Polished to Perfection

JustRite 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hops - Week 2

Welcome to JustRite Stampers’ newest Wednesday feature, 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hops #2!  Every Wednesday up until Thanksgiving some of your favorite designers will be joining some of the JustRite design team for a series of Christmas blog hops, showcasing JustRite’s entire Christmas Collection of stamps!  This week, it’s the Stamper’s Dream design team!  So mark your calendars for Wednesdays at 9 am Central for great Christmas gift, card & project ideas, starting at the JustRite Inspiration blog

For my project today - I wanted to design a card with a shabby chic feel that would be fast and easy to replicate.  For my card base I used one of my new cuttlebug folders designed to coordinate with the Circuit Heritage Cartridge and embossed it on DCWV Robin #1 cardstock. Next I used an emory block and sanded the embossed area to give it a shabby chic feel.

Then I stamped the darling tiny snowflake from the Holiday Cheer set with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.  I punched the image and using the same sponge dauber from last weeks blog hop project I apply tumbled glass ink to the edges of my punched out image.  By applying a second color to my dauber my colors on the dauber mixed and gave me this subtle shabby chic look. 

If you follow my blog -you know I love snowflakes and glitter!!  And some of my favorite glittered snowflakes are from Darice.  For today's card I used  2 inch glittered snowflakes.  They come 12 in a pack for $1.99 and make great embellishments. Couldn't resist adding just a little more bling -so I added star shaped rhinestones.

They are 18 more great designers sharing projects today!! You will love them all!!   The links are now all direct links to each designers hop project--ENJOY!!

JustRite Inspiration Blog
Michelle Rodgers
Amy Sheffer
Heidi Blankenship
Christina Fischer
Kazan Clark
Tosha Leyendekker
Laurie Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman
Cindy Lawrence
Kellie Fortin
Denise Marzec
Stephanie Kraft
Karen Giron
Kathy Jones
Leslie Miller
Carolyn King
Angela Barkhouse
Michele Kovack

Have you started your Christmas Cards yet??

 

JustRite Christmas Day 12 - Christmas Cards- Blog Candy Alert

 

Now of course I couldn't finish the 12 Days of a JustRite Christmas without a Christmas Card.  This card was designed to coordinate with the Christmas Candle from Day 10 (you can find the complete instuctions for the candle on that post)

 

 The DP is from Daisy D's Christmas Paper Pack - just love it's victorian feel.  To design the center band of the card I dry embossed WorldWin Papers Crimson Red Cardstock using the new Cuttlebug SnowDots Embossing Folder.  Next I also dry embossed a strip of WorldWin Pearlescent Gold Swirl -this paper looks like a swirled metal and is dynamite when dry embossed. I decide to cut narrow strips of the design highlighting only the places that the circle designs interlock. It looks like I have a new embossing folder in my stash.  For the center image of the card I used one of the designer centers and one of the designer borders from JB 08150 Christmas Stamp Ensemble. I inked the stamp with brillance gold ink, but once I stamped the image the contrast of the gold on the white wasn't quite strong enough. So the second time I inked the card with gold and then added a little Versamagic Red to the top of the gold before I stamped the image.  I loved the effect.  For the designer border I used Versamgic Red Magic to stamp the image and then tapped the white cardstock with Versamgic Pumpkin Spice.

BLOG CANDY ALERT

For the past week one of my favorite bloggers and dear friend Sharon Johnson (she inspires me everyday!!) has been celebrating her one year blog anniversary.The celebration has been an endless parade of Blog Candy.  So of course I wanted to join in the fun!! And tonight I have so many things to celebrate.

1.The Crowning of the First JustRite Stampin Champion- if you haven't seen all the fabulous projects that the contestants have been creating you need to go visit the JustRite Blog. They are hosting a huge Blog Candy giveaway as well. (Huge Basket full of over $250.00 worth of JustRite Products)

2.The completion of my 12 Days of JustRite Christmas Projects!

