You Warm My Heart

A card to warm your heart on a crisp Fall day :)

I started with a 5x5 "Craft" cardstock base for the card.  The next layer is a creamy beige piece of cardstock that I embossed with my Cuttlebug and a Darice embossing folder "Fall Leaves Swirl".  I thought that embossing folder was perfect for this.....not only does it give the look of a blustery Fall day, but the swirls  made me think of steam coming of the cup of hot coffee (or hot cocoa, or hot apple cider....whatever it is you're in the mood for).  I glued a piece of burlap across the bottom, and then a piece of green ribbon over that.  Next I topped it with leaves I made using a technique I saw on a Scrapbook Blessings Club blog hop....Everything Fall Blog Hop - Day 3 ....you can see the tutorial there.   But here is a quick explanation.....I took watercolor paper and radomly scribbled Distress Markers around it...I used Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Wild Honey, and Spiced Marmalade.  Then I used a waterbrush (you can use a paint brush and water) and blended the colors....not into one color but a collage of color.  Next I used a small Sizzix Flower die to cut flowers.  Then cut into individual petals.  I used the Peeled Paint Distress to draw the spine and viens on each petal to make it look like a leaf.  Mine aren't exactly like in the tutorial....I didn't have the same flower punch that she used, and I made my leaves the opposite direction.  But the inspiration was there :)  And the final touch is that adorable image from a Sherri Baldy colored printable sheet Coffee Bestie .  Oh and I rounded the top corners to soften the look.

I will be entering this card in the 

Scrapbook Blessings Club Everything Fall Blog Hop 
at the MFP Stamp Shop 

and

 2015 Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop 

as well as the other challenges listed below

My Besties Aussie's Challenge Blog - #9 Use A Punch/Die
My Besties 3D and More - #15 - Sept. - Anything Goes w/a Bestie
My Besties UK Challenge Blog - Anything Goes (A)
Crafty Girls Creations - Challenge #5 Anything Goes
A Gem Of A Challenge - #145 Autumn
My Besties International Challenge Blog - Challenge #20

Thank you for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Love U S'more Everyday

I absolutely love these images!!!  They are from Scrapping With Lisa Designs a division of Sunsational Stamps and is called Love U Smore Everyday 

This is a cutting file that includes SVG, PDF, PNG, JPEG, EPS and DXF and works great with machines like Cricut Explore, Cameo, and Silhouette, or can easily be cut by hand.  Or you can just print it out like a pre-colored digi stamp and not cut it.

Anyone that knows me knows there are two things I really like.....images that I can print and cut using my Cricut Explore, and images t that I can make dimensional.  So I used my Cricut Explore to print and cut this twice.  I used the second set to cut out the hats, chocolate bar, tray of marshmellows, and s'more and used dimensional foam tape to attach them to the other set of iimages creating the dimensioal look.  

I also cut the heart the extra heart from the sign and heat embossed it with embossing powder giving it a sparkly glossy look and used dimensional foam tape to attach it over the heart on the sign.

The white background was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder from the "Wedding Suite" set.  Then I used a Martha Stewart corner punch with hearts...sorry I don't have the name of it.  I layered that on top of pink cardstock, and used a craft paper card as the base.

To see more of Lisa's images visit her stores....

Sunsational Stamps 

and

Scrapping With Lisa Designs 

For more inspiration please visit....

Sunsational Stamps Blog where she also has a monthly challenge

and Sunsational Stamps YouTube Channel 

and Sunsational Stamps on Facebook 

Here is some awesome challenges I found....
Crafting For All Seasons - Challenge #110 Layer It up
Crafting With An Attitude - Challenge #7 Anything Goes
In The Pink - Challenge #78 For A Friend
Moving Along With The Times - Challenge 4 Hats & Scarves
A Snowflakes Promise - Challenge #6 Winter or Christmas Theme
Crafty Girls Creations - #5 Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by and....

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Birthday Blessings - using Whitewash Technique

I recently watched a YouTube video on something called the Whitewash Technique and was eager to try it.  Here is the card I made using that technique...

The first thing I needed was a stamp that would work for this, perferrably a flower....I decided that this "Blooming Graden" stamp set by Penny Black had the best flower to use.  Other supplies I used are craft paper (the brown natural craft cardstock) white Ranger super fine embossing powder, Ranger Inkssentials Emboss It clear embossing ink pad, CTMH "White Daisy" ink pad, Distress Ink and/or Distress Markers, a heat gun, a fine paint brush (or water brush), and water....and until I make my own YouTube video on this technique I will give you the link to the one I watched...click HERE to see the video for instructions.  I would give directions here on my blog but I think it is easier and clearer to watch the video.  Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

Other added touches.....I used a Martha Stewart corner punch (don't have the name), ribbon, and pearls.  I used the CTMH "White Daisy" ink pad to stamp the butterflies which are from the "Butterflies" stamp set by Hot Off The Press.  The label is die from the Paper Artist cutting dies set "9Tiny Tags & Little Labels" also by Hot Off The Press.  The sentiment is is from MSE! "Birthday" stamp set.  I inked half of the label in "Picked Raspberry" and half in "Frayed Burlap", and stamped the sentiment in "Frayed Burlap"

This is such an elegant technique, I hope you try it!

