I am about to introduce one of my favorite people in the industry as an *official* stamp designer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Heather Nichols is talented beyond belief and has developed her own unique style that can be recognized instantly. It’s rustic, yet clean & simple. Heather style is carried over into her very first stamp set for Papertrey Ink entitled Rustic Branches. With wreaths & branches that have various overlays, it is like being provided with a canvas to embellish to suit your style, color scheme or season. I am anxious to see the many variations you will create once you get this versatile set in your hands!
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For my project today I decided to bring out a bit of fabric, muslin to be specific. I like the earthiness of it, which I think works so well with this new set. I wanted to create some personalized sachets as a small gift for a dear friend. In order to make measurements an unnecessary task, I just die cut the fabric using the largest scalloped square from the Nestabilities. I cut four scalloped squares so that I could create two sachets. Muslin is one of the best choices for this type of project for it’s breathability. The loose weave will allow the scent of the lavender I am filling them will permeate the space they reside in!
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Next, I stamped the outline wreath image with Landscape Palette ink in the center of two of the squares.
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The outline berry overlay was next, stamped with Lavender Moon ink. I also added a monogram using the Ambassador Monogram Edition Alphabet in the center of the wreath. The letters fit perfectly!
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I used one of the smaller standard square Nestbailities dies and a Mark-B-Gone pen to draw a seam line around the perimeter of the scalloped squares. The Mark-B-Gone pen can be found in any sewing section, even at Wal-Mart. It is easy to remove later on, but is vibrant enough that it is easy to use as a guide while you need it.
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I stitched three sides of the sachets with my sewing machine, backstitching at the beginning and end to prevent the thread from unraveling. I found that you could achieve the neatest finished appearance by starting in a corner and ending in a corner. I then filled my sachet with dried lavender. There are a variety of sources for lavender and other fillers you could use for sachets. A great retailer of organic lavender is The Lavender Fields General Store. Only fill the bag about halfway to allow room to add the last seam on the sewing machine.
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I stitched the last side of the sachet to complete it. I loved how easy it was to get everything perfectly the straight by using the lines as a guide. It worked out really well.
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To eliminate the Mark-B-Gone pen lines, I just dabbed them with a moist paper towel. They disappear like magic! Set aside to allow to dry when you have finished this step.
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Here are the finished sachets! I think they look like something right out of a boutique!
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As a last finishing touch, I tied the two sachets together using Lavender Moon satin ribbon. I made a tag from Kraft cardstock using Tag Trio and stamped the “Handmade by” image from Heather’s set. I was able to sign & date the back of the tag to make it more personal!
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The sachets definitely could not be given by themselves, so a coordinating card was definitely in order! I started by die cutting a piece of muslin fabric and a piece of vintage cream cardstock at the same time with a smaller scalloped square from the Nestabilities.
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I kept the two layers together and stitched around the perimeter with my sewing machine, repeating the look of the sachets. I then stamped the same wreath & berries in the center. As an extra touch, I stitched lavender seed beads onto each berry using a needle & thread.
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I wanted to keep my card base really simple, but yet give it a bit of character, so I got out one of my all time favorite background sets, Polka Dot Basics. I measured the width of the particular set of dots I chose and scored two sets of lines above and below the measurement on the BACK of the front cover using my Scor-Pal.
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I then flipped the card over and stamped my dots in between the score lines. Perfect!
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I adhered my focal point to the center with foam dimensionals and added the “thankful” sentiment from Rustic Branches to the bottom corner. Super simple but showcasing a few details, like I talked about in yesterday’s post.
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Here is the finished ensemble all together. I love how peaceful everything looks and the soothing nature it seems to exude. Who wouldn’t love to receive something pampering like this? If you wanted to turn this more into a holiday gift, you could stamp the berries in red and fill the sachets with pine needles. Inexpensive and so thoughtful!
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For an additional peek at Rustic Branches, be sure to stop by Heather’s blog today!
Lisa has more to share with you as well using her latest set!
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Stamps: Rustic Wreath, Ambassador Monogram Edition Alphabet, Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Landscape, Lavender Moon Palette inks, vanilla pigment
Paper: Classic Kraft, Vintage Cream
Other: Lavender Moon satin ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Tag Trio, Scor-Pal, sewing machine, lavender, muslin fabric
Becky says
Just Stunning.
Steph says
Beautiful, as always. Are you sure you’re not related to Martha Stewart?! 🙂
Angela K says
Wow! These are just beautiful!
diane mcvey says
Wow, that is just precious! I love your sachets, and it all just came together so beautifully! What a wonderful gift, I’m sure it will be truly appreciated! 😀
Joy Kennedy (JoyOfStamping) says
Nichole, these are amazing projects. I can’t wait to get Piney’s new set. She is awesome!
Susy says
What a lovely elegant gift.
Denean says
Beautiful!! And what a great gift idea!
hb says
Nichole, what a beautiful sachet and card! It perfectly represents Pine (Heather)… peaceful, earthy, minimalistic. I am beyond excited to play with her set!
Kathleen says
I LOVE this stamp! But mostly, I LOVE this idea….maybe I WILL pull my sewing machine out! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
SueB says
This is just precious. Love the added touch of the beads on the card. You always finish everything is such a lovely way.
Alyssa says
Incredible! The time and thought you put into a gift is just amazing.
Alicia Weiman says
Very cute. I think these would be adorable just stuffed with fiberfill too and given as little doll pillows to a little girl! This set looks so pretty! Can’t wait to see everything on Friday!
Renee V. (happystamper05) says
Breathtaking….
