it's splendor and spread it right onto a card front!  A strip of Vintage Cream cardstock is added across the cover, featuring the sentiment, border punch (EK Success) and other goodies.  A quick little tip that I've been doing lately is creating border strips with my border punches.  You can use them in place of ribbon just to shake things up a bit.

The sentiment (also from Signature Greetings) was stamped with Dark Chocolate ink onto the Vintage Cream strip.  Do you not just love the combination of Dawn's handwriting with this simple typeface?  I just never tire of using them.  They add so much style & personality to a project!  A few of the leftover leaves were trimmed down and added as accents around the sentiment, paired with a few Terracotta Tile Vintage Buttons.  Just wait until you see the Terracotta Tile buttons in person.  *swoon* Just to die for!!!!

This next project uses a large flourished leaf from today's set as the starting point.  It is stamped in Ripe Avocado, followed by the addition of some floral images from Garden of Life stamped in Aqua Mist.  One of the fun things about ALL these leaf images is how you can mix & match them with all of your older floral sets, like this one, and reinvent them!

Now, after all that beautiful stamping, I could just leave this card the way it is, but I couldn't help adding an option to "take it up a notch".

Some 1/4" Scor-tape was applied around the card front like a partial frame, accenting Dawn's handwritten sentiment.

Once the backing of the tape was removed, I sprinkled on a bit of our Prisma glitter.  Instant sparkle and shine! 

The final effect is a beautiful, subtle border that allows you to see a bit of the image through the glittery effect.  And don't you just LOVE that sentiment!!!  I know I'll be using that one all the time!  That's one of Dawn's knacks is coming up with fun, inventive ways to communicate all of our everyday card occassions! So much more fun than just saying "Happy Birthday!".

This last card is just a simple little thank you card.  I wanted to showcase how you can combine sets OTHER than floral sets with Turning a New Leaf as well.  Here, I've used Birds of a Feather, a fantastic and versatile set, especially when paired with various leaves from the new set!

The branch/leaves shown above is another image from Turning a New Leaf, stamped in Spring Moss.  I paired it with the cute little chick from Birds of a Feather, stamped in Raspberry Fizz.  And what's not to love about Raspberry Fizz rhinestones accenting the branch!

This last photo shows you a closeup shot of the background created on the template. Hello, Background Basics: Diamonds! (More about that later in the week!)  A little trimming with my handy dandy pinking shears and a beautiful bow with Raspberry Fizz ribbon are the perfect finishing touches to this simple card.

So, are you just DYING to get your hands on these sets after seeing how much versatility they hold?  The number of combinations and options with BOTH of these sets is innumerable!  So what is  your favorite project example from today's post?  What speaks to you as a "must try" application?  Just for taking the time to do so, we are offering up a generous prize package full of BIG sentiments...

• Turning a New Leaf stamp set
• Garden of Life stamp set
  
• Signature Greetings stamp set

You have until 7am EST, Thursday, November 12th to leave a comment and be eligible to win.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.  One winner will be randomly selected and announced the same day no later than noon EST.  The winning announcement will be made on our November Release Winners page.

Want to see more of Turning a New Leaf & Signature Greetings? Check out Heather Nichols' blog today!

Dawn McVey has more to show you with Signature Greetings!

Tiffany Pastor stamped another project to share with you using her new set, Christmas Friends.

Alli Miles is showcasing more from her set, Communique Curves.

Lauren Meader has a few more peeks at the November Timeless Templates.

 

Supply lists for all of today's projects can be viewed HERE.

Introducing Terracotta Tile

We've heard you all loud and clear with regards to introducing another earth tone to the mix!  I'm proud to introduce Terracotta Tile, a beautiful shade of an red-orange that goes with SO many of our existing colors (even some unexpected combos that you might not think of at first!)  So rich and sophisticated, you'll find yourself turning to it again and again!

On November 15th Terracotta Tile cardstock vintage buttons, Copics, ink and six ribbons will be available for purchase!

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

Introducing Big & Bold Wishes

Today I am excited to announce a brand new sentiment set that we are introducing this month entitled Big & Bold Wishes. 

A little about the origins of this set...it actually started with one of my few guilty pleasures.  Something I have admitted to almost no one...

I'm a total L.A.Ink fan.  I admittedly have my DVR programmed to record all the new episodes.  Yeah, I'm that hooked.  For those of you who may not be familiar with it, L.A. Ink is a reality show on TLC dedicated to Kat Von D, a female tattoo artist, and the adventures she has while running her own shop in Los Angeles.  I think I enjoy it so much because Kat is the exact opposite of my persona & style, but at the same time I can identify with her artistic abilities and struggles to run a business.

So back to the stamp set... while watching L.A. Ink one weekend it occurred to me what a FUN & unique sentiment set could be created using similar fonts to those found in classic tattoos.  What is really great about the way the set turned out is that the script used is classic enough that it can be elegant, trendy or rustic, just by what other design elements are paired with it.

The details.

• Big & Bold Wishes will be available for purchase on November 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Big & Bold Wishes contains 24 images (5 large script words, 18 small complimentary sentiments and 1 flourish).

So let's get onto some projects!

