#TRSSKETCHCHALLENGE07 - Just a Note

Well hello my "sketchy" friends!  I'm sharing my Three Room Studio Stamps Sketch Challenge card with you.  I'm sorry I posted my blog a couple days late, life happens, right?!!  For me it seems my health keeps getting in the way.  Be patient and hang with me!

The sketch challenge was actually last week at TRS.  I posted my card before the week was out, but am just now getting to my blog.  Here's a picture of the sketch we used to make our cards. 

As I contemplated my card design within these parameters, I was drawn to one of my favorite stamp sets, It's a Ponderful Life.  I just love the little frog stamp, so that's what I used for the centerpiece of my card.  Not just one frog, three frogs- because more is better, right?!  Here's a picture of my card and most of the items I used to color it. 

 First I die cut the panels that I would be using with my MFTs stitched rectangles dies.  I used #80 NSW for both the background and smaller frog panel.  The card base is #110 NSW, as is the "Just a Note" paper piece I cut by hand and colored with the Copic YR21 to match the card perfectly.

The background is made by ink blending Distress Oxide inks, beginning at the bottom with Evergreen Bough, then Broken China, and finally Salty Ocean at the top.  Leave plenty of room to overlap your colors for a smooth transition.  I then used my anti-static bag along where the horizontal line would be so that I would have a crisp embossing line once my panel was completely dry.  I generously used a small ink pad of Versamark directly to the paper while I held a sheet of copy paper in place for my line.  I then used Distress Embossing Glaze in Broken China to create a shiny, but darker side to the background panel (plus I just like to find ways to use the Distress Glaze, I love it!).  I then spattered lightly some Pearl Mica Spray by Wendy Vecchi.  

Next I went about coloring my three frogs that I stamped with my MISTI for perfect alignment.  I chose YR21, YG17 and BV04 as my mid-tone colors for the frogs, then used some lighter and darker tones of each to achieve some semblance of dimension.  I had a big Copic accident well into my coloring.  A big blob of green dropped onto the belly of my green frog.  So as you can see, that frog has spots!!  Luckily I was able to salvage the accident, though truly that frog looked better without the large spots.  I adhered my background panel to my white card base then used some foam tape to adhere my froggy panel.  I then stamped the sentiment on my prepared sentiment strip using the stamp set Simple Sentiments.  I used some snail adhesive on the back of the strip and a narrow strip of adhesive backed fun foam along the outside half of the sentiment strip so that it layed flat when placed along the edge of the frog panel.

That completes my card.  A pretty basic one this time.  In case you don't realize, these weekly challenges are not just for the Design Team, but for all fans of Three Room Studio.  So show off your stuff on Instagram using #trscardchallenge and on Facebook at Three Room Studio's Fourth Room.  We'd love to see your creations!  To see all my card creations, visit me on IG @jktaylor911.

Thank you for visiting my blog, I am truly grateful,

Jill ✂

Witt & Sass Launch Chubby Unicorn- You Rock

Hey there friends and crafters, today I am sharing my last card featuring the Chubby Unicorn Stamp set by Witt & Sass Stamp Company.  This is such a fun set, I could make many more cards but alas, there are other stamp sets to present, so this will have to be it for now!!  This card is relatively simple.  I of course featured "Mr. Cool" with his shades on as the center of my card.  I colored him with my Copic markers and some clear Wink of Stella for shimmer to his hair, horn and snout.  I had a card base previously made of Yupo paper and Ranger alcohol inks that was perfect for this card.  I die cut Avery Elle's Horizontal Stripes in some NSW 110# cardstock, layered up my Copic colored image onto some coordinating patterned cardstock with silver embossed accents, and another die cut circle in silver cardstock. 

I used some dimensional foam to pop up my "Mr. Cool" then found the perfect die cut sentiment from Essentials by Ellen- the You Rock (but in the shape of a gemstone).  The perfect match for the cardstock I'd used around my "Mr. Cool," as it had the very same gemstone shapes!  I die cut it 3 times and glued them together for added thickness.  I then heat-embossed several layers of Brutus Monroe's Rainbow Sparkle embossing powder to make them really sparkle!  I adhered all my layers together and glued on the You Rock sentiment, then adhered it all to a standard A2 card base.  Lastly, I used 3 iridescent gem stickers from DCWV for a little more bling.  That's it, card done!  Very simple, but flashy... I love it!

