Introducing Botanical Blocks, Birthday Classics, Initial Thoughts and Keep It Simple

Wait till you see all of today's new stamp sets and dies — birthday and anniversary cards (not to mention a lot of other occasions!) just got easier!  You'll love these new products….they're classic, beautiful, versatile and many of them will work so well together!  Let's get right to the introductions…. 

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This gorgeous set of two botanical images provides you with the perfect stamps to create stunning cards, perfect for nearly any recipient.  They are detailed enough that they can be used alone, but they also offer many options for your favorite coloring mediums and techniques, such as Copic markers, watercoloring, heat emboss resist and more.

The Details:

• Botanical Blocks will be available for purchase on April 15th.
• It will retail for $15.
• Botanical Blocks contains a total of 8 images.  Each of the floral blocks measures 1-7/8" x 3-1/8".  "Thank you" measures 1-7/8" x 1/4".  "Just a note" measures 2-1/8" x 1/4".  "Happy birthday" measures 2-1/4" x 3/16".  The "Just for you" sentiment block measures 5/8" x 5/8".  

 

Birthday Classics: May is the fourth set in a monthly series that features a gorgeously unique birthday sentiment as well as birthday sentiment building options, with each set focusing on a specific month!  Finally, you can create birthday sentiments specific to each recipient’s birth month!  Custom birthday cards just got more fun than ever!  You’ll want to be sure to collect them all to create cards for anyone on your birthday calendar! 

The Details:

• Birthday Classics: May will be available for purchase on April 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Birthday Classics: May contains a total of 7 images.  The “It’s May…” sentiment measures 1-3/4" x 2”.  The “May” sentiment measures 1-1/8" x 3/16".  The “Birthday” sentiment measures 1-1/2" x 5/8".

 

Sometimes it can be a bit of a challenge to add a smaller scaled sentiment to a busy background and make it stand out.  These smaller scaled labels give you the perfect way to do just that, no matter how bold the backdrop is.  You can simply stamp the label frame in one color, then add the companion sentiment that coordinates with the initials featured in your frame in an alternate color.  With the coordinating dies you can even create your own custom labels with some of the decorative elements here and small sentiments from previously released sets.

The Details:

• Initial Thoughts will be available for purchase on April 15th.
• It will retail for $15.
• Initial Thoughts contains a total of 18 images.  All of the initial frames measure 2-1/2" x 5/8".  "Happy birthday" measures 1-1/8" x 1/4".  "Thank you" measures 3/4" x 1/4".  "Happy anniversary" measures 1-5/8" x 1/4".  The solid square measures 7/16".  The single dotted line measures 1-7/8" x 1/16".  The short double line image measures 1/8" x 5/8".  The star and heart circles measure 3/8" each.  The small flower measures 3/8".
• A coordinating die collection will be available for sale separately, retailing for $4.  This collection includes a total of 2 dies.  2-3/4" x 3/4" (A), 2-3/4" x 3/4" (B)

 

This is the third in a series allowing you to build a collection of basic, medium-sized sentiments in a nice variety of fonts that you can turn to again and again.  With this edition we are focusing on "anniversary".  The font choices will cover everything from modern to elegant.  Since these sentiments are in two parts because of the length, you can position them next to each other or on top of each other.  You can even mix and match the fonts!

The Details:

• Keep It Simple: Anniversary will be available for purchase on April 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Keep It Simple: Anniversary contains a total of 10 images.  All of the "anniversary" words measure between 2" to 2-1/4" wide and between 1/8" to 1/2" tall.  All of the "wishes" and "happy" words measure about 1" wide and between 1/8" to 1/2" tall.

 

We're happy to introduce the third in what is now a series of button stacks dies!  These have been so popular (and fun to play with!) that I just had to make another collection!  Button Stacks II features a lot of interior cuts, modeled after actual vintage buttons!

Here is a comparison of the three different Button Stacks collection side by side as a visual comparison…

The Details: 

• Button Stacks II die collection will be available for purchase on April 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Button Stacks II die collection contains a single die (9 wired shapes).  2" x 3-1/2" total, average completed button size 3/4"

  

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

For my first project I was itching to pull out my Copic markers!  The new Botanical Blocks images just beg to be colored!

I stamped this sunflower image with Noir Palette ink and then used shades of Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate and Ocean Tides to color it in.  (See supply list for specific Copic numbers).

I added a bit of sparkle and shimmer to the center of the flower with a gold Copic Spica pen.

The sentiment, also from Botanical Blocks, was added underneath the sunflower using black ink as well.  The two small accents on either end were added as a final detail.

I wanted to let the colors of the sunflower take center stage, so I opted to stick with a clean and crisp white card base.

A little watercoloring also works well with these stunning images!

I heat embossed this rose block using White Filigree Embossing powder.  I then used Hibiscus Burst and Ripe Avocado ink refills to ater color the image. Note how I just made some random paint strokes with my brush rather than stay in the lines.  I also added a few paint splatters with a dripping brush.

After the watercoloring completely dried, I added this sentiment from Birthday Classics: May in True Black.

I trimmed down the watercolored card front and matted it with a white card base.

Even if you don't like to color, there are so many other technique options with this set!  Here I have done some paper piecing!

I heat embossed the sunflower image twice, once on Simply Chartreuse and once on Hawaiian Shores using Clear Filigree Embossing Powder.  I cut out the flower from the Hawaiian Shores and the stem from the Simply Chartreuse, then adhered them together.  Heat embossing is a great way to get perfect looking paper piecing results because the heat embossing acts as a bit of a *wall* for your scissors so you have a guide as you cut around the specific areas.

I heat embossed this sentiment, also from Botanical Blocks, with Clear Filigree Embossing Powder onto Aqua Mist cardstock.  I trimmed it out and added it to the corner of the sunflower block.

