Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Coffffffeeee....the elixir of life! I just refilled my cup and am ready to share the card I created for the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Supplies: Paper Smooches stamps; Paper Cottage collection from Basic Grey; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Distress inks in Vintage Photo and Tumbled Glass; classic small oval Nesties; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

I was going to make the whole cup glossy, and then I thought naaaahhhh, just the little heart :) Make it pop! 

The rather-perfectly-named challenge Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards has this great sketch that I wanted to play with again. 

There's all the information you need at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog, and check out the Facebook page too :)

xoxo,

Jessi 

The Challenge Sketch

For whatever reason, if there's a butterfly on a sketch, I end up going with a butterfly. I know you can change the shapes, but butterflies...they make my crafty heart happy! Here's my card using just the sketch from the current Challenge at Always Playing with Paper:

Supplies: all papers from Basic Grey; smidge of pink vellum; Wplus9 banner die; classic small oval Nesties; Spellbinders butterfly die; Lawn Fawn sentiment; Memento Tuxedo Black ink

You'll see in a few hours why I had this paper pad out to play...and just kept playing :)

I had another card started with the colours, but as usually happens I made a left turn and kept going :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Inlaid Die Technique...oh my!

You know those crafty ideas that sound so great before you get started, and once you're halfway through you're questioning your sanity & wondering what the heck you were thinking? Yeah, this card.

Supplies: Memory Box floral die; two colours of kraft cardstock; Paper Smooches sentiment; Antique Linen distress ink; Corner Chomper

Swear to peanuts, the sentiment is legible in real life. I wanted it to be tone-on-tone, and the camera just wouldn't cooperate nor would my editing software. (ya gets what ya pays for). Everybody and then some seems to be using this inlaid die technique all over the place, and famous last words I thought ohhhhh how hard can it be? Some of those pieces are really little. I said some bad words. I picked lots of little pieces off my shirt after they magically flung themselves away from the paper. All that said, OHHHH EMMM GEEEE look I did it! (possibly never again). 

I was inspired to try this lunacy because of the Kraft Journal's challenge to create a CAS one layer card. I did have to trim my card & place it on a white base because crooked sentiment. Keeping it really real this morning ;)

xoxo,

Jessi

Thank You!

A second card for the Stamp Smiles Geometric challenge, and using the sketch from The Paper Players!  My oldest shaped stash besides my circle punches are my circle Nesties, and here they are.

Supplies: Memory Box leaf frond die; small classic circle Nesties; Wplus9 banner die; sentiment from PTI; vellum; patterned papers from AC and Bo Bunny; Peeled Paint distress ink; button and burlap thread from stash

My circle Nesties were the very first ones I bought - probably about eight years ago. I use them nearly every single day! 

xoxo,

Jessi

Donuts....

I worked in a donut shop as a teenager, and ohhhh I still love donuts. Completely irresistible! I've seen this sentiment from Simon Says Stamp around blogland and love it, so I printed it out myself on the computer.

Supplies: Donut digi stamp from Tiddly Inks; computer-generated sentiment (wording from Simon Says Stamp); Spectrum Noir markers; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; chocolate liquid pearls; 1" circle punch

I 'iced' the chocolate donuts with Liquid Pearls, and glossed the rest with Dimensional Magic. When they were dry I punched them out with my 1" circle punch that's been a trusty craft companion for....ever.... :) 

I'm entering this at Vicki's Stamp Smiles Geometric challenge (that ancient punch!) and also at Curtain Call - Donut Delight. Inspired by the donuts & by the layout as well!

ETA: dangNABBIT missed the deadline for Curtain Call too. I need to keep better track!!

xoxo,

Jessi

A Colour Challenge? Whoa.

I am colour-challenge challenged...I start out with good intentions and then usually make a left turn somewhere, but darn it, I stuck with it this time for the Just Us Girls colour combo - paired with the sketch from Fusion. 

Supplies: papers from AC; flower stamp from PTI; sentiment from Stampin' Up; Picked Raspberry distress ink; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Labels 5 Nesties; buttons from stash

Just Us Girls:

Fusion:

ETA: I missed the linky for Fusion AGAIN (like the third time in a row...lol)
xoxo,
Jessi

Shopping our Stash #190 - Out of the Jar!

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

This week at Shopping our Stash we have a wide variety of ways to interpret our challenge - Out of the Jar: use anything that came in a jar: flower soft, glitter, perfect pearls, embossing powder, etc.,  OR a jar image - or make something using a Jar! (decorate a jar) 

Lots of options! I ended up using several things from jars on my card - Aleene's Glitter Snow Paint (love that stuff - and guess what? It works like embossing paste! yeah!) - and two colours of embossing powder. 

Supplies: Martha Stewart Butterfly stamp; Hero Arts sentiment; Versamark; Broken China distress ink; clear & white detail EP; Aleene's Glitter snow paint; Memory Box bubbles stencil; embroidery supplies, vellum, rhinestones

I initially stamped the butterfly directly onto the square panel, and it just didn't pop enough. Rather than starting over I decided to stamp & fussy-cut another one using Versamark & Broken China distress ink to give it a little colour. Some wonky-not-enough-room-for-cross-stitching-oh-who-thought-tilting-this-panel-was-a-good-idea and tada!

