NEW {Sept 2015} Products: JOFY Collection

Hi Everyone,

Leandra here with new JOFY stamps

Here's a video introduction and some samples using these new stamps for you to check out!

So lets take a closer look at Jo's stamps

Again tonight, of course we have some more super-talented crafters who have offered to help Jo present her newest stamps to you. 

Tonight we start with Lauren Hatwell.  Two of her sample embrace the rustic 'twiggyness' of the stamps, while her other samples bring on the festive sparkle!

Nordic Neutrals using JOFY 39 and 40 by Lauren Hatwell

The twiggy theme really reminded me of Nordic Christmas decorations I've seen. It was great to dig out some fabric and handmade paper to use on my card and I'm always so impressed by how well the Fresco Paints work on fabric. 

White Christmas {using JOFY 39 by Lauren Hatwell} 

I was particularly drawn to the lovely snowman scarecrow character in the set and wanted to make a raggedy hanging with strips of fabric coloured with Fresco Paints. I just sewed it all together any old how, like you would a scarecrow. It seems to suit him.

All Dressed Up {using JOFY 40 by Lauren Hatwell}

Christmas makes me think of twinkling lights and jewel coloured decorations so I love the glass cloche in this set and the gorgeous lustre you get by adding Metallic Glaze to the Fresco Paints. It really brings everything to life.

Twiggy Noel {using JOFY 39 and 40 by Lauren Hatwell}

How I love this twiggy tree and the twiggy wreaths!  All the images just chime so perfectly, no matter which stamp set you use.

Next up we have Keren Baker.  Keren's style is so clean and she always manages to add an interesting twist that is rather more complicated than it seems at first glance.

Jolly Cloche {using JOFY40 by Keren Baker}

Jo always bring unique images; not always what you'd think of at first thought but then always brilliantly fitting. This cloche needed a bit of shine (from sewn acetate) plus a little sparkle. The crammed cloche made me want to add other things inside which led to my third card!

Hanging Christmas {using JOFY 39 and 40 by Keren Baker}

These images just go hand in hand, and that's why I've mixed the sets up- to show you can't really have one without the other! As this tree already had some hanging elements from Set 39, I added the 'Christmas' from Set 40 and combined them to create a pretty different kind of tree. Just lots of fun!

Noel {using JOFY39 by Keren Baker}

As in the first card, the cloches are the perfect foil for adding things into them. Just stamp the cloche, cut the outline and you could add in lots of images (and not just seasonal ones!). Combining the two sets with the fun colour scheme gives you a playful card that I'd send to anyone. 

O Christmas Tree {using JOFY 40 by Keren Baker}

This set has Jo's signature style 'stamped' (sorry) all over it! I had to use the simplest of treatments because that's the beauty of these sets; you can do a 'pared back' approach and they still come out brilliantly.

I can honestly say, these two sets really captured my imagination for lots of other ideas I want to create with them!  I have had such fun creating with these, and I know you will too!

Our third contributor tonight is Elizabeth Borer.  She created beautifully painted samples using the stamps that, to quote Liz: "made made me smile.... they are cheeky and cheerful..... suitable for all sorts of uses" and here are her projects...

Christmas Angel {using JOFY 39 and 40 by Liz Borer}

I used a wood doll to make the angel and of course she needed a dress.  The star stamp made a lovely pattern.  I thought the fun trees would make a lovely christmas garden for the angel

Chirstmas Wonderland {using JOFY 39 and 40 by Liz Borer}

I'm not sure why but the stamp design led me to creating this checkerboard effect.  I was going to stamp and emboss the star and heart design in alternate squares but the twirly stamp was calling out to be added to the design!  the lovely cheeky snow scarecrow as created using two layers to make him stand out and words were moved to create a banner.

Noel {using JOFY 39 and 40 by Liz Borer}

The beauty of these designs is that they can be used to make quite complicated pieces as shown before or to make lovely simpler pieces like this one

And the tail end charlie tonight is Clare Charvill.  Clare's cards combine raised layers, mat & layering and painted elements but still have a fresh 'clean and simple' look. 

