SAF 2015: Stitching With Needles Challenge

I'm having a blast with Stamp-a-faire today -- hope those of you who are participating are too! The projects I've seen so far have been so creative and such fun to see!

Just popping in now to let you know about a Stamp-a-faire challenge I'm hosting -- Stitching With Needles. You'll find all the challenge info, as well as link to a Machine Stitched video tutorial, over on Nichole's blog. In the video, I share a fun metallic thread that I love using, as well as tips for stitching around circular or other non-linear shapes.

Stitching is one of my favorite techniques. I love the subtle texture stitching adds and the homespun quality it can give a project. Often my stitching is more decorative, but it's also a practical alternative to adhesives, particularly with vellum or acetate!

I am challenging Stamp-a-faire participants to add machine stitching to their cards. Hope you'll play along! I look forward to seeing all the creations!

Here's a peek at my machine stitched cards:

Here I've used the fun metallic thread to stitch on my sentiment die-cut.

And here I've added stitching around the die-cut frame.

Hope you'll join me for this challenge. And swing by the PTI forum to chat!

So Glad We Bumped Into Each Other

Join me over on the Taylored Expressions blog today for more of this cute bumper car card, featuring Taylored Expressions' Adventure Land stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by!

SAF 2015: Patterns Challenge

Stamp-a-faire is off and running! The first challenge, a Bridal Challenge, has been posted, and now it's time for our second challenge, the Patterns Challenge. Each of the Papertrey designers will be featuring a Go-To Card Pattern, along with some samples. Your challenge is to create a card based on any one of these patterns. I'm excited to see everyone's creations!

I'm working with Pattern Number 11 based on this gorgeous card by Nichole. 

I'm not usually a super technique-y person, so the opportunity to experiment within that masked off area was a challenge I was excited to take on.

On this first card, I did some ombre ink blending on the background using Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, and Tropical Teal. Before removing the masking tape, I added some black splatter, white splatter, and plain water splatter.

For the sentiment, I combined a Scripted die-cut with a Scripted stamped sentiment. The white die-cut is from the new Leaf Silhouettes die set.

Stamps: Scripted

Dies: Scripted, Leaf Silhouettes

Ink: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal, Smokey Shadow

Paper: Stamper's Select white card stock, Smokey Shadow card stock

Other: black mist, white mist, clear sequins, ink blending too, Post-It masking tape

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For this next card, I experimented with some stenciling. I created a stencil by die-cutting Branching Out from card stock and using the negative as the stencil. I did the stenciling in layers -- first I sponged some leaves in Spring Moss, moving the stencil around to get good leaf coverage top to bottom. I then lightly sponged around the perimeter in Spring Moss (so that the strip would stand out agains the white card base). Next, I added some sponged leaves in Simply Chartreuse. Last, I added the darker leaves in Ripe Avocado.

For the sentiment, I combined a thanks die-cut from the Wet Paint Cuts die set, along with a white embossed stamped sentiment from the Wet Paint stamp set.

I accented with white butterfly die-cuts (from the Flower Favorites die set) and a clear sequin trio.

Stamps: Wet Paint

Dies: Wet Paint Cuts, Flower Favorites, Branching Out

Ink: Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Enchanted Evening, VersaMark

Paper: Stamper's Select white, Enchanted Evening, and Ripe Avocado card stock

Other: white linen thread, clear sequins, white embossing powder, heat tool, foam tape adhesive, sponge daubers, ink blending tool

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Have fun with these patterns! The Patterns Challenge link-up is on Nichole's blog. For lots more pattern inspiration, visit the Papertrey team:

Nichole Heady

Ashley Newell

Betsy Veldman

Danielle Flanders

Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Laurie Willison
Lexi Daly

Lizzie Jones

Maile Belles

Melissa Phillips

SAF Free Exclusive Set!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow, you're only a day away!!!

What's happening tomorrow? Papertrey Ink's Stamp-A-Faire 2015. I'm super excited -- this will be my first one! 

