Saturday, September 29, 2018

It's National Coffee Day! And We're Hoppin'!

It's National Coffee Day! And Coffee Loving Cardmakers has a fab Sponsor hop to bring you some extra fun caffeine! Trinity Stamps is one of the sponsors, and the DT has whipped up some amazing ideas! 

Here is my card for today. I used Coffee With Character (this is a must have set!) and Caffeinated Sentiments for my "spilled coffee" card. 
My background was made by combining several ink colors using the Wrinkle Free Distress technique.
I arranged my images randomly (well to LOOK random; I guess they were carefully placed ha!) on my MISTI, and then stamped with VersaMark ink. I embossed with White embossing powder, and then stamped by sentiment with VersaFine Onyx Black. The little charm was tied with linen string. It says "wish."
You can see more of my creations with these sets - a little trio of gift cards - {HERE}. Be sure to head to the {Trinity Stamps blog} for all of the hop details on PRIZES and to see some amazing creations from my teammates! 





Friday, September 28, 2018

Happy Halloween...?

Only a few days left until the new Whimsy Stamps October Release Days begin! You are going to LOVE what's coming! But until then, I want to share something from the September Release that I just LOVE!

I love this Web Background! It has such depth to the image, and stamps beautifully the first time!

For today's card, I decided to use a purple ink, instead of black, and I think it looks really cool. I used Wilted Violet ink for the background color. 
I stamped Frank from the Franken Schmutz set with VersaFine Onyx Black and then colored him using Copic markers. The Bold Banner Die was the perfect size for my sentiment. I used the perforated tabs to bend in in a forward arc so that it stands out. 
The Happy Large Word Die is cut from DCWV glitter green paper and matches the background layer in such a sparkly, fun way!
His expression is so funny. Be sure to visit October 1 for some NEW Whimsy Stamps things!
Challenges:

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Emboss Resisting Spiders

I don't know why I keep making cards with spiders on them when they creep me out! :)

Today's share is from Picket Fence Studios, with one of the Halloween releases called If The Broom Fits.

I began by stamping the spiders repeatedly with VersaMark ink, then embossed them with Clear Embossing Powder. I blended in Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink with my Blender Brushes, and then wiped off the ink from the spiders with a soft cloth.

My sentiment is from another Halloween release, Wicked Together.
I stamped it with my favorite black, VersaFine Onyx Black, and then cut it out using a die from My Favorite Things. 

I added a sparkly spider die cut from K & Co. that I have had in my stash for a long time.  All done and ready to send!
Today is a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More, and it's Anything Goes! Come play along with us {here}!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Little Snow Bear

Hello friends!
Today I have a sweet little bear from Picket Fence Studios to share! He is from one of the September releases called A Bear Kind of Winter. 
I stamped him in VersaFine Onyx Black ink, and then colored in using alcohol markers. Notice the snowflakes in the panel behind him? Those were stamped with VersaMark ink. The background is from another new release called All That Glitters. I used VersaFine Sepia ink for that stamp.
I added some little journaling cards (Twig 2) that I had in my stash from Little Yellow Bicycle, and some beautiful sequins from Picket Fence Studios - Moonshine and Mermaid Water. I love these colors together for a winter card! How about you?



Saturday, September 15, 2018

Magical Stars

Sometimes big background stamps can be a challenge to bring to the forefront! But this Galaxy Galore Background from Whimsy Stamps is a perfect celebratory image!
I paired it with a sentiment from Magical Birthday Wishes. I stamped the sentiment words on vellum paper with VersaMark ink, and then embossed both the Galaxy Galore background and the sentiments with silver embossing powder. 
I added a panel of sparkly silver paper and a matching star cut out from The Paper Studio. I used the Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge for the design on the background, with this photo as my chosen inspiration piece. Kind of fun!

Friday, September 14, 2018

September Release for Picket Fence Studios!

Today is the September Release for Picket Fence Studios and I am really excited to show you some of the new stamps and stencils! I will be sharing one today, and more this next week, so stay tuned for that, AND a giveaway of one of the new products!

