Fun Stampers Journey Birthday Cards

I’ve created something different for you today. I wanted to make a very simple birthday card but ended up with two cards. When I say simple for me I mean there are no rubber stamps or digital images included on my project. It is a mixed media card and I got to get messy, which is a marvelous way to start the day. Really!!! If I cannot get into my studio at least once a day, I feel like I am cheating myself from something marvelous that could happen. I am blathering so I will get on to with my project.

I started out with Tim Holt’s Mixed-Media 140# card stock. I knew that I wanted something sturdy for the media that I was going to use for the background. I trimmed the card stock to 4”x5.25” and spritz with Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) Color Splashes in Cool Pool, Watermelon, Shimmer Gold, and Shimmer Silver, drying each color before I added the next color (you do not want to create mud). After everything was dry, I sponged on some FSJ Black Licorice ink around the edges. (I do apologize; I did not take a picture of the above step.)

My next step was the die cutting. I die cut some of the FSJ New Day 12”x12” designer paper with the two largest dies in the FSJ Journey Rectangles. After the cutting, I snipped two corners of the frame to make the design on the card (see below).

When the cut frame pieces were glued on the background piece, I placed these two panels on their own cardstock. After I attached them to their card bases, I added the Happy Birthday die and sequins to finish the cards. The full list of FSJ supplies along with their stock numbers are listed below.

Fun Stampers Journey supplies (Click this link and you will get to my website.)

• PP0004 – New Day 12 x 12 designer paper
• CS0012 – Grape Fusion card stock
• CS0039 – Watermelon Fusions card stock
• CS0040 – Whip Cream card stock (this was used on the inside)
• CS0003 – Black Licorice cardstock
• DI0041 – Journey Rectangles dies
• DI0093 – Gift Card Window Plates dies
• AC0115 – Journey Sequins Special Celebration
• IP0076 – Cool Pool Color Splash
• IP0083 – Watermelon Color Splash
• IP0082 – Shimmer Silver Color Splash
• IP0081 – Shimmer Gold Color Splash

Just a little bit more…the FSJ “Spring into Summer” catalog is now available for your viewing. You can shop by clicking here. You should come to my page, click shop, and start shopping. New products in this mini. Also, on my page there is a “Happy Sales” link. Click on that and you will see everything that is now 30% off while they last. We are making room for brand new merchandise in our 2016-2017 catalog. On another note: I would love to have you become a FSJ coach and join my team.

My FSJ Birthday Cards would like to enter into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew – Die Cuts

Through the Craft Room Door – Anything Goes

Artistic Inspirations Challenge Blog – Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart – Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by. Please, if you have any question, contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

Fun Stampers Journey

Double release at Aurora Wings!

Happy Friday and welcome to an awesome double release at Aurora Wings! When I say “awesome” that always means (for me at least) that Mitzi has designed new sprites to add to her collection of sprites digital images. I love all the sprites at Aurora Wings.

I was able to get both images colored and one art card project completed. The first one, "Ladybug Sprite," is the one I decided to make into a card.

My creative process:

• The first thing was completing the Copic coloring (see above).
• Next was deciding on the cardstock and designer paper. The cardstocks that I decided on was Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) 12” x 12” FSJ’s Black Licorice, 8½” x 11” Summer Days, Kiwi Slice, and Candy Apple. My designer paper was from Gina K. Designs Poppy Prints.
• With the above cardstock, I trimmed the Black Licorice down to 6” x 12” for a 6” card base. The Kiwi Slice and Candy Apple cardstocks were layered under the Poppy Prints designer paper.
• The main image was trimmed with Spellbinder’s A2 Curved Matting Basics A #5 die and layered with the Candy Apple and Black Licorice cardstocks.
• After I had the base and Ladybug Sprite taken care of I started die cutting all the embellishments. Spellbinder’s Draping Vines Frame was cut in the FSJ’s Kiwi Slice cardstock. That was the perfect size for my 6” x 6” finished card. That die also comes with the tiny flowers that I cut with FSJ’s Summer Days cardstock. There are the cutest tiny humming birds, along with the tiny flowers, but those will be for something else. The “hello” is from Spellbinder’s D-Lites Sentiments Five die and cut from more of the Black Licorice cardstock. This die has curly ques at the beginning and ending of the word “hello.” I trimmed off the end curly que so it would fit.
• Before I finished with the embellishments I sponged the edges of the flowers with FSJ’s Black Licorice True Color Fusion ink. This added a little “oomph” that the flowers needed so they would not get lost on the front of the card. My final touch was the tiny flat-backed red pearls, from my stash, in the center of each flower.

This next image, “Columbine Sprite,” was fun to color, or at least I had fun combining my Copic Bs and Vs. I did a little research on colors for the Columbine flower and these are the colors that caught my eye (purple is one of my favorite colors anyway).

