Good morning, everyone! Happy release day! First and foremost I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you. I know that there have been many ups and downs over the last few days as we attempted to fully launch the new website for this release. Going into this big change was definitely a stressful challenge for all of us behind the scenes.
The fact that all of our loyal customers have stuck with us through this time of change and have been so positive and uplifting has truly been one of the biggest blessings to me. It showed me that you think of us as more than just a company. You value what we have to share with you, and you'll always be there, rain or shine. I have such an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for each and every one of you this morning. Thank you SO much... for everything.
As I stated last night, we will be temporarily be running our old site until we are certain that server issues are sorted out with the new one. Julie usually spends a full week creating all of the pages & organizing all of the images and information for the new products. Last night she put together the impromptu front page in less than an hour just so you were able to purchase the items you've been wanting.
Julie will be working all day today to bring all of the web views and such to the status that you are accustomed to, with images and all of the details. We anticipate everything to be prepared late tonight. We appreciate your patience with the current set-up as Julie finishes the preparations. In the interim, I have prepared a special page here on the blog so you are able to view all of the new release items in one place.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL NEW RELEASE IMAGES
Because of the switch back to the old site at the last minute, we were not able to get galleries prepared to display all of the design team's work with the latest release products. That is something we will be tweaking throughout the coming days, however the team got together and posted many of their projects on their blogs last night. I have linked to each of their posts below so that you can see all of the amazing goodies they have created, along with a featured personal favorite from each designer.
Betsy Veldman has several fabulous projects on her blog this morning, but my personal favorite is this one she did using the Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley set. I love how she made it look as though it was a seed packet through the frames opening. And the coloring is just so soft and beautifully understated. Just stunning
Dawn McVey wowed me with her take on Up, Up & Away. I love how she did the whole card in shades of pink, even the clouds, and yet it looks so striking and put together. I never would have tried that myself and Dawn is always so good about pushing me out of my color comfort zone when she does projects like this one!
Debbie Olson really embraced both the new Sunshine Impression Plate and Take Three: Summer stamp set. With her refined simplicity, she really is able to allow the background take center stage. And I have to nod to that beautiful bow & button treatment she created as well!
Erin Lincoln paired several of the sets from the Year of Flowers series to create this amazing project. I love how she broke each flower into panels and did a soft coloring effect with colored pencils. Reminds me of pages from old botanical books or something! Love this!
Heather Nichols created a super bright and tropical card with the new Aloha stamp set. The Raspberry Fizz paired up with the Kraft cardstock is just an awesome combination. Especially with the way that Heather softened all of the edges with a few swipes of her white ink pad. The muted coloring on the hibiscus ads just the right amount of color to maintain a vintage-like feel to the project.
Kim Hughes also used Aloha to create this festive card using both Dotty Biscotti patterned paper and the new Background Basics: Geometrics set. I also love the rustic effect she was able to get with the Linen & Canvas Impression Plate. Almost gives you the feeling of grasscloth that can be associated with all things tropical!
I simply adored Lisa Johnson's use of the new Get to the Point and Sentiments sets. All of those arrows together paired with the bold sentiment choices from the companion sentiment set, combine to create a wonderfully unique card that will definitely catch anyone's eye. The color scheme is just awesome as well. Bright and super cheerful!
Maile Belles used the new Cloud Dies in a completely fabulous way on this card that also features the new balloon images from Up, Up & Away. I love how she used the negative space with the dies in such a fun way. It really accents the shapes of the clouds and just offers you even more versatility.
Melissa Phillips paired her classic feminine, vintage look with some of our felt, the new Eyelet Lace Border die and a heartfelt sentiment from Inside & Out: Thank You. The stitching she added to the leaf with embroidery floss just made me swoon! And I just adore the glittery border she was able to create with the eyelet lace! Funny, but I hadn't thought to do that and it looks so fabulous!
Michelle Wooderson used images from both Up, Up & Away and Get to the Point stamp sets to create this amazingly vibrant card. A few things that jumped right out at me was the way she added just a bit of glitter to the bottom of each cloud die-cut. A little goes along way in this type of application and I think Michelle got it spot on! I also love the way she used the tickets and arrow image along the side as a border. It brings emphasis to the "Up" theme and I love that!
Niki Estes utilized her Copic coloring skills to create this amazing little masterpiece. With Bitty Box patterned paper representing the hills and Spring Rain cardstock as the sky, she created the perfect backdrop for her colorful balloons. I also love the way Niki nestled her sentiment in with the balloons. Makes it look so much more at home and helps to connect everything together and make it cohesive to the eye.
Ashley Cannon Newell used the postcard image from Aloha to create this fabulous patterned paper for her background. I love the way she paper pieced the floral element on the surfboard, showcasing you don't need to have coloring skills to make this set shine. I also love the sparkle she added to the center of each hibiscus bloom, setting off the details.
Thank you once again for your patronage, support, patience, understanding and the love you have shared with us over the past few days. We appreciate you more than I can express. I hope you thoroughly enjoy the rest of your weekend and carve out some time to be creative!
