Handiwork Collection Day 1

Hello and welcome to the first of two days of fun reveals, projects, and giveaways to celebrate our newest collection coming to the shop. It’s called Handiwork and it’s filled with fun products all with a nod to stitching and sewing (but with no stitching required)!

Let’s get right to today’s product introductions…

Below is a quick look at the new products being showcased today. Click on the links below each product heading for more details and information (sentiments, measurements, etc.), or click HERE to see all of the new products in the shop. (**Please Note: although you can preview the new products in the shop, they will not be available to add to cart or purchase until 10am EDT on Friday, July 28).

Floral Sampler stamp set + die

This stamp set features fun floral and greenery designs with “stitched” detailing. There’s a broad mix of different blooms and leaves to mix and match, as well as some smaller details like lazy daisies, etc. It’s perfect for building bouquets and clusters, especially with our new Hoopla dies (introduced below).

Click HERE for Floral Sampler stamp set info ($19)
Click HERE for Floral Sampler die info ($22)

Embroidered Blooms die

This die set features lots of florals and greenery with stitching-inspired details in stand-alone die form. The set includes a nice mix of different designs in varied sizes for bouquet building. This set also coordinates nicely with the new Hoopla dies introduced below.

Click HERE for Embroidered Blooms die info ($24)

Hoopla Round and Hoopla Oval + Inserts dies

Next up we have some new stand-alone dies that are designed to create cute embroidery-style hoops. We have both a round and oval version. The coordinating Inserts can be used to cut backings for the hoops. The Insert sets also include some pierced designs that allow you to add optional pierced scallop designs to the inserts. The little screw tops and hangers make these over-the-top adorable!

Click HERE for Hoopla Round die info ($25)
Click HERE for Hoopla Round Inserts die info ($25)
Click HERE for Hoopla Oval die info ($22)
Click HERE for Hoopla Oval Inserts die info ($22)

Hoopla Mini + Mini Inserts dies

We’re also releasing a set of adorable mini hoops in a great mix of shapes…rectangle, square, ovals, and heart. So fun for framing tiny diecuts or stamped images. Each shape also includes a small screw-top accent. The coordinating Mini Inserts die can be used to cut backers for the hoops. As an added bonus, the Mini Inserts set also features pierced detailing on the outer, or “negative” portion of the cut, expanding the use of this set for cutting windows from card fronts, etc.

Click HERE for Hoopla Mini die info ($22)
Click HERE for Hoopla Mini Inserts die info ($24)

Stitched Sentiments stamp set + die

The Stitched Sentiments set is a fun assortment of stitching/sewing themed sentiments that coordinate perfectly with our entire Handiwork collection! The matching Stitched Sentiments die features the three main words from the set (hello, thanks, and sew), and can be used on their own or combined with the stamp set to add more stitching detail.

Click HERE for Stitched Sentiments stamp set info ($16)
Click HERE for Stitched Sentiments die info ($13)

Stitched Scallops Notecard die

We’re adding a new square notecard die to our lineup! This one features a scalloped edge and pretty “stitched” details. When folded, this notecard fits inside a 4″ square envelope (please note that 4″ square cards can not be mailed via USPS).

Click HERE for Stitched Scallops Notecard die info ($34)

Aida Cloth Texture Plate

The Aida Cloth Texture plate pierces and embosses for a subtle textile effect that mimics the look of traditional aida cloth used in cross stitch and embroidery. For best results, pair this plate with a rubber embossing mat and the appropriate embossing sandwich for your machine.

Click HERE for Aida Cloth Texture Plate info ($27)

Let’s see these products in action with lots of projects from myself and the team!

First up, I created a set of shaped notecards using the new Hoopla Oval and Hoopla Round, along with the coordinating Oval and Round Inserts. I filled each hoop with flowers and details cut with the Embroidered Blooms die. To create the shaped card bases, I used the Round and Oval Inserts to cut some cardstock “on the fold” – meaning I folded the cardstock and positioned the die so that the blade was just above the fold, causing it to not cut through the fold, resulting in a shaped folded piece to use as my card bases.

I also cut some Round and Oval Inserts from black cardstock to put inside my hoops. I used the new Aida Cloth Texture plate to add some texture to each of these black pieces. To create the hoops, I diecut them using the Hoopla Round and Hoopla Oval dies. I inked the hoops with shades of brown Oxide inks and also added some splatters to create the wood look. Once the hoops were all assembled with their black inserts, I attached them to the cards bases I mentioned earlier.

The Hoopla Round and Oval dies have a couple of options for the tops – there is the traditional screw top, but there are also options for the cute decorative hangers. I had fun creating the designs inside each hoop using the Embroidered Blooms die. I decided on a color combo and then just diecut lots of pieces and played around with arranging them in different ways. Two of them don’t have a sentiment – they’re just fun notes that I can write a message on the inside. The other two have sentiments from the new Stitched Sentiments stamp set and matching die.

One other thing to note – on some of the diecut leaves I added just a little shading using Copic markers. This was done by just drawing in some quick and easy lines following the cut lines on the leaves. Although totally optional, I think it just helps to add even more texture and enhances the “stitched” effect!

