Monday Mood Board #13

It's time for another Monday Mood Board! This one is quite appropriate for Memorial Day, don't ya think?

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! Use at least one Wplus9 product. 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 each Monday when the new Mood Board is posted.

Monday Mood Board #12 Winners

We had a lot of really cute entries for MMB #12, and it's time to congratulate our random winners! The winners are:

• #6 (Michelle L.)
• #2 (Tara)
• #22 (Irene)

Contact us at customerservice@wplus9.com with your full name and email and we will set up your store credits!

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

Festive Friday Challenge - Red, Green & Gold

Happy Friday! No, make that Happy Festive Friday! I was more than happy to join in on this fun challenge when Meredith asked me to.

I have been on a CAS kick lately, and when she sent me the graphic, I knew exactly what I was going to do. I was inspired by the stripes on the pillows. And what's better than stripes? Glittered stripes, of course! Here's the run down on super fast, super fun glittered stripes.

Instructions:

1. Here's what you'll need: Die cut tag (Wplus9 Timeless Tags 2); Double sided strong adhesive tape (Tear-ific Tape); glitter (Evening Glow by Sparkle N Sprinkle)
2. Lay down strips of adhesive in desired pattern, trim edges.
3. Remove backing from tape and sprinkle glitter on, burnish in by rubbing with your finger.

Prefer your glitter in smaller doses? Just reverse the design. Here I've stamped the striped background and glittered the monogram instead.

WPLUS9 SUPPLIES
Stamps: Country Charm | Dies: Timeless Tags 2, Lacey Layers, Folk Art Alphabet | Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

Using alphabet dies or stamps is a great way to indicate the recipient for those of us that don't care for their own handwriting...like me. Plus, I think it just looks cool. ;o) Luckily, each person in our house starts with a different letter, so this is a perfect idea for us.

Hope you've enjoyed today's post. Want to join in and play along with the Festive Friday Challenge? Visit their blog for all of the details!

Fresh Baked with Jean Martin

Jean Martin is back with the rest of her April/May 2013 Release projects. Today, she is sharing Quilt Prints, Fresh Baked, and Pretty Patches: Umbrella with us.

Another gorgeous color palette! Despite the presence of a few florals here and there, her color choices make this a wonderfully gender neutral birthday card. What a great concept for any cooking aficionado!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Baked, Quilt Prints | Dies: Fresh Baked Companion Die, Label Layers 2 | Cardstock: Kraft, Oatmeal

This next card may be my favorite of the bunch. Something about the colors, the patchwork, and heartfelt sentiment just speaks to me.

Wouldn't this make you smile? A perfect card for a friendly "pick-me-up".

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Pretty Patches: Umbrella, Quilt Prints, Heartfelt Mix | Dies: Pretty Patches: Umbrella Companion Die | Cardstock: Kraft, White

I just want to thank Jean for sharing so much incredible inspiration over the last few days. I've loved each and every day!

Don't forget to stop by Jean's blog to see more of her wonderful work. Thanks for stopping by!

Design Team Inspiration with Jean Martin

Welcome back for another day of Design Team Inspiration with Jean Martin. Today, she is taking a closer look at a few more items from our April/May 2013 Collection.

Her first sample is a simple one layer card that is anything but short on style! Love how she's stamped out a wreath using several smaller stamps to encase her sentiment.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Strictly Sentiments 1, Blanket Stitched Blooms | Cardstock: White, Green Acres

Next up is a bright and cheerful card. I just love her color choices on this one, it's got a laid back country feel, yet it is upbeat and fun as well.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Blanket Stitched Blooms, Strictly Sentiments 1, Very Vintage Florals, Damask Delight | Dies: Timeless Tags 2, Label Layers 3 Die, Damask Delight Companion Die, Blanket Stitched Blooms Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Kraft

And finally, she's sharing a little gem with lots of stamping and stripes. Two of my favorite things!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Bitty Buddy Valentines, Blanket Stitched Blooms | Dies: Blanket Stitched Blooms Companion Die, Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles | Cardstock: Kraft, Ballet Slippers

Jean always knocks it out of the park! If she's inspired you today, be sure to stop by her blog and let her know. Thanks for stopping by! We've got another fun, inspiration-filled day tomorrow with Jean...see you then!

A Parade of Paisley with Jean Martin

We have been featuring each of the Design Team members and their April/May Release projects here on the Wplus9 Design Blog over the last couple of weeks. Bringing us across the finish line is the fabulous Jean Martin. She will be here inspiring us with her timeless creations over the next couple of days, starting with Paisley Patterns.

