Just Judy Designs

Autumn Farewell

Hi there

Today I have a card for you that I made for a neighbour who is moving to the UK to live. I admire her courage to take such a huge step in the quest to experience new adventures.

Initially I thought I would do something travel related, but as she isn't looking to return I decided to give her a seasonal farewell.  I was inspired by this lovely card from Wendy Janson, using the 'Faith in Nature' Hostess set. I have had this one stored away in my memory for ages and I hope she likes my take on it. I love the sentiment as I think it echoes her quest.

Project Details
Stamps	Faith in Nature (Hostess set), Mega Mixed Messages (not SU)
Card stock & Papers	Bazzill White Linen, More Mustard (Textured), Soft Suede, Old Olive, XPress-IT Blending card
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede
Accessories	Off White Seam Binding ribbon (not SU), Basic Rhinestones
Tools	Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Deckle Ovals & Ovals Nestabilities, Big Shot, 1 1/4", 1 3/8"Circle punches,  Dimensionals, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Copic markers, home made Champagne Shimmer Mist

Thanks for stopping by.

Clean & Simple 180

Hi there

 The card I have for you today is based on this week's Clean & Simple Sketch 180.  It was a grey and cold day in Melbourne on Saturday and perfect for a spot of colouring. This is the sketch:

I have used the flower from the Hostess set 'Simply Soft', matched with Wisteria Wonder patterns and Concord Crush.  This isn't a combination I have used before, but I think it works with the colour of the flowers. I have given the large butterfly and the base of the sentiment a spritz of (homemade) Champagne shimmer mist to take the edge off the colour. Here it is:

 

 

Project Details
Stamps	Simply Soft (Hostess set), Precious Butterflies (Hostess set)
Card stock & Papers	Concord Crush, Whisper white, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder Patterns, Xpress-IT Blending card
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Concord Crush
Accessories	Tiny Rhinestones (not SU)
Tools	Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot, Doily Lace punch (not SU), 1", 1 1/8" (not SU) and 1 1/4" Circle punches,  Dimensionals, Champagne Shimmer Mist, Copics (V01, BV13, G82)

Have a great day!

Freshly Made #24

Hello

I hope you have had a good week. I've enjoyed my first week of holiday just doing as I please and not being on a schedule is wonderful!

Today I have another birthday card using the Freshly Made #24 sketch, which is one of those versatile go-to sketches that lends itself to lots of options. Here is the sketch:

I'm having a love affair with the new Framelits Label Dies and 'Twitterpated' DSP (in case you hadn't already noticed!).  I chose another of the floral designs, this time with a Basic Gray background, which is a bit different.   The centre label has been embossed with the oval 'Designer Frame' embossing folder, to provide a frame for the sentiment.  I have chosen to go with a white oval in the centre, but it could be any colour, using the wide oval punch. I love the font on the sentiment from the Sale-a-bration stamp set 'Elementary Elegance' and it fits nicely into the wide oval either vertically or horizontally. It will definitely be a 'keeper'.

 

 

Project Details
Stamps	Elementary Elegance
Card stock & Papers	Baja Breeze (Textured), Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White, Twitterpated DSP
Ink	Basic Black
Accessories	Basic Pearls
Tools	Framelits Labels Dies, Swiss Dots Embossing folder, Designer Frame Embossing Folder, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Big Shot, Wide Oval Punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Dimensionals, Tombow glue

Thanks for stopping by.

ETA:

I was delighted to be chosen as a 'Perfect Princess' for this card.

Joy Fold Birthday

Hi there

Another month has gone already and March is a busy time with birthdays of family and friends.  First up, is this Joy Fold card for my lovely mother-in-law Betty, inspired by this monochrome card from Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty.  Betty loves all shades of teal, so hopefully this Island Indigo card will hit the mark. I haven't made this type of card before, but it is very easy and a little bit different. Basically it is a small card overlapping a large card and held shut by either a ribbon or some other embellishment.

I've also used the new Stampin' Up! Framelits Labels dies, the gorgeous 'Apothecary Art' stamp set and the Island Indigo and white design from the 'Twitterpated' DSP (all coming soon to Australia).  I have made a few changes, with a square card for the base and I have flipped the folded panel from left to right. It seemed more natural to me to open the ribbon at the right hand side, instead of the left.  I experimented with a few different options for the right hand panel and finally chose vellum cardstock embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder, as I wanted something that wasn't bright white.   I have kept the tails on the bow a bit longer to make it easier to re-tie and put some fray stop on the edges, as seam binding ribbon tends to fray easily when it is handled. This is the card, closed.

For the overlapping centre piece, I have created a shaped card using the larger Framelit Label die placed onto a piece of folded cardstock, so that the left edge did not cut through. A single label in textured card stock was cut and adhered over the top to cover the side edge.  You can pass the ribbon between these layers if you don't want it to show underneath the sentiment panel. I have cut a smaller Whisper White label for the greeting panel on the inside and trimmed the top and bottom edges with the patterned stamp from the 'Fresh Vintage' Saleabration stamp set. This is the inside view. You could replace the patterned paper on the right panel, if you wanted more space to write your greeting.

