Custom Gift Holders with Avery Elle

Hi folks!  Just dropping in with a few ways to use the Just a Note die from the latest Avery Elle release!  With this die set, you get the large die plus a "just a note" word die and a bunch of cute die cut flourishes.  The large die can be used in a variety of ways: gift card holder, treat holder, envelope wrap, self-closing card (check out the Avery Elle site for some more tips on how to use the die).

I chose to use the die to create a couple of quick and easy treat and gift card holders... 

I used the dies from Fill in the Blank and Holiday Fill in the Blank to dress up my treat holders.  When folded, the large die creates a pocket.  The pocket is slim, but can accommodate small, flat items.  I slipped in a chocolate square candy but you could try something like a tea bag or flat lollipop.  

I also created a gift card holder with a snowflake (Noel dies) reverse cut that I backed with some glitter paper.  The "Enjoy" sentiment is from the Gift Tags stamp set.   I kept it pretty CAS, but the stitched line gives it just a little something extra.  Here's a pic of the backs of each holder...

I told you, easy, right?  Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Sunshiny You with Avery Elle

Good morning everyone!  Just a little card today to bring a bit of sunshine to your week:)  I'm using a couple of sets from the new Avery Elle release,  Simply Said You die and stamps & Dotted Borders dies!  This card combines so many of the elements I love: sunshine theme, word dies, and border dies.  I usually do vertical cards, but I thought it rotate it for a different perspective.   

Because the card background is just one color, I blended a bit of yellow and orange ink onto the sun and the rays to give them some depth.  This helps you avoid that flat look that you get with color card stock.  The "sun" is adhered to the card with foam tape and I glued the "you" die cut to it.  On the "y" side of the word die, I glued it straight to the sun, but the "u" side is glued to the card base with foam tape.  This keeps everything level.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you are having a beautiful week!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Avery Elle December/January Blog Hop

Hey everyone!  Are you ready for the new Avery Elle release?  Before I move on to the fun goodies, I have to say a farewell and a hello.  The farewell is for our sweet Kasia Curry.  That sweet girl is stepping down from the team and we will miss her and her wonderful creations terribly!  Hugs Kasia!!!  

The hello is for our new team member, Melania Deasy!  I've always been a big fan of Melania and I can't wait to see what she's going to create!

Now, let's talk new release:)  For my card, I used the new knitty set, Made with Love!  Even if you don't knit, this is the perfect wintery set.  I used the long border stamp to create a custom background.  To give it that dyed look, I blended Distress inks over my stitches in an ombre pattern.   For the sentiment, I borrowed a stamp from the Let it Snow set.  Apropos, no?

To celebrate our December 2014 Release Blog Hop, Avery Elle is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to one random winner.  To enter to win just comment on this post.  There is no purchase necessary and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  This giveaway is void where prohibited.  You can also do options 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances of winning. You have until midnight Sunday, December 7th to enter.  The winner will be announced on the Avery Elle Blog on Monday, December 8th .  All products are available for purchase in the Avery Elle store right now.

To enter to win you can do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances:

1. Comment on any of the design team's posts and/or here on the Avery Elle Blog
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet the contest (we are @averyellestamps )
3. Follow us on Facebook (we are www.facebook.com/AveryElle ) and share us with your friends - make sure they tell us you sent them.
4. Follow us on Pinterest
5. Become a blog follower through email (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already follow us)
6. Join our Flickr group (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already belong)

The next stop on the hop is the awesome Yainea, but here's the full hop list just in case...

Avery Elle / Jamie
Karolyn Loncon
Chunyuan Wu
Caryn Davies
Heather Campbell
JJ Bolton (that's me:)
Yainea
Melania Deasy
Katie Gehring
Maska Vanacker 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Aloha,
jj

Paper Smooches November Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches December release with you!  FOUR new stamps and EIGHT new dies will be available to purchase on November 30th at 8:00pm pacific time. Once our release goes live, you will find our new products HERE.  

To add extra fun to our blog hop...we are offering up a prize! 

The prize - a $25 gift code to choose what you like at the PS online store.

Here are the details:

• FOUR winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS Blog to win the $25. prize.
• Just leave a comment on any of the design team blogs listed below or the PS blog for your chance to win!  (you do not need to comment on all blogs to qualify but it increases your changes) 
• Deadline: You have until midnight PT on Sunday, November 30th to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on Monday, December 1st to see if you are one of the FOUR lucky winners.  

