August 2015 Release Week: Day 1

Welcome to our August 2015 Release week! Thank you all so much for your patience. I know we are a little behind this month, but it's finally time to unveil all of the new products hitting the stores on August 14, 2015.

Before they officially go on sale, we are going to spend the next couple of days previewing all of the new goodies and showing you some fun ways to use them. Remember, the entire August 2015 Release will be available for purchase beginning August 14th at wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

I thought I'd start out with a critter set that is a ton of fun and so versatile, Going Places.

Going Places
4x6" Clear Stamp Set
$14 USD

Going Places Companion Die
Steel Rule Die
$18 USD

Starry Background Die
Steel Rule Die
$15 USD

It's official, I have been converted to a "cute" junkie. And this set, jam packed with adorable interactive critters, is my perfect fix!

Each little guy has a coordinating die cut that not only cuts them out, but also cuts under their forward arm so that it can hang over and hold on to edges. The die also cuts a bit extra at the bottom so that there is plenty of room for adhesive so that they will really stay in place.

In this first card, I used the dog and cat along with the hot air balloon also included in the set. When designing the set, I intentionally left the hot air ballon minimally detailed, leaving it open for you to add extra design details if you'd like as I've done today.

I stamped the dog and hot air balloon directly onto my card panel and then stamped and die cut another balloon along with the kitty and die cut them. I added an extra line down the center of the second ballon using a Copic Multi-Liner, and then horizontal lines each section. This opened up the design to add a lot of extra color with my Copic markers - which I did! This one is a bright and colorful card which I think plays off of the sentiment perfectly.

And just for a little extra fun, I added some sparkle to the clouds and the scalloped sashes on the hot air balloons using a Clear Wink of Stella pen.

There are so many ways to use these little guys - and they pair perfectly with many Wplus9 sets that you may already own. In this next card, I wanted use them without the balloons, and created another scene of rolling hills with critters "popping out" with birthday offerings.

I used the Landscape Borders Die to cut three levels of hills to tuck each critter behind. Using the gift and cupcake included in Going Places I stamped and die cut a few for the bear, rabbit and cat. For the raccoon and dog, I used the balloon and party hat from Unforgettable.

To finish it off, I again added a little Wink of Stella to the ribbons on the gifts, the cupcake icing and the balloon. And the sweet sentiment? That's from another set releasing on Friday - Wishing You - which I will have more on later this week.

My last card today, pairs the set with the new Starry Background Die and a few older items - Whole Lotta' Happy stamp set and the Happy Trio Die.

I just love the Starry Background Die. Because this die measures in at 4 3/4 x 3 1/8", it is perfect to use inside of your other layered dies. Here, I die cut the large scalloped panel from our Sunshine Layers Die and then cut the Starry Background from that. Just look at how well the work together!

I stamped and die cut the full bunny included in Going Places twice and colored them with Copics. This little guy has the cutest little "Oh" expression on his face (which is great for hanging off the side of the hot air balloon basket) - perfect for hanging off the end of the "Y" in "happy" as well. For the second bunny, I just used a Copic Multi-Liner to change his expression to a smile.

To add the color in the negative spaces of the stars, I just sponged a little of our PURE COLOR Dye Ink on the panel underneath in Bo Peep, Bloomsberry, Falling Star, and Little Piggy. For an all over shimmer, I spritzed the panel with our PURE COLOR Spray Mist in Shimmer. LOVE!

Design Team Inspiration

Are you ready to see what the design team has been up to? Check out what the girls have in store for you:

• Joni Nina Andaya
• Kara Vrabel
• Kelly Latevola
• Maureen Merritt

Giveaway Alert

Would you like to win a $25 store credit to wplus9.com? Just leave a comment below by 10:00 a.m. EST on 08/11/15 to enter letting me know what you are most excited about from this release and I will select one random winner from all comments. Winner will be posted on our Release Winners page by noon on 08/11/15.

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to stop by again tomorrow. I've got more new stamps and dies as well as a new color collection to share with you!