October/November Release Week Day 3

Can you believe it's day 3 of our October/November release already? If you are just joining us, you can start at Day 1 to catch up.

Today we are introducing the last of our stamps and dies that we will be releasing this month.

Pretty Patches: Tree

• is a 3x4 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 5 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 3 image builders and 2 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $6

Pretty Patches: Tree Companion Die

• 2 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Pretty Patches: Tree stamp set
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $5

Quilt Cuts 2 Die

• 3 individual quilt block patterns that are wired together and can be easily separated.
• each completed block measures approx. 2" x 2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $16

So let's start out with Pretty Patches: Tree and the companion die. For my first card, I've paired it with Folk Art Flurries in a wintry blue palette.

I started by stamping a few of the snowflakes from Folk Art Flurries onto another new card stock color we are introducing this month, Lake House. For the focal point, I used the Pretty Patches: Tree Die. Instead of stamping the matching image, I added one of the smallest snowflakes in Versamark and top it with a couple of threaded buttons.

To create the backdrop for the tree, I cut 2 squares using the Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares. I lightly sketched a hill onto the white one, trimmed it, and adhered it over the blue one. To finish, I add the sentiment from Pretty Patches: Tree on White card stock.

I really love the shape and scale of that die cut. But we can't forget the stamp. I'm really happy with the way this set turned out. I know it's a simple one, but I just love it.

The tree in Pretty Patches: Tree is 2 separate stamps, the tree and the trunk. And the heart, like the others in this series, is separate as well. All of the hearts are the same size throughout the series, so you can interchange the patterns and mix and match it any way you want to.

Notice the heart on the tag in the background? This is included in the Pretty Patches: Tree Die and works with all of the hearts in each stamp set in the Pretty Patches series! I thought the patches from Country Charm were perfect for creating a little patchwork background for these tags.

What is the perfect complement to Pretty Patches: Tree? How about Quilt Cuts 2? Yes, we have a follow up to the popular Quilt Cuts 1 die!

We did have a little drama with this die, so not all of the design team will have samples to show you. The first batch of these dies we received had an unusually high number of defective dies in it, and quite a few of the girls were affected. We have gone through the entire lot and tested almost every die to ensure that the rest of the shipments were not affected. Luckily it was isolated to the first batch. We also recalled and replaced the wholesale shipments that came from the original batch. So all is good now. And I'm so excited to show you these samples!

Like the original, Quilt Cuts 2 contains 3 separate quilt patterns, this time in squares. Here, I've paired it with a trio of trees from Pretty Patches: Tree, and more of that Simple Stories Handmade Holiday patterned paper.

This particular pattern cuts 8 triangles that can be arranged however you like. For my card, I decided to use them in the square pattern. The sentiment, from Pretty Patches: Tree, was added on a banner die cut using the Banner Trio Die. A little help with the checkered border from Country Charm was the perfect finishing touch.

Next, I wanted to show you how you can also use just bits and pieces of the patterns to create your own.

I cut several of the Nordic/FairIsle quilt square and just used the centers for this card. For a super quick way to adhere these, just dump them in your Xyron create-a-sticker. I used the left over border that you get after you die cut the patterns to help me space the shapes. I really liked the bold and graphic feel of this card, so I decided to continue with it and use the "joy" and snowflake die cuts from the Seasonal Sentiments Die for my sentiment.

Finally, I wanted to show what amazing focal points these patterns can make.

This might be my favorite card today. I just love how "comfortable" it is. Does that even make sense? Kind of like the comfort food of cards.

I die cut the quilt square 4 times, once from Oatmeal card stock and from 3 patterned papers. To create my quilt block, I cut a 2 1/8" square and covered it with adhesive, placed my border as a guide and then added the patterned paper pieces. The leftover pieces made a perfect border for the background.

I hope you have enjoyed all of the samples that we have shared this week. I can not tell you how much your comments and enthusiasm mean to me! And I know the Design Team feels the same way, they are dying to share some of their final projects with you as well:

• Elise Durenberger
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jinny Newlin
• Kerrianne Gwin
• Lea Lawson
• Savitri Wilder
• Jean Martin
• And our Guest Designer Anya Schrier

Tomorrow is the BIG reveal! We will list and show all of the newly offered products in their entirety, including all of the details for our new card stock and alterable items.

But before you go, how would you like to win today's featured products: Pretty Patches: Tree, Pretty Patches: Tree Companion Die, and the Quilt Cuts 2 Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 4th to enter. I'd love to know what you'll be asking Santa for this year. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.