KISS Crafting 101: Front & Center

Welcome back to KISS Crafting 101!

Wplus9 Supplies
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettias, Silver Bells // Ink: Cupid's Bow Pigment Ink // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

In the next couple of installments of KISS Crafting 101 we are going to be exploring composition and layouts, how to create balance, and some basic design principles/rules. I'm a rule breaker by nature, but it helps to know the rules in order to break them with purpose. Today's video starts with another "no fail" basic layout that I'm calling "Front & Center".

I hope you enjoy!

Watch above or in HD at YouTube

Thanks for stopping by! As always, I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Monday Mood Board #22

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 #21 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!

• #16 (Sooner rather than Later)
• #11 (Erin)
• #5 (Natty)

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!

Feathered & Feminine Stationery

Today we have a special treat from Design Team member Jean Martin. Jean is quickly becoming known for her unique and striking color palettes. Today, she is putting her magic to work on a stationery gift set that would be perfect for any woman in your life.

And this gift set comes complete with a box for perfect presentation. Minimal effort, minimal supplies, and a big impact. Talk about a trifecta! Jean is sharing a tutorial with you over on her blog for creating this stationery box along with the rest of the details for this set. Enjoy!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers // Dies: Fanciful Feathers Companion Die, Envelope Liner Die // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft // Other: A2 Oatmeal Envelopes

Wplus9 2013 Holiday Collection Group Post

It's Release Day! All of our 2013 Holiday Collection 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. It's the day that I get the pleasure of showcasing the Design Team with their final parting release projects. Are you ready to see what the ladies have to share today? I know I am! I had a few extra cards left over that I didn't share during the release, so I'll be joining as well.

Dawn Woleslagle

This card was inspired by stationery that I ran across and just couldn't get out of my head. I remembered the snowflakes in browns and golds and just knew that Folk Art Flurries would be perfect for it. I decided to pair it with the sentiments from Strictly Sentiments 3 and Heartfelt Holiday. I love how complex the design seems, yet how simple and clean the overall effect is.

Hannah Craner

Hannah has floored me. Floored me with this masterpiece. The wreath she has created using the pine cones and pine boughs from Merry & Bright is simply amazing! And the distressed wood background from Dockside Backgrounds is the perfect backdrop. And even though it is not meant to be, look at how nice the large bow from Silver Bells looks stamped on the die cut from Under the Mistletoe!

Jean Martin

These girls are KILLING me with their talent! Talk about a stunner! I love the bold contrast in color Jean's created here. The start white mistletoe die cut from Under the Mistletoe against the background. The color choices for her fruit and flowers is amazing, and I love the shadow stamping of the laurel wreath from Heartfelt Holiday that she's added to encase it all. She has two projects to share with you, so be sure to click on her name to visit her blog!

Jinny Newlin

Jinny's style is always so down-home and comfy. You know what I mean? I love the little felt stocking, the little house in the wreath and the mix of fonts she's created by mixing the sentiments from Silver Bells and Heartfelt Holiday. Oh and that blue stitching! It's those little eclectic mixes that really makes Jinny's style.

Kerrianne Bowen

Kerrianne is sharing a classic Christmas centerpiece with Merry & Bright. Notice how she's drawn the eye in and down to the sentiment by placing the larger flowers on the outside of her arrangement creating a visual "v". You can't help but be drawn down to the sentiment where it's perfectly anchored with a line of bling.

Sarah Martina Parker

Man! Sarah is the Queen of Tags! Here, she's used Heartfelt Holiday to create the super cute yet "grown up" tags. I love the bright colors mixed with her soft shabby style.

Savitri Wilder

Oh, how I wish this was a wrapping paper! I'll take it in treat box form though! Savitri has mixed the foliage images from Woodland Wreaths and Silver Bells to create and all-over wintry patter. The little embellishment on the box handle is adorable!

And that officially concludes our October/November 2013 Release Week festivities! Thank you so much for joining us. And again, thank you for the encouragement both in comments and emails. You are all so amazing! And I can NOT wait to see your AMAZING creations!

Wplus9 2013 Holiday Collection: 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 October 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 October 5, 2013.

