Introducing Big Hugs

I know ya'll are excited to see the set we are featuring today for the December 2014 Papertrey Ink Countdown. It's all about hugs. Big, cozy, loving hugs. Of the papercrafting variety, of course. Because, if you think about it, that is what homemade cards *really* are anyway. They are a way to send a hug in the mail to those that you love when you can't be there. So it seems fitting that we can now label them as such.

You know...aren't we just finally calling a spade and spade?:) And in such a wonderful way.

What is so great about the Big Hugs Collection are that the five large stamps that say "hugs" in a variety of fonts are also offered as dies. So many options. This card uses a stamped "hugs" from the set and is completed with the rest of the sentiment. I layered it over the floral heart from the With All My Heart set. There was room on the heart stamp for the word "sending" so I could seamlessly use the two stamp sets together.

Here's a close up of all the details. A few things to note. The Harvest Gold strip of paper and the Simply Chartreuse scalloped border underneath are cut using the Hello There dies. Adore how easy this look is to create because these dies are cut to 4.25" in length. Also, the heart stamp you see here (from With All My Heart) has additional stamps to layer in a floral cluster in the design. I opted to do something different by die cutting various Button Stack dies instead. With so many size options in the button dies, I was able to fill the openings in the stamp rather well, allowing the leaves to show as intended.

Limitless Layers Hearts was cut into a Stitched Circle Dies for a inlaid die look. And BB: Diagonals gives some depth to the background.

Next up, I'm using a die cut "hugs" on my card design. When I think of hugs, I think of the words "cozy" and "comforting". With that thought, my word "hugs" and the Pure Poppy heart are cut out of PTI felt.

A quick tip for working with intricate die cuts made out of felt. Die cut a matching cut out of cardstock. Glue your felt cut to the paper cut, so you can maintain the shape a bit better. The paper cut will guide you.  This also makes it easier to glue the felt to your card or project.

And speaking of hugs, how about Lexie's Give Me a Hand set? Is it not the best way to wrap up the large heart created by Limitless Layers Heart Stitches? It looks like a hug! Fabulous.

That's it for me today. I hope you like this set as much as I do. Only a little bit longer to wait until you can get your hands on it. Big Hugs and the rest of the December release will be available on Monday night at 10 PM EST right here.

More hugs are to be seen. Just click below:

Nichole Heady
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Maile Belles
Heather Nichols
Melissa Phillips
Danielle Flanders
Laura Bassen
Laurie Willison
Ashley Cannon Newell


Supplies

To Make Your Day Brighter
Stamps: Big Hugs, With All My Love, BB: Diagonals
Dies: Hello There, Button Stackers 1, 2, and 3, Stitched Circles, Limitless Layers: Hearts
Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Soft Blush, Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse, Melon Berry, Stamper's Select White
Ink: Melon Berry, Simply Chartreuse
Harvest Gold Damask Patterned Paper

To Hold You Tight
Stamps: Big Hugs, Give Me a Hand, Hello Sunshine
Dies: Big Hugs, Give Me a Hand,  Limitless Layers Heart Stitches, Edgers #4
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst, Stamper's Select Whtie
Ink: True Black and Fine Linen
Patterned Paper: Aqua Mist Gingham, Hibiscus Burst Polka Dot
Felt: Pure Poppy, True Black