April 30, 2009

Spring Fling

April showers.......GO AWAY! Oh wait, that's not how the saying goes! And it's not April anymore, Happy May Day. But seriously, enough of the rain already, I need Spring flowers and sunshine. Today, the Papertrey girls are celebrating Spring, rain or shine. We've all selected an inspiration photo and made a project inspired by it. I chose this photo below from my Inspiration Notebook. The soft, pretty colors and florals remind me of what I love about Spring. After studying my photo up close, I saw several wonderful patterns that I wanted to create for my project. I wanted to create some custom designer papers that had the feel of Grandma's wallpaper. For all of my papers, I used the 2008 Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper for my base. I think this is a great little tip because you instantly have the fun polka dots and a soft colored background.

For my first design, I wanted to recreate the hat box design, zoom in for a closer look. I used an Aqua Mist base paper along with the following Papertrey supplies: Guidelines Two, Guidelines, and Everyday Classics stamps(white flower)...and Hibiscus Burst, Fresh Snow and Ocean Tides ink. I feel like you could peel this right off Grandma's wall!
For my second design, I wanted to recreate the pretty damask design on the wall. I used a Spring Moss background paper and the following Papertrey supplies: Damask Designs and Spiral Bouquet(word Bloom you can see if you zoom in)...and Fresh Snow and Spring Moss ink. Very designer looking.
For my last piece, I just loved the polka dots and roses on this fun tin container. I used a Sweet Blush background paper and the following PTI supplies: Garden of Life(flower, leaf and polka dot) and Spiral Bouquet(green sprig) stamps.....and Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado and Fresh Snow inks. To create the two toned flowers, I used the *rock and roll* stamping method...stamp flower in Sweet Blush then roll edges in Hibiscus Burst, then stamp.
Okay, I have my 3 custom stamped papers but now what? I wasn't sure what to make yet so I just pulled together some matching elements: Hibiscus Burst, New Leaf and White Vintage Buttons and Hibiscus Burst and Ripe Avocado ribbons. Notice these contrast a little with the colors on my stamped papers.....not overly matchy-matchy...and I like it.
I decided what I wanted to make....some covered notebooks for Spring gifts for friends and family. I wanted a little sentiment, so I stamped *celebrate today* from Mega Mixed Messages onto some of my custom patterned paper..then the loopy circle from Borders and Corners Circles. I used a circle punch and the Super Scalloped punch for quick work of making an embellishment.Then I just cut strips of my patterned paper and applied it to my notebook fronts. I just love the quirky, fun colors.
Here's a shot of my sentiment embellishments, up on pop dots for emphasis.
And here's a shot of a little strip embellishment I added. I adhered my ribbons and tied Vintage Buttons to Kraft cardstock. There's machine stitching around the edges and the bottom edge is punched with an EK Success border punch. All Kraft edges are inked with Fresh Snow ink.

I wanted to recap some good tips for you to keep in mind, here goes:
1. Stamp designs on patterned paper for a new look instead of using plain cardstock.
2. Mix and match your stamp sets to get the most bang for your buck...I used EIGHT different sets to create my custom papers.
3. Don't be so matchy-matchy with your colors..let loose, get funky with it.
4. Use those big honkin Vintage Buttons on projects like this that don't have to be mailed. They add some great dimension to your projects.
5. Use Scor-Tape to adhere items like ribbon snippets and bulkier items like stitched cardstock.
6. Use punches when mass producing to make quick easy work.
7. Start your Inspiration Notebook today, you'll never be without an idea.

Now.....since I think I must hoard these two little morslets of Spring goodness for myself, I must create more to give away. I hope you are inspired to make some fun little creations for yourself. Check out Nichole's BLOG for a challenge.

And check out these PTI girls' blogs for even more Spring inspiration:

40 comments:

Steph Zerbe said...

Wow. Is this your regular process. I love it. PTI has the perfect sets for it too. {cuz you can BUILD your own...well, ANYTHING!}
I love your process here and am completely inspire. Then simply punching out a small part. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly Lunceford said...

These notebooks are to die for! I love your inspiration photo, too! You did such a great job! I love every last drop!

Lisa johnson said...

I love when you say Honkin'! :)
I'm so glad you showed the pattern paper. I was just debating some stamping like that... I'm so inspired Mish! Perfect projects... as usual!

Jennette Warren said...

I am loving these!!!!! They are fabulous!!!!!!!

Debbie Olson said...

Mish! This is drop-dead gorgeous!!! You mailed it, girl!

Jenn said...

Oh my goodness - and it is total goodness. My favorite element here is the use of Guidelines Two on the polka dot paper - it is inspired! Total beauty, Mish. (I need to send you a little note, too - watch for it!) ;)

Cammie said...

