Here we are on Day 9 of this incredible anniversary celebration! Today I am VERY excited to introduce some new product line ventures that have been developed by members of our very own Design Team! Two gals that you turn to again & again for their creativity and individual sense of style.
First up is Heather Nichols and her new launch...
The Fillable Frames Collection is an amazing monthly stamp set & die release that will provide you an infinite amount of possibilities that you'll turn to again and again! All in Heather's signature style!
Every month Heather will release a $5 Fillable Frames stamp set. They are SO versatile and can be used successfully in both card making and scrapbooking applications.
Each set will include a large frame image (averaging about 3" x 2") that as an opening in the center, allowing you to place sentiments for the interior on the same block if you desire. Each set will also include 3-5 sentiments, perfectly scaled to fit inside the frame.
All twelve of the sets released this year will be of similar scale so that ALL the sentiments between the sets are INTERCHANGEABLE! That's right! Once you have the entire collection you'll have dozens upon dozens of combinations between the twelve frames and the oodles of sentiments!
And it gets better. Each month we will also release a coordinating die for the frame of the month. You'll be able to cut the frames out with ease and layer them in numerous ways! And best of all? The dies will be retailing for a mere $5! $5 stamp set + $5 die= priceless possibilities!
Let me show you a few tips about using Heather's frame images in conjunction with the dies, along with a few projects.
After some experimenting, I found the easiest way to use the frame stamp along with the die was to create yourself and informal work station. All you need is two post-it notes and a scrap piece of cardstock. I applies tape runner adhesive (thin & flat as possible) to the FRONT non-sticky side of the post-its. I then adhered them to the scrap cardstock, top edge to top edge so that the "post-it adhesive" ends were together down the center FACING UP.
All I had to do was place my diecut cardstock on top of the stickiness of the post-it note and it was held perfectly in place. After trying out this method, it was super easy to stamp the frame and have it aligned perfectly!
Here's the card I made with my FAVORITE new Papertrey color scheme; Raspberry Fizz, Terracotta Tile and Scarlet Jewel. The floral background was created by one of the new February sets, Year of Flowers: Violets, which was stamped in Scarlet Jewel on Raspberry Fizz cardstock.
The frame from Heather's new set was stamped in Terracotta Tile and the sentiment (also from Heather's set) was stamped in Raspberry Fizz. I used a white gel pen to add small white dots to the centers of the flowers. Strips of Scarlet Jewel and Terracotta Tile cardstock are used in place of ribbon. Anther cardstock & ink only card and I love it!
All of the Fillable Frames, including this months, are the perfect thing to stamp on the front of envelopes to create a place for the address to go. It helps coordinate everything together beautifully too.
This baby card uses the same Fillable Frame, but this time I wanted to showcase how well it can coordinate with other sentiments, like those found in Mega Mixed Message. The scallops along the bottom edge of the card were created with our new Medium Scallop Border die. Aren't they heavenly?!?!?
Also, if you look closely, you can see I did not stamp the frame on a diecut, it is stamped into and embossed area of the card front. This was achieved by rolling the die UPSIDE DOWN through my die cutting machine with an embossing mat for cushion. The impression it made created the perfect spot for the frame to reside. The top of the frame is accented with a little sailboat from Bitty Baby Blessings and flanked by Spring Rain buttons on either side.
So, are you beginning to see how versatile these frames are going to be? We will of course be highlighting this first edition even more throughout the month, and you can also check out Heather's blog today to see even more project samples.
Now, I promised you TWO new product lines. Are you ready for the second one?
Color Couture is the newest innovation from Dawn McVey and her Raspberry Suite Line-up. If any of you are familiar with Dawn's work (and I know you ALL are!) you know how much she LOVES to play with color! It makes her happy and therefore makes all of her blog readers and card recipients happy!
Over the years many of our customers have communicated that one of their biggest struggles is color That they get into "ruts" where they find themselves using the same colors over and over again. That they want to LEARN to use colors outside of their comfort zone. Over the next year and possibly beyond, Dawn will be taking you on that journey, acting as your "color coach" and showing you her tried and true tips for working with color.
Beginning in February 2010 and every third month thereafter, three new Color Couture color combinations will be released. There will be a collection of pre-printed "embellishments" utilizing those color combos, that can be cut out and used on your own projects.
In each color collection, there will be 5 pages of embellishments released as well as Inspiration pages featuring projects designed by some of the Papertrey Design Team utilizing those embellishments.
There will also be Color Dividers included to help you keep each color combination organized.
