Teacher's Gifts Galore

I am so excited to get to share a sneak peek with you of one of the new releases coming to Papertrey Ink. This is the new Teacher's Apple set. I just love all the sayings and different apples in this set! Nichole wanted us to come up with a teacher gift and card for this set. I wanted to make some things that we fairly quick and easy to make, but still looked cute and this is what I came up with. I wanted to create a coordinating set so I used the same basic supplies for each item (hand stamped apple paper, polka dot paper, pure poppy, kraft, and spring moss cardstocks).

This is our first year having a child in school since my son is in preschool. He is already excited to give this to his teacher. I was planning on using the set as a Christmas gift, but I don't know if he is going to be able to wait that long. He wanted to take it this morning! lol

I stamped the apples with pure poppy ink on kraft cardstock and inked the edges with jardin moss ink. Then, I stitched my patterned paper to my pure poppy card base. Then, I cut a strip of polka dot paper (from Vintage Holiday Prints) and matted it with pure poppy cardstock. I added some stitching and tied a ribbon around the piece before adding it to my card. Then, I stamped the sentiment on spring moss cardstock, created a pure poppy mat, and stitched the two together. I added it to my card with foam adhesive.

I also altered a little mini composition book. I created the same stamped patterned paper and wrapped it around my notebook. I inked the edges with jardin moss ink. Then, I added the patterned paper and sentiment in the same way I created the card.

I also created a quick and easy post-it note holder. I cut a piece of kraft cardstock 8 x 3 1/4 inches. I again stamped my apple pattern and inked the edges. Then, I scored my cardstock at 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches, 5 5/8 inches, and 6 1/8 inches. I adhered the post-it notes to the inside.

Then, I created the sentiment and apple for my cover. The apple was stamped on white cardstock and cut out. Then, I added dimensional glaze and let it dry so the apple is nice and shiny.

I added a little Velcro to the inside to hold my post-it note holder shut. You could also use a magnetic clasp or just a little slit to slide the top piece into.

The last piece that I created in my gift set was a holder for miscellaneous teacher supplies. I used Nichole's amazing template from last month. I altered it a little to create a third spot to hold supplies (measurements below). For the outside of my tin, I cut a piece of kraft paper to wrap around my tin and stamped it in the same apple pattern. I added some polka dot paper and a thin pure poppy mat. I stamped a tag and cut it out with nestability dies. I added some stitching and an eyelet and tied a white ribbon around the tin and added my tag.

I printed out Nichole's pdf for her Christmas tag holder. I used the same long section and then altered the patterned from two spaces to three spaces on the other side. I created the piece the same width, but changed the length to 8 3/4 inches. Then, I scored the piece at 1 3/4 inches, 2 5/8 inches, 3 1/2 inches, 5 1/4 inches, 6 1/8 inches, and 7 inches. I created the same folding and rounded the corners just as Nichole did. I filled the tin with some miscellaneous teacher supplies. I added paper clips, glue stick, brads, and large clips. You could also use tacks, rubber bands, erasers, small post-it notes, etc.

I can not wait to see what the other design team ladies came up with for this challenge. Be sure to check out Nichole's blog for all the creations and the other designers blogs for more info on their projects (links to the right or on Nichole's blog post).

Have a great day and can't wait to see you all at the release party!

Quick Halloween Treat

Okay, how about a quick Halloween treat today? I made these this past weekend to give to my kids. They were so easy and quick to make that they would be perfect as a treat for a child's class, too. I cut some white and black scalloped circles to fit the top of the small 2.5 ounce tins using nestability dies. (It could easily be done with punches, too.) I stamped the white circles using stamps from Spooky Sweets and Spooky Sweets II. Then, I added the white circles to the black circles and adhered them to the top of my tins. I added a little ribbon around the bottom (from my stash - I have no idea who made it). I filled the tins with candy corn and they were done. These seriously only took a few minutes to make.

Sorry I posted these Halloween ideas so late. Seriously, I don't know where the month went! Hopefully, some of you will be able to try one of these ideas or they could inspire you to create something of your own. Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Spooky Sweets, Spooky Sweets II (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), black (SU!)

