Wplus9 August/September 2013 Release Day 3

Are you ready for day 3 of our August/September Release? If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. Remember, all previewed items will be available for purchase on August 9, 2013 at www.wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

We have more new product to share. Today is all about the nautical trend. But let's face it, nautical isn't really a trend, is it? It's about as classic as it gets. That's why I am so excited that it has made a mainstream resurgence. Nautical/beach themes, colors, design, textures...they are my all-time favorite. So I am very pleased to introduce today's line up!

Dockside

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 30 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 17 images and 13 sentiments
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $21

Dockside Companion Die

• contains 4 dies wired together
• coordinates with the Dockside stamp set
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $6

Dockside Backgrounds

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 7 high quality photo-polymer background building stamps
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $21

Nautical Notions Die

• contains 4 dies wired together
• larger and more detailed stand-alone dies that compliment the images in Dockside
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $10

This first card features both Dockside and Dockside Backgrounds, along with the companion die. I started by stamping the large intertwined rope background from Dockside Backgrounds. In between each large gap, I added the small anchor image from Dockside.

For the focal image, I stamped the "Fair Winds...." graphic on a circle I die cut using Clear Cut Stackers: Circles. I decided to layer a little banner from Basic Banners Companion Die directly over it.

For my sentiment I chose the appropriate "Good Luck", also from Dockside. As an accent, I added a little anchor from the Dockside Companion Die. I thought an envelope seal with a negative anchor die cut would be a fun little addition as well. For that I used the Nautical Notions Die.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Dockside, Dockside Backgrounds | Dies: Basic Banners Companion Die, Clear Cut Stackers: Circles, Dockside Companion Die, Nautical Notions | Cardstock: White, Lake House, Nautical Navy

This next card just screams summer to me. And oh, how easy it was to pull together!

I die cut the sail boat from Nautical Notions in plain white and decided to layer it over a "sun". I die cut a circle using Clear Cut Stackers: Cirlces and then did some ombre stamping using the stripe from Country Charm.

To give the sail a little dimension, I adhered it directly to the card at the top and bottom, and used foam tape under the sail. Love how it gives the illusion of a full sail.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Dockside Country Charm | Dies: Nautical Notions, Clear Cut Stackers: Circles | Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

I've included general sentiments for quite a few occasions in this set. But an "odd" one that I snuck in was this one.

Get it? We are water people. If my husband isn't at home, you'll find him on the river. So when he turned 40 this year and I was trying to find a theme for his party, "Man Overboard" just came to mind. It's the nautical version of "Over The Hill"!

I die cut the life preserver twice, once from red and once from white. Like the sail boat, the life preserver has score marks for a little extra detail. I used those score marks as guides to cut the red pieces and then adhered them to the white one. Super easy!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Dockside, Borders & Backgrounds 2 (stripes) | Dies: Basic Banners Companion Die, Nautical Notions, A2 Envelope Liner | Cardstock: Nautical Navy, White, Cupid's Bow

For my next card, I wanted to show you more of the backgrounds in Dockside Backgrounds along with some of the "rope" sentiment starters in Dockside.

I stamped a white card base with the wood dock background stamp. Love how it looks like the boards of a dock.

"Thanks", along with the other sentiment starters in this set are another Wplus9 exclusive. I had a lot of fun creating them. I added "for being my anchor" below it and embellished with a couple more images from Dockside. Finally, I added the rope border from Dockside Backgrounds.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Dockside, Dockside Backgrounds | Dies: Dockside Companion Die | Cardstock: White, Cupid's Bow

These last two projects are my favorites. To me, Nautical is the epitome of CAS - minimal clean design.

You really can't get any more simple than this. I cut strips of Lake House card stock in 1/4 - 1" strips and adhered them to a white card base.

I die cut the anchor from Nautical Notions and embossed it in gold. Then I added my sentiment from Basic Banners and embossed it in white. LOVE.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Basic Banners | Dies: Nautical Notions | Cardstock: White, Lake House

And finally, another simple one. I am loving these little 4 1/4 x 3 1/2" note cards. Just the right amount of real estate to design on and so quick and easy to create. So I threw together some with my oldest's initials. Now he will have is own little thank you notes. Maybe it will actually encourage him to write a thank you note!