Woodland Wreaths

Details

• is a 6x8" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 27 stamps: 4 wreath building base images, 18 decor building images and 5 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Woodland Wreaths Companion Die

Details

• contains 4 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Woodland Wreaths stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: wreath - 2 3/4", partridge - 1 x 9/16", pomegranate - 11/16 x 5/8", orange - 5/8", pear - 7/8 x 5/8", foliage sprig - 1 1/8 x 13/16, bow - 1 x 1", flower - 1/2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Merry & Bright

Details

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 32 stamps: 30 image builders and 2 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Merry & Bright Companion Die

Details

• contains 13 individual shapes wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• coordinates with the Merry & Bright stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: candle - 1 3/8 x 1/4", hurricane votive - 1 7/8 x 1 1/4", large holly - 7/8 x 5/8", small holly - 3/4 x 5/8", small pine bough - 1 x 1/2", large pine bough - 1 1/4 x 1", berries - 1/2 x 1/2", large amaryllis - 1 x 1", small amaryllis - 3/4 x 3/4", amaryllis bud - 5/8 x 1/4", large pine cone - 3/4 x 5/8", small pine cone - 1/2 x 7/16", mistletoe - 1 x 3/4"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $16

Heartfelt Holiday

Details

• is a 6x8" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 27 stamps; 18 images and 9 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die

Details

• contains 7 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Heartfelt Holiday stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: banner - 2 7/8 x 7/8", cup - 7/8 x 7/8", bow - 7/8 x 11/16", tree - 1 3/8 x 5/8", stocking - 1 3/8 x 7/8", snowman - 1 3/8 x 7/8", house - 1 x 1 1/8"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $12

Silver Bells

Details

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 15 stamps: 11 images and 4 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Silver Bells Companion Die

Details

• contains 4 dies wired together that can be easily separated
• coordinates with the Silver Bells stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: bells - 1 1/2 x 1 5/8", large foliage - 1 1/2 x 3/4", small foliage - 1 x 3/4", bow - 1 1/4 x 1"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $7

Under the Mistletoe Die

Details

• contains 5 dies wired together that can be easily separated
• stand-alone dies with out matching stamp images, compliments the Silver Bells and Heartfelt Holiday stamp sets
• Approx. Measurements: bell - 1 1/2 x 1 1/8", bow - 1 1/8 x 7/8", mistletoe - 3 3/8 x 1", foliage - 3 5/8 x 1 1/2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $13

Pretty Poinsettias

Details

• is a 6x8" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 22 stamps: 18 images buiding stamps and 4 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Pretty Poinsettias Companion Die

Details

• contains 3 individual open centered dies, allowing you to stamp first and then die cut
• coordinates with the Pretty Poinsettias stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: large poinsettia - 2 x 2 1/8", small poinsettia - 1 1/2 x 1 9/16", leaf - 1 x 1/2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $10

Strictly Sentiments 3

Details

• is a 3x4" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 7 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 3 sentiments, and ampersand, and 3 patterned circle images
• will be available for purchase October 5, 2013 for $6

Stitched Holiday Icons Die

Details

• contains 5 individual open centered dies, compliments the Heartfelt Holiday stamp set
• stand-alone dies with out matching stamp images, the Pretty Poinsettias stamp set
• Approx. Measurements: snowman - 2 1/2 x 1 3/16", tree - 2 3/4 x 1 3/16", star - 3/4", scarf - 1 1/2 x 7/8", stocking - 2 3/8 x 1 1/8"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $13

Thank you all so much for joining me for our October/November 2013 Release! You have all been so kind, generous and encouraging with your words. I truly appreciate it! 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 October 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 2013 Holiday Collection 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 October 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 2 more stamp sets and die to introduce, ready? Let's go!

I am so excited to introduce Pretty Poinsettias! This multi-step stamp set will allow you to create an incredibly detailed poinsettia, or a more silhouetted poinsettia. It's all up to you and how many layers you choose to add.

Pretty Poinsettias

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 22 stamps: 18 images buiding stamps and 4 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Pretty Poinsettias Companion Die

• contains 3 individual open centered dies, allowing you to stamp first and then die cut
• Appox. Measurements: large poinsettia - 2 x 2 1/8", small poinsettia - 1 1/2 x 1 9/16", leaf - 1 x 1/2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $10

For my first card, I created this huge Christmas bouquet. It was so much fun to create.

I stamped out a couple of large and small poinsettias to get started. There are four main layers that make up the poinsettia. The outline, the base, the shading, and the veins. You could stamp just the base and the center of the flower and call it a day, but I really enjoy building the image and seeing it come to life. Here's how I created the ones featured in this card. You could start with the base, but I like to start with the outline, it's all personal preference.

