Shopping our Stash #199 - Opposite Day!

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

This week at Shopping our Stash we have a challenge that I found quite difficult - create something outside your usual style. Ack! We all have our comfort zones - and they are comfortable. We like it there. After dithering around for a while I decided the least-like-me thing to do would be to create a clean and graphic card. No splashes of colour. No embellishments. (yes, I'm feeling itchy thinking about it again). 

Supplies: stamps from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; black Sharpie for border

I masked off the sentiment frame to stamp the circles & splotches - but this is quite probably the simplest design I've ever made. I so admire those that comfortably and flawlessly execute CAS cards but usually that's not me ;)

So what kind of opposite day projects do my teammates have to share? Check out the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Chana

And you have until Monday,May 4th to come play!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #298 - Deedee's Digis!

Good morning! This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have the fabulous Deedee's Digis back as a sponsor - wait until you see what the gals on the design team have created with her adorable images!

Supplies: just a note stamp from Reverse Confetti; mother's day stamp from PTI; patterned papers from MME; Versamark & clear EP; Festive Berries & Peacock Feathers distress ink; Bow Easy; Timeless Twine; classic small oval Nesties; banner die unknown; buttons from stash

Here's the sketch this week, designed by Melissa:

This challenge will be open until next Sunday, May 3 - hop on over & see what the rest of the team has made!

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Smile!

This is the card I was working on during this week's class at the library - we were working on stitching, layering, and distressing. I think it's a perfect pick-me-up for a gal pal! Entering it in this week's Anything Goes - Girlfriends challenge at the Kraft Journal. 

Supplies: kraft card stock; tiny tags dies & fleur de lis stamp from PTI; butterfly stamp from Unity; Smile stamp unknown; Tea Dye distress ink; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; May arts twine; Tonic edge distresser; patterned paper, doily, buttons from stash

xoxo,
Jessi

Fa la la la la...

For the most part I've been working on Mother's Day cards this past week, but a couple others had to creep in too - like this one for the current Merry Monday challenge to use a cat or dog.

Supplies: inkadinkado stamp; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Recollections pom pom ribbon; May Arts cream twine; paper from Echo Park; bells from stash

Unfortunately my body has decided that now would be a good time to come down with the flu...mmm, fever and chills and coughing oh my. I'm pretty sure that since January I've spent more time sick than well. Grrr.

xoxo,
Jessi

Shopping our Stash #198 - Texture Me!

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

This week at Shopping our Stash we've got a pretty easy challenge for you - we want you to use your oldest embossing supply! Your oldest folder, powder, even those old texture boards that you need to use a stylus with...whatever your oldest supply is. And tell us about it - we love a good crafty story :)

My oldest embossing supply (that I still own) is this Cuttlebug folder - I bought my Cuttlebug used via Splitcoaststampers about ten years ago, and this folder was one of the supplies the seller sent along with the machine. It's seen a lot of use & I still love it. 

Supplies: image from Digital Pencil Too; Spectrum Noir markers; Cuttlebug folder; computer-generated sentiment; Nesties labels die; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; hot pink rhinestones from Dollarama

As you can see in the closeup there is some shimmer on the embossing...I must not have done such a great job cleaning it the last time I played with spray mists. Oops. I meant to do that ;)

So what have my teammates embossed? Check out the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Chana

And you have until Monday,April 27th to come play!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #297 - DRS Designs!

This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have the fab DRS Designs back as a sponsor - they have some seriously funny stamps!

Supplies: Glow Worm and Glow Worm Greeting from DRS Designs; edge punch from Stampin' Up; Spectrum Noir markers; Sakura Stardust clear glitter pen; papers from Bo Bunny

My best friend, way back in high school, first introduced me to this little poem, and I think of her every time I see it :)

Here's the sketch:

This challenge will be open until next Sunday, April 26 - hop on over & see what the rest of the team has made!

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

CSSC #3 - Happy Mother's Day!

It took me a while to get my idea in gear for this sketch!

