Paper Smooches January Blog Hop

It's Pep Rally week and we are here today to share a sampling of the Paper Smooches February release with you!  FOUR newstamps and EIGHT new dies will be available to purchase at 12:01am, Eastern time...on February 1st.  There will be an Anniversary celebration at the Paper Smooches blog on February 1st, so please stop by and celebrate with us!  You will find our new releases HERE

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

• FOUR winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS Blog
• The prize - a $25. gift code to choose what you like at the PS online store.
• 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) 
• You have until midnight MT on Sunday, February 2nd to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on Monday, February 3rd to see if you are one of the FOUR lucky winners.

Ashley Marcu

Betsy Veldman

Emily Leiphart

Erin Lincoln

Heidi Van Laar

JJ Bolton (you are here)

Kalyn Kepner

Karolyn Loncon

Kim Kesti

Laura Bassen

Laurie Schmidlin

Mou Saha 

Pamela Ho 

Summer Fullerton

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)

My card today was made with the new Rainbow die!   Of course, this die makes rainbows in a flash, but I wanted to do something a little more graphic.  So I die cut arcs in gold, mint, and coral and arranged them like this...

I love the way it turned out!  The gold rings almost have an art deco feel, doesn't they?  The last element was the sentiment strip with the awesome sentiment (from Scripty Sayings) embossed in gold.  

Thanks for stopping in today for the first Paper Smooches blog hop of the year!  Kalyn's next on the hop!  The gals have wonderful things to share today, so I do hope you hop all the way through!  Hugs!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Avery Elle Watercolor Valentine

How about a quick, simple,and trendy Valentine idea?  Lots of trends this year incorporating hand drawn, painted, and lettered elements.  It's old school art class all over again, and I love it!  

This card started with a simple watercolor painted heart.  Then I sprayed a bit of gold mist.  I used the Avery Elle love die for the negative cut (the "always" is from Fill in the Blank).   Super simple and *very* handmade:)

Thanks for stopping in!  Be sure to click over to Heather's blog to see the cute card she has to share today!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Mama Elephant & Studio Calico Blog Hop

Hi guys!!  Mama Elephant has done it again:)  The new Studio Calico release features a set of exclusive clear stamps designed by Mama Elephant!  (Psst, it's in the add-on Taffy)  You saw me use this add-on earlier this week here and today I want to share another card:)

I used some of the beautiful watercolor-look paper from the kit and stamped it with my sentiment.  I also stamped some gold hexagons across the top corner.  I wanted a more uneven look so I randomly inked up the stamps before stamping.  (I thought a full stamping may look to harsh against the softly colored paper:)  

The last step was to add a piece of the gold punchinella vellum under the sentiment.  I trimmed a piece in an irregular shape to fit under the sentiment strip.  I love how it makes the sentiment pop out as if it is pieced.  

That's it for me, folks!  Next stop on the hop is Nichol!  If you get lost, click on over to the Mama Elephant site to get the blog hop list! 

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Studio Calico Sugar Rush Reveal!

It's the 27th and that means reveal day at Studio Calico!!!   You probably already know this, but the release is available for subscribers right now and will be available to everyone at midnight tonight.  Today, I'm sharing cards from the main card kit Sugar Rush and the Taffy add-on!  
    
Let's start with my main kit cards:)  This set has THE cutest set of stamps!  I know I'm partial to stamps, but seriously, they are adorable!  Especially this little gal stamp...

I stamped the image and colored just her sweater with Copics.  Then I stamped part of the sentiment in black and gold embossed just the word "sparkle".  True confession time, I cut the stamp to achieve this look.  While you can certainly mask off part of the sentiment to get the same look, don't be afraid to separate the stamp!  For a little bit more shine, I die cut a heart and backed it with some of the wide gold ribbon from the kit.  I wanted it puffy, so I put a bit of batting behind it.  So cute!  

For my second card, I used the solid kite stamp to make a background design.  I topped the sentiment with one of the die cut crowns from the kit.  To get the matching "embellies", I used two sizes of hole punches on the leftover glitter paper from the die cut.  That's why you.never.throw.away.scraps;)  

The next two cards are made with just the Taffy add-on.  I used the fabulous stamp from the set (digital version) on vellum and it just looks awesome!  On the backside of the vellum, I blended ink to create the rays of sunshine.  (I used a scrap piece of paper as a straight edge mask)  The "sun" behind the sentiment is actually one of the balloon stamps!  The vellum panel is sewn onto the card front.  For those of you who are new to sewing paper, here's a tip.  Take a piece of regular tissue paper and put it under your project.  The feed dogs (those grippy things on the bottom part of the sewing machine) will be able to hold your paper in place more securely.  