First, let me start of by saying how much FUN this set is to work with!  I think I could probably play with it ALL day, and never tire of all the possibilities!  I thought for my first project, I would show you how the various pieces can be used together, if desired.  I started by stamping the large script sentiment with Aqua Mist ink onto Vintage Cream cardstock.

Next, I added one of the complimentary sentiments underneath it using True Black ink.  Don't you just LOVE the way they fit together!  There are at least 3-5 complimentary sentiments to go along with each large script phrase!  Tons of mix & match options!

Last, I added this large flourish above and below the sentiment I built.  The fun thing about this flourish is that you can add it to the top and bottom, as I did here, or you can add it to just the top OR just the bottom, depending on how you want it to fit in with your design plan!

(click on the above image for a larger view)

Here's my completed card.  It only took about 15 minutes to make because the focal point that the sentiment creates really takes center stage; not a lot of fuss required to make it look "finished".

To accent the focal point I created a background using the new Background Basics: Diamonds (more about it later this week).  It is stamped in Aqua Mist ink onto Vintage Cream cardstock.  The corners of this decorative layer are accented with black rhinestones.

Loops of True Black Satin Ribbon are affixed to either side of the focal point, giving it a formal, elegant look that is so appropriate for a wedding.  Lovely, isn't it!

(click on the above image for a larger view)

How about a card that shows you another way to use the two sentiments together?  On this project, I stamped the smaller sentiment onto a separate strip of Orange Zest cardstock.  The pop of color that it allows you to add while also bringing more emphasis to this catch phrase is fun and cheerful.  The background pattern was created with one of our classics, Floral Frenzy, using Orange Zest & Raspberry Fizz inks.

For special detail I added three raspberry fizz rhinestones (being added to the store on November 15th) on either side of the sentiment strip.  I also added small drops of Star Dust Stickles to the daisy centers for some additional sparkle.  I think it makes for a very bright & sunny card, perfect for get well wishes!

(click on the above image for a larger view)

Now how about using those large script words by themselves?  On this card, I let the scripty "Thank You" hold it's own.  The leaves stamped on the side of the cover are from the new "Turning a New Leaf" set (which you'll hear more about tomorrow), stamped in Vintage Cream ink.  The Crest border at the bottom (Fiskars border punch) was made from Lemon Tart cardstock.  I also added a strip of glitter using Scor-tape and our Prisma Glitter.  (Dawn has been doing this a lot on her blog lately and I just love the way it looks).

The butterfly (Martha Stewart) was punched from Lemon Tart cardstock as well and glittered.  A small Lemon Tart Vintage Button was added to it's center using a glue dot.  Thank You was stamped with Dark Chocolate ink.  I think this is a simple card that packs a lot of punch!

(click on the above image for a larger view)

This last card showcases how you can trim down the sentiments in this set to be used as a smaller accent.  Here, the "Hey There" was stamped in Melon Berry ink, followed by the companion sentiment in Smokey Shadow.  I love how stylish this looks together on this particular card, don't you?

The leaf image is another one from "Turning a New Leaf" (available November 15th) and it was heat embossed onto Smokey Shadow cardstock using Filigree Clear embossing powder.  The flowers were created with EK Success punches.  The Vintage Cream cardstock they are made from was first stamped with Polka Dot Basics II using Melon Berry ink.  They are adhered in place with glue dots followed by Melon Berry Vintage Buttons to their centers.  Notice that Background Basics: Diamonds is used again here, only this time stamped in Vintage Cream ink.  Ohhh la la!

I've just begun to scratch the surface in regard to what you can do with the sentiments contained in this set.  I am eager to see what else all of you think of as you begin to play with the set once you receive it.

Here's your chance to win your very own copy of this set!  Leave a comment letting me know what you think of Big & Bold Wishes and extra large sentiments in general.  Just for taking the time to do so, we are offering up a generous prize package full of BIG sentiments...

• Big & Bold Wishes stamp set
• Giga Guide Lines stamp set

You have until 7am EST, Wednesday, November 11th to leave a comment and be eligible to win.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.  One winner will be randomly selected and announced the same day no later than noon EST.  The winning announcement will be made on our November Release Winners page.

Want to see more of Big & Bold Wishes?  Stop by Lauren Meader's blog today to see more!

Dawn McVey also has a new set releasing this month that you can see a peek of today!

Tiffany Pastor has a project to share with you using her new set.

Alli Miles is debuting her first set of 2009 as well!  So be sure to check out her peek!

I am super excited to introduce you to THREE new members of our template promotion team, who all have SPECIAL sneak peeks to show you today, all featuring one of the new November Timeless Templates!

• Jennifer Holmes
• Laurie Schmidlin
• Charmaine Ikach
• also check out existing member, Kelly Lunceford!

Please be sure to give each of them a VERY warm Papertrey welcome!  These three talented ladies will now be contributing to the idea downloads that are included with the template purchases!

I also have one more peek at the new Time for Take-out template from our Guest designer, Kate!  You can visit Kate's new blog HERE!  Kate is one of the most gifted guests we have featured yet so please be sure to visit her for some amazing inspiration!

 

You can view complete supply lists for all of today's projects HERE.