I stamped an oatmeal card base with an all over anchor pattern and added one of the two circular labels from Dockside. I used Monogrammed to add his initials to the center. Dockside is a perfect set to use for masculine personalized stationery.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Dockside | Cardstock: Oatmeal

And that is everything! We are so excited to show you everything in full tomorrow, along with the other new consumables. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for all of the details!

But wait! Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Dockside, the Dockside Companion Die, Dockside Backgrounds, and the Nautical Notions Die? Just leave a comment on this post by 9:00 AM EST August 7th to enter. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget tomorrow!

Wplus9 August/September 2013 Release Day 2

Wow! We are so excited over the positive reaction so far to this release. If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. Remember, all previewed items will be available for purchase on August 9, 2013 at www.wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

Let's see if we can keep the momentum going, shall we! We have a ton of new product to share today.

Monogrammed

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 53 high quality photo-polymer stamps; the letters A-Z in two sizes (3/4" tall and 1/2" tall) and one monogram label
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $21

Clear Cut Stackers: Circles

• contains 5 concentric circle dies
• 1 - 2 1/2" in diameter
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $11

Basic Banners

• is a 3x4 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 7 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 2 banners and 5 sentiments
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $6

Basic Banners Companion Die

• contains 1 banner die (2 3/4 x3/4")
• coordinates with the Basic Banners stamp set
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $4

I have seen a huge increase in design with an Art Deco influence. I knew I wanted to create a monogram stamp set and I knew I wanted it to lean towards Art Deco, but I also wanted to be able to use it for more than just monograms. I searched for an appropriate font, and when I didn't find the one I wanted...I created my own. Monogrammed is a little bit Art Deco, but still fresh enough to be current, while classic enough to be timeless.

Basic Banners and Monogrammed not only work beautifully together, but throw in the previously released Fresh Cut Florals and it's hard to stop stamping!

The two sizes of alphabets allows you to create classic monograms. Here I've created a birthday card personalized with the recipients initials, and matching envelope seals with the sender's last initial.

To create the wreath on both of these projects I used a little masking with the Basic Banners Die, and used one of the circles from Clear Cut Stackers: Circles to map out where I wanted to stamp.

Using the banner die cut creates a little larger solid white outline, which is perfect for adding just the right amount of separation between the florals and the banner. I couldn't help but create some monogrammed thank you gift notes while I was at it. Both sentiments, from Basic Banners were added in black.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Monogrammed, Basic Banners, Fresh Cut Florals | Dies: Basic Banners Companion Die, Clear Cut Stackers: Circles | Cardstock: White

Next up, I've paired Basic Banners with Fanciful Feathers. I created a pattern across the bottom of the notecard by stamping the smaller solid feather images in alternating colors. I added a little gold embossed ikat pattern in between using Borders & Backgrounds 1. The solid banner image from Basic Banners was perfect for anchoring the sentiment.

I also thought it would be fun to decorate the outside of the envelope, stamping it off the edge on either side. Such a versatile little set for just $6!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers, Basic Banners, Borders & Backgrounds 1 | Ink: Lake House Pigment Ink | Cardstock: White

Don't let the name fool you. Monogrammed is also great for stamping out bold sentiments. Check out how great the small and large letters look together.

To get the spacing just right and to have the two words line up on the left and right sides, I stamped "BIRTHDAY" first since it was the longer word. Then I stamped the middle "P" from "Happy", then the "H" and the "Y" on the far left and right. Then I just added the remaining letters in between.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers, Monogrammed | Ink: Lake House Pigment Ink | Cardstock: White

We have one more formal introduction today. I'm excited to introduce another installment in the Borders & Backgrounds series.

Borders & Backgrounds 2

• is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 4 high quality photo-polymer border and background building stamps
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $14

Borders & Backgrounds 2 has all of the basics for creating great graphic repeating patterns in one set. I am just in love with it. You can stamp it just once or a couple of times for a border, or completely cover a card front. Here, I've opted to go about two thirds of the way up.

