Shopping our Stash #182 - Thrice as Nice!

The holidays are very nearly over - anyone else counting the days until the kids go back to school?? Maybe you can escape into your crafty space and create something for this week's Shopping our Stash challenge! We want to see you use at least 3 patterned papers on your project. I broke into a new paper pad for this one:

Supplies: papers from Heidi Swapp; sentiment from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; black Sharpie

Once I picked my papers I realized I didn't want to cover up that pretty floral pattern, so I kept the layout simple & added just the sentiment.

Join us before next Monday, January 5th!

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

xoxo,

Jessi

Favourite Christmas Cards, 2014 Edition!

Debby at A Scrapjourney is hosting a Top Five Favourite Christmas Cards linky, and I *think* I'm up for the challenge.

Checking out my tags I see significantly more Christmas posts than anything else except birthday, so let's see if I can pick *just* five!

(half an hour later...this is harrrrrrrd!)

April 18, 2014

October 10, 2014

December 2, 2014

December 6, 2014

December 14, 2014

I do usually find that my favourite cards are the most recent! Definitely fun looking back at all the different things I created this year. Join in over at Debby's blog (there's even blog candy!)

xoxo,

Jessi

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - Y is for...

YUCK! Ew yuck gross! The Snarky Sisters want you to create something with YUCK in mind. Either use something you don't like (ugly paper, your least favourite colour, that sort of thing) OR use a yucky theme. Which is what I did:

Supplies: toilet & sentiment stamps from Unity; splat stamps from Neat & Tangled; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Brushed Corduroy distress ink; woodgrain paper from American Crafts

I masked the toilet so I could stamp the big splat, and then it just wasn't quite icky enough, so I kept going. If you've seen the movie Dogma...

And if you haven't watched it, you should.

Now you might think the same as I did for a lot of the sisters' projects - where's the yuck? These are EXPERTS at making 'meh' stuff look fabulous!

Barb

Chris

Donna

Karen

Lee

Lindsey

Lynne (off this week)

Michelle

You've got until Friday, January 9th, to join in with us! 

And don't forget to stop by and leave our guest designer VEERLE some love for her gross project ;) lol!

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #181 - Red Alert, redux!

Just a quick reminder post for the current two-week challenge at Shopping our Stash, RED ALERT! We want to see your predominantly RED creations :) This is perfect for those last-minute Christmas creations, but as long as you've got RED your project can have any theme.

Supplies: Christmas Fairy from Bugaboo; Spectrum Noir markers; computer-generated sentiment; paper from Echo Park; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies

This is winging its way to one of my Snarky Sisters :)

You have until next Monday, December 29, to link up your red projects! Hope to see you there :)

xoxo,
Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #281

Good morning! And welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketches' annual Anything Goes challenge! No sketch this week, but we want to see you stretch your creative wings - try a new technique, do something to challenge yourself :) I decided to make an ornament. A sweet friend surprised me a few weeks ago with an impromptu trip to the spa (facial massage? OH YES) and a cute manicure kit packaged in a jar. This piece of fabric was used to decorate the jar, and I thought "I have to make something with that for a thank you!"

Supplies: fabric; thin grosgrain ribbon (Offray); LOVE sticker from Simple Stories; classic small & lacy circle Nesties; crochet mat by me

I began by choosing a mat, and then cut the fabric circle to nestle inside. I fiddled & fiddled with what else to add, and finally settled on just the simple LOVE.

This challenge is open for two weeks, until January 4th - hop on over & see what the design team has created for you! 

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

SNOW at CASology!

I know I've said it before, but the closer it gets to Christmas the more I enjoy making the funny and irreverent kind of Christmas cards. I made two cards with this image, and I will warn you now - the second one has profanity! The cue card at CASology this week is snow, and so I'm entering the first card there. I'm entering both cards over at Naughty or Nice...because, well, look at this bird's face. And the second card is perfectly naughty, and on its way to one of my Snarky Sisters who also lives in a snowy region :)

So here's the first, tamer card:

Supplies: Digi stamps from From The Heart; Spectrum Noir markers; patterned paper from American Crafts; yellow velvet flock from Doodlebug; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

I added gloss to his eyes & beak, and fun flock to his feathers, but couldn't get a clear shot in a close up!

