JAI 196 Just add your Christmas projects

Hello there,
well it won't be long now till Christmas will be upon us - just five sleeps to go! So I'm pretty sure most of us are working to finish off Christmas projects intended as gifts to family, friends and co-workers. So that's what we want you to add this week at Just Add Ink - Just add your Christmas projects. And because we know how crazy busy life is at the moment we are running this challenge for two weeks. 

We have a bunch of teenage nieces and nephews in the family and my go to Christmas present for them for the last few years is a gift card that lets them choose what they like and I just make sure the packaging is something to let them know they are special. Here's how they got packaged up this year.

And a couple of close ups of the two different colour variations.

Many months back a tutorial by Tanya Bell for a gift card holder popped up on my Pinterest feed. I went and had a look and discovered a fab and very easy way to make a great gift card holder using the Pop n Cuts die. Of course you can embellishment them for any occasion - in this case Christmas!

So when you do get a chance to take a breath before or after Christmas do join in and show us what you have been up to. If you want some last minute inspiration check out the rest of the JAI DT right now!

Thanks for visiting and a Merry Christmas to you and all your families. Not quite sure what my blogging schedule is going to be like over the next couple of weeks - I might be back I might not - so take care, have fun and take some time to relax!

Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Smokey Slate, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Island Indigo, Real Red
Accessories: Festive Flurry Framelits, Card base Pop n Cuts , Season of Style DSP stack, Winter Frost DSP stack, 1/8" Silver and Real Red taffeta ribbon,  Silver and Red glimmer paper, 1" circle punch, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, white embossing powder

JAI 195 Just add a colour combo

Hello :) How is everyone trekking in this crazy pre-Christmas season? I'm feeling a bit worn and have yet to send out a Christmas card - eek! (I will though). This week at Just Add Ink we have a lovely colour challenge for you. The colours are sweet and festive (in a summery way) and we also included an inspiration photo to go along with them (although you can just use the colours). And don't think you can't use the colours for a Christmas card - I did!

Here's what I came up with using the photo for inspiration.

Heavens knows why but I came up with the idea of using the chevron border punch to make a snowflake while I was at the gym. (I do find walking on the treadmill can be a good time to think ideas through especially if the guys have beaten me to the gym and put sport on the tv (boring!)). The outcome is a bit out there for me but I do like it and I do really like the colours. I'll be pulling them out for a non-traditional Christmas colour combo next year for sure again!

Hope you can join in this week. Do check out the rest of the DT for some wonderful idea.
Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Delightful Decorations (R), Festive Flurry
Cardstock: Soft Skye, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Skye, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Chevron border punch, Festive Flurry framelits, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Silver glimmer paper, Soft Skye seam binding, Silver cord (R), 1" and 1 3/8" circle punches, 1 1/4" scallop circle punch, Jewels - rhinestones, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 194 - Just add Santa

Hello there,
well this week marks the beginning of Christmas party season for our house and we'll be ending it with decorating for Christmas (the kids can't wait (smile). One of the real pleasures of parent hood is their infectious delight and enthusiasm). It is kind of nice to have a bit of a change of pace and some fun as well so I'm looking forward to some Christmas activities! At Just Add Ink this week we can help you out with this too as we have a Christmas themed challenge for you - this week we want you to Just Add Santa.

I used a Merry Monday sketch from earlier this year to put together a slightly quirky Santa Christmas card. 

Christmas and music go together so it wasn't hard to pick out a DSP pattern to work with Santa, and of course you can't go past ho, ho, ho either :) 

Hope you can join us this week! Do check out the rest of the JAI DT they will be sure to get you inspired for the beginning of the Christmas season.

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Santa's List, Oh, Goodie!
Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Modern Medley DSP, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches, Clear embossing powder (I embossed the Santa on the front while the ink was still wet), ribbon (R) and silver hodgepodge (R), Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 193 Just add inspiration

Hello there,

I'm starting to feel caught up in the Christmas rush this week (although I'm not panicking - yet) but as we have our first end of school year event on, AND it's less than four weeks to Christmas (EEEKKK - ok may'be panicking a little) it is very appropriate that the new challenge at Just Add Ink  this week is one perfectly suited to all those Christmas projects we are working on. This week it's an inspiration challenge. Here's the pic. 

And here is what I came up with.

I was so delighted when SU! said they were going to sell this stamp in our market! I just love that it can be 2D and 3D and 3D is the way I went for these Christmas ornaments. I had a lot of fun mixing and matching colours and patterns for this and then adding the bling :) What you can't really tell from the photos is that the ornaments are double sided. TIP: To make them extra sturdy I have an acetate layer sandwiched between the two layers of DSP and I also triple layered dimensionals under the centre of the star to keep it supported.

Hope you can join us this week at Just Add Ink and do check out the rest of the DT for  fabulous and festive star inspired ideas!

