Betsy

Thanks so much for joining us today! It’s one of my favorite days of the year…the day we get to start revealing our holiday collection! This year’s holiday collection is called Fireside and it’s filled with warm & cozy images and sentiments, inspired by some of the things we love to do while gathered around the fireplace at Christmastime. We’ll be showcasing the new products here on the blog today and tomorrow. You’ll want to hop along with the team (blog hop links at the bottom of this post) to see what they’ve been busy creating, too!

All of the new products showcased today and tomorrow will be available in the shop Wednesday, October 2, beginning at 10am EDT.

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 Wednesday, October 2).

Warm & Cozy die, stamp set, and sentiments die

Get ready to set some cozy scenes with our Warm & Cozy die and matching sentiment stamp set. Our Warm & Cozy die features an adorably cozy wing-back style chair, plus lots of accessories…a rug, throw blanket, a doily for the back of the chair, throw pillows, and even a snoozing kitty. The matching stamp set features fun coordinating sentiments that cover a variety of occasions, some for even beyond the holidays. There are also images for adding stamped details to the rug and throw pillows. A matching Warm & Cozy Sentiments die is also available for cutting out the sentiments from the coordinating stamp set.

Click HERE for Warm & Cozy die info ($23)
Click HERE for Warm & Cozy stamp set info ($16)
Click HERE for Warm & Cozy Sentiments die info ($17)

Fireside die, Hung with Care die

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…”, inspired by a holiday classic, our Fireside die features a pretty fireplace, complete with logs, flames, and a tool set (you can actually hang the tools on the hanger!). The matching Hung with Care die features a pretty greenery swag and an assortment of little stockings with pretty details.

Click HERE for Fireside die info ($24)
Click HERE for Hung with Care die info ($18)

Have a Spine Die

Our Have a Spine die is a great basic for creating card fronts that resemble book covers. This set includes a book “spine”, cover, and page-edge detail, which is wonderful for cutting from metallic cardstock to mimic gilded edges! With a little creative layering, you can also create functioning elements so the card itself opens like a book. Check out our how-to video linked below for a variety of options!

Click HERE for Have a Spine die info ($25)

Bookish Holiday Frames stamp set and die

Cozy up with this book-inspired stamp set that features pretty frames and other elements that can be combined with our Have a Spine die, or used on their own in a variety of ways as well! There are sentiments in a few different formats – linear to fit on the spine of our Have a Spine die, and larger “title” formats. There are also a handful of script sentiments that mimic the look of an autograph or message written on the inside cover of a book – a fun touch to stamp on the inside of book-themed cards! The matching die set opens up lots of diecutting and layering options.

Click HERE for Bookish Holiday Frames stamp set info ($19)
Click HERE for Bookish Holiday Frames die info ($34)

The Christmas Story stamp set and die

Share the true story of Christmas with our Christmas Story stamp set. This set features the Christmas story as found in Luke 2, KJV. Wonderful for stamping on the inside of cards, as a pull-out or insert, etc. In addition to the entire chapter of Luke 2, there are some titles and scripture reference images as well. This set is wonderful for pairing with the Have a Spine die and Bookish Holiday Frames sets introduced above! The matching die cuts the title and scripture reference images from the set.

Click HERE for The Christmas Story stamp set info ($16)
Click HERE for The Christmas Story die info ($7)

I put together a video showcasing these book-themed products. There’s a little how-to for using the Have a Spine die, along with a project showcase at the end of the video.

Scripted Holiday Sentiments stamp set and die

Up next is a holiday version of our popular Scripted Sentiments set we released earlier this year. Done in the same gorgeous flourished script font, this set features a variety of mix and match sentiments for the holidays. The matching die cuts out the five large script words from the set as well as an ampersand.

Click HERE for Scripted Holiday Sentiments stamp set info ($19)
Click HERE for Scripted Holiday Sentiments die info ($27)

Winter Crest Stamp + Stencil, die, and Crest No. 2 die

The next in our seasonal crest series, our Winter Crest stamp + stencil set features a pretty vertical crest design surrounded by foliage and berries. So many fun possibilities with this set! The design is quick and easy to stamp and stencil, making it a wonderful one for creating multiples! Matching dies (sold separately) are available as well – Winter Crest and Crest No. 2, for more layering options.