Here's the list of the entire hopping gang:)

Ashley Marcu

Emily Leiphart

Erin Lincoln

JJ Bolton

Jocelyn Olson

Kalyn Kepner

Kay Miller

Laura Bassen

Laurie Schmidlin

Michele Boyer

Pamela Ho 

Teri Anderson

To increase your chances of winning:

• Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop
• Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop
• Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop

(which means that you have up to three extra chances to win on each blog)

Now to my card:)  I'm using the new word die set called Love and Cherish!  I love the beautiful curl of this font and I thought it would pair nicely with the Blossoming Buds stamp set.  The stamped flowers are pretty intricate, so I used a vellum overlay to prevent the card from getting too busy.  

On top of the vellum, I added the die cut sentiment and some enamel dots.  The enamel dots serve 2 purposes, decorative (of course) and functional (they hide adhesive that keeps the vellum laying down).  I colored the die cut word with some blended ink in 2 colors (pink and red).  I also put a plain white version of the word behind (slightly offset).  Both the blended ink and the white "shadow" really give the sentiment some depth and help the sentiment stand out. 

Now it's time for you to hop on over to the next stop on the hop, my talented buddy Jocelyn Olson!  Keep on hopping!

And for my US friends, Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm so thankful for you:)

Mahalo,
jj

Studio Calico Park Ave Reveal!

It's the 27th of the month and that means reveal day at Studio Calico!!!   The new release is available to subscribers for presale right now and will be available to everyone at midnight!  I'm so ready to show you my cards from the main card kit Park Ave and a couple of the new stamp sets!    Here's my first card using just the main card kit.  This set has a bunch of builder stamps that allow you to create a custom cityscape.  I stamped a cityscape in bold, bright colors and layered it over a shaker sunset.  

Inside the shaker, I blended the same orange and yellow that I used to stamp 2 of the buildings and I added coordinating sequins.  You know me, can't resist a sequin or a shaker!

This second card uses the window stamps to create a custom background border pattern.  Love how it looks in white on black!  I added a few hand cut paper flags for color:)  So easy!

My next card uses the Banana Valentines stamp set!  How cute is that monkey stamp?  I used a bit of the paper from the Dots and Stripes pad to create a foreground for my monkeys.  To create a body for the monkeys, I just stamped the head upside down.  Isn't that sentiment adorable?

My last card uses the stamps from the Celebrate Animals stamp/die set!   I used just the banner letters to create a fun typographic background.  The b/w letters were the perfect background for my colorful shaker!  The diamond paper is from the main card kit (love it).  

Here's a closer look at the sequins in the shaker...

Before I go, I just wanted to say a little thank you and goodbye to Studio Calico!  I decided not to reapply for another term.  I've taken on some new responsibilities at work and there are just not enough hours in the day for me:)  I consider myself beyond LUCKY to have been a part of the Studio Calico experience.  From the folks down at HQ (especially April and Samantha) to the kit/paper/stamp designers and the awesome CT members, you could not have asked for more talented and kind people!  On or off the team, I will always be looking forward to what comes next at Studio Calico:) 

I hope you check out the entire release over at Studio Calico!  And stop in to the gallery to see all the wonderful creations the Creative Team have put together!  

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Cloudy Frames with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  Just a little CAS card today using the Avery Elle die set Finished Frames!  This versatile set has 2 great frames and lots of bits and bobs that can be used from everything from reverse cuts to confetti.  I used the smaller of the two frames and reverse cut some bitty clouds to create this card.  (The bunny is from More Stories and the sentiment is from Red & Goldie)  I love how the blended ink background brings out more of the frame border:)  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

25 Days of Christmas Tags with Tracey

Hi everyone!  Today, I'm crafting along with the lovely and talented Tracey McNeely over at In My Creative Opinion.  She's been featuring 25 Days of Christmas Tags and has invited a bunch of folks to share a tag.  Great idea, right?  

