Shabby Chic Joy with Trell Doxie

More than anything, I love seeing what you all are creating with Wplus9 products. It is absolutely surreal to see what you all are pinning on Pinterest, tweeting about on Twitter, posting on Facebook and my personal favorite...sharing on Instagram with our designs.

Today, I get the honor of sharing a gorgeous card from Trell Doxie. When I fist saw his photo of this card on Instagram, I immediately fell in love. A little later, I just had to come back and leave a comment letting him know just how much I still adored it. Imagine my surprise and delight when he offered to let me post it here to share with all of you!

I am just in love with all of the layers, the soft color palette and how effortlessly it all just comes together. This is also a perfect example of how to make the most of a simple sentiment set like Pretty Patches: Christmas.

Thanks for letting me share this beauty Trell! You are simply amazing!

Mix It Up: A Non-Traditional Palette

The Holiday countdown is on. Most of you are probably already down to those final touches and preparations. But my fellow procrastinators and I are just getting started. I wanted to share some last minute ideas for those of you in the latter boat.

I admit it, I am a traditionalist at heart. I love red, white and gold for Christmas. It's just classic and I know I'm going to love it year after year. But as much as I love decorating with the classics, it's when I'm creating that I tend to go out of my comfort zone. So today I wanted to share a holiday card with a non-traditional color palette.

I think the unconventional color scheme along with the clean lines and graphic angles takes these very traditional and feminine images to a whole new level. And yes, in my creative world there are navy blue leaves and foliage! ;0)

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettias, Silver Bells // Dies: Pretty Poinsettias companion die, Silver Bells companion die // Ink: White Pigment Ink // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft, Nautical Navy

Monday Mood Board 24 Winners

Monday Mood Board is taking a hiatus for the rest of the year. But don't worry, it will be back on January 6, 2014. In the meantime, I still have several Holiday projects I haven't shared yet, so I will be posting those for some last minute ideas over the next couple of weeks.

But we still have to announce the winners of MMB 24, don't we! There were a lot of really gorgeous entries for the last mood board. It makes me really happy that I don't have to try to choose a favorite. ;o) Here are the 3 randomly selected winners.

Monday Mood Board #24 Winners

• #21 (Leah C.)
• #8 (Wanda Cullen)
• #25 (Lydia)

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)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your Holidays are filled with love!

Wplus9 December 2013 Release Group Post

It's Release Day! All of our December 2013 Release products are now available for purchase at www.wplus9.com. Don't forget, if we run out of something that you simply must have right now, you can also find Wplus9 products at many of your favorite retailers! Check our retailer's page for a list of where to find us.

If you missed the release, you can start here to catch up. And don't forget to check the winner's page to see if you were a lucky prize package winner!

Release Day is also Group post day. I always look forward to today, because I get to personally share some Design Team projects with you. Let's see what they have to share with us today!

Hannah Craner

I am so loving this sherbert-ey color palette. I love how all of the white space in the upper right perfectly balances the pattern she's created with More Fresh Cuts opposite. Keeping the colors light and fresh helps to keep the pattern from becoming overwhelming. And the glitter touches add just enough interest.

Jinny Newlin

Jinny's taken the wreath from Fresh Cut Wreaths quite literally here and hung it from a "window"! So clever to use the Clear Cut Stackers: Hearts die to cut the center out to further define the heart shape. And the colors she has chosen for her flower stamping perfectly brings out the details in these images!

Lea Lawson

Lea was unable to join us for our Holiday Release, but she is back with a vengeance. Here she's showing us how well the roses in Coming Up Roses works with Merry & Bright. And the wreath from Woodland Wreaths is just the perfect background.

Sarah Martina Parker

What a sweet and feminine card with a victorian flair! Sarah has chosen to fill the vase from Coming Up Roses. I really like the way she's cleverly filled it in to make a half-dozen and added filler foliage by using the detail and vein images from the leaf stamp. So cool.

Savitri Wilder

Savitri has paired up Valentine Wishes and Fresh Cut Wreaths in bright spring color palette. The burlap contradicts the doily in a great way, while the wreath frames the sentiment and allows it to stand out.

And that officially concludes our December 2013 Release Week festivities! Thank you so much for joining us. But, before I go, I've got a special offer to share with you....

We've selected a few previously released products and are offering them at a 20% discount to those of you that order on release day. No coupon code needed, all discounts will be reflected in your cart once you've added the items to your cart. Look for the "Release Day Specials" link in the left hand column or click here.

Please Note: Offer valid only at www.wplus9.com. Not valid on wholesale orders. Discount valid December 5, 2013 12:01 AM EST until December 6, 2013 12:00 AM EST only. While supplies last, no rain checks.