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Card challenges I will be entering...

maybe you have something to enter too :)

Crafty Gals Corner - challenge #37 Anything Goes

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Flower As The Focal Image

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge -#329 Add Some Bling

Sparkle N Sprinkle Challenge Blog = September Challenge

(I used embossing powder)

Glitter N Sparkle Challenge Blog - #155 Use A Punch Or Die Cut

(I used a Martha Stewart corner punch)

Hiding In My Craft Room - #217 Freestyle

Atlantic Hearts Challenge - #126 Sketch

Always Playing With Paper - Inspiration Challenge #43

Melonheadz Friends - Try Something New Challenge

Scrapbook Blessings Club - Sept Challenge - Favorite Technique

Penny Black and More - September Challenge Anything Goes

(psst...I used a Penny Black stamp)

Fall Card - Miss You

It's almost Fall and I found another adorable 

image from Sunsational Stamps

This one is called

 Squirrel With Pumpkin and Sunflower

I layered a piece of paper from Cricut's "Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More" paper stack on top of the white card.  Then I embossed a piece of white cardstock with a Cuttlebug folder along with a Sizzix embossing diffuser which left an unembossed circle for me to place the image in, and layered that on top. 

After stamping the image I used a Sizzix circle die to cut around the image.   Then I inked the edges of the circle with "Wild Honey" Distress Ink.  Since I colored the last two cards with Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers I decided to color this one with watercolor pencils.  I stamped the sentiment "Miss You" with a CTMH stamp from their "Just To Say" collection.  I added a few leaves to the bottom of the circle for an added Fall touch.

This card was simple and quick to make, but looks very nice.  

To find other adorable images please visit...

Sunsational Stamps 

and

Scrapping With Lisa Designs 

And for inspiration visit...

Sunsational Stamps Blog

Sunsational Stamps Fan Page on Facebook

and

Sunsational Stamps YouTube Channel 

And now for the challenges I'm entering....

Try Stampin' On Tuesday - challenge #235
Creative Card Crew - challenge #96 Fall
Clear It Out Challenge Blog - Autumn Stash:Leaves
Scrapping4Fun Challenges - #50 Spring/Autumn
Our Crafty Corner - challenge #1 Autumn Colour

Thank you for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

You Melt My Heart

 It's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas :)

I was excited to use a couple of my new stamp and die bundles from Paper Sweeties that I had gotten a couple months ago and hadn't used yet.  The bundles I used are Holly Days Bundle and 

Thanks Snow Much Bundle 

I LOVE these stamp and die bundles....you get the cutest stamps and matching dies which makes creating so easy.  Just for example, the Holly Days bundle has 7 stamps and 7 matching dies, and Thanks Snow Much has more!!!

I used chalk to add shading on the snow and snowman and outlined everything with glittler gel pens.  I used watercolor pencils on the snowmans hat & scarf.  And his eyes of "coal" are Imaginisce i-rock Rhinestuds.

Here are some fun challenges....

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Use A Die
Try It On Tuesday - Try Something New

Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - #55

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #328 Christmas

Christmas Card Challenges - #41 Anything Goes

Hiding In My Craft Room - #216 Super Scrap Saturday

A Snowflakes Promise - #5

CASE-ing Christmas - #29

Thanks for stopping by and....

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Pop-Up Easel Card

I have no idea if there is an "official" name for this style of card but I call it a Pop-Up Easel card because it's an easel card that when in the easel position the image on the front pops up.....so it works for me :)

I saw this adorable Fall image at Sunsational Stamps 

It is Cats on a Fence 

and I thought it would be perfect for a pop-up easel card

The "I Love You" is not part of the stamp set....I added that to go along with the 

"To the moond and back"....the sentiments are both from the 

Heart to Heart Greetings stamp set at Paper Wishes

I like trying new things and sharing them with others so
I have made a video tutorial on making this card but it won't be out until October 8th.  

Please look for it on my YouTube channel jjgz4ever 

For more cute images please visit...

Sunsational Stamps 

and

Scrapping With Lisa Designs 

And for more inspiration visit...

Sunsational Stamps Blog 

Sunsational Stamps Fan Page on Facebook

and

Sunsational Stamps YouTube Channel 

And here are some challenges I found...
Addicted To Stamps Challenge #161 Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog #163 Easel Card
Crafty Catz Challenge #292 Autumn Colours
Mod Squad Challenge Blog Marvelous Marbling
(leaves were made using a marbling technique you will see in my video)
The Sisterhood of Crafters Photo Inspiration
Try It On Tuesday - Try Something New
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog #140 Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Creations #4 Anything Goes

Scrapbook Blessings Club September Challenge

Thank you for stopping by and....

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Waxed Paper Resist

Hey Crafters!!!

I have an easy and versatile 

technique to share with you...

