April New Release Hop

Well, hello there!!!!! It's so nice to see you here and so soon after our March release. I'm sure you're excited to see new goodies! We thought we'd come right back after our last release with some new products for moms, dads and grads so that you can get them now and in time for creating with them!!

Let's get right to the new goodies we're releasing this month!

First up is a new die designed specifically to give you a FAST but SUPER CUTE way to create a notecard and in a totally unique way. It's our brand new Quick Notes Star Fold Out Die!

Eeeeek! I just loooove this die! It was inspired by a beautiful invitation that Ariana, our graphics designer made.  Ariana works for one of the top printing and engraving companies here in Massachusetts and when I saw the invitation I KNEW we had to bring this to LID in some form. We've opted for a more mini version for notecards that we think you're going to LOVE! 

To show you the true potential of this die we have two brand new coordinating products for you; Quick Notes Stamp Set and Glassine Envelopes - have a look!

Quick Notes Stamp Set is a variety of individual word stamps, phrases and decorative elements done in a trendy but somewhat distressed font to perfectly pair with our Star Fold Out Die. Some sayings are broken down into three words so that one word can be stamped on each panel of the folding notecard. Some are phrases which can be stamped right on the front. You know how much we like to build versatility into the products we design so we've created this stamp set in such a way that it's also an awesome stamp set all on its own :) 

The second coordinating product for our Quick Notes Star Fold Out Die are these new Glassine Envelopes. 

THEY ARE LITERALLY the perfect perfect way to package up your folding notecard and tuck into a lunchbox or the perfect way to make a quickly made thank you look sooo very special! I like that you can see the cute star notecard from within the envelope and what is stamped on the front of it but I also really like that these envies can be so cutely embellished. I like to add a piece of washi to the folding flap to secure my card inside. BOOM - another use for all that washi! I'm going to make loads of these little cards and keep them in a special box so I can reach for them as I need them. I also think they'd be a super cute thing to attach to the package of all those birthday party gifts for classmates! The idea here was to create a notecard that can be made in very little time but look like you've spent a great deal of time on it and I truly think we've achieved that with this group of products. I know you'll appreciate having these goodies in your collection!

Next up..........oh boy......wait for it..........

We have two brand new stamp sets from a brand new illustrator and I just KNOW you are going to love love love her trendy hand lettering and individual style!!!! Honest to goodness, the work of our new illustrator, Katie Vaz has me thinking of the types of things you'd see in a high end and trendy paper boutique. I think it's AWESOME that as we add to her line here at Lil' Inker Designs that you too will be able to achieve this look in your paper crafting! 

Have a look at our new set You're My Favorite!

I wanted to something with a touch of humor for mom and dad but something that could be used in so many different ways! So I came up with this Shhhh....Don't Tell sentiment! The idea being you can say, "Shhhh......don't tell Dad" on the outside of your card and "You're my favorite" on the inside" - which I happen to think is pretty funny card for Mom! Since we've broken up these sentiments in such a strategic way they can be used for so many more purposes like just using the mom and dad stamps or using the you're my favorite stamps for ANYONE, not just mom and dad. Also included are these whimsical scrolls which happen to perfectly stamp above and below the you're my favorite sentiment. 

Each piece in this set was lettered by hand and not achieved with a font. It's something that makes this set a one of a kind that you won't be able to find anywhere else!

The second set we're introducing today is Smart Cookie! Have a lookie!

I thought it would be a fun idea to remind grads what smart cookies they are and this little cookie jumping for joy popped into my head and Katie has drawn him PERFECTLY!!! Add his graduation cap and make this the perfect card for a grad or have him wave his flag and it makes a perfect card for a student or anyone with whom you'd like to recognize an achievement. Each of these pieces including the sentiments are all hand lettered. Personally, I think this set is an absolute MUST HAVE!

Next up we have a totally unique die set for you that can so SOOOO MUCH!! It's our Frames & Flowers Die Set!

Ok, so this is a set of two individual dies but it cuts a total of 8 pieces! The largest die in this set cuts an oversized, scalloped frame which features stitching around the frame's decorative opening. The piece that cuts away from the frame (in the middle) is the second piece this die cuts. It's a fancy mat and it too features our signature stitching detail. When Ariana and I were designing this we had all this space in the center so I drew some whimsical little flowers and funky leaves that I thought you'd really love having in your collection. I think the centers of the flowers and the leaves are especially neat because of their interesting shape and the unique details they feature. There's MORE!!! If you notice, the largest die in this set features Lil' Inker Designs EXCLUSIVE Dual Stitching Detail so when you run this through your die cutting machine you will cut the frame and fancy panel but it will also leave a negative stitching around the largest frame. We did this because we think it will give you decorative, out of the box uses for this die. Cut it and try it for yourself! Already I've discovered that you can use the negative piece for waves or water, hills or grass and I even stretched the use a bit further and used the stitched, negative scallops as a grad cap. I'll share that project with you shortly.

I should mention that the largest frame in this set is perfectly sized to layer over your A2 card base and it leaves a bit of your card base peeking out behind. It's about 4" w x 5" h. The fancy mat is approximately 2.125" w  x 3.125"h. Our flowers are both about 1.125" in diameter and leaves are 1" and 1.25". 

