September 2010 Sneak Peek Day 1: Ever After

Welcome to the Wplus9 Design Studio September Release! As usual, we will spend the next couple of days giving you peeks at some projects created using stamps from this month's release.

This month, we are only releasing one stamp set. But don't fret, it is simply gorgeous. Am I allowed to say that? Oh well, it is! I am am so happy to be able to devote all of the countdown days to this stamp set...it is that much fun.

Ever After

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 14 stamps; 4 sentiments, and 10 images
• will be available for purchase September 1st for just $19

Today I am focusing on one of the images and sentiments included in the set.

As you can see, I've taken basically the same card, and by switching just a few of the materials created one very soft card and the other just a bit more modern and graphic.

I started by stamping some of the leaves from Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions in Versamark onto a Kraft card base.

For my focal image, I cut a label from Vintage Cream cardstock using a Spellbinder's die. I spritzed the entire label label lightly with Glimmer Mist and let it dry completely. Once dry, I stamped the flower and stem in Tim Holtz Distress Ink and added my sentiment. I am IN LOVE with this font. You will see a lot more of it in the future. This really does glimmer so softly and beautifully in person, click on the picture to zoom in and I managed to catch some of it on film for you guys.

For my coloring, I used my Copics, and decided only to color the blooms. This was a personal preference and you could certainly color it all if you'd like. But I just left the rest bare for interest. Here's a quick tip as well. You'll notice that closest to the center of the flower, where the petals have been drawn to curl in, I have left these little "lips" the lightest color instead of coloring them darker. This causes the petals to appear to fold over instead of curling in. Then towards the bottom I've colored them darker. Just another way to use your colors to manipulate the image the way you want it to appear.

I finished of the base of the card by adding a little burlap and some DeNami buttons. I actually pulled one of the fibers from the burlap to thread through the buttons, I like the way this ties the two elements together even further.

All that was left was to assemble the card.

For the second card, I just made a few small changes. I embossed the background, and added more depth and shading to the coloring of my flowers to give the card more contrast. I used a deeper chocolate color for my sentiment. And finally, I omitted the burlap and buttons, and switched the crepe ribbon for some chocolate grossgrain.

Want to see more? All of the girls are joining us today so be sure to stop by and show them some love.

• Elise Durenberger
• Hannah Craner
• Jinny Newlin
• Kerrianne Gwin
• Maile Belles
• Savitri Wilder

You'll notice that I haven't actually said what kind of flower this is...huh? So what kind of flower do you think it is? Here's a hint, I have not depicted it in it's native color today.

Since this is the only set this month, I'll be doing the giveaway a bit differently. Leave me a comment by 11:59 pm August 30th. I will pick two random winners from all countdown comments combined to win "Ever After". I'll be back tomorrow with more from this fabulous set!

Project Supplies

Blooms With Love
Stamps: Ever After, Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions (Wplus9)
Ink: Chestnut Roan, Dark Brown liquid chalk ink (Colorbox); Tattered Rose, Antique Linen distress ink (Tim Holtz Ranger); Tattered Rose glimmer mist (Tattered Angels); Versamark; Copic markers
Paper: Kraft cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Vintage Cream cardstock (Papertrey Ink)
Fibers: Burlap (K & Company); Crepe ribbon (craft supply); Chocolate grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink);
Other: die (Spellbinders); buttons (DeNami Designs); transparent embossing powder (Stampendous); Heat tool