Strawberry Patch

OK. Wow. O.M.G. .Ya'll sitting down? You ready for the most adorable, sweetest stamp set and die collection you've ever seen? Strawberry Patch is going to steal your heart in all its homespun goodness. It takes you to a happy place, let me tell ya. Let me show you what I mean...

Check out the berry basket! I bet you weren't expecting that! And it's so very big and roomy. Countless things fit inside. In my case, I have a strawberry print homemade apron folded up with a mini file folder of strawberry recipes.  (Chocolate Pavlova made with strawberries is one of my favorites. In fact, I feel the need to make one coming on. Maybe this weekend.) Of course, you have to round out the gift with a handmade card that matches. Would we as papercrafters do anything less? I think not.

Now the thing about these stamps and dies that I like the most is how you can add color to the large strawberry cluster without handcutting to paper piece or busting out the Copics. Every flower, leaf, and berry in the main image has a die. How great is that?

On my card, I stamped the berry cluster twice to take up the front of a whole A2 card. I used half a Quatrefoil Cover Plate on the bottom for absolutely no reason other than it looked good. The berries that aren't  covered have stems cut form Simply Chartreuse felt. BB: Gingham on a Fillable Frame #5 die cut houses my sentiment from Strawberry Patch Sentiments.

The Berry Basket die. Check out how roomy it is! You could fit some serious treats in there. Before I filled mine with goodies, I used Scor-Tape to adhere red rick rack (matches that on the apron) to the inside edge. I don't think I'll ever make this basket without using the rick-rack. I need some in every color now. Perfect touch.

Another tip with the Berry Basket die. Use the holes to your advantage. Weave it through at certain intervals to hold a tie in place. I used Cream Button Twine for a rustic touch.

Here's my basket all decorated and filled. I'd love to receive a gift like this.

A few highlights of the contents. Create a mini-file folder with the latest Edgers release to match your card and house a few recipes to go with the apron theme. It's nice that the word "berry" comes in two sizes in the Strawberry Patch Sentiments set.

To help identify the apron, I created a tag with Tag Sale #1 , Perfect Patches die, and stamps from Just For You set. A paper covered clothespin holds the tag to the apron. I couldn't resist die cutting a full strawberry out of felt. I'm looking forward to Eliza having a bit more hair so I can make hair clips like this for her.

Here's a different shot of the ensemble so you can see the apron a little bit better. I wish I could take credit for this creation, but it's something my mother made. Fabric is from deep in her stash, but isn't it perfect?

Hope you are as won over by the strawberries as I am. Makes you wish you could come up with strawberry themes for Halloween and Christmas because you just don't want to put this one away. Looking forward to seeing all the projects in the morning. Good luck getting me out of my office after that!


Nichole Heady
Jessica Witty
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Lisa Johnson
Melissa Phillips
Ashley Cannon Newell
Maile Belles
Danielle Flanders




Supplies
Stamps: Strawberry Patch, Strawberry Patch Sentiments, Just For You, Background Basics: Gingham, Fillable Frame #5
Dies: Strawberry Patch, Perfect Patches, Berry Basket, Fillable Frame #5, Quartrefoil Cover Plate, Tag Sale #1, Edgers #6
Paper: Spring Rain, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Moss, Stamper's Select White
Ink: Pure Poppy, True Black, Spring Rain
Felt: Simply Chartreuse, Pure Poppy
Cream Button Twine
Red Rick Rack