Design Team Favorites: Sarah Martina Parker

Let's face it. We all have favorites. They may change from time to time, but there's always one stamp set or craft product that we tend to reach for over and over, or worse yet, hoard because we can't bring ourselves to use it up.

Today, Sarah Martina Parker is sharing her current favorite Wplus9 stamp set.

Sarah's current favorite is Valentine Wishes. (which is now back in stock) I can't say that I blame her. I just love the fonts in this set. I *wish* my penmanship was half that beautiful. And she's used my current favorite - the mix of bold/graphic with soft and feminine flowers!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Valentine Wishes, Borders & Backgrounds 2 // Ink: Lake House Pigment Ink // Dies: Valentine Wishes Companion Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal

How about you? What's your current favorite?

Sweet Blessings with Sarah Martina Parker

Today Sarah Martina Parker is taking a stab at stretching outside of her comfort zone. She's chosen to tackle coloring. If you are a fan of Sarah's (who's not?), then you'll notice that she doesn't do a lot of lined images. But, she's done a fantastic job here, with Easter Blessings.

The key here was that she tried something that she isn't all that comfortable with, but kept true to the rest of her style - kind of a modern shabby-chic. Soft colors, some stitching and fiber accents. I just love the way she's "messily" colored her image with pastels. It adds to the soft shabby-chic look and stays true to the whimsical nature of the style.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Easter Blessings, Dockside Backgrounds, Valentine Wishes, Onesie Twosie // Dies: Valentine Wishes Die, Label Layers 3 Die // Cardstock: White, Green Acres

Happy Is The Trend

It's Sarah Martina Parker's turn to get trendy with it. Na-na-na-na-na-na. Sorry...couldn't resist. I'll stop now.

I think she has managed to pack almost every current trend into this beauty. And successfully!

I was a little surprised when I received this one, in a good way, no doubt. It just seems so outside of Sarah's norm. But if you break it down, it's definitely got Sarah's signature all over it. Gorgeous combination of softer colors with perfectly executed layering of elements. Notice how she has cleverly used Just Geometrics: Triangles not only as a background pattern, but to lead the recipient to the rest of the sentiment - "times ahead".

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Whole Lotta' Happy, Fanciful Feathers, Just Geometrics: Triangles, Borders & Backgrounds 3 // Dies: Happy Trio Die, Fanciful Feathers Die // Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers

I also can't help but mention how much I love the gold embossed confetti from Borders & Backgrounds 3. Pair that with our Fanciful Feathers stamps and dies and the Happy Trio Die and it's a recipe for success.

For our resident "shabby chic-er", I think Sarah's got this contemporary collage thing down too. How about you?

Sprinkle on some sequins and call it a day! Speaking of, we do have a special discount for you from Pretty Pink Posh on all sequins!

A great big THANK YOU to Paulina for being so generous!

Spotlight Challenge with Sarah Martina Parker

We are focusing on adding dimension this week and who better to give us a helping hand than Sarah Martina Parker? She is a queen when it comes to layering and she is reigning supreme with this beauty!

Just look at all of that dimension! She's used several techniques in this card. Texture? Check. She's used both fabric and glitter. Height? Check. She's gone both ways here by using the Modern Numerals Die to create a letterpress effect and by popping elements up on foam tape. Color? Check. She's chosen to let several elements fade into the background by leaving them tone-on-tone, while spotlighting others with color.

I've chosen to highlight her spotlight technique. I love her clever use of the Modern Numerals Die, specifically how she used color to add dimension and then took it a step further by using glitter to spotlight the number "3". Using your dies to letterpress is a great way to really stretch your supplies. And if you haven't seen it yet, here's the sandwich construction I use for the Sizzix Big Shot.

