In the Meadow..

Edit: The plaid paper that I used for my projects are from The Merry Days of Christmas line from My Mind's Eye. I've had it in my paper stash for some time now so I'm not sure of the availability.

Edit: Just wanted to clarify that the clear box I used is linked up in my post. It's the box from the PTI store that is for A2 cards. The boxes that you get with your stamp sets are too wide for this die.

One of my favorite Papertrey stamp sets being released on the 15th this month is In the Meadow. It has beautifully illustrated, traditional images and dies galore. I wanted to evoke a rustic feel to my projects, as if you were taking a sleigh ride through the snowy woods while snuggled warmly with an old, plaid quilt.

One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to give out gifts early in December...or even late November. Sometimes it's just easier to get together with an old friend or have a family gathering before all the hustle and bustle of the season starts. Today I'd like to share a few tips for creating a coordinating set of cards with matching gift tote, a perfect pre-season holiday gift.
First up is a set of 4 coordinating cards which use the In the Meadow stamp + it's coordinating dies. When creating a coordinating gift set, I like to keep some details similar on each card so they look like a matching set.

Here's what each card in the set of 4 has in common:

*I used this card sketch as a starting point for each of my cards

*each card has a heat embossed + die cut focal image

*each card has a stamped + die cut snowflake tied with brown/white baker's twine + a Vintage Button

*each card has some of the plaid patterned paper on it (from My Mind's Eye)

*each card has machine stitching with brown thread

*each card has a torn strip of woodgrain Washi tape on it

*each card has been splattered with spray mist

Using all of these elements made my stamping session go pretty smoothly. I made up four of the snowflake embellishments, cut my strips of patterned paper and die cut & embossed my 4 main images I wanted to use. From there it was all about adding specific details to each card. On this first card I used the tree die and the sleigh ride image. An additional piece of Kraft cardstock was added that was first die cut with a scalloped border die. I also used both of the dies from the In the Meadow die collection to create the drifting snow.
Here I used two deer images from the set, both heat embossed with brown powder and die cut with the coordinating dies. I also die cut another snow drift. Here I used the woodgrain Washi tape (from the American Crafts Amy Tangerine line) all along the bottom of the card....vs little torn pieces I used on the other cards. I know that I'll get a lot of use out of these deer images + dies with all the hunters in my family.
For this card I wanted to make big snow drifts so I spaced my snow drift dies far apart and added glitter to resemble glistening snow. I also added glitter to the snowflake accent to tie it in with the stamped sentiment. Love the hat and scarf whishing through the wind as the little kid sleds down the hill.
And for my last card I embossed the snowman over and over again by applying more white embossing powder right after I heat set a layer. I also used the Mat Stack 3 and the new Layerz Mat Stack 3 die being released on the 15th of this month. Small pearl accents were added around the snowman to resemble snowballs.
And here's what you've probably been waiting for, right? This is gift tote that will hold the four cards + four envelopes easily. I die cut 2 pieces of Kraft cardstock from Nichole's new Front & Center #1 die. This is genius, I tell you! I love it soooo much.
This year I am using Kraft wrapping and boxes for all my gifts + a second wrapping of either sheet music, old book paper or newspaper. All gifts and sacks will then be topped with an embellished tag with baubles and jingle bells and tied up with twine. Here I used another matching snowflake, some sheet music, a leftover strip of the plaid patterned paper and some thick, cotton twine. Tip: save the ovals that are die cut from the larger pieces. I stamped a sentiment on one and added it to the front of the gift tote with pop dots. A little snippet of the woodgrain Washi tape and some tied buttons finish off the gift tote.
The two large dies were adhered to a Clearly Creative Card Box. I used a sharp Xacto knife to trim the top off of a flat card box, then assembled the box. Using Scor-Tape I added strips to the clear box and then adhered my two die cut pieces. Presto, an instant gift box. I can't wait for Nichole to show you even more ideas for using this wonderful new die. Stay tuned because tomorrow I'll be using it again. :)
I'm pretty certain I'll be making lots more of these fun gift totes with coordinating cards. Makes you want to start crafting right now, doesn't it? Please join me as I hop on over to the other Papertrey blogs to see what they have in store for In the Meadow.

• Nichole Heady
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Lisa Johnson
• Betsy Veldman
• Melissa Phillips
• Maile Belles
• Jessica Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Danielle Flanders