Shopping our Stash #125 - Stitching, Real or Faux

**For my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, please scroll down or click here. Thanks!!**

When given a choice between real or faux stitching, I'm pretty sure you can all guess which one I chose! For Shopping our Stash this week, we want you to play with stitches (not necessarily the creepy Halloween frankenstein kind....)

Supplies: sun stamp from Market Street Stamps; sentiment from PTI; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Paper Smooches cloud dies; BUTTONS! RHINESTONES! 

A big old happy :)

I love it when I love how cards turn out just the way I wanted - occasionally they grow on me, but some I just love from the start :)

Come & play along with this challenge until next Monday, November 4th - hop on by & leave the rest of my teamies some love!

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Michelle

I generally copy & paste the design team links part of my post, changing whatever I need to...so last week's post I mentioned that I hadn't slept Monday night....and lo and behold, I was up way too late last night too. Is Monday my new Friday night? I don't know. But I have a dentist appointment this morning & can't nap until 10 AM. I'm not sure I'm gonna make it. 

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #222 - Saturated Canary!

This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have Saturated Canary as our sponsor - if you've ever coloured any of those images, you know just how fun they are :)

I'm working with Starla - SUCH a fun gal!

Supplies: Starla digi stamp from Saturated Canary; washi tape & card stock from Recollections; rub-on sentiments from stash; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Bic & Spectrum Noir markers; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; rhinestones from Dollarama; classic small oval Nesties

SO much fun to colour her - the pink braids with the sparkly...yep. I love how it turned out :) The hexagons were made using a 'technique' of sorts that I described with another card a few weeks ago. I used Word to insert & size a sheet of hexagons, and covered the back with washi tape. Straight-edged shapes like hexagons are really easy to create & size without dies this way. (Here's the original post).

And here's our sketch this week, from Melissa:

This sketch will be open until next Sunday, November 3rd - check out what everyone else made!

Angela

Bonnie

Debbie

Jenee

Melissa

xoxo,

Jessi

Enthralled with Fall

This week's Tuesday Trigger inspired a lot of people to get inky - that usually discourages me from entering, since I've never won. I really, really love this card, though, and it was definitely inspired by the photo, so I am entering it anyway. I wonder if there are many other people who get discouraged when they see the same bunch of people win over & over again? It feels like a club I'm not part of.

ANYWAY.

The variation in colours in the leaves made me think of colour washing, and so I wanted to try a modified 'floating reinker' technique using an embossed panel. Well, let me show you the card, and then I can describe how I did it.

Supplies: stamps from Flourishes; Palette Noir ink; Versamark; clear detail EP; seam binding; beaded pins made by me; glimmer mists from Tattered Angels in Starfish, Yellow Daisy, Tiger Lily, Tattered Rose

I stamped the sentiment in a waterproof ink, and then stamped the rose hearts around it as a sort of frame. The hearts are all embossed, and then I started painting with the glimmer mists. I over-saturated the paper with Yellow Daisy first, and then quickly added the two pink mists. I used regular (110 lb uncoated) card stock for this, so I had to work fast. While the mists were still 'floating' I added the Tiger Lily, and then tilted the piece in different directions to allow the puddles to flow into each other & mix.

This is easiest to see in the area with the sentiment, since as it dried it left that wonderful watercoloury brush effect. And the entire panel shimmers like crazy!

The stick pins were made with beads from past crafting supplies, and corsage pins from Michaels, and then pierced through the paper so that the sharp parts don't hurt anyone. 

Here's the Trigger photo: the deadline is today.

I have somehow caught the "man cold" version of the cold Rob had last week - I don't know how, since HE didn't even have the man cold. I envision lots of naps today!

xoxo,

Jessi

Paper Smooches SPARKS - really?

I know I told Lindsey I wasn't going to enter this week, but then I got an idea & ran with it! I am not a colour challenge fan, and rarely attempt those with more than 2 colours, but then....I wanted to use multiple colours for the sentiment, and then the kraft border came in, and well. Here:

Supplies: stamps from Paper Smooches; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Bic markers; Distress inks in Peacock Feathers, Spiced Marmalade, Seedless Preserves; Sakura Stardust pen; Lemonade Yellow Fun Flock from Stampendous; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; kraft & black card stock

What I love about this combination of sentiments is that it could be either a congratulations or a commiseration card!  The bird's eyes just look so skeptical. I'm also really impressed with myself that I managed to fun flock the entire bird, wings & feather fluff and all, without obscuring the detail of the eyelashes. Go, me. lol.

Here's the SPARKS colour story for this week - they're all there, though in tiny amounts:

xoxo,
Jessi

MUSE - I'm here for you!