Again, LOTS of uses for this die are built into this clever design. This is going to be one of the stars of this release for sure!!!

Ok, and last but not least is our SUPER gorgeous, pictures don't do it justice, Quilted Stitched Pattern Die.

 I literally squealed after I used it for the first time. So, I pretty much stalk Mr. Brown (a.k.a. UPS Man, we're on a first name basis and I swear I receive more deliveries than anyone in town) When a new die delivery is made I RIP OPEN the box FLY upstairs into my office, grab any piece of cardstock I can find and get cutting and I actually squealed like a piggy when I saw how gorgeous this pattern is!!!! This die was also inspired by something Ariana made as stationary for a client at her work. When I saw the background printed on a notecard for baby I knew it would be even more stellar as a die that creates such an interesting design and texture!

CONTEST

I can be sort of terrible at naming things. I hate the name I've given this die. If you can think of a succinct and appropriate maybe even catchy name for this die and I change it's name to your suggestion I will send you a $25 gift certificate code to the LID store! Just enter your suggestion in a comment here on the blog! THANKS!!!! :)

SALE

We have a little sale to announce! Starting now and through May 1st or while supplies last if you spend $25  or more in our store you can purchase our Mom & Dad Sentiments Stamp Set at 50% off by entering the code LIDAPRILSALE at checkout. 

This code should be entered in your shopping cart screen before heading to PayPal for payment. The code MUST be used at your time of checkout. We will not be able to honor the sale if we run out of these stamp sets and it is not eligible on any other stamp set.

This is actually a REALLY cool stamp set that works well for so many cards on its own but it's MADE to coordinate with our VERY popular Mom and Dad Word Dies. 

With this offer you can actually purchase the entire collection; stamp set and two dies for just $15! That's an awesome value!

OK! How about some projects to get your creative mojo going so that you're ready to get right to crafting once these goodies arrive in your crafty space!

I want to show you how cool our new Frames & Flowers Die Set it! Here I used the main frame from the set which has been cut from woodgrain patterned paper. See the stitching detail around the center? I think this makes for a neat little card for Father's Day using stamps from our new You're My Favorite Stamp Set! Here I popped up my frame with foam tape which adds dimension and interest to my project. SO SIMPLE! Picking out my papers and colors was the hardest part of making this, LOL!

I really wanted to share these photos with you today as well because I want to show you just how awesome our new Quick Notes products are! 

So as you can see in the photos above, I die cut my Star Fold Out notecard from pink cardstock. It folds right on the scored lines built into the design of this set so there's no guess work. Then, I created a sentiment on the first two panels by stamping "Thanks" and "a lot" from our coordinating Quick Notes Stamp Set and stamped one of the ornamental stamps in gold ink. Here I left the third panel plain and added a handwritten note. Once I folded my card I tucked it into one of our new Glassine Envelopes. We've stocked these for you in the store in packs of 10. See how you can see the note peeking through? I love that! I also added some sequins to the inside of my envelope for a little shaker action and here I've punched a hole in the envie and added ribbon as though it were a tag. Seriously, this took me not even 5 minutes to make. I think tying my ribbon was the hardest part. I love love love this idea for super quick notes but ones that have a MAJOR cute factor! 

One more project for today :)  Here's a little something made with our new MUST HAVE Smart Cookie Stamp Set. Seriously, how Ca-UTE is this guy??

Here I stamped my cookie chocolate ink and his cap and glasses in black in. Then, I busted out my Copic markers. I like that this image doesn't NEED to be colored but you CAN color him if you want! Here he's fully decked out and waving his flag. The focal sentiment from the stamp set made for a really cool and colorful panel and I even managed to stamp congrats because of the way I did my lay out. Again, everything in this set is hand lettered and illustrated making them truly one of a kind images that you will only be able to get here at LID!!!!!!!

Are you loving everything so far? Well, just WAIT until you see what our design team has done with our new goodies! Here is a list of everyone participating in today's hop:

Laura/The Shop Blog - you are here 

Alyssa Scritchfield - http://critterlyss.blogspot.com/

Amy Kolling - http://stamp-n-paradise.blogspot.com/

Erin Lee Schreiner - http://www.erinleecreative.com/

Heather Campbell - http://parkermolly.blogspot.com/

Jen Carter - http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Karen Baker - http://thebalddragonfly.blogspot.com/

Kristen Foreman - http://kristenforemandesigns.blogspot.com/

Maureen Merritt - http://www.mamamostamps.com/

Sarah Jay - http://www.criminalgrace.com/

Suzanne Dahlberg - http://freshlynoted.com/

Also, don't forget to tell our designers how much your love and enjoy their projects. These girls work SO HARD to bring you their best with each and every release and wow, I'm one lucky girl to have each and every one of them!!! So leave them some love and we'll pick one of their blogs as our secret prize blog. Three $15 store credits will be given away; one for each day of our hop. You will have until Monday April 21st at 11:30 AM EST to comment to win. We're adding in a few hours as Sunday is a holiday so we thought everyone could use a little more time to comment.

I think that's it for today! Don't forget about our sale and our impromptu contest! I hope you love everything as much as I do. I can't stop crafting!!!!!