Hello Friday! I've got a fun post ready for you today. My Papertrey Ink Tips & Tricks this month is all about summer and using your dies in creative ways. Two of my favorite summertime treats are juicy watermelons and strawberries, so I decided to brainstorm a bit and came up with a way to transform these into paper-crafted creations.
I used two different favor boxes, the first used here is the Favor it Box #2 cut using Rustic Cream cardstock.
My paper-pieced watermelon was created using the Limitless Layers: 2 1/2" Circles for the bottom two layers and the Limitless Layers 1 3/4" Circles for the center layer. This layer is stamped using Background Basics : Hearts in Smokey Shadow ink. I wanted the watermelon to take center stage, so I didn't add too many other things to my favor box aside from a border at the bottom which uses the Filligree Border die and patterned paper from the It's Official Paper Pad.
I pulled out two of my favorite stamp sets for these projects, the first used here is the Fruit Fusion: Melon set and is stamped on a die cut Tremendous Tag using Simply Chartreuse and Berry Sorbet ink. The flowers used here as embellishments and throughout both of my projects use the Flipping Out and Heart-2-Heart #7 dies. I attached my tag to the handle of the favor box using a torn strip of muslin and a strip of vintage trim. A fun way to dress it up without it being too bold.
This strawberry treat box was created using the Favor it Box #1 die cut from Rustic Cream cardstock. I used the Limitless Layers: 2 1/4" Hearts die collection for the bottom two layers and Heart Prints for the center layer.
The leaves for my strawberry were cut using the Lovely Layers die and once again a coordinating tag was created using Tremendous Tags die and the Fruit Fusion: Berry stamp set. I stamped the berry in Pure Poppy and Simply Chartreuse and tied the tag onto the favor box using a strip of muslin and trim once again along with Pure Poppy Baker's Twine.
Now just a little bit about how I put together the melon and berry:
Here are my supplies die cut and gathered. Now we'll get started assembling them.
Step 1: Before adhering any of the layers together, stamp the center circle, cut from 2009 Bitty Dot paper, using Smokey Shadow ink and the Background Basics: Hearts stamp set.
Step 2: Coat the 2nd layer, cut from Limeade Ice cardstock, with spray adhesive and white glitter. Adhere the top two layers to the bottom layer, cut from Simply Chartreuse Stripe paper.
Step 3: Cut the stacked layers in half and you've got a watermelon!
Step 4: Embellish with a Vintage Cream felt flower, Simply Chartreuse felt leaves and an adhesive pearl. I colored a cream pearl with a pink Copic marker to bring in just a bit of color. Have you ever used your Copics this way? It's a fun way to created coordinating adhesive pearls.
Step 1: The strawberry is even easier than the melon. I used Simply Chartreuse Stripe paper on my bottom layer followed by a center layer cut from the 2009 Bitty Dot paper. The heart is cut from Pure Poppy felt. Adhere these three layers together.
Step 2: Die cut the leaves using the Lovely Layers die and Simply Chartreuse felt. Trim each leaf apart from the others and attach two of them at the top of your berry. Embellish with a white button.
Step 3: Finish by adding a Harvest Gold felt flower, Simply Chartreuse felt leaves, and an adhesive pearl.
So simple, but oh, so much fun to make! Summer is almost here, I can feel it.
Thank you for visiting.
Melis
These are both so summery & fun! Thanks for the detailed instructions. Great ideas. Have a nice Memorial Day weekend.
Posted by: Troy Louise | May 24, 2013 at 11:17 AM
LOVE it so sweet ..super idea !
Posted by: Holly Saveur | May 24, 2013 at 11:38 AM
These are so very cute. You have a way of taking bits and pieces of things and making beautiful art. Your talent is such a sweet gift.
Posted by: Mary Anne Perlmutter | May 24, 2013 at 06:40 PM
These are so charming! I can smell that watermelon! :)
Posted by: Jill norwood | May 25, 2013 at 04:39 AM
Love these!
Posted by: Kathy | May 25, 2013 at 05:59 PM
These projects are totally adorable! Lovin' them!
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | May 25, 2013 at 08:14 PM
Melissa, these are completely adorable. Come on Summer. LOL I don't have any of the PTI things. I need them!! Especially Fruit Fusion. I love how you made the strawerry and water melon out of basic shapes to get larger fruit. Brilliant! I'm already wearing my flip flops! We've had a few 70 degree days in Missouri. I'm so glad I have not planted my garden, we've had some low nights around 40 and the storms. We'll all be turning on our air conditioners soon!
Posted by: Paulette | May 25, 2013 at 09:48 PM
Oh how clever! I love that you always find new ways to show us how to use old favorites...I can't wait to try my own version of 're-purposing dies'. Thank you for the inspiration :)
Posted by: Ivana | May 26, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Absolutely adorable! So delightful!
Posted by: KATHY H | May 27, 2013 at 12:40 AM
The strawberry and melon are just adorable and seeing how you created them is amazing. Such creative alternative uses for basic die shapes. Thank you for sharing your great ideas.
Posted by: Donna K | May 27, 2013 at 07:52 AM
Love your fruity creations. Here in So. Cal. the strawberries are so plentiful I wish I could send you some.
Posted by: Dorothy C. | May 27, 2013 at 08:47 AM
These are so cute, Melissa! Love the layering and the colors, esp the little felt flower on the heart! All of the little details are so special. Makes me want to run and create something for Kati's teacher right now for an end-of-the-year gift!
Dani
Posted by: Danielle Flanders | May 28, 2013 at 01:49 PM
Such a beautiful and clever idea! Love the great Summery feel, I'm only sad that we are heading into Winter here (I'm hoping it will be short lol)
Posted by: Therese | May 31, 2013 at 04:59 PM