Introducing Sign Language

Melissa Bickford always manages to create images that are stylish, classic and just a bit trendy all at the same time.  Her new August release, Sign Language, is much more versatile and useful than first glimpses may elude to. 

The details.

• Sign Language will be available for purchase on August 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Sign Language contains 46 images.

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

Sign Language contains 46 images, sixteen of which are 3/4-inch blocks that depict small icons for just about every occasion you can imagine.  They are perfect for creating quick and easy projects in a matter of minutes.  I made this little set in 30 minutes.

(click on any of the above photos for a larger view)

Each card measures 3 x 3.5 inches.  The layering was extremely simple because I could utilize punches along the way.  The images were punched out with the coordinating 3/4-inch square punch and the white mat they are layered on is a 1-3/8 inch square punch.  Notice all the different sentiments too?  Their small scale is a perfect compliment to the 3/4-inch images and there are SO many of them to choose from as well!

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

This project illustrates the reason behind the name of the set.  Sign Language contains a wrought iron sign post, like those that you find in many peoples gardens nowadays.  There is a separate flag/sign image for you to create the main hanging element.  The 3/4-inch images I talked about above fit perfectly in the opening at the top of the sign, while there is also a strip towards the bottom that allows space for the sentiment!

The actual sign could be stamped directly onto cardstock using a different color, but I chose to stamp it with Fresh Snow ink onto Summer Sunrise cardstock.  I stamped the pumpkin block onto Orange Zest cardstock using True Black ink.  After punching it out with the square punch, I simply adhered it to the sign. Isn't this so fun!

One other detail I thought I should mention is the stitching & rhinestones.  I did some random stitching to kind of represent the *ground* for the sign.  I then added two different sizes of black adhesive rhinestones randomly along the trail. 

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

Here's another fun idea for those 3/4-inch images.  I placed three of them on a block together in a formation that I liked.  I then stamped the trio with Ripe Avocado Ink onto Rustic Cream cardstock.  After stamping, I noticed I had the perfect spot to add my sentiment.

I ended up adding some hand-drawn lines around the image trio to help ground the piece.  The polka dot strip was stamped with Polka Dot Basics II using Vintage Cream ink on ripe avocado cardstock.  I love how it turned out.

This card uses just the snowflake from the Christmas trio used above.  I ended up heat embossing the image onto three different colors of cardstock (aqua mist, hibiscus burst, and spring moss)using our Clear Detail Embossing Powder.  The large flourish is from Fancy Flourishes (one of my all time favorites!).

All of the heat embossed snowflakes were allowed to cool a bit and then I punched them out with a 3/4-inch circle punch.  This really showcases how you don't always have to use JUST square punches with these images!  I accented the centers of the snowflakes with rhinestones.  Notice how
the top one is small, ,middle is large and bottom is small again.  I
thought that was such a fun touch.

 

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

This next card is a little baby shower invitation, all pretty in pink, but easily adaptable to blue.  The small umbrella image is the perfect size for this little tag accent design.  I loved the way I was able to layer the sentiment over the image slightly.  The Swiss Dots embossing folder was the perfect background for this project.  I matted the Sweet Blush black with vintage cream cardstock and trimmed the edges by hand with scalloped scissors.

A tab was created at the end of the tag using Sweet Blush Swiss Dots ribbon.  The end was trimmed with pinking shears.  Three sweet blush vintage buttons were sewn on carefully and strategically with cream embroidery floss.

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

Here's another project with the same stamp.  I stamped the umbrella image four times on white cardstock, using Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, and Ripe Avocado.  I punched them out with the 3/4-inch square punch.  Now, notice the sentiment?  It's new!  Scattered Showers Additions is being released this month, after much customer demand.  You can check out Dawn's blog all week to see projects made with the set.

Scattered Showers Additions also includes this fun background stamp of raindrops.  I heat embossed the raindrops with clear embossing powder and added a strip of them in between my score lines.  If you look REALLY closely, you can make them out in the background!  🙂

(click on the above photo for a larger view)

One last quick project for you.  This one uses an image from Sign Language that happens to match Melissa's amazing stamp set, Bird Watching Additions.  Many of the sentiments in Birds of a Feather will coordinate as well, like I used here.

I punched the bird out using a 1.25-inch circle punch.  I love the way it turned out!  A bit of twine and some of that heat embossed Polka Dots Basics II give the final project some additional class!

So what do you think of this must-have basic?  Are you having fun yet?@!?!? Which of today's projects inspired you the most?  Just for sharing your thoughts with us today in the comments section
below, we are giving away a FREE Sign Language set!

It's easy for YOU to try to win a free copy of this amazing stamp set!

You have until 8am EST Tuesday, August 11th to leave your comment. 
The winner will be announced shortly thereafter (by noon EST) on our August Prize Page which can be found HERE. 
Please remember to play nice, only one comment per person please.  Good
luck to everyone and thanks for stopping by today!

Stop by Melissa's blog to see what else she has done with Sign Language.

Dawn has some fun projects using Scattered Showers Additions.

Heather has a new set coming out too this month that you won't want to miss!

Tiffany is releasing her first stamp set with us, so be sure to stop by and say hi!

Lauren is featuring the set on her blog too, along with templates.

Kelly has an inspired idea or regarding her blog post today.

Mona, our guest template team member, has a peek to share with you too!

Complete supply lists for all of today's projects can be found HERE.

***A special note about Orange Zest.  It was originally scheduled to be our next color collection, releasing this month along with all of our autumn & fall stamps.  Due to some manufacturing difficulties, it will not be ready for purchase this month.  Because it is such an important color for the season we are focusing on this month, I am going forward with using the Orange Zest sample products I personally have on hand for countdown projects this month.  However, please note that they will NOT be available for purchase this month.  The Orange Zest Color Collection and all of it's individual elements will be available on September 15th.  Thanks for your understanding and patience!