Darnell is the lovely guest designer at MUSE this week - and besides being hilarious, she's clever, kind, and incredibly well-spoken about the subject of breast cancer this week. Read her post here - she discusses the symbolism behind the card she created, and you will come away feeling loved. I promise.

My card is very literally inspired by Darnell's - the layout, the torn vellum and patterned paper, the pearls, and even the same stamp set (I think - I have the same sentiment as her card, but chose another from the set that I hadn't inked yet. NBUS bonus!)

Supplies: stamps from Flourishes; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Spectrum Noir markers; HOTP patterned vellum; MME patterned paper; pearls from Dollarama

Here's Darnell's card:

I've tagged this card with 'get well' also - this sentiment is one that would be perfect for those incredibly difficult situations where a loved one is awaiting test results, and a traditional get well card would be inappropriate in that case.

xoxo,
Jessi

Seize the Sketch 6, redux

I really like Cathy's sketch this time around at Seize the Sketch - so much so that I had to make another card :)

Supplies: papers from Basic Grey; sentiment from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; scrap vellum; pearls from Dollarama

I punched out 4 vellum butterflies, and stitched them to the panel before adhering it - and then covered the stitches with pearls, and 'fluffed' the wings. 

The sketch linky closes today, so if you've been meaning to link up get busy :)

I have cards for 4 challenges ending today, so 3 more posts to come. Brace yourselves, get a cup of something nice to drink :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Drunken Stampers go Goth!

**I will not be at the Sackville Farmers Market this weekend - I am attending the Handmade Assembly sale at the Sackville Legion on Lorne Street, from 9-5 on Saturday. Hope to see you there!!**


We are back around to PERSON in our person-place-thing challenges at Drunken Stampers, and could this one be more perfect for the upcoming week of ghoulish fun?? Remember, you can enter using either the main or the related alternate theme - for this week, it's Halloween. 

I unfortunately do not know who this digital stamp is from of the girl & pumpkins - please, please comment & let me know if you recognize it so I can give proper credit! I know I got it years ago, and this is the first time I've used it. 

Supplies: unknown digital image; PTI bat & sentiment stamps; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Milled Lavender distress ink (sponging around circle); Dress it Up RIP button; Bic markers; Cosmo Cricket paper; classic small circle Nesties. 

I can practically see my little Goth girl rolling her eyes at the corny sentiment, can't you? And I love the 'chipped corner' detail on the gravestone button. 

Come play with us up until next Friday night, November 1st. And don't forget to go see what my fellow Yellow Canaries have created for you:

Barb - Barb's Creative Corner

Donna - Challenge Host - Yellow Dog Greetings

Jacki - Scullduggery

Jessi - that's me!

Lindsey - Bashful Blogging

Lynne - Scrapbook Lynne's

Vicki - The Cheerful Stamp Pad

xoxo,

Jessi

Gone Batty Challenge at Savvy Handmade Cards!

**I will not be at the Sackville Farmers Market this weekend - I am attending the Handmade Assembly sale at the Sackville Legion on Lorne Street, from 9-5. Hope to see you there!!**

I was so excited that Andrea asked me to be a guest designer for her new challenge at Savvy Handmade Cards!  Her challenges alternate between photo inspiration & themes, and this time the theme is "Gone Batty - use bats or birds." Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring the challenge, and you KNOW how generous they are with their prizes!

I picked the adorable Little Penguin Winter - Reindeer to work with. Thanks, Bugaboo!

Supplies: Little Penguin Winter - Reindeer digi stamp from Bugaboo; papers from Crate Paper; sentiment from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; classic small oval & Labels 4 Nesties; Bic markers; Wplus9 banner die; bells from Dollarama; googly eyes!

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Create a New card using the challenge theme, no linking to old posts. 
2. Only one entry per blog address.
3. This is a card only challenge.
4. You must use a stamp, either rubber or digital.
5. You can combine this challenge with other challenges.
6. Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to this challenge. Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
7. All brands of stamping products are welcome.
8. HAVE FUN!!!

This challenge runs for 12 days, until November 5th. I hope you can join in the fun! Thanks so much for inviting me to play, Andrea :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Last chance for Pink Christmas for the Cure!

My husband said I shouldn't share these for the challenge, that it was cheating - but hey. I am counting it as a single card since they're all the same design :) Here's my last entry for the Pink Christmas for the Cure challenge at Jingle Belles:

Supplies: all stamps from PTI; Versamark; Moonstone Embossing Powder from Stampendous; Memento Gray Flannel ink; silver paint pen; Worn Lipstick & Spun Sugar distress inks; Cherub Pink glimmer mist from Tattered Angels

Trying to capture the shimmer of the pink panel...

Pink & silver is going to be one of my go-to Christmas colour combos this year - I love it :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #124 - Halloween OR black & orange!

