Introducing Teach & Inspire

Favorite teachers who challenge and inspire us, shopping for new school supplies, first day of school photos on the front porch, bouquets of sharpened pencils *wink*…..these are all things that bring a smile to our faces when we think of back to school.  And with that comes thinking of ways to bless the special teachers in our lives, the ones who pour so much of themselves into our children.  Whether making a sweet card, gift tag or treat item, we've got lots of teacher-themed inspiration for you today!

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A fresh new collection of images to create cards & gifts for the special teachers that help to shape our future.  The two angled banner halves ("Teachers" and "Open Minds…") can fit together and be stamped in two different colors.  You can also separate them slightly and add the pencil, ruler or alphabet banner between the two halves for a stylish alternative.  There is an arrow/chevron border builder that can be used above and below the assembled banner or create unique backgrounds.  A "name badge" that coordinates with the previously released Fillable Frames #7 die is a versatile component as well.  You can interchange sentiments within it from this and other sets.

The Details: 

• Teach & Inspire will be available for purchase on August 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Teach & Inspire contains a total of 25 images.  The ruler & pencil each measure 2-3/4" x 1/4".  The lined notebook border & alphabet border each measure 2-7/8" x 1/4".  The name badge image measures 2-3/8" x 1-1/4".  The "Teach, Inspire, Encourage, Mentor" sentiment measures 2-1/8" x 1",  The assembled tree measures 1-5/8" x 2".  The "From little acorns…" sentiment measures 1-7/8" x 3/4".  The assembled Teachers/Open Minds banner measures 2-1/8" x 1-3/4".  The scrolled "Thank You" measures 1-1/4" x 3/8".  The "for all you've done this year." sentiment measures 1-1/8" x 3/8".

 

Being released to coordinate with the previously released Teacher's Apple stamp set, the apples in this die collection also coordinate with the apple in the new Teach & Inspire set for maximum design options!

The Details: 

• Teacher's Apple die collection will be available for purchase on August 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Teacher's Apple die collection contains a total of 2 dies.  They measure 1-1/4" x 1-1/4"(A), 1-1/2" x 1-5/8"(B).

Now that I've made all of the formal introductions, let's get onto the projects!

For my first card I wanted to use untraditional colors to kind of shake things up a little bit.  I paired up Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Blueberry Sky and Vintage Cream.  I wanted to point out the apple image here.  The new Teach & Inspire set features a new apple that will coordinate with the one found in the original Teacher's Apple stamp set.  This means the new apple dies will coordinate with both sets!  I stamped the apple in Aqua Mist & Classic Kraft.  The leaf was added in Spring Moss.

The sentiment was first stamped in Charcoal Palette ink onto the Vintage Cream Mat Stack 3 base.  I then stamped it a second time on scrap cardstock in Blueberry Sky ink.  I cut the banner out with scissors and adhered it on top of that portion of the original sentiment with foam tape.  I just LOVE this sentiment and know I will get tons of use out of it.

I die-cut some accents with the Fancy Flourishes dies from Spring Moss cardstock and stamped them with the coordinating images in Spring Moss ink.  I tucked them either side of the focal point and added Blueberry Sky buttons tied with Vintage Cream twine.

The card front was matted with polka dotted paper from Library Ledger paper pad and Blueberry Sky Pattern Pack (leaves).  Everything is adhered to a Spring Moss card base.

My next project uses the Block Alphabet dies in a super fun way to create an interesting background.

For the focal point, I stamped the tree trunk in Dark Chocolate and the leaves in Simply Chartreuse.  I stamped the little apple on a scrap of cardstock in Pure Poppy and cut it out with scissors, adhering it in place on the tree.  I added the sentiment underneath in True Black (quite possibly another one of my favorites from this set!)  I stamped the ruler image onto Classic Kraft cardstock with True Black ink and trimmed it into a tiny border.  Also added a bit of Simply Chartreuse stripes paper underneath it, trimmed with pinking shears.

For the background, I started with a large piece of Pure Poppy cardstock and die-cut the wired Block Alphabet dies from it twice.  I trimmed it down to suit my needs, then backed the piece with Pure Poppy gingham paper.  I love the fun texture this adds to the project.

I wrapped the card with Pure Poppy Baker's Twine and finished it with a bow.  Everything was adhered to a Classic Kraft card base.

This project gives a nice modern twist to traditional teacher projects and can be appropriate for a male or female recipient.  I started by drawing a light pencil line down the center of my white cardstock and stamping the top three chevron arrows in Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay & Autumn Rose.  

