2021 Topic 9: Baubles & Bling with NEW JOFY {by Jo Firth-Young}

 2021 Topic 9: Baubles & Bling

If glittery restraint was an Olympic skill, Jo would definitely be up there in contention for medals. Her sparkly project is like a bling 'I spy' and she's ended up with a beautiful item anyone would love to display at Christmas.
~ Keren.

Hi everyone, it's Jo with you today to share with you a gorgeous Christmas box frame. 

As you know, the blog topic at the moment is 'Baubles and Bling' - I heard the word 'bling' and I was in!!  The chance to use sparkly things liberally on a project?! Yes please!

That said, I have been quite (very) restrained with my use of sparkly shiny elements, all used quite discreetly; all 7 types..lol! Well, this is a Christmas themed project and Christmas isn't Christmas without a bit or sparkle is it?!

I used an up-cycled wood box frame for the outer substrate of my project; the original print on the box was quite dark so to block this out I covered the entire surface in book pages, overlapping to the inside of the frame where the project will be fixed. 

This is a relatively simple project built up with several layers of stenciling & stamped images.. the overall effect is lovely especially when the light catches elements and the glazes and sparkles reflect the light.

I cut a square panel of chipboard/greyboard 1cm smaller than the internal measurement of the frame - this is the inner substrate of the project.

I planned a cool colour scheme for the project and instead of reaching for my preferred pale background colours I started with a darker blue. I applied Calypso and Snowflake paint onto the board with a sponge using a circular/clouding motion which created a subtle blended effect - darker at the top and lighter towards the bottom.

NB:  In the photo above you can see tabs of masking tape on either side of the board - I attached these so that the panel can be lifted in and out of the frame while working on it.

The background has several layers of stenciling.  I used PS275 and Metallic Glaze (bling #1) to add large snowflakes all over the panel.

For the next layer I used PS273 and Sea Glass paint to add a line of hanging stars - using a dabbing motion to achieve a full coverage of paint.

In the photo above I've tilted the board so you can see how the layers work together, the Metallic Glaze catches the light when tilted which is a lovely effect.

 

 

The final stenciled layer used the large bauble shapes on PS273 to create silhouette (ghost-like) baubles - I lightly swirled Snowflake paint through these shapes so the paint is slightly transparent and allows other images to show through. 

When I make a project that sits within a frame I will often place it in the frame to see how it looks (the reason for the masking tape tabs in an earlier photo). After seeing the board within the frame I decided the background needed 'something' so I added some splats of white (concentrating them across the top edge) to give the effect of snow.

I used a white pencil to draw hanging cords for the 'ghost' baubles and to add a highlight around the edges (a pencil gave a softer line, a white pen would've been too bright/opaque).

The main motifs for the box frame are the large hanging baubles on the newly released JOFY104. (available exclusively from PaperArtsy stockists - follow this link for a retailer list at the bottom of the post) They were going to look great hanging in the recess of the wood frame!

 

I stamped the baubles twice onto wood grain printed paper (using a stamping platform - such a useful tool !!)

Then onto painted card stock (Aqua Duck Egg & Pistachio), using a clouding motion so the finished effect was softer, not solid. (Happy accident:  I used the same sponge to apply the Aqua Duck Edge paint as I had for the Metallic Glaze stenciling, it resulted in a lovely shimmery finish to the Aqua Duck Egg painted surface! Happy accident!). You can see it in the photo below where I'm adding shading using a coloured pencil.

 

 

I cut out and assembled all the stamped images adding painted and paper-pieced details. Above is a photo of the finished baubles (on the panel). I shaded the bottom edges of the painted baubles using a coloured pencil to give them shape. I painted the snowflake details in a contrast colour: Aqua Duck Egg on the Pistachio baubles, White Fire (bling #2) on the wood grain and Aqua Duck Egg baubles, self-adhesive gems (bling #3) in snowflake centres and white pen highlights on all baubles.

Shading with coloured pencils makes a big difference in shaping the baubles.