Mitzi is having a 25% off sale in her Aurora Wings Etsy store. Use code DIGISAVE25 for 25% off with a minimum of $10 in digi purchase. This coupon code is good through July 17^th through July 19^th. If you have not joined our Stamps by Aurora Wings Facebook group, now is the time to check it out. There’s always something going on.

I hope you enjoyed your visit. Thanks for stopping by. Please stop by our Aurora Wings Showcase Blog and take a look at what the rest of the designers have created. You will be inspired. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate contacting me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

AW Showcase Designer

Little Kitsune Anko by Aurora Wings

Aurora Wings Showcase designers have a new image for you today. Mitzi has designed a Japanese folklore image, Little Kitsune Anko. I love all things from any of the Asian countries.

Little Kitsune Anko (or Little Vixen as I call her) was a joy to color with Copics. I tried to keep the image visible with just some black and yellow lattice work dies for my background. The added embellishments were the green vines and orange butterflies.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, R20;

Hair, Ears, and Tail: E08, 09, 18, and

YR12, 15, 18;

Leaves and Eyes: YG17, 21, 23, 25, 67;

Kimono: Y000, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, E43, and

YG17, 21, 23, 25, 67, and

R81, 83, 85, 89;

Sandles: YR18, and E08, 09, 18;

Mask: YR 12, 18, and

E08, 09.

 Other supplies:

Cardstock: Fun Stampers Journey in Black Licorice, Pineapple Smoothie, and

Orange Creamsicle.

Designer Paper: Authentique.

Dies” Spellbinder’s 5”x7” Card Creator Fanciful Lattice and

Cheery Lynn’s Butterfly Small and Ivy Corner Flourish.

Thanks for your visit today! I hope you head over to the Aurora Wings Showcase blog and check out all the designers projects with this little vixen. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

AW Showcase Designer

Belle et Bete and a Progressive Challenge

Welcome everyone! It’s been way too long for a visit from me to blog land. Hopefully, over the next few weeks I will have more projects to share, or at least some colored digis.

The Rick St. Dennis MFA (RSD) Progressive Challenge Part Two started around Oct. 1. It would be wonderful if you could take a visit and peek at RSD’s Elite Design Team (EDT) Team A’s amazing creations with RSD’s digi “Belle et Bete.” This beautiful image, which was a joy to color (All of Rick’s images are a joy to color!), is available in Rick’s Etsy store. There is also an RSD EDT call for our blogs and for Facebook. This call will end on Oct. 31. Don’t miss it!

Now it is EDT Team B’s time to showcase this wonderful image, “Belle et Bete.” I have colored this image with Copics and trimmed with an oval die. After the embossing with the die, I trimmed off the outer edge of the image. That was then mounted on the same oval die, but cut with red cardstock.

Copics used:

Skin - E000, 00, 04, 11, 21, and R20

Hair – Beast: E37, YR24, Y26, 15;

Belle: E21, 33, 57, 59

Cloak – BV00, 02, 04, 08

Gown - BG11, 18, 32, 78

Bow – RV63, 66, 69

Roses and Hearts – R20, 22, 24, 29, 89

Background – W00, 0, 1, 2, 3

This is a 5”x7” finished card, so I decided to use a 5"x7" background die cut with black cardstock. That cut was glued to a piece of designer paper, trimmed, and layered on red cardstock. All of these elements were mounted on my black card blank.

Supply list:

• Digital image – RSD’s Belle et Bete
• Cardstock – Fun Stampers Journey Black Licorice and Pomegranate Splash’; Copic X-Press Blending Card; black card blank
• Designer Paper – Authentique
• Dies – Spellbinder’s Heirloom Legacy and Celebrations Pierced Ovals
• Roses – my stash
• Bling - Swarovski Crystals
• Vines and leaves – Alpha Stamps Fern Garland

Just a reminder…we have our RSD DT call going on for our blogs, Sparkle and Glitter and Airless Chambers, and for Facebook. You can read all about it at Sparkle and Glitter and Facebook. We would love for you to join our Facebook group, RSD’s Fans and Friends. We have a bi-weekly art contest that will resume on Nov. 10.

So glad that you stopped by. If you have any question, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

RSD’s Elite Design Team

“Oh My Little Chickadee…”

I hope everyone is having a very creative and productive week. I have been very busy with several Facebook groups and in-between that I was able to complete a project with Fun Stampers Journey (FSJ) stamps and supplies. Truth be told, I started on this last week. I am really enjoying getting back to my rubber stamps roots.

The Christmas spirit has finally grabbed me, so I decided to use the FSJ Christmas Melody set for my next rubber stamp project. There are three large stamps that make perfect images for cards. There are also a “Merry Christmas” sentiment and a gorgeous holly stamp for an extra embellishment. I chose the Chickadee image to begin my card.

