Handmade Christmas Series 2016: Card 5 Happy Hanukkah

For all my Jewish friends out there, Happy Hanukkah!  I'll admit that I do not know that much about Hanukkah, but I have noticed a serious lack of Hanukkah cards out there in social media and tutorials.  When I saw the Star of David set by Casual Fridays, I thought I should do my best to create some Hanukkah cards and get them out there for those that maybe have Jewish friends or are Jewish themselves and want to celebrate too.  I have always love the six pointed Star of David and was happy to be able to use it.  I utilized the traditional colors of Hanukkah, using blue and gold, and chose a dark blue to really emphasize the contrast between the muted navy blue and shiny Gold.  I created the background using IndigoBlu Megaflake in Lancashire Rose and Cosmic Shimmer glue on plain white cardstock.  I die cut the navy frame using a Mama Elephant Creative Cuts Peek a Frame die.  The star pattern strip and sentiment are both from the Casual Fridays Star of David set.  The star strip was stamped on Vellum and heat embossed using Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powder in Slate Blue Twilight.  The sentiment was stamped on SSS Soft Navy cardstock and heat embossed using Ranger Gold ultrafine embossing powder and die cut using a Sizzix frame die.  Here is the link to the video tutorial on my YouTube channel if you want to see start to finish how I created this card and my supply list is below.

Supplies:
Mama Elephant Creative Cuts Peek A Frame die
Simon Says Stamp Soft Navy cardstock
Cosmic Shimmer glue
IndigoBlu Megaflake in Lancashire Gold
Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock
Casual Fridays Star of David stamp set
Vellum
Stick-It sheet adhesive
Sizzix label die
Ranger Gold superfine embossing powder
Versamark
Lindy's Stamp Gang Slate Blue Twilight embossing powder
Scor-tape

Foam squares

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions and I'd love to know what you think.

Happy Hanukkah and much love,
Jasmine

Handmade Christmas Series: Card 4 Alcohol Ink Background

Todays card is an easy card that lends itself towards Christmas, but is also prefect for Hanukkah.  My background was created using Alcohol Inks on Glossy cardstock.  I used Copper embossing powder with the sentiment to create gorgeous contrast with the blues in the background.  Using a panel of fun foam cut slightly smaller than the blue panel, I popped it up against the glitter paper panel to give it dimension.  Here is the link to the video tutorial on my YouTube channel if you want to see how I created this card from start to finish.  My supply list is below.

Supplies:
Casual Fridays Star of David stamp set
Penny Black Rejoice with Joy stamp set
Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle dies
Versamark
WOW Metallic Copper Superfine Embossing Powder
Ranger Holographic Embossing Powder
Black Fun Foam
DCWV Glitzy Glitter Stack
Scor-tape
Neenah Solar White 110lb cardbase
Ranger Alcohol Inks and Blending Solution
Ranger Glossy cardstock

 I love everything about this card.  Not only is it beautiful, but it also places the emphasis of the season on the birth of Christ, where it belongs.  It's also simple and easy to put together and would be perfect for mass producing: you could skip the fun foam to make production even simpler.  Thanks for stopping by to hang out!  I hope you got some ideas and have a blast making your Christmas cards!

Merry Christmas and much love,
Jasmine

Handmade Christmas Series: Card 3 featuring SOA Collection

Merry Christmas!  I wanted to play with the traditional color palette and shake things up a bit, so I added lime and teal to the traditional red, green and gold.  Immediately after stamping the striped background, I applied some clear sparkle embossing powder and heat set that to add a beautiful shimmer.  After stamping and heat embossing the candies, I die cut them using the coordinating dies.  To create the vellum panel, I added Stick-It sheet adhesive to the back of the vellum, then die cut it using the Casual Fridays label dies in the SOA kit.  To stamp the sentiment and holly, I employed my MISTI to get things perfectly aligned.  It also allows for the need to repeat any stamping and it has become one of my most used items in my studio.  Here is the video tutorial on my YouTube channel if you'd like to see how I created this card from start to finish and my supply list is below.