3. My one year blog anniversary - (which was in July just before CHA -oops guess I missed that one). 

4. But most of all - I am celebrating all the fabulous friends I have made while doing what I love...Creating!! The talent that is just a keystroke away from your finger tips is remarkable and the friendships I have made this year are priceless!!  So thanks from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share my passion for the art of papercrafting!! 

 MY BLOG CANDY- Blog Candy #16

Since I have been teasing everyone with 12 Days of JustRite Christmas Projects and all the great things you could do with these great stamps and I have been one of a very select handful of people in the country to have a protype I thought it was only fitting to give not one but two blog candy giveaways this weekend. 

Winner #1 will receive JB 01850 the JustRite Christmas Stamp Ensemble with a Harmony Classic III wooden Stamper. 

 

Winner #2 will win a Baking Stamp Ensemble with a Harmony Classic II wooden stamper. 

The rules are simple:  Tell me what is your favorite project from my blog and tell me why it is your favorite. You must leave a comment on this post and there is a limit of one comment per person. Both Blog Candy winners will be picked on Tuesday afternoon Sept 17th by a the random number generator.

Even though some of the blog candy's from Sharon's celebration are closed I have left the links so that you can visit this group of extraordinary women and fall in love with their work as I have!! 

GIRLS YOU ROCK!!

JustRite Blog Candy is alive and active- click here. (Huge Basket of JustRite Product)

Blog Candy #15 is alive and active - click here. (mini scor-it board)

Blog Candy #14 is alive and active — click here.  ( Kitchen Sink Stamps New Release)

Blog Candy #13 is alive and active — click here.  (CB Folders, Die, Chalk and Brads)

Blog Candy #12 is alive and active — click here. (Flourishes Stamp Set plus paper and ribbon)

Blog Candy #11 is alive and active — click here. (Papertrey Stamp Set)

Blog Candy #10 is alive and active — chick here. (JustRite Curlz Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #9 is alive and active — click here.  (Papertrey packaging and alterables)

Blog Candy #8 is CLOSED, winner is Bev G.  — click here.  (Crafty Secrets stamp set and Journal Notes)

Blog Candy #7 is CLOSED, and the winner is Denise — click here to read more about it.  (DCWV, Hero Arts, Fiskars, See D’s, IO, Dew Drops and more!)

Blog Candy #6 is CLOSED, winner is Karen M — click here and scroll to the bottom of the post.  (Stamp Simply Coffee w/ Friends Set)

Blog Candy #5 is CLOSED, winner is Maria G — click here.  (MFT new release Set)

Blog Candy #4 is CLOSED, winner is Tamara W — click here and scroll to the bottom of the post.  (JustRite Damask Monogram Stamper)

Blog Candy #3 is alive and active — click here.  (SU Punch and Unity Kit)

Blog Candy #2  is CLOSED, the winner is Darlene L.  — click here and scroll to the bottom of the post.  (Stamp Simply Thank You Set)

Blog Candy #1 is CLOSED, the winner is Bessey! — click here and scroll to the bottom of the post. (Kitchen Sink Stamp Set)

YOU  MAY SIGN UP FOR EVERY BLOG CANDY, but please only sign up once at each Blog Candy post — thanks!

A special thanks to Sharon for allowing me to be part of this very special celebration!!! Happy Anniversay!  Thanks for a year of beautiful designs and heartfelt posts!!  Every Friday Sharon Host a Stamp Simple Challenge that everyone can play!!  I hope you enjoy your journey through Sharon's Blog Candy Parade!!

JustRite Christmas Day 10 - Christmas Party Hostess Gift

 

I don't know about your Christmas Gift Budget, but mine is definitely shrinking.  So today I thought I would share with you this quick and easy project which turns a simple plain candle into a work of Art.