**For my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, please scroll down or click here - thanks!**

I know, it's crazy - a Halloween challenge? But you know we had to! Don't celebrate Halloween, or you're all done making cards for this year? That's ok! Shop your stash for an orange & black creation for another occasion. We like to make it easy at Shopping our Stash :)  

Supplies: papers from Cosmo Cricket; banner die from WPlus9; sentiment from PTI; Seedless Preserves distress ink; ghost button from Dress it up; googly eyes; classic small oval Nesties

That ghost button? At least 5 years old. It had funny eyes - I have no idea why it took me so long to think of using googly eyes over top of the 'slits' the button has....I suppose because the button just HAD to be on THIS card? I can envision this turning into quite the digression, but I'll spare ya. Not much sleep last night, and it's showing. I think I might be too old to stay up that late ;)

Come & play along with this challenge until next Monday,October 28th - hop on by & leave the rest of my teamies some love!

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Michelle

Paige

It feels strange to be so excited about a nap when it's only 6:30 AM, but I am. *yawn*

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #221 - me!

I am so excited - I am  the sponsor this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches :)  As you might guess, that means crochet mats! I've been meaning to update my sale page with the new colours I have available, and today's as good a day as any. My favourite is white - it goes with everything! - but I now have white, cream, rose pink, chocolate brown AND red, KRAFT (woot!), black, sage green, butter yellow, and variegated blue. I am still on the lookout for more colours (especially neon) but if you have a request let me know, and I'll see what I can find!

Here's the prize for the winner this week:

2 ovals and 2 small circles each in these colours - black, white, kraft, red, and cream.

I also designed this week's sketch - I find this one of my go-to layouts, and it works for a fun or a pretty card - I went with pretty :)

Supplies: papers from MME; classic small & lacy circle Nesties; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Versamark & white detail EP; sentiment from PTI; floral silhouette from Inkadinkado; crochet mat by me :)

Here's the sketch:

This sketch will be open until next Sunday, October 27th. Don't forget to check out what everyone else made - I am in love with them!

Angela

Bonnie

Debbie

Jenee

Laura 

Melissa

xoxo,

Jessi

Doodle Pantry #39

I have a feeling this is going to be a busy week on my blog, trying to get everything shared :) This card is for the current Doodle Pantry challenge:

Supplies: Doodle Pantry pre-coloured image & sentiment; papers from Bo Bunny; rhinestones from Dollarama; classic small circle Nesties; Sakura Stardust glitter pen

As usual for me, I printed out 2 copies of the image, and fussy-cut parts to pop up (in this case, the cupcake, and the head/wing and hat on the birdie). The candle's flame and pom-pom have a smidge of glitter pen for shine :)

xoxo,

Jessi

CAS(E) This Sketch! 50 - wow!

I may have to tackle this sketch again - I have loads of ideas for it (and from the almost 50 entries already, I think it's an inspiring sketch for a lot of people!)

Supplies: Unity sentiment stamp; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; clear detail EP Stampendous; printed canvas from Barb; classic small circle Nesties; Recollections cardstock; scrap vellum

The combination of vellum, embossing, and 'typewriter' font made this a really tricky card to photograph - the sentiment doesn't seem to be cooperating. I have been very much into making 'miss you' and 'just because' cards lately :) 

Here's the sketch:

xoxo,
Jessi

More Pink for Jingle Belles

I've got another 3 cards for the Pink Christmas prompt at Jingle Belles - and once I made this first one, the ideas started going NUTS. I have my first holiday sale coming up next Saturday, and there is nothing quite like the almost-last minute to get me inspired & creating! This also uses the sketch from Seize the Sketch #6:

Supplies: snowflake stamps from PTI; sentiment from Inkadinkado; Picked Raspberry Distress ink; Versamark; Moonstone EP from Stampendous; silver glitter paper, rhinestones, silver paint pen

SO. SHINY.

Supplies: snowman stamp from CTMH; sentiment from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Seedless Preserves Distress ink; paper from Crate Paper; Spectrum Noir & Bic markers; rhinestones from Dollarama; googly eyes

Supplies: papers from Crate Paper; sentiment from PTI; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Timeless Twine; tiny Christmas lights from Dress it Up!

Remember, Stephanie & Lauren are donating a total of $4 for each card linked up to their Pink Christmas challenge - check it out!  

xoxo,

Jessi

My Little Pumpkin!

When I saw Jen's card for CASology's PUMPKIN prompt, I knew I wanted to use the same sentiment - and then when I went to her blog & realized OMG I HAVE THE SAME SET I was super excited & got right on it. No clue what else I wanted to do, but I had that whole 1.5 inch piece of the card figured out. Cute paper to the rescue!

Supplies: papers from Cosmo Cricket; sentiment from PTI; Mowed Lawn distress ink; cream twine

LOOK AT THOSE PUNKIN FACES!

