Papertrey's December 2016 Create Along With Us

Laurie Willison's "Feel Better" Ensemble

It's time once again for the Papertrey Ink Create Along With Us Challenge.  There were so many great projects from the Design Team as always but this week, I wanted to use Laurie Willison's "Feel Better" ensemble as my inspiration.  I sat down this morning, and put together a few "wine" bottle tags of my own.  The holidays are in full swing and it's nice to have something ready to go for a host or hostess that invites you along to dinner or to a holiday party. New Year's is coming right along as well and I only have one New Year's Sentiment in all of my stamping supplies, but this is a nice one to use this time of year.

About a month ago, I had ordered some of the Papertrey Ink Tag Stock which is 160# to use with my Wine Bottle Tag Die. This is some heavy duty stuff.  In fact, I made two other tags that aren't shown here and have already put them on a couple of bottles of Christmas "Cheer" (think Eggnog) that we'll be giving this coming weekend at one of our Christmas gatherings.

I was surprised at how well the Tag Stock takes ink.  It was just as easy as when I use watercolor paper.  I made a total of 5 tags in all using Lovely Lady, Plum Pudding and Hawaiian Shores Inks for the ink blending. Each tag was misted with Iridescent Gold Shimmer Spritz after the ink blending and allowed to dry (or hurried along with a heat tool) before I could do my stamping.  I grabbed my Mini Misti for these, just to get the alignment correct since I was doing multiples.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed it with a gold embossing powder.

I had stamped several of the multi step bouquets yesterday from the Don't Forget To Write Kit. Since there are so many layers (colors) to these, while you have that many supplies out, you might as well make a few extras. I cut several of the die cuts from Stamper's Select White, stamped them out and used about 6 of them already.  I like to keep the extras with the rest of the kit contents so they're ready to go if I need to pull a quick card together. I used the Mini MISTI with these as well.  I cut one from a piece of white cardstock about 4 x 4 and use that with a few spots of temporary adhesive on the back as a place holder while I stamp on the die cuts. This first tag uses Lovely Lady, Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf, Vintage Jadeite, Tropical Teal, Winter Wisteria, Lavender Moon, and Amethyst Allure inks to stamp the bouquet. That's why if you have that many inks out, you may as well make extras. *Ü*

I really changed up how stamped them this time by changing up the colors for each part as I went along rather than stamping all of the first layer in one color, all of the 2nd layer in the next color, etc.  It wasn't any more difficult and didn't really take any longer for me to do it that way.  A few seconds perhaps.  I added pearls or little gems to the centers of the flowers.  I've been making holiday cards since October, so I've been using lots of deep rich colors and it was nice to get out some other colors and play with them the last 2 days.  I also think it is great any time I can use a product in a less conventional way.  One of the things I like most about a blog hop is going along and seeing other people's ideas as well.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and checking out my project.  You can follow the link back to the challenge and see all the great projects.  Your kind and encouraging comments always really make my day and I thank you for that.

Papertrey Ink November 2016 Blog Hop

Its time for the Papertrey Ink Monthly Blog Hop for November 2016.  As always, Nichole found a great image for us to be inspired by. I had a hard time narrowing my project down to just one.

When I was a little girl, my Grandmother Fisk had one of those cool Aluminum Christmas Trees and this picture reminded me of that.  It was in her formal living room and we children were for the most part not allowed in there, especially the boys. Now, I know this one is white, but it's still what it reminded me of.  The vintage style ornaments and the gift boxes with foiled polka dots are just like some of the lovely things my grandmother would have had on or under her tree.  We were so lucky to have her for so many years.  She passed away in July of 2012 at the age of 99.  I wish I knew what ever happened to that tree!  I think it was long gone years ago, but I sure wish I had it.  It would be fun to have in my studio!