Waxed Paper Resist

Check it out at

 Scrapbook Blessings Club 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Thank You Card - 3

This is another Thank You card I made.  This one my husband gave to a friend.  I truly LOVE the images and scriptures that Mynn has at her Etsy store MHK Designs ...this one is from her Lift Me Higher digital stamp set.  It's gorgeous and perfect for either a man or woman.

That verse is part of the digital stamp set and I thought it was perfect to go with that image.  I gave the image a hint of color by using Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks.  I layered it on a blue cardstock that would bring out the blue of the sky.  And since it was for a man, I added the shiny black gemlike studs in the corners to give a little extra something.

For more inspiration visit Mynn's blog On A Stampage 

and her store MHK Designs 

Here are some challenges I entered....
you should check them out...

Addicted To CAS challenge #71 Blue
Hiding In My Craft Room #215 Team Colors
(growing up for me it was Dodger Blue....it has since changed) 
Time Out Challenges #39 Make Your Mark w/twist Monochrome
 Try Stampin' On Tuesday challenge #234
Digital Delights monthly challenge #2 Anything Goes


Thank you for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Cute Little Gift Bag

I have been having fun using svg files.  I had no idea what they were until a few weeks ago....but when I found out they were cut files for machines like the Cricut Explore (the one I have) or others like the Cameo or Silhouette, I decided to give it a try.  They are awesome!!!

I used two of Sherri Baldy's svg files to make this sweet gift bag.  I used the Bestie Bag svg file and the Cupcake svg file.  You can get them at her My Besties Shop, and once you buy the file it is yours to keep and use over and over again.

With one piece of 12x12 cardstock you can cut 2 bags,,,,,or you can make one a little bigger and one a little smaller.  You decided the size.  It even comes with a cut file for the panels if you want to use it.  But on this one I cut my own panels because I wanted a scalloped edge.  The dimensions of the gift bag shown above are 4" wide x 3 7/8" high (or 4 7/8" high if you count the handles) x 1 3/8" deep.  It's the perfect size for a necklace, or bracelet, or gift card, or any small gift.  You can make it whatever size your machine will allow.   

 On the cupcake I added some Stickles to make it look like swirly frosting, and I used Sakura Stardust Jelly Roll pens on the flower to give it some sparkle.   The fun cardstock I used is from a DCWV 4"x6" stack but I don't know the name because the cover is missing (oops).  I thought wrapping ribbons around the handles and tie them off on the side would look cute.

If you have a personal cutting machine like a Cricut Explore or Silhouette you should try this and other svg's.  It's nice to not have to buy a cartridge, instead just buy the images you want.

You can find these images at the following stores....

Scrapbook Stamp Society

and

Sherri Baldy's Etsy Store

And for some inspiration visit

My-Besties Designs on Facebook

And I found a few challenges to enter this in....

Anything But A Card Challenges - #50 Celebration
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges - #327 Gift Bag or Box
Crafty Girls Creations - #3 Anything Goes
Try It On Tuesday - Try Something New
Decorate To Celebrate - challenge #108

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Trick or Tweet

Halloween is just around the corner and this month's theme is Fall / Halloween.  I personally am not into witches and ghoulish things but I thought this image from Sunsational Stamps was cute and perfect to be from my family because there are 3 of us left at home.  The image is 

Trick or Tweet 

About this card...I created the background by smearing my "Chipped Sapphire" Distress Ink pad on my craft mat and spritzed it with water.  Then I layed a piece of white cardstock on it and pushed it around smearing the ink onto the cardstock.  I thought it made a perfect night sky.  I cut a big circle for the moon and used a sponge with big holes to apply "Antique Linen" Distress ink radomly.  For the grass I used jagged edged scissors to cut two strips of green cardstock....one darker for the back, one lighter for the front.  I cut out the entire image and used dimensional adhesive squares to pop the pumpkins up over the back layer of grass and then curved the front layer of grass to make it look like the pumpkins are behind it.  

Now for the fun stuff...the image.  I colored the pumpkins with Spectrum Noir GB7, OR2, and OR3.  I colored the black birds with Tim Holtz Distress Markers..."Black Soot" for the feathers, and "Spiced Marmalade" for the beaks and feet.  I colored the bellies as if they were wearing shirts and used each of our favorite colors.  I used watercolor pencils and Sakura Jelly Roll Glaze for the eyes.  I also cut out and colored additional black birds so I could layer them giving them a dimensional look....as you can see in the side view in the bottom picture.

You can find this image and more at

Sunsational Stamps 

and

Scrapping With Lisa Designs 

And here are some places to get inspiration...

Sunsational Stamps Blog 

and

Sunsational Stamps Fan Page on Facebook

And if you like challenges Sunsational Stamps has monthly challenges HERE 

Here are challenges that I will enter this in....

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Blog #95 Anything Goes with a twist... 
make your own background
Hiding In My Craft Room #214 Freestyle
Crafty Card Makers #146 No Patterned Papers
Get Creative Challenges #22 No Printed Paper
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog #139 Fall Fun + Sentiment

Thank you for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!