Strength for Today

Thanks so much for joining us today! Today we are introducing some of the new products coming to the shop this week Thursday! Our Autumn Air collection hits the shop on Thursday, August 29 at 10am EDT. We’ll be showcasing the new products here on the blog today and tomorrow.

All of the new products showcased today will be available in the shop Thursday, August 29, beginning at 10am EDT .

Youtube Live – Wednesday evening!

If you’d like to see the products up close, Laurie will be hosting a Youtube Live on our Youtube channel on Wednesday evening at 8pm EDT/7pm CDT.

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 Thursday, August 29).

Autumn Crest Stamp + Stencil, Autumn Crest Die, and Crest No. 1 die

Crest shapes and designs have always been a favorite of mine! I’m excited to bring Autumn Crest, the first of a seasonal series. The stamp + stencil combo features a shield-like crest shape surrounded by autumn leaves and twigs, created through the use of stamps (branches) and stencils (leaves). There are some pretty fall, thanksgiving, and thank you sentiments included in the set as well. The Crest No. 1 die can be used in conjunction with the Autumn Crest set, or it can be used on its own as well for lots of other applications.

Click HERE for Autumn Crest Stamp + Stencil info ($25)
Click HERE for Autumn Crest die info ($35)
Click HERE for Crest No. 1 die info ($13)

Strength for Today stamp set & die

This set includes sentiments and scriptures perfect for offering words of encouragement during difficult times. With many of the sentiments incorporating the words “strength” and “shield”, this set is perfect for pairing with the Autumn Crest set introduced above.

Click HERE for Strength for Today stamp set info ($19)
Click HERE for Strength for Today die info ($34)

Oakwood Stamp + Stencil, Oakwood die, and Oakwood Sentiments die

The Oakwood stamp + stencil combo creates a pretty and generously-sized oak leaf and acorn cluster, inspired by vintage botanical prints. Large enough to take center stage on an A2 card, you’ll have fun blending these leaves using your favorite ink colors. The main design is stenciled, and the stamped details (veining, etc) really bring the design to life! We are offering two dies to coordinate with this set – a die to cut the oak branch as well as a separate die for cutting out the sentiments from the set.

Click HERE for Oakwood Stamp + Stencil info ($24)
Click HERE for Oakwood die info ($22)
Click HERE for Oakwood Sentiments die info ($16)

Angelica has a video for you today showcasing the new Oakwood product suite…

Flourished Phrases Thanks stencil, Sentiment Additions stamp set, and Flourished Phrases Thanks die

Next up is an addition to our Flourished Phrases series, this time the word “thanks” done in the same gorgeous flourished font as our other Flourished Phrases sets. The coordinating sentiments additions stamp set includes lots of great companion sentiments for Thanksgiving as well as year-round general thanks. The matching die can be combined with the stencil to add extra dimension to your projects.

Click HERE for Flourished Phrases Thanks Stencil info ($12)
Click HERE for Flourished Phrases Thanks Additions stamp set info ($8)
Click HERE for Flourished Phrases die info ($27)

Mum’s the Word Stamp + Stencil and Mum’s the Word die

Always a fall favorite, our Mum’s the Word set will have you pulling out all of your favorite fall ink colors to create beautiful ink blends on these pretty mums. This set creates a floral frame sized to fit an A2 card. The stamp + stencil combo includes two stencils – one for the blooms, and one for the greenery. The details are then added using the stamps. The stamp set includes some great all-occasion sentiments as well. The matching die cuts the mum frame as well as the “sending” word from the stamp set.

Click HERE for Mum’s the Word Stamp + Stencil info ($22)
Click HERE for Mum’s the Word die info ($27)

Angelica has another video for you, this one showcasing Mum’s the Word along with sentiments from Strength for Today…

Pierced Plaid

Add some fun texture to your next project with this fun background design. This pierce plate impresses a plaid pattern created from pierce points (note that this is not a die and there are no cut lines, only pierce points).

Click HERE for Pierced Plaid info ($27)

With so many projects to share, we’d better get started! 🙂

First up I have several cards using the new Oakwood product suite.