Click HERE for Winter Crest Stamp + Stencil info ($22)
Click HERE for Winter Crest die info ($22)
Click HERE for Crest No. 2 die info ($6)

I have SO many projects to share with your today! Let’s start off with some book-themed cards. I’ll go through each one in this pretty stack…

First up, the first one on the top of the stack…

• I’m always inspired by actual book covers, especially the beautiful updated classics that are so popular right now. This card drew inspiration from those.
• To create interest, stamp a tone-on-tone design like the rectangular frame from the Bookish Holiday Frames set, then layer diecuts over the top. I arranged some Rosemary & Berry diecuts (we’ll be formally introducing this die tomorrow!), and filled in the smaller areas with bits and pieces from the older Winter Medley die set.
• The oval frame and sentiment are also from the Bookish Holiday Frames set, diecut from the same dark green cardstock as the cover, and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.
• For a subtle tone-on-tone look the spine was diecut from gold metallic cardstock and the sentiment along the spine was heat embossed with gold. Love the bit of texture and elegance this adds!

Up next, a shaker book card with an adorable winter scene…

• Our Christmas Time in the Country die (or stamp set, or both!) is a great companion to the new book-themed items. I used the house here to build my scene, along with the tiny snowflakes and chimney smoke swirl.
• The little “trees” are actually small sprigs from the Winter Medley die, stood upright they make perfect little trees for my scene.
• The pretty flourish frame from the Bookish Holiday Frames set was heat embossed with gold. I diecut only the center of the frame to create the window for the shaker element. Just cover the opening with acetate and add strips of foam adhesive to create the shaker box.

Up next, a book card that pairs the Have a Spine die with the Christmas Story stamp set and matching die, along with our new Winter Crest set.

• The stable was cut using the Christmas Time in the Country die. The star and starburst were stamped using the Christmas Time in the Country stamp set.
• Our new Winter Crest set is wonderful for pairing with the Have a Spine die…the design fits nicely on the book “cover”.
• On the inside of the card, use a magnet to attach an Arch diecut, stamped with the Luke 2 scripture, stamped with our Christmas Story stamp set. Your card recipient can display it on their fridge or other spot during the holidays.

Up next, another Christmas Story card, this time with a special vellum page inside…

• Stamp the Christmas Story text onto vellum and secure it inside the card along the spine. I talk a bit about this in the how-to video shared earlier in this post.
• Cut just the center from the oval Bookish Holiday Frames frame so the text peeks through from the front of the card.
• On the inside of the card (behind the vellum), stamp a greeting or write a message to your recipient. The sentiments used here are a combination of the Scripted Holiday Sentiments and Bookish Holiday Frames sets.
• To create a “bookmark”, tuck a little banner into the page detail cuts of the Have a Spine die. I used the banner from the Sentiment Suite Basics die.
• The holly clusters were stamped using the Birth Month Blooms Q4 stamp set and cut with the matching die.

I loved playing with the vellum concept on the card above, and also thought it would be so pretty to have the cover cut from vellum with the scripture text showing through, so that’s what I did on this next card.

• This card is almost like a card-on-a-card – the vellum layer is part of the card front, and then the whole book portion is adhered to a normal card base. You can see it in the video here, and I’ll share it via an Instagram reel soon as well.
• I didn’t want to treat the scripture text as a background, and felt it needed to be kept center stage, so I embellished the vellum layer instead, using a few Rosemary & Berry sprigs (we’ll be introducing this die tomorrow!), layered under some sentiments stamped with The Christmas Story stamp set and cut with the matching die.
• Layer a piece of ribbon under the vellum to look like a pretty book mark.

One more book-themed card, this time again using the new Winter Crest set to embellish the cover.

• To create some drama, stamp and stencil onto black cardstock. The berries here were done with texture paste and the stencil that’s included in the Winter Crest stamp + stencil set. Sponge some ink onto the stencil before spreading the texture paste and it will pick up the color. I sponged some red ink onto my stencil, then used a palette knife to apply the white texture paste. This process created the pink berries.
• For the foliage, I stamped onto black cardstock using a few shades of green Oxide Ink (Rustic Wilderness and Crushed Olive). I used my MISTI so I could stamp multiple impressions to really build up the ink color.
• Use Stickles over the oxide ink stamping…it activates the ink and it just sort of comes alive!
• Heat emboss the crest frame onto vellum using gold embossing powder, then cut it out using the Crest No. 2 die. Layer it over the black Winter Crest diecut.
• The sentiments here are also from the Winter Crest set…”noel” was heat embossed onto vellum, and the banner was stamped onto white cardstock and cut with the matching die.

Up next, a slimline card that uses the Winter Crest set in a totally different way…turn the crests sideways and they are gorgeous on a slimline card!

• I had so much fun stenciling and stamping onto the black cardstock on my previous card, that I made a few more using the same process (I’ll try to put a video together soon!).
• Turn the crests sideways, then layer a diecut banner over the top – this one was cut using the Crimped Slimline die and gold shimmer cardstock.
• Tuck a Crest No. 2 diecut (stamped with the frame from the Winter Crest set) in the center, tucking it under the leaves. The one here was heat embossed with gold onto vellum.
• The sentiment here is from the Scripted Holiday Sentiments set. The “on earth” sentiment was bent to match the shape of the banner from the Winter Crest set.
• The pretty slimline panel in the background was cut using the Nordic Slimline die.

