I've Moved!

I've moved to a new site! Please visit me at...

www.jjboltondesign.com

This site will stay up with all my old posts, but I hope to also see you at my new place 😃

Much aloha,

jj

Waffle Flower January 2022 Release Blog Hop

Welcome to Waffle Flower’s January 2022 Release Day! After a long break, we're back with the first release of the year! We've been working on new designs and new products for so many months and we're so excited to start sharing them now! The new release is out on the Waffle Flower website today! 

One of the things that we've been working on is FOIL PLATES! Yay! We have been working on foil plates behind the scenes for quite a while with lots of back and forth on design to make sure we had the best foil plates that could be produced. The result are foil plates that are so much fun and easy to use! 

One of the first foil plate designs is the Oversized Hello! You are already familiar with the Oversized Hello stamp and die, and the foil version looks so cool! I have a lot more to share using this plate, but this first one uses the plate with blended ink and splattering techniques. This card came from an experiment with splattering and spraying after foiling which gives a much different look to foil. Kind of an antiquey, burnished look. 

I also blended some Distress Ink Oxides over the foil and added some fun drops. Over the next few weeks, I hope to share some of my other experiments:)

This next card uses the next in the Flat Landscape Stencil series. This card was so much fun to make and so easy! This card uses the entire stencil, so it's bigger than a normal A2 size. To me it looks like an art print, so I thought I'd keep the sentiment just on the inside;)

For an added detail, I used a white gel pen to add highlights and waves on the water. So easy to do and adds that little extra something. 

Don't forget to check out all the stops in the hope today! There's lots of fun, inspiration, and chances to win some of these new release goodies! Next on the hop is the fantastic Cathy Zielske (here's the full list so you don't miss a stop)!

Waffle Flower Blog

Galina Filippenko

Laura Bassen

JJ Bolton (you're here!)

Cathy Zielske

Arjita Singh

Channin Pelletier

Dilay Nacar

Jeanne Jachna

Rachel Arribas

For today’s hop, Waffle Flower is giving away $25 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners. You can leave a comment on this blog and along the hop by 11:59pm EST on Monday January 31, 2022 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts in this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower Blog on 2/2/2022.

There are more giveaways to enter on Instagram including 1 winner to receive the entire release! Follow me at @ribbongirls and Waffle Flower at @waffleflowercrafts so you don’t miss out! 

From now till Thursday January 27th, 2022, all orders placed at waffleflower.com will receive a mysterious gift (No code required!).

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink January 2022 Release Countdown Day 4: Scene Everywhere: Windowsill

Hello! Today's the last day of the countdown for the Papertrey Ink January 2022 release week! There's such a lovely variety in this release and there really is something for everyone! 

My last card of the countdown uses the Scene Everywhere: Windowsill stamps and dies. The scenery around here has mostly been of ice and snow lately, so I'm doing a bit of wishful thinking with this card. The Scene Everywhere: Windowsill set comes with the window and lots of elements to dress it up. 

I went with a simple window scene with a cozy cup of coffee and a sleepy kitty with the sun coming up in the window. Sounds like a perfect morning to me!  

The sun and water come from the Better at the Beach set and the sentiment is from the Just Sentiments: Wish You Were Here set. 

And that's my last card for the release! I hope that you've enjoyed the countdown and I hope our cards have inspired to try something new at your craft table! Join us on January 26th when the release hits the website! 

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink January 2022 Release Countdown Day 3: Pattern Party & Band-aid Wishes

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Papertrey Ink January 2022 release week and it's countdown day 3!  Today we're taking a look at Band-aid Wishes and Pattern Party! 

For my first card, I really wanted a cheery "Get Well" card and to me, that means lots of color! I'm sure you've tried this technique before creating a full background with die cuts. You can see that the size of the bandages works perfectly for this technique. 

The cute Band-aid box is such a cute element and works double duty as a place to put the sentiment.

This next card is a clean and simple comfort or condolence card. Sometimes all you really need is a bold focal point and a really heartfelt sentiment. 

This next card continues the CAS trend with a card using the new Pattern Play set. This set has multiple circle stamps in varying sizes and patterns. You can use the circles individually or cut down like I did. 

For the background, I added a sun (Loads of Healing set), sentiment (Just Sentiments: Wish You Were Here), and die cut clouds (Clouds 1 & 2 Dies). I love how the patterns bring a little extra something to the rainbow. 

