Shopping our JINGLY Stash!

Ermagerd, it's that time of year again - when Shopping our Stash teams up with the Jingle Belles! I've really fallen off the Christmas card wagon, so this was an excellent kick in the butt to get going again. Our one requirement other than a Christmas theme is that you use something from your stash that is at least a year old, and tell us what it is. Easy peasy!

Supplies: unknown sentiment stamp; Inkadinkado angel; Versamark & white detail EP; pearls from Stampin' Up

My stash supplies are the angel stamp (one of my oldest Christmas stamps, at least 5 years old), my Versamark pad, and my white EP (both of those are about 3 years old). I still love this angel and use it many times a year. 

Head on over to the Jingle Belles blog, and the Shopping our Stash blog, to check out the inspiration from both teams. Don't forget to enter both linkies when you join in :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Tuesday Morning Sketches #304 - Patti Rowe, CTMH Demo!

Good morning lovelies! We've got a brand new sketch for you at Tuesday Morning Sketches, and a fabulous prize up for grabs from our generous returning sponsor, Patti Rowe!  She's also hosting a bit of a contest for the DT - she'd like you to vote for one of our creations to win an additional prize. Now that's a fun & unique way to celebrate!

I really wanted to combine the sketch with the current Jingle Belles shaker challenge, and it took a little engineering but I think it worked!

Supplies: Close To my Heart snowman stamp set; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spectrum Noir markers; Lily Bee Designs papers; unknown stitched strip die; classic small circle Nesties; shrink plastic; assorted confetti & sequins for the shaker

I adhered the strips to the snowflake patterned paper first, and  then cut out the shaker circle and assembled as usual. I was holding my breath that I used enough tape to keep those suckers in place!

Here's the fun sketch, designed by Debbie:

This challenge will be open until next Sunday, June 14 - hop on over & see what the rest of the team has made! And pop on over & vote at Patti's blog. 

Debbie

Jenee 

Kris 

Melissa 

Nina

xoxo,

Jessi

Playing Catch Up with Jingle Belles

Lest you think I've ditched my New Year's Resolution to play along with all the Jingle Belles challenges again....ok, well, I had to catch up on a couple. I missed the deadline TWICE! Oy. So I'll start with my card for the current Let it Snow:

Supplies: papers/stickers from Echo Park; Lil Inkers rectangle die; sequins & confetti

You can just about see the widdle snowman peeking out at the bottom there! (and yes, wow, lots of static with this shaker!)

I've also got a card for the sketch challenge:

Supplies: papers from Bo Bunny; 1 1/8" circle punch; Stampendous sentiment; Evergreen Bough distress ink; pink rhinestones

And for the hybrid challenge: 

Supplies: digi stamp from Bugaboo; sentiment from Reverse Confetti; Spectrum Noir markers; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic; black rhinestones; AC paper

And of course the glasses & her glasses are shiny :)

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

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

Mission Emboss-ible!

Sometimes the trouble with a seemingly easy challenge like embossing is that you can't narrow down what you want to do....it took me ages to decide on this! Jingle Belles is hosting Mission Emboss-ible! this fortnight & here I am entering on the last day :)

Supplies: stamps from PTI; Versamark, Pirate Gold EP; Aged Gold Frantage EP; distress inks in Barn Door and Festive Berries; Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Copper and Gold

I stamped & embossed the poinsettia & sentiment on watercolour paper, and then coloured it using distress inks & my water brush. After it dried I added more Festive Berries to intensify the colour. I also added Frantage EP to the centre, heated it, and smushed in some extra grains while it was still melty for added texture. Final step was flicking on some gold & copper splatters. 

I think I may have finally figured out a lamp set up that works for photos :) woot! 

xoxo,

Jessi

A Very Vibrant Christmas!

When I saw the photo prompt at Jingle Belles I wrote down - purple, lime, aqua, deer, SPARKLY! I pulled out some Adirondack inks and went looking for a deer stamp, and found this one instead of the one I was thinking of. 