Finally, here is a close-up view of the details on the front. I have popped up the both the stamped label and the sentiment flag and added some tiny pearls to the flower centres.

 

Project Details
Stamps	Apothecary Art, Fresh Vintage (Saleabration)
Card stock & Papers	Island Indigo (Smooth & Textured), Whisper White, Vellum card stock, Twitterpated DSP
Ink	Island Indigo
Accessories	Basic Pearls, Teal Seaming Binding ribbon (not SU)
Tools	Framelits Labels Dies, Square Lattice Embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by.

OCC Best Friend

Hi there

Recently, I decided to try out 'digi' (digital)  stamps.  I wasn't sure that my printer was going to produce an image that would be suitable for colouring with Copics, so I hunted out a 'free' digital image to try.  I came across this gorgeous vintage rose image at Pamela's  Free Vintage Digital Stamps blog. 

There are a number of advantages to digital stamps in that they are generally cheaper, don't take up any (physical) space in your craft room and you can alter the size of the image to suit your needs. For those that are interested, I used a Canon Pixma MP980 printer with Xpress-IT Blending Card to print my image and it did not 'bleed' with Copics. It is worth trying any inkjet printer, as they are generally more successful than laser printers. Make sure that you let the ink dry thoroughly as it actually takes longer than you realise.

Having coloured my vintage rose, this week’s Our Creative Corner ‘Best Friend’ challenge came into my Inbox. The requirement is to include a flower in the project, so that set me on the course for this square card.  I wanted to keep the layout fairly simple to highlight the rose, but I have used lots of texture for extra interest.  The colours are some of my favourites  - Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red with White and Wild Wasabi for contrast to keep it fresh and light.  

 

Project Details
Stamps	Vintage Rose (Digital stamp, not SU)
Card stock & Papers	Bazzill White Linen, Rose Red, Regal Rose (textured), Subtles Pattern Stack, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Xpress-IT Blending Card
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Red
Accessories	Basic Pearls, Regal Rose gathered grosgrain ribbon (retired), Subtles buttons, White Twine
Tools	Circle Nestabilites, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Eyelet Border punch, Dimensionals, Crimper, Copic markers, Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by.

Should Blue & Green Be Seen?

Hi there

Just popping in with a card that I have finally managed to finish after having sat on my desk for the last few weeks.  I hope you can bear with me during this creative drought as I am working long hours on a project at work. Hopefully it will finish successfully in a couple of weeks and I will get a week off to refresh my creative endeavours.

I have had the pleasure of having my friend Karen and her 2 lovely daughters (Kate and Grace) from Perth,  staying with me for a few days.  They made some lovely cards and reminded me that simple can still be fabulous.  I introduced Grace to Copics and she proceeded to colour up a storm of cute images. Needless to say Mum will forever more, be poor!

Now to the card. I have used the blue and green floral patterns from the 'Beyond the Garden' designer paper, hence the title of my post.  I have kept it really simple as the designs are quite busy. The cute tree is from the 'Easy Events' stamp set, coloured with Copics.

Project Details
Stamps	Easy Events, Teeny Tiny Sentiments
Card stock & Papers	Pacific Point, Whisper White, Beyond the Garden DSP
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi
Accessories	2mm Rhinestones (not SU), Pear Pizzaz Seam Binding ribbon
Tools	Circle Nestabilities, Big Shot, Word Window punch, Dimensionals, Sponge daubers, Copics

Have a good week.

Clearly Different

Hi there

Today I have a bright, summery card that is a little bit different.  I purchased the Stampin' Up! Windows Sheets (medium weight acetate) a while ago and they have languished in my stash untouched.  So I have 2 firsts today; inking up the lovely 'Fabulous Florets' stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalogue and using a Windows Sheet.

The images in the Fabulous Florets stamps set are perfect for the half or one sheet wonder as you can quickly stamp up a piece of cardstock and cut it into sections for multiple cards.  The solid flower stamps so crisply every time. The colours I've used are Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise and Wild Wasabi.  As these are bold colours, the clear frame of the Window Sheet keeps the focus on the centre panel. I have embossed the stamped panel with my favourite Square Lattice embossing folder, so there is a lot of different textures.

The Pacific Point background has been attached on the inside of the front with the Melon Mambo mat and floral panel attached on the outside of the front so that you don't see any adhesive (hope that makes sense). Just make sure that the adhesive doesn't wander onto the Pacific Point border that will be visible as it doesn't look the best.  If by chance you do get some adhesive on the Window Sheet from your hands or desk, use a drop of Eucalyptus oil on a tissue and it works a treat. Here is the front view:

For the inside of the card, the Pacific Point background is attached to the outside of the Window Sheet and the other pieces to the inside.  This what the inside looks like:

Project Details
Stamps	Fabulous Florets, Petite Pairs
Card stock & Papers	Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Window Sheet
Ink	Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Accessories	2mm Rhinestones (not SU), 1/4" Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Glass Glitter
Tools	Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/8" Circle punch (not SU), Dimensionals, Crystal Effects (to attach glass glitter)

 See you soon.