I hope you enjoyed my Chubby Unicorn series.  Next up will be Magical Creatures.  Please take the time to check out Witt & Sass on Facebook and @wittandsassstampco on Instagram.  The other DT members have some fabulous creations!  The store's URL is: https://wittandsassstampcompany.com/   Their blog link is below on the right side.  If you'd like to see more of my creations, Instagram has the largest collection of my work, as I do not post blogs on every card I make.  I am jktaylor911.  Again, thank you for visiting my little crafty space.  My W & S posts are mostly on Tuesdays in August.  Come see me again soon!

Happy crafting and blessings to you all!               

Blog Link

Jill ✂

Banners and Blooms, Concord & 9th from CEP

Welcome back to my blog my friends, today I have the pleasure of sharing a card I made for Creative Escape Papercrafting as their Guest DT.  I am again featuring products by Concord & 9th that are featured in the store.  The stamp set I used is called Banners and Blooms.  I primarily used the floral component and a couple words as well.  No banner on this card!

Here's the process to make this card:
I started by placing the floral stamp on my Stamp Platform then proceeded to stamp the image along the diagonal line of my landscape A2 sized 80# NSW card panel.  I never moved the stamp, I moved my cardstock for each stamping of the image.  I did use some masking in a few places so that where the images overlapped slightly it would look natural.  The stamp set also has individual stamps of the floral image, so I could "fill-in" with leaves and branches where I thought they needed to be.  I used Gina K. Designs new Amalgam Ink to stamp all the floral images.  It worked wonderfully, no smearing at all.  After that I chose my color palette for the flowers and started coloring with my Copic markers.  Once that was done, I stamped "Happy Everything" in the blank areas between the floral diagonal lines in Lawn Fawn's Manatee (a light grey).  Also some hash marks from the stamp set.  Next I die cut the panel using a large stitched rectangle die, so the panel was 4" x 5.25".  Next I taped 2 of my Simon Says Stamp rectangle dies together to cut out a frame from the central portion of my card panel.  This was so I could make a shaker card with a fun die cut sentiment over the front of the card.

I also decided to place a piece of black cardstock behind the shaker window so that just the frame had a narrow band of black around it.

I adhered my floral panel to some turquoise cardstock, then the black cardstock, then the inside floral panel.  I then cut narrow strips of the Thermoweb 3D Foam Strips from CEP and made the shaker frame just to the outside of the inner floral panel.  I filled the space mostly with CEP's Glam Metal Sequin Mix of rose gold, gold, silver and clear elements.  I did add some yellow sequins and light purple pearls from my stash to better coordinate with my colored flowers.  I chose to glue a few elements into the top half of the shaker so that there would always be a little bling everywhere in the shaker, not all pooled up at the bottom.  Next I adhered some clear acetate to the back of the floral frame.  Once dry, I carefully placed it atop the adhesive strips.  My shaker element was complete!!
Next I went about die cutting Concord & 9th's You've Got This die 3 times: once in the turquoise cardstock, then the black cardstock, and finally the black fun foam for more dimension.  I adhered the layers together, making sure I offset the turquoise so the black looked like a shadow.  So that everything lined up how it was supposed to be, I fit the letters and word segments back into the cardstock it was cut from (it's negative piece), then applied some Press and Seal over the top to make it all stick together.  I flipped the whole piece over and applied the glue to the back of the letters.  I then carefully positioned it over my shaker window and lightly pressed down.  I let it stay there a couple minutes before I peeled the Press and Seal off and the other paper piece.  Last, I took 5 sequins from the CEP Glam Metal Sequin Mix and glued them on and around the frame.  Card complete!  And oh how it sparkles. It only took me 4 days (sessions) to finish.  I never said I was a fast card-maker.  You'll probably never hear me say that!!  Quality over quantity, that's my motto.😃

To see more of my card creations, visit me on Instagram as jktaylor911.  Visit Creative Escape Papercrafting's Facebook page to see other designer's work and other information regarding everything CEP.  Don't forget to visit the online store.  It's been given a face lift and has lots of new items.