Supplies: Deer stamp from Inkadinkado; snowflake stamps from Unity; tiny snowflake unknown; Versamark; Purple Twilight & Citrus Adirondack inks; clear EP; Turquoise Blue Tattered Angels mist; Peacock Feathers distress ink; purple gems from Dollarama

All sorts of emboss resist - using Versamark and then the coloured inks, and clear EP. I intended to just spray the background, but the stamping didn't pop as much as I wanted, so I sponged over top with Peacock Feathers - it's still pretty sparkly though :)

Here's the inspiration photo:

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

Shaped Cards? Oh mannnnnn....

I just don't *do* shaped cards. Engineering and me are not besties.  But my resolution to play along in all the Jingle Belles challenges means you'll see at least one a year, and here it is!  ;) I also kept Vicki's Only Words challenge in mind.

Supplies: stamps from Autumn Leaves; classic small oval Nesties; Distress inks in Festive Berries and Broken China; Versamark and clear EP; red rhinestones; Wink of Stella clear glitter pen; crochet mat by me 

The stamps are from one of my oldest stamp sets - I remember buying them from eBay. They're probably ten plus years old, and they don't cling well anymore. I inked the sentiment with Versamark and then the Festive Berries ink so I could emboss it. The blue swirls and edge of the oval panel are traced with the Wink of Stella pen for some subtle sparkle. 

To make the card base I used the largest oval die, and aligned it over the fold to leave about 1" uncut as the 'hinge.' That's about as challenging as I get ;)

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

Tags & Wrapping Paper...uh oh

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to come up with something for the jingle belles "No Time Like the Presents" challenge - I don't use gift tags (I use a Sharpie, lol) and I for once finished off all the Christmas wrap. What's a girl to do? Use the sheets of tags that come with patterned paper!

Supplies: papers & tags from American Crafts; teal rhinestones from Dollarama

I used some partial pieces of paper, scattered some of the tags & gems, and wah-lah!

xoxo,

Jessi

COOKIES!

It's just about time to start thinking about Christmas baking...I try not to do too much, because I sample. I really shouldn't, but I can only resist temptation so far :) When I think of Christmas goodies though, cookies are the first thing to come to mind, so I used this great Bugaboo image (the current freebie! Hurry & pick it up!) for the Jingle Belles challenge - and kept it simple for CASology.

Supplies: Dottie - cookie tray from Bugaboo; Spectrum Noir markers; glitter paper & rhinestones from Dollarama; Simple Stories sticker sentiment; Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

I glossed up Dottie's pretty shoes, her lips & earrings, and the cookie trays. 

Jingle Belles - Christmas Feast

CASology - EAT

xoxo,

Jessi

The Great Outdoors!

The prompt at Jingle Belles this fortnight is The Great Outdoors, and I had to pull out my all-time favourite tree stamps to play along! These are also perfect for the Stamping Sensations "Simply Christmas" challenge. 

Supplies: Salty Ocean distress ink; Ranger blue mist; Tattered Angels Sapphire mist; Stampin' Up Lovely as a Tree; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Versmark; clear EP; Diamond Stickles; Liquid Pearls; blue rhinestones from dollarama; scraps of white glimmer paper; Stampendous sentiment

I used a 1.5" circle punch and a post-it to mask the moon, sponged with Salty Ocean ink; and then sprayed thoroughly with the mists with the mask still in place. 

Supplies: Ranger interference red mist; Tattered Angels Tattered Rose mist; Stampin' Up Lovely as a Tree; sentiment from PTI; snowflakes from MME; Distress inks in Worn Lipstick & Squeezed Lemonade; Memento Gray Flannel; glitter paper and rhinestone strips from dollarama

For the pink card, I sponged only the yellow ink for a glow around the masked moon, and the rest of the colour is from the sprays. SO GLITTERY!

The post-it doesn't provide a solid secure mask (as you can see) but I've made peace with the imperfections, lol!

xoxo,

Jessi

Christmas Critters!

I've been playing along with the Jingle Belles all year, and thus I'm not panicked about having enough cards ready for the Christmas season. OK, well, not AS panicked. I wouldn't be me if I didn't panic. This first card is also for the Kraft Journal Critters challenge.

Supplies: patterned papers from Crate Paper; mouse rub-on from Royal Langnickel; SRM sticker sentiment; classic small oval Nesties

Supplies: digi from Aurora Wings; Spectrum Noir markers; papers from Bo Bunny; Sew Easy; buttons from stash; Wink Of Stella black glitter pen; Picket Fence distress stickles; Opal liquid pearls; Tumbled Glass distress ink; classic small circle Nesties

Our weekend getaway included a stop at Carsand Mosher (a scrapbooking store) and I picked up a few new Christmas goodies to play with, including this fun Bo Bunny paper and black & clear Wink Of Stella pens. Yahoo!

xoxo,

Jessi

Ewe Make Me Feel

Here it is, my last card for the Pink Christmas challenge at Jingle Belles! I see they hit their goal of 125 cards (plus a couple) - YAHOO! I made this one this morning after seeing the new Creative Card Crew Challenge of bows.  And as pink is definitely a non-traditional Christmas colour, I'm also popping this in at Merry Monday. 

Supplies: all stamps from The Cat's Pajamas; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Spun Sugar distress ink; Timeless Twine; Bow Easy; MME papers; Cotton Ball Fun Flock; pink rhinestones from Dollarama

I paper-pieced the scarf & pockets, and added Fun Flock to the belly & 'hair' of the sheep. The bow was tied & then stitched into place. 

I can't tell you how excited I am to see the many entries at Jingle Belles - thank you for helping raise awareness for such a great cause!

I have been crafting like crazy the last couple of days - and binge-watching Downton Abbey Season 4 - so when I come up for air prepare for a barrage of posts! lol!

xoxo,

Jessi

Pink SPARKS!

I have a couple of last-minute cards for the PINK CHALLENGE at Jingle Belles, and decided to combine  them with a few other challenges (two birds, one stone, yada yada).

Supplies: Paper Smooches stamps; Memento Gray Flannel ink; Spun Sugar & Worn Lipstick distress inks; Bic markers; googly eyes

I'm entering this over at Paper Smooches SPARKS for the Anything Goes challenge too :) 

xoxo,

Jessi

Pink Sunset Season's Greetings

I knew as soon as I saw the Silent Night prompt at Merry Monday that I would use my favourite tree stamp of all time to create a night scene. I decided to go a different route with it by including the Kraft Journal's glitter challenge and the Jingle Belles' Pink Christmas theme.

Supplies: Stampin' Up Lovely as a Tree; Stampendous dots & sentiment; Versamark; Pirate Gold and Kaleidoscope embossing powders from Stampendous' distress inks in Squeezed Lemonade, Antique Linen,  and Worn Lipstick; kraft card stock; Tattered Angels gold glimmer mist; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Studio G clear glitter glue

It's SO SPARKLY! I began by masking an area for the moon and blending the distress inks together. I stamped the trees (using generational stamping) and then stamped the greeting & the snowflake dots & embossed them. The snow drifts were made by tearing paper, inking the edges, and then painting them with glitter glue. I very lightly sponged Antique Linen ink across the sky. The kraft cardstock was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder and then generously sprayed with the Gold glimmer mist. It is truly super sparkly :)

xoxo,

Jessi

Daniel Craig wants YOU to make a Pink Christmas card!

*augh! I mis-scheduled this post - sorry it's late!*

It's week two of the Jingle Belles Pink Christmas challenge! I wanted to make a completely different card from my first - I chose a saucy image from The Stamping Chef, because BOOBS. Most appropriate given the cause! 

Supplies: Checking Out (For the Year) from The Stamping Chef; sentiment from Bugaboo Stamps; Spectrum Noir markers; Cotton Ball Fun Flock from Stampendous; Fine Crystal Glitter from Martha Stewart; American Crafts card stock; Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder; Sakura Stardust glitter pen; MME fuchsia rhinestones

Her hat & the trim on her dress are fuzzy with Fun Flock, and I sparkled up the present using loose glitter. Her eyes & cleavage are sparkly too! 

There's no limit to how many times you play, so please link early and link often!!! We'd also love for you to pass the news along to all your card-making friends, so we've made a special challenge graphic and a paste-able blurb to make this really easy to blog about! :)

The "Pink Christmas" prompt will run at JINGLE BELLES from 12am on Friday, October 10th to 6pm on Wednesday, October 22nd; as in previous years, Stephanie and Lauren pledge to donate $4 per linked-up card to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The only requirement is that all link-ups be NEW holiday cards with some noticeable pink on them... so in other words, not just Rudolph's NOSE, lol!

Participants may use sketches, combine challenges, and include any other colors in addition to pink; you can showcase however many cards you'd like in one post, don't worry, we'll still count every single one of them towards the total!

Thank you very much for your support!

♥♥♥

I hope you'll visit the Jingle Belles blog to find out more - and I can't wait to see your pink Christmas creations! Don't forget to  stop by and see what Lauren and Stephanie have created this week :) Right now the linky is at 58 entries - and the goal this year is AT LEAST 125 cards, so let's get going! 

I'm also going to pop this card in at The Stamping Chef #51 :) 

Back to my pink crafting spree!

xoxo,

Jessi

It's Pink Christmastime at Jingle Belles!

I am so thrilled to be posting this - the Jingle Belles host a Pink Christmas challenge every October in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness. Not only do they raise awareness, but Stephanie & Lauren donate $2 each for every single card entered. They want to hit 125 cards this year - can we do it? (Yes we can!)

So WHY am I so excited to be a part of this? Because someone very dear to me fought breast cancer and WON. She kicked its ass. Angela has been a part of my life since I was 15 - she's always in my corner. She wrote about her journey - and she writes about other things too - and you should read her blog, because I told you to. She's funny and incredible and you'll wish she was your friend too :) And to toot my own horn, she wrote about me. She's an autism mom too - seriously, I am lucky to have her as a part of my life. And so that I don't get misty-eyed, and so that there are as many copies of this photo as possible on the internet:

 

Yep, I paid someone to do that to my hair. 

*koff*sniffle*OKBACKTOCARDS*

I had to go big with my card for this! Quilling was the obvious choice, really.

Supplies: quilling paper; vellum; patterned paper from MME; sentiment stamp from Stampendous; Versamark  & white EP; Tim Holtz design ruler, paper piercer, embroidery floss

I start out each snowflake with the six points, and really just let it flow from there. Since this is a keepsake card to be given in a box, I added some more details in a second layer.

To assemble the card, I embossed the sentiment on vellum, and then 'artfully tore' it to form two corner accents. I used the Tim Holtz ruler to pierce along the outer edges, and stitched with embroidery floss, and then glued the finished snowflake on top. 

Here's all the nitty-gritty details for the Pink Christmas challenge - 

The "Pink Christmas" prompt runs at JINGLE BELLES from midnight on Friday October 10th to 6pm EST on Wednesday, October 22nd; Stephanie and Lauren pledge to donate $2 each per linked up card to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The only requirement is that all link-ups be NEW holiday cards with some noticeable pink on them (so in other words, not just Rudolph's NOSE, lol!)

Participants may use sketches, combine challenges, and include any other colors in addition to pink; you can showcase however many cards you'd like to in one post, don't worry, we'll still count them all towards the total!

Thank you very much for your support!
♥♥♥

Check out Lauren's and Stephanie's  first cards for the two-week prompt, and keep an eye on all the entries coming in at the Jingle Belles blog! 

I am so excited to see what you all make to join in! 

xoxo,

Jessi

MERRY Jingle Belles!

So the current prompt at Jingle Belles is to use 3+ patterned papers on your card. I really didn't get a lot made last week with this nasty cold, and as simple as this card is, it took 3 days to make! Thankfully I'm feeling much better (still hacking up a lung, but hey, it's October. Isn't everyone?)

Supplies: all papers from MME; SRM sentiment; bling starbursts from dollar store

This is one of my go-to layouts for patterned paper - and the bold SRM sentiment stands out beautifully. 

Head on over & play along by Wednesday, mmmkay?

xoxo,

Jessi