Birthday Shopping for JAI #743

Happy Friday and welcome! It's been a busy week for many - with Stampin Up's Onstage event held last weekend bringing the latest catalogue, colour and online offerings to the world.  In the South Pacific, it was held in Brisbane, just a week after Cyclone Jack passed through Queensland.

This week at Just Add Ink we have this Clean and Sweet Sketch for you designed by Tristan.
Sketches are fabulous because you can use any theme and colour scheme and just drop the images in to meet the sketch design. Our design team had a lot of fun and you'll see a mix of current and even some sneak peeks of new product too. I do hope that you will pop on over the Just Add Ink blog to have a peek and that is also where you will find how to join in with the challenge!

For my card this week, I decided to put the three images for the circles, into a shopping trolley. 
The Attention Shoppers bundle is so fun and I initially thought I'd use three images from the set without the trolley...but in the end, they are coloured brightly against the neutral, silver of the trolley and the trolley does help with the story of the birthday card.

The colour scheme came from the 2024-2026 In Colour Paper Stack - and Shy Shamrock - with us just celebrating St Patrick's Day this week, it seemed the perfect background colour! 

And the white background has added texture thanks to the Cute Crochet EF. My mother used to crochet a lot and I am loving that it has become very popular again, especially with the Millenials and Gen Z'ers. And the sentiment was still on my desk from another project...

Thanks for popping by today. I hope that you can take a moment to pop by Just Add Ink and we'd love to see what you make with this week's fun sketch challenge.

Card stock: Basic White (both Thick and Standard), Basic Black, Silver Foil

Designer Series Paper: In colour 2024-2026

Stamps: Attention Shoppers, Artistically Inked (retired).

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine, Cute Crochet EF, Attention Shoppers, White EP, Retired Twine.

'Til next week,

Jan

 

Memorable Birthday for JAI #741

Happy Friday and welcome! This is a busy weekend for many in Australia. It is a long weekend here in Victoria, with the Moomba Festival and holiday on Monday. And Cyclone Alfred is preparing to strike Queensland -  the most populated South Eastern areas.

Wherever you are this weekend, in Australia or overseas, I hope that you, your family and your household are safe and hopefully, your home is too. 

Maybe you might be able to do some crafting as a way of keeping occupied and calm whilst at home before the storm arrives? Hopefully you will find the challenge below enables you to take part even if you have reduced supplies available.

At Just Add Ink this week, the lovely Lou has suggested we Just Add... Simple and Elegant. They are terms that are relative to your own style. But generally, Simple suggests an uncluttered space and Elegant can mean gold and silver and often female cards. I hope that this theme helps those in QLD that are away from their usual space, to still be able to take part. You can see all the design team cards and find the link to join in the challenge on the Just Add Ink blog and I look forward to seeing what you can create for this challenge.

The beautiful Memorable Blooms bundle has recently arrived in my craft room and is very elegant, I think! So using it for this challenge was an easy choice. 

I had a couple of colour options but decided that a White-On-White approach was what I wanted to explore for this challenge. To add texture, the Crochet EF was used after first die cutting the Hexagon opening.

Next, the larger floral image was stamped using Momento Ink on Thick White card stock and then water coloured. 

Yes, I know we usually use Stazon Ink for water colouring  and water colouring parper! But the theme for this Challenge is "Simple" and so I went for a simple technique and using simple supplies. It was done carefully, monitoring the amount of water the Water Painter tip used by blotting on paper towel where necessary. Once the initial, light colouring of the flowers and leaves was dry, a second round of colour was applied using even less water and the same blotting technique.

The way the Hexagon dies with this bundle create a delicate border on each cut side is really beautiful - and seemed so perfect for this challenge. Unfortunately, if you want to keep the border die as I did, and to add in the white die cut image, you need to add something to hold all these pieces in place.

