Introducing Tea for Two

The set I am introducing to you today is truly my new *favorite* set of all time that I personally have designed.  I am simply CRAZY about it and all of the wonderful supporting sentiments that are included in it.  Let's jump right in with a few projects (and even some exciting announcements!).

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This first project is what I like to call *modern zen*.  I was inspired by some beautiful vintage linen fabric that I had a few scraps of.  Lately I have really enjoyed playing with different textures and mediums in my stamping adventures.  It really helps me to broaden my scope and learn new things.  You never know what you're gonna get until you try! 

I really liked the way the tag embellishment turned out for the cover of the card.  I have found that whenever I want to cut fabric straight for matting or whatever, a rotary cutter and ruler are the best bet, rather than scissors.  Everything comes out nice and perfect and even, leaving you with a more professional finished look. 

The stamped cardstock is attached to the fabric with my beloved Scor-tape.  I cut my fabric about 3/4" taller than my focal point to allow me to fold a portion of it over the top.

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A small eyelet and the addition of twine finish off the homemade tag embellishment.  I decided to go in and fray the edges of the fabric a bit, making it look a little more rustic and textural.  It would be fun to make a whole of batch of tags like this with different stamp images so I could have them on hand to tie on gifts or attach to a card front for a quick & easy greeting.  Would it be a crime to start collecting fabric in large quantities just as I currently do with patterned paper?!?!?! *wink*  Heck, maybe Papertrey just needs to start designing fabric!

On another note, the leaves that create the background on the cover are from one of our classics,  Beautiful Blooms.  The image was randomly stamped all over dark chocolate cardstock and heat embossed with clear filigree embossing powder.  I love creating patterns this way.  Such a sophisticated look.  Plus, on this particular project the contrast between the rough linen and shiny embossed leaves adds a lot of interest!

The inside of the card is actually special too.  Here is the sentiment that I chose to greet the recipient. Don't you just LOVE the fonts in this set!  I was so excited to develop the combination.  It's just a bit vintage yet clean & modern at the same time.  You can't go wrong with styling like that when you looking for a set to be versatile!

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And here is the small treat on the other side!  I stitched a strip of the linen fabric to form a band that holds a tea bag in place.  Tea bags make a great small gift to send someone through the mail (especially when you have the perfect sentiments to compliment them like this set does!).  They are lightweight and flat so they are easy to mail.  My project in particular would be great for someone that had been having a rough go of it and needed to be encouraged to relax!

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You know I always love to show you the versatility of a set.  This project falls along the lines of the style I like to call *clean vintage*.  Notice the paper?  Just a bit of the NEW Green Tea Leaves paper, mentioned below.  I am SO in love it and I think it is the perfect addition to this card!  Please be sure to click on the photo to enlarge your view!  The smaller photo doesn't do all the details justice!

Here's a closeup of the little sentiment tag I created.  I really liked how subtle it was.  I stamped it with Vintage Cream ink onto our vellum cardstock.  I then heat set it with my heat gun.  A strip of aqua mist cardstock is added to the back to increase readability and a pop of color.  Notice the flourish on that teapot!  *swoon*  It stamps SO well in our Vintage Cream & Fresh Snow inks!  Just perfection!

Last but not least is a bright and cheerful project using Copic markers.  So if you have been paying attention, I have shown you two reverse image teapots, both beautiful in their own way.  Now I will work with the outline image, allowing you to paper piece or use one of your favorite coloring mediums.

So, speaking of coloring mediums, how about those popular Copic markers…. as of April 15th Papertrey Ink will officially be a proud retailer! 

 
That's right! Papertrey (along with some extensive help from the Copic Queen herself, Debbie Olson) has selected a special Copic Trio packages for almost all of our colors.  (a complete Papertrey Copic chart will be available for download from our website on the 15th).  The markers will be available for purchase in the trio or separately if you are adding to an existing collection.  In case this is your first introduction to the Copic craze, here's a bit of basic info…

The Copic sketch marker is the premiere choice in alcohol based
markers.  They are double-ended featuring a medium broad tip along with
a super brush tip.  The Medium Broad Nib is perfect for covering large
areas seamlessly.  The Super Brush Nib looks and feels like a quality
watercolor brush, allowing you to express artistic flair with ease. 
The colors are deep, rich and brilliant with a quality that is second
to none.  This amazing coloring system is just like what the
professionals use, giving you professional results from your own home.