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All of these items- the Color Dividers, the Embellishments, and the Inspiration Pages were designed to be stored in the exclusive Color Couture Inspiration Binder. That way, when you need a little color inspiration, you can flip through the Inspiration Pages to see actual projects that you can create for yourself! The set of THREE Color Collections (3 Color Dividers, 15 sheets of Embellies and 9 Inspiration Pages with exclusive projects) will be bundled together and sold for a mere $10 $12 (an additional cost on our end was not factored in originally. We apologize for the confusion.) With over 75 embellishments to use plus all that inspiration that's practically a steal!
Each Inspiration Page will include complete supply lists and instructions for creating the projects.
The embellishments can be cut out, in some cases punched out, glittered up, distressed, layered, used alone... the sky's the limit!
The second and third months of each quarter, there will be a collection of downloadable Color Couture products released to add to your binder (which Dawn will have more details about as the quarter progresses). This way the fun & excitement of this color educational series continues with each and every release!
So...are you as excited as I am about all of Dawn's BIG plans? I don't know about you, but I can always use new ideas for color inspiration, and having everything tucked together in a binder will be such an AMAZING resource!
I could hardly wait to put some of Dawn's new pre-printed embellishments to work! It's nice to have multi-colored pieces like this to add to your stamping arsenal. I think of them as small jumping points for projects. They establish your color scheme for you and you get the fun of building something AROUND that. Almost like a shortcut!
This first card uses elements from Volume 1 of Color Couture. Love this color combination, so trendy and fun! This focal point that I cut out got me started with my color scheme and style, so I was able to just go in and create the elements to support it.
I stamped Polka Dot Basics II in the background using Versamark ink. I added Dark Chocolate Twill underneath in a few layers & loops followed by various sizes of rhinestones.
For the Raspberry Fizz portion behind the focal point, I cut the Fillable Frames #1 diecut in half and spread the two pieces to the edges of the back of the focal point. From the front it looks as though the strip goes all the way across. I love it when I find multi-purposes for things like this.
For this next project, I pulled elements from Volume 3. I thought I would throw out a little tip I like to use, especially round shapes. Sometimes you get little jagged edges, this can easily be remedied with a sanding block. The sanding can make the edge look perfect and smooth, even if it didn't start out that way!
Here's my card, which is a bit untraditional. It's still and A2, I just cut away a third of the cover, allowing the focal point to peek out above the cover of the card.
The patterned oval and sentiment label are both from Color Couture Volume 3. I added a little Vintage Cream Grosgrain ribbon underneath along with a Vintage Cream Button. A small scalloped border of Berry Sorbet also tops it off.
I used my sanding block to actually sand the surface of the embellishments a bit. I loved how I was able to make this project look SO different from the first one just by throwing in a different technique like this. Just goes to show that these pre-printed embellishments can work well with nearly anyone's style.
You can see here how cool the card looks when you are looking down upon it. Sometimes it's fun to step out of your comfort zone and jazz up the standard A2 like this!
I hope you are excited about the awesome possibilities that Dawn's Color Couture Collection holds! We all stand to learn so much from her this year in regards to color! I hope you'll join me in the journey! To see even MORE projects made with these embellies, visit Dawn's blog today!
Today we are issuing a special color challenge. Each of our talented Design Team members selected their favorite Papertrey color scheme to work with. Your challenge is to pick one (or two, or three or ALL of them!) to work with.
1. Make a project using your chosen color palette(s). You can enter up to one time PER color scheme, so that means as many as TWELVE times!
2. Upload a photo of your project to you blog or online gallery. If using a blog, feel free to add the appropriate color palette graphic from above to the top of your post.
3. Add the link for your photo to the Mister Linky box below.
4. Those that leave a comment about what they think about Color Couture and Fillable Frames, will also be eligible to win. Those that create a project link in Mister Linky AND comment will have an extra entry. Only one comment per person please.
Here's your color choices!
Aren't they all so yummy? Even if you don't play today, you can file them away for another day!
Today's prize is extra special, my friends! Each of the Design Team members have created a miniature piece of art for you using their favorite Papertrey color palette, complete with an autograph! These twelve 4x6 beauties are now framed (as a nod to Heather's new line of products!) and will look fabulous lining some lucky winner's studio or creative space!
To see each designer's contributions to the GRAND PRIZE, follow the links here:
*You can use any products you like while creating your project, no restrictions, as long as you stick with your chosen color palette.
*Don't have one of the Papertrey colors used in your assigned palette? Feel free to substitute for something similar from another source.
* Don't delay because you only have until Wednesday, February 10th, 7am EST to enter. The randomly selected winner will be announced on our February Release Winners page by noon EST the same day.
I hope you will get a chance to play along! We just LOVE seeing your projects!
Now GO GET INKY!!!!