Sandwich Construction (bottom-top):

1. Multipurpose Platform - Tab 2
2. Silicone Embossing Mat
3. Cardstock
4. Die (face down)
5. Hard Embossing Plate
6. Cardstock shim as needed *note that the depth of your impression will depend on the thickness of your cardstock, your machine, and your shim(s) - adjust as needed*

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Whole Lotta' Happy // Dies: Happy Trio Die, Modern Numerals Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal

So what do you think? Want to give it a try, I'd love to see what you come up with. If you don't have a die cutting machine, you can still achieve the spotlight effect by stamping multiple images in one color and spotlighting another by stamping it a different color. Or you could stamp lined images and then choose one to spotlight by coloring it in. There are several options! If you want to play along, add your link below using the Inlinkz button. We'll keep the link open throughout the month.

An InLinkz Link-up

Fresh Cut Florals with Sarah Martina Parker

I hope you are having a wonderful 4th of July if you are here in the states. And to all of you overseas...Happy Thursday! I'm popping in really quick with some more Design Team inspiration. Today Sarah Martina Parker is featuring Fresh Cut Florals.

As always, Sarah never fails to deliver with a soft feminine touch that I just adore. If blue is more for you, check out this equally as feminine beauty!

I'm going to keep this short and sweet today, as I've got a few things in the oven I've got to get out. We are off to celebrate (with food of course!) and watch fireworks. Have a safe holiday!

More Design Team Inspiration with Sarah Martina Parker

We are back today with more from Sarah Martina Parker featuring our June/July 2013 Release products.

How about a little summer treat and matching card? Here, Sarah's used the milk jar and lemons from our Milk & Cookies stamps and dies to create a jar of lemonade. The little scalloped border along with the washi tape details at the bottom is the perfect anchor for the design.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Milk & Cookies, Strictly Sentiments 2 // Ink: Cupid's Bow // Dies: Milk & Cookies Companion Die, Timeless Tags 2, Scalloped Border Die, Banner Trio // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Cupid's Bow

Prefer a softer palette? Sarah's used our Borders & Backgrounds 1 to create a modern print for a soft feminine card and tussie mussie.

I love all of the interest that the bold all over pattern adds to this otherwise simple layout. The use of muted colors keeps the pattern from becoming overwhelming, while the lace doily adds a touch femininity. The tussie mussie could be used to hold a small bouquet, as gift wrap for a small gift, or why not fill it with a bit of the recipients favorite treats?

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Written On Ribbon, Strictly Sentiments 2, Borders & Backgrounds 1 // Ink: Lake House // Dies: Written On Ribbon Companion Die, Cupcake Wrapper Accessories Die // Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers

I hope you've enjoyed Sarah's projects today as much as I have. Be sure to stop by Sarah's blog to see more of her fantastic work!

Design Team Inspiration: Onesie Cupcakes with Sarah Martina Parker

Today we have a quick and easy gift idea from Sarah Martina Parker featuring the Cupcake Wrapper Die and the Sweets & Treats stamp set.

We are turning a gift of baby onesies into a fun display of cupcakes complete with paper "sprinkles". With this clever packaging, even the most simple pack of onesies turns into an elaborate gift that really leaves a lasting impression.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Onesie Twosie, Sweets & Treats, Bitty Buddy Valentines // Dies: Onesie Twosie Companion Die, Timeless Tags 2, Sweets & Treats Companion Die, Cupcake Wrapper, Label Layers 3 // Cardstock: White, Sweet Gelato, Lake House, Ballet Slippers

Thank you Sarah for sharing such an easy idea with us! Be sure to stop by Sarah's blog to see more of her fantastic work!

Fresh Baked with Sarah Martina Parker

Sarah Martina Parker is sharing her final release projects with us today, and she may have just saved the best for last!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Baked, Quilt Prints | Dies: Fresh Baked Companion Die , Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White

Talk about amazing! This is the personification of some lovin' from the oven. If whatever oven-baked delicacy that comes along with this duo, tastes as good as these look...I'll take two of them!

Let's talk about that cute tag. Love how she's cleverly die cut the images and placed them in the mixing bowl! And while we are on the subject of clever...did you notice how she's used Quilt Prints on the card? What a fun and whimsical pattern she's created by stamping clusters of the filler images - sans the outlines.

