Introducing Forest Friends

Candice Aguilar has become well-known and recognizable for her clean, whimsical style.  When brainstorming ideas & themes to base a new set on, I instantly knew that the woodland creature trend that is so prominent now, would be a perfect fit.  When I saw her first draft, it was obvious that it was match made in heaven!  Her new set, entitled Forest Friends, is just the CUTEST collection of critters I have ever seen!  It was all I could do not to reveal the set in it’s entirety tonight so you could see the entire "family"
she drew!  I’ve learned to pace myself over the last two year’s of doing these countdowns though, so today’s project will showcase just the sweet little skunk!

If you look closely at the skunk, you will see how a few simple, well-thought out lines create this little guy.  I love the soft curve of the stripes down his back and that cute little button of a nose!  And notice the font combination that Candice chose for the sentiments?  LOVE it!  The retro font used in a lot of the emphasis words contained in this set is just fabulous!  So fresh and funky!  Almost creating a style all it’s own!
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Speaking of the sentiment, this particular one (Stop and smell the flowers) got me to thinking about a technique I dabbled in about four years ago!  Creating my own scratch & sniff components! It’s an oldie; perhaps you remember doing it too! And after thinking about it a bit more, we as paper crafters have really brought our projects up a notch in the past few years by incorporating the element of touch with textures, etc…  Why not start thinking about some fun ways you can embellish your themed projects with scents?  With my card in particular, I thought of a few different scenarios.
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Create your own scratch & sniff embossing powder.  I have always mixed Kool-Aid packets (no sugar added, just the flavoring) with clear embossing powder.  You want about 1 part Kool-Aid to two-parts embossing powder.  You can make just what you need for a project, or make a larger batch and store it in a labeled container.  With an expansive selection of "flavors" available, you can create something to suit almost any project!  Pink Lemonade is one of my personal favorites since it doesn’t have a lot of color to it and blends in quite nicely with the embossing powder.  You use this homemade scratch & sniff concoction just as you would normal embossing powder!

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I just discovered these Potpourri Pellets at Wal-Mart last week.  One packet costs about a $1 and contains hundreds of these little transparent dots that almost look like droplets of glass.  They average from 1/8 to 3/16-inch in diameter, making them the perfect center for a flower or adhered in a row for a border.  You could pretty much use them any place you might normally use a rhinestone or self-adhesive pearl.  They are permanently saturated with their assigned scent, so the recipient would be welcomed with the sweet smell as soon as they opened the envelope!

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One additional option is to use a tiny drop or two of a fragrance oil on your flowers, which is what I did on my project today.  I found some in the potpourri section of the store.  You could also use essential oils that are used in making cosmetics and other beauty products.  Remember, a little goes a long way!

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So, have you added scents to your paper crafting projects in the past?  Does today’s post inspire any ideas for you and your creativity today?  Think about mixing pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in with your embossing powders for a special home baked smell on a project that features gingerbread men or other holiday baking theme.  What’s your mother’s favorite flower?  Wouldn’t she be thrilled to have a special birthday card that features an image of that bloom PAIRED with the smell she loves so much.  It would be like having a fresh bouquet arriving in an envelope! 

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Oh, and I almost forgot!  What do you think of the patterned papers used on today’s project?  They are all from the new December patterned paper collection, Raspberry Fizz Mix (don’t forget that you can click on the image for a larger view!).  I am SO in love with this collection!  I am going to have a lot of trouble not using it on every single project I create this week!  Just to help fend off some questions now, there is not a stamp set being released this month that coordinates with this paper.  Notice I said THIS month!  A few of the elements that I designed for these patterns made their way into a set that will be released in January, so you’ll just have to wait and see what will be!  Regardless, the vibrancy of the color, paired with the bold patterns jsut really make the collection fun to use.  You will gt fabulous results no matter what you pair this paper with!  It practically does the work for you!

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So now that I have introduced a few new things from our December release to you, how would you feel about having a chance to win them?  One random comment from this post will be selected to receive

Forest Friends

Forest Friends Sentiments

AND Raspberry Fizz Mix 8×8 paper pad

(this is a $47 value!)

The Fine Print: One comment will be chosen randomly as the winner.  The winner will be announced around 11:30pm EST, Wednesday, December 10th right here at the end of this post.  Please play nice, only one comment per person.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! 

For the first time in the history of utilizing the Random Number Generator, it rolled out a single digit!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6

Timestamp: 2008-12-11 06:17:04 UTC

And comment # 6 belongs to…

Congratulations, Ann!  Please contact Customer Service with your shipping address so we can get your prize package out to you!  And thanks to everyone else for playing!  All of your excitement is contagious!

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Be sure to stop by Lauren Meader’s blog to see what she has created with Forest Friends!

Candice Aguilar has inked the set up too to show you a little preview!

Lisa Johnson has a set being released this month as well, which she shows you a peek at today in her post!

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Stamps: Forest Friends (available December 15th)

Ink: Versamark (for embossing), Black Noir Palette

Paper: Raspberry Fizz Mix (available December 15th), Stamper’s Select White, Classic Kraft

Other: Raspberry Fizz satin ribon (available December 15th), mini black brads from Making Memories, Filigree White detail embossing powder, foam dimensionals, corner rounder punch (for scalloped edge)

Finished Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.5 inches