It's time for another Papertrey Ink release! I'm sure many (or most) of you have been following the sneak peeks on Nichole's blog along with the Senior team and stamp designers' blogs. This month, Nichole challenged the design team to create a holiday card using Alli Miles' new Communique Curves and Communique Curves Sentiments sets (releasing on the 15th). Then, she wanted each of us to recreate our card as a non-holiday card. It's always fun to see how different a card looks by just changing out a few things like the colors, patterned papers, and embellishments. Communique Curves is the perfect set for this challenge because it works with so many different themes.
I went with an easy to reproduce sketch for my cards. Just a little patterned paper, cardstock, ribbon, and ink along with my seed beads. I think adding the dark chocolate sponged ink along the edges and the stitching help add the "wow factor" without being too hard to reproduce.
First up is my holiday card. I used some of the Rustic Snowflakes patterned paper that was released last month (design by Heather). I love this paper! I rounded the bottom corners on both my card and the patterned paper and sponged the edges with dark chocolate ink. Then, I stitched the patterned paper to my card. I stamped my sentiment and the circle of leaves. Then, I stitched some red seed beads onto my card and added some ribbon and lace. If you didn't want to take the time to stitch the seed beads in place, red stickles or red rhinestones would look great, too.
Then, I created a birthday card using the same steps. I just switched out the colors, patterned paper, and sentiment.
I just love doing the group posts every month! It's always fun to see how different everyone's creations are using the same set and assignment. Now, keep hopping around to see what everyone else came up with for the challenge: Nichole, Becky, Betsy, Dawn, Debbie, Geny, Heather, Lauren, Lisa, Melissa, and Michelle.
Have a great day!
Niki
Recipe for Christmas card
Stamps: Communique Curves (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: ocean tides (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Rustic Snowflakes (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: true black, dark chocolate, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: ripe avocado satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), crocheted lace, seed beads
Tools: sewing machine, corner rounder, sponge, red thread
Recipe for Birthday card
Stamps: Communique Curves Sentiments, Communique Curves (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: sweet blush (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Green Tea Leaves (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: true black, dark chocolate, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: dark chocolate satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), crocheted lace, seed beads
Tools: sewing machine, corner rounder, sponge, white thread
Beautiful! Love your distressing! Fab cards!
Hugs,
Vanessa
Posted by: Vanessa Menhorn | November 11, 2009 at 09:52 PM
WOW, really unexpectedly fell in LOVE with this set tonight! Your cards are fabulous!!!
Posted by: Marge R. | November 11, 2009 at 09:59 PM
These are So Gorgeous!!...I love the papers, lace, stitching...all Fabulous!!..Hugs, Ila
Posted by: Ila | November 11, 2009 at 10:55 PM
the WOW factor is there for sure! Love these samples!!!
Posted by: jen shears | November 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Gorgeous cards Niki!!! Love the beaded wreaths...how so brilliant of you! All the distressing, the sewing and the ribbon treatment just work so well together!
Posted by: Carolina Buchting | November 12, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Beautiful cards - and such a lot of work has gone into them.
I love your use of lace below the ribbon. The wreath stamp is lovely and using the seed beads on it works really well.
Posted by: Susan Hazell | November 12, 2009 at 02:39 AM
These cards are gorgeous!! I love every single detail!
Posted by: Maureen | November 12, 2009 at 02:44 AM
oh my, niki, these cards are so wonderful--love the colors and beads and lace!
Posted by: lynn | November 12, 2009 at 02:47 AM
Two beautiful cards. I like the way you used the beads.
Eveline.
Posted by: Eveline van Heijst | November 12, 2009 at 03:31 AM
Absolutely gorgeous Niki! Love these!!
Posted by: Tracey | November 12, 2009 at 03:40 AM
These are just phenomenal! I love the stitching and those seed beads add such a lovely touch.
Posted by: Susan W. | November 12, 2009 at 04:39 AM
Gorgeous cards as always Niki! :)
Posted by: jenn diaz | November 12, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Very pretty Niki! Love the wee beads too!
Posted by: Kelly | November 12, 2009 at 06:51 AM
They are both beautiful. I do like the sponging around the edges and the stitching adds just the right touch. Those seed beads are so pretty - how on earth did you get them to stick?
Posted by: Jackie | November 12, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Oh my goodness, Niki!!! These cards are both so beautiful, I love addition of the seed beads, perfection!!!
Posted by: Geny | November 12, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Beautiful cards!! I just love your wreaths with the seed beads.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. | November 12, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Fantastic cards! I love the layout and versatility!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | November 12, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Brand new to Papertrey and just saw these cards on Nichole's blog - they are *absolutely beautiful* - I love the beaded wreaths!
Posted by: Kerry | November 12, 2009 at 08:10 PM
love your cards Niki, they are wonderful.
Posted by: Debbie Olson | November 12, 2009 at 09:05 PM
I never thought of using my seed beads like this-brilliant!!
Posted by: Romaine | November 14, 2009 at 01:00 PM