The Studio Design Team: Kerrianne Gwin

Today is the final Wplus9 Design Team announcement. This lady is one of my dearest friends and is single-handedly responsible for getting me into card-making and scrapbooking. It was a no-brainer that she be on the Design Team, so I was extremely happy when she said that she was interested. Introducing:

Kerrianne is a new-comer on the scene when it comes to blogging. Now that she has finished her Master's Degree, she will have plenty more time to get creative! Also a professional Graphic Designer, she is crazy talented, with a unique style and an eye for color. She has a love for all things retro and vintage, so I can't wait to see her bring that out in her creations with the Design Team.

Be sure to stop by her blog and welcome her to blogland, I have promised her that you ladies are the friendliest bunch and tons of fun!

The Studio Design Team: Savitri Wilder

Hold on to your tape runners ladies, it's time to announce the third member of the Wplus9 Design Team. It's my pleasure to introduce:

Savitri was the first designer I reached out to when I decided that I was going to start The Studio. I first stumbled upon Savitri's work through Kristina Werner's color challenges, and she blew me away. Here are a few pieces of her work that stand out to me:

I think the best way to sum up her style is clean and graphic. She is magical at taking trendy images and colors and applying a clean layout that really packs a punch! I am especially drawn to her scrap-book layouts. Pure genious I tell you, I could peruse her blog for inspiration all day long. And I am extremely happy she has agreed to help me showcase the Wplus9 collection. Check out her blog to see what I mean. But don't say I didn't warn you. ;o)

And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the last Design Team announcement!

The Studio Design Team: Elise Durenberger

First, I just want to thank you all so much for your support so far! I am completely floored with the number of people that have already subscribed at www.Wplus9.com.

And secondly, it is time to announce another Wplus9 Design Team member:

Otherwise known as Mamacow "Elise, E., E-stir, Mama E, hey YOU with all the STAMPS", this is one lady who needs no introduction! Whatever you call her, just don't call her boring! In addition to being an incredibly talented artist, this one here is incredibly talented at brightening your day! Just pop on by her blog and sit a spell, and you'll surely see what I mean. But don't forget to leave her a "YEE-HAW" on your way out. Oh and try not to be too envious of her amazingly renovated "Scrapland". I'm still trying to contain the jealousy myself. :o)

Again, trying to narrow down favorites is just torture, but I have picked some samples of her work that really speak to me.

I think what I am attracted to so much about Elise's style is her fun, playful, bold cards. Her style is so different from my own, and oh though I have tried, I can not pull it off. (Geez...there's that little green eyed monster again.) It's her fearless use of color, images, and then there's that tell-tale Elise humor in them. Her personality just shines through her work, and I'm looking forward to having some of that rub-off on me...if I'm lucky. ;o)

Don't forget to check back again tomorrow, we will continue the introductions with another one that you WILL NOT want to miss.

The Studio Design Team: Maile Belles

I am very excited, humbled, and honored to share the Wplus9 Design Team with you. These are a wonderfully talented group of ladies. Each one has their own style and flair. And each have agreed to help me debut my stamp line! How lucky am I?!

I will be announcing a new designer here on the blog each day until Saturday. And today it is my pleasure to announce, the one, the only, Maile Belles!

I have long admired Maile's work and often find great inspiration on her blog. Narrowing down her work to just a few favorites is an impossible task. So here are a few samples of pieces that I have personally found inspirational.

Maile's use of color, balance, and composition are amazing and have you seen what this lady can do with floss?! It makes me feel the need to compulsively stock up. I cannot wait to see what she will do with my stamps! Be sure to stop by her blog, but be prepared...seriously, have your cup of coffee or tea, you'll be there awhile. ;o)

Coming Soon: Wplus9 Design Studio

The time has come share my secret. I am very excited about my newest venture, so without further ado:

Some of you may have noticed the small aesthetic changes that have been under way here at the blog. This was all in anticipation of starting my own business. The Wplus9 Design Studio will feature high quality photo-polymer stamps for now, with the hopes of branching out if things go well.

I have been into the arts for as long as I can remember in any medium I could get my hands on. And I have been a graphic artist/designer professionally for the last 11 years. I really love to create. And I really love to see what others create. So this just felt like a natural fit. I know it's a big risk, but it should be fun. And I'd hate to always wonder "what-if?".

I am hoping that you will join me on this adventure. Each day this week I will be announcing a new member of the Wplus9 Design Team! And they are sooo talented, I mean T-A-L-E-N-T-E-D. And I am extremely grateful that they have agreed to help me showcase my new line.

The Studio will open in early February. Be sure to stop by www.wplus9.com and sign up to be notified by email as soon as the store is open. I will also be keeping you updated here on the blog, and will be posting samples from the first release next week!

Embellish Stripes Color Challenge

Wow, what a week! I am super tired right now and apologize for the poor picture quality. I just didn't feel like getting out the light tent. I've been working around the clock getting ready for my big announcement. Be sure to check back here often throughout the week as there is going to be some big news and a ton of excitement.

For today's card I participated in Embellish Magazine's Stripes Color Challenge: Purple, Brown, and Kraft. Now it's no secret that I *almost* hate the color purple. But I thought what the heck. So here it is.

I did my infamous CAS style. Love those minimalistic designs. I really think it's the details that make a CAS card work. Here, I masked the middle with a heart and stamped right over it with brown and purple ink using PTI's Faux Ribbon set. I stamped my sentiment in the middle of the masked area, and then pre-pierced my holes in a heart shape just insided the masked area. This made it super easy to come in and do some back-stitching. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful night!

Inspire Me Challenge #5

..is another man's treasure. So the saying goes. So let's see what you can find to repurpose, and make some of those treasures!

Details
Create a card, scrapbook page, gift item, or anything you desire. Use whatever colors you like, whatever occasion, just make sure you have used an item that otherwise would have been tossed.

Need some ideas? How about coffee sleeves, shopping bags, left over packaging, clothing labels...even the fabric from an item you were going to throw out.

Post your creation to your blog or online gallery and leave a link to your creation by clicking on the "Add your link" button at the end of this post. Remember link directly to the item post and not your homepage. (thanks!)

ETA Prize Pack

Up For Grabs
In addition to my picks, I will select one random entry to win the fabulous prize pack below. All items are brand new and still in their original packaging.

Deadline
The links will remain open until 11:59 pm January 30th. Have fun and I hope you find time to play along!