~~~ Mixed Media Tag with the *NEW* Lace @ 3 Girl JAM ~~~

!!! HAPPY MONDAY !!!
Blends and 3 Girl JAM-mers

I am happy to be the Design Team Member posting at 3 Girl JAM today!

I was super excited to get to play around and create a Mixed Media Tag for a swap I am in with a fun group on FB.  I spoke with my swap partner about her "favorites" and she was super sweet to give me a lot of ideas to work with.  As soon as she said "pinks, blues, silvers, whites, and greens", I grabbed the NEW Lace from 3 Girl JAM!!!  

This lace is beyond Gorgeous and I can't wait for it to be released so all my friends can play with it in their creations, too.  The colors are scrumptious and I adore the mixed colors Julie created and will have available!

Now, because I didn't have any "official #10 Tags", I improvised.  I grabbed for my medium thick chipboard and cut out my tag shape at 4 1/8" x 8 1/2" to meet the swap requirement.  Alexandra, my swap partner, was so understanding and okay with the idea of a more sturdy tag!  YAY!!! (I didn't think to take a pic of it before I started, though....DOH!)

I first painted a thin coat of white acrylic paint on both sides of the chipboard and let it dry.  

I wanted a lot of texture and dimension, so I grabbed for my Studio Calico "Huey's Masks (elongated hexagons)" and my gesso.  I placed the mask flat and at an angle, then took a plastic spatula to spread on the gesso.  After smoothing it out, I lifted the mask and allowed for the gesso to dry before my next phase.

I sprayed a thin mist of Colorbox Spritzer - Glacier Lake on the surface.  Because it was a very dark tone, I sprayed a tad of my Pink Perfect Pearls and then wiped some of the excess spray with a paper towel, using single strokes from the top of the tag to the bottom.  

I wanted to spray a bit of my "homemade" pink spray next, but I couldn't get my mister unclogged (LOL).  Again, I improvised.  I tapped the tip of the spray "straw" onto the tag in various places.  I loved that the drops followed a path down the indentations of hexagons from the mask I used.  So, I continued this step several times until I got my desired effect.

I sprayed a bit more of the Glacier Lake again and wiped off the excess.  I then used a little of my "homemade" green mist in the lower left and upper right corners to offset the blue and pink a bit.

Now, to show the colors of the lace against my semi-finished tag.  GORGEOUS, RIGHT?

I wanted to stick to the colors Alexandra requested and started hunting for some gorgeous elements to use on the tag.  I grabbed my new doilies and my beautiful metal embellishments from Miriam's Crafting Supplies along with one of my absolute faves from her shop....flat back pearls. 

I sifted through my entire stash of designer papers, not really certain which ones I would use, but selected some that were matching the color scheme I was working with.  

I chose to work with the pink fleur de lis paper and the black and white Eiffel tower papers from the Carta Bella Paris Girl 6x6 pad.

Before I applied any embellishments, I decided to stamp and emboss a gorgeous rose bouquet first.  I used the bouquet of roses from the Echo Park set called "better with love" by Unity.

I used a white embossing powder and staggered my image several times around the entire tag.

To give the entire tag more, I went around the outer edge with some of my Distress Ink - Vintage Photo.

I started to embellish the tag first, by pleating and adhering the wider blue/green lace just under the hole at the top.

I then created a second row of lace, using the same technique, but with the thinner pink lace this time.  

For the center of my tag, I first adhered the small silver doily to be a backdrop for the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares I cut with my Big Shot.  

I also cut a 2" circle with my hand punch.  I inked the edges of all cuts with my Distress Inks in Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters, and Weathered Wood.

I picked out the Eiffel Tower stamp from the Unity 12/12 KOM, "Everyday Fairytale" and inked it with some Embossing Ink.  

After stamping it to the chevron print paper from the Carta Bella, Carta Bella Paris Girl 6x6 pad, I sprinkled some silver embossing tinsel and activated it using my heat gun.  

I fussy cut around the edges and placed that onto my layers in the center of my tag.

To give more depth to the center layers, I placed some of the flat back pearls around the edge of the circle that was still exposed and looking quite bare.  

I love the added color this gave the area and wanted more . . . . more is better, right?  The metal corner embellishments gave me the same desired effect and added more dimension, too.  

I added the same colors of pearls to the lower corner of the tag and decided I could put them away!

I created a cluster of paper flowers below the tower after adding some larger white corner embellishments to the bottom left and the upper right (just under the pleated lace) of my tag.  