Jean is a master at creating the most lovely background patterns! I am always impressed with her composition and color choices. While this card is magnificent...for me, that little tag steals the show! I'm just in love with how she's used the Folk Art Alphabet die today.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Strictly Sentiments 1, Embroidered Bouquet Additions, Damask Delight | Dies: Timeless Tags 2, Folk Art Alphabet Die | Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers, Kraft

If you liked that one...you're gonna love this one! I could probably write a whole dissertation about it, but I'd rather just stare at it.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Strictly Sentiments 1 | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet Die | Cardstock: White, Black, Kraft

I hope you've enjoyed Jean's projects today. If so, be sure to stop by her blog and let her know. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to come back again tomorrow, as Jean shares more of her work with us!

Outside The Box: Cupcake Liner Jar Toppers

Hello there! Today we have the very talented Amber from Damask Love joining us to share some quick and easy ways to dress up one of our favorite things ever...mason jars! Amber will show us how to take these jars from simple to special by using just a few simple supplies. Take it away Amber...

Hey there, everyone! Amber from Damask Love here with another Outside the Box guest post for WPlus9!

Those of you who know me, know how much I love love love simple & creative packaging ideas. Mason jar are tops on my list of inexpensive packaging ideas and today I've got an incredibly easy idea for dressing up your jars for gift-giving. If you're anything like me you've got plenty of cupcake liners in your pantry and now you can give them a little crafty loving with this project.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Baked, Quilt Prints, Fresh Picked, Spring Tags | Dies: Label Layers 5

Only five minutes stand between taking your mason jar from simple to special...so you really have no excuse!

Monday Mood Board #12

Are you ready for a new Monday Mood Board? Both my husband and I have birthdays coming up, mine on the 20th and his on the 25th. So this mood board is all about celebrating. With a gender neutral mix of explosive color and fun patterns, there's a lot to pull from on this one!

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! Use at least one Wplus9 product. 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 each Monday when the new Mood Board is posted.

Last Week's Winners

It's time to congratulate our random winners from last week's mood board! The winners are:

• #1 (Chupa)
• #9 (Erin T.)
• #19 (Jen Carter)

Contact us at customerservice@wplus9.com with your full name and email and we will set up your store credits!

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

Fresh Baked with Sarah Martina Parker

Sarah Martina Parker is sharing her final release projects with us today, and she may have just saved the best for last!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Fresh Baked, Quilt Prints | Dies: Fresh Baked Companion Die , Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White

Talk about amazing! This is the personification of some lovin' from the oven. If whatever oven-baked delicacy that comes along with this duo, tastes as good as these look...I'll take two of them!

Let's talk about that cute tag. Love how she's cleverly die cut the images and placed them in the mixing bowl! And while we are on the subject of clever...did you notice how she's used Quilt Prints on the card? What a fun and whimsical pattern she's created by stamping clusters of the filler images - sans the outlines.

And while we are on a roll with Quilt Prints, you've got to see how she's paired it with both Paisley Patterns and Pretty Patches: Umbrella.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: paisley-patterns, Quilt Prints, Pretty Patches: Umbrella | Ink: Cranberry Crush | Dies: Timeless Tags 2, Pretty Patches: Umbrella Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Cranberry Crush

I was floored when I saw this pattern she created. She used the little filler florals from Paisley Patterns in her "quilt" pieces to create her quilt pattern. The background is just perfect for the little patchwork umbrella from Pretty Patches: Umbrella.

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing so much inspiration with us over the last few days. I have enjoyed each and every one of them!

If you've enjoyed Sarah's designs as much as I have, you can stop by her blog to see more of her work and leave her some love. Thanks for stopping by!

Blanket Stitched Blooms with Sarah Martina

Sarah Martina Parker is joining us again with more of her fantastic release projects! And today she is treating us to a closer look at Blanket Stitched Blooms.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Blanket Stitched Blooms | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet | Cardstock: White

This would definitely brighten my day! The crisp black against those soft free-form blooms is perfection. This is such a rich and complex looking design, but really uses minimal supplies. The random pattern makes this a quick and easy project, but it will have the recipient thinking that you toiled and slaved over it for hours. Shh...we won't tell.

Next, Sarah's sharing one of my favorite ways to use the stitching in this set, along with it's companion dies.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Blanket Stitched Blooms, Strictly Sentiments 1 | Dies: Blanket Stitched Blooms Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Sweet Gelato

Check out how beautiful her flowers turned out! This is a great way to put a soft spin on this set. By embossing the stitching in white, Sarah was then able to color in her blooms free-hand, giving them a soft water-colored effect. Any medium would be great for this technique - Gelatos, re-inkers, Copics, or water colors.

This next project is one that I'm particularly taken with. I am really loving stationery sets at the moment. There is something so polished and sophisticated about them.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Blanket Stitched Blooms, Cupid's Arrow | Cardstock: White

This is a perfect example of "less is more". The casual and care-free mix of elements compliments the casual tone of the sentiment, and the clean white backdrop keeps it light. Just looking at this set of note cards makes me happy.