This photo above shows how I suspended the baubles in the box frame.  I pierced through the hole on each stamped and threaded it with a metallic cord (I'm counting that as bling #4). Using a box frame means that baubles can be suspended/mounted at different depths from the back of the frame to give the effect they are dangling.

The board itself is raised off the inside of the frame on layers of 3d foam. You can see the varying levels in the photo above - some on 1 layer of 3d foam, some on 2.

For the ornaments that are mounted furthest away from the back panel I created a square tube of acetate and cut lengths to suit the bauble. You can see one in the photo above - its approximately 1cm square, the added bonus of using acetate is its transparency and lack of weight.

I attached all the ornaments to the base board and the threads were folded over the top the  board and secured behind (the acetate mounted baubles were attached to the underside of the top edge of the box frame).

With the base panel centered inside the frame and secured in place I added a few final details.

I stamped the words from JOFY104 along the edges of the frame leaving space for a bit more bling - a nice touch of white 'frosty' glitter on the corners (bling #5).

I die cut snowflakes from glitter paper (bling #6) and added some tiny spots of glitter glue  (bling #7) for a touch of twinkle dotted amongst the matte snow splatters.

One of the last details I added was to sketch around the painted panel with a white pen - this softened the edge and created a 'frosted' look - similar to the corner of frosted pane of glass.

This project could be reconfigured for many other substrates - art journal pages, greeting cards (see my July product release post for more examples of those), tags, canvasses - and in lots of other colour schemes; so many options.

I hope you're inspired to try it.... remember to have fun with it!  Use as many baubles as you can fit, use as many colours as you'd like - and don't skimp on the glitters!  As always I look for forward to seeing what you make!

Take care.

Jo

Website: www.jofy.co.uk

Pinterest: @jofyjo

Facebook: JoFY Jamboree! group

Twitter: @jofyjo

Instagram: @jofyjo

Teaching dates - ONLINE workshops
21.08.21  The Artistic Stamper, www.theartisticstamper.com ....Fabulously Festive

28.08.21  Loobi Crafts, www.loobicrafts.co.uk ...Wonderfully Wintery 

NEW PaperArtsy Products: Jo Firth-Young Collection {July 2021}

   JOFY Collection

July 2021 New Product Announcement

 

 

A note from Leandra...

 

We all absolutely LOVE a JOFY Christmas release, particularly if making cards for special friends and family is your thing! She always comes up with the goods, whether you go simple, or more in-depth, there will be plenty that works for all of that and more!

 

Remember, these stamps are available EXCLUSIVELY from our approved stockists for the next 4 months. You will find a list of stockists at the foot of this post.

 

Hi everyone!  Jo (www.jofy.co.uk) here to wish you a very early and sincere Happy Christmas!!  lol, Don't panic, Christmas is still several months away - I'm just getting you in the festive mood for my blog post this evening and the stamps I'm bringing you... but don't worry its not all about Christmas.

Christmas 2020 I took a year off from designing seasonal stamps and I'm making up for it this year!  This year there will be 2 JOFY Christmas releases - I'm overflowing with the joys of Christmas!  This is JOFY Christmas 2021 Part 1.  Part 2 will be released in September.

I love these stamps sooooo much!! I hope there is something in this collection for everyone, and of course you can mix these new stamps with others you've bought previously - you'll see that I've incorporated several older stamps in my samples. When I'm designing seasonal themed stamps sets I always have card making in the back of my mind, but you'll see during this post that they can be used in dimensional ways too.

I've really been looking forward to sharing with you my newest release for PaperArtsy - lets get going and take a look at the 3 stamps sets and 3 stencils....

.....snowmen, snowflakes and baubles! oh my!

  New Stamps

Price: RRP €21.92 +VAT
Size:5" x 6" (13 x16.5cm)
All stamps are individually trimmed onto cling foam, presented in a clear hanging bag
with a laminated storage/index sheet.
  

JoFY Collection 104 (JOFY104)

I love mid-century design - the interior design/architecture, shapes, & patterns - its an era I looked to for inspiration when designing the large baubles and shapes on this set.  