A few weeks ago, I started putting together my gift tags for the office.  Every year, I like to give my coworkers a gift card with a small foodie type gift.  I've done cider and ginger ale, but this year I'm doing some homemade vanilla bottles.  So my tag is a combo gift card holder/bottle tag!  I used the Avery Elle Cheers bottle tag die and scored/folded it in half to create the pocket.  To decorate it, I used my Paper Smooches Cool Dudes stamps and dies.  Super easy to do and I didn't even have to buy a fancy new die (although I probably would of;)  

Thank you to Tracey for the invite to play along with your fun parade of tags!  Don't forget to check out Tracey's blog and leave comment for some cool prizes!  And check out the rest of the fun holidays tags!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Spellbinders Holiday Blog Hop with Avery Elle

Today, I'm hopping with the folks at Spellbinders and Avery Elle!  My first card pairs the Spellbinders Diamond Effects dies with Avery Elle's Be Jolly Stamps to create a fun colorful holiday card! 

The large panel die from the Exquisite Labels 11 set is just a smidge smaller than an A2 card front and makes the perfect frame for any stamped scene.  For fun, I backed the entire panel with a sheet of patterned paper from the Avery Elle patterned paper Everyday Collection.  I love the way the paper peeks out of the diamond design and adds just a little bit of color!

Before I go, I want to share one more quick project that I made using the Spellbinders Exquisite Labels 11 dies and Avery Elle Avery's Alpha dies (that's a mouthful;)!   I'm always looking to see how I can pair up dies or stamps to create new, custom combinations.  The AE alpha dies happen to fit perfectly into the smallest dies of the Spellbinders set.  I backed each reverse cut with a bit of red glitter paper and then used foam tape to adhere them to the card front.  To keep the focal point on the die cuts, I kept the background a crisp white.  It really lets the delicate die cuts shine, don't you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Don't forget to leave some comments for chances to win some fun prizes!  Check out the Spellbinders community blog and the Avery Elle blog for details!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Floral Thank You with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  Today, I'm taking a little break from my holiday card making with a colorful, anytime card using the Avery Elle set Fabulous Florals!  The little builder pieces in this set make it very easy to stamp a custom background in whatever colors you wish.  I used a sentiment from Fill in the Blank and framed it on the smaller of the Finished Framed panels.   

That's it for me today!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Cool Christmas with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  Today, I'm continuing with my holiday card-making with a CAS snowflake.  I used the Avery Elle stamp set Noel for this one and it could not have been easier!  First I die cut a panel using one of the Finished Frames dies.  Then I stamped the background in Sea Glass ink over the entire panel (the shape of the stamp makes this simple to do).  I added a few rhinestones here and there and added the sentiment.  I love how crisp and bold the sentiments are from the Noel set!  One more card to add to my Christmas card stash:)

Thanks so much for stopping in!  Until next time!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Paper Smooches October Blog Hop!

It's Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches November release with you!  FOUR new stamps and EIGHT new dies will be available to purchase tonight (October 30th at 9:00pm pacific time...or midnight eastern time) Once our release goes live, you will find our new products HERE.  

To add extra fun to our blog hop...we are offering up a prize!   The prize - a $25 gift code to choose what you like at the Paper Smooches online store!

Here are the details:

• FOUR winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS Blog to win the $25. prize.
• Just leave a comment on any of the design team blogs listed below or the PS blog for your chance to win!  (you do not need to comment on all blogs to qualify but it increases your changes) 
• Deadline: You have until midnight MT on Sunday, November 2nd to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on Monday, November 3rd to see if you are one of the FOUR lucky winners.  

Here's the list of the entire hopping gang:)

Ashley Marcu

Emily Leiphart

Erin Lincoln

JJ Bolton (that's me;)

Jocelyn Olson

Kalyn Kepner

Kay Miller

Laura Bassen

Laurie Schmidlin

Michele Boyer

Pamela Ho 

Teri Anderson

Now to my card:)  I'm playing around with the new die set called Gift Tags 2.  This set includes 3 different tags including this oversized, stitched one below.  Tags are always a fun way to frame and image, especially one as cute as this walrus:)  I love that his dour expression does not match his festive hat, lol!  The hat is from the new Noggin Toppers set by the way.  To add one final touch of color, I added some twine to match his hat.  Fun stuff!

Now it's time for you to hop on over to the next stop on the hop, the always wonderful Jocelyn Olson!  I love her style and she's a sweetheart to boot.  Get on over there:)

Mahalo,

jj

Santa's Here with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  I'm still working on my holiday cards and today this one features the Avery Elle stamp set, North Pole!  I flipped Santa for this card and masked off just the "ho ho ho" of the sentiment.  I even made a little chimney using one of the Link It Up stamps:)

Thanks so much for stopping in!  Until next time!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Studio Calico Walden Reveal!