And while we are on a roll with Quilt Prints, you've got to see how she's paired it with both Paisley Patterns and Pretty Patches: Umbrella.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: paisley-patterns, Quilt Prints, Pretty Patches: Umbrella | Ink: Cranberry Crush | Dies: Timeless Tags 2, Pretty Patches: Umbrella Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Cranberry Crush

I was floored when I saw this pattern she created. She used the little filler florals from Paisley Patterns in her "quilt" pieces to create her quilt pattern. The background is just perfect for the little patchwork umbrella from Pretty Patches: Umbrella.

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing so much inspiration with us over the last few days. I have enjoyed each and every one of them!

If you've enjoyed Sarah's designs as much as I have, you can stop by her blog to see more of her work and leave her some love. Thanks for stopping by!

Blanket Stitched Blooms with Sarah Martina

Sarah Martina Parker is joining us again with more of her fantastic release projects! And today she is treating us to a closer look at Blanket Stitched Blooms.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Blanket Stitched Blooms | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet | Cardstock: White

This would definitely brighten my day! The crisp black against those soft free-form blooms is perfection. This is such a rich and complex looking design, but really uses minimal supplies. The random pattern makes this a quick and easy project, but it will have the recipient thinking that you toiled and slaved over it for hours. Shh...we won't tell.

Next, Sarah's sharing one of my favorite ways to use the stitching in this set, along with it's companion dies.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Blanket Stitched Blooms, Strictly Sentiments 1 | Dies: Blanket Stitched Blooms Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Sweet Gelato

Check out how beautiful her flowers turned out! This is a great way to put a soft spin on this set. By embossing the stitching in white, Sarah was then able to color in her blooms free-hand, giving them a soft water-colored effect. Any medium would be great for this technique - Gelatos, re-inkers, Copics, or water colors.

This next project is one that I'm particularly taken with. I am really loving stationery sets at the moment. There is something so polished and sophisticated about them.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Blanket Stitched Blooms, Cupid's Arrow | Cardstock: White

This is a perfect example of "less is more". The casual and care-free mix of elements compliments the casual tone of the sentiment, and the clean white backdrop keeps it light. Just looking at this set of note cards makes me happy.

I hope you have enjoyed Sarah's projects as much as I have. Remember, you can stop by her blog to see more of her work. And, she will be back with us tomorrow to share the rest of her release projects. I can't wait!

Design Team Inspiration with Sarah Martina

Today we have the fabulous Sarah Martina Parker joining us with her April/May 2013 Release projects. Be prepared for a frenzy of florals that will leaving you wanting more!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet | Cardstock: White, Lake House

I had all of these descriptive adjectives whirling around in my head when I first laid eyes on this. Then I sat down to write and all that I can get out is WOW! Yeah, WOW! about sums up the gorgeous pattern Sarah has created with Paisley Patterns. It's hard to believe that the entire thing was created with just one stamp set. Using the Folk Art Alphabet die to add her sentiment vertically was a genius decision. The placement allows more of that fantastic stamped pattern to show.

If you loved that one, then you're in for a treat on this one as well!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Embroidered Bouquet, Embroidered Bouquet Additions | Ink: Cranberry Crush | Dies: Scalloped Border, Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White, Cranberry Crush, Ballet Slippers

Another beautiful display of pattern stamping here. She's demonstrated how versatile these images are by pairing them with another floral set, Embroidered Bouquet. The gold accents are an amazing compliment to Ballet Slippers and Cranberry Crush, don't you think?

Sarah's last card is just as amazing. It's an awesome atypical masculine design in my opinion.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Embroidered Bouquet, Class Act | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet, Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles, Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White

I love the rustic & natural elements paired with the crisp contrast in colors. Stamping the foliage in gray is the perfect way to use floral images without being overtly feminine.

I told you that you would love them. If you love Sarah's style, be sure to stop by her blog to see more of her work. We will have more from Sarah tomorrow, so be sure to check back then!