For this card duo I kept it super simple and let those pretty leaves take center stage…

• Stencil and stamp the Oakwood design onto an A2 panel, then diecut the design using the coordinating die. Add the diecut panel to a contrasting card base, then nest the diecut back inside, but pop it up with foam and offset just a bit for the dark card base to show.
• Stamp a sentiment from the Oakwood set and heat emboss with gold. Diecut the sentiment as well as a second layer from the same dark cardstock as the card base and layer them for a little pop of color.
• Play around with lots of different ink blends when stenciling the leaves…have fun! Think oranges and reds, greens and golds, or maybe even pinks! Here I used Rustic Wilderness and Fossilized Amber for the yellow/green and Crackling Campfire and Aged Mahogany for the red/orange
• Metallic gold splatters always add a fun touch. My favorite for gold splatters is Pinata alcohol ink (Amazon link).

Next up I paired Oakwood with the new Strength for Today sentiments for a set of sympathy cards.

• To achieve the colored image on the dark background I used the Oakwood stencils with Opaque Matte Texture Paste from Ranger. Just spread over the stencil with a palette knife (like frosting a cake or buttering bread!), making sure to let it dry between stencil steps. Once all three steps are stenciled with the paste and completely dry, use the stencils over the dried texture paste to stencil as usual with ink, adding color to the texture paste. You can also stamp on it once it’s dry to add the vein, branch, and acorn details!
• The Ribbon Maker Scalloped Hearts die is perfect for adding a petite scalloped border. Just tuck it under the panel so only the scalloped edge shows. You can trim one ribbon strip in half to have enough for two cards.
• The sentiments add a finishing touch, stamped with the Strength for Today set, embossed with gold embossing powder and cut with the matching die.

Up next is a super easy one-layer card using Oakwood stamps + stencil combo.

• This sweet and simple one-layer card was inspired by botanical prints. Create a vintage background by brushing some Tea Dye Oxide ink and some brown ink splatters.
• Pull out the divider line that’s included in any of the Birth Month Blooms set to add a vintage print vibe, and act as the perfect place to add a sentiment. The sentiment here is from the Little Labels set.
• I’m loving rosy mauve and peachy orange as a fall color combo! Oxide inks in Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany, and Dried Marigold are great ink colors to use for this color palette.

Up next are several projects using the new Autumn Crest set.

This first one again uses a Strength for Today sentiment, this time paired with Autumn Crest.

• The colored leaves on the dark background was once again done using Opaque Matte texture paste using the same method described above. Loving how it pops on the dark green background!
• The branches and shield outline were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with gold.
• To add a bit of dimension, I used the Crest No. 1 die and popped it up with some foam adhesive.

• When experimenting with the texture paste on the dark backgrounds, I made a few panels, so of course I had to put them to use, so here’s another one!
• To add a frame/mat around the Crest No. 1 die, I diecut two more from gray kraft cardstock and layered them under the dark green one, trimming off anything that showed where I didn’t want it to at the top and bottom.
• The sentiment here is from the Oakwood set, cut with the matching Oakwood Sentiments die.
• Add a few small leaves and acorns using the BotaniCuts Mighty Oak die.

Next up is an elegant Thanksgiving card using the Autumn Crest set.

• An arch base combined with the Autumn Crest set makes for a super elegant card.
• The Autumn Crest die has the inner and outer cuts as separate dies, allowing you to cut the outer edge, inner edge, or both. I used that feature of the die on this card. I layered a crest on the front of the card that was cut with both the inner and outer. The arch front (cream) was cut with just the inner, and the arched card base (burgundy) was cut with just the inner so that there’s a window on the card front and lots of dimension. The sentiment is stamped on the inside of the card.
• Each of the layers described above, were attached with foam adhesive in between each for lots of dimension.
• The arch card base was created by diecutting the largest arch from the A2 Arches set on the fold.
• The leaves and acorns were created with the BotaniCuts Mighty Oak die, cut from white cardstock and blended with Oxide inks and shaded with colored pencils.

Next up, another arched Thanksgiving card using Autumn Crest, this one a bit simpler.

