Friday, October 7, 2016

Inspiration Week: Introducing Christmas Icons & Tag Topper Dies

Welcome!  Today's the big day!  Before you run off to go shopping, make sure to check out the final unveiling of products and scroll down to the bottom of this post for our last giveaway of the week and a special offer for free shipping.  ;)

Today I'm super excited to share a new set of dies that were created with the same flexibility and value as our fishtail banner dies.  I also have one last holiday stamp set to share that was created as a compliment to the gift tag dies with 11 small iconic Christmas images and the words "to" & "from" in 4 unique fonts.  As you will see from my examples though it's pretty fun all on it's own too.  

Introducing Sunny Semi Circles Dies (Retail: $15.00)

These dies were designed to be ultra flexible for creating tags, labels, bookmarks, card panels and shaped cards from 1/2" wide to 4" wide.  


Sunny Studio stamps:  Introducing Sunny Semi Circles Dies

I honestly wanted to have sooo much more time to play with these dies, but I only was able to finish some holiday gift tags with them today (although you might check the SSS Blog this afternoon for another bonus project with them).  I used the dies to create both the inner tag as well as a shadow.  I then decorated them with images & greetings from Gleeful Reindeer, Blissful Baking and Christmas Icons.
Sunny Studio Stamps: Sunny Semi Circles Gift Tags by Mendi Yoshikawa (with Gleeful Reindeer, Blissful Baking & Christmas Icons stamps)

To use them, I found using these steps gave me the best results:

  1. Draw a faint pencil line on your cardstock with a T-square ruler approximately 1/2" to 2" from the top depending on the circle size.
  2. Using some washi tape, secure them in place along the line that was drawn and run them through the die-cutting machine (As an alternative, I found you could also skip the first step by using a clear ruler with a grid and pushing the die flat with the edge of the ruler before adhering with washi tape).
  3. Use a paper trimmer to trim them down each side.  Because they are sized at exact 1/2 increments they are super easy to trim using the guides on your trimmer.  
  4. Erase pencil lines and shorten to desired length.  Round corners if desired.

Introducing Crescent Tag Topper Dies (Retail: $9.00)



Just like the Sunny Semi Circles, these were designed to create a variety of tags, bookmarks, labels and card panels in three sizes. I created several gift tags using the middle tag size together with Blissful Baking & Christmas Icons to embellish them.  These would be perfect for adhering to baked goods for neighbors and friends at the holidays.  As a finishing touch I added cute borders to my tags using our Sunny Borders Stamps & coordinating dies.


Sunny Studio Stamps: Crescent Tag Toppers Holiday Gift Tags by Mendi Yoshikawa (with Blissful Baking & Christmas Icons stamps)



Introducing Traditional Tag Topper Dies (Retail: $10.00)



I created a third style of gift tags with the new Traditional Tag Topper dies.  You can die-cut the hole with the slot die for ribbon that comes with this die set or mix them with the Crescent Tag Topper dies for more options. This was the last project I tackled for the release and I had a lot of fun using up some extra odds and ends from different stamp sets shared throughout the week--it always feels really good to have nothing go to waste. 

To add some interest to my 2-1/4" wide tags I cut a second portion from patterned paper to add to the top of each one using Doodlebug's Here Comes Santa Claus 6x6 paper pad.  I then die-cut the bottoms using different Fishtail Banner dies.  I actually was able to use them for the flat bottomed tags as well since they were narrow enough.  

As a side note, I wanted to point out the Minnie Mouse inspired embellishment using our Holiday Style set.  I stamped an extra set of ornaments with Hero Arts Charcoal ink and Black ink for the shadow.  I then punched our her ears using a 5/8" circle punch before paper-piecing them together.  I had so much fun on the is one & it was super easy--I can totally see myself mass producing these for all my gifts this Christmas.


Sunny Studio Stamps: Crescent Tag Toppers Holiday Gift Tags by Mendi Yoshikawa (with Blissful Baking, Little Angels, Holiday Style, Mug Hugs & Christmas Icons stamps)

Up next is a grid style card focusing on all the fun images from the Christmas Icons stamp set.  For my sentiment I turned to one from our Bundled Up set that was just the right size to fit in my center square.
Sunny Studio Stamps: Christmas Icons Grid Style Card by Mendi Yoshikawa

I think many of the images from the Christmas Icons set make great companion pieces for the little penguin from our Bundled Up set from last year.  To decorate my package I added stripes to one with a pen and ruler and stamped circles on the other one using a circle snowflake from our Snow Kissed set.  The little holly added to his hat was taken from the new Blissful Baking set.  I finished off my card with my other favorite banner from our Sunny Borders set.
Sunny Studio Stamps: Penguin Secret Santa Card by Mendi Yoshikawa (using Christmas Icons & Bundled Up)

For this Christmas Icons card I inked up my background using a tiny bit of Picked Raspberry with Festive Berries and Fired Brick distress inks. I then flicked on water and when it was dry, used the two poinsettia images to stamp a tone-on-tone print onto the background.  I then stamped and colored 6 separate images with Copic Markers which I fussy cut out.  It looks like there are actually 10 flowers, but I was crafty and placed many of them off the edge where I could trim them off and add them to a second spot so nothing went to waste (and saved me some time).