Please join us for a day of stamping, challenges, tutorials, and all-around stamping fun. The fun begins bright and early, at 7 am EST. Stamp-A-Faire is free and open to anyone and everyone!

To whet your appetite for tomorrow's festivities, today the Papertrey team is sharing projects we've made with the 2015 SAF free exclusive set, Fashion Sense.

Fashion Sense will ONLY be available on Stamp-a-faire day to all customers who make a qualifying $100 purchase. All orders made between 7am EST and 11:30pm EST on Stamp-a-Faire Day (August 29, 2015) that total $100 (before shipping) will receive the set for FREE!


This set is fabulous! I adore the designer-ready dress and the wonderful quotes. 

Who doesn't love a striking, bold red dress? I love all the options for customizing the dress. Ten thousand of us could design a dress and no two would be the same. But oh, that quote steals the show for me. Yes, kindness is, indeed, always fashionable. We need more of it!

STAMPS: Fashion Sense

INK: True Black, Pure Poppy, Silver Metallic

PAPER: white card stock, Silver Luxe Foil Patterned Paper Collection

OTHER: white gel pen, clear sequins, Pure Poppy baker's twine, Copic markers (Warm Greys)

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Here's another card, in softer colors, with a vintage look:

I stamped the middle girl, then masked her dress before stamping the other two. It's not perfect, but I think the sketched, artsy quality is very forgiving!

... another wonderful quote ...

Just a simple floral border along the bottom of this dress. So sweet!

STAMPS: Fashion Sense

INK: True Black, Sweet Blush, metallic silver

PAPER: white card stock, Black & White All Over Paper Collection

OTHER: silver embroidery floss

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For lots more Fashion Sense inspiration, visit the Papertrey team:

Don't forget to visit the Papertrey team for lots more from the August release:

Nichole Heady

Ashley Newell

Betsy Veldman

Danielle Flanders

Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Laurie Willison
Lexi Daly

Lizzie Jones

Maile Belles

Melissa Phillips

Thanks so much for stopping by! We have a fun surprise later tonight, and then we'll hope to see you first thing in the morning. Rest up!

Reverse Confetti August SFYTT + Giveaway!

August is an extra special month for Reverse Confetti, as it's owner Jen del Muro's birthday month. To keep the celebration going, all month long the Confetti Crew will take turns giving away a stamp set. I'm super excited that today is my turn!

 I'll be giving away The Buzz stamp set to a lucky blog reader. All you have to do is leave a comment here by noon CST on Friday, August 28. 

I've used my favorite sentiment from The Buzz for this month's Sketch For You To Try sample. Have you played along with this month's sketch? The deadline is noon CST on August 29. Link up HERE.

Here's the August sketch:

I pulled out some older Echo Park papers that I'm guilty of hoarding (but they're so cute!). The background of the stitched frame is embossed with the Woodgrain Confetti Cuts die. I stamped a few bees from The Buzz, colored them, die-cut them with the coordinating The Buzz Confetti Cuts, and adhered them to the frame. A few clear sequins and some black and white baker's twine finish things off.

STAMPS: The Buzz

CONFETTI CUTS DIES: The Buzz, Woodgain

INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER: Echo Park Country Drive patterned paper, white card stock

OTHER:  stitched frame die, Copic markers, clear sequins, black and white baker's twine

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Thanks for visiting!

Hello Adventure

Congrats to Freshly Made Sketches on reaching their 200th sketch milestone! Reverse Confetti is sponsoring this challenge, so be sure to head to FMS for all the details.

Here's the sketch:

Cool sketch, with lots of room for interpretation. I opted for patterned paper for both panels with a sentiment cluster at the "seam."

Hello was die-cut with the Hello Confetti Cuts die. The word "adventure" is from one of the sentiments in Here We Go, and has been white embossed on a vellum Tag Me die-cut.

The papers are from My Mind's Eye's Hello World 6x6 collection.