Well that's it for me.  I hope wherever you are, you're getting a little summer sun, because here in Montana its been rain almost every day...
Until next time, blessings to you all and happy crafting!

Jill ✂

Creative Escape Papercrafting June's Fully Loaded Kit, First Four Cards

Well hello my fellow crafter's and friends, I know it's been a while since my last post (I believe I mentioned there may be a delay through May) as I dealt with some health issues and the death of a very dear friend.  But I'm back, and I have a very fun kit to show you from Creative Escape Papercrafting (CEP).  I'm a guest designer and I've made 4 cards so far from the June kit and I'll share how I made each one.

June Fully Loaded Card Kit

My first card (going counter-clockwise from the back right corner) is the Giraffe Shaker card.  I used a lot of elements in that card alone.  The June kit is built around The Pebbles Happy Hooray Collection.  There are 18 sheets of specialty paper, a 40 pack of ephemera, and a 12" x 12" cut-apart sheet that has a nice pattern on the back, so you have options.  The other 2 major items are the Altenew Halftone Stars stamp set and a Spellbinders Celebrate word die + balloon die.  I'm not going to list all the other pieces in the kit except when I use them on a card.

I knew I wanted to do a shaker card as soon as I saw the Heidi Swapp hot pink glitter decorative frame.  I decided first on the elements for the outside of the frame, then decided on 2 different specialty papers for inside the shaker and around the frame.  I used the giraffe and star ephemera on the outside, and a piece of rolled up candy ephemera on the inside, which I adhered so it wouldn't shake around with the other elements.  I used the Spellbinders die to make the balloon and string, then used a small piece of white/yellow baker's twine from the kit for the bow, which I adhered with a glue dot from my stash.  The Spellbinder's "celebrate" was die cut from some green glitter cardstock from the April card kit I had leftover..  That's what's nice about the kits, there are leftovers to use with other projects/cards and keeping the non-perishables like the stamp sets and die cuts are great items to either start a stamp and die collection, or add to your existing ones.  I used some of the 3D foam from the kit to adhere the giraffe where it hit the acetate window.

To assemble my shaker, I adhered some strips of Thermoweb dimensional foam (from April's kit), but cut them in half down the length of the strip.  I then adhered it all around the back side of my frame (I previously glued the clear acetate window in place).  I then filled the window with about half of the Studio Katia Crystal Rainbow Fusion Sequins that I received from CEP.  They are very bright and almost iridescent!  I then carefully placed the rainbow striped specialty paper to the foam adhesive on the back of the frame.  I decided to keep the card large so that you could really see the specialty paper on my card base.  It is 5.5'' x 5.5''.  I cut and scored the yellow cardstock in the kit for my card base, rounded the bottom corners, then adhered a slightly smaller piece of the specialty paper on top, so that the sides would show the pop of yellow that coordinated so nicely with the other elements in the card.  Lastly I positioned and adhered the shaker element to my card base.  Card #1 complete!! 

In card #2 I decided to use the Altenew stamp set.  I first cut some cardstock that was about 3.5" wide by 5.5" in length.  I heat embossed the 3 stars onto the panel using my Ranger's Silver Pearl embossing powder (it leaves a really nice sheen to the stars).  

I then blended 3 colors of Distress Oxide Inks- Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers and Fossilized Amber over the star panel.  I buffed the stars with a cloth when done to remove any ink remaining on the stars.  I then splattered some DIY shimmer to the panel and blotted dry.  

I picked out an acetate cupcake ephemera to use at the base of my star panel.  I used small glue dots from my stash to adhere it so that the adhesive would be nearly invisible.  For my card base, I used the blue cardstock in the kit, die cut a piece of white cardstock using Lawn Fawn's Quilted Backdrop that I bought from CEP and adhered it to the blue base.  Next I cut strips of the green glitter cardstock (from April's kit) and positioned them so that the reveal was about 1/8th" on both sides from my colored panel.  Last I adhered my colored star panel to the prepared base.  Card #2 done!