Supplies:
2016 Stamp Of Approval Collection (* items are in the SOA box)
*Peppermint Stick background by Catherine Pooler Designs
*Candy Cane Lane Stamp and die sets by Catherine Pooler Designs
*Merry Labels die by Casual Fridays
*Merry and Bright stamp set by Catherine Pooler Designs
Simon Says Stamp inks in Lucky, Jellybean, High Dive, Lipstick Red and Dark Chocolate
Versamark
Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock
Lindy's Stamp Gang Candy Cane Red Gold embossing powder
Ranger Holographic embossing powder
Wow Vintage Candy Cane
Wow Metallic Gold Rich Superfine
DCWV Foiled cardstock stack
Vellum
Stick-It sheet adhesive
Glossy Accents

I hope my design has sparked some idea's for you and that you get the time to get creative.  Don't forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss a new video.  Thanks for spending some time with me today!  See you next time.

Much love and Merry Christmas,
Jasmine

Beautiful Blossoms for Tupelo Designs LLC

 Hi there!  Todays card features a new release from Newtons Nook: Beautiful Blossoms.  I love the graphic design and bold lines of this set and paired it with a stencil and ink blending to add texture and, of course, color!  I don't think I can make a card without color ;)  Anyway... lets get started!

Supplies: (* denotes items supplied to me by Tupelo Designs LLC)
*Newtons Nook Beautiful Blossoms
Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock
Versafine Onyx Black pigment ink
*Judikins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder
Avery Elle Wonky Stitches die
*Cosmic Shimmer Blending Inks in Ocean Blue and Lilac Whisper
Clarity Brushes
Stencil
MISTI
Tombow Mono Multi glue
Blue Violet cardstock
Casual Fridays "You" die
Pretty Pink Post 4mm Sparkling Clear Sequins
Little Things Sugar Plum Sequins
Ranger Foil in Brights
Stick-It
Foam dots 

Start with a 4.25" by 5.5" panel of Neenah white cardstock and run it through the Big Shot with the largest of the Wonky Stitches frame dies.  Place stencil over the panel and tape down.  Using one of the brushes, blend Ocean Blue over the top right corner and down along the right side and the Lilac Whisper along the left edge.  Blend the two colors together over the top left and bottom right corners of the panel.  I used circular motions with my brush, holding it towards the end of the barrel; this will give you less control, but a lighter hand resulting in a smoother blend as it gets towards the middle and disappears.
The next step is the stamping.  Using my MISTI, I stamped the rounded petal flower on the bottom right corner first using black pigment ink, then covered in embossing powder and heat to melt.  When heat embossing, let your gun run for 45 to 60 seconds before applying to your paper; it's the best way to avoid warping.  Stamp the same flower on a post it note or masking paper and trim out.  Place mask over the first flower and stamp the pointed petal flower and repeat the same steps for the second and third flower.  With the masks in place, stamp and emboss the leaf images.  I stamped and embossed the sentiment using the same process with one exception.  I masked off the "you" in the sentiment so that I could use the die cut instead.  To make the die cut, I added Stick-It adhesive to both sides of a scrap of cardstock that was large enough to use the die cut with.  I ran it through my Big Shot and removed the release paper from the front.  I added the purple foil over the adhesive, rubbed over it with my finger, and peeled off the foil.  Add adhesive to the back of the panel and adhere to the card base.  To complete the card, I adhered the die cut with foam dots and the sequins with liquid glue.   Our card is complete!

Thanks for hanging out with me today!  I hope you had fun and learned something new.  I'd be happy to answer any questions and be sure to let me know what you think.  See you next time!