• The arched card base was created using the larges die from the A2 Arches set, cut on the fold from burgundy cardstock.
• The Autumn Crest frame, branches, and leaves were stamped and stenciling onto an arch cut from gray kraft cardstock. The sentiment and crest frame were heat embossed with gold powder.
• After stamping/stenciling the crest, add some shading to the crest using the crest stencil from the set.
• Diecut the center of the crest using the matching die, then nest it back in place, but pop up the outer portion using foam tape to adhere it to the arch-shaped card base.
• A bit of colored pencil shading is always a great way to add extra detail and dimension to stamped or stenciled designs. I added some dark burgundy shading to the stenciled leaves using a colored pencil. I also used a white pen to add some detail to the berries.

Next I have a few cards again using Autumn Crest, but instead of fall, I went feminine and flowery. This set can take on lots of different looks depending on what you pair with it!

• This card was made for my daughter who is in need of a profession of faith card for one of her friends. We decided the sentiment is perfect!
• Stamp the branches in green, and stencil the leaves in pink for a lighter, feminine look.
• Add tiny blooms using the BotaniCuts Wildflower Mix die.
• Diecut the crest using the matching Autumn Crest die. Before adhering the crest to the card base, sponge some soft pink ink.
• Heat emboss the sentiment with gold powder for an elegant touch, and cut with the matching die.

• Instead of placing a sentiment inside the crest, use it to frame something else, such as a cluster of flowers. Here I used the Birth Month Blooms Q2 (daisies) and Q3 sets (asters and larkspur).
• The Takes the Cake Banner die is perfect for stringing across the crest. The sentiment here is from the Takes the Cake stamp + stencil set.
• Add some glitter to the flower centers and berries on the branches for a touch of sparkle.
• I’ll be tucking this card away to use for my daughter’s bridal shower…the flowers were stamped in her wedding colors, so it will be perfect for her!

Next up, a few projects using the new Flourished Phrases Thanks stencil, sentiment additions, and matching die…

• My love affair with texture paste continues with this card! I diecut the Flourished Phrases Thanks backing from vellum, and stenciled the flourishes with texture paste.
• Stencil the shadow area with gold ink, then layer the diecut “thanks” letters, cut from white cardstock and blended with pink ink over the top.
• The texture in the background was done using the new Pierced Plaid plate.
• The leaves and acorns were done using the Oakwood stamp + stencil set and matching die. I used two oakleaf clusters, which I arranged on the background, and trimmed off the excess from around the edges. I didn’t discard the excess, but instead used it to fill in more areas around the edges of the card.
• For an elegant touch, heat embossed the vein details from the Oakwood set with gold embossing powder.

Next up, some mailable postcards using the Flourished Phrases Thanks stencil and sentiment stamps paired with our Postcard Details plate.

• Use the Oakwood stamp + stencil set to lightly stencil leaves around the outer edges. Position and angle as desired. Use very light inking on the leaves and allow some to overlap to create an effect that almost looks like vellum.
• Stencil just a few on the postcard details side as well for a cohesive look.
• Add some stamped postal details using the Postal Modern set.

Last but not least, some Mum’s the Word projects…

First up is a set of boxed cards with mums done in allll the colors!

• Pull out your favorite shades and have fun blending colors on the Mum’s the Word bloom stencil. Oranges, yellows, pink, rust, burgundy!
• The sentiments used here are from the Mum’s the Word set. If giving this set as a gift you could include an assortment of sentiments stamped onto banners – put adhesive on the back side, but leave them unattached so that portion of the sentiment can be added as needed.
• The texture on the card bases was done using the Pierced Plaid plate.
• The card box was cut using the Stationery Box die. To embellish the front, I used two of the mum frames, which I trimmed in half, then layered using foam tape.
• The Made with Love sentiment on the box flap was stamped and heat embossed with gold using the Handmade Labels stamp set.

Lastly, I loved the way the layered mums looked on the stationery box front, so I wanted to make a card like that too!

• This card uses just two Mum’s the Word frames to achieve the layered look. The bottom one was snipped apart and layered underneath. Play around with placement until you get the look you want! Take care to position the bottom layers so that any straight edges are covered by leaves, etc from the top layer.
• The mum frames were layered onto a burgundy card base for a deep, rich fall look.
• The sentiment used here is from the Scripted Sentiments set, heat embossed with gold and cut with the matching die

That wraps up my projects, but 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 Wednesday, August 28 at 11:59pm EDT
• Winners will be posted at 7am EDT on Thursday, August 29 here on the blog

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