Love it! Love it! Love it! You are definitely my online inspiration!I'm ready to stamp on patterned paper now. I love your inspiration photo! That is a look I love and what I incorporate in my home. I'm definitely a floral girl when it comes to decorating and tend to gravitate toward flowers when stamping.

Carla G. said...

Your work is simply gorgeous! I visit your blog often and I'm never not left with my jaw wide open...beautiful, neat and I love the fine detailing on everything you do! Can't wait to see what's next! Carla G.

The Travel Realm said...

I love,love,love this! Your stamped patterned paper is amazing and it looks like fun to make. Your project really shows off the versatility of Papertrey's stamp sets too.

Carol R said...

I love how you designed your paper using the objects in the magazine photo as your guide. Thank you for sharing and getting my creative juices flowing in this direction too. Love your cards!

dolcreations said...

I love the inspiration photo!
You did such a great job with the notebooks! I'm going to make some right away!

Jean Franks Beck said...

Wow, your handmade patterned papers are absolutely gorgeous!!! I wouldn't have been able to cut into them :) TFS!

snarflemarfle said...

As expected, this project is just beautiful! I love the stamping on patterned paper.

Unknown said...

I am *drooling* over these!! I love everything you make!! I am definitly going to use some of your tips! I never thought of stamping on patterned paper! LOL You make me want to buy everything PTI sells!!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Mish, I LOVE this notebook! WOW! I would never have thought to put all those patterns together. The vintage feel is just perfect!

Beth said...

ZOINKS!!!!!

WOWZAAAAA!~

Stacy Kay Brais said...

I love these!! You do such amazing work. Thanks for the inspiration once again!! Have a great weekend. ;)

Babies-Beth said...

Your 'fun little creations' are amazing! I never would have seen the way to re-create the patterns in the picture if you hadn't shown me! You are such an inspiration to me!

patriciad said...

yeah-what they all said ;-)

CherylQuilts said...

Michelle, the nature quilter in you is revealed again! Fabulous...now I need to try it. Thanks for your wonderful inspiration!

Becky said...

Wow. Man that pp is so cool. You were ROCKIN' that paper today Mish! Awesome as always!

Julia Aston said...

I just love how you create vintage looking backgrounds with your stamps Mish! what wonderful notebooks! love the colors and super fun buttons! I have almost ALL of these supplies so what's stopping me?!?!? thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

Christine Blain said...

Mish, you are TOO clever! Thank you for walking us through the steps you take to make your scrumptious pieces of art. Love all that you do, and love that you share so openly. Thank you!

Karen J. said...

These are absolutely wonderful!!

Terry said...

OMG! I love the papers you created. Making background papers is my new favorite thing. My 15 year old daughter couldn't believe that I made the papers myself. Thanks for sharing. I love your projects.

Debbie Corbari said...

You are such an inspiration! Seriously! I LOVE seeing everything you create! These notebooks are TDF!

Kelly said...

OMG - these are gorgeous! The colors, the different layers of inks - all the different stamp sets! I get lost after two different stamps on the same card! Thank you for the great ideas!!

BethieJ said...

OHHHH I ADORE your backgrounds Michelle.. FANTASTIC!!! So cant wait to try it!! (WHY do I never think of these things! LOL!! )

Tamara said...

Fantastic interpretation of the photo. I love how you incorporated all of the different patterns and colours.

Jenn said...

Mish if I send you some CS will you stamp some paper for me!!?? OMFG!!! I love this!! (can you tell i've had no sleep?)

Renee said...

Wow! This is awesome and you do such a great job picking things out...so vintage looking :)

Cheri said...

WOW!!!! You've really outdone yourself with this challenge!!! I adore the patterened papers you made and all your hints at the end of your post. I'm working really hard on not being so matchy matchy all the time and you've certainly helped me out! Thanks a bunch for the fun and inspiration! Happy May Day!

Anonymous said...

Oh my word Michelle, these are fabulous!!
--Hugs Becca

dawn said...

Mish - you are so talented....you blow me away. stunning.

Jessica said...

I love your inspiration picture and the stunning papers you created from it. I'm a matchy-matchy kind of person, so you inspired me to stamp outside my comfort zone!

Mimi said...

absolutely fabulous....you have some of the most inspiring posts!!!

Linda Carson said...

Lovely & creative artwork! Thanks for your valuable tips & inspirations!

Sharli Schaitberger said...

Holy Cow! I'm breathless.
Um. THANK YOU!?!?! Seems inadequate somehow. You are simply amazing.

DeeDee said...

You ROCK! I love it! Those little notebooks are such a cute idea and I love your handmade papers! While shopping in my favorite place.....Etsy, the other day I found some jello molds like the ones you show here and of course I had to have them. I've had fun filling them with buttons and such! GREAT idea there too girlie! HUGS!

Liza Yon said...

Just want to let you know I made something inspired by these custom papers in your blog. Thank you so much for sharing. It is here: www.thecardkitchen.blogspot.com

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