I hope you have enjoyed Sarah's projects as much as I have. Remember, you can stop by her blog to see more of her work. And, she will be back with us tomorrow to share the rest of her release projects. I can't wait!

Design Team Inspiration with Sarah Martina

Today we have the fabulous Sarah Martina Parker joining us with her April/May 2013 Release projects. Be prepared for a frenzy of florals that will leaving you wanting more!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet | Cardstock: White, Lake House

I had all of these descriptive adjectives whirling around in my head when I first laid eyes on this. Then I sat down to write and all that I can get out is WOW! Yeah, WOW! about sums up the gorgeous pattern Sarah has created with Paisley Patterns. It's hard to believe that the entire thing was created with just one stamp set. Using the Folk Art Alphabet die to add her sentiment vertically was a genius decision. The placement allows more of that fantastic stamped pattern to show.

If you loved that one, then you're in for a treat on this one as well!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Embroidered Bouquet, Embroidered Bouquet Additions | Ink: Cranberry Crush | Dies: Scalloped Border, Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White, Cranberry Crush, Ballet Slippers

Another beautiful display of pattern stamping here. She's demonstrated how versatile these images are by pairing them with another floral set, Embroidered Bouquet. The gold accents are an amazing compliment to Ballet Slippers and Cranberry Crush, don't you think?

Sarah's last card is just as amazing. It's an awesome atypical masculine design in my opinion.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Embroidered Bouquet, Class Act | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet, Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles, Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White

I love the rustic & natural elements paired with the crisp contrast in colors. Stamping the foliage in gray is the perfect way to use floral images without being overtly feminine.

I told you that you would love them. If you love Sarah's style, be sure to stop by her blog to see more of her work. We will have more from Sarah tomorrow, so be sure to check back then!

Shape Up: Using Dies As Templates

I have a fun technique to share today. Now this is not earth shattering or rocket science by any means, but a few of you wanted to know how I stamped the floral heart featured in this post.

Using your small stamps to create large shapes is easy when you create a simple template or guide to follow. And most likely you all ready have the perfect tools in your stash...dies.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Blanket Stitched Blooms | Ink: Lake House Pigment | Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Hearts | Cardstock: Oatmeal

Yep, just trace your shape and stamp. It's that simple. The hardest part is deciding what you want to stamp. Here's the break down for how I created this heart wreath.

Instructions:

1. Trace your desired shape lightly with a pencil
2. If you are creating a mirrored design, stamp one or two "anchor" images to serve as your mirror line. I chose a large flower at the top and bottom of my heart.
3. Start on one side and stamp your base following the outline that you created.
4. Repeat on the other side, using the first side as a guide for placement and angle.
5. Fill in as desired.

Quick Tip: Make sure the ink is completely dry before erasing your pencil lines so you don't smear your work.

Easy, right? Here are just a few other ways to try. Have fun experimenting and using what you have on hand.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns | Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Hearts | Cardstock: White

Want perfect placement? Try using squares, rectangles or circles to stamp arches, corners - or to get your focal images perfectly centered.

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Paisley Patterns, Spring Post | Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles | Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers, Green Acres

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed today's post. Remember, Monday Mood Board #11 challenge is open for two weeks so you still have plenty of time to play along!

More Inspiration with Savitri Wilder

Today Savitri Wilder is sharing the last of her April/May 2013 Release projects with us, and we are in for a treat because she has not one, but two to share with us.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Quilt Prints, Paisley Patterns, Embroidered Bouquet Additions, Strictly Sentiments 1 | Ink: Cranberry Crush Pigment | Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers

Another simple card with a big impact. The collage-y arrangement of elements here works so well because Savitri has chosen a monochromatic color scheme-creating unity between unrelated images. By stacking her sentiment and repeating it three times she's given our eyes a strong focal point to rest on.

This next duo shows off some of our older product and demonstrates how well the Folk Art Alphabet works with many of the stamps sets that you may already have in your stash.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Damask Delight, Lacey Layers, Fresh Preserves | Ink: White Pigment | Dies: Folk Art Alphabet, Lacey Layers Companion Die, Clear Cut Stackers: Stars, Timeless Tags 2 | Cardstock: White, Ballet Slippers, Kraft | Other: Kraft Pillow Box

Gotta say, I love how sophisticated the Folk Art Alphabet die becomes when you pair it with something elegant like Damask Delight. Such a feminine yet strong design, don't you think?

Thank you so much Savitri for sharing your wonderful projects with us over the last couple of days. If you've enjoyed Savitri's work, be sure to stop by her blog to see more of it!

We will have the wonderful Sarah Martina joining us next week with her release projects, so be sure to swing by to see what she's been up to!