Other: 2.5 oz tins, ribbon

Tools: circle nestability dies

Super Easy Halloween Lanterns

I have a super easy and fun project to share today. Last month, I bought some small paint cans with the intentions of making some Halloween lanterns for my kids. Sunday, I decided I better get to it if I was going to get them done in time! I cut some vellum just a hair over 3 3/4 inches tall by 11 inches for each lantern. I removed the handles and then rolled the vellum pieces and put them inside the lanterns. I marked where the handles were on the vellum, removed the vellum, and then punched the holes for the handles.

I used Palette Noir ink to stamp images along the entire strip of each piece of vellum. I used images from both the Spooky Sweets and the Spooky Sweets II stamp sets. I dried the ink by heating the images with my heat gun.

I rolled each vellum sheet slightly and put them back in the paint cans. Then, I lined the holes up and put the handles back on. No adhesive necessary because the vellum isn't going anywhere anyway.

Then, I decorated the top of the lanterns. I cut some white and black circles using nestability dies. I stamped the pumpkins and sentiments and added the circles to the top of the lanterns. I did not do any other embellishing on the outside of the lanterns because my kids are way too rough on things and ribbon wouldn't last. I plan on letting them carry these lanterns on Halloween so they have to be functional.

To light them up, I just put a glow stick inside and put the lid back on. I love how they turned out and they were so easy and quick to make. My kids packed them all over the house Sunday night and can't wait to take them with them when we go trick or treating Friday.

Another view of the lanterns. If you decide to make up a Halloween lantern, I would love to see it! Be sure to leave me a link.

Recipe

Stamps: Spooky Sweets, Spooky Sweets II (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: black (SU), white (Papertrey Ink)

Paper: vellum (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: noir (Palette), pumpkin pie (SU), ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Other: small paint cans

Tools: heat gun, hole punch, nestability circle dies

ready to party?!

This weekend, we are having my son's 5th birthday party. I can't believe he is 5 already!! My baby boy is 5! This week's High Hopes challenge fit in perfectly with the coming party. This week's challenge is to create anything but a card. I decided to alter a gift bag. (Click on the photo for a larger version where you can see more details.)

I started out stamping Party Cat on white cardstock and coloring it with copic markers. I used a pair of my old decorative scissors to cut the layers for my image. Then, I sewed the layers together and added the image to my bag. I stamped some presents (Hanna Stamps Perfect Package set) on white cardstock, cut them out, and added them with foam adhesive to my bag.

I also stamped the balloons again on white cardstock and colored them with copic markers. Then, I added some dimensional glaze to the balloons and let it dry. After it was dry, I cut the balloons out and added them with foam adhesive over the image for more dimension.

I wanted to add a tag to my bag, too. I used the Perfect Package stamp set again. Then, I stamped the sentiment (Papertrey Ink's It's a Celebration set). I cut the layers and added an eyelet. I tied it to the handle of my bag with white polka dot ribbon.

Then, I cut a bunch of strips of ribbon different lengths and created the pom pom like ribbon bundle. I used a rubber band to hold the ribbons. I also added an extra ribbon through the back of the rubber band and used it to tie the ribbon bundle to the bag.

Have a great day!!

Recipe

Stamps: Party Cat (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Perfect Package (Hanna Stamps), It's a Celebration (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), real red, always artichoke, tempting turquiose (SU)

Ink: black (Momento), noir (Palette)

Accents: ribbons, large eyelet

Tools: copic markers, decorative scissors, sewing machine, scissors, crop-a-dile, dimensional glaze

Warm Winter Wishes Just for You

I just love the 2008 Holiday Tag Collection stamp set. I wanted to use it to make a quick and easy gift and had to make a card to go along with it. For my card, I stamped the background paper first (more on that below). Then, I matted it with dark chocolate cardstock and put it on my pure poppy card.

I wrapped some dark chocolate satin ribbon around my card. Then, I stamped the sentiment. I first masked the coffee cup and stamped the sentiment ring. Then, I inked the "Just for you" in pure poppy and stamped it in the center. I sponged dark chocolate ink all over the circle and added a scalloped pure poppy layer.