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Christmas Star
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy, Versamark
Accessories: Season of Style DSP, Silver glimmer paper, White embossing powder, Acetate, Frosted Finishes embellishments, Classic circle nestabilities (Spellbinder), Silver cord (R), Tombow multi, Dimensionals, Hot glue gun

JAI 192 Just add a colour combo

Hello there,

are you ready for another Just Add Ink challenge? I sure hope so because we have a great colour combo for you. My Christmas crafting efforts are building up steam at the moment but I didn't go down that path this week instead I decided to make a thank you card. It's always useful to have a few of those after Christmas or for the end of year school wrap up too! Here's the colour picks.

And here is what I came up with.

I've flipped back to a cleaner modern style this week. I had originally intended to not even mat the mosaic stamped panel on the front but my love for mats (and CAS phobia) kicked in at the last minute and I added a very thin border of Tangerine Tango. I did love being able to mix stamped and embossed patterns adds that extra touch of something special!

Do check out the rest of the JAI DT for some fabulous colour inspiration!
Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Mosaic Madness, Oh Hello
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo
Accessories: Labels collection framelits, Modern Mosaic embossing folder, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch, Island Indigo bakers twine, sequins, Tombow multi, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 191 Just add a sketch

Hello there,
it's Friday and that means it's time for a new Just Add Ink challenge and this week the challenge is to Just Add a Sketch. This is a great sketch and you can make some beautiful cards using it - just check out the rest of the JAI DT to see what I mean!

I went back to a bit of shabby vintage for this one and had a lot of fun layering up all the different die cut doilies. Mixing the layered doilies with the pink and red leafy accents just makes it feel real girly. And of course there had to be a butterfly to top it all off!

Do join us this week and see what you can make of this fun sketch!
Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Dictionary, Blooming with Kindness
Cardstock: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Beautiful Butterfly BigZ die, Delicate Dollies sizzlet, Parisian Lace Doily die (PaperTrey Ink), Bird Builder punch, Elegant Butterfly punch, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Modern Medley DSP, Blushing Bride DSP (R), Cherry Cobler seam binding, Linen thread, Jewels - rhinestones, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 190 Just add masking

Hello there,
You know how things just stick in your head sometimes - well I knew I had seen a favourite blogger of mine - Betsy Veldman do a special masking technique. I chased up the memory for this weeks Just Add Ink challenge. Why? Well cause it was a rather cool idea and this week the challenge is to Just Add Masking. You can find the link to Betsy's tutorial here (on Nicole Heady's blog) and here is my take on it.

One of the things I think is so interesting about this is how you can create so much depth and still have a single layer. Of course I couldn't resist adding a popped up flower to frame the sentiment. I also used some more traditional masking to add in the leaves on the front.

I'm pretty sure I'll revisit this technique. Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out the rest of the DT for lots of masking inspiration!

Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Rosie Posie, Fillable Frames #1 and #4 (PaperTrey Ink)
Cardstock: Winter Wisteria, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Winter Wisteria, Rose Red, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Basic Black
Accessories: Rosie Posie dies (PTI), small heart punch, Linen/Canvas impression plate (PTI), Crumb Cake seam binding, Winter Wisteria ruffled ribbon, Linen thread, Jewels - rhinestone, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 189 Just add a colour combo

Hello there,
going back a bit I took a colour combo for a test drive - today's card was the result  - and I liked it very much - so much so I recommended we use the colours for a Just Add Ink challenge. So here we are today with Just Add a Colour combo. 

I discovered retrospectively that the colour combo is drawn from the SU! Color Coach - a super tool, one which I must admit I use a lot!

Did you spy how I used washi tape here? I created my own DSP and also made washi covered leaves. Note to self -  must remember to play with my washi tapes more! I also watercoloured over my dahlias, embossing them first to prevent colour bleed an effect I really like - and its fun to do :)

For lots of gorgeous inspiration with this colour combo do check out the rest of the DT. Hope you can join us this week!

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Chalk Talk, Regarding Dahlias
Cardstock: Naturals White, Perfect Plum, Raspberry Ripple
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Perfect Plum, Versamark
Accessories: Chalk Talk Framelits, Autumn Accents BigZ die, Large Scallop Edgelit, Linen/ Canvas Impression Plate (Papertrey Ink), Epic Day This and That designer washi tape, White and Clear embossing powder, Stitched Raspberry Ripple ribbon, Linen thread, Jewels - rhinestones

JAI 188 Just add Grunge

Hello there,

well I did say last week that I'd worked ahead a bit and today I have another Father's Day card for you - this time it was for my DH. The challenge we have for you at Just Add Ink this week was just perfect for it - as this week we want you to Just Add Grunge. Think splatter, layers, messy - a little or a lot!

And here is what I came up with.