 I die cut a hexagon from Window Sheet to do this: adhesive was added to the back of the white die cut image as it was centred and then to the front of the corners of the Window sheet. This meant the Crochet embossed card front could be perfectly laid upon it as though the die cut is inlaid. Then the Crochet and acetate are added to a layer of Thick card stock before being attached to the card front. 
Then the simple sentiment was added along with the ribbon and sequin details to continue the elegance. 

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope that you can take a moment to pop on over to Just Add Ink and see the design team cards and all the amazing entrants too and I look forward to seeing what you create for this Challenge.

Card Stock: Basic White, thick and standard. Basic Black, Window SheetInks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Petunia Pop, Summer Splash

Stamps: Memorable Blooms, Artistically Inked (retired)

Accessories: Memorable Blooms Dies, Crochet EF, Water Painter,White EP, Pool Party ribbon, Silver Trim, Metallic Sequin Assortment.

'Til next time,

Jan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Spotlight on Nature JAI #739

Happy Friday and welcome! It's almost the last week of February and the end of summer here in Australia! Time is going so quickly this year and it is hard to believe it is nearly Autumn - and nearly Spring for those in the Northen Hemisphere. I hope that the year has been treating you sell so far.

This week at Just Add Ink ,we have a Choose Two Challenge from three options : Colouring, Thinking of you or Embossing suggested by Kerry. Our Design Team have made cards showing so many of the different options and funnily enough we also produced a bit of a similar colour theme despite this not being a colour challenge. 

Have a look at the JAI blog and see and we'd love you to join us too!

 For my card this week, I chose Colouring and Embossing.

The beautiful image is from the Spotlight on Nature stamp set and it is embossed with White EP on water colour paper. 

Then ink was blended onto the water colour paper in three different colours - Lemon Lime Twist, Coastal Cabana and Blueberry Bushel - in sections and wiped off the white embossed image. Then drops of water are flicked onto the image using a Water Pen and blotted off using paper towel.

Then the image is placed on some more Blueberry Bushel card stock dry embossed using an EF from my stash. It is so long retired that I can't recall it's name but it looks as though its a knitted background which is very current a the moment.

And this has it's corners rounded and then is added onto some Thick Basic White Cardstock.

The sentiment is from the same stamp set and is stamped in Blue Berry Bushel ink and then is Clear Embossed to help give it extra shine. The rounded corners on the sentiment strip and the Silver foil layer are created using Circle dies. Finally, some white twine and rhinestones are added too.

Thanks for stopping by this week. I hope that you are inspired to join in with us for this week's Just Add Ink challenge and I look forward to seeing what you Choose out of the Three options and what you decide to create!

'Til next time,

Jan

 

A Cocktails Kind of Day for JAI #737

Happy Friday and welcome! Happy Waitangi Day weekend to all the New Zealanders!

Well, the kids are all back at school now and the Universities go back next week. Looks like most people are returning to the working time table. Hopefully that still means there is time for you to join in a Challenge or few!

At Just Add Ink this week ur we have this thirst quenching Inspiration Image from Kim. 

Our design team have showed all sorts of ways to use this picture in your crafting from using the colours, the theme or individual elements and we hope that inspires you to join us! 

For my card, I had to think a little bit to come up with suitable images to use.

 I don't own any current fruit stamps and neither do I have the Saleabration Fruity DSP. 
So I was just going to go with the colours. But I wanted to include the ice cubes somehow...and then I remembered I still had this retired set, Nothing Better Than that has a stamp for the ice in the glasses.

The background is water coloured using Summer Splash (the name seems so appropriate for this image)  And I flicked some Wink of Stella into the background too.

To create the two-toned look in the glasses, I sponged a little Calypso Coral and then some Melon Mambo on top before stamping the insides. The lime and umbrella both have a similar process of two ink colours sponged on top.

And lastly, a little Fine Tip Glue Pen is applied to the Cocktails word, cut from Summer Splash card stock.

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope that you feel inspired to join in the challenge with us at Just Add Ink.  I really look forward to seeing what you create each week as you inspire me too!