We've got one more set to show tomorrow and then it's release day on January 26th! Hope you're having a great Monday!

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink January 2022 Release Countdown Day 2: Frame Decor, Feathered Friends Mini 19, & Inside Greetings: With Sympathy

Hi all! It's Day 2 of of the Papertrey Ink January Release and  today we're highlighting the Feathered Friends Mini 19 set and Frame Decor set! 

From my office, I have a great view of my neighbor's backyard. He's an avid gardner and birdlover. He does all the work and I get the awesome view;) The bird in the Feathered Friends Mini set reminded me of all the bluebirds I've seen this year. I wanted him to really stand out on the card, so I surrounded him with all neutral tones. 

With all the neutral background tones, I added interest with some textured die cuts, ink blending, and a little bling with milky gems and glitter. The sentiment is from the Inside Greetings: With Sympathy set. Sympathy cards are one of the hardest to make, but are some of the most appreciated. I'm glad I have these sentiments for those times. 

This next set is for the home decor lovers out there! The Frame Decor set is full of home decor elements that you can mix and match together to create these scenes. I love the little details in this set!

I like that you can dress this set up with elements to customize it for the season or holiday. 

Check out the Papertrey Ink blog for more about these goodies from the January release! 

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink January 2022 Release Countdown Day 1: Feathered Friends 19 Dies, Blooming Hearts, & Into the Blooms: Roses

Hi everyone! I have been taking some time away from the craft table for quite a bit, but I'm back and so excited for the new crafty year! Speaking of new, today starts the Papertrey Ink January release roll out! Today is Day 1 and we're highlighting Feathered Friends 19 Dies, Border Bling: Blooming Hearts Dies, and Into the Blooms: Roses Dies.

I've got 2 cards to share today and it's obvious I'm thinking of Spring! It is frigid here where I live (suburb of Washington DC), but at least it's sunny today! My first card uses the Feathered Friends 19 Dies and the Border Bling: Blooming Hearts Die. I know, butterflies are not feathery, but there is an adorable one included in the set. It also includes some branch and berries dies, so lovely! 

I did inlaid die cuts for the butterfly and placed it in the Blooming Hearts frame. I love how the frame has a subtle heart pattern. I backed the panel with some vellum to give a tiny bit of softness. The sentiment is from the Just Sentiments: With Sympathy set. 

Today we're also introducing the next in the Into the Blooms series, Roses! This set is downright gorgeous! I die cut mine with watercolor paper and painted it very loosely. I also added a little bit of coarse glitter along the edges of the petals. 

For the background, I used the previously released Winter Swirls. I die cut the swirls and added some coarse crystal glitter liberally. I think the background brings a little of interest but still let that rose shine.  

Definitely go check out the Papertrey Ink blog for more ideas from the DT, and come back tomorrow for the Day 2 of the release!

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Waffle Flower November 2021 Release Blog Hop

Welcome to Waffle Flower’s November 2021 Release Day! This release we're looking a little past the holidays with a beautiful collection of stamps, dies, and stencils that are all about special deliveries. All of the goodies are out on the Waffle Flower website today! 

My first card today really speaks to my clean and simple side. I used the new Stems dies, Vase Variety dies, and the Special Delivery stamps for this one. The Stems die set as 9 dies total with 7 flower/leaf stems and 2 vases. This is the kind of set that I love because of its versatility. 

I die cut a mix of the stems in gold foil, vellum, and white glitter cardstock. The vase is from the Vase Variety set and I love the debossed pattern detail. I added a simple "Thanks" sentiment from the mini set Special Delivery. Love the small scale and handwritten style of these sentiments. A few gems and that was it. Love the simplicity of this one!

This next card also uses the Stems dies but this time I colored my stems with Copic markers. I also used the Special Delivery dies and stamps for this one. The Special Delivery dies has tags and labels that coordinate perfectly with the Special Delivery stamps. I love the look of those little tags!

I used the flower bouquet wrapper die with some kraft wrapping paper and added a little tuft of tulle. I layered the background with a couple lacy panels and some gems. 

I hope you get a chance to visit all the stops in the blog hop today! There's lots of fun, inspiration, and chances to win some of these new release goodies! Next on the hop is the amazing Galina (but here's the full list so you don't miss a stop)!