Much love,
Jasmine

Calling All Sistahs with CAS-ual Fridays

Calling All Sistahs!
1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

On August 17th, 2015  an Awesome friend of ours became 1 in 8

Calling All Sistahs was started by Michele Gross, owner of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It is her hope to create awareness for breast cancer beyond just the month of October by reminding you to do your self breast exams on the 17th of each month, and encouraging us all to remind all the great women in our lives to do the same. You can read more about her story HERE .
The Calling All Sistahs Collection was created by Michele with the specific intent of donating 50% of her profits from this collection to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness programs in honor of all who have been affected by breast cancer.
We at Laura's Loft are thrilled to be one of the first stores in the country to offer this special collection of stamps and dies. It's important to us to be able to remind all of our sistahs to check yourself and we are proud to continue Michele's effort by donating 50% of our own profits from this collection to breast cancer research in VA.
Join us here on the blog on the 17th of each month for CAS-ual Fridays projects dedicated to the fight against Breast Cancer and in support of our sistahs suffering through it along with a personal reminder to get yourself checked. 

 ***This is your reminder to do your breast self-exam!***
And remind your sistahs too! 
If you're not exactly sure how to do a self exam, you can click here  to get the information you need, and then follow up with your doctor at your next appointment.



For More information on Breast Cancer Awareness just click here.
Please do your self exams!
We'll be back next month to remind you again :)
 
Welcome!  I started this hop with my Mom in mind.  She is a Breast Cancer survivor and one of the strongest women I know.  She taught me that there were no limits to what I could accomplish if I was willing to put the work into it. She had relentless faith in me and taught me to ignore the naysayers. She taught me God's love knew no bounds and that He had a specific purpose for my life. She is a large part of who I am and why I am unstoppable.  For me, these cards and this hop are in honor of her.  I used her favorite colors and wanted an edgy, strong look.  I wanted to convey soft femininity ingrained with an iron strength.

Supplies:
Strathmore 140 lb hot press watercolor paper
Colorburst Watercolors in Pthalo Green,
  Ultramarine Blue and Violet
CAS-ual Fridays Hope Ribbon stamp set
CAS-ual Fridays Calling All Sistahs
CAS-ual Fridays Sistahs Die set
SSS Black cardstock
DCWV Foiled Vellum and Vellum
MISTI
Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle dies
Mama Elephant Peek A Frame Postage die
Delicata Golden Glitz
Ranger Black Archival
VersaMark
Ranger Silver Pearl EP
Add A Little Dazzle Teal Metal sheet
SSS Mini Hearts Outline dies
Stick-It Adhesive Sheets
1/2" Scor-Tape
Tombow Mono Multi liquid glue

I started this card by running my postage die with my watercolor paper through the Big Shot.  Then, I stamped the Hope ribbon in VersaMark ink using the MISTI on my watercolor paper and heat embossed it with the silver pearl embossing powder.  If you're new to using Colorburst, they are a powdered watercolor paint.  I sprayed my paper with 2 sprays of water.  Next, I sprinkled a little bit of Violet over the bottom right corner, Blue over the middle third and Green over the top left corner.  I waited to add more water to see how the color was moving.  I added another spray overall and a bit more water to specific areas.  I also used a brush to move things a bit.  I let it dry for a couple of hours.  I really love the hard edges and the blended areas.  I used the MISTI to stamp the vellum piece in black Archival ink and added Stick-It to the back before I die cut it.  I used the largest of the Stitched Rectangles to add a stitched detail to each edge for a finished look.  I arranged it over the ribbon so the the little blue and purple heart is right in the middle of the sentiment.  The overlap is wrapped around to the back of the watercolor piece.  I ran my bone folder over the vellum to thoroughly adhere it and make it as translucent as possible.  The foiled vellum is die cut with the second largest stitched rectangle die.  Adhere it to the black card base with scor-tape.  To finish it off, die cut the Girl and hearts from the teal metal sheet and adhere them with liquid glue.  I love how bold, edgy and strong this one turned out. 