It's the 27th of the month and that means reveal day at Studio Calico!!!   The new release is available to subscribers for presale right now and will be available to everyone at midnight!  I'm so excited to show you my cards from the main a card kit Walden and two of the 3 stamp add-ons!    Let's take a look at the main card kit first:)  The stamps in this kit is another collaboration with One Canoe Two and it has a fantastic autumn theme!  For my first card I took the apple stamps and did up a fun stamped background using Studio Calico inks!  I'm in love with that new lime green:)  

It kind of reminds me of an Orla Kiely pattern (which I love!).  The sentiment is a little plaque that comes with the kit.  So cute:)

My second main card kit project uses the little acorn stamp.  I stamped him with the new Glass Slipper ink and then fussy cut his cap.  For fun, I drew him a little smiley face.  

Here's a closer look at him...

Now on to the add-ons!   This first card uses the Holiday & New Years set.  This set includes a bunch of labels that can be used for all kinds of cards and favors.  I used one of the label stamps to create a bubbly shaker card.  I used the label to visually split the shaker which gives it a look of a glass of champagne.  (The "champagne" colored paper is from the main card kit btw)

Here's a closer look at the sequin bubbles...

My last card is one of my favorites from the bunch:)  It uses the new Wreath set for a super clean and simple holiday card.  I love using images and type together to create custom cards.  This time, the wreath is transformed into an "O".  I cut the custom letters with my Cameo (any bold block font will do).  

I partially colored in the wreath for a modern stained glass look.  This one is so easy that I think I will make some multiples!  

And that's it me for today!  I hope you check out the entire release over at Studio Calico!  And stop in to the gallery to see all the wonderful creations the Creative Team have put together!  

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Studio Calico Walden Kit Sneak Peeks!

Is Reveal Eve over at  Studio Calico and I've got some Walden Card Kit and Stamp Add-on sneak peeks! 

Check back tomorrow for the full reveal!  

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Happy Snowmen with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  I've got a fun Christmas card that I made with the Avery Elle stamp set, Be Jolly!  So easy to make together with a die cut and sentiment (using the Happy die and coordinating stamp set).

The Mr. & Mrs. Snowman are colored with some copics and a little bit of glitter (Spica glitter pen).  The rolling snow drifts were made using the wavy die in the Custom Panels set. 

Thanks so much for stopping in!  Until next time!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Mama Elephant 2nd Anniversary Stampede

I'm happy to be celebrating Mama Elephant's 2nd anniversary with a bevy of fabulous folks!  Today is day 2 of a 3-day stampede full of fun, special discounts, and giveaways!  I'm totally in holiday card mode, so of course I used the new Boutique Borders set to create a wintery holiday card:)  The wide polka dot stamp in the set is perfect for creating falling snow!

To really get the look of a snowstorm, I stamped the dots onto vellum with white ink and laid it over the card base.  On the card base, I stamped and colored three little figures from the Alpine Carolers set.  This set was designed by my dear friend, Elena of Just Me Prints, and it is beyond adorable!  Here's a closer look the carolers bathed in snow:) 

Just for the anniversary month, Mama Elephant is offering some special deals!

- 10% discount code active for the duration of the 3 day stampede blog hop (use the code HAPPY2ME)
- purchases over $100 will receive the HAPPY EVERYTHING stamp set free
- purchases over $150 will receive the HAPPY EVERYTHING stamp set and HAPPY SCRIPT die free.

AND, as promised, there are giveaways!  Mama Elephant is giving away THREE $25 gift certificates each day of the stampede blog hop, for a total of 9 winners. In addition, there will be exclusive prize giveaways on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  The winners will be chosen and announced on the Mama Elephant Blog on Monday, October 20th.

You know the drill:)  Comment on this post, comment on the Mama Elephant Blog, follow them on facebook and twitter for chances win!  

Don't forget to check out what the other stampeders are sharing today!  I can't wait to see what they have in store:)  Here's a list of the Day 2 folks:

Julie Ebersole 
Stephanie Klauck 
Ashley Marcu
JJ Bolton (that's me:) 
Kathy Racoosin  Nichol Magouirk 
Jennifer McGuire 

Thanks for stopping by!  The next stop on the hop is the amazing Kathy Racoosin!!!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj