Here we are! The very first day of the May countdown! This is SO incredibly exciting for me because so many of the sets this month are unique, exciting and just plain ol' inspiring! It's been so difficult to keep everything under wraps!
Today I get the opportunity to introduce you to a new set that I designed. Something inspired by one of the hottest trends in paper crafting right now. Think sunshine, rainbows, clouds, kites and hot air balloons! All of which are things that make us all smile and feel happiness & sunshine deep down in our souls! I can't possibly think of a better theme to use when making cards for others, so we are able to pass on all that sunshine to others!
The details.
- Up, Up & Away will be available for sale on May 15th.
- It will retail for $24.
- Up, Up & Away contains a total of 27 stamps (21 images and 6 sentiments).
- There are two die sets that will be available that coordinate with this set as well.
All three sizes of the hot air balloons from the set in a single die for $5.
As well as a set of two cloud dies for $6.
We are also providing you with even more variety in an economical way with a companion sentiment set available to complement Up, Up & Away.
The details.
- Up, Up & Away Sentiments will be available for sale on May 15th.
- It will retail for $5.
- Up, Up & Away Sentiments contains a total of 5 sentiment stamps.
Now that we have all of those details out of the way, let's get into the projects!
This first project is all about rainbows & sunshine! I took my cue from the fun sentiment that is included in the $5 add-on set.
I started with a piece of kraft cardstock and stamped it with a sun image from the set (more about that later in this post) using Versamark ink in two corners. I then added the rainbow image with Noir Black Palette ink. I used a few Copic markers to add color to my vibrant rainbow. A few swipes of Fresh Snow ink finished the edges of the block.
Next, I added stamped clouds at either end of the rainbow. The clouds are stamped in Fresh Snow ink onto Kraft cardstock and diecut with the coordinating cloud dies. You will notice that when using the stamps with the dies, there is no border for this particular coordination. That was actually something I chose to do when designing the dies so the clouds looked more "realistic". When I was doing some preliminary testing, I felt a border took away from the shape and I am really happy I made that decision.
You'll notice that the clouds have a slight distressed texture to them. This faint distressing really brings the images to a whole new level and makes stamping with them easier. I know you'll love it once you start using these yourself!
Up, Up & Away includes many things that can be found in the sky, including kites. This quick little project features the cheerful focal point in style! Not to mention a fun color scheme of Berry Sorbet & Aqua Mist.
It all started with this little kite outline image. It can be used for coloring as is, or you can add a patterned overlay to it.
Here I've added the floral overlay. This is one of three options for the kite image! There is also a small overlay for the bows on the tail so you don't have to color at all unless you want to!
I inked the edges of the kite focal point using Aqua Mist ink. For the clouds, I stamped Aqua Mist cardstock with polka dots (Polka Dot Basics II) using Fresh Snow ink. I then diecut them with the coordinating cloud dies. Don't you just love the shape of those clouds!
The Berry Sorbet card front was stamped repeatedly with a small flower from the same set using Fresh Snow ink. You might notice that there is a bit of texture added to the card front… more about that later in this post! One last thing I wanted to note was the stitched frame around the focal point. It was fun to allow the ends of each stitching line extend and crossover each other for a more fun, artistic look.
I thought I would share a little something unconventional that I came up with this set as well. The large flower adorning the front of this card is created with the balloon die and images! Let me show you how it was done!
I started by die-cutting 5 large balloons and stamping them with the polka dotted solid balloon tops from the set using Raspberry Fizz ink.
Next, I arranged and adhered all of them on my card cover until I felt they were well-balanced. I punched a 1" circle from Orange Zest cardstock and selected a large Orange Zest Vintage Button to go along with it.
I adhered the cardstock circle & button to the center of the flower using glue dots. So fun, isn't it?!?!
Did you notice the background of this card? It is impressed with one of our new Impression Plates for May, entitled Sunshine. I love all the concentric circles and think it adds a lot to a project without being over powering.
I added a border accent with Orange Zest stitched ribbon. I stamped "thank you" onto a small tag and tucked it in behind the button. Such a fun, sunshiny project!
Next, I have a completely different look to show you….
This card has more of a vintage soft feel, very different from the other bold & bright projects I created for this post.
One of my favorite touches is the Vintage Cream felt clouds I created. The new cloud dies cut easily through this felt and allow you to add so much texture and warmth to your projects.
I adhered them in place with Scor-tape.
Earlier, I told you I would tell you a bit more about the texture found on my kite card. And you might have noticed the texture in the photo above as well. Here's the culprit! The second new impression plate introduction for May, fondly referred to as Linen & Canvas. This impression plate allows you to create your own textured cardstock when you need it. Rather than stock up on an additional stash of textured Papertrey cardstock, you can just create your own in a matter of seconds!
I love how adding a more elegant sentiment, like this one from Masculine Motifs, brings a whole new sense of style to these balloons. For the balloon image used on this card, I did paper piecing with Lavender Moon Bitty Dot paper.
I added a bit of color with a Copic Marker to define the draped area of the balloon, but nothing fancy. I swiped my Chamomile Tea Dye Duo pad around the exterior of the balloon to reinforce my vintage theme.
Now here's some additional outline balloon images, only this time I colored them with vibrant colors using Copic markers. It's amazing how much this project contrasts with the vintage project above, isn't it?
The balloons are die cut, then stamped and colored.
The border on this card was created with the new Eyelet Border die from Lisa Johnson. You'll be hearing more about this throughout the week!
Here is a video that will give you a few tips for coloring these balloons with Copic Markers along with a few other techniques…
Finally, the last card I have to share today uses some of the solid balloons once again.
I'm in love with this color combination… Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist & Summer Sunrise.
Notice the sun… one of my favorite images from this set! I love the slightly distressed look and how artistic it becomes!
The pattern at the bottom uses the center of the sun as a polka dot, which shows you how versatile it can be!
Here is a short video that shows you exactly how to trim the balloon diecuts along with a few other things I did for this project!
The variety of looks and styles that one can achieve with this set make it desirable to any stamper, any skill level! After all of these samples, I hope you are as excited about this set as I am! Here's your chance to win an amazing prize package that will allow you to recreate many of today's projects!
- Up, Up & Away stamp set
- Up, Up & Away Sentiments stamp set
- Clouds die set
- Up, Up & Away die (all three sizes of hot air balloons in a single die)
- Sunshine Impression Plate
- Linen & Canvas Impression Plate
This prize package has nearly a $80 value! All you need to do to have your chance to win is leave a comment letting us know what your first impressions are of these new stamp sets! This contest will end Tuesday, May 11th at 7am EST. One winner will be randomly selected and announced before noon EST on our May Release Winners page. Please play nice, only one comment per person please.
Betsy Veldman has even more projects to share with you using the new Up, Up & Away stamp set!
Alli Miles is showcasing hr new set, Take Three: Summer on her blog today.
Melissa Bickford has a little something to share with her new Background Basics: Geometrics set.
Beth Silaika delves into her new set, Get to the Point.
Lisa Johnson has some exciting things to show you with her new set, Just for You.
Heather Nichols is showing the possibilities of Fillable Frames #4 today.
Dawn McVey shares her new set, Aloha, as well as her new Color Couture Collection for May.
For complete supply lists and dimensions of all of today's projects, please CLICK HERE.
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