 

 

 Looking at the two stamp sets, I imagined arranging them together to create a bold, graphic statement, reminding the women around us that they are important, they are loved, and that we will fight for each other.  The message of hope and support is so crucial to survival.
Supplies:
Wplus9 Oatmeal cardstock
CAS-ual Fridays Hope Ribbon stamp set
CAS-ual Fridays Calling All Sistah's stamp set
CAS-ual Fridays Love Notes stamp set
CAS-ual Fridays Sistah Die
MISTI
Lindy's Stamp Gang EP in Midnight Violet
Lawn Fawn Ink in Plastic Flamingo
Simon Says Ink in Cotton Candy
Simon Says Ink in Doll Pink
Simon Says Ink in Hydrangea
Simon Says Dies in Mini Heart Outlines
Delicata Golden Glitz Ink
Add A Little Dazzle Metal Sheet in Fushia
Tombow Mono Multi liquid glue
1/2" Scor-Tape
Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock

To the right you can see how I laid out my stamps.  I like to do this to get an idea how the stamps are going to look and fit together as well as to get an idea of the arrangement.  You can just take a picture with your phone so you know exactly what to put where.  Using the MISTI, start with a piece of 4.25" by 5.5" oatmeal cardstock.  Stamp the Hope Ribbon towards the bottom right of the panel in VersaMark.  Heat emboss with the LSG embossing powder.  Using my phone pic as a guide, I stamped the largest images first, after the ribbon.  The MISTI made this process super easy since I could place my stamps exactly where I wanted the image on my cardstock and pick it up with the cover.  I was also glad to have it because I didn't get good coverage of ink a few times and was able to ink and stamp again with precise placement. I changed the ink color for variation and to magnify the bold and graphic style I was going for.  I added the music notes along the right edge in gold; it added to the composition of the design, but two songs kept playing in my head while making the card: "Fight Like A Girl" by Bomshel and "You Are Loved" by Stars Go Dim.  To finish up, I die cut Sistahs and Girl from a fuchsia metal sheet as well as the tiny hearts and adhered them with Tombow liquid glue.  I colored the hearts in the ribbon pink using a Spectrum Noir marker.  Adhere the panel to a card base and it's complete!

  
Last, but certainly not least is my third card.
This background was inspired by a summer sunset over Lake Leelenau in Northern Michigan.  I find being by, in or on the water restorative and relaxing.  Here's the link to a tutorial for how I create my spray ink backgrounds.  This one is the same technique, but on a smaller scale.
Supplies:
Distress Watercolor cardstock
Distress Spray Stain in Dusty Concord
Distress Spray Stain in Spiced Marmalade
Distress Spray Stain in Picked Raspberry
Dylusions Spray Ink in Pure Sunshine
Perfect Pearl Spray
Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles Die
Mama Elephant Peek A Frame Creative Dies
CAS-ual Fridays Hope Ribbon Stamp Set
Black Vellum
Lindy's Stamp Gang Embossing Powder in Chateau Rose
DCWV Glitter Paper in light pink
Stick-It Adhesive
Lawn Fawn Quinn's ABC dies
1/2" Scor-Tape

After the spray inked piece is completely dry, run through your Big Shot with the largest Stitched Rectangle die.  Stamp the Hope Ribbon in VersaMark in the middle of the black vellum and heat emboss using the LSG embossing powder.  It gives such a pretty iridescent sheen to the ribbon.
Die cut the ribbon using the rounded rectangle from the ME set.  Adhesive doesn't show behind black vellum like it does behind regular vellum, so I used 1/2" Scor-Tape to adhere it.  Apply Stick-It adhesive sheet to the back of the glitter paper.  It's so thin and die cuts beautifully.  Die cut the letters and add to the vellum so that the ribbon is the "o" in "hope".  Adhere the card front to a card base and it's complete.







Emma is the next stop on the hop.  If you get lost, just click here to head back to the beginning.  Don't forget to comment on each and every stop on the hop to increase your chances of winning one of five prizes!  Michele is has a generous 3 gift cards to the CAS-ual Fridays shop to give away and Laura has a generous 2 gift cards to Laura's Loft to give away.  So be sure to leave some love along the hop as Michele and Laura will pick random winners from the blog comments on February 20, 2016.

I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to Michele for the opportunity to participate in support of such an important cause as Breast Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Research.

Much love,
Jasmine

Love Grows Here Blog Hop with Laura's Loft

Hello! Welcome to January's blog hop at Laura's Loft.  We have lots of talent to share with you and I hope you find lots of idea's and inspiration along the hop.  You should have arrived her from Deana's blog, but if you want to start from the beginning, head to Laura's.  Don't forget to leave a comment at each hop stop to enter for the giveaway.  Entry details, sale info and a discount code are at the bottom.