A very simple pop up element in the middle

I kept it all pretty simple, and tried to add lots of textural elements - like the stamped grungy layers and hint of burlap. I did love how embossing the chevron pattern looks! DH is a big fan of interactive cards and I'd glimpsed a card on my Pin feed that used an acetate insert and figured it should be easy to do - and it was! and still packs a punch - winner!

Adding grunge is a fun thing to do so do join us this week! Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT for lots of fabulous inspiration.

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Positively Chevron, Gorgeous Grunge, World's Greatest (R), Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Real Red, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Grey, Real Red, Crushed Curry, Versamark
Accessories: Typeset Alphabet BigZ, Bitty Banner framelits, small star punch (R), Clear embossing powder, Antique brad, burlap, acetate, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 187 Just add a sketch

Hello there,
well I had a lovely but tiring week off last week. Tell me I'm not the only one to come back from a week off only then to need a week to recover from it - lol! And yes, you guessed it - back to lunch boxes this week. Although I caught a lucky break as my Miss 8 had a special canteen sausage sizzle lunch one day. To deal with school holidays and various family events I worked ahead on the Just Add Ink challenges so for this weeks challenge (we want you to Just Add a sketch) I'm taking you back to Father's Day. Paula's great sketch just popped an idea into my head that I thought would be perfect as a card for my FIL. Here's the sketch. 

I'd stashed away but not used my SU! That's the Ticket set but it got a good work out here after the idea of using the tickets as the panel elements popped into my head. I kept all the tones fairly masculine using the Soft Sky (and the tiny red heart to add the colour pops). I used the DSP, stitching and a button threaded with twine to add texture. All the elements draw your eye down to the Sky "dad"  - which as it is a Father's Day card is a good thing ;) The inside was finished off simply to match. By all accounts it was well received by my FIL :)

Do check out the rest of the JAI DT for some fabulous inspiration for this great sketch. Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: That's the Ticket, Take a Ticket, For my Family (R), Just the Ticket (Papertrey Ink), Boutique Borders: Father (PTI)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Real Red
Ink: Early Expresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Ticket Duo builder punch, Just the Ticket border die (PTI), Windsor Knot DSP (R), Brushed Bronze designer button (R), Sewing machine, Dimensionals, Vintage Trinkets, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 186 Just add inspiration

Hello there,
well school holidays are nearly done and soon I'll be making lunch boxes again. But in some ways it will be nice to go back to the usual routine. You can bet by Christmas though I'll be looking forward to a break again - lol! Now the challenge we have for you this week at Just Add Ink could make you think of Christmas or may'be not - your choice, as this week it's an inspiration challenge. Here it is.

And as it turns out I didn't go down the Christmas path.

This was my first outing with the Flower Shop set and what I wanted to do was capture the colours and the wreathy feel of the inspiration picture but with a birthday spin. The texty Smokey Slate (one of my most used new colours!) was an addition added during construction and I really liked how it set off the colours. This one turned out may'be not quite how I'd planned but nevertheless I rather like it! The rest of the DT have some fabulous ideas for you so do go check them out!

Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Dictionary, Flower Shop, Yippee-Skippee!
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Smokey Slate, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral, Perfect Plum, White Vellum
Ink: Smokey Slate, Crushed Curry, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Calypso Coral, Versamark
Accessories: Punches (Boho Blossom punch, 2 1/2" circle, 2 3/8" scallop circle, Pansy), White embossing powder, Tea Lace paper dollies, Crushed Curry and Pear Pizzazz 3/4" Chevron ribbon, Jewels - rhinestones, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)

JAI 185 Just Add a Colour combo

Hello there, 
well the school holidays are here and this Mama has been enjoying not making lunch boxes this week - its the little things that make a different sometimes - lol! I've also got in quite a bit of crafting time (big smile) but I must admit I whipped up my card for this weeks Just Add Ink challenge a few weeks ago. This week we have a lovely colour combo for you.

I really am loving this Dahlia stamp from SU!, when I bought it, it was a bit of a gamble but its one that has paid off. It can be super modern or you can shabby it up a bit and it still looks fabulous!

Lots of inky goodness here, layering grunge, text and flowers. The main dahlia on the front and then one on the inside I embossed so I could watercolour over with Coastal Cabana and not have the Raspberry Ripple bleed. I dragged my white bakers twine through the Sahara ink pad to tone the colour down a bit and added some faux stitching to ground the sentiment then finished the card off white rhinestones and sequins. Fun!

Hope you can join us at Just Add Ink. Thanks for visiting,
Kim

Recipe: All SU! unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Delightful Dahlia, Gorgeous Grunge, Background Basics: Text Style (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Coastal Cabana, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Coastal Cabana, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Hearts a Flutter framelits, Print Poetry DSP (R), Clear embossing powder, Coastal Cabana ruffled ribbon, White Bakers twine, sequins, Jewels - rhinestones, Aquapainter, Tombow multi, Dimensionals, Double sided tape (X Press)