It's a "Banner" year-end!

 We've come to the end of our official creating time at Jingle Belles for this year!  We have been asked to create a card based on the blog banner!

What I used for inspiration is the green and white stripe with the white doily type embellishment nearby.  I also saw the speckled background and the faint script along with the trees!  The red sparkle letters were a giveaway, but had to be included!

I used a piece of blue cardstock, sprayed some watered down white acrylic paint on top and let it dry.  Then selectively stamped the words from a Unity Stamp (a faithful letter), cut some trees (tim holtz woodlands die), added some lacy white ribbon under some green and white dashed ribbon.  added some red sparkle letters (making memories shimmer alpha), "Xmas red" stickles and a gemmed red flower from Michaels!

While it's not my favorite because of the amount of time and little pieces I had to get just right, it's really pretty and festive looking!!

Thanks again Jingle Belles (Stephanie & Lauren) for another great year of projects to keep me on track to have enough cards to save my December from chaos!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!!

See you all next year! :)

GIU Blog Hop!

 Welcome to my blog!  Super excited to be participating in the GIU Blog Hop! 

Unity Stamps can be used in any way shape or form!  

I was asked to create a "thank you" tag to accompany a business gift.  I used ...hope is a beautiful thing.  I have turned this large floral stamp upside down and only used part of it.  The butterfly, while gorgeous, didn't fit the request so I camouflaged it as an additional flower.  Using a "freebie" tag that was included in an order, I measured, printed and cut tags from white cardstock.  Stamped, colored and then used star dust stickles to add that little something extra!  Twine from May arts twine in natural and bella creationz twine in autumn splendor tied in a bow finish them off!

I am currently anticipating the arrival of my order from the sale and loving all the new releases that came out this month!  Unity Stamps are the best for creating beautiful things! :) Edited -- just placed my 2nd order today! :)

I'm the last one on the hop, but if you'd like to start at the beginning, here is the order! :)

Misti 

Denise

Laura

Karen

Jenni (you are here!)

Thanks for looking and be sure to comment on each blog for a chance to win an amazing prize!  

Midnight CLEAR!

 It's getting down to the end at Jingle Belles.  These last few challenges should be the push to the mailing out of all these beautiful cards made all year long!  The current challenge is to use something clear!  To be honest, I had to scratch my head for a minute to figure out what to do!

This snowflake covered clear acetate sheet came in a paper pack purchased a few years ago.....it's just been hanging out since!

It measured 8" x 8" so I cut it into four squares and will make the three additional cards to match!  I used two scraps of coordinating blue and tore one to create the edge.  The Tim Holtz Woodlands thinlits dies I just purchased a few weeks ago!  Used silver sticker paper to create these beautiful trees!  Stamped Merry Christmas in nocturne versafine clair and covered with Wow! ultra shimmer embossing powder!  

Thanks to Jingle Belles to give me a challenge!!!

Holiday Creature Feature!

 I can still use a Halloween analogy.....it was only 2 days ago! LOL The current challenge at Jingle Belles is to feature an animal.  Well here it is again, the reindeer stamp (cheerful prancing) from Unity Stamp Co.!  I didn't realize how much I use this until I've gone back to look at previous cards!  LOL

I started with the blue shaded ones.....

(also used a little Christmas carol and Tim Holtz Woodlands thinlits dies)

then couldn't decide if I liked them, so moved on to the red/black/kraft/plaid ones.....

made a total of 6 cards all together and whether or not I liked them not withstanding.....I have 6 more cards to add to the stash!  I'm at 80 cards!  

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm so glad I found this blog/challenge group!  It definitely saves my December to know that I can start addressing and mailing cards right away and I have so many different choices!!  I don't have to rush and scramble to get cards made!  Thank you Jingle Belles and I'm not done yet!

Another Pink Christmas Card!!

 Got some time this morning to make another Pink Christmas card for Jingle Belles!  This current challenge runs through Wednesday and is all about the Pink Christmas cards to support Breast Cancer Awareness month!  For each pink card linked, the Jingle Belles will be donating $2 to research!