My project started with glossy cardstock and alcohol inks.  While that dried, I die cut "friend" by CAS-ual Fridays from silver foil cardstock.  The stamps are from the Girlfriend set, also by CAS-ual Fridays, and I stamped them using the MISTI.  I stamped the "love ya" three times as the silver alcohol ink acted as a bit of a resist, but I loved the almost smokey effect it gave.  To add some interest, I applied Faber-Castell Glass Bead glitter gel using a heart stencil and palette knife, finishing it off with a few enamel dots once the glitter gel was dry.  To add the stitching detail, I used the largest of the Stitched Rectangle dies from Lawn Fawn.  I mounted the finished panel on a white card base and it was complete.

This my second project for today's hop.  The stamp sets are Beautiful Day by Altenew and the same CF Girlfriends stamp set and die as my first project.  Beautiful Day is a layering stamp set.  Using 3 shades of one color, the first stamp is the lightest shade, the second is the middle shade and the last is the darkest shade.  For the middle rose, I stamped the outline in Archival Black and the rose in Momento Angel Pink, Lulu Lavender and Lilac Posies.  The other two are Simon Says Stamp inks in Cotton Candy, Pale Pink Blush and Doll Pink.  The leaves are Simon Says Stamp Green Leaf and Midnight Green.  I stamped "friend" in Delicata Golden Glitz ink and layered the die cut "friend" over it, making the gold act as a shadow and to bring out the gold in the die cut.  To finish of my stamping, I stamped "hey there" in SSS Doll Pink.  The front panel and vellum are die cut using Lawn Fawn's Stitched Rectangles die set (I can't seem to get enough of the stitching detail!).  The front panel is popped up using foam tape and the DCWV foiled vellum panel is adhered using Scor-tape over a SSS Doll Pink card base.  To complete the card, I added a few sequins from the same mix I used on the first card, Garden Splendor.
The next stop on the hop is Robbie and I'm sure you'll love what she has to offer!

Feel free to let me know what you think and I'd be happy to answer any questions!


Here is a list of the each stop on the hop:

1. Laura  -  http://www.lauralscott.com/love-grows-here/
2. Deana Benson -http://www.designcreativelybling.com/2016/01/lauras-loft-love-grows-here-shop-and-hop.html
3. Jasmine Burgess -http://journeywithjasmine.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-grows-here-blog-hop-with-lauras.html
4. Robbie Rubala - http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/search/label/LL
5. Heart of Craft - http://heartofcraft.blogspot.com/2016/01/lauras-loft-hop-and-shop-love-grows-here.html (Emma)

6. Sue T.- http://thecre8tivestudio.blogspot.it/2016/01/blog-hop-at-lauras-loft.html
7. Kim- http://angeldreamcrafts.blogspot.com/2016/01/lauras-loft-dt-january-blog-hop.html
8. Linda Gorman-  http://dabblesbylinda.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-grows-here-with-lauras-loft.html
9. Lisa Bedigian - http://royalpumpkinart.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-grows-here-shop-hop-with-lauras.html
10. Valentina Dalmonte - http://valentinascrap.blogspot.com/2016/01/love-grows-here-dtlaurasloft.html


Giveaway Entry:
There are several ways to enter and the more comments you make in the different social media platforms, the more entries you earn! It is required that you comment on each blog in the Hop.  After that, you are encouraged to like and comment on our Facebook page, tag on our Instagram post and pin on Pinterest, as well as share on your own pages. The participant with the most entries wins the fabulous prize package! How cool is that!?!

Prize: Wait for it...

Boom! WRMK Next Level Embossing Folders, Heat Wave Pen kit, Laura's Loft Exclusive Garden Splendor Sequin Mix and a pack of Virginia Turtle Enamel Dots.  I'd say that's a killer prize pack!
Bonus: All the Christmas items are a generous 45% off (no coupon code required) and Laura always offers $10 off a purchase of $75 or more with the code: $10off75.

Thanks for hopping with us!! I hope you had fun and learned something new.  See you next time!