Supplies: unknown stamps & stencil; buttons from stash; Distress inks in Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Broken China

I began by cutting a circle from a piece of copy paper to use as a reverse mask to sponge the blue circle, then stamped the sentiments & banner, and then stenciled the hearts and sponged the edges of the panel. The final step was binge-watching season 6 of Sons of Anarchy & sewing on the buttons (and yes, I have a few stitching cards to share coming up because of that, lol)

Here's Leslie's sketch - 

xoxo,

Jessi

Recycling!

Jingle Belles & Open-Minded Crafting Fun are both hosting recycling challenges this fortnight, so I combined the two & made this:

Supplies: flair from American Crafts; label Nesties die; ...unknown paper scraps, recycled Christmas card image, cardboard scrap

I have a few people who save pretty Christmas cards for me to recycle - I especially love the bird images. To go with the recycling theme I decided to use scraps of designer paper, and then a piece of cardboard I've peeled the paper backing from to expose the corrugated inside. 

Open-Minded Crafting Fun:

Jingle Belles
xoxo,
Jessi

Mother's Day two-fer

I've got two cards to share in this post - the first I'm entering in the 'Take Your Pick' challenge at The Kraft Journal. The second was my first attempt at that challenge, and eventually the kraft paper just didn't work on it...so I used most of the same supplies & made another.

Supplies: kraft card stock embossed with Cuttlebug folder; patterned paper from Simple Stories; sentiment from PTI; Walnut Stain distress ink; lace, seam binding, and button from stash

The lace is attached to the back of the patterned paper with double-sided tape, and the seam binding bow is sewn on with the button. I've chosen lace, bow, and embossed as my three:

Supplies: papers from Simple Stories; PTI sentiment; Walnut Stain distress ink; Hero Arts lace

I love the lush vintage colours in this paper pack! This card is so similar that I figured I'd pop it in the same post just because :)

xoxo,

Jessi

The Challenge #30

My first time colouring up this sweet image from Tiddly Inks - and once I coloured the groom's tux I thought ohhhh perfect for the colour challenge at The Challenge this week!

Supplies: Tiddly Inks image; Spectrum Noir markers; classic small oval & circle & lacy oval Nesties; papers from Pebbles

I futzed around with some embellishments and decided that this was just right as it is. I just love how their heads are nestled together :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Vintage Snowman

Do not mistake the sentiment on this card for a request, Mother Nature! Although the snow is melting nicely, I still have a 6-foot bank on one side of the yard (and about a foot covering the yard) so no thanks, we're good :)

Supplies: papers from Simple Stories; May Arts twine; buttons from stash

One of those cards that just came together - love the little clip art pages in those Simple Stories paper packs! 

Kraft is definitely one of my go-to colours for vintage - entering at Merry Monday!

xoxo,

Jessi

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - Q is for...

Quick! Go ahead and start having palpitations, because the Snarky Sisters have a real challenge for you this time around:

*panting*

Oh now come on, it'll be ok. You can figure out what you're doing first, and gather your supplies. I'm a super show off so I have two cards...because patterned paper makes this ridiculously easy:

Supplies: paper from Simple Stories; unknown sentiment & doily stamps; Walnut Stain distress ink; Spectrum Noir marker (for edging); Corner Chomper

Supplies: paper from MME; Memento Gray Flannel ink; unknown sentiment stamps; pearls from Stampin Up; Corner Chomper

Even better, the sympathy card? I muffed up edging the rounded corner with marker, so grabbed the doily stamp that was already out & wah-la. *whew*

C'mon, have a little panicky fun with us!

Barb

Chris

Donna

Karen

Lee

Lindsey

Lynne 

Michelle

You've got until Friday, May 1st to join in! 

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

xoxo,

Jessi

Love You Mom!

I've got a card for the current SPARKS inspiration challenge - those big pom poms reminded me of Pretty Momma which hadn't yet seen ink. 

Supplies: Paper Smooches stamps - Pretty Momma and  Streamers; Streamers Dies; circle & label Nesties; watercolour paper; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Distress inks in Scattered Straw, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters; pink vellum

I stamped the roses, brushed over them with water, and added some Shabby Shutters ink for the leaves & background. After the panel was dry I re-stamped the roses in the same inks.

