witticisms by Jess Witty

December 12, 2011

Tree Tops - Papertrey Ink Countdown!


It's Monday, folks.
I know, I know.

But at least it's a Monday filled with Papertrey Ink countdown goodness, right?

And my part of the countdown kicks off today with a new set from Melissa Bickford called Tree Tops...


It's a sweet, sweet set filled with a tree trunk image and interchangeable toppers for the tree... obviously, I had to go for the one that looked like little snowflakes first.

I started by stamping the trunk with Dark Chocolate and then embossed the snowflakes in white around the trunk.  The ink on the trunk was still a bit damp, so some of the embossing powder settled down on it... I love how it makes for a bit of a snow-blown effect on the tree :)

It seemed that the snowy tree needed a few snowy friends, so I pulled out a super old and well-loved snowman punch and glittered a few of the punches right up.  They nestled down in the snow drift die cuts while the tree sits behind.



This card has a bit of a surprise...



The main kraft panel is actually a gift enclosure envelope.  I just trimmed the flap off, stamped and decorated the front, then adhered it down on the glittered cardstock layer.  The ribbon is threaded between the snowdrift layers and around the binside of the card so it that prevents the gift card from falling out.

Super easy to do since the gift card pocket is basically already made for you :)



One of the other tree topper images is a more modern take on the tree... open circles in various sizes.

LOVE it. 
And totally gave in to the instinct to just fill every darned circle with a rhinestone.
Seriously.  Just do it.  Release any instinct you might have to hoard all of those tiny beauties until the end of time and just go ahead and use them on this card :)

A little over the top?
Why, yes, it is.


That's what makes it one-of-a-kind, right? :)

I used the new Layerz Mat Stack 4 die to create a special spot for the tree, then embossed that cardstock panel with the Woodgrain plate, then stamped the sentiment. 

If you don't want the impression pattern to show through your sentiment, just make sure you stamp before doing the impressing.  I think it can be a cool effect when it does show through, though, so that's what I went for here.



And since I was kind of crushing on the open circle topper so much, I just had to... HAD to... use it with this little guy...


I could not help myself.
The image of little fish here swimming along... his little bubbles floating up around him... it was just too much.
It had to be done.

So I pulled out my ever-trusty clear cardstock and made a plan.  I started with a base card and added a few sandy layers at the bottom with the In the Meadow dies.  (Yup, used em as snow up above and sand down here.) 

Fishy came from the new Tremendous Treats: Valentine set and was stamped with Memento ink then colored with Copics.


I went ahead and put the clear cardstock layer over the card and stamped the tree topper/bubbles with Staz On ink in white.  I'm telling you, it was totally meant to be because the bubbles nestled together *perfectly.* 

Just a note... be careful when you're stamping on the clear cardstock.  It's super simple, you just need to press the stamp down carefully.  Keep a baby wipe or damp paper towel on hand and if you feel like you need to make another attempt, just firmly rub the ink off super fast. 

Voice of experience here :)

I added a tiny dot of Diamond Glaze (clear, liquid adhesive/embellishment) to the smallest bubbles and let it dry completely.  I love, love, love that part!  It gives the bubbles such realistic dimension.

I pulled the sentiment from the original Tiny Treats and added it right over the bubbles.


So there you have it... just a few ideas with the new Tree Tops set.
Thoughts?? I hope you like them! 

You can stop by and see what Lisa Johnson and Melissa Bickford are up to today, too :)
Back tomorrow with more...



Peace Love Joy card
Supplies not available now, but available on the 15th: Tree Tops stamp set













One-of-a-Kind Friend card
Supplies not available now, but available on the 15th: Tree Tops stamp set, Tree Tops die, Layerz Mat Stack 4 die 



You're a Great Catch card
Supplies not available now, but available on the 15th: Tree Tops stamp set, Tree Tops die

22 comments:

Carolynn said...

Great cards! Sweet cards! Love your creativity, tips, and humor!

Marybeth said...

Oh these are soooooo adorable! I LOVE you fish with bubbles. So now I will need the tree just for bubbles:)

Holly saveur said...

STUNNING LOVE the cards .........and oh my the fish and bubbles so super cute!

wendy said...

what adorable and unique cards!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! my fav one is the one where you used kraft cardstock and harvest Gold ribbon! love it!

jintyoo7 said...

Whoa!!! Marvelous is all I am saying - the bubbles on the clear cs are brilliant :o)

Cindy H. said...

What awesome cards!! Love everyone of them. The fishy card is ever so clever :)

cards by cara said...

Wow - you are ingenious and always find a way to do something different with the stamps! These cards ROCK!! Hope you are having a gread holiday season with your family. :)

Jessica Wekenman said...

Amazing cards, Jess! Your little fishy is just to die for cute! I love your blinged out tree!

Denise E said...

Leave it to your mad genius to make an amazing fish bubble card from a tree topper set! Where does the creativity stop?! Amazing, stupendous, splendiferous (as said in my best Sylvester voice(thufferin' thuckotash) while I spit on my computer!). Thanks for the inspiration and humor to get me going in the morning! =o)

Jennifer K said...

Gosh, Jess, all your cards are great. I love the genius-ness (is that a word?) of the last card and how you used the tree topper to make fish bubbles. What inspiration!

BeverlyBL said...

How did you know I was a hoarder? I always love your cards and comments. You make me laugh. You've got me thinking I might need the tree topper and I had already dismissed it. Thanks so much for all your great ideas.

Anonymous said...

I've waited way too long to tell you how much I enjoy your blog and your amazing creativity. Your cards are always warm and beautiful but still remain simple, which I just love. I enjoy the way you communicate and always have a smile on my face while reading your blog! Merry Christmas!

Bee's Zen Garden said...

Awesome cards!! The couple of snowmen is so cute!! :-D

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Jessica, the blingy tree is fabulous and the fish card... ack... LOVE it! Super cute. :)

Gina said...

The blingy tree made me hyperventilate a little. And the fish?! Adorable!!!!!

see mary stamp said...

Love all three of today's cards. Fish bubbles - so cute! Thanks for always bringing a smile to my face.

mandalj said...

I love your humourous posts! That blingy tree is just superb and I love the bubbling fishy - so cute. Who would have thought snow drifts could be so versatile? Well, you obviously!

Helen L said...

Love your cards: so clever and cute!! Those bubbles are great!!

Gayatri said...

Brillant work with using the tree topper as bubbles :) Thanks for sharing it :)

Julie Aldridge said...

Very cool bubbles

Gabby said...

Love, love, love these cards! Especially the snowman card ... tooooo cute! :)