Much love,
Jasmine

Ringing In The Holidays with Laura's Loft blog hop

Hello! Welcome to the Ringing In The Holidays blog hop with Laura's Loft.  I'm sure you've enjoyed all the talent so far and I know you'll enjoy my project as well.  If you have missed any stops along the way, click here to head back to the beginning and here for the previous stop.  Laura has a generous giveaway with the hop this month as well as a discount code.  Details will be at the bottom.

My hop project this month features Newton's Nook Frozen Friends stamp set and Creative Bling Design sequin mix in Glacial Bliss.  

 Here's my supply list:

• Spectrum Noir paper by Crafters Companion, cut to 4 by 5.25 inches
• Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock, cut to 4.25 by 11 inches and folded at 5.5 inches
• Royal Blue DCWV Foiled Cardstock, cut to 4.25 by 5.5 inches
• Inkadinkadoo Masking Paper
• Newton's Nook Frozen Friends stamp set
• Neat & Tangled Bright Baubles stamp set
• CAS-ual Fridays Snowy Sayings stamp set
• Lawn Fawn Stitched Borders die set
• Simon Says Stamp Dark Chocolate ink
• Momento Tuxedo Black ink
• Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass and Blueprint Sketch
• Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending tool and foam
• Delicata Golden Glitz ink
• Spectrum Noir Markers
• Ranger Embossing Powder in Superfine Detail Gold
• Jellyroll Black pen
• tape runner
• Tombow Mono-multi liquid glue
• Glitter Ritz glitter in Harvest Gold
• Creative Design Bling sequins in Glacial Bliss

Step 1.)  Using the border die with the mild curve, place the die towards the bottom of a sheet of the Inkadinkadoo masking paper and run it through a die cutting machine.  Apply the mask towards the bottom of the Spectrum Noir paper.  Using the NN Frozen Friends, stamp the short snowman in the valley of the curve with the bottom edge of the snowman on the edge of the mask using Momento ink.  Stamp the tall snowman on the peak of the curve with the bottom edge of the snowman on the edge of the mask.  Stamp both snowmen on the masking paper and cut out to create masks; apply masks over stamped images.
Step 2.) Stamp the tree image from the Bright Baubles set using SSS Dark Chocolate ink, or another dark brown ink, in between the snowmen.  Stamp the star and ornaments from the same set using the gold ink.  Stamp the snowflakes from the Snowy Sayings set and Frozen Friends set using both colors of the Distress Inks.  The tiny snowflakes are stamped in Golden Glitz.
Step 3.) Using the mini blending tool and clean foam, add Tumbled Glass around the edges of the cardstock and lightly over the edge of the snowbank mask and in between the snowmen.  Remove masks.
Step 4.) Stamp arms on the tall snowmen and heart in the middle of the mug with black ink. Stamp the sentiment towards the top in the gold ink and emboss with the Ranger detail gold embossing powder.  Color in the hats, scarves, mittens, noses, cheeks and mug with SN markers.  The colors I used are as follows: Noses: OR 1 and 2
Tall Snowman: TB 2 , 3, and 4; PP1 for blush; IB 1, Black and blender pen
Short Snowman: HB 1, 2, and 3; PP1; IB 1, and blender pen.
I also used IB 1 to add detail to the snowbank at the bottom and went over it with the blender pen to soften it.  Attach the sequins using mini glue dots and use a bit of glue in the heart of the mug to add glitter.  Attach the blue foil cardstock to the card base using tape runner.  Lastly, attach the card front to the foil layer using tape runner, being sure to place it evenly.  Our card is finished!

There's lots more to discover as you move along the hop! For the next stop, click here to head to Emma's blog.  Below is a complete list of all the fun to be had.  Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to ask any questions and be sure to let me know what you think! Much love and Merry Christmas!

1. Laura  http://www.lauralscott.com/ringing-in-the-holidays/
2. Deana Benson  http://www.designcreativelybling.com/2015/12/ringing-in-holidays-with-lauras-loft.html
3. Robbie Rubala    http://inkedx2.blogspot.com/search/label/LL
4. LeeAnn McKinney http://mimiscraftyabyss.blogspot.com/2015/12/lauras-loft-is-ringing-in-holidays.html
5. Debbie Brunssen: http://debbielovestocraft.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-shop-hop-ringing-in-holidays.html
6. Joy Hadden: http://piecesofjoyhadden.blogspot.com/2015/12/ringing-in-holidays-with-lauras-loft.html    
7. Lisa Bedigian - http://royalpumpkinart.blogspot.com/2015/12/ringing-in-holidays-december-shop-hop.html
8. Jasmine Burgess - http://journeywithjasmine.blogspot.com/2015/12/ringing-in-holidays-with-lauras-loft.html
9. Emma at Heart of Craft- http://heartofcraft.blogspot.com/2015/12/lauras-loft-shop-and-hop-ringing-in.html
10. So Stinkin' Crafty - Cindy Dooley - http://wp.me/p5d3NQ-4b

Giveaway Entry Requirements:

1. Follow Laura's Loft on IG @InLaurasLoft, like the IG Hop/Giveaway post and tag a friend. as many as you like but one tag per comment please (this part is for extra entries).  If you do not have IG, just let us know:)
2.Visit & Like Laura's Loft store page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lauras.Loft.Shop
3. Leave a comment at each stop on the blog hop including Laura's.
After doing these 3 things, fill out the rafflecopter on Laura's blog to be entered!! Yay!

Here's the prize up for grabs: 2 Newtons Nook stamp sets and 2 exclusive Laura's Loft sequin mixes!  The discount code is WRMK20% for 20% off all We Are Memory Keepers products, through January 3, 2016.  As a bonus, Laura has all the Christmas Stamps AND dies 30% off, no code needed.  Happy shopping!

2015 Christmas Project Series Day 8: Watercolored Poinsettia

Welcome! Today's project is this gorgeous card done in traditional Christmas colors, using a non- Christmas stamp set.  I used a variety of techniques including stamping, watercolor and heat embossing as well as fun embellishments with the liquid pearls and vellum.  It turned out to be very elegant and classic while still fresh and modern.  Or maybe I'm just flattering myself!  Ha! I made two versions of this card, but you'll have to wait for the other one.  It will be shown in a blog hop for Laura's Loft coming up, so look forward to that!  On to how I made this red and gold beauty!

My supply list:

• Neenah Solar White 110 lb cardstock
• Distress Watercolor Cardstock
• DCWV Vellum cardstock
• Altenew Lacy Scrolls
• Tim Holtz Christmas Blueprints 4 (Poinsettia)
• Tim Holtz Mini Christmas Blueprints 7 (Holly)
• Casual Fridays Snowy Sayings (Stamp of Approval box)
• Koi Watercolors
• Mica Artist Colors, Set 6 by Fine Tec
• Archival Ink in black
• VersaMark ink
• WOW embossing powder in Vintage Candy Cane
• Liquid Pearls in Gold and Rouge
• Tape Runner
• Foam Squares

 I started with my Poinsettia and Holly.  I stamped both images on the smooth side of a piece of Distress Watercolor Cardstock in black Archival Ink.  I like archival when I do any water-based technique because it's waterproof, so it won't run when it gets wet.  I love the Koi watercolor travel set because it's small, easy to use and great quality.

After my images were painted and dry, I fussy cut them out.  Yes, it took awhile, but I think the finished look was worth it.  I added the Rouge Liquid Pearls to the holly berries and the Gold to the center of the Poinsettia.  Tapping several times on the back of the card will settle out the peak on the pearl medium.  While that dried, I stamped the background.

 Starting with the flower images from Altenew's Lacy Scrolls stamp set, I stamped them in Delicata Golden Glitz ink.  I turned the stamp in different directions to make it look random.  Using the smaller images, I filled in the gaps with the leaves, filigree and swirls.

Delicata is a pigment ink, so it takes a bit to dry, but does dry fairly quickly.  The shimmer of this ink is simply incredible.

