Introducing Around & About Sentiments

Heather Nichols has this amazing ability to design sets that are simple, versatile and SO user friendly.  I’ve been amazed by the creativity that every single one of her sets has inspired as soon I ink them up and start to play.  The set that Heather is introducing this month is no exception.  It is a basic that simply every stamper MUST own. 
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Around & About Sentiments is a collection of sentiments formed into circles and borders, allowing the words to be decorative and functional all at the same time.  The number of uses for these stamps is absolutely limitless and you will surely find yourself turning towards them again and again.  The round sentiments specifically have an opening in the center that allows them to be combined with a few small images included in the set, or mix & match with other stamp sets in your collection.  The illustration below showcases some of the classic Papertrey images that work well with this set (don’t forget, you can click the image for a larger view if you like)…
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I have a couple projects that I created using some of the above combinations.  This first one is a card perfect for the upcoming celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.  It uses the small clover image that can be found in our Limitless Labels stamp set that was released last year.  The clover along with all of the other mini images in this set work well with the round borders in Around & About Sentiments.
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Here is a closeup of how well the clover fits within the sentiment border from the new stamp set.  Punching out the different layers and using foam dimensionals really adds a lot of needed emphasis to this small-scaled focal point. 
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I tied a button with embroidery floss around the ends of the Spring Moss Twill that extended over the edge of the card.  I love doing this type of detail work.  Just a little something that adds a lot.  In this closeup you can also see the scored lined I created with my Scor-Pal to add some texture to my Spring Moss cardstock.
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This next project is bold and bright, perfect for a friend that has a personality with the same characteristics.  Raspberry Fizz Mix patterned paper along with the new Black & White Basics papers are punched out in squares to create a nice color-blocking effect.  Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon was wrapped around the edge of the card to create a partial border accent. 
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The bitty bee image is from our popular Honey Bees stamps set.  I adhered rhinestones around the bee, forming a nice *ring of bling*.  The rhinestones paired with the bee image created the perfect look I needed for the interior sentiment which reads “Happy Birthday to the Queen Bee”!  The small flower that is attached with a brad can be found in the Velvet Flowers Fire collection we carry.  I discovered that the bright pink blooms contained in it are are practically a perfect match for Raspberry Fizz.  Pink & velvet, how can you resist?
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As I mentioned before, Heather also integrated long border sentiments into Around & About Sentiments as well.  They are super fun to use since they can be tucked in almost anywhere that you need just a little *something*.  For this quick & easy project, I stamped the “happy everything” sentiment border four times, each repetition in a different color, creating a rainbow.  I just ADORE rainbow color schemes lately.  They are so happy and cheerful!  The star border stamped below the rainbow strip is also included in this set!  I stamped it in Fresh Snow ink and added small dabs of Stardust Stickles to the center of each star to add a bit of sparkle & shine.
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The large star images are also included in Around & About Sentiments.  I stamped them in three different colors that were utilized in my rainbow sentiment strip and cut them out with a craft knife.  I used a xyron sticker maker to apply adhesive to the front side and dipped them in glitter to create sugar-coated accents.  Raising them on small foam dimensionals really helps to draw attention to them. 
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This next and last project has a more earthy color scheme.  I am love with the layout of this card and look forward to playing some more with it and alternating color schemes as well as images.  The large “Thanks” sentiment was created with the NEW! Fresh Alphabet.  I am loving the size of this alphabet.  It is a nice medium size so it can be used for sentiments AND monograms.  On this project, Heather’s thank you border is used as a focal point and background.  Love that I can use it both ways to achieve a variety of looks just with one stamp!

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For the button detail, I used a circle punch that was just a bit larger than my button to create a notch in my cream cardstock.  I then stitched the button in place, tying the ends securely with a neat & tidy bow in the front.

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If you look back at the four projects I shared with you today, you can see the way Around & About Sentiments can suit just about anyone’s stamping style.  A neutral basic like this set should be at the top of everyone’s wish list!  How would you describe your stamping style and how this new set might fit in with your designs?  Which one of my projects today speaks to your sense of style best?  One lucky person will get to walk away with this new stamp set for free, just be leaving a comment on today’s post!  That’s right!  I’m giving away one…

FREE Around & About Sentiments stamp set

Good luck to everyone and thanks for stopping by today!

Fine Print: This contest will close
today, January 11th, 2008 at 11:59pm EST.  The winner will be announced
shortly thereafter.  Please play nice, only one entry per person
please.  Winner is responsible for contacting customer service with
their shipping information in order to claim the prize.

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

141

Timestamp: 2009-01-12 15:40:21 UTC

Comment #141 belongs to:

Congratulations, Cheryl!  You’ve won your very own copy of Heather’s new Around & About Sentiments stamp set!  Please email customer service with your shipping information in order to claim your prize. Thanks to everyone for playing!

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You can stop by Heather’s blog today for an additional peek at her new stamp set!

Lauren has a special peek at one of her latest templates for you today as well!

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Clover Card

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments (available January 15th), Polka Dot Basics, Limitless Labels

Ink: Ripe Avocado, Fresh Snow

Paper: Stamper’s Select White, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss

Other: Spring Moss Twill, Scor-Pal, Scor-tape, EK Success orner Rounder Punch (large scallops), Fiskars foam dimensionals, 7/8″ & 1-1/4″ circle punches from EK Success, button & embroidery floss

Finished Size: 4.25″ x 5″

Happy Bee-day Card

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments (available January 15th), Honey Bees

Ink: True Black

Paper: True Black, Stamper’s Select White, Raspberry Fizz Mix, Black & White Basics

Other: Raspberry Fizz Satin ribbon, Paper Studio self-adhesive rhinestones, black mini brad, Maya Road velvet flower, EK Success 1-1/4″ circle punch & 1-3/8″ square punch, Fiskars foam dimensionals

Finished Size: 3.5″ x 5″

Star Card

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments (available January 15th)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides, Fresh Snow

Paper: Pure Poppy, Stamper’s Select White

Other: Stardust Stickles from Ranger, Palette Prisma Glitter, Xyron Sticker Maker, craft knife, Fiskars corner rounder punch.

Finished Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″

Thank you Card

Stamps: Around & About Sentiments & Fresh Alphabet (both available January 15th)

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides

Paper: Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream

Other: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, EK Sucess 3/4″ & 1/2″ square punches (to create photo corners), 3/4″ circle punch (for button notch detail), Paper Studio scalloped scissors, button & hemp twine, Fiskars corner rounder punch.

Finished Size: 5.5″ x 4.25″