The Winter Crest has been one of my favorites from this release. It’s quick and easy with just a couple of steps (stencil the berries and stamp the foliage!). But if you want more details, layers, etc, etc, there’s tons of room to play, like this next card.

• The design on this arch card was created by layering a diecut Winter Crest design over the top of another that was stenciled/stamped directly onto the card base and turned upside down. This is a great way to create a fuller design.
• For even more fullness, tuck in some small sprigs. I used small leaves and branches cut with the Winter Medley die.
• The larger scripted Merry sentiment is from the new Scripted Holiday Sentiments set, cut with the matching die. The sentiment on the banner is from the Winter Crest set.
• Use a white pen and/or colored pencils to add shading and small details to the berries. Very easy to do, but really brings the design to life.

Next I have a handful or projects using the new Warm & Cozy chair, Fireside, and Hung with Care dies. So fun to create all kinds of scenes with these!

First up is an easel card with a cozy fireplace scene.

• Pop-up easel cards are super easy to create. Just adhere all of the elements for your scene below a scored line, and your entire scene will pop-up, making the card a fun display piece for your recipient!
• Our Herringbone Parquet die makes great flooring for my scene.
• The little fireplace tools can actually hang on the holder by slipping the curly ends of the holder through the holes in the tops of the tools.
• The sentiment used here is from the Warm & Cozy stamp set and cut with the matching Sentiment die. Place a portion of the sentiment on the front of the card, and the rest on the inside where the easel catches.

Up next, a pretty and cozy scene using the Warm & Cozy chair…

• Create a “mirror” for your scene using the oval frame from the Bookish Holiday Frames set. Use the matching die to cut a solid layer from silver mirror cardstock (outer edge of the oval frame only), then layer a second over the top, in which both the outer and inner portions were cut, and the image stamped and heat embossed. Such a fun detail!
• Above the mirror, I put a pretty swag which was made using the Hung with Care die and topped off with a small bow from the Gifts Galore die.
• The sentiment used here is from the Warm & Cozy set, and cut with the matching Sentiments die.
• Fill up the chair with all of the fun accessories included in the Warm & Cozy die…pillows, a blanket, and don’t forget the rug and the pretty doily on the back of the chair. The pillows and rug were stamped with the detail images included in the Warm & Cozy stamp set.

Next, another Fireside card, this time that pretty fireplace gets to take center stage.

• It’s easy to create a multi-colored fireplace. Simply cut the fireplace from a few different colors cardstock, and snip the diecuts apart where the various pieces are sort of tabbed together (the brick insert, the wood frame, and the outer pillars/mantel). Leave your bottom layer fully intact, then just stack more layers on top.
• Add some light ink blending to the brick portion to bring out the embossed brick design. I also added some shading using light tan and light gray colored pencils to further enhance the brick.
• Have fun adding details to the cute stockings from the Hung with Care set. You can layer the diecut toe and heel pieces, or just color them if you prefer not to handle the tiny pieces. I did some of both! I also added small details using pens and stickles.
• The sentiment used here is from the new Scripted Holiday Sentiments set and matching die.
• I stamped some foliage onto the background Nordic Frames diecut using the foliage stamp from the new Winter Crest set, just to give a little tone-on-tone interest to the bakcground.

Last but not least, I’m excited to use that cute Warm & Cozy chair on projects outside of holiday-themed ones, and couldn’t resist trying out an idea that was floating around in my head…

• To create the scene, pair the Warm & Cozy chair with some “wall art”! I used the Mini Hoopla and Mini Inserts dies to create these. I stamped some small floral clusters in each one using the AlphaBuds Slim stamp set. The small “sending warm thoughts” sentiment is from the Sentiment Suite Thinking of You stamp set.
• The “wallpaper” in the background was stamped using the Spring Meadow Background stamp.
• I once again created the wood floor using our Herringbone Parquet die, and added a baseboard using one of the woodgrain strips from the Curio Cover die.
• To create the floral pattern on the throw blanket, I just used markers and made small dots. Super easy, but that’s all it takes to give the impressions of a floral pattern!
• Add some shading to the chair using a marker in a slightly darker color than the cardstock it was cut from.
• The pretty scallops along the top were cut using the Ribbon Maker Large Scallops die.

I hope you enjoyed perusing my projects as much as I enjoyed creating them! The team has so much more to share with you, plus we have a giveaway of course!

Inspiration Team Blog Hop & Giveaway

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 Tuesday, October 1 at 11:59pm EDT
• Winners will be posted at 7am EDT on Wednesday, October 2 here on the blog

Now for the team blog links to see more projects featuring today’s new product reveals…