While the background dried, I cut a strip of vellum 1.5 inches wide and 6 inches long.  Using the "Joy to the World" sentiment from the Snowy Sayings set by Casual Fridays, I stamped it in VersaMark and used Vintage Candy Cane embossing powder by WOW to heat emboss it.  To avoid warping the vellum as much as possible, let your heat gun warm up for 60-90 seconds before applying it to your embossing.  It should start to melt almost immediately and will change from powdery to shiny when it's melted.  Now that each element is complete, we are ready for assembly.  Start with the vellum.  I added tape runner behind the sentiment and folded the overhang on each end over to the backside.  I added a bit of tape runner along the edge of the vellum and smoothed it down to attach it and pressed around the sentiment to stick it down.  Next, I used tape runner over the edges of the front of the card base and attached the background piece.  To finish up, I added foam squares to the holly and poinsettia to attach them.  All done!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed your visit and learned something new.  Feel free to ask any questions and let me know what you think! 

Much love!

2015 Christmas Project Series Day 7: Vintage Christmas tag

 It's day 7 of my Christmas project series! We're over half way through.  Today's project is quick and fairly simple to put together, but has huge impact with our stamp-embossed tree.  Lets get started!
My supply list:

• #8 Manilla tag by Ranger
• Distress Inks in Blueprint Sketch, Weathered Wood, Gathered Twig and Hickory Smoke
• Water in a spray bottle
• Mini Holidays Stamp Set by Tim Holtz
• Old Letter Writing by Hero Arts
• Cabin by Inkadinkadoo
• Snowy Sayings by CASual Fridays (SOA box)
• Pine Tree Bigz die by Tim Holtz/Sizzix
• Delicata Golden Glitz ink
• VersaMark ink
• Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder in Gold
• Neenah Solar White 110 lb. cardstock (for the pine tree)

 Step 1). Swipe Weathered Wood and Gathered Twig over your craft mat and add a bit of Blueprint Sketch.  The blue is a much stronger color than the other two and can easily overwhelm them so be careful not to add too much.  Spritz water 2-3 times over your ink to get it moving and blending; be careful not to add too much because it can thin the ink too much and you won't get the color saturation you are looking for.  Lay your tag down in the ink and let it sit for a few seconds.  Lift it up and heat dry with a heat gun.  It will curl up and then flatten back down.  Once it's dry, dip it again and dry it again.  It's important that it's dry before you move on to the stamping.  If the tag is damp, you won't get a crisp image.  If it feels cool to the touch, it's not completely dry.

 Step 2.)  Ink the cabin stamp with Hickory Smoke ink and stamp it about half way down the tag. 

Set aside to let dry while we make the gold tree.

 Step 3.)  Using a sheet of scrap paper, cover the die cut tree with VersaMark embossing ink.  Pour gold powder over it, covering it completely.  Let your heat gun get good and hot by letting it run for 60-90 seconds before applying it to the tree.  When it's hot enough, the powder will start to melt almost immediately.  Repeat the ink, apply powder, melt cycle 2 more times, giving the tree three layers of embossing powder.  Before the third layer, ink the large script stamp with VersaMark and have it ready.  As soon as the third layer of powder is melted, stamp the script stamp onto the warm tree and lift off.

You can use any stamp with this technique, but fine line designs look the best.

Step 4).  I like to lay my pieces on my project before I add my sentiment so that I know what is going to look best and how things are going to lay.  Ink up the sentiment stamp from the TH Mini Holidays stamp with Gathered Twig and stamp towards the top third of the tag, aligning it with the right edge.

Step 5).  Attach the tree with foam dots so the the left edge of the tree is off the left edge of the tag.  Finish off with the gold snowflakes. The flakes I used are from the Snowy Sayings set by CASual Fridays with Golden Glitz ink by Delicata.

I finished off my tag with some royal blue and cream seaming binding ribbon from Prairie Bird Boutique on Etsy.com.

Thanks for spending some time with me today.  Keep in mind that you can do this style with any stamps; you don't have to have the exact same one I've used.  Try it out with different colors and different styles, but most importantly, have fun and get creative!  Feel free to ask questions and let me know what you think!

Much love!