Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Introducing Butterfly Dreams


It's hard to believe that the day is finally here when I get to share some sneak peeks at my first stamp set (releasing through Papertrey Ink on February 15th)!  This was the first set I created and it has been so much fun to stamp with the real thing for the past week!  Today, I thought I would share some tips on how I have been using the stamps with the coordinating butterfly die that will also be available on the 15th.  But first, some details on the stamp set and a sneak peek at some of the stamps in the set.

Butterfly Dreams consists of 26 stamps (sixteen butterfly stamps, two background stamps, two antennae stamps, one butterfly body stamp, and five sentiments).  Six of the butterflies in the set coordinate with the butterfly die.  The butterflies range from realistic to whimsical and can be used for so many different cardmaking styles.  While I was creating the set, I also had scrapbooking in mind and I'm happy to say the set works very well for cards and layouts alike!  I have a layout to share later in the countdown.

Okay, how about we get to a sneak peek of some of the stamps in the set!



February is a busy month for birthday girls in our family so one of the first things I had to create with the set was a birthday card.  I used one of my favorite butterflies from the set, the monarch butterfly!  I could use this butterfly over and over and not get tired of it!  It looks so pretty with the wings colored to coordinate with the project.

I used one of the background stamps in the set to stamp the butterfly pattern across the bottom of my sweet blush cardstock.  Then, I stitched around the top edge,

I added some scalloped felt (the new true black felt cut with one of the new scallop dies!) and a strip of patterned paper (from Black and White Basics).  I stitched the felt in place first (under the patterned paper) and then, stitched the patterned paper in place and adhered the sweet blush cardstock to my true black card base.


I die cut a black circle, adhered it with foam adhesive, and stamped the Birthday Girl sentiment from the set.  Then, I die cut the butterfly, stamped the image, and colored it with copic markers before adhering it to my circle with foam adhesive.  Isn't the monarch butterfly such a pretty butterfly?!

Using the Butterfly stamps with the coordinating die

Now, I thought I would share a few tips about how I have been using the butterflies in the set with the coordinating die. 




First, die cut your butterfly image from whatever color of cardstock or patterned paper you are using for your project.  I have a cuttlebug and have found that the new dies from Papertrey Ink will use the same sandwich as the nestability dies from Spellbinders.

I stack them from the bottom: plate A, plate C, die, cardstock, plate B.  (Nichole will have more information on the stacks necessary for other machines.)  The new dies cut beautifully!


I placed my die cut on my black mat that I use for stamping.  The contrasting color is perfect for seeing exactly where I am stamping.  Make sure you are looking down over your project and you will be able to see an outline around the stamp as the stamp gets close to the die cut.  This makes stamp placement so easy.  (Sorry, my photo doesn't really show the outline very well, but in person, I found it to be really easy to see where I needed to stamp.)


 And there is a perfectly stamped image!  Nichole has been using a little different method for stamping with the dies.  You can read about it in her post yesterday when she introduced Heather's new Fillable Frame Collection.  Nichole and Betsy are highlighting Butterfly Dreams today along along with Dot Spot.  Dawn, Heather, Alli, and Melissa also have some sneak peeks at their new sets releasing this month.

Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement over the last couple weeks!  It's exciting to finally get to share some sneaks at my new set.  Lots more to come over the new few days!
Niki

77 comments:

Lori M said...

Oh my Niki!!!! I am in LOVE!!!! I WILL be getting this set on the 15th!!! :)

Katie {choc0holic} said...

I can't wait to see more of your butterflies as the countdown continues! I'm a sucker for anything with butterflies!

Geny said...

Niki, I love the peeks, your set looks wonderful, I am sure it will be a must have for me...and I was thinking about taking a month off...um, probably not! Can't wait for the rest of the countdown!! Hugs to you my friend!

Alyssa B said...

great peak, im so excited for you and your new venture!

Heather P. said...

This is soooo pretty, Niki!!! :)

Deb Zaremba said...

Congratulations Niki on your first stamp set. It looks fantastic, can't wait to buy it. I love butterflies. Your card is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.

Donelda said...

Oh Niki...Yeah!!!! Finally a butterfly set from PTI that I LOVE!!!! Thanks so much :-)

Becky P. said...

I am loving all the sneak peeks. I have been looking for a great butterfly set, this looks like it will be a must have.

Lea Ann said...

Beautiful images Nikki! I am looking forward to more peeks, and have a pretty strong hunch your set will be in my shopping cart come the 15th :)

Harriet Skelly said...

Oh Niki this is going to be a best seller for sure - I love these butterflies and that die!! Congrats - what a set to start out with too!!

jen shears said...