Here's the inspiration photo:

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #197 - Lost & Found!

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

This week at Shopping our Stash we want to see you use something "lost & found" - either something you actually misplaced (oh like it doesn't happen at your desk!) or something you've rediscovered that you forgot you had. Make sure to tell us what it is! 

With all my crafty space restructuring I could have used about a kajillion items for this - but of course I re-sorted them and now don't quite know where everything is again. However, while sorting through my stickers, I found this lovely fairy image from a decoupage sheet I purchased on eBay years ago. Score!

Supplies: fairy decoupage sheet; doily; patterned paper from MME; sentiment stamp from Flourishes; Stormy Sky distress ink; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; vellum; pearls

Having the sentiment tab wasn't my original plan, but the sentiment stamped directly onto the plaid just didn't stand out enough. 

So what have my teammates lost & found? Check out the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Chana

And you have until Monday,April 20th to come play!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #296 - Doodle Pantry!

This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have one of our fabulous frequent sponsors - Doodle Pantry! I had to play with an image I've had for a while but hadn't used yet, Funny Disguises. 

Supplies: Funny Disguises digi from Doodle Pantry; Spectrum Noir markers; papers from MME; Studio Calico wood veneer arrow; black detail EP; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; googly eyes 

I printed out two copies of the image so that I could pop up the nose & glasses - and as I was doing that thought hey, I could cut out the 'lenses' of the glasses and put googly eyes in there! 

Debbie designed our fun sketch this week: 

This challenge will be open until next Sunday, April 19 - hop on over & see what the rest of the team has made!

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Merry Monday Angel

This week's Merry Monday challenge is to use angels or cherubs on your card. I played with some NBUS PTI stamps and dies :)

Supplies: stamps, dies, and classic kraft ink from PTI; papers from Fancy Pants; Nesties label die; Stampin' Up linen thread; button from stash; Bow Easy

I used my Bow Easy for the multi-loop bow and stitched it into place with the button. I need to practice stamping on matching die-cuts but I think this works with the rustic feel of the card!

xoxo,

Jessi

Always read the fine print...

...like the date a challenge ends! The Challenge is switching to a weekly format and I missed the anniversary challenge because my pea brain didn't absorb that! I'm back again with a thank you card that took a few attempts to get right.

Supplies: papers from Bo Bunny; stamps from PTI; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Versamark & black detail EP; Wplus9 banner die; Paper Smooches black twine; button from stash

I was determined to use this paper, and what took so long to finish the card was the multiple attempts at a sentiment. I just could not get it to work - I tried it on black, on white, and finally settled on this smidge of krafty patterned paper. I had to cobble together the rectangular mat to tie in the colour somehow (it's actually 2 pieces of paper...luckily enough to do the job!)

So note to self, The Challenge is now WEEKLY!! 



xoxo,
Jessi

Getting Started on Mother's Day

Working on Mother's Day cards the past couple days, and made this one this morning :)

Supplies: unknown sentiment stamp; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; rhinestones from Dollarama; flowers quilled by me

I love all the bright colours together! I traced over the sentiment with Wink of Stella for some subtle shimmer. And since these are definitely handmade flowers, I'm popping it in over at Creative Card Crew's challenge 84. 

xoxo,

Jessi

And now for something completely different

I've been playing around with tags this week, trying out new techniques on a small scale. I decided to share this one with you since it's perfect for the Earth Day/recycling challenge at The Kraft Journal. 

Supplies: kraft tag (approx 2.5"x4"); cream burlap; clip art from MME; torn cardboard 

I used a snippet of burlap & frayed the edges, and peeled one side of the cardboard to expose the corrugated centre.

xoxo,

Jessi

Hello Little Girl!

I realized that I have mainly boy cards in my baby stash - so I got to work on some baby girl cards! This one just warms my heart. 

Supplies: MME paper; Tattered Rose & Stormy Sky distress inks; stamps from PTI; Hello stamp unknown; Wplus9 banner dies; vellum scrap; Mossy Made button; unknown hearts and dots stencils

I first stenciled the hearts, then decided to overlay them with the dots. The sentiment banner is sponged with Tattered Rose ink and laid overtop of a vellum banner, and the edges of the panel are sponged with Tattered Rose as well. 

Perfect for the Pastel challenge at The Pink Elephant!

xoxo,

Jessi

Let's Celebrate!

What seems like a rarity for me - I made this card using stamps from just one set!

Supplies: stamps from Neat & Tangled; Versamark and clear EP; Picked Raspberry distress ink; hot pink gems from Dollarama

I've embossed all the dark pink elements by inking the stamps first in Versamark & then with Picked Raspberry, and fussy cut the banner. The lighter pink was done by stamping on scrap paper first. Swiped the edges of the panel with ink and then attached to the cardbase. 

I was inspired by the current challenge at Make the Day Special, this tic-tac-toe board. I used the centre horizontal line of embossing, circles, and bling. 

xoxo,

Jessi

Shopping our Stash #196 - The Earth Has Music

For my Tuesday Morning Sketches post click here - Thanks!! 

It's a collaboration week at Shopping our Stash! We are teaming up with Words 2 Scrap By for our challenge this week - when you make a card for SOS, you can enter it at W2SB too. There are so many ways to interpret the challenge theme this week. Here's what inspired it:

So, this month's words celebrate this first full month of spring and come from renowned author and philosopher George Santayana. 

The earth has music for those who listen.

Music? Nature? Both? Spoiled for choice with this one!

For me one of nature's most magical creations is the rainbow - so that was my starting point for my card.

Supplies: Distress inks in Barn Door, Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Crushed Olive, Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves; Palette Noir and clear EP; vellum; Inkadinkado music background stamp; embroidery supplies

I used distress inks to create a watercoloured rainbow background. I added more swipes of colour with a dry brush after creating the initial background for more texture. The sentiment is embossed on vellum and then stitched on with a rainbow of embroidery floss (that took longer than waiting for the background to dry, lol) 

I can't wait to see how everyone has fun with this! Check out the SOS crew: 

Leslie

Alica

Deena

Lauren

Donna

Chris

Barb

Chana

And you have until Monday,April 13th to come play!

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #295 - Bugaboo Stamps!

Happy Tuesday! This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches we have one of our favourite sponsors, Bugaboo Stamps! I've used the adorable Chibi Cat Girl:

Supplies: Chibi Cat Girl digi from Bugaboo;  Spectrum Noir markers; MME papers; unknown sentiment & starburst stamps; Peacock Feathers & Worn Lipstick distress inks; 1.5" circle punch; scalloped and classic small oval Nesties

Here's the great sketch - definitely a go to!

This challenge will be open until next Sunday, April 12 - hop on over & see what the rest of the team has made!

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Dashing Through the Snow...

...and you're welcome for the earworm! Seeing the current musical prompt for Jingle Belles I was tempted to reach for my tried & true musical background stamp, but instead I decided to put some NBUS to use with this set from Papertrey Ink.

Supplies: all stamps from Papertrey Ink; Versamark & Sapphire EP; Hero Arts inks in Soft Sky & Pool

I tore some vellum to mimic snow, and used the tiny snowflakes in the set to stamp the background. 

xoxo,

Jessi

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I'm sharing two cards I've made for the Tiddly Inks Anything Goes challenge, and for Curtain Call's Beginnings. 

Supplies: Emma Hoppy Easter digi from Tiddly Inks;  Spectrum Noir markers; sentiment from Pink Cat Studio; labels Nesties; 1.5" circle punch; Lil' Inkers sun & clouds dies; Mowed Lawn & Broken China distress inks; Stampin' Up flower buttons

Supplies: Chloe and her Peeps digi stamp from Tiddly Inks;  Spectrum Noir markers; AC papers; Tim Holtz design ruler & embroidery supplies; sentiment from Reverse Confetti; Memento Tuxedo Black ink

These are my very favourite Easter stamps - those little girls are just beyond precious & fun to colour. 

The Curtain Call photo prompt:

Tiddly Inks Anything Goes with Tiddly Inks. 

I hope your Easter is full of joy!

xoxo,

Jessi