Wplus9 December 2013 Release Full Reveal

It's time for the full reveal! Time to show you what we are releasing this month in their entirety. All products will be available for purchase at midnight, on December 5th at www.wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

*** Website Reminder ***

Wplus9.com will be down from approximately 11:00 PM EST tonight until 12:00 AM EST while we upload the new products and prepare for the release. The website will be back online and all products will be available for purchase by 12:01 AM EST December 5, 2013.

Fresh Cut Wreaths

Details

• 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

More Fresh Cuts

Details

• 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

Details

• contains 11 individual dies wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• coordinates with the More Fresh Cuts stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: (A) - 7/8"; (B) - 3/4"; (C) - 5/8"; (D) - 1/4"; (E) - 1"; (F) - 1 1/4 x 1"; (G) - 1 1/8 x 5/8"; (H) - 1 x 5/8"; (I) - 3/4 x 1/2"; (J) - 1 x 1/2"; (K) - 1/2 x 1/4"
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $9

Valentine Wishes

Details

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 13 individual stamps: 8 images and 5 sentiments
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $14

Valentine Wishes Companion Die

Details

• contains 3 individual open centered dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Valentine Wishes stamp set
• (A) - 2 1/2 x 3/4"; (B) - 3 x 2 3/8"; (C) - 1 1/4 x 1 1/8"
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $10

Coming Up Roses

Details

• is a 6x8" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 24 individual image building stamps
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $21

Coming Up Roses Companion Die

Details

• contains 7 individual dies
• coordinates with the Coming Up Roses stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: (A) - 3 3/8 x 1 5/8"; (B) - 1 3/8 x 3/4"; (C) - 1 1/8 x 1"; (D) - 1"; (E) - 1 1/2"; (F) - 2 x 1"; (G) - 1 x 3/4"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $13

Thank you all so much for joining me for our December 2013 Release! I can't express how much all of your encouragement means to me. But I can try! Are you ready for the last giveaway? Want to win the entire release, including all of the stamps and dies listed above? Now that you've seen the full reveal, just leave a comment by 10:00 PM EST TONIGHT December 4, 2013 to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here by 11:00 PM EST before the release officially goes on sale.

If you've missed any of this week, be sure to start here at Day 1 to get caught up.

Wplus9 December 2013 Release Day 3

It's day 3 of Release Wseek and we have our final introductions before the full reveal tomorrow! 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.

If you are just joining us, be sure to start at Day 1 to catch up. We have 1 more stamp set and companion die to introduce. Ready? Let's go!

Coming Up Roses

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 24 individual image building stamps
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $21

Coming Up Roses Companion Die

• contains 7 individual dies
• coordinates with the Coming Up Roses stamp set
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $13

I absolutely love this set! It's a gorgeous multi-step stamp set that's super simple to use. Each bloom is similar to the "Fresh Cut Method" - there is a solid base stamp and a detail stamp - so you there really isn't any "lining up" to worry about. Add the companion dies and the filler flowers that come in this set and you've got even more options! For my first card I used just the stamps and a little masking.

I created a little cluster in each corner using the medium and small blooms. I stamped the base layer in Cantaloupe (Memento Dew Drop) and then add the detail layer in Fresh Peach (Hero Arts). I wanted to keep the card vibrant with a strong contrast, so I stamped the sentiment (Valentine Wishes) in Black. I love how bold it is.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Coming Up Roses (available 12/5/13), Valentine Wishes (available 12/5/13) // Cardstock: White

Next, I wanted to showcase the large stem of roses included in the set. Measuring at 3 1/2" tall, it's big enough to be used as an all-over background pattern or as a focal point like I've done here.

I've always loved how different colors of roses carry different meanings. I pulled out Defining Words to create some "love" and "friend" cards. For the "Friend" card, I stamped the stem first and then added the three roses (grouped together on one stamp for easy placement) in Cantaloupe, and then stamped the detail layer (also one stamp) in Cantaloupe as well.

For the "Love" card, I used Real Red and Riding Hood Red (Stampin' Up!). I added a little drop shadow to both using a Copic Marker. Super simple.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Coming Up Roses (available 12/5/13), Defining Words // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Cupid's Bow // Other: A2 Oatmeal Envelopes

Now, I loved this set before. But, once I started with the faux watercolor technique...I became kind of obsessed! This next card is my favorite of the release!

This was so much fun! And SO EASY! I used the same technique I showed you on Day 1, with one difference. After I stamped the detail layer, I used the Copic Colorless Blender again. Except this time I was more selective and used it to blend the edges of the detail layer after stamping.