The snow paint I've not seen to buy except at Christmas, but now that I know it holds up as well as embossing paste for using with stencils...the jars I bought 4-5 years ago are probably not going to last much longer! I think they cost about $4 each, which compared to $12 for embossing paste is a great way to try this technique out and see if you like it before investing too much!

Surely you've got some crafty things in jars - or jar stamps - or heck, have a present to wrap that would fit in a jar?   join in with the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

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

I also was inspired by the tic-tac-toe board at Our Creative Corner 

I used the right-hand column (embossing powder, stencils, and mediums-snow paint) plus stamps :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #289 - All Dressed Up!

Good morning sketchers! This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have the cutie-pie All Dressed Up as our sponsor. There are several adorable freebies available if you are new to All Dressed Up (please, please respect the terms & conditions!). I've used Abi Ballerina on my card.

Supplies: Abi Ballerina digi stamp from All Dressed Up; Spectrum Noir markers; PTI sentiment; Gray Flannel Memento ink; papers from Heidi Swapp; classic small oval Nesties; buttons from Stampin' Up; flowers from Prima dyed with Yellow Daisy Tattered Angels glimmer mist

Here's the fun sketch from Melissa:

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

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Birthday Robot!

I absolutely adore this robot from Tiddly Inks - he is just the perfect birthday dude!

Supplies: Robot digi from Tiddly Inks; Spectrum Noir markers; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; googly eyes; papers from Bo Bunny

I added gloss to the balloons, and googly eyes to the cutie pie robot. I've followed the current Tiddly Inks sketch but turned it to fit a vertical layout.

xoxo,
Jessi

Wishing you a Happy Birthday!

Well, my back WAS getting better, and then I dropped the soap in the shower. *sigh* Being old kinda stinks! And the laundry's piling up, so I envision another week with muscle relaxants and lots of naps. Actually, that doesn't sound all that bad! I've still managed to spend some time sitting gingerly at my desk, so I have a few posts for you today. 

Supplies: Chibi flower girl from Bugaboo; Spectrum Noir markers; patterned papers from Heidi Swapp; Wplus9 banner die; PTI sentiment; Festive Berries distress ink; classic small oval Nesties; embroidery supplies

I printed out & coloured two copies of the chibi girl so I could pop up the flower and her head. She's so cute! I'm entering three challenges with this card:

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Sketch:

Catch The Bug - Bingo: I used the right-hand column, adding stitched borders to the panels, flower, and 3D



Creative Card Crew - Birthday with Sentiment 

xoxo,
Jessi

Super Sparkly!

I decided to play a bit with this week's Kraft Journal challenge - misting on kraft isn't something I've tried before, and I love it! I'm using this bird stencil for the first time, and entering in Open-Minded Crafting Fun's Up in the Sky challenge too. 

Supplies: unknown stencil; Sizzix Labels die; Paper Smooches sentiment; Versamark; Pirate Gold & Carnelian EP; kraft card stock; Tiger Lily Tattered Angels glimmer mist; scraps of vellum & textured gold paper

I used two colours of embossing powder on the sentiment, which I also curved on the block to get it 'wonky'. The coppery colour from the mist is just stunning - much more copper than orange as the mist usually turns out. 

Open-Minded Crafting Fun

The Kraft Journal - Celebrations

xoxo,
Jessi

Washi Santa

I don't usually combine these two challenges, but with my back out of commission this week I had to so I didn't miss either of them.  Jingle Belles Here We Come A-Washi-ing and Merry Monday Santa.  I made the background panel by criss-crossing two washi tapes.

Supplies: Stamps from Paper Smooches; washi from Recollections; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Festive Berries distress ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

The eyes, glasses, nose, and boots are glossed up. And with half an hour left that's it!!

Jingle Belles

Merry Monday

xoxo,

Jessi

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - A is for...

Now really, what sucker would take Edna on in a fight? You just KNOW the other guy looks even worse! The Snarky Stampers want to see your "get well" cards this time around. I was using these little Bo Bunny monster cards for some other stuff, and came across these two that made me think oooooh, that would work!

Supplies: journaling cards from Bo Bunny; Paper Smooches sentiment; Versamark pad & pen; black detail EP; turquoise gems

I fussy-cut the Uh Oh! from another of the journaling cards, went over the words with Versamark & embossed them. I added the sentiment to the thundercloud, and ta-da!

Check out the huge variety of cards from the Sistahs:

Barb

Chris

Donna

Karen

Lee

Lindsey

Lynne 

Michelle

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

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

I know I've been quiet this week - I put my back out  folding laundry. Why it's never something GOOD I'd like to know...nope, turning to put down a single shirt. Augh. Hopefully I'll flood you with posts tomorrow! 

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #189 - The Big Screen!