Mish says
This is so elegant and what a thoughtful gift. I can smell the lavendar almost!
Loydene says
I cannot recall any project that you’ve done that I have not admired. Your card style is just so beautifully elegant —
Thank you!
Jennifer Buck says
Oh my! This is breath taking! Wow! I am speechless! What a beauty! TFS! Hope you are doing well! 🙂
Tami McBeain (tmarie) says
Wow, what a beautiful project and card! This set is simply beautiful and I think it represents Heather perfectly! I’m so excited for her first set!
Debbie Fisher says
I love these projects. I even have the pens from my quilting days.
Denise Rose says
So cute! I love lavender and will have to make some of these for myself! I hardly EVER make anything for myself!
Julia Aston says
I’m going to make these as soon as I get home from work tonight!!!! this is a SUPER craft – I’ve made lavender sachets before – but these look absolutely gorgeous! thanks for sharing your methods Nicole!!!
Christine Villacarlos says
what a lovely project! thanks for sharing your awesome talent, Nichole!
Lauren (mytime) says
THUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me?! Wow Nichole. I’m not worthy. You are just amazing.
Charmaine says
Wowza! I love this…such a simple idea but what impact it has with all the details you added…the beads on the card was such a great touch…never would have thought of that. I can’t wait to get this set so I can duplicate!
Charmaine
kerry davis says
Nichole – that is so gorgeous and I LOVE that you supply your readers with an endless supply of handmade gift ideas! Can’t wait to see more…
Kerry
Erica says
I love love LOVE this gift, it’s wonderful, thoughtful, imaginative and just super :D! Oh yes, and it smells nice, that’s alway a bonus ;o)
Kathy V. says
Gosh, I don’t know what to say without gushing! Stunning, beautiful, fabulous! I really love the details, and appreciate how you step them out.
And congratulations to Pine! This looks like another “gotta have” set!
Sue (suen) says
The sachets and matching card are just fabulous! I love the idea! Can’t wait for the 15th!
Jeanne says
What a fabulous project! Great gift ideas and love the card and tag.
Michelle says
WOW! These are great! I didn’t know the nestabilites cut through fabric!
Rachelle says
Nicole these are simply stunning! Thank you so much for the clear instructions and photos!
Beth Silaika says
I am so excited to get Heather’s new set! I am thrilled for her!
Karen Sullivan says
wow – this is one of my favorite projects of yours. so personal and simple – I didn’t know nesties could cut fabric so I’m anxious to try this out with my own. I also like the card with the seed beeds sewn on – genius!
Jessica says
Gorgeous, just gorgeous. And what a great use of your stamp supplies!
I’ve given you a little shoutout on my blog – can’t wait for Heather’s set to be released!
Debbie Olsonde says
Nichole, everything you do blows me away! When I saw the way you cut the pineapple yesterday, I was SURE that subsequent posts couldn’t touch that one, but every day you pull a rabbit out of the design hat–wonderful!
Joan says
This is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for all the details. I would not have thought about using the Spellbinders to cut fabric.
What a great gift idea! I love it!!!
Joan
CherylQuilts at SCS says
What a great set and a great idea! I’ve been thinking about Christmas gifts these days…TFS!
Sandy K says
Wow, I love your sachets. Very pretty idea. Thank you!
jules p says
WOW~ these are so pretty! Great job!
Patty W says
These are sweeeet !
Rhonda K. says
These are just precious! I love the little pillows. So cute and what a way cool idea. The projects and stamps for this month are just WOW! I can’t wait until the big release.
Lynne P.-D. says
Absolutley stunning! What a terrific gift to make. I’m just wondering if you used a cuttlebug with your nesties to die cut the muslin.
Charlene Austin says
Nichole….you are absolutley brilliant! I love every single detail. I am in awe.
Justine says
WOW, great minds think alike. You’ll have to check out the sachets that I created recently and yes I used PTI stamps!
Susanna says
Nichole, I just don’t know how you come up with so many consistently wonderful ideas! Those sachets are AWESOME and I can’t wait to try them!
You were the Runner Up Project of the Week at Card of the Week.com. You can see the original post http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/08/card-of-the-w-2.html.
I did use a picture from your post, with links back to the site and the original post. I hope that is OK. Please feel free to email me at susanna.boyd@gmail.com if you need me to change anything.
I also have an “I was featured” on badge for you if you want it 😀
Thanks again for sharing!
Silvia Mabie says
Hi there,
I have made these sachets and was wondering if yourmusplin frayed or if you used anyting in the ends for it to not fray…maybe it’s just me and my excess handling! LOL Thanks for the help!!!!
Laura says
I love this project! For those curious about fraying – I made a batch of these as well & realized after the first one that you need to put Fray Check on the edges to keep from getting all the threads from coming loose. You can buy it in the fabric section of any craft store (or possibly even walmart). It worked great!
http://laura-griffin.com/blog/2008/09/16/monogram-gift-set/
Bianca says
I found out about this great idea just a few days ago. Awesome! I also did some of these little pillows filled with lavender.
You can see these here: http://stempelkunst.com/2008/09/29/das-duftet/
Wee, it is in GErman, but I think the photo alone shows what I mean!
Bianca from Germany!
Sandee Quitter says
AMAZING! TFS.
Sandee
http://my-moment-in-time.blogspot.com
Cheap Chanel Bags says
frustration and regret that I didn’t pay closer attention in geometry class.
It appears that she’s only made thirteen movie and/or television appearances during her career, the last one something called Buddy Boy in 1999. My exhaustive internet research turned up little more than squat.