I used the large and small roses along with little Baby's Breath-ish flowers to create my floral arrangement. For the leaves, I used the base layer and shadow layer and used the Copic Colorless Blender to add highlights to make the leaves look ribbed. I wanted a subtle background, so I stamped the circle background from Borders & Backgrounds 2 in Versamark. Finally, I added the "congratulations" sentiment from Fresh Cut Wreaths.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Coming Up Roses (available 12/5/13), Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/05/13), Borders & Backgrounds 2 // Dies: Coming Up Roses Companion Die (available 12/5/13) Cardstock: White

One more "watercolor" card and I swear I'll give it a rest. Maybe. I wanted to show you the large Baby's Breath (which I yet to stamp in white!) and the vase also included in Coming Up Roses.

I created a cheerful little vase of birthday flowers. I stamped the roses in Cherry Red and Orange (Memories) and went to town with the Copic Colorless Blender. I love how even though they are the same exact images, the results are different every time. I couldn't exactly duplicate it if I tried. So every one is an original! To finish off the bouquet, I snuck in a little flower from More Fresh Cuts.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Coming Up Roses (available 12/5/13), More Fresh Cuts (available 12/05/13), Basic Banners // Dies: Coming Up Roses Companion Die (available 12/05/13), More Fresh Cuts Companion Die (available 12/05/13), Basic Banners Companion Die // Cardstock: White

Still itching for more? The girls have more inspiration to share! Head over to their blogs to check out what they have for you:

Hannah Craner
Jinny Newlin
Lea Lawson
Sarah Martina Parker
Savitri Wilder

And that completes all of the formal introductions! Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Coming Up Roses and the Coming Up Roses Companion Die? Just leave a comment by 9:00 AM EST December 4th to enter. Is there a particular product your most excited about? I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back tomorrow with the full reveal and a chance to win the entire release!

Wplus9 December 2013 Release Day 2

We are back for Day 2 of our December Release! Thank you so much for joining us! 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.

If you are just joining us, be sure to start at Day 1 to catch up. But for now, let's get to today's introductions, shall we?

Valentine Wishes

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 13 individual stamps: 8 images and 5 sentiments
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $14

Valentine Wishes Companion Die

• contains 3 individual open centered dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Valentine Wishes stamp set
• will be available for purchase December 5th for $10

This set is perfect for the chalkboard trend, which doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. I decided to create two variations of the same design. The first version shows how quick and easy to this set can be.

Using our White Pigment Ink, I stamped the open banner image first and then added the floral wreath. The wreath is all one image with an open spot for the banner. Stamping the banner first will act as your base line and makes sure that your final image will be straight. I stamped both sentiments, also included in Valentine Wishes, in white as well. I decided to add the little heart in Cupid's Bow Pigment Ink at the last minute. I love how the pigment ink looks like colored chalk.

All of the "chalky" details were added using a white colored pencil. I mimicked some of the shapes a little offset and smudged it just a bit with my finger. I love how it makes it look like it was a mistake that was "erased". The drop shadow effect on the "always have, always will" sentiment was created by re-stamping the sentiment a little offset with Versamark.

Another option for the wreath is to add colored flowers.

Before stamping the wreath, I used the corner of a baby wipe to remove the ink from the flowers. Then I added them in using the individual flowers included in Valentine Wishes. I wanted to make this set quick and easy to use, but also include the option to easily make it a little more customized too. I also used the matching die to create a chipboard banner and added a border using the vine and heart images from Heartfelt Holiday.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Valentine Wishes (available 12/5/13), Heartfelt Holiday (heart & vine) // Dies: Valentine Wishes Companion Die (available 12/5/13) // Ink: White Pigment Ink, Cupid's Bow Pigment Ink // Cardstock: White

This is also a great set for a more layered or shabby-chic look. Here, I did more selective inking and paired it with some gorgeous papers from My Mind's Eye.

I just LOVE how well this image pairs with the super feminine papers. I chose the "Hugs and Kisses" sentiment from Valentine Wishes for this card, added the solid banner and matching die, and used our XOXO Border die as an accent.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Valentine Wishes (available 12/5/13) // Dies: Valentine Wishes Companion Die (available 12/5/13), XOXO Border Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

For my last card, I wanted to put all of the focus on that beautiful font.

I used a lot of water and little Distress Ink to paint a backdrop for the sentiment. While the paper was still damp, I tore the bottom edge. I just love watercolor paintings where they leave the natural torn edges of the watercolor paper, and I wanted to emulate that here.

To add a little interest, I embossed the bottom edge of the inside of the card in gold using the stripe from Country Charm. I also embossed the sentiment in gold just to tie it altogether.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Valentine Wishes (available 12/5/13), Fresh Cut Wreaths (available 12/5/13), Country Charm // Cardstock: White

That's it for me 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

That's a wrap on Day 2! I hope you liked it! Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Valentine Wishes and the Valentine Wishes Companion Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST December 3rd 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!

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!