I then stamped onto separate cardstock the two halves of the label/sentiment block in Scarlet Jewel & Dark Chocolate and cut them out with a craft knife and ruler.  I figured out where I wanted them to be placed and drew a light pencil mark where I wanted the chevron arrows to start up again.  This time I added them pointing in the opposite direction using Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado & Charcoal Palette ink.  

I stamped the ruler & pencil images onto Classic Kraft cardstock, adding a bit of color to the pencil with Copic Markers then cut them out.  I added them at opposite diagonals under and on top of the assembled banner.

For my last project today I had an idea to create some custom background paper and the rest of the design just evolved from there!

I started by stamping the large dot outline background strip from Polka Dot Basics in Fine Linen onto Vintage Cream cardstock.  I then added small apples from Teach & Inspire in multiple colors within the open circles.  I used Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise & Hibiscus Burst.  I then went back in and added the leaves with Simply Chartreuse.  In between the apple circles I added the number circles from Gratitude Journal in all of the same colors.  I think this is just the PERFECT background for a teacher project!

I die-cut the Fillable Frames #7 die from Vintage Cream and stamped it with the fun coordinating name tag image from Teach & Inspire using Berry Sorbet ink.  I added the sentiment within it using True Black.  I matted the name tag with Summer Sunrise cardstock die-cut with Fillable Frames #5.  I added a Simply Chartreuse strip stamped with borders from Teach & Inspire, adding loops at either side for more visual interest.  Three Simply Chartreuse buttons flank the top.  Everything is attached to a Melon Berry card base.

Now that you have seen a few of my creations, here are some of the amazing things that the team has created!

CLICK HERE to see more from Ashley Cannon Newell.

CLICK HERE to see more from Betsy Veldman.

CLICK HERE to see more from Cristina Kowalczyk.

CLICK HERE to see more from Danielle Flanders.

CLICK HERE to see more from Dawn McVey.

CLICK HERE to see more from Jessica Witty.

CLICK HERE to see more from Maile Belles.

CLICK HERE to see more from Melissa Phillips.

I hope you have enjoyed all these amazing creations that both the team and I have shared with you today!  Is there a special teacher in your life who could use a thoughtful card or treat from you?  Can you see yourself whipping up something amazing with some of these new products you've gotten a peek at today?  We would love to hear your initial thoughts on everything we introduced!  Please leave a comment on this post to tell us what you think of the new products and you will be eligible to win big!

$75 Papertrey Ink Gift Certificate 

to spend however you choose!  

You have until 7am EST, Wednesday, August 15 to leave your comment and be eligible to win.  Only one comment per person please.  One randomly selected winner will be announced on our August Release Winners Page before noon EST the same day.  Thank you for stopping by today and best of luck with the contest!

CLICK HERE to see more from Melissa Bickford.

CLICK HERE to see more from Maile Belles.

DREAM BEGINS CARD

• STAMPS: Teach & Inspire (available August 15th) Fancy Flourishes
• INK: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Blueberry Sky, Classic Kraft, Charcoal Palette
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, Blueberry Sky Pattern Pack (leaves), Library Ledger paper pad (polka dots)
• OTHER: Mat Stack 3 die, Fancy Flourishes dies, Blueberry Sky buttons, twine
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

MIGHTY OAKS CARD

• STAMPS: Teach & Inspire (available August 15th)
• INK: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse, True Black
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, Classic Kraft, Simply Chartreuse Pattern Pack (stripes), Pure Poppy Pattern Pack (gingham)
• OTHER: pinking shears, Block Alphabet die, Pure Poppy Baker's Twine
• FINISHED SIZE: 6" x 5"

TEACHERS OPEN MINDS CARD

• STAMPS: Teach & Inspire (available August 15th)
• INK: Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay, Autumn Rose, Scarlet Jewel, Dark Chocolate True Black, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avocado, Charcoal Palette
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Smokey Shadow, Classic Kraft
• OTHER: Copic Markers (YR15, RV13), gold paint pen (Marvy)
• FINISHED SIZE: 6-3/4" x 4-1/4"

WONDERFUL YEAR CARD

• STAMPS: Teach & Inspire (available August 15th) Polka Dot Basics, Gratitude Journal
• INK: Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse, True Black, Fine Linen, Fresh Snow, Tea Dye Duo
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, Melon Berry, Simply Chartreuse, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse Pattern Pack (stripes)
• OTHER: Fillable Frames #7 die, Fillable Frames #5 die, Simply Chartreuse buttons, twine, 1/2" & 3/4" square punches (EK Success)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"