7th Anniversary of Papertrey Favorites

Here it is! Today is the day we're kicking off the anniversary activities at Papertrey Ink. All of you veterans know that it will be days and days of fun, inspiration, and a boatload of new product. For you newbies, just get ready and hang onto your hats....you'll not be able to think of anything else for awhile. Just good fun.

Today we're featuring our top 7 favorite projects from 2013. You can see them all up there in my anniversary graphic. We'll take them one by one down below and I'll tell you why I like it. Looking at them all together like this I can see a common thread and perhaps an underlying reason why I picked them all--all but one of these cards/projects has been placed in an envelope and sent off to somebody I care about.  There is something to be said about that.

You Are My Favorite

Why I Loved It: I remember being really pleased with how the various layers cut from the Limitless Layers: Hearts Stitching Dies stacked on top of each other. Particularly with how there was one row of pink dots and another of blue. There is also a great love sentiment from Kid Kudos used with It's a Banner Day die. From a personal stand point, all my illustrating and designing products really came together on this project because so much of the product is mine. It was a first for me. And it tickled. This one is going to Matt for Valentine's Day. I'll be sending it to his office. 

Take Your Time& Recuperate

Why I Loved It: This one uses lots of little details and stamp sets to build a scene, which is just plain fun for me. I like the touch of the unexpected like the viewpoint from behind the television. And I was happy with myself for going with a color palette I don't normally gravitate towards. I find that to be a bit challenging sometimes. 

Bark! The Herald Angels Sing

Why I Loved It: This card just makes me laugh. This dog is my favorite of the Come All Ye Faithful trio. Has such an air of friendly innocence to him and lots of personality. 

Thank You

Why I Loved It:This one was quick and easy. Just came together. And it uses some glitter paper, which I seem to be reaching for more and more lately. Just adds that little something.

Happy 8th Birthday

Why I Loved It: All of the elements came together on this one--the graduated color, sweet dies, inking, and the grunge look. My nephew loved it. I need to remember to bust out my ink applicator more because I love this look and so often forget about it. 

Happy Birthday 

Why I Loved It: This one I love for the colors. I adore the darker ink on a slightly lighter shade of color cardstock look. And those black leaves really pull things together. I see this card and want to recreate these elements again. 

 Handmade Barrettes and Matching Necklace

Why I Loved It: This was a homemade mother-daughter set that I was so proud to say I made and happy to give. It went to somebody who really needed a pick me up. And it made me smile knowing that she and her little girl (not unlike me and my little girl) would look so cute wearing them.  

And that concludes today's walk down memory lane. I know Papertrey Ink means a lot to so many of us. It brings me a much needed outlet for my creativity and saves my sanity on a daily basis. I don't know what I'd do without the little escape from the dishes, laundry, and diaper changing that takes up the majority of my day that it gives me.  To have my mind worrying over and trying to solve a PTI design issue or envisioning a card in my head as I go about things brings a smile to my face. This all seems a bit everyday and practical, but as a mother of three very small children, that's the world I operate in. (Can you tell it is 6 AM, two of the three are already up, and the second snow day of the week has just been declared? Keep me in your thoughts and send lots of patience my way...HA!)

Nichole, Julie, Jane....thank you for letting me a part of all this fun, friendship, and creativity. It anchors me. Reminds me of who I am and saves me from getting a little lost in the everyday. It is invaluable and I am very grateful.  It's cheaper than therapy...safer for my liver than liquor...keeps me out of all sorts of trouble. Although stamping with a little wine is nice at the end of the day. I highly recommend it. :)