I had several ideas for this blog hop card but this is the one that came together for me in the way I envisioned it.  I was dying to try the new Noted: Scalloped A2 Vertical Card Die.  I had asked for a die that could be used vertically way back when the Don't Forget to Write Kit had come out. Before I ever got my kit I realized that the side fold card used with that set is the one I use the least.  So during the most recent release earlier this month, several of the ladies on the Papertrey Forum went out there to make sure I had seen Betsy Veldman's Release Week Post with this new card die.  It's really genius as you cut in two passes to get the full card but because of the size, it wasn't as expensive as some of the other Noted Dies. It's going to be a fantastic basic for years to come.

I started with the color of those gift boxes in the inspiration image, Hawaiian Shores Cardstock.  I cut a vertical card base for my project.  Next I cut the new Leaf & Sprig Frame Die from Stamper's Select White Cardstock.  This cuts 5 frames all at once in various sizes so I wanted two of the 2nd largest to glue together for a little bit sturdier element.  I adhered them with Ranger Multi Medium Matte. I saved the rest of the frames for other projects. The largest Leaf & Sprig Frame is full A2 size.

Next I did some ink blending on a piece of watercolor paper using Hawaiian Shores Ink and spritzed it with Tsukineko Sparkling Sheer Shimmer Mist.  While that was drying I got out the stamp set from Don't Forget to Write so that I could use it to stamp the card sentiment.

Another product that was released in November is called the Wrap It Up Collection, seen here. While I couldn't get that yet, I loved the concept so I set about to create a small scale version of that with dies I already had. Using two different Stitched Rectangles,  I cut two from the gold foiled paper.  This paper was originally Mint and Gold, but I carefully did more ink blending over the top so that it would match the Hawaiian Shores Cardstock better.  This paper is much thinner than my Papertrey Cardstock, so I didn't want to accidentally muck it up by going at it too hard with my ink blending tool.  This worked out well as it doesn't effect the foiled part but it did deepen the color of the mint stripes.  I frequently realign my die cut back into the die to make it whatever I need (shorter or narrower) and that is what I did this time.  The original rectangle I cut was twice as tall as this present is, so I just cut in in half by using a bigger die and laying it across the cut line. Next I used another bow die that I already had to cut the bow. It cuts in three pieces and you just have to assemble it.  I used some gold shimmer vellum that I have on hand for the bow.  Once I had that put together, I went back to my misted background panel, stamped my sentiment on it using Versamark with Antique Gold Embossing Powder and heat set it.

After that, I cut it to go behind my frame. If you cut it to 3.5 x 4.75 inches, it is a perfect size to go behind.  The frame is about 1/16th inch larger than that on both sides.  Finally I was able to assemble all of the pieces to make a card to go with a gift.  In my husband's family, all the siblings with their spouses take turns hosting the Finger Family Christmas.  It's customary to present your hosts with a small gift of thanks or a bottle of wine. This will be a great card to put with that gift and write a little note of thanks inside.

Today's post will be extra long as I have something I like to share this time of year.  This is the day that many families start decorating for Christmas. So with that in mind, be sure to read this story.

Teach the Children

Just last Monday night I had a strange Visitor.  This is how it happened.  I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house.  I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, it was Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the Christmas Tree.  He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out. 

"What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes.  His usual jolly manner was gone - gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.  As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the Children."  My perplexed expression still shown in the near darkness.

"Teach the Children the old meaning of Christmas - the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten.  Teach the Children, the star was a heavenly sign of promise long ages ago.  God promised a Savior for the world and a sight of the fulfillment of that promise was the great star of the East. The star now reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His promise.  The countless shining stars at night - one for each man - now show the burning hope of all mankind."  Santa gently laid a star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from his bag a glittering red Christmas ornament. 

"Teach the Children, red is the first color of Christmas.  It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the savior.  Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to all, eternal life.  Red is deep, intense, vivid.  It is the greatest color of all.  It is the symbol of the gift of God."  As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock strike twelve.  I wanted to say something, but he went right on.

"Teach the Children," he said as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag.  He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big Christmas tree.  The deep green of the fir tree was a perfect background for the ornament.  Here was the second color of Christmas. 

"The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said.  "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind.  Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature.  All the needles point heavenward - symbolic of man's returning thoughts toward heaven.  The great, green tree has been man's best friend.  It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture."  Santa's eyes were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there.  Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound.  As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago.