I added a small grouping of flowers to adorn the top corner, too.  

I wanted to offset the large cluster of paper flowers on the bottom, by using some of the FABULOUS Crinkle Ribbon from the 3 Girl JAM Shop.

I created a triple bow on my 3 Girl JAM Bow Maker using the Red & Blue Mixed Ribbon from the  Red, White & Blue Bundle along with the Christmas Candy Ribbon from the Seasons Bundle.

Using some twine, I added a key charm to the center of the bow as I was making it with the Bow Maker.  A final touch --- adding the binder ring!

ALL IN ALL, I give Mixed Media Projects a TWO THUMBS UP!
Now, if only I could conquer the management of more time to work with Mixed Media, I would be ONE ECSTATIC CRAFTER!

The 3 Girl JAM Challenge for the month of January is
ANYTHING GOES with Ribbon!
A Crowd Favorite!

You'll always find LOADS of inspiration at the 3 Girl JAM Challenge Blog!
Stop over for wonderful ideas from the Design Team and all those who are linking up!  The Challenge will remain open until January 31st .

We'd love for you to Link your Anything Goes Projects to JOIN THE FUN and for a chance to WIN a Gift Certificate to Shop at 3 Girl JAM!!!!

For more 3 Girl JAM Product and Project Ideas, be sure to check out the 3 Girl JAM Pinterest Boards!

~*~*~ AWESOME DISCOUNT ALERT ~*~*~

Stop by 3 Girl JAM to shop around and place an order
for any of the amazing products that are

a MUST HAVE in your stash!
SAVE 10% OFF Your Order ---Just use the Discount Code JB10 during checkout!!!

Thanks for Stopping In Today

Remember 

to Keep 

Crafting, 

Because 

♫ CRAFTING ♫ 

♫ ROCKS ♫ 

\m/-_-\m/ 

:O) Jessica

Anything Goes w/ Ribbon at 3 Girl JAM & Sponsor: TWENDY TWINE

Are you ready for the New Challenge with 3 Girl JAM

Challenge #17 -
Theme: Anything Goes w/Ribbon
Date: April 26th - May 9th
Sponsor: Trendy Twine
Prize: 
Starter Pack of Trendy Twine

http://anniespaperboutique.bigcartel.com/product/trendy-twine-starter-pack-ten-colors-100-yards-new-item

***PLUS***
A $10.00 Gift Card to SHOP at 3 Girl JAM

Our Challenge Sponsor for this Challenge is

Trendy Twine
http://trendytwine.blogspot.com/

The Design Team has shared some fabulous projects with you today to help inspire you as you create.  Be sure to stop over to the Challenge Blog to view all the scrumptious creations.
Then JOIN IN THE FUN!!!

I have really been wanting to do some paining lately.  I hope to get some canvases out and start jamming.  Sometimes we all need that Extra "Push" to get started.  For me, I decided to spruce up my paint brush holder (which used to be a simple and tall coffee mug) that blended in with my craft table.  And, by blended in, I mean "hid" in the background.

I figured, if I created a pretty holder for my brushes, I may subliminally trigger the mojo to paint.

I started with a simple plastic tube that I had been saving to upcycle.  I am almost certain the tube was the container that my son's juggling balls came in at Christmas time.  I guess I haven't been holding onto for too long...bwahahaha.

I layered some holographic craft paper on the inside since I had decided to use some fun Crinkle Ribbon around the top and bottom edges.  I love pleating 3 Girl JAM Crinkle Ribbon on my projects, and this was just enough "fru-fru" to jazz up my holder.  I

 used Cherry Lipstick on the top and Witch's Brew on the bottom.

I tied some thick twine to the Crinkle Ribbon to hang my painter's palette charm.  I left some of the twine dangling down to add some beads for adornment.

I have had these Peacock Charms for a while and decided to take it from a vintage metallic look, to a sparkling blinged out look.

I first painted a thin coat of pink acrylic paint.  When that dried, I added a layer of Stardust Stickles.  I placed some bright pink, soft blue, and purple stardust in areas of the feathers, head, and body of the peacock.  While that was drying, I grabbed my Thickers.  I spritz some of my Handmade Mists in pink, blue, and green over the letters and let them dry.

To finish the Peacock, I used a finger dauber and some mocha ink to bring out the outlines that were hidden from the paint.  I used Liquid Pearls and more Stickles to dress up the eye, body, outlines, and feathers.