At first glance you might wonder what to do with all the little bits and pieces (I call them 'pebbles') - let me show you...

They large bauble are perfectly sized for cards - these were both created using the stamps and the coordinating stencil you'll see later in this post.

Baubles cards

The pebbles can be lined up and stamped to use as a background design - here I used white sparkly embossing powder for a touch of resist and sparkle (because its Christmas and sparkle is expected!).

The little pebbles are surprisingly versatile.  Simply use the outline, as shown on the card above, or use them to build something bigger.

Stamping them onto patterned/coloured papers is one easy way to use them. If you love fussy cutting and paper piecing then you're really going to love these!
When I designed the pebbles I intentionally kept the shapes simple - if you're going to be cutting lots of something you want it to be easy don't you?!

I stamped LOTS of pebbles onto different background papers, painted and printed ... yay for stamping platforms ... and then I spent a relaxing time cutting them out and assembling them in different configurations.  

I had quite a few of these pebbles when I'd finished assembling everything I'd stamped so I created several projects of varying sizes with them.

 

Oh Christmas Tree! (Part 1)

First I used the pebbles to decorate a couple of wood trees I had in my 'Christmas substrates' box (yes, I have one of those lol,  I'm very organised when it comes to Christmas). I mixed up the shapes, sizes and colours to form a garland.

It's easy to add details in colours of your choosing: add sparkles, metallic paints, printed papers - there are just so many options.  I intentionally kept the pebbles quite plain when I designed these (no inside details) so they could be stamped onto patterned papers to bring more detail into the layers easily.

For the a second tree I stamped the larger baubles from JOFY 104  onto the same painted and printed papers to create a coordinated pair of trees. The baubles are suspended from the frame which is also wound with a string of tiny lights.

 

 

The strands of pebbles also work really nicely on a card - here I've teamed them with an appropriate phrase from JOFY69 (more about that stamp set later).  This card shows how the outline and the filled pebbles work alongside each other.

These stamps are not just for Christmas though.....

I love how the pebbles work on this art journal spread. 

How about some flowers! There had to be some flowers somewhere in this post didn't there! lol  This card makes my retro-loving heart smile.... happy little retro flowers!!

JoFY Collection 105 (JOFY105)

 Sir Snow!

I've designed Christmas stamps for the last 8 years, and every year there has been a snowman... and this year is no exception. I like to call him Sir Snow, he's a happy chap with his fancy (if slightly crumpled) top hat.
This year I wondered if the gender balance of my snowmen needed to be addressed - there's been lots of snowMEN but never a snowWOMAN... so I designed a snowlady - and very fancy she is too in her Victorian style dress and handbag... maybe she's Lady Snow??

I think Sir Snow looks so jolly on this card mounted onto a spring - when tapped it looks like he's shivering in the cold. lol  It makes a fun christmas card or detail on an art journal spread.

Its nice to see how these designs can be used on dimensional projects. I created this fun little ornament of Sir Snow attached by a spring onto a vintage cotton reel.... it makes me smile every time I 'boing' it.  Christmas expects fun as well sparkles doesn't it and this ornament delivers both!

In case you're worried I've moved into the 'cute' side of Christmas let me redress the balance... 

While making my samples for this release I was talking to Leandra about the Sir Snow ornament and how I had initially given Sir Snow a really mismatched big googly eye and he looked more Halloween than Christmas....

"do it" she said "and maybe add scars!" lol 

So I did..... I didn't take much convincing that this would be a fun creation...

Nothing mounted on a spring can be very scary can it?! (even with its own skull and spider!).. they make me smile.. AND its a good example of using a Christmas stamp for another event.

(NB. If there were ever team leaders needed for Father Christmas's Nice and Naughty lists these two would definitely be top candidates!)

