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

Hopeful Hedgehogs with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  I've got a fun new Avery Elle project for you today using the stamp set, Look Up.   I love the positive messages in this set!  For my card, I used the Look Up stamps with some stamps from Bright Days and More Stories to create this little scene.

I used Copics to color in the little hedgehog who is looking up to the sky.  To get that mottled look, I used different shades of tan, brown, and warm gray blended together.  I love the texture it gives to the little hedgie!

Thanks so much for stopping in!  Until next time!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Interactive Santa with Avery Elle

Hi everyone!  I've got a fun new Avery Elle project for you today using the new stamp and die set, Joy to the World!  I'm still in Christmas mode and this time, I did an interactive card.  

I used the same technique that I used here and the Joy to the World dies made it so easy!  This technique is a twist on the spinner card and allows Santa to fly around the world:)  

I die cut Santa and his reindeer and applied them to a ring.  The ring floats over the card using foam dots and flat buttons.  The buttons are wider than the ring so it doesn't fall off the card.  Here's a closeup of Santa as he approaches the Southern Hemisphere;)  

For the starry background I blended ink and misted it with some white spray (I'm sure you can imagine what my fingers look like:).  Fun stuff!

Thanks so much for stopping in!  Until next time!  

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj

Essentials by Ellen Holiday Release 2014 Blog Hop

Welcome to the Essentials by Ellen Blog Hop! We’re so excited to unveil a brand new line of high quality Clear Stamp Sets and Designer Dies, designed by Julie Ebersole exclusively for Ellen Hutson LLC.  This collection reflects an eclectic mix of images, sentiments and art styles that are sure to appeal to a wide range of tastes!  Just in time for holiday crafting, the entire release is available now at Ellen Hutson LLC.

How about a look at some of the new goodies in action?  My first card was done with the set, Autumn Acorns.  This set has the loveliest images of all things fall.  I love that Julie created open images for coloring and solid images for use alone or to fill in the open images.  For my card, I used one solid image and one open image to create this card...

To get this look, I stamped my leaves onto a vellum panel with gold embossing powder.  The panel is glued to the card front under the solid leaves and under the sentiment strip.  Then I colored in the open leaves with some Copics.  I stamped the sentiment using a mix of gold ink and deep red.  So fall-ish!

This next card uses the Twelve Days set!  Can I just say that I love Julie's style of illustrating?  It's fun and whimsical just like her;)  The images from Twelve Days are perfect for creating a chalkboard card.  Over the stamped background, I wrapped a vellum strip and added a die cut sentiment in holiday red!  The word dies are from the new dies set, Merry and Bright.

Now for something a little different:)  This release is chock full of beautiful and innovative products, and hopefully this card shows both sides.  Julie has created a new die (the Zipper Die) that cuts a perforated flap that can be opened to reveal a hidden gift card.  It's beyond awesome!  When I looked at the die, I thought how cool it would be to create a hidden shaker!  For the front of the card, I used a bunch of Distress Inks to create a winter sky.  Over the background I heat embossed the sentiment from the Brushstroke stamp set.  Now, let's talk hidden shaker...

Behind the Zipper Die flap on the card front, I created a winter scene using the Home and Hearth dies  and the sentiment from the coordinating Home and Hearth stamp set.  I went a little crazy with the glitter and sequins inside the shaker, but I can't seem to help myself, lol!  

Last but not least, I made a card using the Tis the Season stamp set.  This set is so Julie, and I love it!  Really fun images and the cheeky sentiments to match.  Speaking of cheeky, I used a combination of stamps from Tis the Season and Merry & Bright to create a bevy of ugly Christmas sweaters:)  After embellishing my sweaters (which was so much fun by the way), I fussy cut them and added them to a white panel.  

Here's a little close up look at the sweaters and that perfect sentiment.  Isn't this a fun set? 

I'm happy to say that I have one of these Tis the Season sets to give away!  Just leave a comment on my blog by October 8th, and the lucky winner will be announced on October 9th!    

On top of the giveaway on my blog, there is a GIANT prize package being given away from all the stops of the hop!  The fun begins at the CLASSroom!  Be sure to leave a comment there by October 8th.  Winners will be announced October 9th! 

The next stop on the hop is the fabulous Heather Campbell!  Here's a full list of hoppers so you don't get lost;)  

• The CLASSroom  

• Teri Anderson  

• Laurel Beard  

• JJ Bolton - You're here:)

• Heather Campbell  

• Kittie Caracciolo  

• Darlene DeVries  

• Julie Ebersole  

• Sharon Harnist  

• Amber Kemp-Gerstel 

• Cristina Kowalczyk  

• Karolyn Loncon  

• Nichol Magouirk  

• Jean Manis  

• Jennifer McGuire  

• Chari Moss  

• Paulina Nakamura  

• Jocelyn Olson 

• Catherine Pooler  

• Miriam Prantner 

• Julia Stainton  

Thanks so much to Ellen and Julie for asking me to participate in this blog hop:)  And thanks to you too for stopping in!  Enjoy and happy World Card-making Day! 

Mahalo and aloha,

jj

Avery Elle & Add A Little Dazzle Blog Hop

It's Add A Little Dazzle and Avery Elle week!  This week the Avery Elle design team is playing with some amazing metal sheets from Add A Little Dazzle.  These sheets work great with our Elle-ments dies!  After visiting here, be sure to check out the Add A Little Dazzle blog for even more inspiration!  Be sure to comment on our company and designer blogs throughout to week to be entered to win one of two prizes - a $30 Avery Elle Gift Certificate or a prize from Add A Little Dazzle!  Winners will be announced on Monday, October 6th.

Here's how I added a little metallic dazzle to my card...

I loved all the shiny colors, but I was really drawn to the the gorgeous teal!  As much as I love traditional Christmas colors, I love a fresh blue/pink/red combo for Christmas cards.  So I used the Noel dies and matching stamps to create this easy-to-make card.  The dies do cut the metal sheets, but I really liked the embossed look and left them as is.  For reference, the metal sheets feel like a thick, stiffer tin foil sheet.  Look at the shine on this stuff!

I placed my embossed panel behind a window that I cut with my We R Family dies, and then I stamped a subtle background with the coordinating snowflake stamps.  Fun, right?

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Mahalo and Aloha,

jj