And the not-so-simple, definitely naughty card (remember, profanity warning!)

Supplies: Digi stamps from From The Heart; Spectrum Noir markers; patterned paper from Crate Paper; yellow velvet flock from Doodlebug; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; letter stickers from jillibean soup; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies

Now that is something I'm much more likely to say mid-shoveling. In fact, last time I had to clear the driveway I was using the snowblower, and the snow was so wet it was like moving wet concrete. I definitely said that, and a few other choice things. (For what it's worth, the snowblower not only weighs more than I do, and scares the crap out of me - but kept getting stuck & wouldn't go into reverse. Having to tug that GD thing out every time it got stuck...ohhhhhhh the bad words. GRRR.)

xoxo,

Jessi

BINGO time at Bugaboo!

It's the last Saturday challenge of the year at Catch the Bug - and it's one of my favourites! So many options in this card - use any three in a row :)

I've gone with the right hand vertical column: non-traditional Christmas colours, polka dots, and bling.

Supplies: Glass of Wine a Day from Bugaboo; computer-generated sentiment; Bo Bunny paper; Spectrum Noir markers; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; bling strips from Dollarama; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery floss; Sakura Stardust glitter pen

The last time I coloured this stamp my 'white wine' turned out awfully yellow, so I played with markers & a glitter pen to try to make it a bit more realistic. It's a process. lol! I coated the whole glass with a goodly amount of Dimensional Magic. 

Make sure to head over to Catch the Bug to see what eye candy all the other designers have for you - and play along before next Friday, December 26, for a chance to win a bunch of Bugaboo goodies!

xoxo,

Jessi

Merry Monday Mixed Media!

This card was a custom order for a specific person who occasionally visits my blog, but since it doesn't have a name on it I think it's still safe to share it :)

Supplies: Tattered Angels turquoise mist; Peacock Feathers distress ink; sentiment from MSE!; snowflake stamp from Unity; quilling paper; heart button from stash

Super shimmery goodness! The snowflake is quilled in two layers since this will be hand-delivered. I love the frosty detail of the snowflake - this card was my first time using it. 

I'm entering in three challenges:

little red wagon: anything Christmas

Just us Girls: mixed media (mist, inks, and quilling)

Merry Monday: Winter Wonderland

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #181 - RED ALERT!

**Here for my Tuesday Morning Sketches/Bugaboo post? Please scroll down or click here!**

So who's in the midst of Christmas panic? I definitely am! I'm hoping to get my cards mailed out this week (better late than never, and this is what I call the card maker's equivalent of the shoemaker's children...) We have a bit of a gimme challenge at Shopping our Stash this week, and it's also a two week challenge to give you lots of time to play. We want to see your primarily RED cards & projects! 

Supplies: Doily from Doodlebug; mug sticker from Bo Bunny; sentiment from Inkadinkado; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; paper from MME; red rhinestones from Dollarama

I bought 3 of the sticker sheets that had this mug, on clearance, about two years ago, and I'm still working my way through them!

Your project doesn't have to be a Christmas one, just RED - but if you're cramming in those last-minute Christmas cards this is made for you! join us in the next two weeks, before Monday,December 29th!

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #280 - Bugaboo Stamps!

Now how fun is this? I am in the middle of my guest designer stint for Bugaboo Stamps, and they are this week's sponsor at Tuesday Morning Sketches!  I'm showing off today's new release, Joy Penguins:

Supplies: Joy Penguins from Bugaboo Stamps; Spectrum Noir markers; paper from American Crafts; Diamond Stickles; button from Dress it Up; teensy pompom from Michaels; classic small oval Nesties

I found these super tiny pompoms at Michaels on Friday, and thought they'd make the perfect accent for fuzzy hats! And that button was rescued from something, and just waiting in my stash for the perfect card.

