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

Easter Blessings with Lea Lawson

Lea Lawson has a very fitting Easter card to share with us today. She has absolutely captured the ethereal essence of Easter.

From the vellum, to the gold, to the amazing misting...sheer perfection. There are so many details to take in here. I love the use of the golden Spring Wreath Die with the vellum sentiment overlays. And the soft golden misting on the background. Speaking of that background! Can you get a softer, more perfectly blended background? The golden ribbon across the bottom ties it all together beautifully. Each detail looks so painstakingly chosen. Who want's to bet she just slaps it all together with little to no effort?! ;o)

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Easter Blessings // Dies: Spring Wreath Die, Conversation Bubbles Die // Cardstock: White

Be sure to stop by Lea's blog for all of the details on creating this card!

Birthday Celebration Week 4: Stretch It

Welcome to week 4 of Wplus9's 4th Birthday Celebration!

Are you ready for another challenge and a chance to win a $100 Wplus9 Gift Certificate prize? I hope you all have been having fun with the challenges this month. I sure have enjoyed seeing all of your entries! This week we are going to Stretch It, stretch those creative muscles that is! I'm challenging you to step outside of your comfort zone. Try a style that is not your norm, attempt an advanced technique that's intimidated you, use supplies in a creative way...anything that is considered a stretch for you.

Me? Well, I'm not usually into time intensive techniques or styles. So, I've challenged myself by choosing a technique that requires a little patience and pre-planning, but the payoff is huge! Inlaid die cutting.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Borders & Backgrounds 3 , Whole Lotta' Happy // Ink: Sweet Nectar, Wild Mango, Bloomsberry, Lake House, and Silver Lining Dye Ink (available March 2014) // Dies: Whole Lotta' Happy Die, Basic Banners Die, Hearts & Clouds Die // Cardstock: White, Lake House

Are you ready to play along?

Stretch It Challenge

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

PLAY ALONG

Create a card, tag or layout that stretches your creativity or takes you outside of your comfort zone. Use at least one Wplus9 product and upload your project to your blog or online photo gallery such as Flickr. Then link it up using the InLinkz widget below by 11:59 PM EST, Sunday, March 2, 2014. Winner will be posted by 12:00 PM EST on Monday, March 3, 2014.

PRIZE

We will select (1) random participant to receive a $100 Gift Certificate to www.wplus9.com. Winner will be announced Monday, March 3, 2014.

Bonus Entries

• Follow us on Facebook and leave a comment on this post for an extra entry.
• Follow us on Twitter and leave a comment on this post for an extra entry.
• Tweet or post on Facebook about our birthday celebration and this challenge to help spread the word (be sure to use @wplus9) and leave a comment on this post for an extra entry.

Birthday Celebration Week 3 Winner

Congratulations to our random winner, Lydia Walker! Please email customerservice@wplus9.com, subject line: "Birthday Celebration Week 3 Winner" to claim your prize.

I am so happy that everyone seemed to enjoy the Trend Watch Challenge! Be sure to check out the full group of entries here. There is a ton of trend inspiration to be found!

If you didn't win this time, don't worry, you'll have 1 more chances to pick up a $100 Gift Certificate. The next challenge will be posted shortly. We are going to Stretch It! Yep, let's stretch those creative muscles and tackle something outside of your comfort zone, or try out some of those more advanced techniques. This one is all about exploring and trying something new. I myself, am guilty of being a "results driven" crafter. And if something looks too messy, too difficult, or too time consuming...I'm out. LOL But, I am learning to let go and just enjoy the process - the triumphs and the failures. So don't be afraid. Let's really challenge ourselves, you just might like it! Check back a little later today for the official challenge post and Mr. Linky!

Don't forget, there are multiple challenges to join in this month. In addition to the weekly $100 Gift Certificate challenges, we're posting challenges in between.

• Click here to play along with Watercolor Made Easy Challenge.
• Click here to play along with the Spotlight Challenge.

Congratulations again Lydia!

More Inspiration with Jinny Newlin

Jinny Newlin is back with us today with 2 cards to share. Her first card is a fun one featuring the Birthday Basics Die and the Whole Lotta' Happy stamps and dies.

I feel so very lucky to have Jinny creating and posting for us so soon after delivering her newest little bundle of joy. And apparently her mojo isn't being affected at all by a lack of sleep. This birthday card is packed with fun, from the background stamping to the woodgrain package, this card is delightful! I also think the color scheme that she's chosen makes this a great masculine card. Be sure to stop by Jinny's blog for full details on this card.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Borders & Backgrounds 3, Whole Lotta' Happy // Dies: Whole Lotta' Happy Die, Birthday Basics Die, Happy Trio Die // Cardstock: White

Let's switch gears and take a look at a beautiful Easter card she has to share with us featuring Easter Blessings.

Jinny's combined several sets to create this soft, yet vibrant feminine card. This is a great example of you can combine several sets and dies together. And the little lamb border at the bottom just kills me, SO cute! You can find all of the details on this card on Jinny's blog.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Easter Blessings, Silver Bells // Dies: Folk Art Florals Die, Silver Bells Die, banner-trio-Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Cashmere, Steel Mill

Modern/Vintage Mix

Hannah Craner is back to share her take on current trends. And she's chosen one of my personal favorites - combining modern patterns with vintage floral prints.

If you've visited the blog for any amount of time, then you know that I am a huge fan of mixing patterns and styles. Love the unexpected and eclectic vibe.

Here, she's combined the new Just Geometrics: Triangles stamp set with a large floral patterned paper. I think her choice of striped paper helps bridge the gap between the two genres perfectly. She keeps it light by adding a little whimsy with the broken sentiment and by placing the Birthday Basics die on a diagonal.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Everyday Alpha, Just Geometrics: Triangles // Dies: Birthday Basics Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Sweet Gelato

Hannah has all of the details on creating this card over on her blog. Be sure to stop by and check it out!

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!