"Teach the Children, that as the lost sheep are found by the sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return to the fold; it means guidance and return; it signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord."  As the soft sound of the bell faced into the night, Santa drew forth a candle.  He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room.  Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced and weaved upon the walls. 

"Teach the Children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago.  It's small light is the mirror of starlight.  At first, candles were placed on the Christmas tree - they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green.  Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in the remembrance."

Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree.  He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man.  We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied - all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other.    Goodwill forever is the message of the bow." 

Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag.  Instead of reaching into his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree.  I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely placed high on the tree.  He unfastened  it and reached out toward me with it. 

"Teach the Children that the candy can represents the shepherds crook.  The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep into the fold.  The cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

Santa then paused.  He seemed to realize he should be on his way.  Later would be his big day.  As he looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed in his face.  He read wonderment in my eyes as I am sure he sensed my admiration on this night.  He was his old self as he approached the front door.  The twinkle in his eye gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet.  He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath.  He placed it on the fireplace and said, "Please Teach the Children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends.  It is one continuous round of affection.  The wreath does double duty.  It is made of many things and in many colors.  It reminds us of all of the things of  Christmas.  Please,  Teach the Children."

I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight, as I saw and viewed all those symbols that night.  I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light, and my thoughts were of Santa and all he made right.  To give and to help and to love and to serve, are the best things in life, all men can deserve.  Old Santa Claus himself, that jolly fat elf, is the very best symbol of Christmas itself.  He's the sign of the gift of love and of life, the ending of evil, the ceasing of strife.  His message to me on the pre-Christmas night, has opened a treasure of deepest insight. 

The one thing on earth we all ought to do, is the Teaching of Children, the right and the true.  

Author Unknown

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and if you'd like to leave a kind or encouraging comment, I'd love to read it!

Gifts of Stationery

I worked on a project this afternoon with the new Papertrey Ink Make-It Market Kit called, Don't Forget to Write.  There's only a few hours left to pre-order one so if you want it don't wait.

I confess -- I had to go to Dictionary.com to check and see which spelling was correct for this word since there is also Stationary.  For the note card or writing paper variety, Stationery is correct.  This kit was intended to make beautiful stationery for yourself or as a gift. My sweet friend, Lorie, has a birthday in just a few days and I wanted to make my first set of note cards as a gift for her. She is very thoughtful and always sends thank you notes for the smallest little kindness so I know she will use these.

I made all vertical cards except for this first one. All of the cards bases except the 2nd one are made from Papertrey Ink's Stamper's Select White Cardstock.  I buy Invitation Envelopes from a variety of sources as I need them, in packs of 100. If a need a special size, I make my own in a coordinating paper, something I often do for Wedding Cards.

I started this project yesterday afternoon by cutting several of the flower bouquet outlines from white cardstock so that I could kind of mass produce in a variety of colors; all of the leaves and stems first then each layer of color in order of the instructions.  This did take a little bit of practice getting everything lined up but I was super happy with how many of these I could complete and how well.  As usual, I used a negative of one of the die cuts to be my placeholder for my stamping. Because I always sacrifice one die cut to be my visual guide, I was able to stamp the rest of them cleanly.

I think the colors may be difficult to determine in the photographs so I'll tell you what colors I used for each of the cards.  For this first one, on the bouquets I used Lovely Lady, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush, Sahara Sand and Tempting Taupe, the latter two being from Stampin' Up!  I don't have any Kraft inks from Papertrey as of yet and I liked that I could use a darker color and then a lighter one for the second layer of the leaves.  The cardstock I used here is Tempting Taupe with Regal Rose.

This next card uses Berry Sorbet, Sahara Sand, Tempting Taupe, Sweet Blush, Lovely Lady and Hibiscus Burst.  The background panel is cut from Calypso Coral. This card base was made from Tempting Taupe Cardstock.

For this card, I used Tempting Taupe for my background panel and also as one of the leaf colors. In addition to that, I used Sahara Sand, Lovely Lady, Sweet Blush, and Hibiscus Burst.