-guaranteed
color consistency
-refillable
-replaceable nibs
-permanent (can be used on fabric)
-blendable
-compliments air brush system
-color layering & mixing without contamination of tips
-non-toxic, dries acid free
-photocopy safe (won't dissolve toner)

Now, as you see mentioned in the list, they are blendable, which is really half their charm.  To help explain, I have provided a short visual representation to share with you.  Here I have stamped the outline teapot image with Noir Palette ink.  You would want to use that ink rather than True Black because it is waterproof.  Allow a couple minutes to dry and color in one section with RV17.  It is important to lay your strokes right next to each other, rather than outlining the image an then filling it in, because this will help you eliminate any stroke marks.  As long as the ink is still wet when you apply another stroke next to it, the stroke marks with virtually disappear!  This is one of the MANY amazing characteristics of these markers!

Next, take the darkest shade for Raspberry Fizz (RV19) and add a line on one side of the pot.  You will want to establish where your *light source* would be coming from and which side of the teapot would be shadowed.  Keep this in mind as you add shadow to each of the sections of the teapot.  For example, the underside of the spout and handle would be slightly shadowed since they are on the underside of the imaginary light source.

While keeping the ink wet, go back in and color over the shaded area with your medium shade (RV17). Layering with the lighter color again helps to evenly blend the darker color, just like magic!  If you are interested in more info about blending with the Copics, Debbie did a fantastic tutorial HERE using our Friends 'Til the End stamp set!

Since Copics are alcohol based markers, you can do some fun techniques that you just cannot achieve with standard dye based markers.  One of which is taking AWAY ink with lighter markers.  Here I used it to my advantage to add pattern to my teapot, polka dots specifically.  They are subtle but really add some pop!

Here it is with the completed dot application.  I think this technique created such a fun and artistic look.  I will definitely be playing around with this some more.  I am thinking stripes, ginghams and more!

I want to highlight one more special detail quickly before showing you the completed project.  A few months ago we started carrying a new ink pad called Versamark Dazzle.  It is a phenomenal ink pad that I think no one can live without!  You can use it to create *sparkling* watermarked backgrounds or add shimmer to entire surfaces. Here is the teapot image before I applied the Versamark Dazzle pad…

and here it is after.  All I did was tap the entire pad on the image's surface.  It's now is super shimmery and really eye catching!  And it was quick and easy to do with virtually no waiting on drying time.  No messy glitter or glue!  I just love the results!

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Here is the final card, bright and cheerful as can be!  Who doesn't love aqua mist & raspberry fizz together?!?!  The frame around the edge of the card front was created with a ruler and white gel pen.  It adds just a bit of detail without being overly fussy on a simple card like this.  And don't you just LOVE the quote?  I thought it would be appropriate to send to a girlfriend when she had a big decision to make or was at some other big turning point in her life.  Sometimes it's fun to just use something a little different like that, isn't it?!?

Instead of using a standard mat for the teapot, I opted to use a cluster of punched circles in all different sizes and colors.  It was fun to change it up like that and I was really happy with the way it turned out.  I'll definitely have to try that one again sometime!

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Before I end this post, I wanted to show you a few more fun variations on adding pattern to the outline teapot using Copics, ruler and even a white gel pen!  I hope you are inspired to experiment with even MORE ideas once your set arrives!

So now that you've seen all of these different variations of just what you can do with this set, let me know what you think!

Leave a comment on today's post for your chance to win…

one FREE Tea for Two set of your very own!

This contest will end at 8am EST, Tuesday, April 14th.  The winner will be announced shortly thereafter, by noon EST on our April Release Prize Winner page.  Please play nice, only one entry per person.  Good luck!

Michelle Wooderson has some additional projects using Tea for Two today!

Lauren Meader has been busy putting together more template preview projects for you!

Heather Nichols  has updated her blog with additional sample using All Star Team & Additions.

Lisa Johnson is still reinforcing just how versatile her new background set is!

Dawn McVey shares even MORE (if that's possible) projects created with Scattered Showers!

Complete supply lists for these projects can be found HERE.