Christmas trees {using JOFY 40 by Clare Charvill}

This Christmas tree card was inspired by the Inky pool paint itself and the layers in the stamp. One colour, puddles of water and four shaded layers.

Trio of Cards {using JOFY 39 and 40  by Clare Charvill}

These three tall card samples were inspired by snow and ice and that frosty sparkle you get in a certain light.  

  

Now lets see what Jo has been up to with her stamps. As you know Jo quite likes christmas!... ....I'll leave you in her capable hands.

Hi Everyone, Jo here very pleased to be showing you my newest stamps for the Xmas season ahead. I do love a bit of christmas - decorating the tree, making cards, wrapping an decorations - its a fun time of year and glitter and sparkle is allowed (encouraged) in overload!  This year I have combined the sparkle with a natural theme - a twiggy christmas I like to think of it... I think there's something for both camps - for the sparkle christmas fans there's a glass cloche filled with ornaments, and for the 'natural' christmas fans there is a twig wreath, star and heart, and for everyone there's a very special snowman - he's part snowman, part scarecrow - I like him - he's jolly.

I've made a couple of things for you tonight with a few step outs so you can see the process.   On a couple of my projects I have used previously released christmas stamps with the new release to show you how well they work together.

Project One: Christmas Cards {using JOFY39 and 40 by Jo Firth-Young}

When I first receive my new releases I like to make quite quick 'n' easy projects to get a feel for the stamps - I want to play with them... all of them.. straight away!  lol  So I'll usually make cards or tags - this time I did all that and I made bunting too!

I didn't take step by step photos of these projects because I was just getting a feel for the new stamps, but I wanted to share the projects with you to hopefully inspire you to just 'play' with stamps - stamp the images, colour them, cut them out - see where your imagination takes you.

Card One: Frilly Tree

I wanted to layer up the tree but not in a traditional decoupage way - so I cut and added 3 layers of the tree and curled up the bottom edges to give depth rather than using 3d foam between layers.  

It's a fun little card!

Card Two: Skimming Stars

Really quick 'n' easy - less is more, but really effective. I was seeing how these two images from different plates worked together and they really do.  Vertically and horizontally - on the horizontal card it looks as if the star has bounced/skidded in which made me smile - you could add ground/shadow to accentuate that effect.

Inside the card I stamped and coloured the greeting.

Card Three: Noel

I stamped (in a mix of Stone and Bora Bora) the JM07 snowflakes all over a small panel Smoothy.  When the paint was dry I stamped 'Noel' (JOFY39) onto it and painted it in a blend of Inky Pool, Bora Bora and Stone to create a faded effect.  When this was dry I painted over the top with Metallic Glaze - I find the shimmer effect of the glaze is much more 'blingy' when painted over the surface rather than mixed into a paint.  I like the contrast between the matte snowflakes the shimmery letters (and stars).

The Bunting...there must always be bunting....

This is simple bunting - I only made three pennants but how cute would a length of these be hung around a small tree! You could incorporate people's initials or use as an advent calendar.

Bunting is so simple to make - this is a 'no sew' version.  The paper pennants are created from triangles of Smoothy and kraft card, holes punched in the top 'corners' and threaded onto a length of gold ribbon.(I cut the pennant first and then stamp the image so I can centre it more successfully). The scallop border along the top is from JOFY13.

Project Two: Oh Christmas Tree!  {using JOFY39, JM07, JOFY06 by Jo Firth-Young}

For my second project I decorated a small decorative chipboard panel.

Step One:   This chipboard arch comes in 3 parts - a back panel, a frame and smaller central panel - these all fit together to form a smooth panel. 

I covered the smaller central panel in book text and painted in an ombre effect using diluted Stone and BoraBora - I diluted the paint so the book text could still be seen.

Step Two: Then I stamped all over the panel using Metallic Glaze and JM07 (this is a 'go to' christmas background stamp for me).  I used this glaze because it is translucent and so would not distract from the main image.