Today I am using the adorable A Bear Kind of Winter. This is the CUTEST polar bear set, with some really fun sentiments. You can see the entire set at the bottom of this post. Yesterday was my granddaughter's third birthday, and I so wanted to give her a hug. That, and she lives in North Carolina, so even more hugs are needed! Thankfully, they are inland quite a bit.
I stamped my bear and sentiment with VersaFine Onyx Black, and then added some shading and colored his hat and scarf with Copic markers.I added some Diamond Stickles to his brim and puff. The sparkle is from the Happy Hour - Moonshine set of sequins - lots of winter fun in that package of goodness - including a little clear one hiding between the two silvers!
Stop by all this next week and see what else is new - plus don't forget about my upcoming giveaway of part of the new release!

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

A Little Floral Happy!

Good morning!
Today I have a sweet little gift card to spread some floral happiness!
Today I am using the Hopeful Flowers stamp set by Trinity Stamps. It has the sweetest images! I stamped my watering can bouquet with VersaFine Onyx Black, and then colored in the image using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers. I added some Diamond Stickles to the flower centers and bottom of the can.








Using the matching dies, I cut out the can and set aside. For the base of my CAS (Clean and Simple) card, I took an Altenew stencil, and placed it slightly wonky on my cardstock, and then sponged in some Tumbled Glass Distress Ink to give a little depth to the design.
I stamped a couple of additional images and a sentiment word from the Caffeinated Sentiments set – “happy”. I popped up the watering can with foam tape, and adhered it to a base to make a little gift card. I think the recipient will smile!


Tuesday, September 11, 2018

A Day for Gratitude

Reflecting back on 9/11 today has been a time of thankfulness. Just for everyone who put their lives on the line to save as many as they could - for the first responders, the search dogs, those on the third plane - so many to mention. Two of my friends narrowly missed being there. One was late for a train. And didn't make it to the Towers as planned. Another, I just found out today, was evacuated from one of the buildings. And you still learn, it seems, even this many years later, about people who cared about people, and the stories they have to tell. And now there is a beautiful musical about some lifesavers too.

So today my card is all about gratitude. For all of those people that I know about, have read about, and those whose names I read as I visited the Reflection Pools a few years ago (see below).

I used some scraps on my table to make this card: watercolor scraps for the banners, a piece of lined patterned paper for the leaves, and some small pieces of leftover cardstock for the gourd and pumpkin. I used one of my stencils for the background and sponged with Distress Oxide Ink (Peeled Paint). I even added a BRAD. Right?! Images are by Stampin' Up! I cased this from Pinterest, and now can't find who to give credit to. Boo!

In any case, it's time for a little Clean and Simple at Addicted to Stamps and More!
Come play along in Challenge #309! You have until Wednesday to enter!




Coffee Trio of Gift Cards

Hello everyone!
I am so excited to bring you some Trinity Stamps love today! I am happy to be a part of this new stamp company, and in such great company :)
Today I am sharing a little trio of gift cards. I chose the fabulous Coffee With Character stamp set (on sale right now!) for my images. Take a look:


I used the Wrinkle Free Distress technique, and three Distress oxide inks for my coffee background and splatters, and then stamped my images and sentiments with VersaFine Onyx Black ink.
I mounted my little 3.5 x 3.5 cards on to Copper Foil cardstock, and then tied some linen thread -yes, that one is supposed to be at an angle :) - around each and added three chocolate or gold sequins to each. The base is Kraft cardstock.

Super cute to tuck in with some coffee beans, or with a coffee gift card inside! I hope you have liked this coffee post! You can find more of my creations on Instagram @joy_in_a_jar. Happy Crafting!

Challenges: 
Artistic Inspirations - ANYTHING GOES
Cutie Pie Challenge - #127 SHADES OF AUTUMN 
Dragonfly Dreams - Anything Goes 

Monday, September 10, 2018

Creepy Spiders - But A Lot of Fun!