Once I had my flowers all stamped, I die cut them. Yep, the companion dies for these are open centered! So at least you don't have to worry about lining them up on the die cut.

I filled in my arrangement with some leaves also from the set and some greenery and pine cones from Merry & Bright and Silver Bells.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettias (available 10/5/13), Merry & Bright (available 10/5/13), Silver Bells (available 10/5/13) // Ink: Cranberry Crush Pigment Ink, Cupid's Bow Pigment Ink // Dies: Pretty Poinsettias Companion Die (available 10/5/13), Merry & Bright Companion Die (available 10/5/13), Silver Bells Companion Die (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: White

Next I have an all over stamped pattern. I wanted to create some soft pink poinsettias and I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out too, in spite of a boo-boo that I made.

When stamping this one, I accidentally dropped the block before I had completely lined up where I was going to stamp. Oops. I finished the flower, walked away for a coffee, and when I came back, I kind of still liked it, even though it was "off". So I just finished it up, not worrying about placement. I like the "loose" feel I ended up with.

There is a full separate leaf to use when you are die cutting the images. Put I've also included a group of 3 partial leaves for the large poinsettia. I've grouped the three leaves together on one stamp for each layer, but you won't be able to stamp them all at once. You'll still need to ink and stamp them separately. Due to space restrictions on the sheet, I had to move them in a little closer to each other so they would fit. But the positioning is identical on each layer, so figuring out what goes where is super easy.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Pretty Poinsettias (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Cranberry Crush

Now let's take a look at another stamp set and die.

Strictly Sentiments 3

• is a 3x4" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 7 stamps
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $6

Stitched Holiday Icons Die

• contains 5 individual dies wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• Approx. Measurements: snowman - 2 1/2 x 1 3/16", tree - 2 3/4 x 1 3/16", star - 3/4", scarf - 1 1/2 x 7/8", stocking - 2 3/8 x 1 1/8"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $13

Let's take a look at Strictly Sentiments 3 first. It's a fun and modern take on "Peace Love & Joy". It is so much fun for such a simple little set. I created a TON of cards with it, but am only going to share a couple today.

Oh...look at that, another non-traditional color scheme! I love the feel of this one. I stamped the Peace and Joy sentiments in black and added the ampersand in hot pink. Then I stamped the line patterned circles included in this set randomly all over the background. I stamped them 2 and 3 times without re-inking in between. I love the bokeh effect it creates.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Strictly Sentiments 3 (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: White, Black

How about a clean and simple sample...haven't done one of those yet today. This one uses the Love and Joy sentiments along with the ampersand. The smallest circle in Clear Cut Stackers: Circle is perfect for die cutting this.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Strictly Sentiments 3 (available 10/5/13) / Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Circles | Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

Now I want to show you a little bit of the Stitched Holiday Icon die. These are fantastic! I just love them to bits.

I am head over heels for the stocking die. I used the pine bough from Merry & Bright to create some garland to hang them from. Love. All I needed to do was add a sentiment, and Silver Bells has some of my favorites!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Silver Bells (available 10/5/13), Merry & Bright (available 10/5/13) / Dies: Stitched Holiday Icons (available 10/5/13) | Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

My final card for today features the tree and snowman dies.

I added the scarf to my snowman and a star to the top of the tree. The Basic Banners die is perfect for anchoring them both.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Heartfelt Holiday (available 10/5/13) / Dies: Stitched Holiday Icons (available 10/5/13), Basic Banners Die | Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

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
Jean Martin
Jinny Newlin
Kerrianne Bowen
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: Pretty Poinsettias, Pretty Poinsettias Companion Die, Strictly Sentiments 3 and the Stitched Holiday Icons Die? Just leave a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 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 2013 Holiday Collection Day 2

We are back for Day 2 of our October 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 October 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?

Today's first set is a little bit country, a little bit folksy...but can pull off CAS too, as I'll show you today.

Heartfelt Holiday

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 27 stamps: 18 images and 9 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $21

Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die

• contains 7 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated
• Approx. Measurements: banner - 2 7/8 x 7/8", cup - 7/8 x 7/8", bow - 7/8 x 11/16", tree - 1 3/8 x 5/8", stocking - 1 3/8 x 7/8", snowman - 1 3/8 x 7/8", house - 1 x 1 1/8"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $12

For my first card, I wanted to focus on the main laurel wreath that is included in this set. There are several images sized perfectly to fit inside of the the wreath along with several sentiments. I went with a less traditional holiday color palette here this time.