Step Three: I stamped the tree onto the small panel using black Archival ink and coloured the detail with Fresco Finish paints, painting over the top of the baubles with Metallic Glaze to add some more sparkle (its christmas - you can't have too much!)

I used a white pen to add highlight/snow to the top of the branches, and a wash of diluted Slate to create a shadow underneath.

Step Four: The frame of the arch is painted with Inky Pool (2 coats).  I stamped 3 stars onto Smoothy and cut them out,  I attached two of the stars to the frame and created a sprung star (created by wrapping wire around a pen) and attached between the frame and the back panel.  I added white pen detail and attached all pieces together with Matte Medium. The phrase across the bottom of the arch is from JOFY06.

And here is my third project

Project Three: Masterboard Greeting Cards

Step One: I started off with a buff coloured piece of card.  I stenciled on small spots using Bora Bora Fresco Finish paint.  I covered most of the surface but leaving spaces for other images.

Step Two: Next layer was stamping snowflakes (JM07) in Snowflake paint.

Step Three: Now for stars (JOFY 39).  Stamped in black - I like to have a least one image stamped in black on a masterboard.

Step Four: I next painted detail on the images - spots were painted Cherry Red, small stars in Inky Pool, an a wash of diluted Slate along the stars to give them a slight dimension, make them lift off the surface.

Step Five: Here is the finished masterboard - ready to be cut up and used on cards.

Step Six:  The three cards I made can be seen at the top of this project detail but I wanted to highlight these cards to show you one last feature.

Background: I wanted create a background that co-ordinated perfectly with the masterboard so I rough painted a panel of Smoothy with two colours usedto create it - Stone and Bora Bora.

For this card I cut a strip of this and stamped on the word 'christmas' (JOFY40).

On this kraft card I used it as a mat between the masterboard and card blank, which also created a nice background for the string and tag (JOFY34) embellishments.

A HUGE thank you to my festive wingmen (Lauren, Keren, Clare and Liz) -  I hope their fabulous projects inspire you to reach for the Metallic Glaze, glitter, acetate and generally all things PaperArtsy for the fast approaching festive season.

~ Jo

What a brilliant way to end the week! Who doesn't love a bit of JOFY at Christmas? They can be layered and detailed for special people or a simple minimalist effect for a gift tag...but don't forget the bunting!! Compulsory in the JOFY household! Well done Jo they are beautiful, I'm loving the tall skinny effects!!

Please, take a moment to leave a comment for our designers, they love to know what you think about their new releases, they put so much time into the planning of these stamps, it really is exciting for them to get your feedback!

All these stamps are available now from your favourite PaperArtsy stockist, as you know,  we urge you to support your local independent retailer by spending you money with them. If you want retail choice in the craft sector for the future, then always buy your stamps and stuff from an independent retailer!

Australia:
Crafter's Cupboard Pty Ltd, Berwick, Melbourne, Australia

Canada/USA:
Frantic Stamper Inc, Eagle Point, Oregon, Canada
Simon Says Stamp, Columbus, Ohio, USA

France:
Kerudoc Creation, Kerudoc, France
Scrapatouille, Brignoles, France

Germany:
Stempelmuehle, Gardelegen, Germany
Stempelfee, Hilden, Germany

Netherlands 
Bianca's Toko, Nieuw Weerdinge, Netherlands
Creafine, Pependrecht, Netherlands
Leuke Stempels, Nijverdal, Netherlands
Papillon Hobby, Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Netherlands

South Africa:
Stencil Art, Johannesburg, South Africa

United Kingdom:
Aldridge Crafts, Attleborough, Norfolk, England
Artist Trading Post, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England
Blade Rubber Stamps, Bloomsbury, London, England.
Birds in the Barn, Marks Tey, Essex, England
Colemans Craft Warehouse, Rushden, Northamptonshire, England
Country View Crafts, Nr Sandy, Bedfordshire, England
Craftylicious, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England
Daisy's Jewels and Crafts, Coventry, West midlands, England
Imagine That, Upminster, Essex, England
It's Crafting Time, Harston, Cambridgeshire, England
Loobi Crafts, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England
Pink Tulip Creations, Studley, Warwickshire, England
Stampers Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland
Swanstitch, Deal, Kent, England
That Craft Place Ltd, Westham, East Sussex, England
That's Crafty, Harold Wood, Essex, England
The Artistic Stamper, Faversham, Kent, England
The Craft Barn, South Nutfield, Surrey, England
The Forget me not Kraft Kabin, Rochford, Essex, England