I found this candle with the berries and the great acetate box at the Christmas Tree Shop for $2.99. Here is what I started with:

First I decorated the candle by using my Harmony Classic Circle I stamper with a fancy designer border which comes in your Monogram Stamper Kit or can be purchased in the 10 Designer Centers and Borders.  I used the Trompe Font to write the word Noel in the center of the stamper.  I stamped the image using Versamagic Red Magic on white cardstock.  After stamping the image, I tapped the entire image with Versamagic Pumpkin Spice to give the paper a vintage look.

Next I used my scallop nestabilities to diecut the image.  Then I diecut the interior designer center with a smaller scalloped circle nestabilites. I used the Red Magic Ink to scuff the scalloped edges of the stamped images.(this will give your tag embellishment more depth).  Cut a larger scallop mat from Crimson Red Cardstock from WorldWin Papers (This is a beautiful christmas red cardstock). For additional depth I dry embossed the scallop using my Nestabilite die. Now using foam squares I layered my embellishment. I used two foam squares on top of each other for the noel image to add more dimension.

To decorate the body of the candle I used Christmas Paper from a Christmas Daisy D Paper Pack.  Next I cut a  Crimson Red strip of cardstock and dry embossed it with the new Snow Dots                     cuttlebug embossing folder. For a beautiful formal feel I cut a slightly narrower strip of Gold Pearlescent Swirl from WorldWin Papers ( this paper has a gold metallic surface with swirls and looks dynamite Dry embossed) and dry embossed this strip with the same embossing folder. Then I placed the candle back in it's original box and decorated the box with ribbon from May Arts. I used my Christmas Stamp Ensemble Designer Center  and a Designer Border from the Harmony Circle Stamp Ensemble III. I used a chipboard scallop for the bottom layer and covered it with a print form Daisy D's Christmas Pack.  I stamped the image and diecut the designer center with a Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle and a Larger Scallop Circle Nestabilitie. ( Note that you can diecut this image using both dies at the same time.  Use removeable tape to secure the postion of the dies before running them through your diecut machine). For a little blingI added my favorite rhinestones from Kaiser Crafts.

 

Here is the finished Project:

  

This candle now looks like I made a purchase in a very expensive gift shop- when all it actually took was a little love and my JustRite Stamps to transform a rather bland candle into this beautiful gift.

Stop back and visit later this week - I have 2 more Christmas Projects to share with you.  Plus on Saturday I have a great blog candy giveaway!!

TLC160 Happy Easter

Happy Easter!!!  This week I thought I would try the TLC160 Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers as part of my design element.  For complete instructions on how to create this great negative effect using your cuttlebug A2 embossing folder visit the Splitcoast forum here. I decided to play off the small white polka dots in the stripe of my Merry Merry Argyle from One Heart One Mind by using the TLC160 negative effect with my new Swiss Dot A2 Embossing Folder from Cuttlebug. I created this effect by inking a brayer with Versamagic Orchid and applying the ink to the negative side of my cuttlebug embossing folder. Then I placed a piece of white cardstock into the folder and dry embosssed it. Using this technique the embossed areas remain white and the the none embossed areas pick up your favorite color of ink. Here is a closeup of the card:

This Great Easter Egg Tree is from Serendipity Stamps.  I stamped my image with Adriondack Pitch Black and then I used the following Copic Color Combinations to color my design:

Yellows: YO2,Y15, Y38   Yellow Oranges:YR65  Red Violets: RV00, RV02, RV06, RV29, RV34 Greens: G17, G21,  Yellow Greens: YG03, YG45  Earthtones: E33, E97  Blue Violets BV00, BV01 Violet: V04, V09

Next I used my Spica Microglass flake pens to add a little bling to the eggs on my tree.  I used My Spellbinders Circle Nestabilies to diecut my design and a second dark pink cardstock mat which I placed as a mat for my design. I decide to shift the dark pink mat off center on my card to color balance the Cute - Easter Chick paper from Karen Foster Designs.  The floral ribbon is from American Crafts. To pull my design together I used small scraps of my striped paper to accent my swiss dot print.   I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!! Thanks for visiting!!