Before the creative process started I stamped the chickadee with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic X-press Blending Card. It was then colored with Copics and trimmed with Spellbinder’s Celebration’s Pierced Oval. After the trimming I added FSJ Kiwi Slice True Color Fusion ink around the edges for a little more pop of color.

Copics used:

Chickadee: C0, 1, 3, 5, and clear glitter pen

Branch: E25, 50

Berries: R20, 22, 27, 29, 89

Background: W00, 0, 1, 2, 3

I could not locate any designer paper that I liked with my Chickadee (As much DP that I have, I was shocked! LOL) I decided I would make my own. I searched through my ever-growing stencil stash and found just what I was looking for. This stencil is from Joggles.

My finished card was going to be finished size of 5½” square, and I knew that there would be several layers of cardstock under my DP. I trimmed some FSJ Whip Cream cardstock to 5” square and got ready to stencil. For photographing purposes I used a piece of Kiwi Slice cardstock so you could see the cardstock and stencil. I taped the white cardstock, with removable tape, to the green cardstock. The next step was to position the stencil where I wanted the image from the stencil to be.

I am ready to create the designer paper. I used a sponge dauber with FSJ Kiwi Slice True Fusion ink. I always start on the right side because I am left handed, not as messy. This was the point where I started truly appreciating FSJ’s True Fusion inks. They are a hybrid ink so they keep that same pigment intensity as a pigment ink. They are also very quick drying, so no mess.

My embellishments are red ribbon and box (from my stash) and holly corners. My holly corners (see below) were die cut from Spellbinder’s Holly Motifs in FSJ Kiwi Slice cardstock. After embossing, and before I released them from the die, I used FSJ Kiwi Slice True Fusion Ink on the embossed areas. I die cut a total of eight hollies and used two for each corner. From my stash I glued red flat-backed pearls to the center.

For the completion of my card I used 8½”x11” FSJ Kiwi Slice cardstock trimmed to 5½”x11” and folded in half to make my 5½” square card base. Next step was to take my homemade designer paper and layer that with FSJ Kiwi Slice and Candy Apple cardstock. Before attaching this to my base I added my red ribbon and bow. My Chickadee was placed on two FSJ Caddy Apple cardstock oval die cuts and placed above the bow with foam tape. The final pieces were the holly corners. Mission completed!

Before I sign off, I wanted to invite you to my Facebook group, “AJ’s Stampers Journey.” The group is still in the growing stages and I am getting ready to send out catalogs to my members. If you would like a catalog, come join my group, and then send me a PM on Facebook or email me with your mailing information.

With Fun Stampers Journey you have a business opportunity of becoming a Journey Coach. You will have exclusive access to products, product discounts, a very generous compensation plan, and the ability to create and connect with friends and family. I don’t want you to miss this amazing opportunity of becoming one of the earliest coaches within this growing and expanding company, Fun Stampers Journey.  I would be honored to have you on my team. Click http://www.funstampersjourney.com/155 for more information. After you have read all the information and you have questions, please contact me at ajsdesigns@cox.net. 

"Oh My Little Chickadee" would like to enter the following challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything Goes, include a handmade bow

My Craft Creations - Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes

This was a rather long post, but I hope you had reading enjoyment, and maybe picked up a few tips. Thanks for stopping by. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Aletha Jane

AJ’s Design Artz

FSJ Coach

Got Snow?

It is beautiful in Oklahoma for this first weekend of fall. We are so ready for this cooler weather. We even had some much needed rain this last week. I hope that Texas got some too.

I wanted to share my first project using La La Land Crafts rubber stamp. I have a few of these stamps, and this week I decided to play.

The stamp I used is “Marci with Snowman.” She is adorable and really easy to color with my Copics. I was thrilled that I made time for my Copics. It’s been awhile for me just to set and color. So therapeutic!

My other ingredients are:
Spellbinders dies Snowflake Pendant and Small Ovals,
Memory Box die Frosty Border,
DP: Best Creations Merry Christmas collection,
CS: Stampin’ Up! in Always Artichoke and Cranberry Crisp,
Stickles,
Ribbon from my stash.

I am entering her in StampingScrapping Challenge Central’s sketch challenge. This is the wonderful sketch.

Other challenges that I am entering are:

Crafty Hazel Nut’s Christmas Challenge #39 – for a child

Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle Saturdays – use your favorite colors

Sew Many Cards – Ovals

Stampin’ for the Weekend – what a cutie

That’s it for now. I am so glad you stopped by! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate contacting me.
Aletha

A Geisha and some Gingko

Happy Wednesday everyone! I guess by the time you read this the day is probably almost over. Late post, sorry.

