October/November 2012 Release Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of the Wplus9 October/November Release. 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.

It's time for our Holiday release! We have a lot of stuff to introduce this week and I am so excited to share it all with you. Let me start by saying that I had a blast creating for this release! I literally had so many ideas that I didn't know where to start. And then once I did, I had to make myself stop and move on to another set. And this happened for every single set.

I am also pleased to announce that we have a very special Guest Designer joining us this month, an extremely talented crafter who's work I've admired for a long time, Anya Schrier! I am so happy that she agreed to help us out with this release and can not wait to see what she turns out! So, let's get on with the formal introductions, shall we? I hope that you love them as much as I do!

Folk Art Flurries

• is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 14 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 13 snowflakes and snowflake builders, and 1 circle tag border image
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Pretty Patches: Christmas

• is a 3x4 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 8 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 3 sentiment images, 1 heart and 4 sentiment builders
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $6

Seasonal Sentiments

• 5 separate dies wired together that can be easily separated
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Clear Cut Stackers: Stars

• cuts 4 graduated stars in the following sizes: 4", 3", 2", and 1"
• 4 separate dies
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $16

First up, let's take a look at Pretty Patches: Christmas. This is another set in our Pretty Patches series. And like all of the previous sets in this series, it's a small set packed with possibilities.

This is a sentiment set with a twist. There are three large sentiment images and 4 sentiment builders to mix and match or use all together. Here, I started with the "May the WARMTH of Christmas bring" sentiment, added the "HOPE" image on a Label Layers 1 Die, and finished with the "for a HAPPY holiday" sentiment.

To the center of hope, I added a heart that I die cut from Cupid's Bow card stock using the Seasonal Sentiments Die. Yes, yes I did say Cupid's Bow card stock! I'll tell you more about the new colors of card stock we are adding later this week.

To embellish, I've used the snowflake from the Seasonal Sentiments Die and the 1" star from the Clear Cut Stackers: Stars die to create a little strand of garland. All of the patterned paper comes from the lovely Simple Stories Handmade Holiday collection. LOVE this stuff!

Next, I paired the Seasonal Sentiments Die with Pretty Patches: Chistmas. Each of the die cut words can be use alone, but they can also be paired with the sentiment builders from Pretty Patches: Christmas for even more possibilities. I purposely designed these items to work independently or together seamlessly.

I started by die cutting "hope", "love", and "joy" from the Simple Stories Handmade Holiday patterned papers. I left the letter "o" solid in all three words intentionally. You can stamp onto the "o" or use the heart die included in the set to cut out or add to the center, or use the snowflake image included to add to the center.

I decided to add to, cutting both from our Oatmeal card stock. Each of the works are generously sized, but not too big to be used together. I lined them up on an Oatmeal panel and stamped "May the SPIRIT of Christmas bring" from Pretty Patches: Christmas at the top, and "Season's Greeting" from Pretty Patches: Tree at the bottom. More on that a little later this week.

To balance it out, I used the 1" shapes from the Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares and the Clear Cut Stackers: Stars dies and stamped them using Country Charm.

I matted the panel with a Kraft card base, to finish. What I really love about this card is how quick it is to mass produce and it's flat! Easy to mail and easy on postage.

For my next sample, I wanted to create a little ensemble perfect for gift giving.

We are adding these cute assembled Kraft pillow boxes to the store. I'll have all of the details on these later this week. Pillow boxes are a classic, quick and easy way to package gifts. And these are the perfect size for gift cards! Now I love me some Kraft, but I just had to decorate it.

To create the wrap, I die cut a 3" pinking square and then used the 2" star from Clear Cut Stackers: Stars to cut a star out of that. I then cut another 2" star from Cupid's Bow card stock to nestle inside of the pinking square.

I adhered them to a square of Oatmeal card stock and machine stitched it into place. To secure this to the pillow box, I stitched some red ribbon to the top and bottom and tied it around the box.

To create the ornament, I used the 4" star from the Clear Cut Stackers: Stars die. I needed something sturdy, so I cut one from Wafer Board and one from card stock and adhered the card stock star on top. Wafer Board is a wonderful alterable medium with a natural finish that we will be carrying. It's thicker than card stock, but not as thick as chip board, so it works beautifully with our dies! I will have all of the details on this later this week as well.

I cut a 3" star from patterned paper and adhere that on top. For the center, I embossed the "JOY" sentiment from Pretty Patches: Christmas onto a 1.75" circle from the Circle Stackers 1 die.

And of course, you can't forget the card.

Now let's take a look at Folk Art Flurries. This set if filled with snowflake images in a variety of sizes, with a little bit of a folksy twist. However, don't let the name fool you, with the proper color palette and treatment, they can can be quite elegant as well.

I started by embossing a couple of the snowflakes in white onto Cupid's Bow card stock. I split the sentiment from Pretty Patches: Christmas between banners die cut using the Banner Trio Die.

To finish the sentiment, I added "LOVE" and stamped the "o" with another snowflake from Folk Art Flurries. A Kraft panel is the perfect back drop for this rustic yet elegant card.

I have one last card to share today. I've used Folk Art Flurries to create a clean and simple card that is a great candidate for mass production.

The largest snowflake in this set is a muli-step stamp for those of you who like to add color. It's perfect for taking a simple design and kicking it up a notch. I stamped the outer three rings in a different color.

And then added one of the smallest snowflakes to the center in pink. A rhinestone adds just a bit of bling without adding any extra bulk.

Whew! That is all I have for you today. But, the design team is ready to show you more! Be sure to click through and please, don't forget to leave them some love.