My quick gift is a single serving of cocoa. I just dumped a packet of cocoa into one of the small glassine bags along with some marshmallows. Then, I folded the top over and stapled it shut. I created a tag for the top by stamping the tag, sponging some dark chocolate ink on it, and adding a pure poppy scalloped tag.

Stamped Patterned Paper Tutorial

It's been a while since I did a tutorial so I thought I would do a quick one with how I stamped my patterned paper for my card. It's really very easy I love how it reminds my of cocoa.

First, stamp the dotted circle from Borders and Corners Circles stamp set in dark chocolate ink onto vintage cream cardstock.

I wanted to use the coffee mug (without the sentiment) so I created a mask. Create a mask by stamping the tag image onto a post it note. Punch out the coffee mug so that you are left with just the sentiment on the post it note. Be sure to stamp the image up at the top of the post it note so you can use the sticky to keep it in place when using it as a mask. You can kind of see through the post it note so it is easy to center it over the dotted circles.

Now, you can stamp the coffee mug in the centers of the dotted circles and the words will stamp onto the post it note instead of the patterned paper. This way, you don't have to worry about being careful and only inking up part of the stamp. Just ink it all up and stamp in the center of the mask.

And this is what you will end up with. Stamp in the center of the rest of circles using the mask.

Now, the post-it note is not made of thick material and I started getting some marks on my paper where the ink bled through a little. If you want to prevent this, either use a few post-it notes layered together or use a thicker paper for your mask. I decided to embrace it and actually like how my paper turned out because of it. I sponged dark chocolate ink lightly all over my patterned paper. When I sponged, I inked the sponge up really well and then stamped it off on scrap paper before stamping it onto my patterned paper. Each time I needed more ink, I always stamped off on the scrap paper first. This helped get rid of a little ink so that it wouldn't be quite so dark. Then, after I cut my piece of patterned paper for my card, I sponged more dark chocolate ink on the edges. I think all the sponging really brings out the "cocoa feeling." Not sure if that is a real feeling or even makes sense, but I'm sticking to it.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Recipe

Stamps: 2008 Holiday Tag Collection, Borders and Corners Circles (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: (hand stamped)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: circle punch, scalloped circle punch (Marvy), small glassine bags (Papertrey Ink), sponge

Recipe Box

For the October release, Nichole designed a really neat recipe set along with recipe cards that will fit in the PTI egg boxes. I just love all the details in this set down to the stamps for the edges of the recipe cards.

Our kitchen is in bad need of paint, but the inspiration for my recipe box came from my red Kitchen Aid mixer. I like the retro feel. So I decided to paint my box red and white. I painted the entire lid red and then, I masked stripes on the box and painted the red stripes. I love how the stripes turned out. Very easy to do and you just have to wait for the paint to dry.

I stamped the label on white cardstock with pure poppy ink and added the title in black ink. Then, I matted it with pure poppy cardstock. I attached it to my egg box with some large silver brads.

I wanted my section dividers to be something easy to create. So I cut some pieces of pure poppy cardstock the same size as the recipe cards. I rounded the corners with a corner rounder. Then, I stamped the labels on white cardstock and punched them out with a circle punch. I stacked the dividers so I could see where each label would land and made sure they were not too tall for my recipe box. I made one extra divider to put in the back where I could store the blank recipe cards.

The custom recipe cards that Nichole designed are so nice. They are lined on both sides and have a section on the left where you can stamp. The set comes with four stamps that fit perfectly. And the Ingredients, Instructions, Temperature, etc are stamps that come with the set so you don't have to try to squish the ingredient list in a small area. Just list the ingredients and then stamp the instructions.

I can't see what everyone starts creating with this set. There are so many possibilities. If you haven't already, be sure to check out all the things in the gallery that the design team created with this set.

