October 2011 Release Day 1

Hello! Happy World Card Making Day! Not only is it WCMD, it's that time again...Release Week! For those of you that are new to Wplus9, we will spend the next couple of days getting up close and personal with the products that we will be releasing this month. All previewed items will be available for purchase on October 5th at www.wplus9.com.

Today we are kicking off Day 1 of our October Release with a bang! We have 4 new stamp sets to introduce this month, and they are all centered around the winter season. When it comes to Christmas in this industry, it's very difficult to conceptualize something that isn't already over-saturated in the market. But, we have done it! Now, I can't claim that there isn't anything else like these out there, but they are certainly uncommon. I am very proud to introduce Fair Isle Backgrounds and Winter Wishes.

Fair Isle Backgrounds

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 10 stamps; 7 background building strips and 3 individual background building images
• will be available for purchase October 5th for just $19

Winter Wishes

• is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 10 stamps; 7 images and 3 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for just $13

Today's first card totally focuses on the wonderful patterns that can be created with Fair Isle Backgrounds.

I started by stamping several patterns onto white cardstock. There are so many different possible combinations with this set that I don't think I'll ever bore with it.

Although most of our background stamps are just over 5.5 inches long to accommodate a standard card base, I should mention that 2 of the more intricate patterns in this set are just under 5.5 inches long. Once I had all of my patterns created, I created the sentiment strip. I used a sentiment from Poinsettia Patterns and flanked it with one of the single images included in Fair Isle Backgrounds.

To finish, I inked all of the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink and stitched them together before adhering to a Kraft card base. I just love how warm and rustic this card is, and though it is technically one layer, flat, and mail-friendly...it is by no means boring.

Next up, I guess you could call this the girly version.

I started the same way as last time, creating my background panel using different fair isle patterns. I'm telling you, these are so easy to use, and create the most amazing backgrounds, borders, and accents!

Those cute mittens and sentiment are from Winter Wishes. I stamped the mittens three times in row, and then added the little string image also included in the set. Notice how the patterns match the Fair Isle Backgrounds? I just love them. I added little brads to hang them from. Another flat embellishment, making this card pretty mail friendly!

I added the sentiment by cutting a die cut from our Label Layers 1 Die in half and tucking it under the focal panel before stitching. I am so in love with that font!

Now, let's take a closer look at Winter Wishes. First up, I wanted to use these cute little clothespins that my mother found for me.

I just love how this card turned out, and it happens to be Hunter's favorite. This set comes with the most fantastic fair isle patterned medallions. Our Mehndi Medallions set was so popular, that I just knew I wanted to do a follow up set. If you are a fan, you will love these. I started by stamping one of the medallions onto the top and lower edge of a piece of patterned paper from the Mischievous Collection (My Mind's Eye).

In the center of this, I added a strip of Nordic Holiday (Basic Grey) patterned paper and stitched in place.

For the focal image, I added a cute pair of those mittens to hang from a "clothesline". This time I used a simple piece of crochet thread.

Finally, for my last card, I wanted to let those medallions shine.

I created my background by stamping several of the medallions in blue, red, navy, and gray onto white cardstock.

The sentiment was added directly over another medallion stamped in blue. And of course, another pair of those cute mittens hanging from a button to finish it off. Love.

I can't express enough how versatile and fun these stamps are to use. Fair Isle Backgrounds is a great staple set, perfect for winter, baby, and any quilting/knitting themes. It's great for adding a warm and homey feeling to any project. The sentiments in Winter Wishes are generic enough to be used all winter long in addition to those Holiday/Christmas cards. You know me, I'm all about classic staples and tend to shy away from those overly trendy or cutesy items. A little can't hurt, but I'm always thinking about stamps that will last the test of time.

Want to see more? Head on over for a visit with the Design Team to see what they've been up to. They all have their own unique styles and some of the girls are celebrating World Card Making Day with contests complete with Wplus9 prizes, you won't want to miss it!

• Elise Durenberger
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jinny Newlin - on vacation this week
• Kerrianne Gwin
• Lea Lawson
• Savitri Wilder
• Jean Martin

So, have we turned you into a Fair Isle fan? Would you like to win Fair Isle Backgrounds, and Winter Wishes! Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 2nd telling me what you are most excited about from today's previews to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

The fun continues tomorrow with another must have set, see you then!

Project Supplies

Joy To You & Yours
Stamps: Fair Isle Backgrounds available 10/5/11, Poinsettia Patterns (Wplus9)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Purely Pomegranate, Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up! dye ink); Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap (Tim Holtz Distress)
Cardstock: Kraft, White (Papertrey Ink)

Sending Warm Winter Wishes
Stamps: Fair Isle Backgrounds, Winter Wishes available 10/5/11 (Wplus9)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Purely Pomegranate (Stampin' Up! dye ink); Antique Linen (Tim Holtz Distress)
Cardstock: Rustic White (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Label Layers 1 Die

Warmest Winter Wishes
Stamps: Fair Isle Backgrounds, Winter Wishes available 10/5/11 (Wplus9)
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up! dye ink); White acrylic paint
Cardstock: White, Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Nordic Holiday (Basic Grey); Mischievous (My Minds Eye); Doily (Wilton)
Other: Label Layers 2 (Wplus9); Buttons, twine (Papertrey Ink)

Warm Wishes
Stamps: Fair Isle Backgrounds, Winter Wishes available 10/5/11 (Wplus9)
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up! dye ink); Smoky Shadow (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: White (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Nordic Holiday (Basic Grey); Doily (Wilton)
Other: buttons, twine (Papertrey Ink); crochet thread from stash)