Season's Greetings Christmas Card

Hey Everyone, 

It's October 1st, so it's ok to post Christmas cards now!

This is one of the cards I made for the new Christmas release from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous.  I  loved this one because all of the elements really came together. And the pinecones; I'm a sucker for pinecones.  I apologize for the cruddy photos.  I had to get a new phone and these were taken with the old guy.  They are a bit darker than I would like them.

I started by taking the Stamptember set from 2018 and using archival inks in Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo.  I used specialty stamping paper and stamped the images in the corners.  I wanted a good portion of the image, but still blank space in the center so the sentiment would draw your eye.
 I blended old paper, antique linen, and tea dye distress inks all over the entire background. I lightly spritzed on distress spray stain in tea dye and quickly blotted it so it just makes the paper look like it's foxed. I added highlights using a gold gel pen.

  The sentiment is from the new Christmastime 2 set(CMS389).  It was stamped and then embossed using Ranger embossing powder in gold. 
The specialty stamping paper was then backed with brown kraft stock.

The next layer is the snowflake acetate sheet from last year's Ideaology Christmas Stack. 
The gold metallic kraftstock was stamped with the new Lumberjack set(CMS384) using archival ink in Vintage photo. 

I dyed some sari ribbon using all(yes all of them) the green Distress Inks.  I smooshed then all on my glass mat and ran the damp sari ribbon in it until I was happy with the color.  I added a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink to pull in the brown.  The ideaology pinecones were colored using gold and mushroom alcohol inks.  They were tied on with an ideaology tiny bell.  I glued the ribbon to the back of the layers and then used a final layer of kraftstock as my card base. 

I hope this starts to get you into the Christmas spirit!
Happy making,
Jess

Boo to you!

Hey Everyone,

 It's been a bit since I have blogged.  I have been working my pay the bills job and doing some behind the scenes crafty work.  I hope you had a chance to catch the Stamptember Tim Holtz release on Facebook Live. I had a blast making samples for this release.  

This project might be my favorite.  

The turn around time for these projects was lightning fast so I didn't take any process photos, but I can walk you through my project. 

The treat bag was made using the Tim Holtz In the Bag die and some glittery black paper.  I just assembled it according to the instructions. 

 For the tissue, I used plain tissue wrap and Distress Inks.  I used Black soot Distress Ink, Carved Pumpkin and Wilted Violet Distress Oxides to make the stars.  The stencil included in the Stamptember set has two different star patterns.  I used the larger pattern(the more circular one) with the Black Soot and then the smaller pattern with the Oxides.  I cut the sentiment off my bat stamp.* Side note: Don't be afraid to cut your stamps!  Use a really sharp pair of scissors and go for it! If you can't commit then you could just ink the sentiment too.* The sentiment was stamped using black soot archival ink. The paper was tucked right inside the bag.  

I used the star stencil on a tag to make the black stars.  They are embossed with a glittery black powder to match the bag.  Once the embossing was done I used Ripe Persimmon, Carved Pumpkin, and Dried Marigold to blend the background.  A border punch completed the tag.  

The saucy little bat was colored using Distress Inks(Wilted Violet, Dusty Concord, and Seedless Preserves)  and a waterbrush.  She was stamped using Black Soot Archival Ink on watercolor paper and colored in. I stamped the wing again and colored it on both sides. Everything was fussy cut and attached to the tag.  

I left a long tab on the wing and stuck it to the back of the bat.  I creased the wing so it matched up with the other wing.  Now there is a fun interactive piece of the treat bag.  A little word band and paper twine finish it up.

Please pardon the background change on the photos.  We were working fast and furious to get these guys out the door.  My poor husband was my photographer, editor, and mail man for me!  He's a good doobie.  

I hope you like my creation!  These sets sell fast and once they are gone they are gone.  Go grab it before it disappears like Halloween candy does in my house.  

Jess

   

One can be both weird and fabulous

Hi Everyone,
I know it's been quiet on the blog, but I do post a bit more on Instagram if you want to follow me over there.

 I have been really into creating oversized cards lately.  This one measures just over 5x7.  I started with a piece of precut mixed media heavy stock and used Distress Oxide Sprays in Peeled Paint, Abandoned Coral, and Peacock Feathers.

I misted the paper first to get the blend.  Once that was dry I added a bit of Frayed Burlap ink to the edges.  The Oxide colors mixed and made a bit of brown,  so the touch of Burlap really tied it together.  I used a bit of embossing powder and a stencil from the Studio Light Grunge Collection to add the yellow numbers in the background.

 It's pretty cool that they blend in even though I didn't use any yellow for the original background colors.  I went back in with the stencil and using Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy added more of the numbers.  I finished the background with a touch of DecoArt Metallic Lustre Paste in Brilliant Turquoise on the every edge of the paper.

The focal image is from the Steampunkesque set from IndigoBlu.  I stamped the lady using Black Soot Archival Ink and then colored her using Distress Inks and my waterbrush.  I added glossy accents to the glasses and light bulb.  Once everything was dry I fussy cut her and added a halo behind her using a 3d impresslit.

I had to position her on the paper to see how I wanted to add my sentiment and just decided to stamp it right on the background using Black Soot Archival ink.  The ink goes right over the embossing powder.  I used my stamp platform to be sure I got a good dark image.  The sentiment stamp is also from the Steampunkesque set.

To complete the card I used used plain brown card stock and a couple sheets of Distress cardstock.  A bit of scribbling with my gel pen in random spots made it feel finished.

I hope you enjoyed my card.

Happy crafting,
Jess

You altered my heart

Hi Everyone,

I was totally inspired by a class Tim Holtz just taught at the recent Creativation show(and he was inspired by Paula Cheney).  I wanted to create something similar to what I had seen done, but put my own twist on it.


Start by running the solid half of your Steampunk heart through your die cutting machine using a 3d embossing folder.  Spritz the chipboard on both sides before using the embossing folder so the chipboard really gets nice texture.

Using collage medium adhere Floral college paper to the embossed half of the heart.  I did a thin layer on the heart and adhered the collage paper.  I applied another layer on top and really worked the paper in with my fingers so you could see the embossed texture.

Paint the gear side of the heart using Dina Wakley media paint in Umber.  Paint the gears using Dina Wakley Media paint(Gilt and Ancient) and Tim Holtz Distress Paint(Brushed Pewter).  Add metal gears on top of some of chipboard gears for dimension.  Add embossing powder and crackle texture paste randomly on the heart for even more visual interest.  When the crackle paste is dry rub in a bit of Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon.

Take one of your Extra Large Tags and cut about three inches off the bottom.  Cover the entire tag with patterned paper.  Add bits of ephemera and adhere them to your tag.  I used a mix of vintage and reproduction ephemera here.  I love to mix old and new.  The entire tag gets a coat of collage medium. 

Once the collage medium is dry smoosh Distress Oxide inks onto your craft sheet and tap the tag into the ink.  The ink will stay beaded up on the craft sheet and you get neat splotches of color.  When you have a bit of color on your tag spritz with water and allow to air dry. Do this step several times until you achieve the color you like.

   Use the mini gear stencil from Tim Holtz to add a bit of grit paste to the top corner.  

Then add random blobs of grit past on the sides of the tag.  Once the paste is dry, use the same Oxide inks to color the grit paste.  Add Distress Crayon in Black Soot to the edges of the tag.  Splatter the tag with white, black, and gold paint.  

Using foam tape adhere the heart of the tag.  Give the paper doll a layer of clear gesso and color in his suit using Distress Marker in Mowed Lawn. Add a resin flower to his suit.  Glue the ruler to the heart and using foam tape adhere the man so he appears to be sitting on the ruler.  

Use Chit chat stickers to create your sentiment.  

Color in the word token using Distress Crayon in Picket Fence and add a jump ring.  Take an old paint brush and add a jump ring to the top. Add the rings to a vintage laundry pin and stick the pin through the fabric at the top of the tag.  The fabric at the top of the tag is actually a piece of my clean up rag I use in the studio.  I just cut a piece off because I really liked the colors on it.  To complete my tag I took some gel pens and made marks all over the piece.

Happy Monday

Jess

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge- Add some Red

SanDee & amelie's Steampunk Challenge- Anything Goes

I adore you

Hi Everyone,

It's that time of year when everyone starts to think about hearts and flowers.  When I saw these Heart Playing Cards(that will be coming to the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts store soon) I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
The cards come in two pieces.  You get the front decorative side and a plain piece of chipboard that makes up the back.

Start by running the back piece through your Xyron machine to cover the piece.  Add a piece of decorative paper, then emboss using the Tim Holtz 3d Botanical folder.  I wanted to make the back out of velvet, but I didn't have any velvet paper.  I tried several different things to create my own velvet paper and nothing looked quite right.  If you have ideas give me a shout! I ended up deciding to use this red paper that looked aged enough to appear as though it had been held many times over the years.

Paint the reverse side of the back piece using red paint.  I went with a metallic red, but really any red will do.  Don't worry about getting paint in all of the cracks as most of this will be covered and you won't see any patches.   Set the back pieces aside to dry.

While the back piece are drying take your photos(these are Tim Holtz found relatives, but you can use any old photos) and cover them with a layer of Vintage Beeswax embossing powder.

Once your powder is melted you get this wonderful look.  You can add lots of layers to make it smooth or even crack the finish.  This is a technique my fellow teammate Jennalee likes to use and you can see what that looks like here.

Emboss the heart overlay using Charred Gold embossing powder.  Adhere the photo and the overlay to the back panel.  See how the red just peeks out from behind.

