Today’s What Will You Stamp? Challenge is WWYS201 – Spirited Snowmen. It’s a stamp set that is retiring on January 2nd but is currently still available to purchase. I love the set, but for my WWYS Design Team project thought I’d move away from the predictable winter theme. So instead I made a friendship / Valentine’s card with a sneak peek of the Stitched Be Mine Dies.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

I began my project with a piece of Thick Whisper White Card cut and scored using my Stampin’ Trimmer. Then I folded the card along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

For the background I decided to use a design from the Wood Textures 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) stack. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I used the DSP to cover the whole of the card front.

Next I cut a 3/4″ strip of the DSP and attached it to the right-hand edge of a layer of Whisper White Card. The layer was then fixed inside the card base.

Finally I attached some of the DSP to the flap of a Whisper White Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I cut the DSP to shape using the envelope flap as a guide.

SIMPLE STITCHING

With the basic card prepared I was now ready to bring out my die-cutting machine and magnetic plate.

I began with a strip of Whisper White Card and cut one edge using the long straight die from the Stitched Be Mine Dies. Then I ran the strip back through the machine to cut the other edge.

Next I took some Powder Pink Card and cut it out using the #3 full-heart die (counting from the smallest up). This die cuts a heart-shaped frame with a delicately scalloped outer edge and a line of stitching inside. At the same time, from the centre, it also cuts out a heart with a smooth edge. I set this plain heart aside for another project.

Finally I took a piece of Smoky Slate Card and placed the same #3 full-heart die onto it. Next I placed the #2 full-heart die inside the first one before I ran the card through my machine. The result was another heart-shaped frame which I didn’t need for this project. However what I did want was the plain-edged heart cut from the inside, which now had a line of ‘stitching’ added by that extra die.

To complete the project I used Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the sentiment from the Spirited Snowmen Stamp Set on the Whisper White Strip. Then I fixed this to the card front with liquid glue.

Then I took the Powder Pink heart frame and added the Smoky Slate solid heart to the centre. I used a little sellotape on the back to hold the pieces together and then added Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally I fixed the assembled heart onto the card and with a Mini Glue Dot added a simple bow tied from Old Olive Linen Thread. Job done.

WWYS201 – SPIRITED SNOWMEN

While the snowmen are cute I was pleased to be able to use this set for a project that didn’t feel wintery. With the help of the Stitched Be Mine Dies I think I succeeded.

If you have the Spirited Snowmen Stamp Set we’d love to see your ideas. Simply create a new project using at least one stamp from the set and upload it to our challenge gallery. At the end of the challenge we’ll randomly choose one person to be our winner. They get bragging rights, a badge for their social media and an invitation to be our Guest Designer two weeks later. Join this challenge by January 5th and it could even be you!

BE MINE STITCHED FRAMELITS DIES

The Stitched Be Mine Dies contains 16 dies, and bizarrely not all of them actually cut out a shape. I didn’t think I needed more heart dies, but how wrong I was. This set has to be the ultimate in versatility.

The first thing you’ll notice is that there are two styles of heart. On the left a ‘narrow’ shape, and on the right a more rounded style (what I’ve called the full-heart).

The narrow hearts all cut solid shapes, with the largest one adding a line of stitching around the edge. The full hearts are a little more complicated. Starting from #1 (the smallest), you have a solid heart with scalloped edge and stitching. Numbers 3 and 5 cut a stitched heart-shaped frame with a scalloped outside edge and smooth inside edge.

Full-heart dies numbers 2 and 4 don’t cut out a shape, but only add ‘stitches’ in a heart shape. These dies can be used to add stitching around the solid heart cut by the frame dies, or just add a stitched heart shape in a background layer.

In my photo under the full hearts is a die that cuts 21 small solid hearts as well as a delicate ‘frame’. Next to that is the die I used to create the edges on my sentiment strip. This unassuming die is 6″ long and is sized so you could use it to add a fancy edge to your card base if you wish.

The solid looking die will cut little decorative holes in a layer. Finally, to complete the set there are four very fancy dies; a heart, two flowers and a border piece.

In the 2019 Occasions Catalogue you’ll also find the Meant to Be Stamp Set which coordinates with these dies.

NEW PRODUCTS AVAILABLE JANUARY 3RD

The sneak peek products that I’ve been showing you over the past week will be available for customers to purchase from 3am Mountain Time on January 3rd.

Unfortunately Stampin’ Up! rules prohibit me from showing you the inside of the new catalogue until January 3rd. As soon as that restriction is lifted I’ll add the links to my blog posts and website.

In the meantime I feel the need to play some more. I hope you’ll come back tomorrow for another sneak peek and my first blog post of 2019!

PRODUCT LIST

UPDATED 2020: Sadly the following products have retired and are no longer available from Stampin’ Up!

• Powder Pink Cardstock
• Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack
• Old Olive Linen Thread