Until next time,

Jan

Card stock: Basic White, Basic Black,

DSP: In Colours 2024-2926 6x6

Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green, Summer Splash

Stamps: Nothing Better Than (retired)

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Waterpainter, Wink of Stella, White Embossing Powder, Metallic Sequins, Fine Tip Glue Pen

 

Two Country Flowers for JAI #735

Happy Friday everyone. It's the last weekend before school returns after the summer holidays here in Victoria. I hope all your back to school organising has gone to plan and you can relax this weekend and join us for some crafty fun!

This week at Just Add Ink we have an elegant colour combo with a pop of colour for you from Rochelle. 

Our design team have created a fabulous array of projects which you can see over at the Just Add Ink blog and we'd love you to join in the Challenge with us!

I created two almost mirror image cards. Both using a half and half amount  of black and white.

The black teapot version was made first and then the white teapot version second.

The Black and white triangles were cut first. The black side here was run through with an EF and the white base card was stamped in versamark and gold embossing powder was heat set and the black layer added on top.

A further tea pot was stamped and die cut and the leaves were coloured with Copics in Summer Splash tones. The little die cut flowers are also amongst the dies in the set and some retired sequins are added on top. Ribbon and gold twine above the sentiment hopefully add a little softness and texture too. The sentiment is embossed with black embossing powder to help it pop on the Splash card stock.

And the black card is the same but opposite. I actually made this card first and wasn't quite happy with it and that helped me make the white embossed version. And then this card seemed better as it became a pair. There, I've shared the angst of design with you!😅

On this card, the white side was dry embossed and the black, base card side was stamped in versamark and gold embossing powder heat set.

The same leaves were stamped and coloured and the same ribbons and twine used as accessories. But this time there are no die cut flowers. I almost added a die cut gold tea pot...but that seemed a bit too much I thought lol! 

I often remember when creating, the words of fashion designer Coco Chanel, to" look in the mirror and take off at least one thing before you leave the house." I apply that to cards ...to help me not over accessorise them and keep them relatively Clean & Simple. I'm not sure I take enough off, but that is the theory!😊

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope that can pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog and see all the fabulous card from the rest of the team and also other entrants. And I look forward to seeing what you create with this elegant colour combo with a pop of colour too.

Card stock: Basic White, Basic Black, Summer Splash

Stamps: Country Flowers, Artistically Inked

Accessories: Die cutting machine, Country flowers Dies, Subtle EF, Black EP, Gold EP, Ribons, Sequins, Non SU: Copics

'Til next time,

Jan

 

Just Add Ink Blog Hop #734 Just Add Something New

Hello!! Happy New Year and WELCOME to the first Just Add Ink Challenge for 2025!!

As is custom at JAI, we are starting the year with a Blog Hop featuring the whole design team. 

So if you have gotten to me, then you are doing well and nearing the end of the happy hop we have for you! 

You may have come from the lovely Kerry Parkinson's blog and her fabulous Scrapbook pages or you may be starting here. I hope that you are able to grab a cuppa and sit for a few minutes and enjoy all the creativity we have for you. We hope to inspire you to new heights and that you will be keen to join in the challenge with us this week and hopefully throughout the year as well.

This week's Just Add Ink Challenge is to Just Add....Something New!! That could be a new stamp set or other crafty purchase. But it is not limited to that. You may want to add a new technique or colour combo that you've tried for the first time. Whatever Something New is for you, we would love to see it! Just pop on over to the Just Add Ink blog to see all the DT cards and also all the challenge entrants and there you can enter your own creation!

My card this week is a combination of two new things - I tried the fun new Friendly Seagulls Saleabration stamp set plus I also tried this 3D card fold which is new to me. So, two New Somethings from me.

The card fold I saw thanks to a FB live by Mitosu crafts. And the boys mention in their post that their version was inspired by Fiona Whitten. 

Above is the card lying flat for posting and it was so much fun to make for me! 

I don't actually have this stamp set yet. A lovely friend sent me some stamped images and I used almost all of them on this card - including fussy cutting the tiny fish - but I digress!  

I came to Australia 25 years ago this week from New Zealand. When I first got off the plane, my accent was pretty strong.  Every day, nursing and Dr colleagues at the hospital I worked at, would ask me to "say fish and chips" and burst out laughing at my "fush and chups" answer! It made me so terrified to go to an actual Fish and Chip Shop and speak to order that I couldn't for 2 whole years!!

When I saw this stamp set, it also reminded me of a NZ whale cartoon that went viral a few years ago too...so I was very keen to play with it. 😍

And here is the card when the recipient opens it and sets it up - it's interactive!

What was the right hand side on the front of the card is also the stand up pillar - or wooden post - for the inside of the card. 

This little seagull is so super cute with his beak full of chips! Yes, in New Zealand and Australia, but especially in NZ, we don't really say fries - exception maybe for those of a large franchise .... but we usually say chips. Or chups, according to the Aussies LOL!

The card design required a piece of card along the bottom third for the post to stand up vertically against and so I created a wooden "pier" to help feature more "chips" and the hungry seagull's friend. Let alone those individually coloured and fussy cut little fishes!! Yes, it can be done!

So thanks so much for joining us on the  Just Add Ink Blop Hop today!! I hope that you have enjoyed my fun little card as much as I did making it.

Next you are off to the wonderful Tina Gillespie and you will love her gorgeous card for this hop! I hope that you enjoy all the Design Team cards this week and I look forward to seeing the gallery full of all sorts of Something New creations!

Products used:

Card stock: Crumb Cake, Basic White, Basic Black.

DSP: Full of Life DSP (Sea/ Sky) In Good Taste (retired, for the pier and pole)

Something For Everything Ephemera Pack (Sun)

Stamp: Friendly Seagulls

Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black - Blends and Copics used to colour the stamped images. 

Sequins are from a long retired, loose pack of 100 In Colour sequins. I so wish that SU would bring these loose packs back. 

Blog Hop List:
Joanne Stubbings

Narelle Farruggia

Lou Kitzelman

Nikki Spencer

Chantell Randall

Tristan Dawes

Ann Alexander

Dianne Barnes

Kim Badelt

Kerry Parkinson

Jan McQueen - you are here

Tina Gillespie

Rochelle Blok

And if you get lost along the way or are ready to enter, head to the Just Add Ink Blog.

'Til next time,

Jan

 

Tree Angel for JAI #732

Happy Friday and welcome! It is almost 3 weeks til Christmas and the schools are finishing and the shops are filling up with shoppers. The jolly man in his red suit is inhabiting the shopping centres and the weather is heating up too. All of these are signs that Christmas is not far away here in Australia! How are your family's Christmas preparations going? Mine are running a little bit behind, but not too far. 

This week at Just Add Ink Challenges, we have a very cool sketch from Tina! Our design team have used the sketch as it is or have flipped it around to landscape and so can you. We hope that you can pop on over to the JAI blog and be inspired to join in the Challenge!

This week's sketch is really fun. But I wondered if I could use a little lateral room with those mountain and valley parts of the it....and as it's nearly Christmas, I had a light bulb moment - Christmas trees would be the perfect shape for the sketch design!!

The trees are stamped versions of Decorative Trees - the dies of this set are so spectacular but I thought I'd try the stamped version and see how it would work for my idea. Perfectly, it turned out!

The stamped trees are quite light and fun and pair with an older MFT set from my stash really well. 
For the lights, I stamped the ones above the puppy several times and coloured these and cut them out using snips. Every light and the cute puppy were all coloured with a mixture of Blends and Copics and then are slathered with Wink of Stella for some Christmas sparkle!

Card stock: Basic White, Basic Black, Summer Splash, Foil Specialty -  Grapefruit Grove

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Summer Splash, Lost Lagoon, Blends

Stamps: Decorative Trees

Accessories: Die cutting machine, Decorative Tree Dies, White EP, Wink of Stella

Non - SU: Stamps: Deck the Howls bundle (MFT-retired), Copics

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed my card and are inspired to pop on over to Just Add Ink and join in this week's challenge!

'Til next time,

Jan