Bright & Cheery Thanks!

I'm finding after the Christmas rush (and right into the Valentine's rush!) that I'm in need of cards for other categories - like thank you. I was down to 2! The current sketch & colour combo at The Challenge was perfect. 

Supplies: Paper Smooches floral stamps; Lawn Fawn sentiment; Distress inks in Festive Berries and Peacock Feathers; yellow and teal rhinestones; paper from stash

I stamped the floral panel using just two stamps, and generational stamping for the leaf fronds. I was initially going to leave the card base white but then saw this perfect yellow piece! The bonus of not cleaning your desk (ever) is finding awesome stuff by accident. 

Here's the challenge graphic:

Back to playing at my desk! The farmers market is cancelled today because we're under a Severe Weather Warning with 30 cm of snow & ice pellets forecast, so as long as the power stays on I'll be colouring & singing off-key.

xoxo,

Jessi

With Heartfelt Sympathy

This week I made a number of sympathy cards - I find it so much easier to make them at the same time. I kept the Kraft Journal "make it in minutes" challenge in mind while I was creating, and hit on just the right idea. 

Supplies: stamps & mat stack die from PTI; Cuttlebug embossing folder; kraft card stock; Distress inks in Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen

I was smart and cut out two of the mat stack pieces, because I knew I would (and I did) muff up the stamping on the first one. The sentiment initially had a period on the end, which I cut off - somehow the period just seemed rude. Offended by punctuation? I was. After embossing the white cardstock I sponged it with Antique Linen to tone down the brightness a notch, and attached it & the sentiment panel with foam tape. 

Even with my stamping boo-boo this came in at around 15 minutes to create :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Playing with Inks & Stamps!

I've been having a play with lots of stamping this week - pretty sure I've used at least half of my inks! This one I had zero plan when I started out, and just kept going with it.

Supplies: Stampendous medallion stamp and clear detail EP; Hero Arts sentiment; Unity butterfly; Distress inks in Picked Raspberry & Peacock Feathers; Route 66 Tattered Angels glimmer mist; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies; classic small circle Nesties; vellum; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen

I began by inking the medallion with both Distress Inks and then liberally spraying with glimmer mist. After stamping it & letting it dry (and realizing I had accidentally cut off the edge of the image, doh) I decided on this offset layout. I sewed the medallion panel onto the purple cardstock & then stamped the sentiment...which resulted in uneven inking & thus the Wink Of Stella to the rescue to pull the ink around a bit. I stamped the butterfly on the vellum with Picked Raspberry and quickly embossed it, stitched that on, and tada! 

I'm entering this over at STAMPlorations:

And The Pink Elephant - Anything Goes

xoxo,

Jessi

Flashback Flowers!

Squeaking in at the last minute for Vicki's Flashback Friday - Flowers challenge! I pulled out some of my oldest stamps to play and then kept making cards that didn't use the flowers. (DOH) Since I got lots of inks out I'm also popping it in at STAMPlorations January Challenge (stamps & ink) and the Simon Says Anything Goes challenge. 

Supplies: floral stamps from Basic Grey; sentiment from Stampendous; Distress inks in Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean; Versamark; Stampendous black detail EP; black rhinestones

And you can see pretty clearly why this stamp set isn't pulled out often...distress inks are my go-to and these stamps just don't ink particularly well with them despite all the conditioning tips & tricks. I think this set has been kicking around for 4 or 5 years? 

 STAMPlorations January Challenge

Simon Says Anything Goes

Stamp Smiles (Vicki) - Got Flowers?

xoxo,

Jessi

Adding Gloss Tutorial for Bugaboo

As a guest designer for Bugaboo Stamps, I get to share a crafty tutorial with you! One of my favourite techniques is to add little bits of gloss to my stamped images to give them just that little extra OOMPH, and Jodi's fab characters (with glasses, yay!) are perfect for this.

For this project, I decided I also wanted to pop up the mug for some extra dimension, so I printed out two copies of the image Stella Peeker- Magical Substance

Colour the images with your medium of choice - I used Spectrum Noir markers. As you can see I only coloured the portion of the second image that I will be cutting out.

Now for the fun part! I use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, but you can use any gloss medium (such as Glossy Accents). I save the plastic clamshell packaging from tapes, etc, to use as disposable glue and paint trays. You'll also need a toothpick! 

Squeeze a small amount (you can always add more if you need to) into your tray, dab the toothpick into it, and dot onto the area you want glossy - in this case, Stella's glasses. 

I also coated the handle of the mug, and the part of the mug showing behind the coffee. 

Now, how to cover a larger area? Dabbing with the toothpick is going to take a lonnnng time. Carefully outline the area you want to coat...

...and smoosh it around with your toothpick. You can add more gloss if needed, but it's realllly hard to get it off if you've added too much! 

Set aside to dry. And I mean really, set it aside. Don't poke it to check if it's dry, because it won't be, and then your fingerprints will be in the gloss, and you'll be sad. Ask me how I know.

Here's what it looks like when the gloss is DRY and your images are ready to finish: 

I cut out the red portion of the mug, and used foam tape to add it to the fully coloured panel, and then I finished my card. To get the thin black borders on all the panels, I used a black marker. I love the pop without the extra bulk of matting them! 

Supplies: Bugaboo Stella Peeker - Magical Substance; Spectrum Noir markers; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; AC paper; home made enamel dots 

There you have it - a really simple technique that will always have people asking you "how did you DO that?"
xoxo,
Jessi

New release day at Bugaboo Stamps!

Busy blog day!

My Snarky Anniversary & blog candy post

My Tuesday Morning Sketches post

My Shopping our Stash post

It's my last new release day as a guest designer for Bugaboo Stamps, and this week we're showing off this darling ChiBi Ballerina:

Supplies: Bugaboo ChiBi Ballerina; Spectrum Noir markers; classic small oval Nesties; Shrinky Dink clear; AC thickers #3; Basic Grey letter stickers; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; bling strips from Dollarama; various glitter, microbeads, and confetti for the shaker contents

So hard to get a good photo of a shaker card! This is for a special little three year old, so lots of glitter & girly goodness. I sparkled up the letters of her name :)

I'm entering this over at Quirky Craft Challenges for their Window challenge!

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #186 - Love me Do!

**For my Snarky Anniversary blog candy post, please click here**

**For my Tuesday Morning Sketches post, please click here**

OK, so hopefully now you've got a Beatles earworm like I do! This week at Shopping our Stash we want to see your LOVE themed projects!

Supplies: Daisy stamp from Flourishes; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; sentiment from Doodle Pantry; AC yellow glitter; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; classic small oval Nesties; embroidery supplies; buttons and paper from stash

Everything on this card has been in my stash for years, with the exception of the sentiment - maybe a single year? But I've never used it until now. I stamped the daisies twice so that I could pop three of them up. After colouring I gave the centre of each daisy a generous coat of Dimensional Magic & then added the loose glitter. To sew the sentiment I just pierced around the edges freehand. A little distressing around the edge of the polka dot panel and voila!

With Valentines Day just around the corner, join in with the SOS crew and get your love vibe on!

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

And you have until Monday,February 2nd  to join in!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #285 - DeeDee's Digis!

**Don't forget I have blog candy up on my Snarky Anniversary Post!**

Good morning! We're on to Kris' favourite sketch of 2014 here at Tuesday Morning Sketches, and we have DeeDee's Digis as our sponsor - and Kris is offering some great goodies as well! You'll definitely want to make time to play this week :)

I decided to simplify the sketch, and use the sentiment as two of the floral elements:

Supplies: Penny Black sticker; Doodlebug sticker sentiment; button from stash; embossing folder from Craft Concepts; paper from MME

Here's the sketch:

This challenge is open until next Sunday, February 1 - hop on over & see what the design team has created for you! 

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa (sick this week)

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Bring in the New!

I've got blog candy on my Snarky Stampers anniversary post - make sure you leave a comment on that post! 

The current Jingle Belles challenge is to use your newest Christmas supplies, so I used the still out on my desk American Crafts paper pad & Doodlebug red doilies :)

Supplies: Doodlebug red doily; AC patterned paper; Simple Stories greeting sticker; Making Memories holly leaves & brad

I really didn't have a plan for this card, so I just did what felt right & I like how it turned out :)

xoxo,

Jessi

SNARKER'S CHOICE!

Ermagerd, it's been a year since the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers was born! We've had so much fun (seriously, this is the best team ever) and to celebrate, our 26th challenge is Snarker's Choice. Pick your favourite challenge from our first year and create a NEW project!

I am certain not one single soul will be surprised that I chose Naughty Christmas as my favourite challenge!

Supplies: Image from The Stamping Chef; Spectrum Noir markers; computer generated sentiment; classic small circle Nesties; American Crafts paper; Tonic edge distresser; Bow Easy; floss & bells

I know I already made a card with this combination of image & sentiment but COME ON it's kind of awesome :) And, guess what? Leave me a comment on this post, and I will send you this card as well as some surprise blog candy goodies! 

Check out the huge variety of snarky and beautiful cards from the Sistahs:

Barb

Chris

Donna

Karen

Lee

Lindsey

Lynne 

Michelle

You've got until Friday, February 6th, to join in with us! 

And don't forget to stop by and leave our guest designer PAIGE some love for her beautiful project!

xoxo,

Jessi

Bugaboo Photo Inspiration!

I'm nearing the end of my guest design term with Bugaboo - there are still some great things coming up before the end of January! Today's Saturday challenge is a photo inspiration:

Supplies: Bugaboo Noel Birds; Spectrum Noir markers; Bo Bunny paper; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

I coloured the lights with the Stardust pen before coating them with Dimensional Magic - super shiny! 

Head on over to Catch the Bug to see the rest of the design team's creations & to link up yours!

xoxo,

Jessi

Merry Monday & the Kraft Journal

These challenges just really wanted me to combine them! Merry Monday's prompt this week is Houses, and The Kraft Journal is Anything Goes - Winter.

Supplies: papers from American Crafts; sticker from Bo Bunny

Super simple! 

xoxo,

Jessi

Catching up with Catch the Bug!

My apologies for being late with these cards on my own blog - I'm having my meds adjusted and my sugar is all over the place, so I've been feeling pretty under the weather. I've got some more Bugaboo Birthday Bash cards for you! Blogger has played tricks on people all week, so go to Catch the Bug's main link and scroll for the posts (every time I link to a specific one, it disappears. AUGH!)

For the Tuesday colour challenge:

Supplies: Bugaboo Birthday Monsters; Spectrum Noir markers; classic small oval nesties; googly eyes; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; home made enamel dots; snow writer 

Friday's challenge I just love - pick your favourite circus treat & follow the recipe.

Cotton Candy:  Use Flock and the colors pink & yellow

Supplies: Bugaboo Party Pig Trio; Spectrum Noir markers; pink velvet flock from Doodlebug; yellow glitter fabric paint

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #185 - Not Your Normal Paper

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

So this week at Shopping our Stash might be a toughie - because don't we all hoard this special stuff? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? We want to see you use  a specialty paper you had to have: glitter paper, foil paper, honeycomb paper, corrugated paper, canvas, cork, etc.

I went big and used 2, woohoo! I was inspired by the sketch & photo at FUSION to dig out my wood paper.

Supplies: MME wood veneer paper; cork paper; Paper Smooches kraft twine; Flourishes rose heart stamp; Versamark and Pirate Gold EP; classic small circle Nesties; Studio Calico kraft butterfly stickers; AC Thickers letter stickers; lace and button from stash

The Thickers have been in my stash long enough that they are falling off the carrier sheet - pretty sure that qualifies them as ancient. Vicki over at Stamp Smiles is doing a Flashback Friday challenge celebrating old stash - this week is alphabets, and so I'm entering this over there as well. 

Here's the FUSION graphic:

AND lest I forget, join in with the SOS crew and use some of that fabulous specialty paper! 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

And you have until Monday, January 26th to join in!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #284 - Doodle Pantry!

It's time for my favourite sketch of 2014 over at Tuesday Morning Sketches! Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry, and I've used the super fun Monster Mash on my card.

Supplies: Doodle Pantry "Monster Mash;" Spectrum Noir markers; Carta Bella patterned papers; classic small circle nesties; Wplus9 banner die; orange velvet flock from Doodlebug; button & googly eye from stash

I printed out two copies of this blobby monster so I could pop him up, and added orange flocking so he's a soft & cuddly monster :)

Here's the sketch:

This challenge is open until next Sunday,  January 25 - hop on over & see what the design team has created for you! 

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Birthday Bash Photo Inspiration!

Continuing the week-long birthday celebration for Bugaboo's 5th birthday, we have a photo inspiration challenge for you today.

There are so many terrific elements to draw from in this photo, and finally I let myself be captured by the cute elephant on top.

Supplies: Bugaboo Stamps Edward Valentine; Spectrum Noir markers; rub on sentiment from Making Memories; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies; googly eyes; paper from stash

Tons of inspiration from the designers - go check it out & don't forget to enter your creation!

xoxo,

Jessi

Cupid rhymes with...

It's time for the sketch challenge celebrating Bugaboo's 5th birthday! Like Bugaboo's other week long challenges, there is a master post with all the week's challenges listed (each day's linky opens at 7 a.m.)

Here's the sketch: 

Supplies: Bugaboo - Stella Love-Stupid Cupid; Spectrum Noir markers; Labels 4 Nesties; 1.5" circle punch; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; Studio Calico veneer hearts; Stampendous Carnelian & shabby pink Frantage EP; K&Co paper

I coated Stella's glasses, heart antennae, arrow, and boots with Mod Podge. The hearts were an experiment - I wanted to give them something OOMPH-y. I used a glue pen for the first layer of Carnelian embossing - I did 2 with that, and then sprinkled the Frantage on top. 

Head on over to the master post to see the other designers' creations & enter yours!

xoxo,

Jessi