Hello, everyone! So, are you having a good time? Enjoying yourself? It's amazing how much fun can be had between computers that are stretched out around the globe, isn't it!
Today I will be talking about THE one and only, Heather Nichols and her TWO new stamp releases for February! You've probably already seen the sneak peeks on her blog the last few days, which means you've also been tempted to add the sets to your cart on the 15th, I'm sure! The first set is entitled Beyond Basic Borders with an amazing array of (you guessed it!) borders that capture Heather's signature style. I just love how crisp & clean everything is, but yet so much personality and flair is represented at the same time. The second set is called Journaling Lines, which contains the obvious. The two journaling lines stamps are about 4.75" long, allowing them to double as background stamps for creating striped patterns. The dotted lined version included in the set has been used on SEVERAL of my projects already. I love things that are double duty like that!
What a better way to start off than to get right to the projects!
(click on photo for larger view)
First up is this little note I made to give David before he leaves on a ski trip in Colorado next week. I'll probably tuck it in his suitcase as a little surprise for him to find once he gets there. It's a super simple card that took hardly any time at all to make. Notice the dotted "journaling lines" stamped in Versamark on the dark chocolate background. I think it helps to make this card feel a bit more masculine. Did I already mention how much I love that stamp?!?!?
The swirled branch image is JUST gorgeous. The small dots that are part of it provide the perfect platform for embellishing. Think brads, stickles, liquid pearls, beads or buttons, as I have done here. One of the things I love about this type of image is the ability to add as little or as much embellishment as you want, and the main image is simple enough to pull it off! I went simple and used three of our NEW! cream vintage buttons. I liked how I was able to stitch the buttons just on one side of the branch, allowing the sentiment to balance out the other side.
For the border, I wanted to show you how it doesn't need to be used as is. I stamped this reverse border onto spring moss cardstock using ripe avocado ink and trimmed it out. I used a pencil to draw a curved line to serve as a cutting guide. Using scissors, I cut along the line. I ran back over the edge with a sanding block to make sure all the curves were nice and even and that there were none of the snags that scissors sometimes leave behind. Quick, easy and this type of technique will allow you to get twice as much use from all of Heather's border images!
The next project uses one of my FAVORITE Papertrey products, White Shimmer cardstock. Have you tried it yet? It's a bit heavier in weight when compared to our regular white stock and the sparkle it has is just stunning in person. One of my favorite things about it, is the way that it accepts ink. Once you stamp an image on it, especially the bolder images like what is found in these border stamps, it's as if the image is deeply absorbed into the paper. This allows all of the sparkle to resurface through the ink in the most beautiful, subtle way. It's difficult to put into words, but just try it out and you will see exactly what I mean!
(click on photo for larger view)
Okay, now back to the card! I stamped just about all of the images from the set onto the shimmer cardstock and cut them into strips. The shimmer is hard to see in this photo, but it is SO cool in reality! I staggered the strips on the cover of my spring moss card base.
I adhered a piece of the New Leaf grosgrain ribbon to Ocean Tides cardstock and trimmed the edges down with scalloped scissors, creating a border. The sentiment was stamped in fresh snow ink onto Classic Kraft cardstock, with a little additional ink sponged onto the edges too. I spy two New Leaf Vintage Buttons on either side of the focal point, adhered in place with glue dots!
(click on photo for larger view)
My last and final project is a fun little card that can be used for just about any occasion. The "tree" image is probably one of my favorites from the set. (Although I am pretty sure Heather intended it to be a branch!)
I stamped the tree in dark chocolate ink and then added punched 1/4" circle of Melon Berry cardstock to the ends of a few branches. I used Stardust Stickles on each of the remaining points along with on top of the punches circles. How fun would it be to make these according to season!?!?! All the colors of autumn, small flowers for spring, endless possibilities!
The strips at the bottom were created by stamping one of the long sentiments from Around & About Sentiments with dark chocolate ink onto three shades of cardstock (spring moss, lemon tart and melon berry). I then stamped the border images on TOP of the sentiments using versamark. I really liked the effect and the subtlety of it. I finished the card off with a Melon Berry Vintage Button tied with twine and a spring moss scalloped edge adhered to the back of the front cover.
I hope the versatility of these sets came shining through with the projects I shared with you today!
Please join me congratulating Heather on yet another amazing collection of images! Stop by and visit her blog today, where you will see a few projects she has created herself using the new sets but ALSO a very special *giveaway*!
Pine's Picks Prize Package
(nearly a $100 value!)
DO NOT post here for a chance to win big, just visit Heather's blog to enter!
You have until midnight EST tonight (Feb. 11th) to post your guess. The winner will be listed on our special Anniversary Prize Page
after 12 noon EST, February 12th. You can always access this list through the Anniversary Quick Link list to the upper left sidebar here. A copy of
the list will also be updated daily in our customer forum.
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with Heather's contest!
Stop by to visit Lauren Meader's blog today to see a peek at one of her all-new Timeless Templates!
Dawn McVey continues to keep us inspired with all of her creations using her new set.