Once the item dried, I used my new ***squeal*** E6000 to apply the metal peacock to a paper doily.  Then added a few paper roses to spruce it up.

Here is the paint brush hold.

The funny  part about this project, is that I was creating it to bring on the momentum I needed to start painting again.  As I started the project, I had no idea, I would be PAINTING the embellishments.  So it is ALREADY WORKING!

Thanks EVER SO MUCH
lovely Blends and 3 Girl JAMmers
for stopping by today.

****JOIN US FOR A BLOG HOP****

3  Girl JAM is hosting a Blog Hop

to Introduce

Three (3) NEW Bundles of Crinkle Ribbon

There will be a Fun Discount you can Use,

a fun announcement regarding The JACKPOT Bundle,

and a New Ordering Incentive!

Remember to Keep Crafting, 

Because 

♫ CRAFTING ♫ ♫ ROCKS ♫ 

\m/-_-\m/ 

:O) Jessica

Growing in Unity Day 1 - READ & WIN

It is Christmas Eve Blends

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful day as I come to you today, to share my first Growing In Unity Post for this week.  Each and every day this week, I will be sharing a project I have created using my ALL TIME Favorite Stamps EVER . . . . Unity Stamps!

It is quite the honor for me to have this opportunity and I want to properly THANK

everyone involved in making this possible for me!  

Thanks Unity Stamp Co.  and TEAM

When I was playing around on Splitcoaststampers and noticed there was a Call out for Growing In Unity participants, you didn't have to ask me twice!

WHOOP, WHOOP

I am glad you are stopping in today because each day that you stop to see my Unity Project, you will be entered to WIN some Unity Stamps yourself!

A random winner will be chosen at the end of the week to receive

2 itty bitty

stamps 

of their choice

For my project today, I decided to create a "Twas the night before Christmas" card! (you may see an intentional theme being followed as the week progresses, just sayin')

I started with black card stock as my base, some patterned papers for my layers, and vellum to stamp SANTA onto and paint. 

I really love the SANTA and the Santa Bingo images by Unity!

I have pointed to the proper areas and labelled the products I used.

You can head over to the Unity  Stamp Co.  site to Shop.  Angela is such a doll, and she offers up sales ALL the time.  So check back often to be sure you don't miss any of the amazing deals being offered.

Since Christmas is well known for being a year when everybody is making a list, I will also share a supply list of other things I used to create my card towards the end of my post.

***GASP*** 

I didn't make any 3 Girl JAM mini bows this time....LOL

Instead, I just twirled it together and left the ends open at the knot.

 I had never painted on vellum before, but I was quite pleased with how puffy the vellum got as the paint dried.  It gave a great amount of dimension to Santa's beard and suit.  This may be a new favorite technique to use.

Making my List, and Checking it Twice:

black card stock by Core'dinations

FolkArt paints (engine red and yellow ochre)

white and red embossing powder

white and black jelly roll pens

adhesives

stocking charm

various paint brushes

embossing ink

Twinery Twine - charcoal

TPC studios Holly Jolly bling

Thanks for stopping in today.  Please be sure to come back tomorrow and every day this week, for more chances to win the prize being sponsored by Unity Stamp Company

SEE YOU TOMORROW

Remember to 

Keep Crafting, 

Because 

♫ CRAFTING ♫ 

♫ ROCKS ♫ 

\m/-_-\m/ 

:O) 

Jessica

Letter of the Day - R

Welcome To

Hello Crafty Blends.

Today is my day to share

a DT project with you

from My Cricut Craft Room

I have a short post for you today!

I created this Christmas Card

using the
REINDEER from Create-A-Critter.

Kraft Base

Bo Bunny Mistletoe (white with blue polka dots)

Spellbinders Impressabilities - Snowflake die.

Forest Green Distress Ink

 
RED Stickles on the nose

RED Twine from the Twinery for the bow in her hair

and to use to hold the stocking charm on top.

 
ROSES from I am Roses

Now head back over to My Cricut Craft Room 

to see more wonderful creations 

by the Design Team Members!

Remember to 

Keep Crafting, 

Because

♫ CRAFTING ♫ 

♫ ROCKS ♫ 

\m/-_-\m/ 

:O) 

Jessica