Emboss your floral diamond with a very thin layer of Charred Gold powder.  Stipple on alcohol ink in slate, mushroom, and latte to age the finish.  

A couple metal ribbons help tie the cover together. 

Add a metal flower on top of the diamond and then add a typed token with a bit of twine on that to complete your cover detail.  

I hope you have a great week!

Jess

Song of the Snowflakes Tag

Hello Everyone,
Today I have created a tag to put on top of a Christmas gift. 

Stamp  Snowflakes from the Winter Wonderland set.  The snowflakes are stamped using Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Tumbled Glass, and Peacock Feathers.  Using the same colors blend the background together.  

Make sure you stamp some of the snowflakes off the edge to make it appear as if they are falling. Add  Weathered Wood and Pumice Stone ink around the edges to finish the background.   

Stamp the Feathered Wings using embossing ink.  Emboss the wings using a detail gold powder.  Add Perfect Medium to the wings and then use Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls all over. This fills in the white areas, but you can still see all the fine detail of the stamp.   

Using Christmas clipping stickers create a little snowflake story.  Add white gel pen around the clippings.  Scribble with a silver gel pen all around the background of the tag.  You can't see the scribbles when you look at the tag, but when you turn it in the light it picks up little hints of shimmer.    

Attach the wings to the back of a paperdoll.  Use foam tape to adhere the doll to the tag.  Color her cheeks using a Spun Sugar Distress Marker.  Add tiny silver flowers to her hat.  

Wrap up your brown paper package with string and pop that tag right on top.  

If you'd like to hop along with Blank Page Muse click here.

Happy Holidays!

Jess

Pockets full of inspiration

Hi Everyone,
I think most of you know I am a huge reader.  I love everything about books.  Remember when you used to have to sign out your books at the library by writing your name on the card in the pocket?  Today I have a project for you using library pockets.

Blank Page Muse Products:

 Small Crackle

Correspondence 

Feathers

Sequin Waste

Pointing Hand

Small Butterfly

Hot Air Balloon

Other Supplies:

Library Pockets

Paper Dolls

Photobooth Photos

Distress Inks

Distress Oxide Ink

Archival Inks

Adhesive

Chipboard Sentiments

Bronze Paint

Vintage Sheet Music

Heavy weight thread

Milk Cap

Die Cuts

Mini flashcard

fabric tape

Frosted Crystal Embossing powder

Cardstock

Paper Distresser

Start by using a piece of silver cardstock. Coat the cardstock using Distress Ink and Oxide Ink ( I used rusty hinge and walnut stain).  Once the ink is dry use archival ink( Potting Soil) to stamp the  Small Crackle stamp.  Using a paper distresser rough up all the edges and cover the front of your library pocket.  

Stamp a piece of vintage sheet music with the postal stamp from the Correspondence  set.  Slide the paper into the pocket and glue it in place.  Add your 3d embossed border to the top of the pocket.  Stitch a small "x" onto your photo and glue it onto the crackled background.  Glue on the milk cap and chipboard sentiment. 

Stamp out the small Butterfly using archival ink.  Add bronze paint to the edges and cut the butterfly in half.  Add the wings to a paper doll and slide her into the pocket. 

This will complete your front cover. 

 Line a second pocket up to the backside of your first pocket.  Using a piece of fabric tape attach the pockets together.  Line the backside of your first pocket with a vintage airmail envelope.  Use postage stamps from the Correspondence  set in various spots.

Using Jet Black archival ink stamp a Hot Air Balloon.  Color the balloon using various shades of blue distress ink.  Fussy cut your balloon and use the bronze paint to cover your raw edges.

Adhere the balloon to the page.  Add a paper doll, chipboard sentiment, and die cut globe (from the Sizzix side orders).  Using the smallest  of the Feathers stamp them all around your page.  

   Use patterned scrapbook paper to cover the pocket on your next page.  Add the Pointing Hand and Feathers to the top of the pocket.   

Use the   Small Crackle stamp to add age to a tiny flashcard.  Use bronze paint around the edges. 

Add paper doll with die cut suitcase into the pocket. The suitcase is from the Sizzix Side order and was embossed using the Lumber 3d embossing folder. 

Here are the middle pages. 

For the back of the second page(your back cover), stamp on a plain piece of cardstock. Use the script stamp from the Correspondence  set, the  Small Crackle stamp, Sequin Waste, and the  Feathers.  I used various shades of archival inks in browns and reds to create my background.  Glue the paper to your pocket.  Rip a piece of patterned scrapbook paper and add it to the edge.  Stamp out a couple Feathers using archival ink and fussy cut them,  Add the tiniest hint of blue using distress inks to the feathers and edge in bronze paint.  Cut a small slit in your photo and slide the feathers in to make them appear to be wings.  Glue remaining pieces to complete your book.     

I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I enjoyed creating it.