Card #3 features a large central oval ephemera sentiment image that I applied some Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink along the edge to coordinate with the main specialty paper in the background.  That paper was the 12" x 12" Pebbles Happy Hooray cut-apart sheet, which I chose to use the backside of, and take advantage of the "YAY" sentiment strip along the bottom edge.  I also applied the same Distress Oxide ink to the other 3 edges to make the card more cohesive.  

I chose red to be my accent color and used it for my card base, as well as the Sizzix Ticket die that was placed between the ephemera piece and the specialty paper.  The red paper came with the kit.  I adhered all layers (popping up the ephemera piece) with the included 3D foam pieces in the kit.  To finish off my card, I used the blue and white cord included in the kit by tying it around the top of the folded cardbase and tying it off on the right side.  That'll do it for card #3!!

Card #4 uses all kit supplies except for the die cut background hills and frame.  That is a Lawn Fawn product called Stitched Hillside Backdrop: Landscape (as it comes in Portrait as well) that I purchased from the store (though I believe they sell the Portrait version).  I inked the edges of the 2 hills with Bundled Sage Distress Oxide ink as I felt that coloring the entire hill would look too obtrusive.  I decided on the blue and white polka dot specialty paper for the sky.  I glued that to the back of my die cut frame/hills, and while it dried I picked through the ephemera to decide what would go on next.  First I found the "PARTY" rectangular piece printed in rainbow colors.  It was just a tiny bit short, so I decided to frame it, again with the green glitter cardstock from April's kit (I love that stuff!).  I adhered the two pieces together, then found several animal pieces in the ephemera.  I picked out the Zebra.  I adhered both elements, using my small glue dots on the Zebra that you can barely see.

I also added a star that I found in the ephemera pack.  I adhered all of this to my white standard A2 card base.  Looking at the card, I decided it needed a little bling!  So I pulled out 4 sequins (red, orange, yellow-green, and green) from the Studio Katia pack I received and applied them following the color of the words "PARTY."

Now I thought I was done.  However, as I was writing this blog and looking at my cards, I realized I had to do one more thing to this card.  The flat yellow star was screaming for some of my  Wink of Stella!  So I grabbed not the clear one I usually use, but the yellow one.  I wanted the star to be a bit more vibrant.  So now my friends, card #4 is done!!

I hope you enjoyed my examples.  This kit is a lot of fun, especially for kids celebrations.  Although the Altenew stamp set makes it very versatile.  My goal for the next few cards are making some a bit more for adults.  So stay tuned and see how I do!  
Don't forget to visit me on Instagram, as they have my largest selection of card creations.  I am jktaylor911.  Please visit the store, there are so many new items to see and a newly redesigned online store at https://creativeescapepapercrafting.com.  Also visit their Facebook page to see what all the talented designers are creating as well as new happenings with CEP.  For your convenience, I've linked everything to the store and social media.

For now I say goodbye, and blessings to you all,

Jill Taylor✂

New Guest Designer for Creative Escape Papercrafting, February Fully Loaded Kit- My first 3 cards

Welcome friends and crafters, thank you in helping me celebrate my new position as a Guest Designer for Creative Escape Papercrafting!  They specialize in making monthly kits to make cards, scrapbook layouts, or any number of creative projects.  They also sell other crafty stuff that mesh well with their kits or can be used for other projects.  For me, I'll primarily be making cards, 'cuz that's what I love!!  Anyhow, I've made 3 cards (so far) from a kit designed to make 10+ cards.  I thought I'd divide my blog posts up, otherwise this post could get VERY long.  I don't think blog posts should be too long as people naturally lose interest.  My posts are long enough!  I struggle with being concise.  That being said, let's move along to the kit.  I've decided to use the February "Fully Loaded" Kit which is released every other month.  It has lots of goodies, but too many for me to list individually for you. (I did link it to the store).  I will mention each piece I use and identify add-on products or other non-kit items that I use.

February 2018 Fully Loaded Kit

Here is the kit I received.  I did exchange the original embossing powder (because I already owned it).  I got instead, Lawn Fawn's Rose Gold embossing powder.  It's hard to see all that's there in the kit, but it is very generous.  I'll point out each product I use.  I did opt for a couple additional products from the store that complement the kit.  I chose the matching die to the Altenew stamp set and a plaid stencil from Carta Bella.