This card I used the Unity Stamp Co. KOM (September 2015 Our Hearts to Yours),  Blessed Baby and A Faithful Letter....also by Unity Stamp Co.  I also added some cotton candy and star dust stickles along with party pink nuvo crystal drops.  I followed a sketch found at MyFavoriteThings.

Right after I took the top picture....everything fell over which is why in the second picture there are some spots missing stickles!  Se la vie!

Whooo Hoo!!! Congrats! GIU Winners!

 Good morning!!  First I wanted to say thank you so much to everyone!!  So many amazing comments and words of love!  It was pretty amazing!

Second......I'm here to announce the winners from my GIU week!  Barbara Gooden and Cindy Holmes!  Please send me a message or email with your address so we can get your Unity goodies out to you!

Congrats!!

Growing in Unity - Final Day #5!

I've made it to the end of my Growing in Unity time!  I have had a great time, exploring new unused stamp sets that I've been waiting to use!  Thank you to Unity for letting me showcase this amazing company!!

Today I've picked So Mushroom for my cards!  I'm going to give a nod to Sandhya for her amazing examples that I have taken the inspiration from for these cards!  I also used Small Details. 

 I see both of these sets getting a LOT of use in the future!!

For all I used Small Details as a background.  Acrylic dots by Gina Marie Designs.  Colored twine is from Bella Creationz Twine.  Dragonfly background was stamped with Gina K. kraft on kraft paper.....the other two, I used versa fine clair in nocturne on white.

Such a simple and cute set!  So many possibilities!!

Again I'd like to remind everyone to comment for a chance to be one of two winners of some Unity Stamp goodies!  Winners names will be posted here on my blog and also on the Unity Stamp Company Growing in Unity Facebook page!

Thanks everyone for commenting so far and making this girl feel the love! 

Until next time! 

Jenni xoxo

Growing in Unity - Day 4!

 Day 4 here goes!!  After receiving my order yesterday (and yes I received another [my October Whit Kit] today) I had lots of choices of non-inked up stamps!!  I chose Lawd have mercy!  This set is one of those sets that if I hadn't seen it used, both in live events and posted by other amazingly talented ladies, would have never thought to purchase!  That is an absolute fact!  She's really not my "style" or so I thought!  I absolutely loved using her!  I can see her going on birthday cards and other somewhat snarky cards to friends!

I started with some watercolor paper that I spritzed with water.  I took some distress ink (walnut stain, tea dye and frayed burlap) and stamped an acrylic block.  Then I smooshed (yes the technical term is smoosh) the wet watercolor paper onto the block and soaked up all that distress ink goodness!  Stamped my girl and sentiment, distressed the edge with a distressing tool and some more frayed burlap ink.  My Whit Kit arrived just in time for the burlap cardstock background!  Flowers, a button and some Nuvo crystal drops in ebony black finished it off!  The polka dot paper is from the Apple Pickin paper set from the September Whit Kit.  Love her!!!

Step out of your comfort zone once in a while!  You will surprise yourself over and over again!

p.s.  one other teensy bit of advice......let everything dry before you try to move it or do anything with it!  I've had to redo my nuvo drops three times! :\ hoping that it adds to the vintage "shabby" vibe! LOL

Growing in Unity - Day 3!!

Welcome back!!  Days one and two are here if you missed them! 

I have quite a few stamps that haven't been inked up yet, so while I'm the GIU Gal....I am going to try to pull out as many new un-inked stamps that I can!!  While this set isn't "new" it's new to me!  It's the September 2015 KOM - Our Hearts to Yours.

You may be asking yourself.....Christmas cards in October?!?  And why are they pink?!?!

I started following Jingle Belles a few years ago to "take back December!"  Have you ever stayed up till 1am multiple nights working on Christmas cards to get them finished so they get in the mail with time to be received?!?  I have!  I found Jingle Belles and work on Christmas cards throughout the year.  October is typically Breast Cancer Awareness Month...all things pink including Jingle Belles!  For each card made and posted, the two ladies who started all this will donate $2 to Breast Cancer research.  So this is where my card comes in!