Here's our terrific sketch from Melissa:

This challenge is open until next Sunday,December 21st - hop on over & see what the design team has created for you! 

Debbie

Jenee (off this week)

Kris 

Melissa

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Sketch at FUSION!

I picked up a couple of Christmas paper pads on Friday, and right away I wanted to play with this one from American Crafts...coooooffffeeeeee! Love how it turned out paired with the sketch from FUSION.

Supplies: all papers from American Crafts; mitten buttons from Dress it Up

The red panel was cut from a sheet of tags in the paper collection - love having matching elements like that!

I'm slowly catching up on my blog reading - if I haven't been by I will be soon :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Christmas Angel

It took nearly all week for me to be able to come up with an idea for Merry Monday! *phew* made it. This close to the end of the year it would be a shame to miss my goal of completing all of the challenges there! It's a colour challenge - gold, silver, white, plus one colour of your choice. I'm also entering at little red wagon, where this week's challenge is So Flaky, and The Kraft Journal, where the challenge is White on White.

Supplies: Inkadinkado angel stamp; PTI dot stamp; Versamark; Stampendous white detail EP; shabby white, shabby gold, shabby silver Frantage EP; vellum; kraft patterned paper from American Crafts; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies; doily, ribbon, and tiny bells from stash

Although I find myself gravitating more towards a clean and simple style in general, sometimes it's just fun to get shabby chic. I began by stamping and embossing the angel, and then I stamped all the dots. I sprinkled the Frantage powders on one at a time, trying to get a good mix of the three colours. The silver really doesn't stand out, but it's there! Then I tore the edges of the vellum to size, and stitched it over top of the doily & patterned paper. I didn't want to take away from the effect of the torn vellum so I just stitched enough to keep the vellum securely attached. 

This ribbon has been in my stash for a while - it's absolutely gorgeously shimmery, and although I've tried to use it a few times, it must have been waiting for this! I sewed the bow on, and then strung the bells to nestle underneath it. I do so love a jingly card!

xoxo,

Jessi

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I recently gave in & purchased this farting fairy from The Stamping Chef, because well, farts. Farts are funny. And looking at it last week I remembered the Christmas card I got from my Evil DoubleMint Twin last year - Chris paired an adorable farting deer with "Do you hear what I hear?". The kids LOVED it, and I couldn't resist making a few farting fairy Christmas cards. (Now that's not a sentence I predicted I'd type!)

I'm entering these two cards in three challenges:
The Stamping Chef #59 - Anything Goes
Open-Minded Crafting Fun - Unusual Christmas (The first card has unusual colours as well as an unusual theme for Christmas!)
Naughty or Nice - Winter Holidays

Supplies: Fairy Dust image from The Stamping Chef; computer-generated sentiment; Wonky Rectangle Nesties; Paper Smooches cloud dies; Spectrum Noir markers; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; bling from Dollarama

Supplies: Fairy Dust image from The Stamping Chef;  computer-generated sentiment; Spectrum Noir markers; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; classic small oval Nesties; Paper Smooches cloud dies; bling from Dollarama

I popped up her head & wings on the second card - my oval die wasn't large enough for the entire image so I did a modified out-of-the-box technique to be able to use it. And of course, both cards I had to glitz up her eye shadow & wings! 

xoxo,

Jessi

My Favourite Christmas Stamp

I've had this stamp for years, and it comes out to play a lot - who doesn't love a cute little puppy, and the sentiment? Right up my alley! I'm entering this card in two challenges - Naughty or Nice Winter Holidays  and Quirky Crafts' Shake It.

Supplies: stamps from Inkadinkado; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Bo Bunny paper; classic small circle Nesties; sequins, microbeads, and iridescent glitter flakes for shaker contents

Usually I colour the snow behind the dog yellow - but this time I was thinking of my dog, who will approach something icky & then look at me pretty much like this when I say YUCK! (I interpret this look as saying "but MOOOOMMMM, it looks delicious!")

Quirky Crafts Challenges

There'll be a few more posts today - after catching up with all the cards I had to get finished for orders I had to have some free play :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - N is for...

**Here for my Bugaboo Christmas Chaos posts? Click here! Thanks!**

Naughty! The Sisters want to see you make a naughty Christmas card - and you KNOW we rocked this challenge ;)

Supplies: Bugaboo Christmas Ornament Gal; Echo Park paper; Spectrum Noir markers; classic small oval Nesties; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; bling from stash; computer-generated sentiment; Corner Chomper

I've seen this saying floating around on Facebook and it just seemed perfect for this challenge! I printed out two copies of the Gal so I could pop up the ornament. 

You are going to crack up seeing what the sisters have come up with. You might want to put your coffee down while you check them out!

Barb

Chris

Donna

Karen

Lee

Lindsey

Lynne 

Michelle

You've got until Friday, December 26th, to join in with us! 

And don't forget to stop by and leave our guest designer LESLIE some love!

xoxo,

Jessi

AUGH! I'm late!

I fell into the rabbit hole of mass production, with orders for 72 cards this week. I completely forgot to blog the last two days of Bugaboo Christmas Chaos challenges - but better late than never! Here are days 5 & 6:

Day five's challenge is Christmas Critters:

Supplies: Bugaboo - Puppy-Enough Reindeer; Memory Box paper; Spectrum Noir markers; Wink of Stella clear pen; Cotton Ball Fun Flock

I used Fun Flock on the puppy's Santa hat, and fussy cut & popped up his head, bell collar, and antlers.

Day six's challenge is Clean and Simple:

Supplies: Bugaboo - Christmas Tree Row;  Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; Spectrum Noir markers

I coloured in the baubles & stars with Wink of Stella, and traced all the snow lines as well, for some subtle sparkle :)

The linky for Christmas Chaos will close this morning, so hurry up &  get your cards posted for a chance to win some awesome goodies!

xoxo,

Jessi

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Peeking up out of my big-order-induced panic to share my card for the fabulous Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! Make sure you check out Amy's blog for all the details :)

Supplies: all stamps from Paper Smooches; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Festive Berries & Tumbled Glass distress inks; papers from MME; buttons from Dress it Up; classic small circle Nesties; googly eyes

I've had this set for years & I will never tire of it! Some simple masking under the cup - which, if I was drinking it, would be a coffee with Bailey's and a big swirl of whipped cream on top!

Thanks for stopping by - cheers!

xoxo,

Jessi

Day Five of Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug!

OK, this just might be my favourite challenge of the week!

Make a humorous Christmas card. Check!

Supplies: JJ Christmas Box from Bugaboo; Spectrum Noir markers; Bo Bunny papers; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; bling strips from Dollarama

I printed out two copies of JJ so that I could fussy-cut the top layer for dimension. I also added Dimensional Magic to her glasses, lips, and boots. Saucy boots - I want a pair!

Make sure you head over to the master post to see what all the designers have created, and then play along for some awesome prizes! And - all the week's challenges are listed, so you can get a head start :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Day Four of Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug!

Busy day here on my blog!

For my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, click here.

For my Shopping our Stash post, click here. 

Thanks so much for popping by!

Already it's day 4 of Christmas Chaos over at Catch the Bug - I had so much fun creating something for the week of challenges. I really hope to see you play along! 

Today's challenge is a recipe - use 1 image, 2 of something else, and 3 of a third thing. Super easy! I've used the fabulous NEW snowball penguins image, two kinds of Stickles, and three sparkly buttons:

Supplies: Snowball Penguins image from Bugaboo; Diamond and Picket Fence stickles; Spectrum Noir markers; Cotton Ball Fun flock; Crate Paper patterned paper; sparkly buttons from stash

I've highlighted the snow and the penguins' hats with Stickles, and each penguin's belly has Fun Flock on it. Lots of texture on this card! 

Make sure you head over to the master post to see what all the designers have created, and then play along for some awesome prizes! And - all the week's challenges are listed, so you can get a head start :) 

xoxo,

Jessi