For my merry word die, I pressed a piece of kraft cardstock into my VersaMark ink pad and sprinkled the whole piece with glittery gold embossing powder before heating it up and die-cutting my word from it.  A sentiment heated embossed in coordinating gold powder from our Merry Sentiments set completed my card.
Sunny Studio Stamps: Christmas Icons Poinsettia Card by Mendi Yoshikawa

This last card was created using a glue pad with those same poinsettia images (and the trio of dots from our Sweet Shoppe set) together with hot pink foil and a Mini Minc machine.   This is one of those times where a stamp positioner to get extra good glue coverage with multiple impressions of the stamp is really helpful.  

You can also achieve a similar fun look by stamping with VersaMark & applying metallic or colored opaque embossing powder on black cardstock.  I then just added some jewels to the center of each flower for some extra bling and foiled a sentiment on some plain white cardstock using Merry Sentiments.
Sunny Studio Stamps: Christmas Icons Poinsettia Card by Mendi Yoshikawa

I honestly had so many more ideas for this set that I ran out of time for, but hopefully I shared enough to get your creative wheels turning--I think there are endless ways these cute images can be used and I can't wait to see what you make!

Here's a full look at the new Christmas Icon stamps, Tag Topper Dies & Sunny Semi Circle Dies all being released today (dies are a bit larger than they appear here)...


Sunny Studio Stamps: Introducing Christmas Icons Stamp Set  Sunny Studio Stamps: Introducing Crescent Tag Toppers Die Set  Sunny Studio Stamps: Introducing Traditional Tag Toppers Die Set  Sunny Studio Stamps: Introducing Sunny Semi Circles Die Set

I hope you've enjoyed all the sets and inspiration this week.  I'm loving the new dies for their reasonable price point, flexibility and space saving features!

Would you like to win a $20 gift code to our online store?  Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win.  We will be giving away a new gift code each day for a total of five chances to win!  If you're just joining us, there's still time to enter the contests from earlier in the week too. ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Each contest closes on October 8th at Midnight PST.  Winners will be announced on Sunday, October 9th.  :)

SALES & FREEBIES:

Before you rush off, I wanted to let you know that I'm running a special for FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25 for our US retail customers & all orders over $50 for our Canadian friends through Monday, 10/10/16 at Midnight PST (offer will be applied automatically).  

In addition, orders over $49 from any location will qualify for $5 off using the code SAVE5.

Don't forget all orders will automatically come with a free 7/8" holly die (while supplies last).





Other Sunny Studio Supplies Used Today:

                 
        
      


54 comments:

  1. I'm most excited about that jingle bell stamp but all of the new products are wonderful!

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  2. This is a magnificent release! I am loving everything but I am most excited about the Merry Sentiments and Holiday Style stamp sets!! I love ornaments and Christmas lights so these two sets are right up my alley! They also look so realistic! Especially that bell! I love it all!

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  3. The dies are super cool and I lust love all of the adorable images!!The holiday tags are gorgeous!!The cards are beautiful!!Everyone did such an amazing job showcasing such wonderful products!!
    Have a wonderful day,
    Migdalia
    Crafting with Creative M

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  4. The Christmas Icons are adorable, would make great patterned paper!

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  5. I loved the post with the angels.
    The group of angels looking over a ledge
    and the one blowing the horn were darling
    ideas.
    Love the reenforcements for the tag toppers.
    Great to know the tie won't pull through
    and the tag get lost.
    Been a great week. thanks.

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  6. Oh I am loving all those baking goodies! Just love sugar cookies!!

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    1. Oops! I was in the wrong gmail account! This was a fabulous release!!
      Debbie, aka Indy

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  7. Wow, all the new products are amazing! I especially love the Mug Hugs set!

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  8. Such an awesome release Mindi! I would have to say my favorite this week was the Holiday Style set...oh and the Merry Sentiments...oh and the...can we just say it has been an AWESOME release? :D TFS

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  9. I looooove the Christmas Icons set from today's sneak peak!! I don't know that I can pick one favorite from the entire release as they are all so amazing and cheerful!! I just have to say that Sunny Studios is an amazing company! I love getting a hand written thank you in my wonderfully wrapped packages!! The quality of the products is fantastic and the inspiration on the blog is always so beautiful! Thank you for being such a hands on company and filling the crafting world with lovely products!!

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  10. Great release! I am most looking forward to Mug Hugs & Blissful Baking - so cute! Your foiled Christmas card is stunning! LOVE that gorgeous pink against the black. Thank you for all the beautiful inspiration this week.

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  11. Wow ......what a wonderful new release. And I could not choose one of these cards over another...I loved them all. You give us the most wonderful samples.....YOU make me want to get my crafting things out and play. Thank you so much Mendi, you are an inspiration for sure....

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  12. This has been the cutest Christmas release ever! I am so excited for so many things--Blissful Baking, Gleeful Reindeer, Mug Hugs, Christmas Icons, the layering sets. . . . it is all just amazing!

