Stamp Away With Me

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

October/November Release Week Day 3

Can you believe it's day 3 of our October/November release already? If you are just joining us, you can start at Day 1 to catch up.

Today we are introducing the last of our stamps and dies that we will be releasing this month.

Pretty Patches: Tree

is a 3x4 clear photopolymer stamp set
5 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 3 image builders and 2 sentiments
will be available for purchase October 5th for $6

Pretty Patches: Tree Companion Die

2 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
coordinates with the Pretty Patches: Tree stamp set
will be available for purchase October 5th for $5

Quilt Cuts 2 Die

3 individual quilt block patterns that are wired together and can be easily separated.
each completed block measures approx. 2" x 2"
will be available for purchase October 5th for $16

So let's start out with Pretty Patches: Tree and the companion die. For my first card, I've paired it with Folk Art Flurries in a wintry blue palette.

I started by stamping a few of the snowflakes from Folk Art Flurries onto another new card stock color we are introducing this month, Lake House. For the focal point, I used the Pretty Patches: Tree Die. Instead of stamping the matching image, I added one of the smallest snowflakes in Versamark and top it with a couple of threaded buttons.

To create the backdrop for the tree, I cut 2 squares using the Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares. I lightly sketched a hill onto the white one, trimmed it, and adhered it over the blue one. To finish, I add the sentiment from Pretty Patches: Tree on White card stock.

I really love the shape and scale of that die cut. But we can't forget the stamp. I'm really happy with the way this set turned out. I know it's a simple one, but I just love it.

The tree in Pretty Patches: Tree is 2 separate stamps, the tree and the trunk. And the heart, like the others in this series, is separate as well. All of the hearts are the same size throughout the series, so you can interchange the patterns and mix and match it any way you want to.

Notice the heart on the tag in the background? This is included in the Pretty Patches: Tree Die and works with all of the hearts in each stamp set in the Pretty Patches series! I thought the patches from Country Charm were perfect for creating a little patchwork background for these tags.

What is the perfect complement to Pretty Patches: Tree? How about Quilt Cuts 2? Yes, we have a follow up to the popular Quilt Cuts 1 die!

We did have a little drama with this die, so not all of the design team will have samples to show you. The first batch of these dies we received had an unusually high number of defective dies in it, and quite a few of the girls were affected. We have gone through the entire lot and tested almost every die to ensure that the rest of the shipments were not affected. Luckily it was isolated to the first batch. We also recalled and replaced the wholesale shipments that came from the original batch. So all is good now. And I'm so excited to show you these samples!

Like the original, Quilt Cuts 2 contains 3 separate quilt patterns, this time in squares. Here, I've paired it with a trio of trees from Pretty Patches: Tree, and more of that Simple Stories Handmade Holiday patterned paper.

This particular pattern cuts 8 triangles that can be arranged however you like. For my card, I decided to use them in the square pattern. The sentiment, from Pretty Patches: Tree, was added on a banner die cut using the Banner Trio Die. A little help with the checkered border from Country Charm was the perfect finishing touch.

Next, I wanted to show you how you can also use just bits and pieces of the patterns to create your own.

I cut several of the Nordic/FairIsle quilt square and just used the centers for this card. For a super quick way to adhere these, just dump them in your Xyron create-a-sticker. I used the left over border that you get after you die cut the patterns to help me space the shapes. I really liked the bold and graphic feel of this card, so I decided to continue with it and use the "joy" and snowflake die cuts from the Seasonal Sentiments Die for my sentiment.

Finally, I wanted to show what amazing focal points these patterns can make.

This might be my favorite card today. I just love how "comfortable" it is. Does that even make sense? Kind of like the comfort food of cards.

I die cut the quilt square 4 times, once from Oatmeal card stock and from 3 patterned papers. To create my quilt block, I cut a 2 1/8" square and covered it with adhesive, placed my border as a guide and then added the patterned paper pieces. The leftover pieces made a perfect border for the background.

I hope you have enjoyed all of the samples that we have shared this week. I can not tell you how much your comments and enthusiasm mean to me! And I know the Design Team feels the same way, they are dying to share some of their final projects with you as well:

Tomorrow is the BIG reveal! We will list and show all of the newly offered products in their entirety, including all of the details for our new card stock and alterable items.

But before you go, how would you like to win today's featured products: Pretty Patches: Tree, Pretty Patches: Tree Companion Die, and the Quilt Cuts 2 Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 4th to enter. I'd love to know what you'll be asking Santa for this year. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

October/November Release Week Day 2

Welcome back! It's Day 2 of our October/November release. If you are just joining us, you can start at Day 1 to catch up.