Penguin and Snowflake Peppermint Patties

Here is the first item I decided to put in my Chill Out Paint Can.  I used my Spellbinders -Scalloped Circle Nestabilities to cut out 2 circles which would cover my peppermint patties. Then I placed each circle (both layers are embossed) inside my cuttlebug  A2 snowflake embossing folder to dry emboss them with these beautiful snowflakes.(You can fit several circles in the A2 folder at a time). Yes, it took a little while to die cut and emboss all these -- but definitely less time then making homemade chocolates.  And they were just so darned cute, that I couldn't stop making them. I made some red and white, some white and red and some black and white.  Then I stamped my penguin image from Serendipity Stamps 2 more times and using my Scalloped Circle Nestabilities I isolated each of the three penguins in my scalloped circle die and die cut them. Next I colored them with my Copic Markers.  I also dry embossed the circles which had the penguins on them and colored in the embossed edge with copic markers to add more depth to the peppermint penguins!!  Aren't they SWEET!!  As you may have guessed my CHILL OUT PAINT CAN would have lots of chocolate and definitely a Diet Coke to wash down the chocolate.

Stampin' Up - Embrace Life -My Asian Version

I have always loved the beautiful colors and prints of Washi Paper.  When I saw this stamp from the SU Embrace Life Set, I couldn't wait to get home and use it with the little stash of Asian Paper I have been hoarding for months just waiting for the right stamp. I started with a SU Basic Black A2 sized card. The Asian Sticker is the from Magenta and is the symbol for Serenity which I thought was the perfect sentiment for this card.  Washi Paper is expensive but as you can see a little goes a long ways. The white paper is shimmery white from SU which I colored with the following Copic Markers R22, R27, R29 and R59. I always work from light to dark. I matted the Washi Papers with Copper Ore Petallic Cover from Worldwin Papers.  I used a red shimmer Krylon Pen to edge the card and the edges of the white shimmer paper.  Today I hope to get the chance to play with the other stamps from this set with my Asian Papers at Tracey's Open House (click here to see the projects that she is doing for her open house). Have a great weekend!!

Stampin' Up - Embace Life Cards

My sister Tracey (aka LakeshoreStamper) is hosting an SU Open House on Saturday, so yesterday I spent the afternoon with her designing cards for the Open House.  This image is from the Embrace Life SU Stamp Set.  To create this card I used my A2 Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to Dry Emboss the entire card and all the mat layers and I also decided to match the print chich gave my card a striking effect.  This is really easy to do..easier than matching Wallpaper.  I took some photos so you could see the card in process:

I started by dry embossing the entire card front in my cuttlebug.  You can do this by placing the front on the card in the A2 Folder - make sure it is in the folder even, now leave the back of the card extended beyond the A2 Folder and place it flat on your B Plate.  To match the print determine the size of your next mat (this one is SU Pixie Pink).  Place it on your card and determine where it will fall on the swirl design, then place it into your folder matching the design and the direction of the embossing imprint.

Continue this for each layer of matting. This layer is SU's Tempting Turquoise.

Next I added a basis black layer - which I again embossed matching the print. I staped the beautiful blossom on shimmery white and used SU Markers - Pixie Pink, Pink Passion and Rose Red to color in my blossom.  I colored the petals closest to me with the Pixie Pink first and then colored the petals that were further back with Pink Passion.  Next I shaded the Pixie Pink Petals with the Pink Passion and I shaded the Pink Passion Petals with the Rose Red.

Next I used the SU Large Oval Punch to diecut a Pink Passion oval and the SU Small Oval Punch to diecut a small shimmery white oval which I then stamped using the 3 for you Punch Set.  Next I added an oval embellishment fro the SU Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter set.  Now I loved the card ...but I always like to do one more step so I added tempting teal ribbon next.

