October 2010 Sneak Peek: Day 1

Welcome to the Wplus9 Design Studio October Release! Off to a late start, but here and ready to share some inspiration. Thanks so much for your patience, and I hope we don't disappoint! 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 releasing three gorgeous new sets! Up first is a very detailed, vintage vibe, frame set. This set was a labor of love and took a bit of time to illustrate, but in the end, it was worth it.

Damask Frames

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 13 stamps; 3 sentiments, 4 frames, 2 journaling lines, and 4 accent images.
• will be available for purchase October 7th for just $19

What I really love about this set is how versatile it is. It can be elegant, rustic, gothic, or soft and Victorian. I know, sounds impossible, right? Just to prove it, I'll be showing you two projects today from opposite ends of the spectrum.

I wanted to try something very soft and girly, but still put a bit of my own style into it. First, I created a gorgeous damask background panel using one of the damask images from this set in Chestnut Roan (Colorbox) onto Blush (Papertrey Ink) cardstock. For a little pop, I added some raspberry color using an image you'll see later this week, by stamping in between the brown damask images. I added a ton of sponging all around the edges in white, brown, and linen distress inks (Ranger). I just love the doily all inked up and folder over the top. It breaks up the pattern a bit and softens the background.

To create the label, I stamped it in Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!) onto Vintage Cream (PTI) cardstock and cut it out using the Mat Stack 1 die (PTI). It fits perfectly. For the center, I punched a 1 3/4" circle and stamped the journaling lines and sentiment included in the set. I inked the edges of both and adhered the circle to the frame. I felt like it still needed something though, so I added some leaves and a butterfly from the Woodgrain Silhouettes Bundle. Some embellishments in the form of pearls (Kaiser) and buttons (PTI), and a bit of ribbon (PTI) finish this off beautifully.

Now it's time to take it all the way to the other extreme. Last night, while Kerrianne and I were stamping, we noticed that the images looked kinda gothic when stamped in black on deeper colors. So we pulled out some Stampin' Up! Halloween rub-ons and went to town. I started by stamping this accent image repeatedly in Midnight Black Momento ink (Tsukineko) onto Simply Chartreuse cardstock (PTI). I decided to cut it out using a Spellbinders label die.

For the center, I stamped another frame in the same black onto Kraft cardstock (Stampin' Up!) and trimmed it out. I added a perfect rub-on from Stampin' Up! to the center. And matted it with another Mat Stack 1 die in Plum Pudding cardstock (both PTI). I inked the edges of both with Black Soot distress ink (Ranger) to add some depth and age.

I just love this one. I decided it was perfect as a little tag and added a couple of black buttons (DeNami) to either side of the frame for a little horizontal balance. Super cute, fast, and fun!

Want to see more? Stop by to see what the Design Team is up to:

• Elise Durenberger
• Hannah Craner
• Jinny Newlin
• Kerrianne Gwin

Want to win Damask Frames? Leave me a comment by 11:59 pm EST October 4th and I will pick 1 random winner from the comments to win "Damask Frames". Winners will be posted here, be sure to check to see if you've won. I'll be back tomorrow with a new set and another chance to win! Thank you so much to all of you who leave such lovely comments, emails, and shower me with such support. I truly appreciate every single one.