One more card to go and I really love this one!  I used the Studio Calico gold punchinella vellum and it is gorgeous!!!  I hand cut a random design and laid it over a piece of beautiful patterned paper from the kit (attached with my Tiny Attacher).  Love all the gold and yellow tones!  I added the sequins last and not only are they decorative, but they hold my vellum down:)  The fabulous sentiment is from the exclusive Mama Elephant designed stamp set!  (Yes, Mama Elephant!)

Here's a little closer view of the gold punchinella vellum.  Yummy!

I hope you've had fun getting to know the new Studio Calico card kits!   Even if you're not subscribing, visit the Studio Calico site and check out the gallery and blog for lots of inspiration!!    Thank you!!!

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Studio Calico Sugar Rush Card Kit Sneaks!

Just sharing a couple sneak peeks of my Studio Calico Sugar Rush projects:)  From the main card kit, here's a look at my first card...

And don't you love this crown cut!  I die!  

Here are a couple sneaks from the card add-on Taffy!  I spy a really cool stamp;)

And my fave from the bunch!  Look at the gold print vellum!!!!

See you tomorrow for the full reveal!  Subscribe now so you can get in on the presale at noon tomorrow (only subscribers can order at noon)!  The add-ons this month are really GOOD!!

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Avery Elle: Thanks a Bunch

I can't believe it's almost the end of January!  I love winter, but the snow and cold this week here in the DC/Northern Virginia area is making me crave sun and flowers:)  It's a good thing I have all the fun Spring sets from Avery Elle to play with like this one, Thanks a Bunch!  Love the two step stamping in this one:)

Lately, I've been very into the pink/gold thing, so why fight it?  I stamped a border of flowers for the left side and fussy cut them.  I layered them over a diagonally cut piece of metallic gold card stock.  (Since you asked, this gold card stock is from Michael's.  It's 12X12 and sold in sheets.  This is the best shiny gold  card stock I've been able to find! It does have a mirror finish but it's hard to show here.)

The finishing touch were some matching gold and rose pink sequins.  The flourish sentiment is from Oh Happy Day.

Thanks for stopping in and checking out my card!  Don't forget to click over to Heather's blog to see the beautiful card she has to share!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Avery Elle: Love Notes

Today I've got a card I made with the stamp set Love Notes and the 3D die set Embellish It Flower from Avery Elle.  Both of these were designed by my sweet friend Nina of Waffleflower and I'm so happy to have the chance to work with them:)

 

Technically, Love Notes is a Valentine's set, but it has a bunch of really pretty bits and pieces.  I used one of the split sentiments that makes it easy to do a two color stamp.  

For the flower, I stamped vellum with gold ink in a sweet polka dot pattern (stamp is Texture Tiles: Be Cute)  then I die cut the flowers.  Nina designed these flower dies so that it's really easy to put together!  Just die cut, line up the holes, and insert a brad or pin.  The result is a really full bloom:)

Thanks for stopping in and checking out my card!  Don't forget to click over to Heather's blog to see the pretty card she has to share!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

On the Corner Blog Hop

Thanks so much for hopping with us today!  I'm so excited today to be hopping with my buddies:)  And the reason we're hopping just puts a huge smile on my face!  Recently, our lovely friend Miriam Prantner (from Sooner Rather than Later) designed this awesome stamp set called On the Corner...

Have you ever seen anything like it before?  Just so clever!  I've been having fun playing with this set and mixing it up with other sets I have.  For my first card, I couldn't resist using those street signs in a superhero scene!  I'm always looking for ideas for guy cards, so I'm definitely making more of these.  {The superhero stamps are from Paper Smooches}

For my next card, I paired it with a fun banner set to create a street festival scene!   {The banners are from a Mama Elephant set}  I love that the banner fits perfectly:)  I added a colorful sentiment on the bottom from Paper Smooches to finish it off.  

I can't wait to see all the other creative cards made with this set!  You hopped here from the fabulous and adorable Jingle and the next stop on the hop is the wonderfully talented and sweet Jocelyn!  Don't forget to leave comments along the way!  Two winners will win a free set a la Miriam and Neat & Tangled!  (Check out the details here)

Thanks for stopping in!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Paper Smooches Giveaway Winner!

