Wplus9 December 2013 Release Day 1

It's Release Week! 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 December 5th at www.wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

We have a gorgeous release for you filled with images and sentiments perfect for all things love! Valentines Day, weddings, engagement, or just because...we've got you covered. There are four new stamps and three new dies to share with you, so let's get started!

Let's start with Fresh Cut Wreaths!

Fresh Cut Wreaths

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 28 individual stamps: 15 wreath building images and 13 sentiments
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $21

Fresh Cut Wreaths contains two wreath images that you build - a traditional round wreath, and a heart shaped wreath. Like most of our building stamp sets, these beauties are a breeze to use. Each of the layers is grouped together on one stamp, so the placement is already figured out. And though you can use just the base layers and have a gorgeous image, you *know* there are detail and filler images so that you can get as creative as you want!

I just love how detailed and full of color these wreaths can become with surprisingly little effort. The fact that it is actually fun to create is just a bonus! Let's take a look at the step-by-step building process.

Instructions:

1. Step 1: Stamp the base leaves. (they are all properly spaced with "blank" spots for the flowers to fit into)
2. Step 2: Add the trumpet shaped flowers (again, they are all on one stamp and properly spaced and angled)
3. Step 3: Add the four-petal flower cluster
4. Step 4 (optional): Add flower details and fill in with smaller flowers

The "celebrate" sentiment included in this set fits perfectly inside of the wreath. To finish the sentiment off, I added "true love" - also included in the set, on the banner from Heartfelt Holiday. The shading of the banner was added using a Copic (thanks Amber for the idea!). While I had the Copics out, I decided to add a little "shadow" to the wreath. I am so happy with the dimension it added!

The background and matching tag were both stamped with Borders & Backgrounds 2. Again, I added a shadow using Copic markers. I think it really adds a lot to the design with very little effort!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/5/13), More Fresh Cuts (available 12/5/13), Heartfelt Holiday, Borders & Backgrounds 2 // Dies: More Fresh Cuts Companion Die (available 12/5/13), Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die, Timeless Tags 2 Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal

Next, I want to show you the heart shaped wreath along with more of the sentiments in this set. They are just gorgeous! And really need very little work or fuss to whip up a polished card fast.

I built the heart wreath in the same way as the round one. I opted to leave this one much more simple...just adding in the "centers" of the flowers with a strong contrasting color. A complimentary envelope liner stamped with the wood pattern from Dockside Backgrounds, and I call this one done.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/5/13), Dockside Backgrounds // Dies: A2 Envelope Liner Die | Cardstock: Oatmeal // Other: A2 Oatmeal Envelopes

Ready for the next set?

More Fresh Cuts

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 32 individual stamps: 31 image builders and 1 sentiment
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $14

More Fresh Cuts Companion Die

• contains 11 individual dies wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• coordinates with the More Fresh Cuts stamp set
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $9

More Fresh Cuts is a sister set to the wildly popular Fresh Cut Florals! We've expanded on flower shapes and foliage to bring you a whole new batch of blooms. Use this set alone or in combination with the original for truly unlimited possibilities!

While I had the Copic markers out, I discovered a really cool faux watercolor technique that uses NO water! And it's like magic, I'm telling you.

All you need is Memories or Hero Arts Shadow inks and a Copic Blender. I tried it with several different inks and these two were the only ones that gave optimal results. I tried this technique with every image in More Fresh Cuts and the results are stunning! For this card, I focused on the peony-like image in the set.

Click below to see exactly how it's done!

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: More Fresh Cuts (available 12/5/13), Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/5/13), Quilt Prints, Silver Bells // Dies: Silver Bells Companion Die // Cardstock: White

And here is another one, using the same technique. It's so addictive, especially with these images because of the way the set is designed with the base and details separated into separate stamps. And I love how the results are unique and different each time.

It really is hard for me to add much else to distract from the imagery, when it is so pretty. So a simple "Happy Birthday" sentiment included in More Fresh Cuts fits the bill nicely. I am just in love with how it totally looks like I hand painted it! Shh...we'll let the recipient think what they want. ;)

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: More Fresh Cuts (available 12/5/13), Dockside Backgrounds // Cardstock: Oatmeal, White

For the last card I kept it simple. No fancy techniques, just good ol' stamping!

I practiced on scratch paper first to get an arrangement I liked. Once I had it all figured out, I just repeated it on my card base. The "Sending Lots of Love" sentiment is from Valentine Wishes, which I will introduce tomorrow, and was heat embossed in white. And I decided to make it an engagement card by adding a sub-sentiment from Fresh Cut Wreaths.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: More Fresh Cuts (available 12/5/13), Valentine Wishes (available 12/5/13), Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/5/13) // Ink: White Pigment Ink

And that's it from me for today. But some of the girls have more to share with you! Be sure to head over to their blogs to check out what they have for you:

Hannah Craner
Jinny Newlin
Lea Lawson
Sarah Martina Parker
Savitri Wilder

So there you have Day 1, I really hope you enjoyed today's previews. Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Fresh Cut Wreaths, More Fresh Cuts and the More Fresh Cuts Companion Die? Just leave a comment by 9:00 AM EST December 2nd to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back tomorrow!

Holiday Inspiration Wrap Up with Meredith MacRitchie

Meredith MacRitchie is back to wrap up her Hump Day Holiday 2013 Collection series. OK, so that's not really what we've called it. But I'm feeling deliriously silly at this point. She has spent each Wednesday throughout the month of November dazzling us with her work, and it's left me a little star struck!

Let's take a look at some of what she's saved for last. You know what they say, "save the best for last"! This is just a sampling from the truck load of projects she has to share with you on her blog.

You know me and simplicity. These projects just make me do a happy sigh. I love how she's put all of the focus on the die cuts. Nothing fancy needed, just good clean design.

But, if you are looking for something a little more detailed or layered...

Then these are equally as stunning! I am always so drawn to Meredith's layered stamping. Maybe it's because I myself tend to have trouble pulling it off. It just makes me admire her style so much more!

I've only shown you four of the 11 projects she has to share with you today. It was hard to narrow it down, but I really wanted to encourage you to visit Meredith to see the rest. I have enjoyed having her guest design with us this month and hope that you have too! Don't forget to leave her a comment while you are there to let her know how much.

If you missed any of her posts this month, you can catch up here:
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3

Thank you so much Meredith for so much inspiration!

Monday Mood Board #24

PLAY ALONG

If you'd like to play along, use the mood board as a starting point for a card, tag, layout or any project...where ever the inspiration takes you! Pull patterns, colors, elements or mood from the image. 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 to share it and keep the inspiration flowing! Remember, you'll have 2 weeks to play along.

PRIZES

We will select (3) random participants to receive a $10 store credit each at www.wplus9.com. Winners will be announced on Monday when the new Mood Board is posted.

Monday Mood Board #23 Winners

I want to send a special thank you out to those who participated in the last challenge.

• #26 (Amy R)
• #1 (Marybeth L.)
• #4 (Carol Doggett)

Contact us at customerservice@wplus9.com with your full name and email and we will set up your store credits! (If you don't already have an account set up with us, be sure to set one up to expedite collecting your prize)

I can't wait to see how this mood board inspires you!

It was brought to by attention that some of you were having difficulties getting the Inlinkz widget to work correctly due to a script error timing out. I've switched to the old widget code for now to see if that helps. If you are still having issues, please leave it in the comments. Thanks!

Meredith Shares Something Old and Something New for the Holidays

It's hump day! And Meredith MacRitchie has some eye candy to help get us through the rest of the week! As promised, she's sharing more holiday cards with our 2013 Holiday Collection. This one is simple yet beautiful.

I think this color palette is perfect for our Heartfelt Holiday stamp set. There is just something about nostalgic, homespun holiday decor that brings a smile to my face. And she's captured that feeling beautifully here.