 Oh Christmas Tree (Part 2)

Each year that I've designed Christmas stamps there has always been a snowman and a tree, and here is this year's tree.  I design the majority of my Christmas stamps with card making in mind - it's when most people send cards isn't - and lots of my designs can be used to create 'clean & simple' cards. This card is a good example - using just 2 stamps (the greeting from JOFY104, tree from JOFY105), white  and grey pencils, white pen, and gold paint (a gold pen could also be used).
Simple but effective... would also look great on black card inked in white or gold....

This stamp could easily be used on patterned papers and paper pieced together to give a more colourful detailed look.

JoFY Collection 106 (JOFY106)

When I designed the images on JOFY106 I thought that they were ideally suited for card making - the small details really work for that format.  However, the more I use them the more I see how they can build up to bigger projects - using them to build up pattern and layouts especially when used with the coordinating stencil (PS275).

Chalkboard Christmas

 

This detailed design is stunning when created in a simple white on black chalkboard effect....a lovely variation of a 'less is more', 'clean & simple' card design... clean and simple doesn't have to mean lots of white space.

However, if 'clean and simple' to you means white space then here is the same design with painted snowflakes and shading to make the image subtly pop against the background.

Peace, Love, Joy

Still quite a 'less is more' card, this time using the coordinating stencil.  The stencil has circles that perfectly match the sketched circles stamp.  This means you can colour only the circles and, using a stamp platform, perfectly stamp the lines on top. A quick and easy way to add colour.

This stamp set has a line and a solid snowflake - great for backgrounds and patterns.

Snow/Joy scrapbook page

 

This is one of the bigger projects I mentioned earlier. A 12x12 scrapbook page - the design could easily be recreated in an art journal.

If you follow me on Instagram (@jofyjo) you'll know that I've been painting circles of various shades and tones of the same colour.  They become perfect little 'canvasses' to be stamped on, layered up and embellished.

They look gorgeous against the background decorated with the set's coordinating stencil of large snowflakes. 

 

New Stencils

Large Size: 6.25" x 9.5" (16 x 24cm) Price: RRP €6.28 +VAT

  

PaperArtsy Stencil 273 (PS273)

I find a matching stencil & stencil so useful when making projects.  For PS273 the stencil and the mask elements are included - this means you can create white spaces and coloured spaces as shown in the photo above.

  

All the card samples above were created using the stencil and/or mask.

 

PaperArtsy Stencil 274 (PS274)

The large tree on JOFY69 is one of my favourite tree designs - I love the doodles elements and the layers and the possibilities.... but I wanted it to be simpler and more versatile... so I've designed a matching stencil.
I hope you like it as much as I do and you find it as useful!.

 

The stencil is a bit like a jigsaw. The tree stencil is separated into pieces, one for each layer of the tree and they all fit in to the master panel (main stencil). To colour a specific layer of the tree simply add the mylar panel/mask fitting the layer above and below the layer you want to work on. In the photo above I've coloured the top layer (1) by covering layer 2 with the appropriate piece(marked on mylar) - this keeps the paint in section 1 and protects layer 2 (this will be painted a different colour).  Colour can be added to layer 2 by covering layers 1 and 3, layer 3 by covering layer 2 and 4 etc.

 

 

Here are samples of the two trees coloured using the new stencil/mask combo.

PaperArtsy Stencil 275 (PS275)

Creating a masterboard to cut up and create cards from is one of my favourite things to do, and at Christmas its a great way to quite quickly make lots of cards that are the same but different at the same time.
Stencil PS275 is a lovely stencil for this way of creating.

The group of spots in the bottom left corner of the stencil match the spots on the stamp set JOFY106 but they can also be used on their own too.  The photo above shows a group of cards created with a masterboard where the spots were coloured with Metallic Glaze (the shimmery spots shining on the masterboard panels).

On the card above I've added a sentiment from a much earlier stamp set - JOFY17 - the timeless sentiment and font means the stamp will work for many years.

 

The background of a masterboard can be altered by adding a wash of colour to the edges - I added a light blend of Distress Oxide to the panel above which accentuated the resist created by the Metallic Glaze.