Waffle Flower Blog

Cathy Zielske

JJ Bolton (you are here)

Galina Filippenko

Amy Rysavy

Rachel Arribas

Rebecca Keppel

Arjita Singh

Nichol Spohr

Channin Pelletier

Yoonsun Hur

Jeanne Jachna

Vicky Papaioannou

For today’s hop, Waffle Flower is giving away $25 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners. You can leave a comment on this blog and along the hop by 11:59pm EDT on Sunday December 5th, 2021 for your chances to win. Winners will be chosen at random from the comments left on any of the posts in this blog hop and will be announced on the Waffle Flower Blog on 12/8/2021.

There are more giveaways to enter on Instagram including 1 winner to receive the entire release! From now till Thursday December 2nd, 2021, all orders placed at waffleflower.com will receive a mysterious gift (No code required!).Follow us at @waffleflowercrafts so you don’t miss out! 

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink November Release

Hi everyone! It's been a busy Thanksgiving week here at our house, but I've got a couple cards to share using the new goodies from the Papertrey Ink November release! So many beautiful stamps and dies this month! I'm still finding new ways to use them all!

This first card uses the Adorning Trees stamp and die set. This set has a more modern feel to it with clean tree shapes. This set includes 3 tree frame dies that are perfect for making little shakers like this one. 

I'm really loving non-traditional colors for the holidays, but the more I look at this combo, it doesn't feel unusual! The combination is Royal Velvet purple and silver! For the background, I added stamped snowflakes and die cut snowflakes (from Border Bling Snowflakes and Starflakes). The beautiful sentiment is from the new Inside Greetings Heaven and Nature Sing set. 

This next card uses the new Holiday Cheer Gift Tag set and the Holiday Cheer Overlay set reinvented as gingerbread cookies!  I die cut the ornament, star, and tree dies with Kraft cardstock. Then I blended on ink to give them that baked glow. 

Then I added "frosting" using the Overlay dies to make stencils. (FYI, Picket Fences Paper Glaze Enhancer looks just like vanilla frosting). I added a little coarse glitter for sugar. I also made some jam filled cookies using dies from the Splendid Snowflakes set. Glitter gel makes great jam! 

I made a cover to mimic a decorative cookie box with cellophane window using the Love to Layer: Notched dies . Last but not least, I tied it up with twine and added a little tag with the perfect sentiment from the Just Sentiments: Holiday Tags Mini Stamp Set. This card was so much fun to make!

If you're looking for more inspiration, go check out all the new goodies now on the Papertrey Ink site!

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown: Joyful Snowman, Holiday Cheer Gift Tags, & Holiday Cheer Overlay

Hi everyone! Almost all of the Papertrey Ink's November release has been introduced (check out the blog)! Are you ready for tomorrow? Everything will be available Tuesday, 11/2 at 6 pm EST.

Until then, I have a few cards to share using the new goodies! This first one uses the Joyful Snowman set. I love these types of builder sets where you can create a custom scene. And this little guy is so cute!

STAMPS: Joyful Snowman, Just Sentiments: Snow
INK: True Black, Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet
PAPER: White, True Black
DIES: Joyful Snowman, On the Border: Splendid Snowflakes Frame Die, Border Bling: Skinny Postage Frames Die

I really love the larger scale of the snowman in this set. Great size for your A2 cards! I went for a classic red, blue, and black color combo. And for fun, I made one of his mittens on the ground. It's fun to add little unexpected details to cards. 

This next card uses the new Holiday Cheer Gift Tag set and the Holiday Cheer Overlay set. These sets are just gorgeous! The Holiday Cheer Gift Tag set includes dies for several iconic holiday shapes (tree, gift, star, ornament, and bow). The coordinating Holiday Cheer Overlay set includes ornate filigree designs that can be layered over the tags. I don't have a tag to share today, but look how beautiful the star tag looks with the matching overlay! 

PAPER: Vintage Cream, Vellum, Gold Foil
DIES: Holiday Cheer Gift Tags, Holiday Cheer Overlay

The star and overlay are so beautiful that I really wanted to focus on it. I reverse die cut the star into an A2 panel and backed it with vellum. Then I added the filigree overlay in rose gold foil. Last but not least, I added gems within the die cut design and on the tips of the stars. I think the star really stands on its own, so the sentiment is on the inside. I used a sentiment from the new Inside Greetings Heaven and Nature Sing set. 