Card #1

As you can see, I used the Altenew stamp in all three cards, just in different ways.  In card #1 I stamped the image with Versamark on some watercolor paper, then used Lawn Fawn's Rose Gold Embossing powder and heat set it.  I colored the image using my Color Bursts by Ken Oliver Crafts (Orchid and Ultramarine Blue) and Liquid Metals (Metallic Jade and Platinum).  I then die cut it out once it was dry.   For the white background paper, I dry embossed the Carta Bella Plaid stencil by running it through my Big Shot (like an embossing folder).  The pattern is subtle and I highlighted it by using some rose gold pigment ink with a mini ink blending tool along the edges and slightly inward.  I then sprayed some DIY shimmer spray over it (I use 70% alcohol + silver mica powder, or Perfect Pearls works great, too.)

I then cut the kit's doily in half and adhered all the card layers (I used dimensional adhesive under the floral die cut).  Next I stamped and embossed the "Mom" onto the doily.  Lastly, I added the Bling!  I used both light purple and medium purple gems.

For card #2 I stamped the floral image on the provided vellum and then used the WOW! Turkish Nights embossing powder that originally came in the kit.  It's a quite lovely glittery rose-gold color.  I then die cut out the image.  I scanned through the 12 sheets of 6x6 double-sided specialty paper from the Couture Creations "Hearts Ease" collection and picked out this lovely sage green plaid with leaves and music printed softly along the edges.  This would be my background paper.  In my die collection, I have this Avery Elle die that I love to use.  I chose to keep it simple by just using the white cardstock provided (I wanted all the focus on the beautiful flowers).

I then tediously placed thin strips of Scotch 3M foam adhesive tape all along the back side of the die cut to give the card a lot of dimension. 









                                                 Card #2
                         
I used glue dots strategically placed on the vellum so as not to show.  I considered a handmade sentiment, but decided to cut out this sentiment from the specialty paper, as it coordinated so well.  I used dimensional adhesive to pop it up.  Lastly, I adhered the Bling!  Both the pink and light purple gems.

Card #3

For card #3 I wanted a monochromatic look to the card.  I chose my background specialty paper, trimmed it down to 4"x 5.5" to allow my white card base edges to show.  I used some of my white embossing powder and stamped the floral image directly onto the paper.  I slightly distressed the specialty paper by sponging on some Distress Oxide Ink along the edges in similar color tones (Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap).  Next I used the Kaisercraft Butterfly die in the kit and die cut 3 butterflies.  I used 2 different specialty papers as 1 just didn't look right.  I felt the flowers needed a little green as well, so I pulled out my Spectrum Noir Metallic Pencils and lightly colored the center of the flowers and drew in a little veining as well.  I didn't have green gemstones in the kit, so I improvised.  I used the pale purple gems from the kit and used 2 colors of Copic markers to color-correct the gems (I used y19 and B02).  I placed the medium sized gems on the butterflies and 2 small gems on the flowers.  I adhered the butterflies with glue dots positioned off to one side so that I could lift up one side for a more natural and dimensional look.

 I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew stamp set in my Versafine CLAIR ink, in Shady Lane.  It was the first time I used that ink and I just love it!  I bought about 10 colors, and if you are a fan of Versafine Black Onyx Ink (as I am), you'll love them too.  They stamp very crisp and clean, especially better on clear stamps, where dye inks can sometimes fail to stamp completely.  But that is for another blog post! 

As you can see, card #3 is quite simple and quick to make.  I may repeat this card design, just in another color scheme.

This concludes my 3 card blog post (long, I know!).  Please forgive me.  I will continue making cards from this kit and posting them, however... the April kit is due to arrive this coming week, so I gotta hurry!!

If you enjoyed these cards, please visit our Facebook page and company blog and see all the wonderful creations from the other designers, watch card kit unboxing videos, as well as 10 cards 1 Kit videos.  See all the extra information (such as kit contents) and announcements as well.  If you'd like to see more of my work, visit me on Instagram as jktaylor911.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog.  I hope that I've shown what amazing cards can be made from these kits and to familiarize you just a bit with Creative Escape Papercrafting.  Don't forget to visit their store!!