Sorry for being so late with this post!  This week has been a blur of snow/ice days, and obviously I'm all mixed up:)  Let's get to the winner of my Paper Smooches giveaway, shall we?  The winner is number...

That's Jamie who won with this comment...

Jamie, just email me your address (ribbongirls at gmail dot com) and I'll send off your prize right away!  Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Mama Elephant Photo Challenge

Today is the start of a new Mama Elephant photo challenge!  Here's a gander at the inspiration pic:)

 

Obviously, I had to go girly on this one!  I stamped the little Love Quotes bird couple onto a custom made frame using Femme Frames (more on how to make custom-sized frames here).   I love how the birds are holding wings:)  

In the background, I stamped some flowers from the Water Blooms set and added a few pearls and rhinestones.  People always ask me about the inks I use, and I really should be better about listing that in my posts.  The pink I used here is Bubblegum by Mama Elephant and the sentiment is done in Versafine Smokey Grey (perfect color when you want a soft black).  

I hope you play along with the challenge!  Check out the Mama Elephant blog for details:) 

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Avery Elle: Simply Said

Happy Thursday folks!   Today, I'm sharing an Avery Elle card using the set Simply Said Love word die and the coordinating mini stamp set.  Isn't that "Love" die beautiful?

Lately, I'm really loving the look of oversized handwritten font that goes off the edge of the page.  So I wanted to create that look with this word die.  I die cut the word and trimmed it into a small square before I pulled the pieces apart.  After trimming it, I pulled out just the word and colored it with Copics from light to dark.  I love that extra detail and how it makes the word die cut look so warm:)  To keep all the pieces together, I glued a smaller square to the back of the "Love" panel.  

On the card front, I stamped the background in Delicata gold ink.  The look was a little too harsh, so I added a vellum overlay just over the stamped area.  To bring in more gold, I wrapped the card with May Arts gold metallic string.  

Thanks for stopping in and checking out my card!  Don't forget to click over to Heather's blog to see the great card she has to share!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

It's a Moxie Fab Day!

I'm thrilled to be guesting over on the Moxie Fab World site today!  Hope you stop by!  Here's a little taste of what's over there:)   

Aloha and mahalo,

jj

Paper Smooches: Rainbow Hello & Giveaway

Hello people!  Actually, rainbow hello would be more appropriate!  I have a Paper Smooches card to share today using one of the new Hello Word dies.  This set comes with 5 different dies, and I love each one of them!   [I apologize in advance for the wonky pics!  I had a heck of time taking clear photos of this card.  I think I'll try again in the daytime.]  I had so much fun putting this card together and I love how it turned out!   

I been wanting to try this technique for a while, and this die was just what I needed.  All I did was cut the word in each color of the rainbow twice (you need good, thick cardstock for this to really work). 

Then it was just a matter of stacking and gluing them together.  The result is a beautiful 3D rainbow about 1/4" thick.  So much fun!

That's it for me today!  I hope you go check out all the new Paper Smooches goodies this month!  
And just for fun to start off the new year, I have a giveaway today:)  Just leave a comment below for a chance to win a goodie bag that includes a PS stamp set and a PS word die (and some other tidbits:).   Get your comment in by Wednesday, midnight EST and I'll post a winner on Thursday:)

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Avery Elle: Save the Date

Hey everyone!  Did you survive the holidays?  Lots of you are still on winter vacation, but I'm back to work!  But I have no complaints:)  I had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with family and friends.  Despite the rush of the season, I'm feeling refreshed and ready to take on 2014.  So let's get to the first post of the year!  Today, I'm sharing an Avery Elle project using the set Save the Date that came out last month.  Isn't that font gorgeous?  

I'm still a fan of the chalkboard look and it's such a fun look for a "Save the Date" card!  I love that this card looks handmade, but is still easy enough to do multiples.   The card is personalized with a custom date using the numbers in the set.  I love adding little details like the tiny hearts in the date and the flourishes in the corners:)  

The flower bouquet is from the new set, Thanks a Bunch.  And the banner was made the Build a Banner stamp set and matching die.  I can totally see continuing this general design for menu cards, place cards, and thank you cards. 

The first post of the year!  That felt good:)  Now click over to Heather's blog to see the fun card she has to share!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj