papertrey ink tips...

Good morning!  Welcome to Papertrey Ink's Design Team Tips.  I'm here with you today sharing a fun project idea I'm calling Picture Windows.  I remember as a small girl, waiting with my mom outside the ZCMI Center in Salt Lake City, UT, for the grand reveal of their magical holiday window displays.  I was always enchanted and loved how each window told its own story.  My cards today use dies in a unique way in which you can create your own picture windows, complete with snowy, whimsical, and timeless scenes.

The supplies I've used on my cards today are all listed and linked for you at the end of my post.

For my first card, I began with a base of Stormy Sea cardstock.  I then cut a heart from my patterned paper using the Enclosed:  Heart die.  This provided the perfect window where I could nestle in my snowy hills, trees, and winter church.  I used the Cover Plate:  Snowdrifts and Petite Places:  Church dies and simply cut them from Stamper's Select White cardstock.

Before adhering them in place, I stamped snow falling using Ocean Tides ink and the Background Basics:  Celestial Sky and my sentiment in True Black using the Beautiful Berries:  Winter stamp set.  I then added a few berries (also from the Beautiful Berries:  Winter stamp set) and a die cut snowflake, cut using the Silver White Wishes die collection.  I finished with snowflake sequins which are from the Holiday Tag Along Kit.  Such a delightful card to create :).

My next card is more whimsical and playful and uses the Christmas Critters inside the window.  I love the little scene the tiny mice, candy cane, presents, holly leaves, and steaming hot cocoa make :).

I began with Bitty Big Aqua Mist paper and then used the Mix & Mat:  Pretty Brackets and glittered cardstock to start creating my window.  The Christmas Tree die was used in the center and is one of my most favorite seasonal dies...such a great size and shape.  

After stamping my Christmas Critters inside the window on Stamper's Select White cardstock, I added my sentiment which uses the Cloche Quarters and Cloche Quarters Sentiments Mini stamp sets.  I added a few berries and leaves from the Brilliant Baubles stamp set and a candy cane from the Christmas Critters stamp set to finish.

Lastly, I used the Stitched Primitive Star die to create my window, cutting it from patterned paper and layering it over my Stamper's Select White card base.

Inside the window I used the sweet Christmas Faith stamp set and dies to create my scene, stamping in soft pastels for the holiday.  I selected the color scheme of Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Lilac Grace, Spring Moss, and Autumn Rose.  At the top of my star I added a stamped and die cut bow found in the Brilliant Baubles stamp set.

I encourage you to use your dies in unique ways, such as creating windows where you can build scenes of your choosing.  I can't wait to take a peek inside your picture windows!

Merry Christmas and thank you so much for your visit.

Melis

Comments

[Becky Green]

What a WONDERFUL IDEA, Melissa! I remember driving through our down town & getting a look at all of the windows of the department stores in all their splendor too! ;) (Some traditions just need to continue on, don't they?)I LOVE your idea here--- Your first card is LOVELY & WONDERFULLY DONE with the little scene of the church in the snow, the second card is SO FUN! I didn't even realize it had little mice for the window scene till I read on. LOL SO CUTE & SUCH A SWEET SURPRISE! The third card is LOVELY TOO with the little stamped images & SWEET PEACEFUL BIRD! SUPERBLY DONE JOB for us!!! THANK YOU,MELISSA!!!! ;)

[Holly Saveur]

gorgeous cards Melissa!

[Joybells]

Just beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Sylvana Collins]

Beautiful cards, Melissa! I always look forward to your works of art!

[Cindy H.]

Melissa, your cards are so lovely and wonderful inspiration!

[Sue (suen)]

Melissa, I love the window shapes and lovely scenes!

[char]

So beautiful!!!

[Nancy Penir]

I'd say you shine during the Christmas season, but you're cards are always an inspiration. What magical stories these window cards tell!

[Jennifer McAllister]

Everyone of these cards are gorgeous Melissa! I love how you combine stamp sets, embellishments and colors together in ways I never can.

[peggy]

Another post with beautiful, whimsical cards. Love your style.

[Jane]

I always enjoy looking at your beautiful cards and marvel at the way you combine different stamps and dies. You are very talented and your cards are very special. They are good inspiration for me.

[Jean]

I can't find the patterned paper that you used on your 1st card. Please help

[Carol Jones]

Melissa, every one of your cards is stunning, but this one exceeds that description.

[Marjorie Dumontier]

That’s an awesome set of cards ! [email protected]

[Jill Norwood]

Melissa these cards are all so magical and beautiful! I hope you had a lovely Christmas my dear!