I stamped the background on pink cardstock using the postmark/25 stamp, distressed all over with picked raspberry distress ink.  Colored the tree with pink ornaments (of course)!  The stars were colored yellow and I added some stardust stickles...then distressed that panel as well!  Popped it up, added some twine in pink and natural and finally added some silver star sequins (July 2020 Whit Kit).  

Here is a pink card I made a couple years ago....using Unity's Holiday Joy Christmas Tree itty bitty.  This is one of my favorite go-to Christmas card stamps!  

That's it for Day 3! Be sure to leave a comment on this post or any of my other GIU posts for a chance to win one of two prizes of Unity Stamp goodness!

Two winners will be randomly selected from the list of commenters!  Winners names will be posted here on my blog and also on the Unity Stamp Company Growing in Unity Facebook page!

Thanks for checking these out!  See ya'll again tomorrow!!

Growing in Unity - Day 2

 Here we are on day 2 of my time as the Unity Stamp Co. GIU Girl!  Another beautiful stamp set that hasn't yet seen any ink is ...aging gorgeously (july 2020 sentiment kit).  Soooo many birthday goodies in this one!  I've chosen the large flower image this time.  Since it hadn't had the paper removed yet, I used it to mask my image to apply a little ink around!!

To create this one I started with a white A2 (4.25" x 5.5") base, added a sheet of watercolor succulents paper from the August 2020 Whit Kit.  A couple die cut accent pieces from scrap cardstock were also added.  The image was stamped onto watercolor paper, colored with several Tombow Art Markers then waterbrushed to smooth it all out.  What birthday card isn't complete without some glitter so I took some star dust stickles and water and brushed it on the flowers for that extra sparkle!  I also used some Nuvo jewel drops in rosewater and some may arts twine.

Simple but pretty!

I love the multiple uses for this set!  I've previously used the "CELEBRATING YOU" for my teenaged son's birthday card (along with numbers etc and a border from KOM 11/19)....very grown up looking and less kid like!

Day 2 is in the books!  Be sure to leave a comment on this post and any of the others from my time as GIU for a chance to win one of two prizes filled with Unity Stamp Co. goodies!

Two winners will be randomly chosen from the list of commenters!  Winners will be notified here on my blog and also on the Unity Stamp Company Growing in Unity Facebook page! 

Growing In Unity - Day 1!

 I'm so excited to be the Growing In Unity Girl for the next few days!  I have been using Unity Stamps for what seems like 100 years!  The red rubber stamps they produce are second to none!  As is their customer service!

For my first day I'm sharing a card I made using a couple techniques that I learned while watching the videos shared by Whitney and all the watercolor tip videos that have been created ever!!  I have learned so much from watching these amazing ladies create away!

First, I stamped A Faithful Letter on a piece of kraft cardstock with frayed burlap distress ink.  I stamped the vase of flowers from Difficult Roads off to the side of a panel of watercolor paper (strathmore watercolor).  Using Tombow Art Markers and a water brush, I colored and blended the flowers.  The water in the jar was created with stormy sky distress ink and the same water brush to smooth it out to look like water.  Next, I used a distressing tool on the edges of the watercolor panel and the blue cardstock panel.  I then used tea dye distress ink to age or antique the watercolor paper panel.  I added some blue twine (american crafts) and some postbox red nuvo vintage drops to finish it off! 

Join me tomorrow for another fun card!  I plan on using some stamps that *gasp* still have the paper on them and have never been used!  *psst.....both of the sets used on this card were brand new too! :)

Thanks for joining me on my first day of GIU!!  Don't forget to leave a comment on this post and the others to follow (should be 4 more) for a chance to win one of two amazing prize packages filled with Unity Stamp Co. Red Rubber goodness!!

Two lucky winners will be chosen from the list of commenters.  Winners will be notified here (so be sure to check back) as well as on the Unity Stamp Company Growing in Unity Facebook page!

Let it snow!!

 White and fluffy!  The challenge at Jingle Belles is all about the white stuff!  Let's see the snow!

For this lovely wintery scene I used a torn piece of cardstock and some distress ink (stormy sky) to blend in some snow drifts.  Unity Stamp Co. for the reindeer and snow (cheerful prancing) and the sentiment (warm & cozy).  I must like this set a lot.....I use it often!  LOL

Baby it's GOLD outside!