I *tried* to keep it clean :D

STAMPS: Here We Go

CONFETTI CUTS DIES: Tag Me, Hello

INK:  VersaMark

PAPER: ivory card stock; My Mind's Eye Hello World 6x6 collection

OTHER: sewing machine, vellum, white embossing powder, natural linen thread

 

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Thanks for visiting! I'm hoping to see some Reverse Confetti creations in the Freshly Made Sketches link list for this sketch!

It's Been Too Long

Hello, friends, and happy Tuesday! Today's card features a simple black and white stamped background softened with sponging and vellum, along with a sparkly butterfly focal point cut with the gorgeous Elegant Butterfly Overlays die from Taylored Expressions. 

Hope you'll join me on the Taylored Expressions blog for more photos and how-to.

Have a fabulous day!

Papertrey Ink August Release In Review

Who's excited for tonight's Papertrey release? 10 pm EST is the magic moment!

I have a few more projects to share today. Most are super simple and straightforward, so I'll skip the chatter and the how-to for the most part. Supplies will be listed, of course, and as always, if you if you have any questions, just leave a comment or shoot me an email.

These pumpkins in Lizzie's Pumpkin Patch set are so cute! I love all the different patterns .

STAMPS: Pumpkin Patch

DIES: Pumpkin Patch

INK: Classic Kraft, Canyon Clay, and Ocean Tides

PAPER: Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, True Black, and white card stock

OTHER: white linen thread, wood veneer stars, foam adhesive

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'Tis the season to bring out the burlap and canvas. The pumpkin is die-cut from canvas, stamped, and adhered to a card stock die-cut to make it more sturdy

STAMPS: Pumpkin Patch

DIES: Pumpkin Patch, Double-Ended Banners

INK: Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides, Canyon Clay

PAPER: Rustic white card stock, Road Trip pattern paper pack

OTHER: jute string, burlap fabric, canvas, covered wire ribbon, distressing tool

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How gorgeous are the leaves from Dawn's Enclosed: Leaf stamps/dies?

I watercolored the leaves using Distress Inks.

STAMPS: Petite Places: Spook Manor

DIES: Petite Places: Spook Manor, Scene It: Basic Backer Die, Scene It: Hallows Eve

INK: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding

PAPER: Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, True Black, and white card stock

OTHER: white linen thread, wood veneer stars, foam adhesive

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Scribbled Sentiments has such a playful, fun look. The circle was stamped with two impressions from the circle brushstroke in Brushed Off. The horizontal lines are from Southwestern Style.

STAMPS: Petite Places: Spook Manor

DIES: Petite Places: Spook Manor, Scene It: Basic Backer Die, Scene It: Hallows Eve

INK: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding

PAPER: Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, True Black, and white card stock

OTHER: white linen thread, wood veneer stars, foam adhesive

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This fun color combo materialized in the scrap pile: Harvest Gold, Ocean Tides, Scarlet Jewel, Melon Berry, and Simply Chartreuse. Images and sentiment are from Dawn's Fall Florals. Background paper is from Heather's Twig Wreath collection.

I'm really loving the bold, graphic and happy feel of Fall Florals!

STAMPS: Petite Places: Spook Manor

DIES: Petite Places: Spook Manor, Scene It: Basic Backer Die, Scene It: Hallows Eve

INK: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding

PAPER: Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, True Black, and white card stock

OTHER: white linen thread, wood veneer stars, foam adhesive

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One last card, this one featuring Betsy's Quilted: Autumn.

STAMPS: Petite Places: Spook Manor

DIES: Petite Places: Spook Manor, Scene It: Basic Backer Die, Scene It: Hallows Eve

INK: Smokey Shadow, Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding

PAPER: Enchanted Evening, Harvest Gold, True Black, and white card stock

OTHER: white linen thread, wood veneer stars, foam adhesive

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Don't forget to visit the Papertrey team for lots more from the August release:

Nichole Heady

Ashley Newell

Betsy Veldman

Danielle Flanders

Dawn McVey

Heather Nichols

Laurie Willison

Lizzie Jones

Maile Belles

Melissa Phillips

Thanks so much for visiting,