Wow! Did the Design Team turn it out yesterday or what?! If you haven't checked out their projects yet, trust me...you want to!

Today we have more to introduce, including 1 new stamp set, 2 new dies and a new card stock color. So let's get to it, shall we.

Iconic Christmas

is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
20 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 13 scene building images and 7 sentiments
will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Iconic Christmas Companion Dies

6 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
coordinates with the Iconic Christmas stamp set
will be available for purchase October 5th for $16

Simple Snowflake Die

measures 3" in diameter
will be available for purchase October 5th for $9

Today, we are jumping in the "way back machine" and going for a nostalgic holiday. Iconic Christmas is a true classic, filled to the brim with generously sized iconic Christmas images. It's just effortlessly elegant. My first two cards show off two of the main images along with their coordinating sentiments. Let's start with the Christmas carolers.

Here, I've stamped and die cut the pair of carolers and placed them under a lamp post. The trees in the background are also from Iconic Christmas. I've included three sizes of trees to accommodate a variety of applications.

The lamp post was decorated with the wreath also included in this set. Because you can't have a naked lamp post during the holidays, right?! I just added my sentiment and matted it with Cupid's Bow card stock to finish it off.

My next card uses the same layout, but this time I swapped the main images for the little girl and large Christmas tree.

I stamped and die cut the large tree and added it directly to the card base along with the sentiment. I then die cut and stamped the little girl and adhered her with foam dimensionals. For a little bit of interest, I added some snow flurries also included in the set across the background. I matted this one with Black card stock, which we will also be adding to the store this month.

I enjoyed the addition of black in the last card so much, that I decided to roll with it and do it again. And once I got started, I couldn't stop. I created a little card and ornament/tag ensemble.

This just might be my new favorite Christmas color combo. I know it's unconventional, but it just makes me smile. I started the card by stamping the large tree a couple of times across the bottom in Antique Linen Distress Ink. I then embossed a few snowflakes from Folk Art Flurries in white and inked around the edges in Antique Linen to bring out the detail.

The sentiment from Iconic Christmas was added in black and balanced on the left by a little lace, buttons and snowflakes die cut from the Seasonal Sentiments Die.

This little trio of tags would also make great keepsake ornaments. Add your To: and From: to the back along with the year, and the recipient could hang them on their tree.

To create the large square ornament, I used the 2.5" Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares to cut a our Wafer Board and Black card stock. I adhered them together and then layered a 2.25" square of patterned paper on top.

For the center I die cut a snowflake using the Simple Snowflake Die and covered it with glitter. This snowflake is the optimal size at 3" in diameter. So versatile.

For the snowflake ornaments, I did the same. Cut one snowflake from Wafer Board and another from patterned paper using the Simple Snowflake die and adhered them together. Using Oatmeal card stock, I punched a 1.25" circle and stamped the sentiments from Iconic Christmas in the center using black Archival Ink and added the flourish also included in the set in Antique Linen Distress Ink. To finish, I covered the entire circle with glitter, added some May Arts twine to the back and adhered it to the snowflake.

I just love the way they all look together.

My last card for today, uses the image that started this set. It wasn't until after I finished illustrating this guy that I knew where this set was going.

Creating this one was actually very easy with the help of the Quilt Cuts 2 Die, which I will formally introduce tomorrow. To start, I used on of the quilt blocks to cut a square out of Kraft card stock. I cut another block from Oatmeal card stock, but instead of using the squares, I used the remaining frame for my window panes.

To create the window frame, I cut my "boards" and "mitered" my corners. I then embossed them with the woodgrain pattern from Woodgrain Silhouettes. To keep from burning my fingers with the heat tool, I temporarily adhered them to a card stock handle for embossing.

On the inside, I added the large tree from Iconic Christmas and decorated it with berries and a few twinkles of light with a white gel pen. I die cut and stamped Santa going over his list and added my sentiment using a Timeless Tags die cut secured with a bow.

And that concludes my samples and sneak peeks for the today. But I know that the rest of the Design Team has been having fun with these as well and would love to show you what they've been up to:

Thank you for the warm response to yesterday's previews. I hope we were able to keep the momentum going and that you enjoyed today's as well! Would you like to win today's featured products: Iconic Christmas, Iconic Christmas Companion Die, and the Simple Snowflake Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 3rd telling me what your favorite Christmas decor is to enter. Rustic? Homespun? Victorian? Elegant? I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Monday, October 1, 2012

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.

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.

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