 With a little ambition I finished the current challenge way earlier than usual!  Jingle Belles want to see GOLD (or silver, copper, metallic) on your entry!

I only found 3 gold sequins, so the next three cards will be a little different!  LOL

Kraft cardstock base, used a Heidi Swapp stencil, distress embossing ink *gently* pressed into it, then gold embossing powder.  I then took some distress ink (peacock feathers) and a blending brush to create the background.  The "spray" background stamp, the reindeer and Merry Christmas are all from Unity Stamp Co., twine from MayArts.

Because I am a perfectionist I see flaws, so I will work to perfect it, but it is definitely a favorite! 

CASE a Belle

 The current challenge at Jingle Belles is the CASE (copy and selectively edit) a Belle!  Each challenge Lauren and Stephanie create amazing samples!  Pick one and do your best to make it yours!  

Mine was somewhat easy, in June I literally screen shot one of Stephanie's cards to re-create at some point!  Little did I know at the time that it would become a challenge!!

This one is mine!  I have had this "candy" ribbon forever!  I need to absolutely look for the trucks that Stephanie had used!!  Papers used are from MyMindsEye.  What drew me to this card is the use of the decorative ribbon!

And Stephanie's version that was copied! :). Thanks Stephanie for the great idea!

Pieces cut for 3 more cards!  4 at a time is really filling up my card stash!!

Cardstock only!

 Jingle Belles is looking for cardstock only this time!  No patterned paper!  I have 3 more to make for my set of 4, but here's the first one!

So I used, plain ole white cardstock for the base.  Blue square is BoBunny's back to basics, stamped snowflake (Unity Stamp Co. Winter *which doesn't appear to be available any longer*) in white and embossed, then inked over with Stormy Sky Distress Ink.  Dots are Nuvo Jewel Drops in Sea Breeze.  Letters are about 100+ years old!  LOL Making Memories Metro Mini Shimmer!  For any of my former CropChocolate peeps, yes these are that old!  LOLOL

All about "leftovers!"

 The current challenge at Jingle Belles is to use up all the leftovers!  I used a paper pack that must be a favorite....because all I have left is scraps!

My Mind's Eye - i believe

Sentiment from Unity Stamp Co. - Cheery Christmas

Made 4 total!!

Color-filled Christmas!

The current challenge at Jingle Belles is an inspiration photo.  What I took from the photo was the bright, non-Christmasy colors.  The bright pinks and aqua blue with the white background and the green trees!

This is what I came up with!

I used Unity Stamp Co. Joy & Blessings and also cheerful prancing on this set!

I think I like the first one but my daughter likes the second!  

The Stars & Stripes!

The challenge at Jingle Belles is all about the stars & stripes!  We just celebrated Independence Day so it was definitely appropriate!

I created two cards for this challenge......one took waaaaaaay longer than the other!  LOL

 The striped background paper (Americana Vibes), the "girl" (Merry Girl) and the sentiment (ornamental season) are all from Unity Stamp Co.    I used scraps for the accents.

This one was how I initially started for this challenge.  I used stripped washi tape, sentiment and ornament and star sequins are all from Unity Stamp Co.

Thanks for looking!

Summer Lovin'

Unity Stamp Co. has to be one of my (if not the only) favorite stamp company!!!  For many reasons!  Inspiration, technique tricks, encouragement....not to mention superb stamps and goodies!!

There is a {show & tell} facebook page which does a monthly challenge.  Sometimes I can get a card or two posted.....most months none get posted.....this month I was the first one! :)

Anyway, here it is!  The challenge is for "summer inspired."  Well these colors scream summer sunset on the beach to me!

I found the inspiration for this card on Pinterest, thanks to Jennifer Timko @ stampinonthefly.com for her beautiful card from 2017!

I used Tim Holtz distress inks in picked raspberry, ripe persimmon and mustard seed.  The mandala stamp is from Unity Stamp Co. KOM (2/2017).  The sentiment was created by using stickers to mask while I distressed!  Also used some Nuvo Jewel Drops in Limoncello.