For the focal point, I die cut a circle out of the front panel using Clear Cut Stackers: Circles and added my recipient's initials inside. I flanked the top and the bottom using a few images from Fresh Cut Florals. I used the Basic Banners Die and embossed my sentiment from Basic Banners in white.

I finished it off with a couple of additional flowers on the corner of the banner, a matching tag and a coordinating envelope liner.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Borders & Backgrounds 2, Basic Banners, Fresh Cut Florals | Dies: Basic Banners Companion Die, Clear Cut Stackers: Circles, Fresh Cut Florals Companion Die | Cardstock: WhiteSweet Gelato

Of course, you can't do the basics without the chevron! This set has a great medium width chevron. Not too thick and not too thin.

I stamped the background of this card starting with green, moving to orange, and then finishing with pink. The sentiment was created using Monogrammed.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Monogrammed, Borders & Backgrounds 2, Love You More (banner), Pile It On (candles), Label Layers 4 (dotted line) | Cardstock: Nautical Navy, White, Sweet Gelato

I've got one more sample to share today. This one is super soft with a mix of modern and vintage. This one features my favorite background in the set.

I covered a 4 x 5 1/4" panel with the circle background and matted it with a Kraft card base. For the focal image I did some partial die cutting using the Very Vintage Florals Die and stamped it with the coordinating images from Very Vintage Florals. Here is another fun way to use Monogrammedas well. I created a wedding card using the couples initials, substituting the little heart banner from Love You More for an ampersand.

I adhered the front panel with foam tape in the center and then directly to the card base at the sides. The extra little shadow this creates helps to separate the florals from the background. I also wanted to show you another option for creating "couple" monograms.

Here I used the same elements except I arranged them closer together and on the biased so it looks like the banner is wrapping them. So cute!

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Borders & Backgrounds 2, Monogrammed, Very Vintage Florals, Love You More (heart banner), Damask Doilies (sentiment) | Dies: Clear Cut Stackers: Circles, Very Vintage Florals Companion Die | Cardstock: Oatmeal, Kraft

And that concludes day 2! I seriously can't thank you all enough for all of the kind words that you guys leave in your comments. You are the very best!

So...are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Monogrammed, Clear Cut Stackers: Circles, Basic Banners, Basic Banners Companion Die and Borders & Backgrounds 2? Just leave a comment on this post by 9:00 AM EST August 7th 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 August/September 2013 Release Day 1

A little late, but it's finally 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 August 9, 2013 at www.wplus9.com as well as at many of your favorite retailers.

We have lots of new product to share with you, however, I will be hosting release week all alone this month. But not to worry, the design team will be joining in with new and fresh inspiration over the next several weeks!

I'm excited to share this release with all of you, so, let's get started!

Fanciful Feathers

• is a 4x6 clear photopolymer stamp set
• 14 high quality photo-polymer stamps; 10 feather images in multiple sizes, both solid and lined
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $14

Fanciful Feathers Companion Die

• contains 4 individual dies wired together that can be easily separated; 2 stamp companion dies and 2 stand alone dies
• coordinates with the Fanciful Feathers stamp set
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $10

Envelope Liner Die

• available exclusively at wplus9.com
• coordinates with our standard A2 envelope
• will be available for purchase August 9th for $20

While we pride ourselves on the classics and not being too overly trendy, this release definitely hits on a few current trends. And little else is more popular than feathers at the moment!

I wanted our feathers to be a little more than just delicate, but not too abstract and graphic. I think the final images are versatile enough to be soft and feminine or bold and graphic.

This first set is definitely bold and graphic! I've stamped the 2 feather styles in their solid states, in two sizes to create this fun pattern. I did give this a trial run on scratch paper before settling on the final placement. I highly recommend it! The envelope liner was cut from our Sweet Gelato card stock and adhered to an A4 envelope in white (more details on these later this week).