After I had stamped my wreath, I added some hearts and a few little dots to bring in some color. I stamped the tree image from the set in the middle and over-stamped my sentiment in brown. I die cut the bow image from the Heartfelt Holiday Companion die and stamped it with the matching stamp.

I added the fun banner also included in Heartfelt Holiday to the bottom of the wreath and stamped it with the "FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS" sentiment. All of the other sentiments in this set can be followed up with this sentiment. Under that, I added a bigger heart and the vine segment included in the set. I just stamps it twice on each side of the heart.

This card is still pretty clean and simple, but you could certainly "shabby" it up a bit like I did below, using pretty much the same layout and design. This time I die cut and stamped the tree before adhering it with some foam tape and added a little "fluff" and distressing.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Heartfelt Holiday (available 10/5/13), Fresh Cut Florals (dots in wreath) // Dies: Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die (available 10/5/13) // Ink: Lake House Pigment Ink Cardstock: Oatmeal

Next, I wanted to show you another little frame included in this set.

Here, I've paired it with the single cup image in Heartfelt Holiday along with some from from Merry & Bright. To anchor my cups, I added a checkered border from the Country Charm stamp set.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Heartfelt Holiday (available 10/5/13), Merry & Bright (available 10/5/13), Country Charm // Dies: Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die (available 10/5/13), Merry & Bright Companion Die (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

The little images are so cute in this set and can be used all alone. Like in this next card...which WILL be my Christmas cards this year! Love the simplicity of it.

I die cut the snowman and just added his scarf. He has a matching stamp image, but I was just going for the silhouette here.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Heartfelt Holiday (available 10/5/13) // Dies: Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die (available 10/5/13)

Lets switch gears now and introduce some more new products.

Silver Bells

• is a 4x6" clear photopolymer stamp set
• 15 stamps: 11 images and 4 sentiments
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $14

Silver Bells Companion Die

• contains 4 individual dies wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• Approx. Measurements: bells - 1 1/2 x 1 5/8", large foliage - 1 1/2 x 3/4", small foliage - 1 x 3/4", bow - 1 1/4 x 1"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $7

Under the Mistletoe Die

• contains 5 individual dies wired together that can be easy separated if desired
• these are stand-alone dies and do not have matching stamp images
• Approx. Mearsurements: bell - 1 1/2 x 1 1/8", bow - 1 1/8 x 7/8", mistletoe - 3 3/8 x 1", foliage - 3 5/8 x 1 1/2"
• will be available for purchase October 5th for $13

Silver bells contains both great images and sentiments. I found myself using the sentiments from this set again and again. Simple and charming Holiday sentiments in a nice, classic font. Can't go wrong there. For this first card, I used the solid double bell image and the matching die cut along with several of the greenery images and die cuts. All are included in this set.

I finished it off with the "Joy" sentiment anchored with some Cupid's Bow card stock. Simple and classy.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Silver Bells (available 10/5/13) // Dies: Stamps: Silver Bells Companion Die (available 10/5/13), Clear Cut Stackers: Circles // Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

I've got another really simple one for you. But aren't they the best for mass production? Though simple, it's not short on style. First, I stamped the mistletoe image coming in from the around the edges and sides. Then I added the berry clusters, also included in the set, stamping them in red instead of white. For a little something "extra", I added some Glossy Accents to each berry. I told you I was getting the hang of it!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Silver Bells (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

p>My last card for today uses the Under the Mistletoe Die and Silver Bells.

Under the Mistletoe has these great detailed stand-alone images. Here I heat embossed the bells in gold. I love how they turned out. I "tied" them together with the detail bow die and layered them over a sprig of mistletoe.

The only thing left to do was add my sentiment. I think this is my favorite sentiment from Silver Bells.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Silver Bells (available 10/5/13) // Dies: Under the Mistletoe (available 10/5/13) // Cardstock: White, , Green Acres

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
Jean Martin
Jinny Newlin
Kerrianne Bowen
Sarah Martina Parker

That's a wrap on Day 2! I hope you liked it! Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Heartfelt Holiday, Heartfelt Holiday Companion Die, Silver Bells, Silver Bells Companion Die and the Under the Mistletoe Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST October 3rd to enter. Tell me what kind of Holiday cards you create, all originals? Or mass produce a clean and simple design? I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

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