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

I really hope you enjoyed today's previews. Did you see something you liked? Would you like to win today's featured products: Pretty Patches: Christmas, Seasonal Sentiments Die, Folk Art Flurries and the Clear Cut Stackers: Stars die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 2nd telling me what your favorite Christmas color combination is to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Help Us Choose

We've got a lot going on here in the studio. Finalizing designs, testing product, preparing for the October Release...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Well we can be quite the indecisive bunch sometimes, so we thought it would be fun to get your opinion! So will you help us?

We are trying to finalize the lids for our inks. And...we have narrowed it down to these two. We are torn, completely torn. So what do you think? Design A or B?

We'd love to hear which one you'd choose! And thanks for your input!

Wplus9 Q&A: How Did Wplus9 Start?

I've got another Q&A video for the questions that you all have submitted recently via comments, email, Twitter and Facebook today!

Today's video answers a question from Jamie and Shane about how/why I started Wplus9.

"I'd love to know more about how you started your business."

I chose to focus less on the technicalities of starting a business and more on the why and my personal reasons for starting Wplus9.

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

Today is also my oldest's 12th birthday. Jason had to travel, and I thought I'd share a little something he put together to help him celebrate even though he couldn't be with him today. It's a great idea for those of you that have loved ones away or if you have to be away during a special time.

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

Thanks for stopping by! I'll have more of the Q&A videos up soon!

10 Minute Craft Dash w/video

Have you seen the new challenge on the block?

When Paulina contacted me and asked if I'd like to participate in the 10 Minute Craft Dash, that she co-hosts with Ginny, I just couldn't resist. You have 10 minutes after you gather your supplies to create a project based on the challenge criteria. She sent along the graphic and I purposely did not open it until right before I set out to make the card. I wanted it to be as true to a 10 minute challenge as possible.

I gave myself 5 minutes to pull together basic supplies to fit the mandatory colors and then set my timer and just went with it. So did I make it? Watch below to find out!

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to play along for a chance to win a prize from the challenge sponsor!

Project Supplies

Welcome Twins
Stamps: Onesie Twosie (Wplus9)
Ink: Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!)
Card stock: White (Wplus9)
Patterned Paper: Loyalty (Authentique)
Tools: Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares Die, Onesie Twosie Die, Banner Trio Die (Wplus9)

Q&A: Inking Large Solid Stamps

Happy Friday! I've started working on some of the videos for the questions that you all have submitted recently via comments, email, Twitter and Facebook.

Today's video answers a question from Suzanne Dahlberg on inking large solid stamps.

"Do you have any tips on stamping large solid images? Best inks or techniques? Like the large rectangle images in the Season of Thanks stamp set."

In the video below, I share my inking method and my preferred inks. Getting a good impression will ultimately come down to personal preference and what each individual is comfortable with. Here, I'm sharing what works for me and my personal preferences. *Please excuse the horribly stained loved stamp.

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

I also created a card immediately following the Q&A. However, my camera stopped recording for one reason or another and I didn't notice until it was almost complete. So, no footage. And to be honest, I almost didn't share the card at all because I'm not really "feeling it". But decided I would anyway...good or bad, it is what it is. Right? ;)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastic weekend! A long one here in the states...woo hoo!

Wplus9 Design Clips: Working with Patterned Paper

Hi guys! I've got a card and video to share with you today. Paper Crafts Magazine has been celebrating their latest special issue Card Design Handbook all week. It's a great issue and goes into detail on all of the technical design terms that explain the foundations of "good design". I've never really been one to follow rules just for the sake of following them. I usually start working and tweaking as needed by referring to the basic rules as a guide if something just isn't working. You can see a little more of my process in the video below:

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

The rule of "three" isn't something that I usually take literally. I tend to pay more attention to visual weight. For example, the blues in this card; they are represented 3 times, in the patterned paper in the background, in the light aqua in the second layer, and then again in a darker shade with the buttons in the foreground. I chose to go darker because I didn't want a huge contrast between the apple and buttons. I think they work more harmoniously together since they are both in the same depth of shade. Remember, matchy-matchy isn't always the best route. If you want to add instant interest, add something unexpected.

I used a classic rule of "framing" to draw attention to the focal point as well. This could fall under movement. The buttons lead your eye from either the top or bottom straight to the sentiment. Having the lighter mat helps to push the entire focal point to the front. Since the overall design is quite busy with a lot of pattern paper, I chose a muted color palette with just a few pops of brighter color to create a sense of balance in the overall design.

I hope at least a little bit of that made some sense. If not, please excuse my rambling! Quite frankly, I don't realize while I'm creating that there is that much thought going into it. But I guess once you step back and start analyzing it, there is. Or at least we can BS and make it sound that way! ;o)

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having a great week. It's almost Friday!!! Woot, Woot!

Project Supplies

You're The Best
Stamps: Design Basics: Classroom Backgrounds, Class Act (Wplus9)
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!); Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen & Vintage Photo (Ranger)
Card stock: Oatmeal (Wplus9); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Clippings (Basic Grey)
Tools: Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares Die, Pretty Patches: Apple Die, Label Layers 2 Die (Wplus9); buttons (Papertrey Ink); crochet thread

Wplus9 Tips & Tricks: Separating Your Dies

The other day, I mentioned that I was editing a quick tip video on separating our dies. As promised, here it is!

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

This is a short, to the point video covering a frequently asked question on separating our dies. I go over which dies to separate and how, as well as which dies we do not recommend you separate. I've also included a tip or two on die cutting in general.

Thanks for stopping by!