Here we are! The very last day of the countdown! It certainly has been a fun one, hasn't it!
Today I get to formally introduce two of the greatest sets from this release!
You've already seen bits & pieces of this set throughout the week and let us know loud and clear that you LOVE it! Dawn McVey's new Background Basics: Woodgrain is an amazing building set that allows you to create and customize a variety of woodgrain patterns. It is so easy to use and really goes with almost anything! A fantastic basic that you will find yourself turning towards again and again!
The details.
- Background Basics: Woodgrain will be available for sale on April 15th.
- It will retail for $15.
- Background Basics: Woodgrain contains a total of 3 woodgrain strips that allow you build your own woodgrain backgrounds.
- A complementary Woodgrain Impression Plate will also be available for $16.
The second set I am showcasing today is one that I designed myself. Whenever I sat down to create a project for David, my grandfather or any other males in my life, I was left with too few options to use for focal points. This is a set I designed out of my necessity and desire for classic, stylish and tasteful male-themed images that I can use as an endless resource for masculine projects. But don't let the name inhibit your creativity! Most of the images would work well on cards for any recipient depending on your color scheme and application, as I will show later in this post!
The details.
- Masculine Motifs will be available for sale on April 15th.
- It will retail for $24.
- Masculine Motifs contains a total of 31 stamps (12 images, 8 sentiments and 11 masculine titles)
One last introduction for this month is a beautiful patterned paper collection that Dawn also designed, entitled Dotty Biscotti! (Fun name, right?!?!?) Our standard white patterned paper has been transformed and printed with a kraft background, with several variations of colored polka dots.
The details.
- Dotty Biscotti will be available for sale on April 15th.
- It will retail for $10. (Due to a double-process required to achieve the kraft-colored background, a slightly higher price point was required for this particular pad)
- The Dotty Biscotti Collection contains a total of 36 (8x8) sheets, 6 sheets each of 6 colors.
- The colors include Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Lemon Tart, Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz and Plum Pudding.
Now, how about I show you some fun projects with all this goodness!
First I have a set of two cards to share with you, showing how this tree trio stamp from Masculine Motifs can work for any season!
I thought I would show you step by step how this quick and fun technique can be done. I started by stamping the tree trio with Dark Chocolate ink onto Rustic Cream cardstock.
For the autumn card, I first added random dots using a YR15 Copic Marker.
Then YR18...
followed by E08. That's all there is to it!
I also added color to the ground under the trees to make it look more complete. A little Tea Dye Duo ink around the edges of the focal point block helped to "warm" everything up.
The sentiment "for my" and then "husband" are two separate stamps, so you can customize your projects for the recipient! I wrapped some Rustic Jute Button Twine around the card front three times and tied it off.
I also used the Woodgrain Impression Plate on the Terracotta Tile mat layer. I just love the texture that this adds, as well as reinforcing the theme.
Here is the same exact card, just done in different colors.
I used the Spring Moss Copic Trio for the trees this time to give it a Spring/Summer look and feel.
Note that I was able to swap out "grandfather" for "husband" this time. I love being able to customize like this with clear stamps!
This is a super simple one layer card showcasing a beautiful sailboat image from the set!
I started by stamping one of Dawn's woodgrain strips onto my Rustic White card base using Spring Rain ink.
I then stamped the sailboat in the center of the card using Enchanted Evening. I quickly stamped a second time (without re-inking) just to the right of the first impression.
I inked up the stamp again, this time stamping off on scratch paper, then stamping a second time to the left of the first sailboat I had added to the card cover.
By adding a simple sentiment to the lower right corner of the woodgrain patterned strip, I am able to balance the project perfectly! This card is so quick and easy to make, you could whip up a dozen or so in under an hour!
This project uses one of my favorite images from the set, a Koi fish.
I wanted him to have a little shading and depth, so I inked the entire fish with Orange Zest ink, then just barely tapped the Terracotta ink pad on the edge of the tail and the tip of the head.
When I stamped it, it had a wonderful variegated effect!
I built my own customized woodgrain background using two of the woodgrain strips from Dawn's new set. I started by stamping one strip across the bottom edge using versamark.
I then added a second strip just above that. You continue to alternate between the strips until you've filled the front cover. Super easy!
You might have noticed the unique black border strip on my project. This was created by stamping the solid line small argyle overlay from A Little Argyle down the length of the strip using Versamark ink. I then heat set it with clear Filigree embossing powder.
For a bit of a different technique, I tore the top edge of the focal point and added a line of stitching.
I chose to leave about an inch's worth of thread hanging off either side to add a little something extra to the card. I rounded all four corners of the car using my Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers).
This project uses a few additional images from Masculine Motifs.
I started with a block of Spring Moss cardstock and added the fern image, stamped with Ripe Avocado.
I then added the dragonfly & the sentiment with True Black ink. It's so fun to layer things and really build good foundations for a project this way.
I couldn't find the "perfect" ribbon in my stash, so I ended up customizing our Black & White Stripes ribbon. I colored it with a YG95 Copic marker so that it would integrate all of the colors used on my project.
I also added some woodgrain stamps on the background of my focal point block, stamped with Versamark ink.
And I know...I know... I used the Woodgrain Impression Plate again on the cover of this card. But I can't help it! Honest! It's just that good!!!
I have one more quick project to show you. This uses a globe & coordinating sentiment that can be found in Masculine Motifs.
I started by using our new Mat Stack 1 die with Stamper's Select White cardstock to cut out the focal point shelf. The globe was stamped in Ripe Avocado and the coordinating sentiment was stamped directly over the globe using True Black. Just love these little images!
I created the grid pattern on the background using my Scor-pal and score it every 1/2", then rotating theproject!
*sigh* Just so in love with all of this! I vow to never dread creating a masculine project again! With these images in my arsenal, I can have just as much fun as I do create projects for the girls! We would love to hear your first impressions of these sets! Leave a comment today letting us know what you think and you could have a chance to win a fantastic prize package to help you create many of the projects from today's post!
- Masculine Motifs stamp set
- Background Basics: Woodgrain stamp set
- Woodgrain Impression Plate
- Dotty Biscotti Paper Collection
- Tea Dye Duo
This AMAZING package has over a $70 value! This contest ends at 11:30pm EST, Wednesday, April 14th, so be sure to leave your comment before then! One winner will be randomly selected. Only one entry per person please. The winner will be announced by midnight on our April Release Winners page.
Want some more inspiration?
Visit Dawn McVey's blog for more project ideas using both of today's sets!
Becky Oehlers has shared a few more tips & tricks for using Fly Away.
Heather Nichols is showcasing another project using her new sets, Have a Ball & Fillable Frames #3.
Lisa Johnson has even more up her sleeve with Chair-ished & A Little Argyle.
Kim Hughes has one last peek at her new Click Simple shape templates, Boys to Men.
Ashley Cannon Newell, our Distinguished Guest Designer, has put together her very first blog post on our behalf! Be sure to stop by her blog and check out her amazing projects!
For complete measurements & supply lists for all of today's projects, please CLICK HERE.
