Monday, July 26, 2010

Papertrey July Blog Hop Challenge: office supplies

This is my first PTI blog hop, so an extra special welcome to any hopping visitors! I was very taken with the theme of using office supplies this month, and really tried to rack my brains to come up with interesting things to use.

In the end my supply list included paperclips, a staple, a shipping tag, a price tag and masking tape. And here they all are:


My favourite part of this card is the embossed background. I'm sure you can work out what I used! If you are keen to give this a go yourself, here is how I did it...


I scattered paperclips on a magnetic sheet which I have backed with grip mat. I used the magnetic sheet to combat any sliding around of the paperclips, but it would probably work just as well on a piece of chipboard. I used a Cuttlebug to do the embossing, sandwhich as follows (bottom up): A plate, B plate, magnetic sheet with paperclips on it, cardstock, polymer embossing mat, B plate.


Voila! Just be careful that you don't force anything through your machine that doesn't want to go- you'll break your plates. Got any other ideas for embossing with 'ordinary' items? I'd love to hear them!

My other tip is to try stamping on masking tape. It's kinda like DIY decorative tissue tape!


I tore a strip of tape and put it on some acetate so I could remove it after stamping, then used Papertrey Ink Background Basics text style and black StazOn ink. When it is dry, just remove it gently from the acetate and add it to your project.

Thanks so much for stopping by- I hope you found something fun, useful or inspirational to take with you. If you have the time, I'd really appreciate a comment :)

Card supplies
Paper: Papertrey Ink ripe avocado, kraft; Roman Print white cardstock 300gsm.
Stamps: Papertrey Ink background basics text style, fillable frames #1; Hero Arts galaxy of stars; postal stamps unknown.
Ink: Colorbox chestnut pigment ink, burnt sienna fluid chalk; Hero Arts soft pool shadow ink; Papertrey Ink vintage cream; StazOn black.
Tools: Cuttlebug; Papertrey Ink die fillable frames #1; Tim Holtz tiny attacher.
Other: shipping tag, masking tape, jute string, small price tag, foam adhesive

28 comments:

  1. Fantastic ideas Jen!!! Love the card too :).

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  2. This is incredible! I love every little detail, and the soft star just makes it all so delicate :)

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  3. How super fun is this? I love that background and the tag! Great card!

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  4. Cool! Love the embossed paper clips!

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  5. This is a great idea! What a fun card!

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  6. your creation is beautiful! I love it! xo bonnierose

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  7. Wonderful card, love the embossed paper clips!!

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  8. Cute card! Those embossed paper clips are great!!

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  9. Another card with embossed paper clips -- I love it! I like your scattered look better than my attempt to line them up! Great card; lots of fun ideas here!!!

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  10. This is awesome! I love how you stamped on masking tape - way to think outside the box!

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  11. Never would have thought to stamp on masking tape! Thanks for the idea!

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  12. What a really cool card, you've inspired me

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  13. Jen, the masking tape stamping is way cool! So glad I read that tidbit! Awesome card and terrific clippy background!

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  14. so so cute! love the paperclip background!

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  15. Lots of great elements on this card! Great work!

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  16. I do love the background you created, very cool. And I did force a sandwich through my machine that was too big and broke my plates! I intend to replace it after CHA, funny you should post that warning.

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  17. How clever to use masking tape! I love how it turned out on your card. Thanks for sharing how you made your background too.

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  18. Clever idea to make your own background, can I steal the idea? LOL!

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  19. Thanks for sharing the info on the embossed background. Very nice.

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  20. Great card--cool background, and I never would have thought to stamp on masking tape. What a cool idea!

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  21. I love the masking tape! Cool way to create your background with the paperclips.Great card!

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  22. Great card--love the masking tape and embossing techniques. Thanks for sharing your cool tips!

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  23. Gorgeous! Thank you so much for the tutorial! I love the placement of elements on your card!

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  24. Great ideas! Love the elements and card design!

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  25. Very cool! Thanks for the tips!

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  26. Wow very nice! If I will spot something like this in any shop, it will take a lot of effort to keep me from buying it! Thanks for sharing your brilliant idea!

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