What a gorgeous card! I knew your set would be fabulous- this peek confirms that!! Congratulations- what a wonderful adventure you are beginning!!!

Lisa Forsythe said...

Wow Niki you did a great job on your first set!! Congrats... It will be going in my cart for sure!!

Melisa Hunter said...

Congratulations! This looks like such a wonderful set!

Titta said...

Congrats on your first set! I love butterflies, and all the stamps from the set I've seen look really good. This is going to the top of my wishlist!

Genevieve p said...

Congratulations on your beautiful stampset Niki, the butterflies are so pretty :)

Karen said...

Fabulous set, Niki. What a great way to start your design career.

Debbie Nelson said...

I LOVE butterflies...thank you soooo much! Congratulations on your new set...I can just imagine how exciting it was for you to use your first set!!

Shelly Guthrie said...

Congratulations Niki! A truly beautiful set!! Love your cards!

chrisd said...

Ooo Nikki... How wonderful . A terrific set. I am so happy for you and wish you never ending success!Hugs from Michigan

melissa czapor said...

Niki--this is definitely a must have!! I just love your first set!! Congrats again!!

Sara Mac said...

What an exciting time for you Niki!! This set looks amazing and the coordinating die just puts it over the top. I love that there are background images along with the butterflies. Sounds like the perfect little butterfly package.

Vicky V. in Virginia said...

Niki,I've got a couple of butterfly stamp sets but wasn't really happy with them, and I've been looking for what I've had in mind. Your set is my dream come true! Can't wait to purchase it and the coordinating die. Congrats on your first release!!!

Lindsay said...

Congrats on your first set! Your work is lovely! I am so excited about this release it is borderline obsession!

Janelle said...

Congrats on your first stamp set and the die! I'm really liking what I'm seeing!!

Cheryl said...

Congratulations to you, Niki! The stamps look beautiful.

Anna Wasierski said...

I am so excited for you Niki! You set looks amazing already. I can't wait to see the whole set.

Sue said...

A big congratulations, Niki!! I have been looking at all the samples the team has posted this morning. It looks like it will be a great set. Way to go!
Sue

Debbie said...

How exciting - I can't wait! I've been so into butterflies lately & this is coming at the perfect time! Love your card too!

Silke Ledlow said...

Niki - I love your butterfly set!!! You rock GF!!! Congrats on designing your first Set!!! Hugs ~S~

Leigh Ann Baird said...

I am so proud of your accomplishment! It looks to be a beautiful set and I am looking forward to seeing more of it! I love that it has a die to go with it!

Kimberly Eagle said...

Oh Niki!!!
I am so excited over a new butterfly set ... I am such a fan of the butterfly. From the first day ... I can tell how versatile this set is going to be!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Mariah said...

Beautiful set. I will definitely be ordering this!

Beverly Nash said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Everything! The card, the stamps, the die, EVERYTHING ! Congrats Niki. I am so proud for you.

Julia Aston said...

what a beautiful butterfly Niki! congrats on your wonderful stamp set!!!

Jessica Fick said...

Niki, your set is GORGEOUS!! Congratulations on your stamp set debut - I know it will be a big hit!!! I love that it works with a die too - genious!!! Great card, my friend!

Sharron Gregory said...

Niki, I am SO excited for you and so excited about this butterfly stamp set! It is just perfect. Love it!

Anya said...

Congratulations on your first stamp set Niki, it looks amazing so far! I can't wait to see more, but I can tell you it is definitely on my list for this month!

Karen B said...

I love the stamp set and the die! I like the butterfly background--so unique! While I own several butterfly sets, this one is in my cart on release night! Congratulations on a great set!

karen said...

Ohhhhhhhhh Niki, I am truly blown away. From a butterfly addict, this is the set of my dreams. Fabulous, stupendous, down right amazing. I am so, so happy for you. Great things are coming your way. You know I will be buying this set and the die. I think it will be my Valentine present.

Bev said...

Congrats, I love butterflies and looks like it will be a good set. With a die cut as well-oh my!

Lacey said...

Oh my goodness!! This is sooooo beautiful!! I LOVE the color combo and the butterfly border is awesome!! This looks like it will be a set I MUST have!! I am so happy for you, Niki!!! :-)
~Lacey

Jackie said...

I adore this set! Your work is always gorgeous and I have to have this set, and the die that matches, of course!

annheidel said...

Love, sheer love! I love your new set and the matching die is a super bonus! Congrats on this exciting new venture. :)

Jackie Pedro said...

Congratulations, Niki! Your new set looks beautiful so far! This card is stunning! Black and pink are so beautiful together!!

Roxanne said...

Way to go you! So glad to see your new stamps.

BethieJ said...

BEAUTIFUL Niki!!! CONGRATS again on your 1st set.. it looks like a FUN one!!!

Elaine said...

Congratulations on your first PTI stamp set and coordinating die cut! I like the images I've seen!

Michele aka Derbylea said...

Congratulations Niki! Your first set looks to be awesome!

Shay said...

This looks like a fantastic stamp set and the matching die is perfect! I think it was such a wonderful idea to also include butterfly background stamps. This set looks like the go-to butterfly set. I love the Birthday Girl card--wonderful colors.

Carrie T said...

This set is beautiful! I have had Butterfly Kisses in the back of my mind for months now as I was considering buying it, but your set blows me away. I've needed a butterfly set and this is it!!! Thank you!!

Denise (peanutbee) said...

Oh my goodness, girl, this set is AWESOME!! The butterfly is beautiful, love the concept of the matching die, and your card is amazing. Awesome job on everything!

Chris K said...

Is there anything more beautiful and graceful in this world than a buterfly? Can't wait to get your creations from PTI on the 15th. Congratulations on your new design venture. Keep them coming.

LeAnn said...

I have been a huge fan, specifically of your work, for a while. So I was SUPER excited that you will now have some of your own stamps to add to the mix!!! YEAH!!! Congrats!! The first stamp set is beyond my expectations!! I cannot wait to see what else you have in store.

nina said...

Congrats on designing your first set! The sneaks have been awesome - can't wait to see the whole thing. And if the sneaks are any indication, I'm going to love all of the sets you come up with...

Stephanie Perry said...

Congratulations on your new and FIRST stamp set!! The stamps are lovely - it's sure to be a huge success!

Jennifer Holmes said...

Hi, Niki! Your set looks beautiful! Congrats to you again...how exciting this must be for you!

Melissa F. said...

Love all the peeks I've been seeing of your new butterfly set. It looks fabulous. Congrats.

Terri Moore said...

Congratulations on your first stamp set! I love what I have seen of it so far! It will definitely be going in my cart on release night!

patriciad said...

Love this. I'm a huge butterfly fan and can't wait to order all things bf on the 15th! PS where there is a butterfly can there be a dragonfly far behind? Just sayin'...

Tonya Peters said...

Congrats on your first stamp set Niki!! It's a beauty!

Shelly K said...

Awesome! Congratulations! How exciting to have your very own set now on sale at PTI...the best! Great set!!

dchan said...

Congrats on your first stamp set! Can't wait to see more sneak peaks....

Allison Taylor said...

What a super start of previews! I love that you have a die for cutting. Are you storing your die with your set? Or do have another way to store the die?

Nancy L said...

congrats on your new set! its beautiful!

Ted said...

Niki, I couldn't be more proud of you than I am right now! :) How thrilling for you! :) Love your work!

Danielle said...

Wow! Congratulations Niki! I am so excited for you! I am loving this set and I can't wait to see the whole thing! This card is just gorgeous!

Julie Lacey said...

Niki, I'm so excited about your first stamp set! It looks awesome and I can't wait to get my hands on it! :)

Melissa Ladd said...

So gorgeous Niki--that monarch is beautiful and I'm so happy you included a little butterfly for backgrounds!! I can't wait to buy this!

Kelly said...

Wow, it's gorgeous Niki! Congrats! Love that die!!

Allison B said...

Congratulations on your set! It looks amazing and I can't wait to see more!

Helen F. said...

Congratulations, Niki! Your new set looks fabulous...I can't seem to resist butterfly stamps and from what I've seen so far, you have so many versatile and beautiful images in this one set.

Nancy M said...

Congratulations on your first set, Niki. I'm sure there will be more to come. You did a fabulous job with the variety in the butterflies. Love that there is a coordinating die.

Julie Masse said...

The set looks wonderful Niki - looks like you've thought of everything! Loving the little matching die! Congrats on your new adventure!! :)

paula e. said...

again, my congrats on your first stamp set and the coordinating die cut (great idea, by the way) loved your card and can't wait to get my hands (and ink) on this set.

Debbie said...

Beautiful card Niki. Congratulations on your first set - It's definitely going in my cart along with that oh-so-sweet butterfly die! :)

Pam L. said...

Nikki, this is just a stunning, beautiful amazing card! It must be so wild to see your idea in print! This is just gorgeous. I can't wait to see the set. You have to be so proud!

Tracey said...

Oh my goodness, this is so exciting Niki! A gorgeous butterfly. Love the stamps and your card!! Congrats again on your new line!! xx