The final card features New Leaf, Mint Julep, Winter Wisteria, Amethyst Allure, Tropical Teal, Hawaiian Shores, and Autumn Rose.  The background panel is cut from Tropical Teal Cardstock.

So there you have it.  I will be entering one of these cards over on the Word Art Wednesday Challenge Blog as well as the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog which is Flowers this week.  I have discovered that I can actually put my Papertrey White Cardstock in my printer and print on it so I am excited that in the future, I will be able to use some of the word art they provide with each challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'm off to figure out what my next project will be.  One of the Challenges uses an inspiration photo from a challnge I've participated in before, so I'll be trying to figure out how to make something new and different from the previous project.

Case This Sketch #172

I am popping in today with a really quick (I hope) post for the CAS(E) This Sketch #172 Challenge designed by Leigh Penner.  I am not going to link the supplies I used in my blog post today but there is a link to the Papertrey Store on the sidebar of my page.

Since I have been working so much the last week with the Don't Forget to Write Kit from Papertrey Ink, that is immediately what my mind went to when I saw this sketch and then I saw a card made by Marybeth Lopez which just kind of solidified my design in my mind.  I want to go back and do the Kraft, Red & White like Marybeth did, so you'll probably see that very soon!  There are just so many possibilities with the stamps and dies in this kit although I used a die from the Color Pop Butterflies for my sentiment.  Here is Marybeth's Card:

I love how crisp her colors look and I'll be off to try a few more color combinations shortly.

Everything on my card is the same things I've been using for the past week, so nothing new there.   You can go to my home page and scroll down through the posts of the past week.

Today's card uses Stamper's Select White, Lovely Lady and Vintage Jadeite Cardstock, all from Papertrey Ink. The inks are also a variety from Papertrey Ink in Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, New Leaf, Mint Julep and Lovely Lady.  The bouquet definitely takes some practice to get it lined up, but this one was not bad enough for the trash can.

You have a never ending array of colors to use with the stamps and dies for nearly unlimited color combinations. I also have stitched square dies and one of them is the perfect size to go behind this window if you choose to cut it out or there is the one that came with this kit.  I have been using it both ways.

The tiny little banner also came from the Color Pop Butterflies Kit.  I'm thinking I need to stamp some extra butterflies from that kit to go with the Don't Forget to Write Kit.

So there you have it; A short quick post.  Thanks so much for checking out my card and I treasure each and every comment that you make.

Gift Tags with Don't Forget to Write

I've been playing with my Don't Forget to Write Kit (only available now through pre-order through May 16, 7 am ET) and made a few more gift tags featuring the floral bouquet stamps from the kit.  For these, I stamped the actual bouquet rather than using a pre-printed one that came with the kit.  It's great to be able to customize the individual colors although it takes me a while to figure out the 7 different coordinating ink color for each individual layer.

Before I go on to that, I wanted to talk a little bit about ink pads.  I've had Stampin' Up! Ink Pads for a number of years.  I replaced them all about 4 or 5 years ago when they came out with the new high density foam pads rather than the previous style of felt pads.  Chocolate Chip was a no longer available color so it is not the new style.  Over the course of the last few months, I've gotten several (30) of the smaller ink cubes in Distress Inks and also several (28) in Papertrey Ink Perfect Match Cubes.  Papertrey Ink Perfect Match Ink Cubes are $2.00 each making it very affordable to try out a color and I got the Distress Ink Cubes in 2 different batches when they were on sale at Joann's for $2.09. I've also picked up a few colors from Simon Says Stamp.  I have a handful of colors in the Simon Says Stamp branded inks plus some other specialty inks like Intense Black, White, Silver and Gold pigment inks, Versamark, & Versafine Onyx Black.  The quality of any/all of these is excellent but I find myself reaching for the small ink cubes unless there is a color I don't have in that size.  Even though the Simon branded inks are not as large as the SU! inks I have, I still notice that I am reaching for the small ink cubes.  Part of this is the way that I choose to stamp which is by taking the ink to the stamp rather than the stamp to the ink.  I can better see what I am getting for ink coverage doing it this way and with the MISTI, that's the only way you can do it. I am also finding that the larger ink pads are not as easy to use with the MISTI as the smaller pads.  The larger pads seem to just make a mess all over the MISTI door.  I'm definitely not saying that one is better than the other, but if the smaller ink cubes are something you've been considering, this information is only for your consideration no matter what brand you choose. Everyone has to find what works for them.  Now on to my project which uses all Ink Cubes rather than Ink Pads (a.k.a. I think I'm a convert to cubes, *wink*).