---

Wow, that feels like a lot of Christmas.... with a few flowers and a touch of halloween thrown in for good measure! I hope its inspired you to think about Christmas (and possibly Halloween too, lol)... 

Thank you, as always, for choosing JOFY products and creating with them - I really appreciate it - I hope you like these new designs too... I can't wait to see what you make!

Take care, enjoy creating!!

Jo

Socials...

Website: www.jofy.co.uk

Pinterest: @jofyjo

Facebook: JoFY Jamboree! group

Twitter: @jofyjo

Instagram: @jofyjo

PaperArtsy Stockist List

Our stockists are your go-to  source for all PaperArtsy products, and we suggest that you also use the PaperArtsy People Facebook group to source a stockist in your country. Many are members and will happily share links to their online stores.

Australia

Bella Paperie, Brendale, Queensland, www.bellapaperie.net.au

Bev's Cross Crafts, Spreyton, Tasmania https://www.bevscrosscrafts.com.au/

Crafters Cupboard, Berwick, Victoria www.crafterscupboard.com.au

Memories on the Murray, Murray Bridge, SA  https://www.memoriesonthemurray.net/

Natalie May Scrapbooking, Dover Gardens, SA https://nataliemay.com.au/

Scrapbook Superstore & More South Penrith, NSW https://www.scrapbooksuperstore.com.au/

The Scrapbooker's Confetti Box, Swansea,NSW https://thescrapbookersconfettibox.com/
The Thread Studio, 6 Smith Street, Perth http://www.thethreadstudio.com/

The Scrapbook Store, North Perth,WA http://thescrapbookstore.com.au/ 
Time To Create, www.timetocreate.com.au

Belgium

Cart N Scrap Art, Antwerp, cartnscrap@gmail.com

Cotrain, Kontich, www.cotrain.be

Expression Hobby, Marcinelle www.expressionhobby.be

Canada

Clipper Street Scrapbook Company, Langley, BC. www.clipperstreet.com

Paper Art Creations Inc, Leduc, Alberta, http://www.paperartcreations.com/
Scrapbook Centrale, Dollard Des Ormeaux, Quebec www.scrapbookcentrale.ca

Simply Scrapbooking, Prince George, BC https://www.facebook.com/simplyscrapbooking/

Scrap Addicts, Edmonton, Alberta https://www.scrapaddicts.ca/

Scrap and Bean, Edmonton, Alberta http://scrapandbean.com/ 

Scrapbooking Fairies, Drayton Valley, Alberta https://www.scrapbookingfairies.com/

The Paper & ink Boutique, Calgary, Alberta https://www.paperandinkboutique.com/
The Scrap Yard, Calgary, Alberta, https://www.thescrapyardcalgary.com/ 

Denmark

Hobbyboden Scrapworld Samso www.hobbyboden.dk

France

Eirl Bancon Cartoscrap, Midi Pyrenees, https://www.cartoscrap.com/blog/

Fee Du Scrap, Saint Sébastien-Sur-Loire, https://www.feeduscrap.fr/

Horizon Creatif, Ste Jalle h.creatif@gmail.com

Katzelkraft, Ingwiller http://www.katzelkraft.fr/en/

Kerglaz, Basse Goulaine, https://www.kerglaz.com/  

Kerudoc Creation, St Yvi www.kerudoccreation.com

Quartier Serre Teston, Ste Jalle, hcreatif@gmail.com

Scrap by Nini,  Uzerche, Limousin https://scrapbynini.fr/ 

Scrapo'naturel, Tourville La Riviere, www.scraponaturel.fr/livraison 

Toutencolle, Dun sur Avon www.toutencolle.fr

Germany

Paperbasics, Hessen, www.paperbasics.de

Stempelbar, Berlin, www.stempelbar.de

Stempeloase Munich, Munich www.stempeloase.de

Stempelfee Shop, Hilden www.stempelfee-shop.de

Stempellaedle, Stuttgart, www.stempellaedle.de/shop

Greece

Scraps N Pieces, Kallithea www.scrapsnpieces.gr

Italy

Immagine SAS di Rapaccini, Rome, www.immaginelab.com

Il Negozio Della Mamma Di Cle, Torino, clelia27@liberio.it

L'artistica Glo, Cinisello B (Mi), www.artisticaglo.it

Marte Savona, Savona, www.martesavona.it

Pezze E Colori, Lissone, http://www.pezzeecolori.it/ 
Piccole Passioni, Siena, www.piccolepassioni.it