I'll have a few more cards to share tomorrow on Release Day! If you want to see more of the release, stop by the Papertrey Ink blog!

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink September Release Countdown Day 4: Happy Hanukkah & Oh Holy Night

Hi everyone! It's Day 4 of the Papertrey Ink October release and I've got a couple cards to share! This first card uses the new Happy Hanukkah die with some basics you probably already have in your stash. I used my nesting circle dies and cut them in 4 shades of blue: Dark Indigo, Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, and Spring Rain. I love how they look together!

ts

Dies: Happy Hanukkah

Paper: Dark Indigo, Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain, White, Gold

I added gold for the candle "flames" and added it around the edge and as a shadow for the word die. The gold accents pull everything together and makes the card look finished to me. 

For my second card, I used the trees from the Oh Holy Night set. These tall silhouette trees are just beautiful! I paired it with one of my favorite stamps from the Grand Sentiments set. 

Stamps: Oh Holy Night, Grand Christmas Sentiments, City Scene Christmas Sentiments 

Dies: Oh Holy Night, Grand Christmas Sentiments

Paper: Rustic White

Did you know that the City Scene Christmas Sentiments Mini Stamp Set has a Santa sleigh stamp? This stamp is perfect for making moon scenes like this. The sentiment and trees both come with matching dies which I love!  

While you're here, below are some behind the scenes tips on how this card was put together!

When stamping on die cuts, I use my Misti stamp positioner with Post-It strips. I face the sticky side up to hold my die cut and then hold the Post-It down with magnets. To achieve the multicolor stamped image, I used a small sponge to apply ink to the stamp instead of inking directly with a stamp pad. With the positioner, you can layer as many colors as you want!

To give my moon a glowy look, I use a small sponge to sponge white pigment ink around the masked moon. I also use it for puffy night clouds. The sponge will pull some of the colors of the sky onto the moon area which looks like moon shadows/craters. 

To get perfectly imperfect splatters, I use a splatter tool that is made up of sticks that dip in watered down paint and "flick" to get the splatter. The one I use is from Liquitex. Don't forget to use a splatter box too to catch your mess! As you can see, mine is very well used!

That's all for me this week! So what's your favorite from the release? Check out the Papertrey Ink blog for more fun peeks from the rest of the DT! 

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ

Papertrey Ink September Release Countdown Day 3: Go-to Gift Card Holder: Mitten, Mitten Accessories, Grand Christmas Sentiments, & Feathered Friends Mini 16

Hi everyone! It's Day 3 of the Papertrey Ink October release and today I have a couple cards to share! This first card uses the Grand Sentiments set in chalkboard mode. I've always love the chalkboard look! And the oversized stamps from the Grand Sentiments set really look amazing embossed! 

Stamps: Grand Christmas Sentiments

Dies: Love to Layer: Notched, Go-To Gift Card: Mittens, Into the Bloom: Poinsettia

Paper: True Black, Candy Cane Prints

To go with the Grand Sentiments, I also went big with the other elements. The poinsettias are from Into the Blooms: Poinsettia and the holly and candy canes are from the new Go-to Gift Card Holder: Mitten set. Don't let the name of the Go-to Gift Card Holder: Mitten set fool you! That set has a bunch of dies in addition to the mittens that will go with all kinds of other sets. 

My second card also uses the Grand Sentiments and pairs it with the new Feathered Friends Mini 16 birdie. This time I die cut the sentiment which is a look that I love. I wanted to highlight my little bluebird friend, so I thought a circle shaker behind him would make him look like he's in a snowstorm. 

Stamps: Grand Christmas Sentiments, Feathered Friends 16 Mini, Winter Swirls

Dies: Border Bling: Dotted Skinny Frame, Feathered Friends 16 Mini, Border Bling: Snow Flake Die, Grand Christmas Sentiments 

Paper: Rustic White, White

I filled the shaker with sequins, hex glitter, and even added snowflake die cuts from the Border Bling: Snow Flake die from last month. I also added a few of those die cut snowflakes around my card. I used iridescent bubbles to add even more colorful shine. 

I hope you are enjoy the release so far! Check out the Papertrey Ink blog for more fun peeks from the rest of the DT! 

Mahalo and aloha!

JJ