While the temperatures get cooler here for fall, I find more and more creepy crawlies in my house - and I hate it! So, why then, do I put them on cards?!? I guess I like them there, but surely not crawling across my floor!
Today's shaker card was so much fun to make! I started with Distress Oxides and sponged on my colors. Then I used the Halloween Creatures Stencil from the Whimsy Stamps September release. This is a fun stencil, and comes with spiders, and two kinds of bats. I used my favorite VersaFine Onyx Black ink, and also a Zig marker to fill in the little crevices. 

Next, I added the sentiment - a little wonky, since the spiders are pulling on it - and created my word using the Typography set (I love this font! I collect old typewriters, so it's a favorite!). I created my frame with the Handstitched Nested Rectangles, and filled my shaker with a few black sequins, seed beads, and some confetti spiders I have had for years. It's pretty fun to shake!
Challenges: 
Crafter's Castle - Anything Goes + option: Fall / Halloween 
Brown Sugar - ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL 
Creative Fingers - ANYTHING GOES  
Polkadoodles - ANYTHING GOES 
Create and Inspire - Anything Goes (Eency Weency Spider!)
Love to Craft - Anything Goes 
My Besties Art EspaƱa - Anything Goes + option Colour Black 
Craft Rocket Challenges - Boys/Men

Monday, September 3, 2018

Serendipity Technique - How Random!

Good morning! 
And restful Labor Day wishes to those in the U.S. and Canada!

"Serendipity ~ the occurrence and development of events 
by chance in a happy or beneficial way."
Today I want to share a technique with you called "Serendipity" that I learned from my friend Sabrina - basically called that because of the random nature of the technique. It's a little stamping, a little mixed media, and a ton of fun. While it may be time consuming, I really did enjoy making the squares, and the entire process, and felt so artsy! :)

I am using Dandelion Wishes from Picket Fence Studios and a few other supplies you should have on hand. Ready? Ok, here we go!

1: Choose some heavy paper/light cardstock for your base. It won’t really show, so the color doesn’t matter too much. Also pick out some scraps of patterned paper – they should coordinate with each other for the best end result. I worked with a half sheet of kraft.
The following photos are steps 2-4.
2: Tear your patterned papers into small pieces about the size of the top joint of a finger. I also used a monoprint I had made when I was learning (and I didn't like at all), and it really blended in nicely and gave my art a great texture! It may look like a total mess – don’t worry!!
3: This is the slow part – stick them all onto your base layer, overlapping them. A glue stick works well – if you have a large Xyron you could use that. I used the green Mono glue.
4: Start stamping and embossing randomly on it. I used one of the dandelions and embossed it three times, then stamped with Distress Oxide ink a couple of more times. If you emboss, make sure the ink on regular stamped parts is dry before you add the EP. I also used an embossing buddy and ran it over the entire project to catch any sticky glue before I embossed. If you end up with a bit of EP where you don't want it, that's no big deal, it's all part of the serendipity! 

Let your imagination run free here – you’re not limited to stamping or stenciling. It still looks a total mess – still don’t worry!!
5: Now – cut it into small pieces and all of a sudden your mess doesn’t look like a mess any more, each little piece is a work of art. They don’t have to be square – they can be any shape you like!

6: And finally -- you can design and put your little works of art into a bigger work of art, like this card! I stamped my image and sentiment with VersaFine Onyx Black (my favorite), and then adhered all of the layers. Lots of fun texture, shimmer, and art!

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Howling Halloween!

I am just in awe of the new releases every month at Whimsy Stamps. There is always something for everyone - stencils, digital images, backgrounds, red rubber, and cling! Plus the array of designs each month is just astounding. I am so happy to be a part of this awesome team.

This month's release is just as wonderful and diverse! I am starting out with a combination of two new images: Howling Night and Web Background. This is a monochromatic design. I stamped everything with VersaFine Onyx Black (I love this black ink more than any!) on gray cardstock - really easy, but a great look for these images  (and it's flat and mailable)!
I stamped the background first, and then arranged all of the other images (four) on top. I love those little bats! For Harry Potter fans, this reminds me of Remus Lupin. How about you?
Challenges: 
Sasayaki Glitter Challenge Blog - Male Project
That's Crafty! Challenge - Animal Magic