While I was at it, I decided to stamp out some quick gift note enclosures. I think the feather images stand up beautifully all on their own as well. The sentiment was added to all using Basic Banners, which I'll also tell you more about later this week.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers, Basic Banners | Dies: A2 Envelope Liner | Ink: Lake House pigment ink | Cardstock: White, Sweet Gelato

Speaking of gift enclosure cards...this next pair packs a bit of elegance. The feathers are designed straight, but by bending them a little when you place them on your block you can create the look of movement. I stamped down one side of each in a "falling" motion using the larger outlined images in the set.

The sentiments, both from Fanciful Feathers, were added in a simple black. These little cuties measure 4 1/4 x 3 1/2".

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers | Cardstock: White

This next pair of cards shows us just how fancy these modest feathers can be. Again, I've curved the feathers when placing them on my acrylic block for that soft ethereal feel.

Here I've used our Nautical Navy card stock, coming this release, along with a lot of Perfect Pearls. I stamped everything in Perfect Medium and them brushed on the Perfect Pearls. Who said you have to choose between silver and gold, why not use both!

The sentiments, all from Fanciful Feathers, were heat embossed in silver and gold. I love when a simple card, using minimal supplies has such a big impact.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers | Cardstock: Nautical Navy

These next two projects have a more artsy vibe and pay homage to the water color trend that is so hot right now.

For this one I opted to do a little faux painting with embossing powders. I die cut the feathers using the Fanciful Feathers Companion Die and stamped them in vibrant colors. For the "one of a kind" feather, I did a little gradient heat embossing. To create the "paint splatters", I dropped piles of embossing powder onto my card stock and then heat embossed it from behind. It takes a little longer to melt, but it kept the powder from blowing away and separating.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers, Written On Ribbon ("one of a kind" sentiment), Quite Like You ("Simply Amazing" sentiment) | Dies: Fanciful Feathers Companion Die, Banner Trio | Cardstock: White, Sweet Gelato

For this one, I used some actual watercoloring via Distress Ink (Ranger).

I pressed the Distress Ink pads onto a sheet of parchment paper to lay down some ink, spritzed it with water, and then painted the same way I would with regular water colors. Once it was dry, I stamped the feather outlines and my sentiment in Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink. The lines on either side of the sentiment were added using Country Charm. I'm tempted to create more of these without the sentiment, scan them and have them enlarged. I think they'd make awesome prints.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Fanciful Feathers, Sweets & Treats | Cardstock: White

My last project today is a super simple card. But it just may be my favorite.

I die cut one of the stand alone feathers from Fanciful Feathers twice and tied them with some twine. I scored a line down the center for a little interest since they were staying completely white (these look amazing die cut from water color paper and painted as well!). The sentiment, from Guiding Light Sentiments was embossed in white.

Wplus9 Supplies:
Stamps: Guiding Light Sentiments | Dies: Fanciful Feathers, A2 Envelope Liner | Cardstock: Nautical Navy, White

Whew! That wraps up Day 1! I really hope you enjoyed today's previews. Thanks again for being so patient, I hope it was worth the wait.

Are you ready for a chance to win today's featured products: Fanciful Feathers, Fanciful Feathers Companion Die and the A2 Envelope Liner Die? Just leave me a comment by 9:00 AM EST August 6th letting me know which was your favorite today. Do you like the feathers more graphic or are you preferring the elegant route. I will select one random winner from all comments. Winners will be posted here.

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

August/September 2013 Release Delayed

Looking for Day 1 Previews of our August/September 2013 Release? Thank you so much! We are so happy that you've stopped by. Unfortunately, we have had some products delayed and they are arriving later than we anticipated. Tsk. Tsk.

But not to worry, we will not be delayed for long. We will begin our August/September 2013 Release previews on August 5, 2013.

In the meantime, I will be posting sneak peeks on Instagram and Facebook from now until then. We appreciate your understanding while we finish preparing, and more importantly, ensuring that all of the product is ready for you.

Again, thank you so much for your patience and understanding. Please be sure to mark your calendars for August 5th!