New {Sept 2015} Products: Eclectica³ Sara Naumann

Hi Everyone,

Leandra here to introduce the lovely new stamps from the Eclectica³ {Sara Naumann} Collection...

Here's a video introduction and some samples using these new stamps for you to check out!

So lets take a closer look at Sara's new stamps...

As ever, we always have some super talented crafts who volunteer to help us work with our newest stamps. Tonight we start with Keren Baker. Keren is a clean-and-simple style crafter who is gradually exploring more mixed media and loving the experimentation! 

Reflection Tag {using ESN18 by Keren Baker}

The quote is a thoughtful one and so I wanted to create a simple subtle tag with a little pop of colour using seam binding ribbon. Giving the branches depth with a lighter colour meant the tag wasn't simply flat and pairing an unusual base colour and top coat meant it had dimension without looking too cluttered.

Holiness and Beauty {using ESN18 by Keren Baker}

The solid stamped bird means you've lots of options in adding technique with the stamping. I've created a sample using kiss stamping with paint but I added some different coloured inks to give depth and because it's a stamp without every detail picked out, you can add your own, like I did with some stitching on the branches.

Postcard {using ESN17 by Keren Baker}

This is to be used as a real postcard so I've not filled up all the space. I love the movement that the leaves bring and so have added them to help lead your eye through the piece. They work brilliantly with watercolour and can be a subtle background or the main thing, as in my next sample!

Winter Wreath {using ESN17 by Keren Baker}

Sara's designs are so elegant and work fantastically for multi-layering, but being me, I couldn't wait to treat one of the stamps very cleanly and create this fun wreath. Granted, there's quite a bit of fussy cutting, but I think the end result is well worth it and shows these stamps off! After all, if you can't go a little over the top at Christmas, when can you?!

Next up we have Lucy Edmondson. Lucy is a mixed media crafter. She loves to make three-dimensional items, and things that are grungy or a little bit different. But today she has even made me a ‘clean and simple’ sample!

Bird and Flowers{using ESN17 and ESN18 by Lucy Edmondson} 

It was fun using the ‘snowflakes’ as quirky flowers, and just adding individual leaves from the leaf spray, which I think will be a much used stamp, to make this colourful canvas board.

Reflection, Celebration Canvas {using ESN17 and ESN18 by Lucy Edmondson}

Yes, I used a bit of everything here! I snipped pieces off the leaf spray so that each ‘tree’ was different. I love how you get such a lot of versatile script and phrases in Sara’s stamp sets, which is great when you want to build up layers as I did here.

Haunted Bird {using ESN17 and ESN18 by Lucy Edmondson}

I think the bird is my favourite – or is it the leaf sprig?! There’s also a branch on the ESN18 plate so you can add extra bits to your tree. This time I used one of the ‘buttons’ with the snowflake as a decoration instead of as a flower – so adaptable! I’ve got lots of card ideas for these stamp sets – it would be fun to use the leaves around the edges as a border, or to isolate the ‘31’ or ‘25’ from the numbers stamp, which is a particular favourite of mine, for a Christmas or Halloween card.

Honor Christmas {using ESN17 by Lucy Edmondson}

This time the versatile ‘snowflakes’ worked great as an all over design on another canvas board. I used sections of the leaf sprig to make a Christmas wreath, with London Bus resin roses. I think it really frames the quote.

Our third contributor tonight is Alison Hall. Alison is a mixed-media artist who loves to use collage, colour and texture on cards, tags and art journal pages.

Joy {using EN17 by Alison Hall}

I love how the dotty circles stamps adds some unexpected berry detail to the foliage frond.