This project was a lot of fun to make. After I decided what DP I wanted to use, I then picked my Copic colors. I was stumped on a layout so I headed over the Splitcoast Stampers and picked out SC#278. This one was perfect because I wanted to keep Chris’s design of Geisha2 square and I also wanted to incorporate Stamp Zia’s gingko leaf stamp. After I colored all of my elements I made them 3D with foam tape. (Photos really do not show that.) The DP is really had to see because it’s covered but it is the actual bottom layer.

Being a part of Chris Stern’s design team has been wonderful. Her designs help me think out of my box and are so inspirational. Please take a few minutes and check out her images.

Also, CS Designs is having it’s first challenge. Check it out here and you really don’t want to miss out on this one! There are so many chances to win!

Challenges I have entered with this project:

Cards and Things Challenge – Color challenge: certainly celery, marina mist, old olive
Craft Your Passion – Anything goes
The Shabby Tea Room – Luck of the Irish (use green)

Splitcoast Stampers - SC278 (see below)

My details for this project:

Stamps: Digi from CS Designs-Geisha2; Gingko stamp for the background from Stamp Zia.

Copics: B 21, 24, 26; YG17, 21, 67; R20; E000, 00.

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Spicas-Olive; Gelly Roll-Clear Star.

DP: Memory Box-Brioche collection.

CS: SU Basic Black.

Splitcoast Stamper: Sketch SC278

Thanks for stopping by! And have a great week!
Aletha

Abundant Blessings and TSB

And my blessings are abundant! I have a wonderful family, a VERY supportive husband, a gracious and understanding set of best friends, I live in a beautiful historical neighborhood in the middle of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I am on this wonderful Design Team for The Stamping Boutique (TSB).  What more could I ask for? I do count my blessings everyday.

For this blog hop here are the participants and their order:

Collette
Genevieve
Stacie
Jan
Jenn
Melissa (this is where you came from)
Aletha (this is where you are, and my letter is "H")
Debbie (this is your next stop)
Amanda
You need to visit each blog, leave some love, collect the letters from each blog, and when you get to Amanda's blog, leave her some love with the secret word. After you have completed these steps, you will have a chance to win two images from The Stamping Boutique.

This project was another fun one. Everything feel into place again. The finished size is 4¾” x 4¾”. I really like this size for a square card. I do think I am going to do more.

The image I used is Audrey the Pilgrim from The Stamping Boutique. Tracey, artist and owner of The Stamping Boutique, is one of my very best friends and her illustrations are to die for. I am so fortunate to get to use her imagination with my imagination. Thank you, Tracey!

The copics I used are:

I did purchase a supply of these ready made cards from Envelopper, Inc.  In fact, when I purchase ready made cards, I purchase from them. They have the envelopes to match. This base card is the Stardream Copper. 

The sentiment is from a Verve stamp set, “Bountiful Harvest.”  You gotta love those Verve stamps!

I also used Spellbinders dies in the Eyelet Circles and Scallop Ovals. You can find these from StampingScrapping. And talk about friendly and another best friend, Cindy is the best. Oh…her service and loyalty to her customers…well you won’t find this kind of quality anywhere else. Yes, this is a biased opinion. The inks I used are Memento Tuxedo Black and Cantaloupe. I accented with Smooch Ink in Illuminate and Spica pens in Black, Lipstick, Orange, and Chocolate. The white accents are done with a Sharpie poster paint. The punch work is done in SU’s copper cardstock and was completed with Martha Stewart punches which I purchased from Michaels.

Thanks so much for checking out the blog hop. Your next stop is

If you have any questions, or I left something out, just email me at ajsdesigns@cox.net.

Aletha Jane

Peace and Joy

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. It is winding down for me, but I do want to try and create something else after this posting. Although Watson the Dachshund might change my plans with walking, needing attention, etc. (you know how it goes with the four-legged rug rats).

This creation was very relaxing to do. Everything fell into place for some reason. I do like those days. lol

I have had this stamp set for about a month and set my mind to do something with it these past few days. I purchased it from Flourishes, Christmas Classics.  It is one of my favorite sets when it comes to the holidays. I have many stamp sets from Flourishes. They are so elegant.

The Spellbinder and Tim Holtz dies I purchased from StampingScrapping.  Cindy and Kevin are the best when it comes to customer service and their shipping time is unbelievable. Go take a visit.

Below are the Copics I used. I also purchase my Copics http://www.stampingscrapping.com/category_289/Copic-Markers.htm from StampingScrapping.

The designer paper I used is “Mistletoe” from Memory Box. The cardstock used is SU’s Real Read, Cryogen Iridescent (also purchased from StampingScrapping, I like them just a little.), and Neenah Classic Solar White.

I also used Memento dye inks in Tuxedo Black and Bamboo Leaves. For a little sparkle I used Smooch ink and Spica pens in chocolate, lemon, and red.

Before I forget…you can purchase my holiday card at Etsy, or you might like to try my Zibbet studio. 
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you have any questions please email me at ajsdesigns@cox.net.

Aletha Jane