Happy Crafting,

Jill ✂

Joy Peace Love, December Mood Board for Kennedy Grace Creations

December is here and Christmas is getting near!  Hi there, I've created this card for the Kennedy Grace Creations Mood Board this month (see below).  I continued my playtime with Yupo paper and Ranger Alcohol Inks to create the background for my card.  I think this one turned out fabulous!  I used just 2 colors of alcohol ink, Stream and the Pearl Mixative, along with the Blending Solution.  Since I knew this was going to be the background, and I didn't want to cover too much of it up, I decided to add some die cutting in the center of the card, make it a shaker element (I do love Shakers, you've probably noticed!) and then add some simple, elegant floral images from Kennedy Grace Creations (white heat-embossed) to the two opposing corners.                                                   

 

Here's what I did.  After the Yupo paper dried completely, I die cut the Stitched Square from Simon Says Stamp from the middle of the 5" x 5" Yupo panel.  I then die cut the three Holiday Words die from Essentials by Ellen from both the Stitched Square Yupo panel and some white Woodgrain cardstock from Essentials by Ellen.  I thought the texture would add a lovely element to the card.  Next I adhered a piece of clear acetate to the back of the die cut Yupo paper, then ran the three words through my Xyron 5" Creative Station.  I then carefully inlaid the words onto the Yupo paper.

Now came the difficult part.  I wanted to have more than one shaker well, so that all the sequins wouldn't fall down to the lower "O".  So what I did was use my Stampin' Up! Foam Adhesive Strips to divide up the windows.  I ended up with 3 wells (see picture below).  I carefully added specific sequins from 3 Kennedy Grace Creations Sequin Mixes (Dress Blues, HoneyBee, and Beachside Bliss).  I then removed the adhesive backing and adhered a piece of Crafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock in Silver Starlight to the back of the shaker element.  I trimmed off any excess around the edges.

Next I went back to the Yupo frame section and prepped the frame with an anti-static tool.  I used the large flower image from Kennedy Grace Creations Loving Mom stamp set.  I stamped it in Versamark ink first, then used some WOW! Opaque White Fine Embossing Powder.  I heat embossed it carefully as the Yupo paper can warp with a heat tool used too aggressively.  Think of it like embossing on Vellum, use the same technique and you shouldn't have any problems.

I decided to frame my card with both Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise cardstock from Stampin' Up!  Lastly, I adhered my shaker element to the center of the card.

I had so much fun making this card!  I hope you try out some of the products and/or techniques used here.  I've linked up the Kennedy Grace Creations products to the store for your convenience.

To see the most comprehensive collection of additional card creations by me, find me on Instagram as jktaylor911 or on Facebook as Jill Taylor.

Thank you, and I wish you all a very blessed Christmas season.

Jill

Please be sure to follow the Kennedy Grace Creations blog, facebook, twitter, instagram and pinterest. Our Design Team has great projects to inspire you with our great stamp sets. 

Kennedy Grace Creations Fall 2017 Sneak Peek Card

Hello friends and followers, Jill here for Kennedy Grace Creations for a little "Sneak Peek" at some of the new Fall

products being released.                           
I have a card featuring the Friendship Blessings Stamp and the Chantilly Cream Sequin Mix.

For this card, I initially created a card background from Arches hot-pressed watercolor paper and clear embossed some solid leaf images from Altenew's Floral Shadows. I then used some Brusho watercolor powders in Lime Green to create a background that was deeper green in the middle where the flower image would go. While that dried, I heat embossed the flower image with Rose Gold Embossing Powder from The Ton, then water-colored the image using Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I then fussy cut out the image. I used 3 frames from Reverse Confetti's All Framed Up die in 3 colors- Gold, Silver Starlight, and Calypso Coral, and placed some 30# Vellum behind the flower and inside the gold frame so I could stamp my sentiment.  I finished off the card with some lovely Chantilly Cream sequins from Kennedy Grace Creations that are really nice because they are a cream color, but have a rainbow-like finish that displays multiple subtle colors that doesn't overwhelm your project.  I think I found a new favorite sequin!!  Hope you enjoyed my card.  Thank you for visiting!

Don't forget to stop by the Kennedy Grace Creations Blog to see other "Sneak Peeks" this week, then the Blog Hop on Friday the 29th!

Hugs,

Jill