Crafty Christmas Collaboration with Jessica Frost-Ballas!

Good morning!! Today, I have the honor of being the very first guest in my fantastically awesome friend Jessica Frost-Ballas's new monthly series:

We were discussing how nice it would be to work on a Christmas card stash all year round, so that when the holidays arrived, the mad dash to get cards mailed wouldn't be quite so maddening! Jess came up with the brilliant idea to have a monthly collaboration with different crafters. She and the chosen crafter (I'm the lucky collaborateur this month!) each create some elements to make a card... some die cuts, a watercolor panel, a sentiment, whatever each one wants... being sure to create two of everything, so that we can keep one set and send the other. This way, we each make our own versions of the cards! We weren't allowed to show each other what we made until after we had already made it. So fun, right?? Here are the pieces I sent to her:

For my elements, I chose one of my sadly neglected holiday stamp sets from Papertrey Ink. I seem to go in spurts with my holiday stamps, and so it was nice to have an excuse to pull out one of the sets I didn't get around to using recently. I die cut and stamped a bunch of snowflakes from the Fab Flakes set, then stamped them with inks in shades of icy blues and purples. My sentiment die cut is also from PTI: Christmas Cheer die set. Truth be told, this is one of my favorite holiday sentiment die sets. I also created a sequins mix to go along with my pretty, icy snowflakes, just in case the Queen of Sparkle wanted to create a shaker card. :)  

And here are the pieces she sent to me:

She knew I had been ogling those darling little owls from Winnie and Walter's Happy Owlidays, and she sent me just enough to whet my appetite and make me want/need to buy the set. (You should have called this collab Crafty Enabling Collaboration, Jess!) She also included some pretty glass glitter and a sequins mix. I can't wait to use that glass glitter... so pretty and sparkly! 

Here's my project using my own supplies. I blended a soft purple halo with Soft Amethyst ink from PTI using my Clarity Stencil Brushes onto an A2 panel of white card stock. I trimmed it down slightly because I knew I wanted to add a frame of royal blue foil around the edge to really add to the icy look I was going for. I then arranged my Fab Flakes in a cluster in the center, using Press 'n' Seal to pick them up in the meticulously arranged cluster, and adhering them back on my blended panel with dimensional adhesive. Next, I adhered my silver foil "Let It Snow" greeting with some Multi Medium Matte.

The last step was to tuck some of the pretty sequins from my new mix here and there around the edge of the snowflake cluster. 

I was so excited when I saw that Jess had sent me something to color... Especially when I saw that I got to color those cutie patootie owls. I got out my new-ish Prismacolor pencils to color that adorable little owl... wearing a scarf... not much cuter than an owl wearing a scarf. <3 For the background, I again used my Clarity Stencil Brushes to first create a halo on an A2 sized white panel, starting with a light blue ink, then a medium blue around the very edges (I'm sorry, I can't remember which blues I used!). I then used my stencil brushes to blend some navy blue ink over a snowflake stencil from Echo Park. To create my shaker, I die cut the scalloped frame using some silver foil and filled my shaker, adding my owl and branch over the top. The sentiment was trimmed down from the panel Jess sent, then flagged on the end and adhered to the side of the card. 

And that's it! I love Jess's idea to see how different (or similar!) our projects can be starting out with the same supplies! So creative. If you haven't already come from Jess's blog, be sure to click over there to see the truly gorgeous cards that she created using the same supplies! They're so lovely.

Jess wants to include as many crafty friends as possible, so she's included a linkup in her blog post so that you can link up your own projects! All you have to do is create a project inspired by the projects in the collaboration series... it can be a color scheme, layout, stamp set, whatever... and link it up to her blog. Be sure to use the blinkie included in the top of the post in your own blog post! At the end of the year, she will draw a name from one of the participants to receive a $100 gift certificate to the crafty store of his or her choice! What a wonderful surprise! (You can read more of the details over on Jess's blog.)

Jess is also doing monthly giveaways... how amazing is that! All you have to do to be entered to win this month's $25 gift certificate to Winnie and Walter is leave a comment on both of our Crafty Christmas Collaboration posts. 

Well, that's all for me today! Have a marvelous day, friends! 

More Corner Adorner!

Good morning! I'm back today with another project using Lil Inker's Corner Adorner stamp set! I am prepping to pack up my craft room for our move, and I had one of those ideas that I just had to do before I forgot it in the chaos of moving. This stamp set is so freaking gorgeous.... I couldn't resist. AND I finally used my poor, neglected Copics... hooray!