And don't forget about Melissa Bickford's sneak peeks too!
"Love You" card
Stamps: Beyond Border Basics & Journaling Lines (both available Feb. 15th)
Ink: dark chocolate, ripe avocado, versamark
Paper: dark chocolate, spring moss, vintage cream
Other: white & cream mix vintage buttons, needle & thread, sewing machine, sanding block, foam dimensionals
Finished Size: 4.75 x 4.5"
"Borders & Strips Thanks" card
Stamps: Beyond Border Basics & Journaling Lines (both available Feb. 15th)
Ink: new leaf, ocean tides, spring moss, fresh snow
Paper: spring moss, white shimmer, ocean tides
Other: new leaf grosgrain & vintage buttons, scalloped scissors (Paper Studio), oval punch (EK Success), glue dots (to adhere buttons), foam dimensionals
Finished Size: 6 x 4.25"
"Simple Sparkle Tree" card
Stamps: Beyond Basic Borders (available Feb. 15th), Around & About Sentiments
Ink: dark chocolate, versamark
Paper: vintage cream, spring moss, lemon tart, melon berry, dark chocolate
Other: melon berry vintage button, paper piercer, twine, 1/4" hokle punch (Fiskars), stardust stickles (Ranger), scalloped scisors (Paper Studio), corner rounder punch (Fiskars), foam dimensionals
Finished Size: 3.75 x 7"
Alyssa Byron says
Beautiful! I love the simple sparkle card! Congratualtions heather! I am a aussie and its 4pm now that why I can post while everyone in the states is asleep!
CharleneAustin says
Nichole the card you made for David is gorgeous!! Tell “Vanna” the girls from the cruise say Hi. LOL.
Totally enjoying the 2 Year Birthday Celebration. Everything is top notch!! “See” you on Saturday.
Jessica says
Beautiful!!! You Ladies, I tell you- are simply OUTSTANDING!!!
Sharon D says
Nichole, you are so creative! I love the card you made for David and also the one with the green and white shimmer strips–so pretty!
Kathy V. says
Love the card to David, and the colors on Thinking of You have really got me jazzed! Cannot wait until the 15th! Whoo Hoo!
Morag says
Love the cards and you and your team have certainly done it again in terms of amazing offerings!!
Sam/Jan says
I really love the masculine card for David! Also the shimmer card. Am wondering how you did the reverse color on the border for David’s card. Thank you for being so creative!!!!
Loydene says
As always — your card designs are wonderful! Creative, simple, compelling — just perfect!
Bonnie aka raduse says
Awesome cards Nichole, especially the one for David.
StampinCathy says
Wow these cards are just beautiful and so inspring. Lovin all the sneak peeks.
Helen F. says
Oh Nichol, your cards are simply elegant. I just love how you used Heather’s new Border and Journaling sets for your cards (her scrapbook page is wonderful too) The shimmer card stock looks awesome along with all the new products~~buttons, ribbons,ink & card stock!
Kelly in Canada says
Hi Nichole,
Oh, I just love the stamp sets this month. And, of course all of your cards and projects are beautiful. Thanks so much for all the inspiration.
Kelly
Stampin Pam (Chicagoland) says
Oh goodness Nichole – can I just come live in your studio and watch you work and create??? I LOVE the card for David – so simple yet wonderful. Can’t wait for the release party. Ya Hoo! Party on and Happy Birthday Papertrey!
Hugs n smiles.
Elizabeth S. says
Beautiful card!! I just love the versitility of the stamps. Can’t wait until the 15ht.
Lisa Forsythe says
Wow Nicole – I don’t think I have been so excited over a release before…I think I want it all!! I love your projects… keep up the good work!!
Melissa says
I feel asleep thinking about your cards last night Nichole….they always make me melt and fill me with the desire to jump up and create…I adore these so much.
Melis
Lynn P says
Beautiful! Love everything you do.
Juanita in Ohio says
Your creativity is sooooooooooooooo amazing!!! My mind (what’s left of it) is spinning from your GORGEOUS cards, TFS.
Sarah says
Ok..I’m loving the “peeking” scallops… I think I’ll start to incorporate that into my creations a bit more. Great inspiration! It’s even peeking from behind the ribbon!
You’re a genious! 🙂
Chris says
Great cards Nicole…love all of your ideas.
Angela says
Nichole…
Just a quick note to tell you congratulations on this wonderful anniversary. I also wanted to say that soon, there will really be no reason to shop elsewhere – between the wonderful creations you offer, your clever ideas and the talented team that works with you, PTI it truly a crafting dream come true for your customers.
I hope you find time to celebrate your success this week, and that next week you find time for a little relaxation.
Thank you for sharing your vision with us…Angela
kendra says
WOW ~ You have some amazing things going on this month. Everything looks just fabulous & I’m super excited to order on Sunday. I love your blog posts ~ they are just wonderful and you include so many details. It’s been so fun to see your company grow in the past 2 years. I still remember buying the first set {and so many since}. Keep up the great work!