Recipe

Stamps: Recipe Box, Recipe Box Label (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)

Accents: silver brads

Tools: red paint (Making Memories), tape, paint brush, circle punch, corner rounder

Other: recipe cards, egg box (Papertrey Ink)

Family Holiday Tradition

Last year, we started a family tradition. My son made his first ornaments for our Christmas tree and even gave some to Grandparents for Christmas. He was so proud of them and couldn't wait to give them as gifts. I love how they turned out and they will be such a keepsake. I think it will be so much fun to look back on all the handmade ornaments that grace our tree years from now. So, when Nichole challenged the design team to create something with family traditions in mind, I wanted to create more ornaments with my kids (ages 2 and almost 5). The coloring may not be in the lines and the colors may be a little nontraditional, but I love how they turned out and my kids were so excited to get to stamp and use Mommy's stuff. *smile* They got to pick the stamp images, colors, ribbons, etc.

These ornaments are very simple to make. We stamped the images on 3.5 inch circle coasters using noir palette ink. (I got mine from americancrafts.com, but they are sold by the 1,000. I have enough coasters to last forever and they were a great price. I'm sure there are lots of other places where you could buy fewer at a time.) My kids chose what stamps they wanted like which snowman parts, etc. Then, they colored the images. They chose what ribbons they wanted and I punched a hole using my crop-a-dile and tied the ribbon through. They each made 6 ornaments and I have to share them all followed by my ornament at the bottom.


First up are Madison's ornaments:

She has a thing for the swiss dots plum pudding ribbon. I think I'm going to have to order more! The present the snowman is holding is from last year's Believe stamp set.
Recipe: Made of Snow, Believe (Papertrey Ink), plum pudding swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), glittery gel pens

Recipe: Made of Snow (Papertrey Ink), pure poppy swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), glittery gel pens

Recipe: Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink), lavender moon satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), chipboard snowflakes (American Crafts), glitter gel pen

Recipe: Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink), silver tinsel weave ribbon (Papertrey Ink), glitter gel pens

Recipe: Merry and Bright, Believe (Papertrey Ink), aqua mist stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), glitter gel pen

Recipe: Believe (Papertrey Ink), plum pudding swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), chipboard tree (American Crafts), gel pen

Now, here are Tyler's ornaments:

Recipe: Made of Snow (Papertrey Ink), aqua mist swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), glitter gel pen

Recipe: Made of Snow, Believe (Papertrey Ink), spring moss swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), gel pen

Tyler added dirt below each of his trees. He has an eye for detail!

Recipe: Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink), spring moss swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), chipboard snowflakes (American Crafts), gel pens

I love his two tone tree!

Recipe: Merry and Bright, Believe (Papertrey Ink), lemon tart swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), gel pens

I think he's been watching me layering ribbons lately and he wanted the layer his ribbons, too.

Recipe: Believe (Papertrey Ink), pure poppy stitched ribbon, spring moss twill (Papertrey Ink), chipboard tree (American Crafts), gel pens

This was the first tree Tyler made. He actually stamped all the pieces. Clear stamps make it so easy for everyone to use them. I let him color this tree with my copic markers while Madison was sleeping.

Recipe: Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink), pure poppy satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), copic markers, glitter glue

And here is my ornament for our tree this year. I used the new Home for the Holidays and Boards and Beams. I cut a circle the same size as my coaster and stamped my image. I colored everything with copic markers, sponged the sky with blue ink, and painted the entire circle with angel wings shimmerz paint to make it sparkly. It worked wonderful, but one word of caution. Be careful using it over the red copic markers as it wants to make the color bleed. It did not affect any other colors, just the red. Then, I adhered my image to the coaster. I added liquid applique to the eaves and ground, sprinkled it with glitter, and heated to make the snow nice and puffy. Let it dry for quite a while before turned it over and applying pressure when decorating the back or save this step for the very end because if you do it too soon, you will smoosh the snow. (Ask me how I know. )

Here you can see the shimmer on the ornament a little better. It's so hard to get a good photo of it, but it is shimmery without being overpowering.

Next, I added the lace to the back of the coaster. Then, I used nestability circle dies to cut out a pure poppy circle and a white circle. I stamped my sentiment and the stars from Merry and Bright. Then, I simply added the circle to the back of my ornament. Then, I punched a hole using the crop-a-dile and added the sheer dot ribbon.

I encourage everyone to make some ornaments with your kids. They have so much fun and they look so adorable on the tree.

Have a great day!