Christmas {using ESN17 by Alison Hall}

Its so enjoyable to make mixed media painty backgrounds, then start to build detail specific to the theme you are working with. This background could have been summer, but ended up perfect for a fresh Christmas style with lots of stamped layers adding depth and interest.

Silent Night {using ESN18 by Alison Hall}

What's not to like about a bird! And on top of the music, it seems to make you feel he's happiest when singing! The patches of white softens some of the background nicely to push the focus towards the happy chappie.

Winter Chill {using ESN18 by Alison Hall}

Stamping the bird off the edge suddenly gives him a flock of buddies nearby! Found the '25' from the newer PaperArtsy stencil 021, and did similar with a Crafter's Workshop stencil too!

And the tail end charlie tonight is Wanda Hentges. Wanda loves playing with stamps, inks, and paints, enjoying the huge variety of things that can be done with them.

Fine Seasoning for joy {using ESN17 by Wanda Hentges}

I love the new leaves branch. I even created a solid stamp of them by stamping onto fun foam, cutting it out, and attaching it to plastic packaging.

Christmas in my Hearty {using ESN17 by Wanda Hentges}

The foam stamp I made from Sara’s stamp is done with green paint, then over-stamped with black ink.

Reflection {using ESN18 by Wanda Hentges}

I love those leaves for removing paint on the Gelli Plate before taking the print and there great images on these sets for building up your backgrounds.

Reflection Resist {using ESN18 by Wanda Hentges}

The bird, embossed in clear, resists the watery London Bus Fresco Finish Paint, creating a great setting for this quote.

Now lets see what Sara has been up to with her stamps. As you know Sara quite likes to mix things up while keeping a quite minimalist look so I'll leave you in her capable hands and you can see what she’s been working on! 

Hi everyone, Sara here, 

I'm very pleased to show you my newest stamps for the Christmas season ahead. I wanted to keep things simple because if you’re like me, you always want to have a few quick and easy design ideas in mind….but you also want the fun of working with several different stamps and mediums.

I've made a couple of things for you tonight with a few step outs so you can see the process. 

Project One: A Merry Christmas to You { using ESN17 by Sara Naumann}

I love the idea of blue and green together for Christmas cards—while it still feels festive, it’s a nice twist on the traditional red and green. That said, I did use a pop of London Bus for accents.

Step One: First I painted white card with a solid two coats of London Bus, then covered my card front with it. Yes, you can just paint the front panel of your card but I find this method keeps the card blank from getting painty inside or on the back.

Step Two: Next I brayered a piece of sheet music with Mermaid. Just squeeze a dab from the bottle onto your sheet music, then roll the brayer through it to spread the paint. When dry, stamp the numbers along the side.

Step Three: The focal is the leaf stamped with Guacamole, then sprinkled with gold embossing powder. Heat-set it, then use a fine paintbrush to paint inside the leaves with a watery mixture of Mermaid and Guacamole. Use a stipple brush to spatter the piece with the watery mix.

Step Four: Stamp “merry Christmas” with Jet Black Archival, then edge with London Bus. Add a few copper brads, a strip of black card and pop the elements together. A bit of red gingham ribbon balances out the stamped sentiment and adds to the red accents.

And here is my second project .... 

Project Two: Joy {using ESN17 by Sara Naumann}

Fresco Finish paint looks great brayered onto white card and you can still stamp on top and get a crisp look. Even better, it’s a quick and easy way to add colour to your background—a great technique for making lots of Christmas cards in one go.

Step One: Squeeze a bit of Mermaid straight from the bottle onto white card, then spread it out with the brayer. Let it dry, then stamp the sentiment and trio of “snowflakes” at the bottom with Jet Black Archival ink.

Step Two: Crumple, then smooth a piece of kraft packing paper (I pulled this one out of my latest Amazon order). Use a brush to paint white card with London Bus. While it’s wet, press it with the kraft paper to get a slightly textured background.