Scrap it Easy, Rome, https://www.scrapiteasy.com/it/

Japan

Tiny Dots, Funabashi-shi, Chiba www.facebook.com/TinyDots

Netherlands

Doe@ding,Spijkenisse https://doeading.nl/

Hobbycompleet de Duif, Leeuwarden www.hobbycompleet.nl

Stampingcorner, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel www.stampingcorner.nl

Norway

Hobbygarasjen, Kopervik, www.Hobbygarasjen.no

Spain

Cien por Cien Manualidades, S.L., Bizkaia, Catalunya,  www.100x100manualidades.es

Endulze & Crista S.L, Pampalona, Navarra,  www.endulze.com

Ideas 10 Manualidades Y Scrapbook, Bilbao https://ideas10manualidades.com/

Marakiscrap, Tarragona, www.marakiscrap.com

Scrap & Papers Experiences, Barcelona, Info@casonadequintana.com

Scraphouse S.L. Barcelona www.scraphouseshop.es

The Paradise Corner, Barcelona, www.facebook.com/theparadisecorner 

Taiwan

Mandy's Cards, Taipei www.facebook.com/mandy.card

United Kingdom

Amelia's Creative Crafts, Studley, Warwickshire  www.ameliascreativecrafts.co.uk

Art from the Heart, Harrogate, Yorkshire www.afth.co.uk

Blade Rubber Stamps, London www.bladerubberstamps.co.uk

Crafts at The Malthouse, Herstmonceux,  East Sussex, http://www.themalthouse.co.uk/

Fave Rave, Stourbridge, West Midlands www.shabbychicstencils.co.uk

Loobi Crafts, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, www.loobicrafts.co.uk

Papermaze, Ipswich, Suffolk https://www.papermaze.co.uk/ 

Stampers Grove, Springbank, Lilliesleaf, Melrose,Scotland www.stampersgrove.co.uk
That's Crafty, Romford, essex www.thatscrafty.co.uk

The Artistic Stamper Craft Store, Faversham, Kent www.theartisticstamper.com

The Forget me not Kraft Kabin www.TheForgetMeNotKraftKabin.co.uk

USA

Artistic Artifacts, Alexandria, VA https://www.artisticartifacts.com/

Artistic Studio Creations, Fayetteville, Georgia www.facebook.com/ASCbyCrystal

Craftiness, Chatsworth, CA, https://www.craftinessonline.com/

Ephemera Paducah, Paducah, Kentucky www.ephemerapaducah.com

Everything Scrapbook & Stamps, Lake Worth, Florida www.everythingscrapbook.com

Frantic Stamper, Oregon www.franticstamper.com

Free Heart LLC, Denver, Colarado, http://www.freeheartllc.com/

Joggles, West Warwick, Rhode Island, www.joggles.com

PaperCraft Clubhouse, Westbrook, Connecticut, http://papercraftclubhouse.com/

Runaway, Art & Craft Studio, NE Salem, Oregon http://www.runawayart.com/

Simon Says Stamp, Columbus, Ohio www. simonsaysstamp.com

The Ink Pad, New York, www.theinkpadnyc.com

Topflight Stamps, Irmo, South Carolina https://topflightstamps.com/

Our brand is only available from established stockists who are VAT/ GST/ sales tax registered and for whom product education is a core principle. We would rather supply a few hand selected stockists, than the greater masses. If you would like to apply to be a stockist, you can find our more about our supply criteria here. Please note we are not accepting new stockists until we are relocated into our new building here in France. Covid restrictions have slowed our progress somewhat, so we hope to be in by the latter part of 2021.

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