I started by cutting the scalloped card die from Simon Says Stamp Audrey Blue Cardstock which happens to be an exact match to Papertrey Ink's Hawaiian Shores Cardstock and Ink. I'm trying to finish up what I have left of the Audrey Blue so I don't get the two paper packs mixed up. This was a half sheet left from a previous project.  I also cut a frame from the Don't Forget to Write Kit out of Stamper's Select White.

Using the stamps from the kit, I stamped the corner flourishes and then the decorative stripe on the inside of the frame using Hawaiian Shores Ink.  I set that aside to dry while I started stamping the bouquet.  My first layer of color for the stems and leaves was New Leaf.  Next came the large flowers in the center of the bouquet which are stamped in Plum Pudding.  The next step was for the darker parts of the Bleeding Heats and smaller flowers using Tropical Teal.  Then came the second layer for the Bleeding Hearts in Hawaiian Shores.  The second layer of the leaves was added using Mint Julep, the flower centers using Royal Velvet and the small little buds in Amethyst Allure.

It definitely takes time, patience and practice to get everything lined up correctly. I stamped a few of these at a time using the negative as my place holder and just went carefully about lining them up. "Practice helps a lot" would be a bit of an understatement.  However, I started off knowing this and planned for it in advance by cutting extras which is why I was able to do a few at a time.  I allowed one die cut for checking the alignment and the rest to actually stamp on. The bouquet is a single die cut piece with multiple layers of stamping involved. While it is multiple layers, it is not a layering stamp set in the traditional sense although the large flowers, the Bleeding Hearts and leaves all use two different color layers.

I assembled everything together on the scalloped card base and then ran ribbon through the openings in the frame die cut at the top to make a gift tag. The sentiment is cut from some dark amethyst shimmer paper that I already had and came from the Color Pop Butterflies Mini Kit which was also designed by Betsy Veldman.


I love these colors and I love the sweet tags, bookmarks or notecards that I can create using multiple sets/items together.

Thanks so much for spending a little time at my blog to see what I've been up to.  I will be entering this project over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog with their theme of flowers this week.  I have several projects on the agenda for this week so please stop back by!

Color Q & Simon Says Challenges

When I got up this morning, the first thing I checked was the Color Q Blog to see what the new colors were for the new challenge this week.  I love coral and pink so this challenge was one I definitely wanted to participate in.  Plus the new theme for this week over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog is Flowers.  The colors listed at Color Q are all Stampin' Up! colors but we can use a representation of the colors listed which is what I did.

I started with the Square Label from the Don't Forget to Write Kit cut from Stamper's Select White Cardstock.  This kit has been wildly popular and they are accepting pre-orders for a very limited time -- until May 16 at 7:00 a.m. ET.  The stamps and dies alone make up $80.00 of the cost plus there are many additional items in the kit including stencils & papers and a downloadable PDF File created by the Designer, Betsy Veldman.  Anyway, I love it.

I used the Don't Forget to Write Stamp Set that came in the kit (it is not available for individual purchase) and stamped the corner flourishes and then the striped outline in Papertrey Ink's Berry Sorbet.  I used my MISTI tool so that I could double stamp to intensify the color.  Then I set that aside while I started stamping the bouquet. Since green wasn't one of the colors in the "Queue", I decided to stamp the leaves and stems in Kraft Ink.  I actually really like how this looks and decided this will be a great way to start using up some of my Kraft paper as well. Initially, I wasn't too crazy about the way it looked until I was finished putting all of the other layers of color in. For the large bouquet, there are seven different steps to get the finished product. The colors I used are Sahara Sand (Kraft), Berry Sorbet (Calypso Coral), Hibiscus Burst, Melon Mambo, and Sweet Blush (for Peach Parfait).  The scalloped background panel is from the WPLUS9 Sunshine Layers Designer Dies and is cut from Berry Sorbet Cardstock.  Everything has been misted with a coat of Tsukineko Sheer Shimmer Spritz (of course).  The card base is made from Sahara Sand Cardstock from SU!