Up next I have a card that uses the new Hoopla Mini and Mini Inserts dies, along with several other new products. These little hoops are just the cutest! I made a whole set and filled up a card front. Inside each hoop I put elements from the Embroidered Blooms die and the new Floral Sampler stamp set and matching die.

The background of my card was stamped with a new background stamp we’ll be formally introducing tomorrow, called Embroidered Background. I also used the Aida Cloth Texture plate to add some texture to my stamped background. The sentiment I used here is from the new set we’ll be introducing tomorrow called Sew Vintage. To create the wood grain strip between the upper and lower sections of my card, I pulled out my Curio: Cover die.

My next card again uses the Embroidered Blooms die to create an all-over pattern on my card front. Again, I just started by diecutting the elements from the Embroidered Blooms set from lots of different colors and just played around with arranging them on my card front until I was happy with the design. I then just trimmed any excess from around the edges of the card. The background is a linen-colored cardstock that I embossed with the Aida Cloth Texture Plate.

The sentiment is from the new Stitched Sentiments stamp set and matching die. The “so much” was stamped onto a PreText Banners diecut. Along the bottom edge I added a scalloped border, which was cut with the Ribbon Maker: Large Scallops die.

I thought our new Embroidered Blooms die would make the most gorgeous white-on-white wedding card, so that’s what’s up for my next project! I incorporated several other new products as well. To create the scalloped strip down the center, I used the new Stitched Scallops Notecard die, cut from creamy cardstock.

To create the individual square panels going down the center of my card, I diecut the notecard, then flipped the die around and ran it through my machine again, lining up the scallops so that it cut through the score/fold, creating a scalloped square instead of a notecard that folds in half. I cut two of these and positioned one in the center, and the other was cut in half and added above and below. From the one in the center, I used the new Hoopla Mini Inserts die to cut the window for my “love” sentiment, which was stamped with the Lovely Silhouettes stamp set. To create the lacy pattern, I diecut lot of elements from the Embroidered Blooms die using white cardstock, and just filled up the scalloped panel. There’s a nice variety of elements in the Embroidered Blooms set, ranging from large to tiny, so it’s fairly easy to arrange the pieces and just fill in where needed with the tinier bits and pieces! I love how textured this card is – it looks so much like lace!

Next I have several projects that use the new Floral Sampler stamp set combined with other new goodies. I had fun just stamping the elements from this set in lots of different colors, then using them to put several projects together.

First is this hoop-shaped thank you card. I used the same “cut-on-the-fold” process I explained at the start of this post to create the shaped card base here again using the Hoopla Oval Inserts die, then framing it with a hoop cut with the Hoopla Oval die.

This time I filled my hoop with images stamped with the new Floral Sampler stamp set and cut with the matching die. The sentiment I used here is from a set we’ll be introducing tomorrow called Sew Vintage. The pierced scalloped detail inside the hoop was done with the Hoopla Oval Inserts die – I love how it adds even more texture to the background, which was embossed with the Aida Cloth Texture Plate.

Next is a soft and feminine card using elements from the Floral Sampler set and a sentiment from Stitched Sentiments stamp set and matching die. I once again framed my design with the Hoopla Oval, and the backer for the hoop was cut using the Hoopla Oval Insert die.

For the background, I stamped a panel of cardstock with the new Embroidered Background stamp that we’ll be introducing officially tomorrow, using gray ink, then embossed it with the Aida Cloth Texture Plate. I added the pretty scalloped strip along the bottom by cutting the Ribbon Maker: Large Scallops die from pale pink cardstock.

This next card again uses images from the Floral Sampler set. This time I created a rectangular frame using the Curio: Cover die. I arranged several flowers, leaves, and other elements from the set to create the focal point, which was layered over a panel of gold-colored cardstock which was embossed with the Aida Cloth Texture Plate. I brushed over the gold panel with some white ink to add a little texture and further highlight the embossing.

I also added some Nuvo Drops in white to the stamped images. The sentiment I used here is from the Signed & Sealed set.

Lastly, I have a set of notecards made with the new Stitched Scallops Notecard die. I embellished them with a mix of bits and pieces I had left over from today’s projects – mostly little bits from the Embroidered Blooms die and the Floral Sampler set.

I started by diecutting the notecard bases from a soft gray/beige cardstock. I pulled out little bits and pieces that all coordinated in shades of bright citrus green, pinks, and oranges, and just played around with arranging them in fun and different ways. The “just for you” sentiment was stamped using the Tagged Elegance set inside a window that was cut using the new Hoopla Mini Inserts die. The “just a note” sentiment was stamped using the Little Labels stamp set. As a final finishing touch, I stamped the new Embroidered Background (more on that tomorrow) onto the flaps of some 4″ envelopes to complete the set.

That wraps up my projects today, but there’s so much more to see from the team, and also some prizes! Now that you’ve gotten to meet all of today’s new products and see them in action, you can “greet” them for a chance to win a prize. We’ll be giving away two $50 gift cards for today’s blog hop.

Read on for details…

Comment here on the blog for one entry (one comment per person).
Comment on our Inspiration Team Members’ blogs for more entries (linked below – one comment per person, per blog)
Comments close Thursday, July 27 at 11:59pm EDT
Winners will be posted at 7am ET on Friday, July 28 here on the blog

Now for the links to hop around and see all of the gorgeous projects from the team…