I wraped crochet thread around the lower portion of the card and finished it with a bow.

To help frame the sunflower block, I heat embossed the sunflower block image again onto the Aqua Mist card front, this time in white.  Since the sunflower was trimmed slightly smaller than the original outline, it fits nicely into the designated area.

I have another Copic card for you, this time on Classic Kraft cardstock.  I stamped the rose image in Fresh Snow and let it dry for just a few minutes.

I then used Copic markers to color in the bloom and leaves, being careful to add dramatic shading so that it would show up better on the Classic Kraft cardstock.

I added the sentiment to the lower corner using Keep It Simple: Anniversary and True Black ink.  This is just ONE font out of the five total included in this set!  "Anniversary" and "wishes" are two separate stamps so that you can arrange them as I did on my project or directly beside each other.

I brushed a bit of Fresh Snow ink around the edge of the Classic Kraft card front and then adhered it to a white card base.

I just had to try out my Perfect Pearls for this set!  The results are gorgeous, but so difficult to capture on camera!  I wish you could see it in person!

I stamped the sunflower block onto Dark Chocolate cardstock using Perfect Medium ink (Ranger).  I then brushed on Sunflower Sparkle, Perfect Copper and Kiwi Perfect Pearls onto the designated areas using a soft brush.  A Swiffer duster was the perfect thing to pick up the excess.  Note how the Perfect Pearls really highlights all of the detail in the image.

I die-cut  the Initial Thoughts plain rectangle from Canyon Clay cardstock, then stamped it with the coordinating Happy Birthday frame and sentiment with Perfect Medium.  I brushed on more Sunflower Sparkle to highlight the sentiment. SOOOO pretty! Everything was adhered to a Vintage Cream card base.

I kept it simple for my next project using Birthday Classics: May and the new Button Stacks II die collection!

First, I stamped the mail sentiment in True Black.  LOVE this and the way it is styled!

I die-cut the Button Stacks II collection from five different colors of cardstock, tied different combinations with thread and adhered them under the sentiment in a row.

This new addition to the Button Stacks line-up features lots of great stitching details and inner cuts that create amazing detail!  Are you in love as much as I am? 🙂

When arranging the buttons, be sure that your stitches are tilted at different angles to make them more pleasing to the eye.

I have one last card for you today showcasing some felt cut with the new Button Stacks II dies!

This Button Stack shape is one of my favorites!  I die-cut it four times from Smokey Shadow felt and stitched them in place onto my Soft Stone card front.  They look fantastic grouped together in a small cluster like this!

I then die-cut the Initial Thoughts frame die from Hawaiian Shores cardstock and stamped it with the coordinating image in Tropical Teal.  A block of white cardstock was added underneath to hold the main sentiment added in True Black.  I can already tell that I will be getting A LOT of mileage from this label sentiment set!  It is a nice alternative to using banners all the time!

I hope you have enjoyed all the creations that I have shared with you today!  Are you excited to add some of these items to your own stamping arsenal?  What jumped out out you today?  Do you have your eye on something in particular?  Or maybe a few somethings?  *wink*  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, April 11th to leave your comment and be eligible to win.  Only one comment per person please.  One randomly selected winner will be announced on our April Release Winners Page before noon EST the same day.  Thank you for stopping by today and best of luck with the contest!

Dawn McVey will be featuring Botanical Blocks and Birthday Classics: May.

Melissa Phillips will be highlighting Initial Thoughts and Button Stacks II.

CLICK HERE to see more from Erin Lincoln.

CLICK HERE to see more from Heather Nichols.

CLICK HERE to see more from Lexi Daly.

CLICK HERE to see more from Lizzie Jones.

CLICK HERE to see more from Melissa Bickford.

SUNFLOWER THANK YOU

• STAMPS: Botanical Blocks (available April 15th)
• INK: Noir Palette
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White
• OTHER: Copics (E08, E19, E59, BG72, BG75, YR12, YR15, YR18, YG95, YG97), Copic Spica (Gold)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

MAY BIRTHDAY ARE BEST CARD

• STAMPS: Botanical Blocks, Birthday Classics: May (available April 15th)
• INK: True Black, VersaMark, ink refills (Ripe Avocado, Hibiscus Burst)
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White
• OTHER: White Filigree Embossing Powder
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

JUST FOR YOU SUNFLOWER CARD

• STAMPS: Botanical Blocks (available April 15th)
• INK: VersaMark, Fresh Snow
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist
• OTHER: White & Clear Filigree embossing Powders, white crochet thread
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

ANNIVERSARY ROSE CARD

• STAMPS: Botanical Blocks, Keep It Simple: Anniversary (available April 15th)
• INK: True Black, Fresh Snow
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Classic Kraft
• OTHER: Copics (R89, R35, YG17, YG25, T1
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

SUNFLOWER SHINE CARD

• STAMPS: Botanical Blocks, Initial Thoughts (available April 15th)
• INK: Perfect Medium (Ranger)
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, Canyon Clay
• OTHER: Inital Thoughts die, Perfect Pearls by Ranger (Sunflower Sparkle, Kiwi, Perfect Copper)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"

TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY CARD

• STAMPS: Birthday Classics: May (available April 15th)
• INK: True Black
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Limeade Ice
• OTHER: Button Stacks II die, white crochet thread
• FINISHED SIZE: 4" x 5-1/2"

MODERN BIRTHDAY CARD

• STAMPS: Initial Thoughts (available April 15th)
• INK: True Black, Tropical Teak
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Soft Stone
• OTHER: Inital Thoughts dies, Button Stacks II dies, white crochet thread, Smokey Shadow felt
• FINISHED SIZE: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"