Freshly Made

Hi there

Happy New Year to all my blog readers!  I hope you have had a fabulous holiday season and are raring to go for a another year.  I took a bit of a break over Christmas after a busy 6 months at work and hectic preparations for Christmas.  It also gave me the opportunity to do a big clean up of my craft space as things got a bit out of control during a busy creating period.  It always helps me to feel in control when I'm organised.

I have recently found the Freshly Made Sketches blog and I think I'm going to enjoy doing these sketches. Their philosophy is 'clean lined creations but encourage lots of detail and embellishments', which is very aligned to my favoured style.  The card I have today uses their Sketch #15, shown below. 

I have inked up the 'Field Flowers' stamp set for the first time and matched the colours with the gorgeous new 'Everyday Enchantment' Designer Series Paper that is one of the fabulous Sale-a-bration options this year. This is the first time we have had the option of DSP and embellishments and you are going to LOVE them.  The promotion starts on 24 January 2012, so look out for the new brochure.  This is what I came up with.

Because of the size of the centre panel, I have turned it into a square card.  'Field Flower' is a 2-Step stamp set and I have used Calyspo Coral and Poppy Parade for the colours. Not my usual colours, but I am happy with the outcome. All the details are below.

Project Details
Stamps	Field Flowers, En Francais, Petite Pairs
Card stock & Papers	Pool Party, Soft Suede (Textured), Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink	Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories	Basic Pearls, Aqua Seam Binding ribbon (not SU)
Tools	1", 1 1/8", 1 1/4" Circle punches, Sponge dauber, Dimensionals, Stampamajig

 Thanks for stopping by.

JAI 90 Sketch Challenge

Hello

I hope you have had a good Tuesday. It was a public holiday here for the running of the Melbourne Cup. Having Tuesday off feels pretty strange, but I got a few things done in the garden and even better, got to spend a bit of time in my craft room.

The card I have for you today is based on last weeks sketch from Just Add Ink.  It is a simple sketch that has lots of possibilities.  The bow jumped out at me, as I had a sparkly, scrunched bow waiting to be used. My lovely friend Christine demonstrated how to make this bow during a recent stamping day with friends. This is the sketch.

I have inked up one of the images from my new 'Simply Soft' Hostess stamp set for the first time and coloured it with Copics.  For the edging detail I have partially stamped 'En Francais' in Versamark on white gloss cardstock and white embossed it. I have sponged ink over the embossed writing to achieve the graduated colour.  Christine's gorgeous bow makes a bold statement, so I have resisted any further embellishments.  I am happy with the way it turned out.

Project Details
Stamps	Simply Soft (Hostess), En Francais
Card stock & Papers	Rose Red, Basic Black, White Gloss, Wild Wasabi, Xpress-IT Blending card
Ink	Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Accessories	Rose Red Seam binding ribbon
Tools	White embossing powder, Heat gun, Oval Nestabilities, Big Shot, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, sponges, sponge daubers

 See you later in the week.

For Someone Special

Hi there

If you haven't already noticed, I've been going through a Marina Mist phase in the past couple of weeks, all brought on by the lovely blue brocade pattern in the 'Beau Chateau' DSP.  I promise this will be the last Marina Mist project for a while!

I made this Top Note easel card for a lovely friend who has had an unexpected health crisis recently.  Having gone through something similiar myself this year, I know how isolated you can feel when you aren't sure how things are going to turn out.  Anyway, I wanted it to be something special and have had a Top Note easel in mind to try for a while.  The base case is made by placing a folded piece of cardstock slightly underneath  the top edge of the die so it doesn't cut right through.  The top layer is 'mountain' folded to make the easel and a separately cut Top Note is then adhered onto the bottom half of the folded card and voila, an easel. I find it easier to decorate the separate Top Note first, then adhere it to the base card.

The handmade flower using the Joanne Leddy  technique makes a bold statement on the card.  It is such a great embellishment and so easy to make. Every one you make is slightly different and this one is very textured as I haven't smoothed out the petals too much.   It is a little difficult to see, but I have used a large flat back pearl brad in the centre. The little border on the base of the easel is from the 'Creative Elements' stamp set and works well with the Beau Chateau brocade design.

 

Project Details
Stamps	Teeny Tiny Sentiments, Creative Elements
Card stock & Papers	Marina Mist (Smooth & Textured), Very Vanilla (Smooth & Textured), Crumb Cake, Beau Chateau DSP
Ink	Marina Mist
Accessories	Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon, Basic Pearls, Pearl brad (not SU)
Tools	Top Note die, Little Leaves Sizzlit die, Square Lattice Embossing folder, Big Shot, Modern Label punch, Heart to Heart punch, Word Window punch, Flower punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Sponge dauber, Tombow glue, Dimensionals, Champage Shimmer mist

See you soon.