 

I started with a piece of heavy weight vellum from Papertrey Ink and heat embossed the beautiful floral arrangement from Corner Adorner with some silver sparkle embossing powder. I then used my copics (and this technique is basically the only reason I keep my copics around anymore haha!) to color the back of the best embossed vellum! I just adore this technique... it looks like stained glass! The back is almost pretty enough to leave it flipped over... 

 

 

The thing to remember with this technique is that you have to choose colors that have some depth to them, because the colors will become very muted when you flip the vellum over to the correct side. After I had colored all of the pretty blooms, I fussy cut them out. 

 

I wanted something subtle for the background, but still needed some color and interest. I used a piece of watercolor cardstock and my ph Martin watercolors to create a kind of sunset ombré wash. I then die cut it using a Winnie and Walter scalloped frame and stamped and die cut the greeting using another set from Lil Inker: Warm Welcome. 

 

 

Look at the detail of this awesome stamp. Swoon! 

Adhering vellum can be tricky. I usually try to hide it with some strategically placed die cuts or sequins, but the colors of the Copic coloring was sufficient to hide my little dots of Multi Medium Matte. I popped up the watercolored scalloped frame on my silvery A2 panel and adhered it to my card base!  I hope you will bear with me over the next month as we are moving. I get to have a real craft room, complete with closet and huge windows and everything, so I'm really excited, but dreading having to pack everything up and organize, etc etc. The end result will be so worth it, but I've decided that I need a magic wand to just magically make everything move itself! Haha! Have a fabulous day, friends! 

With Sympathy.

Hello, friends! I hope you all had a marvelous weekend. Ours was pretty productive, to say the least. I did some reorganizing and purging in preparation for our upcoming move... I also got some coloring in, since I am not anticipating having a lot of time for coloring, crafting, or blogging during the month of February! I wanted to play with some new stamps that I received a few weeks ago: Corner Adorner from Lil Inker Designs. This set is truly stunning, and as soon as I saw it peeked, I knew I (and my Zigs!) neeeeeded it. 

To start, I stamped the main floral stamp from Corner Adorner a few times on my A2 watercolor panel using Versafine and clear embossing powder. I then used a variety of jewel toned Zig markers and my wet paintbrush to color the image... let me tell you, was this ever cathartic and so, so much fun! I have a couple more fun ideas for this set, and I hope I get some time to show them to you in the next couple of weeks. One of the things I love about floral clusters like this is that you can totally change the mood depending on what colors you choose. Color is one of my favorite things about this hobby. 

After I'd finished coloring everything, I die cut the With Sympathy die three times from black card stock. I adhered them all together to create a dimensional die cut, then adhered them onto my card front. The final touch was to cover them with some Spectrum Noir shimmer pens and Glossy Accents.

It's just so pretty! I can't wait to play with this set even more!

 Thanks for stopping by. Hope you all have a marvelous week! 

The Ton Anniversary 2017 Blog Hop

Goooood morning and happy Friday! Today is The Ton's Anniversary Blog Hop... and we have a lineup up some exceptionally talented crafters to give you even more inspiration using The Ton's new release goodies. You should have arrived here from Janette's blog and your next stop is Laurel's blog. 

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 26 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

Now, for my projects today. My first project was inspired by my love of macarons. I've been slightly obsessed with these little French cookies since I had them at a party a few years ago. A friend of ours has a friend who lived in France and learned to make them, and they're absolutely scrumptious fresh. None of the stores in my little rural town sell these confections, so I have to make do with photos and, now, stamps of them. I'm so excited to have both the outlines and the layered versions to play with in the new Macarons set. 

Since I can't get my own box of fresh macarons, I decided to make my own (shaker) box of macarons! I started by stamping a macaron outline on a piece of masking paper. Using the fussy cut mask, I stamped two rows of macarons using waterproof ink onto some watercolor paper, then colored them using my Zig markers and a wet paintbrush. (One of my most favorite things about macarons: they can come in basically any color! The color coordinating party planner in me looooves that.) I stamped the greeting, also from Macarons, in Versafine ink, then clear heat embossed it to really make the sentiment pop on the colorful background. 

I die cut a stitched frame using the Stitched Rectangles dies and some pale mint card stock, then added some baker's twine on two corners to make it look like a bakery box. :)  I filled my shaker with the new Winter Thaw Couture mix. Does it look like a box of macarons to you?? 

My last card for today features the gorgeous poppy bouquet from Thoughtful Poppies and the pretty Poppy Garden background stamp. I started by stamping the lovely bouquet of poppies using Caviar ink onto some white colored pencil paper, then colored it using my Prismacolor colored pencils and a blender pencil. I fussy cut the entire bouquet out (which did not take as long as you would think!) then set it aside to work on my background. 