As usual, she has a ton to share with you on her blog. Here are a few sneak peeks of what she has in store for you.

Lucky us, Meredith also decided to revisit some of our products release last Christmas as well.

Here, she has paired Pretty Poinsettias with the previously releasedSeasonal Sentiments Die. Doesn't she pick the most unconventional yet stunning color combinations. Loving those poinsettias in blue!

And again...there's even more...

Don't forget to visit Meredith to see all of the projects and to get all of the details for each. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are having a fantastic week!

More Holiday Inspiration with Meredith MacRitchie

Happy Wednesday!

We are delighted to welcome back Meredith MacRitchie to share more Holiday inspiration with us! If you are looking for more wonderful ideas for your holiday cards this year, then you've come to the right place!

Just like last week, she has a TON of gorgeous projects to help get us into the Holiday card making mood.

I fell IN LOVE with this tag as soon as I laid eyes on it. She's used the Pretty Poinsettias stamp set here and given it a hand painted feel. Admittedly, I've been playing around with some faux watercoloring with this set also, and it is perfect for this trend! Be sure to head over to her blog for details on this technique. Her's is a little different than mine so I will share mine as well, a little later.

There is so much more to be seen, and just to pique your interest, I've got a few teasers of what she has in store for you on her blog.

This next card stopped me in my tracks...

Talk about details! She has breathed such life into Woodland Wreaths, (which we just received a new shipment of and is back in stock)! Each layer and color seems so perfectly selected, yet it remains whimsical and rustic. Just beautiful.

There is still more to be seen though...

But you will have to visit Meredith to see all of the projects and to get all of the details for each. I really hope that you are enjoying Meredith's work. I am such a fan of hers and can not thank her enough for putting our designs to such good use!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are having a fantastic week!

Monday Mood Board #23

PLAY ALONG

If you'd like to play along, use the mood board as a starting point for a card, tag, layout or any project...where ever the inspiration takes you! Pull patterns, colors, elements or mood from the image. 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 to share it and keep the inspiration flowing! Remember, you'll have 2 weeks to play along.

PRIZES

We will select (3) random participants to receive a $10 store credit each at www.wplus9.com. Winners will be announced on Monday when the new Mood Board is posted.

Monday Mood Board #22 Winners

I want to send a special thank you out to those who participated in the last challenge. I know that Elise really appreciated the kind words and good thoughts!

• #11 (Stephanie Hines)
• #14 (Erin Lee)
• #20 (Miriam Prantner)

Contact us at customerservice@wplus9.com with your full name and email and we will set up your store credits! (If you don't already have an account set up with us, be sure to set one up to expedite collecting your prize)

I can't wait to see how this mood board inspires you!

It was brought to by attention that some of you were having difficulties getting the Inlinkz widget to work correctly due to a script error timing out. I've switched to the old widget code for now to see if that helps. If you are still having issues, please leave it in the comments. Thanks!

'Tis the Season with Meredith MacRitchie

Oh yes, the Holidays are fast approaching! There will be cookies to make, trees to decorate and of course, Christmas cards to create!

Now, this is by far my favorite time of the year, but I do believe that there is one who may love it even more. The one and only - Meredith MacRitchie, creative mind behind the Festive Friday Challenge Blog where you can create for the Holidays all year long!

Meredith has agreed to join us every Wednesday throughout the month of November to share a little lot of inspiration.

Wow! She is the queen of stamping her own patterned paper. I couldn't stop staring at this beauty that she's created using the Merry & Bright stamp set. All of the detail, the color choices and the simple sentiment pair beautiful with the background pattern and really allow it to shine.

Feeling inspired yet? Well, Meredith has so much more to share with you, and she's given me a few sneak peeks to share with you here.

Here...

And here....

And believe it or not...there is even more over on her blog! She has several inspiring cards and tags to share with you today, so be sure to head over to her blog to see all of her projects and to get all of the details for each! You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are having a fantastic week!