Papertrey Ink July 2017 Blog Hop

Hello everyone! Today is the day for the monthly Papertrey Ink Blog Hop and our inspiration photo is on the left. Since I was a little girl, I have loved stationary; note cards are particular favorites.  You can write a note to let someone know you're thinking of them or thanking them for a gift or just letting them know that they've been on your mind. I always loved having coordinating products like matching envelopes, envelope seals and what not.  That's what came into my mind when I saw this image.  The stationary of my youth was a usually a soft shade of pink or lilac and I used it to send letters to all my grandparents and great grandmother who all lived in other states for most of my growing up years. I love this soft shade of kind of blue-ish grey.  In fact, that is a favorite neutral for me although I haven't had any in a number of years.  It makes me want to go out and hunt for it.

For today's project, I used Spring Rain Cardstock and Ink from Papertrey Ink as my primary color choice. To begin my project, I stamped a background panel on Papertrey Ink Rustic White Cardstock using the Papertrey Ink Grand Finale 2017 Anniversary Stamp Set. There are coordinating dies but I did not use them for this card.  I tried several colors and combinations of ink including Soft Stone and Blueberry Sky, but in the end I felt Spring Rain was the best choice for the look I wanted. Using the Grand Finale leafy flourish, I inked it up in Spring Rain and then gently tapped around all the edges with Aqua Mist then stamped down. This gave the images the soft blue with a touch of aqua on the tips.  I stamped twice to give the flourish an "S" shape on my background panel.  I cut a few leaves in two sizes and a few of the small blooms from more of the Rustic White Card Stock using Garden Party Stamps and Garden Party Dies (designed by Dawn McVey) and then stamped them in the same two-toned style using the negative as a place holder with my MISTI. Next I cut a card base from Spring Rain Cardstock and also a stitched oval for my greeting. I stamped the greeting using one of the quotes from A Cheerful Heart, another set designed by Dawn McVey.

That card is going to be sent to someone who is dealing with a difficult health situation but always has a positive attitude and a heart full of gratitude.  I personally know how difficult that can be in the face of so much illness.

I stamped the chosen greeting in Versamark and heat embossed it using Sapphire Pearl Lustre Embossing Powder from Stampendous.  I have had it for a long time now.  I don't use it very often, but when I need it, I like having it.  I wanted my embossing to stay in the shades of blue and this was perfect.  Once I had that stamped and heat embossed, I die cut an oval from Fun Foam to put behind the cardstock oval which will help it travel through the United States Postal Service a little better.  Then I arranged the flowers and leaves around the left side of the saying.  I finished off the flowers by adding little gems to the centers rather than their stamp layer and giving a nice shimmer mist all over for a bit more fun and sparkle.

To finish off this card, I also stamped one of the flourishes in the same manner on a coordinating envelope leaving room for an address and return address.  The envelopes that were included with the Modern and Marbled Kit are a great match for the Rustic White Cardstock. Seriously, there could be 100 people using the same stamp sets and each of us would use it in a different way.  That is part of the magic of stamping for me and for most people I know who are card makers. I also love that I can personalize each card with colors and/or styles.

Be sure to go over to Nichole Heady's Blog, Capture the Moment, to see all of the cards or projects from everyone who is playing along with the challenge today.  Most of them will be cards but we also get the occasional other project such as treat boxes, or even planner items. Be sure to link up your own project before the deadline!  The supplies I've used are linked up throughout my post. Thank you so much for stopping by today.

The Card Concept {Vintage Notes}

Today is the day for a new challenge to begin at The Card Concept!  This is Challenge #73 and our theme is "Vintage Notes".  I made my card a few weeks ago as soon as I got my Papertrey Ink 2017 Anniversary Set called "Grand Finale". The way I used it today, I did not need a die, but the coordinating dies are scheduled to be available with the May Release on the 15th.  I love the look of this set and I know it will be great for so many occasions including Anniversary and Birthday Cards. You could stamp or add die cuts for whatever number birthday or anniversary it is in the opening. I look forward to using this set more!

I wanted to keep my card very vintage feeling today with only the hint of color in combination with the Charcoal Grey and White. I used Sweet Blush Cardstock for the solid layer of the butterfly. The background paper is almost the very last I have of that pattern but as soon as I saw the Anniversary Set, I thought how great it would look together.  It is a sort of Eggshell White Color with a deep grey print which was a perfect match to Papertrey Ink Rustic White Cardstock.

Grand Finale is the 2017 Anniversary Set from Papertrey Ink.  You can't purchase it, but you can redeem your points for purchase. You accumulate points based on purchases. Dies are not currently available, but are supposed to be available during the May Release. I die cut the background panel with the largest Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle Die. Next I stamped the square shaped box rotated 45 degrees to make the diamond shape. I think the diamond fits in better than the square shape with the background paper and I like the versatility of rotating to get whichever look you want. I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black (twice in my MISTI because the background paper is very textured) and then heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder from Simon Says Stamp.  To bring the diamond shape forward in the design, I cut a True Black square using Limitless Layers 1½ Squares and the interior square from my patterned paper.  I mounted the black square using Foam Tape and adhered the patterned paper square using Thin 3D Foam Squares. 

The Butterfly was cut with some Charcoal Grey paper that was a scrap from another project with the Sweet Blush behind it.  The "hello" sentiment is from the Hero Arts Hello Stamp & Cuts and was cut from Smokey Shadow Cardstock twice, then glued, one on top of the other. Once that was dry, I smooshed Versamark over the top of it and heat set it with Ranger Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder, repeating that two more times. It gives the look of a metal embellishment. For a final touch, I put three little jewels on the butterfly body and one just underneath the "hello" sentiment.  I know they are hard to see here, but in real life, they do really sparkle because they are Genuine Swarovski Crystals. I've started using a few of these on special cards.  I buy them at Hobby Lobby when they have the 50% off sale and attach them with Ranger Multi Medium Matte.

I think this is my favorite card that I've made in a while.  I know my daughter will love it when I send it to her.  It's very understated but super elegant and the crystals are just the perfect thing to finish it off.  

Be sure to hop over to the Card Concept Blog and see all of the inspiration from the Design Team! We hope you can join us for this Challenge. Thanks for stopping by today!