For the black background, I stamped the beautiful Poppy Garden background stamp onto some black cardstock using Versamark and clear embossing powder. I wanted something super subtle that wouldn't detract from my painstakingly-colored poppy bouquet, but I needed a little texture for the black backdrop. The clear embossing powder creates just enough interest. I trimmed the black panel down just a tad, so that the red card base could peek around the edges. I popped up the poppy bouquet with dimensional adhesive and then added a Congratulations word die cut in white. All done! 

A few reminders:

The Ton is launching it's own challenge blog! The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! Be sure to link up your project to be eligible for a fabulous prize from The Ton!

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Well, that's it for me! I hope you've enjoyed all of the projects I've displayed for you this week. I surely enjoyed creating them! These new products are so very much fun! Your next stop on the hop is the fantastic Laurel Beard. Enjoy the rest of the hop! :)

The Ton Anniversary Release, Day 4!

Good morning!!!! This week marks The Ton Stamps's second anniversary, and boy oh boy, do we have a week chock full of excitement for you! 26 stamp designs. 7 Couture sequin mixes. AND we are debuting a brand new Challenge Blog for you all to play along with! See, I told you this week was going to be exciting! Effie has outdone herself with these fantastic designs. Truly. You're going to flip. Today is Release Day, and we are debuting the final five new stamp sets:

City Girls: Park Life

City Girls: Special Day

Beautiful Day Bicycle

Scenes: Fountain Terrace Background Stamp

Bride Tribe

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 26 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

Remember, all of the products shown throughout the week are now available for purchase in The Ton's shop! Ladies and Gentlemen, start your shopping!

For my first card, I started with a panel of watercolor card stock. I stamped the lady and gent from City Girls Special Day using waterproof ink, then stamped them again on masking paper and fussy cut them out. I placed the masks over the couple, then stamped the bicycle built for two over the top. I cut another mask for the basket and placed it over the basket, then stamped the sweet little puppy from City Girls Park Life. (I love how it looks like his little ears are flapping in the wind!) 

Next, I stamped the balloon string using the same black waterproof ink, then stamped the balloon heart with Versamark and heat embossed it in a pale blue. I colored the images using my Zig markers and a wet paintbrush, then added the sentiment from the previously released Scripty Greetings using the same waterproof ink. I trimmed the watercolor panel, mounted it on a piece of coordinating pink card stock, and mounted both of those onto my white A2 card base. Nice and flat and super sweet for an engagement or wedding card! 

For my last card for today, I was trying to channel my inner Rifle Paper Company. I absolutely love the concept of the new Bride Tribe... I have always wanted to be able to create stationery for bridal parties, and this new stamp set is perfect! Lots of font options, and even an option for the male wedding party! Love it. 

I started by die cutting a stitched rectangle, then stamping my sentiment from Bride Tribe in the middle using Caviar Hybrid ink. I then used the just the bottom layer of the flowers from Scripty Greetings, stamping the larger middle flower in Red Sangria, then the two smaller flowers in Soft Garnet ink. The foliage was stamped directly over the top of the middle flower using Soft Garden and Bright Fern inks so that it would be peeking out from behind the top flower. I stamped the larger flower again on another piece of white card stock, fussy cut it, and popped it up over the top of the flower I had muddied with the green leaves. Super simple, but pretty and clean with all of that white space. 

Well, that's all for me today! A few reminders:

First: The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! 

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Join us back here tomorrow for our Blog Hop with tons of special guests, giveaways, and beautiful projects! Have a fabulous day, friends! 

The Ton Anniversary Release, Day 3!

Good morning!!!! This week marks The Ton Stamps's second anniversary, and boy oh boy, do we have a week chock full of excitement for you! 26 stamp designs. 7 Couture sequin mixes. AND we are debuting a brand new Challenge Blog for you all to play along with! See, I told you this week was going to be exciting! Effie has outdone herself with these fantastic designs. Truly. You're going to flip. Today, we are debuting five new stamp sets:

Sweet Macarons

Macarons

Party Fans

Morning Glory Border
Poppy Garden

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 29 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

I have been wishing for a layered macarons set, The Ton style, for a very long time, so I was thrilled when I saw the two macarons sets we are debuting today! My first project focuses on the gorgeous new Sweet Macarons and Party Fans sets. This tower of macarons is so very festive, so very elegant, so very Parisian. Gorgeous. I started by stamping the beautiful tower outline using The Ton's hybrid black ink, then stamping the pink layer with Rose Quartz and the green layer with Lofty Mint inks. I colored the flower, frosting centers, and platter base with my Prismacolor colored pencils. 