I still need some practice at getting each layer of stamping lined up perfectly, but this bouquet turned out pretty well.  I was not as successful with the smaller bouquets on my first attempt so more practice will be needed but it's a sacrifice I am willing to make. *Ü*   I really love how the Kraft color in the bouquet and the card match and tie everything together.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  I'm sure this is just one of many cards you will see me creating from this kit.  There are so many possible ideas and I plan to make a few more before today is over.  Please feel free to leave a comment if you like.  I read and treasure each one.

Awesome Gift Tags

The Stampin' Royalty Blog has a Challenge for this week which is to make anything other than a card.  I decided to go with a Gift Tag for this Challenge.  I have an occasion coming up where I will be giving the gift of some notecards and this little tag will be perfect to add to the group when I've finished with them.

I used the Papertrey Ink Make It Market - Don't Forget to Write Kit to create my tag. This is a Limited Edition Kit and they appear to be sold out already so I did not add a link.  I knew this kit was my style all the way and didn't hesitiate to order and I am so glad I did. 

I started by cutting the scalloped tag from Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select White. This die cuts the stitched scalloped edge and also has a score line in the very center to make it easy to fold in the right spot.  I also cut from Stamper's Select White one of the decorative squares.  First I stamped the corner flourishes and then I stamped the striped square using Autumn Rose Ink onto the square frame. I cut out a couple of the pre-printed floral images in the kit using the die for them and cut the "Gift" die from Autumn Rose Cardstock.  I adhered everything together and ran some ribbon through the top so I'd have a way to attach the tag.

This kit makes it so fast and easy to get a beautiful finished product and I can hardly wait to try out more color combinations today!  Thanks for stopping by to see my project.  

Make it Market -- Don't Forget to Write

I got some new crafty goodness in the mail today and I won't lie - I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this package since Sunday at 10 pm when ordering for it went live at the Papertrey Ink website. I was sitting, debit card in hand, ready.  I'm happy that it arrived here in less than a week. I even cleaned off my desk and table in my studio today in anticipation of it's arrival so that I could spread everything out and really look at it. Seldom does anything hit the market that homes in on my personal style more than this kit.  I knew it when we got the sneak peek on the 15th of April.

One of the really awesome things about this kit are the 22 pages of instructions Betsy wrote and put into a PDF for those of us who purchased the kit, telling us how to recreate all 4 of her Stationary Sets right down to the ink colors.  Since we have all of the stamps and dies to go with this kit, we can create it in any color combination we want.  I used Hawaiian Shores and Amethyst Allure for this first card.  This kit is so well thought out with every litle accent included in the stamp set.  There are stamps or dies for the main words in the greetings.  I'm sure you will be seeing lots of things using this kit in the future.  

For the card I made today, I selected one of the A2 card fronts from the kit that I wanted to use for my project.  I cut the decorative square frame and the label from Stamper's Select White and stamped the corner flourishes in Amethyst Allure Ink on the Square Frame then the label flourishes in Hawaiian Shores.  

There are alphabet stencils included in the kit in two different sizes so you can personalize anything for anyone.  In this case, I (Vicki) am sending this card to another Vickie (who happens to be married to my husband's twin brother and has the same last name as me) so the "V" works great for both of us as would the "F". *Ü* I'm going to sit down in a little while and make a couple of the other options to send her with it.  She is one of my biggest supporters and is also very dear to me.  I know she has an event coming up at the end of the month, so I'm going to send a couple of gift tags to her that she can use if she likes.  

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is asking us to use stenciling in a project this week and I think this is just the ticket.  

I'm off to play a bit more with stamps, ink and paper so I will catch you all later!  Have a great weekend and thank you so much for stopping by to visit my blog.