I love the simplicity of this card.  Now Yesterday I asked everyone which card they like better - the black & white or the red and white, since it was a Valentine's Day Card everyone had great difficulty choosing since it was a Valentine's Day Card.  So I was having difficulty photographing the dry embossing with the basic black cardstock - so I decided to make it in white as well.  So again the question is - Black or White??  Which design do you prefer??

Thanks again for stopping by!!  Stop back tomorrow to see a truly Asian Twist on this blossom.

Happy Valentine's Day - the Red & White Version

Here is one more design for this stamp in a more traditional Red, White and Black version. For this version I increased my card size from 5 1/2" square to a 6" square so that I could add one more layering of matting.  I thought it would be interesting for you to see the two versions of this card and how strikingly different the cards look from just making a few changes.  Here is a photo of both cards together:

For the red version I used my scalloped circle nestabilities to double cut my red mat.  To do this cut the largest circle and then place a smaller circle inside the original die cut ( you may use removeable tape to hold the die in place)  This creates a red scalloped circle frame which I placed over the large black scalloped circle. To simplify the card I colored the heart in this version with my R29 Copic Marker.

For the directions for the Black and White Card visit yesterday's post.  I can't decide which version I like best.  I would love to know which version you like better - just leave a comment on this post!!

Black & White Happy Valentine's Day

As I was designing Valentine's Day Projects this month, I realized that I didn't own a single stamp that simple said Happy Valentine's Day. So yesterday I found this beautiful stamp from Inkadinkadoo 97467-O and you all know how I love swirls and flourishes....so it kept calling my name from the store shelve. I decided that I wanted to make a simple black and white card.  I used a pre-embossed floral card from Die Cuts with a View which I cut the front embossed image off the card and lightly scuffed it with a graphite black brillance ink pad to highlight the dry embossing.  Then I went back and scuffed the edges of the card a second time with a little heavier hand to create a slightly darker edge for the embossed mat.  By darken the edges I added more dimension to the card. I then placed it on a new black 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card.

Next I stamped the Happy Valentine's Day image on Luster White Paper and using an exacto knife I cut out the stamped heart image and backed it with red.  I used my scalloped circle nestibilities to cut out the stamped image and then cut a larger scalloped circle from black and dry embossed it with the Cuttlebug A2 Textile Embossing Folder.   This was so simple yet so elegant...a perfect card for your Mom, Sister or Husband.

Happy 10th Birthday Jack

Today is my Son Jack's Birthday...we are a Bi-Coastal family and Jack lives with his mom during the school year which is why I stamped I miss you on my ribbon....and if you have been reading my blogs - you will remember that I have never actually sent a card- so this is a first!! ( I use my cards for class samples) Jack will be very surprised!! Probably not as surprised as my husband was when I told him I had made this card for Jack. 

I love this elephant from the Happy Heart Day set from Stampin' Up!! I am having so much fun designing cards using him.  For this version I stamped him on a tiny star print from Pebbles Inc and then cut him out.  I painted his toenails green with my Melon Spica Micro Glass Flake Pen . Next I designed my background mat on this fun paper from Best Creations - it reminded me of blowing bubbles. I used my rectangle scalloped nestibilities to die cut my design and scuffed the edges with Graphite Black Brilliance Ink.  Since I am on this mission to really use my stamps - you will notice that I used stamps from 3 Companies to create this card.  The happy birthday is from Lockhart Stamps and the heart flowers, XOXO. Love You and Miss You are all from My sentiments exactly...I loved the fact that the verse in this set was perfect for stamping on ribbon- I used brillance ink to stamp on my ribbon.  The ribbon is from American Crafts.  I chose this Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder - to accentuate the circles in the DP.  The epoxy stars are also from Best Creations.  I colored the heart flowers using my Copic Markers.

Here is a view of the interior of the card...which holds Jack's Gift Card in it!!