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

This week at Shopping our Stash we want you to create a project inspired by a movie! Make sure you tell us which one it is. I was spoiled for choice, really, and had a lot of ideas for this one. I finally decided to choose Cinderella, as these stickers were the oldest stash I was considering. I've had these for years!

Supplies: stickers from Sandylion; medallion stamp and sentiment from Stampendous; Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Mowed Lawn distress inks; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; blue gems

The medallion behind Cinderella is the second impression from when I made this card.  I wasn't sure if I would end up using it or not, but it made a great background for my princess! I fussy cut around it & popped it up on foam tape.

What movie inspires you?  join in with the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

And you have until Monday,February 23rd to join in!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #288 - Sweet n Sassy Stamps!

Welcome to our first brand-new sketch of 2015 - and thanks so much for playing along with our favourites from last year! It's fun to revisit older sketches with new creations :) This week's Tuesday Morning Sketch is designed by Melissa, and has lots of room for embellishment! Our sponsor this week is Sweet n Sassy Stamps. 

Supplies: Papers & stickers from Doodlebug; sentiment from PTI; Brushed Corduroy distress ink, Versamark, clear EP; Corner Chomper

I popped up the little duckie and the blue star, and embossed the sentiment to help it pop on the patterned paper.

Here's the sketch - remember, the shapes on the sketch can be changed to suit your design!

This challenge is open until next Sunday, February 22 - hop on over & see what the design team has created for you! 

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Cute & Cuddly!

So this week I was addicted to making baby cards. Lots and lots of baby cards, and lots and lots of buttons. I find it therapeutic to do the repetitive sewing. When I saw Vicki's challenge this week for Flashback Friday was BABY stuff, I pulled out some stash & went to it.

Supplies: PTI stamps; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Stampin Up paper; Corner Chomper; classic small circle Nesties; buttons 

I had a piece of off-white paper sitting on my desk - no idea what manufacturer - and decided to use that for the image panel. The colouring turned out mottled & textured and made the bear look furry, almost like I know what I'm doing! The buttons are a recent gift from a crafty friend who knew I have had a heck of a time finding green buttons in any amount. All the other stuff has been kicking around for at least 2 years, especially that paper. I pull it out & then put it away again, and I think this might be the first time that bear has made it onto a card. 

Since a bear is a critter, I'm also entering over at Simon Says All Creatures Great & Small.

On to the therapeutic side of things - this has been a tough week. Riley was diagnosed with depression in December (which we knew was coming). Unfortunately the meds weren't working, so on Tuesday the psychiatrist changed his med regime and I kept him home all week to keep an eye on him. So far it's not worse but it's not better yet either. I realized Friday that it's been two years since one or the other of my kids has been depressed and/or suicidal. Add that to the obsessive nature of autism and I am just.so.tired.

Abby cut her foot a month ago - necessitating an emergency vet trip, pain meds, and complete rest for a week. And then last week she reinjured the same foot, which seemed to be healing well UNTIL Thursday morning she didn't wake up with me (which is very weird) and when I went to check on her, her foot was swollen and obviously infected. Another emergency vet trip, antibiotics for minimum three weeks, and pain meds. 

And I'm diabetic - and my sugars have been crazy for months, despite med adjustments. So last Tuesday I thought to myself gee, my toe hurts - and lo and behold, with no injury, a blister had formed under the nail pushing the nail nearly all the way off. And it's not healing. So I predict antibiotics are in my future as well, when I finally get in to see the doctor tomorrow. 

Add in the snowstorm we just got that has left 5-7 foot drifts by my back door, and I am so ready to scream UNCLE I can't even tell ya. Thank goodness for crafty things, good friends, and the Internet for bringing me distractions and support! If you made it through all that, thank you :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Crooked Stamper Sketch redux

Leslie's first sketch challenge inspired me again!

Supplies: Studio Calico veneer hearts; everything else from Pebbles

This was really straightforward - the hearts were a last-minute thought as it just needed....something. 

Here's the sketch for CSSC #1

xoxo,

Jessi

Candy Cane Mouse!

The challenge to use Candy Canes for this week's Merry Monday gave me my idea right away, it just took me the whole week to actually get around to it!

Supplies: Candy Cane Mouse digi from Bugaboo; Spectrum Noir markers; Hero Arts sentiment; Diamond Stickles; AC papers; Festive Berries distress ink; red rhinestones

Cute & simple! This is also perfect for the Simon Says All Creatures Great & Small challenge. 

xoxo,

Jessi

I'm here for you

I played with this great medallion stamp and some watercolour paper for this simple card:

Supplies: Stampendous medallion stamp; Flourishes sentiment; Spellbinders butterfly dies; vellum & watercolour paper; Distress inks in Mowed Lawn & Peacock Feathers; Route 66 Tattered Angels glimmer mist

Using watercolour paper REALLY makes a difference! I inked the stamp with distress inks, and spritzed very thoroughly before stamping. The butterfly was made with two layers of vellum and one of white cardstock for each size. 

I'm entering this over at CAS-ual Fridays Must Love Watercolour challenge, and one more for Open-Minded Crafting Fun's no pink & no red. 

xoxo,
Jessi