AND THE MICE!

I kept flipping past this pattern because I couldn't bear to cover up any of the cuteness. Solution: don't cover it up, silly! Because I distressed the edges, the twine had some 'tooth' to grab on to so it doesn't slip. 

xoxo,

Jessi

Bad to the Bone!

Halloween is just so much fun - even if I can't/shouldn't eat all that candy ;) This is the first year that the boys will not be going trick-or-treating. We're going to hit a movie or something similar so that the day is still fun for them, but they're both taller than I am now! (That's disturbing on a whole different level...)

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers; stickers from American Crafts; RIP button from Dress it Up!; sentiment from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink

This card was inspired by the cool photo Andrea took for her Halloween photo inspiration:

As soon as I saw the skeleton sticker I had to go with it - he's got the same pose as that pumpkin head! Everything else just flowed from there. Just my sentiment is stamped, but I hope that's enough to qualify :)

xoxo,
Jessi

Lacy Daisy Heart

This card turned out nothing like I had planned...still debating with myself on whether or not that's a good thing! The colours at The Paper Players this week seemed to be an easy one for someone like me who struggles with colour challenges:

Supplies: Flourishes heart daisy stamp; Versamark, Faded Jeans & Peacock Feathers distress inks; Clear embossing powder; Stampin' Up! Watercolor pencils; Dove blender; lace from stash

I don't have many Stampin' Up inks, so I fiddled around until I found a close-to-me match - mixing Faded Jeans & Peacock Feathers distress inks came close to Midnight Muse. I can't even fully describe where I was planning to go with this card, but the things that are definitely different - the orientation (portrait instead of landscape); colouring medium; adding lace (I was going to use fabric); trimmed the panel too close to the heart (measuring error, sigh); no sentiment....once I got the above idea in my head I figured I'd better stop messing around before I decided myself out of it too! lol

This challenge is open until tomorrow :)
I'm also going to toss it in over at Moxie Fab's "General Craft Supplies" challenge - although lace is pretty common on cards, I think it counts :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Pink Christmas for the Cure!

So Stephanie & Lauren at jingle belles  are donating $4 for every card linked up to their Pink Christmas for the Cure challenge - woohoo! I've got 3 to share today:

Supplies: Reindeer die cut from K&Co; papers from Kaisercraft; classic small & lacy circle Nesties; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; stamps from PTI; Citrus Adirondack & Spun Sugar Distress inks

Supplies: papers (including trees) from Fancy Pants; sentiment from PTI; PSX Bubblegum Pink ink; Pearl Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels; rhinestone strips from Dollarama

To be honest I am really not a fan of the above card - but I will share it anyway because PINK!

Supplies: tag & papers from Kaisercraft; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; rhinestone strips from Dollarama

Don't you hate it when you don't notice something until AFTER you've photographed it? The bling on the bottom row is straight now.

And of course, all 3 cards are SPARKLY

I know I'll be playing along as many times as possible before the challenge closes next Wednesday - last year there were 64 cards linked up, and maybe we can beat that? What do you think??

xoxo,

Jessi

Moxie Fab Marathon, part 1

So, the Handmade Cards Week challenges at Moxie Fab World are wrapping up soon, and I have a bunch of cards to share for the various challenges...figured I may as well start getting them posted!

First up, a few for the Colour Media challenge:

The background for this card was created by sponging on Distress inks, and then over-saturating the paper with Glimmer Mist. This gave it the same sort of effect that water does (you have to use A LOT of the mist - there should be puddles - for this to work). I used a canvas board-weight card stock for the background piece to avoid severe warping, and attached it to the card base with foam tape.

Supplies: PSX butterfly sticker; rhinestones from Dollarama; rub-on from stash; Distress Inks in: Dusty Concord, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans; Tattered Angels Glimmer mist - Turquoise

SHINY!

Now one using markers & pencils:

Everything I've read warns to use markers first when combining these two mediums, so that's what I did. Add in the pencil shading afterwards to make sure you don't damage your markers. I've fussy-cut and popped up the 3 centre flowers (it took over 10 minutes to cut that out...I timed it. Wow.) I then used Dimensional Magic in the flower centres, sprinkled loose glitter on top, and waited for it to dry completely before shaking off the excess glitter. The word "celebrate" was inked using the rock and roll technique, with pink & orange inks, and the edges of the panel were inked with the same two pads.

Supplies: flower & butterfly stamps from Flourishes; sentiments from PTI; Dried Marigold & Worn Lipstick distress inks; Memento Grey Flannel ink; Spectrum Noir and Bic markers; Prismacolor pencils; yellow glitter from American Crafts; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Like the other challenges, the Colour Media challenge ends on Monday the 21st - lots of time to get some projects done!

xoxo,

Jessi