For the background, I started by blending Rose Quartz and Lofty Mint inks lightly on my card base, taking care not to mix the two colors so I didn't have a muddy brown mess. :) Next, I stamped the adorable fans from Party Fans using the Ruby Collection and the Minted Collection inks. I fussy cut the pretty tower of macarons, die cut the Happy Birthday from silver foil, then stamped the "my sweet friend" from Macarons onto a vellum Stitched Rectangle using white embossing powder. 

I popped everything up with dimensional adhesive and added a few sequins from the Cotton Candy Puff incentive gift with purchase. Love how elegant and still festive these macarons are! I can't stop playing with them!

Last for today: a simple and pretty card using the brand new Morning Glory Border. I received the full set of Prismacolor pencils for Christmas, and this set was just begging to be played with using my new colored pencils! I stamped the lovely Morning Glory Border stamp on some Toner Grey paper from Strathmore, then used white detail embossing powder to pick up all of the pretty details. To color the flowers, I first laid down a layer of white colored pencil, then added the color on top, using my blender pencil to make everything nice and smooth. The flowers are so pretty that I just added a simple dimensional die cut Thank You sentiment, covered it in a little Spectrum Noir sparkle pen, and added some Glass Slipper sequins. 

Well, that's all for my projects today. Now, for some more fun announcements!

First: The Ton is launching it's own challenge blog! The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! 

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Join us back here tomorrow for the last day of gorgeous stamp set reveals, giveaways, and beautiful projects from our Design Team! Have a fabulous day, friends! 

The Ton Anniversary Release: Day 2!

Good morning!!!! This week marks The Ton Stamps's second anniversary, and boy oh boy, do we have a week chock full of excitement for you! 29 stamp designs. 7 Couture sequin mixes. AND we are debuting a brand new Challenge Blog for you all to play along with! See, I told you this week was going to be exciting! Today, we are debuting ten new stamp sets: 

Beautiful Butterflies 1, 2, 3

Brushed Love, Hugs, You

Dahlia Close Up

The New Pretty

Oscar

Oscar Superlatives

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 29 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

For today's projects, I've focused on the new Oscar and Oscar Superlatives, Brushed You, The New Pretty, and Beautiful Butterflies 1 and 2. Let's get started! 

For my first card, I simply heat embossed the middle layer of the clever new Oscar set using gold glitter embossing powder onto some black card stock. I heat embossed the greeting (these new Oscar  and Oscar Superlatives sets are great for guy cards!) using white embossing powder. I trimmed it down, added some strips of gold glitter paper to the edges of the card base, some white strips of card stock along the edge of the main panel, and popped it up with some dimensional adhesive. Simple, but most guys don't notice all of those details, anyway! :)

For my next project, I used the pretty Brushed You sentiment with some Distress Inks to create a hand-lettered look on my next project! I used my MISTI to double stamp the large "you" from Brushed You onto some watercolor card stock, then ran over it with a wet paintbrush, smoothing out the rougher, splotchy areas and adding more ink where necessary. It looks like I watercolored it myself, right? Love it! 

For the flowers,  I used the same Distress Inks to do some no-line coloring... I stamped the poppies from Fresh Cut Poppies Outline in various shades of blue (did you know that poppies come in a huge variety of colors? Go search Pinterest! I was amazed! I thought they only came in red and yellow!) then tapped my Distress Ink pads onto an acrylic block to add the shading and dimension. I trimmed down the bottom, then added a strip of teal foil to the bottom of my card base to add a little extra pop of turquoise. Loving these Brushed sets! 

My next project is one that I sneaked in my blog post for yesterday's release... I used two of the new Beautiful Butterflies sets (1 and 2) and the The New Pretty sentiment set. I started by embossing that encouraging greeting from The New Pretty set in silver onto some Bristol card stock. Next, I used Rose Quartz, Blue Diamond, and Soft Amethyst inks to blend a pretty, ethereal background over the embossed sentiment. 

Now, for the butterflies. I used the outline images from Beautiful Butterflies 1 and 2 to heat emboss them onto some vellum using holographic embossing powder. I then fussy cut them all out and placed them in a cascade down the front of my card, popping a few of them up using clear dimensional adhesive. A few sequins from the new sequins mix debuted yesterday, Princess Glam, finished it off. 

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Well that's all for me today! Don't forget to check out the new Challenge Blog and enter your own fabulous projects!