    Chris L.

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  13. Oh my goodness, I am in LOVE with these projects AND these products! I had to pin all of the beautiful tags for inspiration!

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  14. Cute tags. Great idea to have tag topper dies. So versatile.

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  15. I'm definitely most excited about Mug Hugs, but there are a couple of others that I just had to have as well!

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  16. I love today's releases - just got my bell stamp yesterday and ordered inks!
    Karen

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  17. This has been such an awesome release! My favorite sneak peeks were of the new Christmas layering sets. I loved the jingle bells and Christmas lights. But honestly everything in this release is adorable.

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  18. I am in awe of your creativity. I look at stamp sets and just draw a blank as to how to use them and you you look at them and have SO many ideas, you can't even make them all! Oh, how I wish I were more like you! I love ALL of these creative, fun, cheerful, darling projects you have made!! :) Each one made me smile that is for sure!

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  19. My favorite issue hard to choose. I love everything, but the layered ornament are probably a must have for sure!!

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  20. love the adorable Christmas Icons stamp set

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  21. The tags are so cute, but the design of the dies is genius!

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  22. Love the Holiday Style stamps and really excited about the Tag Topper dies too! So many fabulous samples this week, and I have enjoyed each day seeing what's featured!

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  23. Wow! Absolutely gorgeous release!

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  24. Lots of wonderful items
    in the release. I love
    the Gleeful Reindeer!
    They are too cute.
    Carla from Utah

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  25. Fantastic release! The new dies are great and the stamp sets are so cute.

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  26. Love all the new releases! I can't decide what I want most. All your cards and tags are so pretty, thanks for the inspiration.

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  27. I will say that there is a lot to fave on these release. Congratulations! Can I pick 2? =) I was impressed how 3D looking your cards are using the Holiday Style stamp set that I am willing to take another chance on stamp layering. So far, I've been a fail. The other favorite is the Little Angels. They are so adorable!-Maria Giselle B.

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    1. Thank you Maria. I will say on those bells the key for me was starting with the darkest image and then adding the lighter image over the top using the shiny marks in the center to line things up. The bows and ornament are pretty easy to work with. :)

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  28. OMG!! I love the tag topper dies...definitely my favorite release item so far!! This is such perfect timing! The ladies I conduct workshops for were asking for a class on holiday tags. These were be PERFECT!! Thank you SO much for coming out with these. :)

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  29. WOW this has been an amazing release!!! I love Christmas and everything that comes with it and you gave a beautiful spectrum of products to get all of our gift giving and cardmaking projects a green light! LOVE it all my friend!!!! Just wish I could purchase it all today!!! :( ..... I cannot wait till I can get it all. .... because I NEED it all!
    Beautiful projects!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    xox

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  30. What a fantastic release! So many fun products! I absolutely adore the old-fashioned lights!

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  31. So many wonderful items in this release. I am loving all the card and tag ideas shown.

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  32. This release is amazing!!!! I want everything, excited for those new treat toppers!!

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  33. Love your holiday stamps and can't wait to add these to my collections I have.

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  34. I am most excited about the Little Angels stamp set and the tag topper dies.

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  35. I am most excited about the little angels stamps and dies! Thanks for another chance to win. :D

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  36. I'm so excited about your new Christmas products, especially the Holiday Styles stamp and die set. The cards I've seen made with this set are so bright and cheerful. I can't wait to get my hands on them! ;)

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  37. I love so many of the new products and can't wait to get them. The tag toppers are my favorites. I make a lot of bookmarks for underprivileged kids and these new dies will help me make even more! LOVE them!

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  38. Your layered Xmas lights and ornaments sets are so beautifully detailed! Those have been my favorite sneaks!

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  39. I am in love with all the Christmas stamps and dies, and all the coffee stamp.

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  40. fun new tag top dies to make tags and more....
    Great release with festive designs.

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  41. Love this release and I can't wait to get them!!

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  42. So Beautiful!! I love the inspiration!!

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  43. I love so many of the new stamps - look out wallet!! My favorite is the Christmas ornament and branch. I love how these look as they are layered and I love the way that they can become a bell. SOOOO Pretty!!

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  44. Such an adorable release!! I love just about all of them. I will have to figure out how to hid the expense from my husband. Oh the trials I go through!!

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  45. I am loving all the new sets in this release. So cute and fun.

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  46. Love all the ideas you give for the new sets!! I have a wish list started!
    rita.navarre@yahoo.com

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  47. Very hard question. I love the set with the greenery and ornaments. Love today's tag sets. So many uses year round. And the Christmas icons and tag toppers are awesome. My wish list is long. Excited about the upcoming holidays. Love the family being together, crafting and cooking. This has been a wonderful release with so much fantastic inspiration.

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  48. I love the entire Winter 2016 release!!!

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  49. So very excited about it all but I love to make tags so this day has been so amazing to me!! Love your cleverness and creativity!!

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  50. What a lot of goodness and fun in this release! gotta love those reindeer!

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  51. Those pile of cookies on the tags..YUM! Everything is just so wonderful.

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