Step Three: Cover the card front with the red background paper, then mount the blue sentiment on black and glue. There’s a little strip of excess red texture painted paper going across the bottom of the card front. Ribbon and brads add even more texture.

Project Three: Peace {using ESN18 by Sara Naumann}

Not strictly a Christmas card, but I thought it was fun to show the versatility of this set beyond Christmas. Plus, I am madly in love with this bird (made from a photo I took!) and it just makes me happy to stamp him.

Step One: Brayer white cardstock with Guacamole and let it dry.

Step Two: Use a foam applicator (the one from Ranger works well) to apply Mermaid through a piece of punchinella. Let dry.

Step Three: Spatter with watery London Bus.

Step Four: Stamp the script, music notes, and “holiness” images with Jet Black Archival. Glue it to the card base, then use your finger to edge the card with London Bus. Glue a black strip of cardstock across the centre and wrap with twine, securing the ends to the front of the card where they’ll be hidden by the focal.

Step Five: Brayer white card with Mermaid, then stamp the bird and “peace” with Jet Black Archival. Use foam tape to attach it to the card front. Tie a bow in twine and glue.

Project Four: Reflection {using ESN18 by Sara Naumann}

Here’s another design that can work for lots of different themes. I like the quote for art journaling, too.

Step One: Brayer white cardstock with Guacamole as before. 

Step Two: Let it dry, then stamp the branch and script with Mermaid and emboss with gold. (Actually, you can stamp with whatever you have—paint just happens to work well for embossing.) 

Step Three: Mat the piece on black and glue to the card front. Spatter with watery Mermaid.

Step Four: Brayer Guacamole on white card, stamp the sentiment and mount on black before gluing to the card front with foam tape. Add a red bow and copper brads and you’re all set!

Another great release from Sarah tonight, I think her stamps are so thoughtfully designed. I love that they are not overtly Christmas, and can really see that many of the elements are going to make great additions to my journalling pages. But of course, as tonight's designers have shown, perfect for fast cards too....or mixed media styley!

Please, take a moment to visit the blogs of tonight's contributors. Links to their blogs are there if you hover over their name (the bit in bold), and of course, they take the time to put more detailed information about how they made their samples so well worth a visit if you can!

All these stamps are available now from your favourite PaperArtsy stockist, as you know, we urge you to support your local independent retailer!

Australia:
Crafter's Cupboard Pty Ltd, Berwick, Melbourne, Australia

Canada/USA:
Frantic Stamper Inc, Eagle Point, Oregon, Canada
Simon Says Stamp, Columbus, Ohio, USA

France:
Kerudoc Creation, Kerudoc, France
Scrapatouille, Brignoles, France

Germany:
Stempelmuehle, Gardelegen, Germany
Stempelfee, Hilden, Germany

Netherlands 
Bianca's Toko, Nieuw Weerdinge, Netherlands
Creafine, Pependrecht, Netherlands
Leuke Stempels, Nijverdal, Netherlands
Papillon Hobby, Hendrik Ido Ambacht, Netherlands

South Africa:
Stencil Art, Johannesburg, South Africa

United Kingdom:
Aldridge Crafts, Attleborough, Norfolk, England
Artist Trading Post, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, England
Blade Rubber Stamps, Bloomsbury, London, England.
Birds in the Barn, Marks Tey, Essex, England
Colemans Craft Warehouse, Rushden, Northamptonshire, England
Country View Crafts, Nr Sandy, Bedfordshire, England
Craftylicious, Mildenhall, Suffolk, England
Daisy's Jewels and Crafts, Coventry, West midlands, England
Imagine That, Upminster, Essex, England
It's Crafting Time, Harston, Cambridgeshire, England
Loobi Crafts, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England
Pink Tulip Creations, Studley, Warwickshire, England
Stampers Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland
Swanstitch, Deal, Kent, England
That Craft Place Ltd, Westham, East Sussex, England
That's Crafty, Harold Wood, Essex, England
The Artistic Stamper, Faversham, Kent, England
The Craft Barn, South Nutfield, Surrey, England
The Forget me not Kraft Kabin, Rochford, Essex, England