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jessica frost-ballas

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A new beginning…

5 May

Well, my goal to post daily in November kinda crashed and burned.  Since then we’ve gotten almost completely settled in the new house and it is really starting to feel like our home!  One of our big winter break projects was creating my craft room and it is easily my favorite room of the house (followed VERY closely by the kitchen)!  I can spend hours down there but the set-up also allows me to grab a minute here and there when I’m waiting for a student or have a minute or two between lessons.  In our old house my craft supplies lived in the dining room, basement storage room, and music studio…it was definitely not conducive to crafting let alone crafting in a hurry.  This new set-up has definitely upped my creative output.

So, the house construction posts are over…I expect to post occasionally about how the various rooms are turning out, design-wise, and will probably post a recipe here or there; but for the moment, you’re probably going to get a bunch of crafting posts.  I apologize if that’s not your thing…

Anyway, I’ve been following various crafting blogs for several years and one of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer McGuire, offers online card classes.  I’ve always wanted to take a class but I didn’t have the time or space during previous classes.  Ha, I probably still don’t technically have time to take a class but when I saw that she, and several other favorite card-makers, were offering a watercolor for card makers class I had to jump on it. So, class started today and I thought it’d also be a great place to jump back into blogging!  Today’s class focused on watercolor card backgrounds and here are my homework assignments:

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The first card is a mix of two of the techniques they showed us.  I started by using painter’s tape to tape a piece of watercolor paper to a glass board so that it wouldn’t warp when it got wet.  I took a large rectangular acrylic block and smushed peacock feathers, salty ocean, and chipped sapphire distress inks onto it in lines.  Then I liberally spritzed the block with water until the ink began to pool and firmly pressed it onto the watercolor paper.  I kept the block pressed against the paper for about 30 seconds to give the ink time to absorb into the paper and begin to blend.

After I lifted the block I quickly placed a stencil (a star design on acetate cut by my Silhouette cutting machine) over the paper and taped it down with painter’s tape to hold it in place over the paper.  The paper still warped from the water so I placed several Cuttlebug plates on top of it to keep the paper weighted down and totally flat.  After it dried completely I removed the stencil.  The ink pooled in various spots around the stars and gave it a very soft look which I loved.

I trimmed the paper down to get rid of a few blotchy spots that I didn’t particularly care for.  Then I cut and scored blue cardstock to make a landscape card.  I attached the watercolor paper with a Tombow adhesive runner.  Then I die cut the ‘hello’ from black cardstock and adhered it with Ranger multi medium matte.  I finished the card by tracing the ‘hello’ sentiment with a Wink of Stella glitter pen for a little more shine and adding a few Neat and Tangled Sequins.

IMG_3958

This card is my favorite and uses embossing resist and watercolors.  I started off by using the EK powder tool on a piece of watercolor paper.  Then I used versamark on a My Favorite Things background stamp and pressed the paper onto the stamp.  I used the Hero Arts white embossing powder to raise the image of the music.  Then I used a large flat paintbrush to wet the entire piece of paper. I used the Hero Arts watercolor wheel to paint a rainbow on the card.  Wetting the paper beforehand allowed me to blend the colors better.  If I had painted on dry paper the color would have been brighter but more streaky (and not the soft look I was going for).

After I finished painting I was impatient so I used my heat gun to dry the paint.  Using the heat gun also allowed me to ‘push’ some of the wet paint around for better coverage.  After that was dried I adhered it to a black cardstock card base.  I stamped an image from Lawn Fawn’s Many Thanks stamp set onto black cardstock with versamark and embossed it with Hero Arts white embossing powder.  There were a few stray bits of powder around one edge so I brushed a border around the black cardstock with my Wink of Stella glitter pen to hide my mistakes!  In hindsight I wish I had double-matted the black cardstock square with a pink frame to help it stand out.

IMG_3956

And finally my last card uses the stencil technique again but a different method of applying color.  I started off by smushing seedless preserves, shaded lilac, and dusty concord distress inks onto an acrylic block and spritzing liberally with water.  Instead of pressing the block to the paper I decided to paint on the ink with a brush so that I could better control how the colors blended together.  So I wet the watercolor paper with a large flat brush and then painted on the distress inks using the acrylic block as a “palette.”  I made sure to keep it really wet so that when I pressed the stencil against the paper there was plenty of ink to pool around the design.  Again I taped the paper and stencil onto a glass sheet, weighted it down with Cuttlebug plates, and allowed it to air dry.  After it was dried I removed the stencil.

Unfortunately I wasn’t totally fond of the way the middle of the design turned out.  I originally planned to cover that section with my sentiment but then realized the sentiment was too large to fit appropriately.  So I decided to lop the design diagonally into two pieces and trim them to fit onto an A2 card.  I then adhered them to a white cardstock base and stamped a sentiment from the Winnie & Walter The Big, The Bold, and The Happy stamp set diagonally in between the two watercolor pieces with Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  I should have used my stamp press so that I could have aligned the sentiment better but I learn something new everyday.  The sentiment wasn’t totally solid so I went over it with a Copic multi-liner.  Then I finished it off with a few Neat and Tangled sequins.  It’s not my favorite but it was definitely a good project and gave me a few things to try in the future.

Eeesh, this post is WAY longer than I originally planned.  Well, I’m super excited to see what the rest of class brings and I look forward to sharing more card-making projects!  Thanks for reading!

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Comments:
4 Comments
Categories:
card-making, crafting
Tags:
distress ink, lawn fawn, simon says stamp, watercolors

« Cookbook Obsession
OCC: Watercolors for Card Makers Day 2 »

Comments

  1. Carolyne says

    May 5, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    Jessica, your cards are wonderful, I love the way you have an eye for layering your design ideas… I’m happy for you that you are so pleased with your home ~ a haven for you & your hubby AND a place to foster your creativity. Keep posting your creations, they are delightful. Carolyne

    Reply
    • jessicafrost says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      Thank you Carolyne!

      Reply
  2. Sharon Underwood says

    May 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    I really like your cards! Each one is very pretty. I like the sentiment on a slant like the last one.

    Reply
    • jessicafrost says

      May 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      Sharon, thank you! I loved your card with the butterfly…you did a great job of matching the colors but keeping them muted on the background. It’s really pretty!

      Reply

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Jessica About Me Photo
Hi, I'm Jess! Thanks for visiting my blog where I share my adventures in cardmaking and papercrafting! I hope I can inspire you to craft with a little sparkle!

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Jessica Frost-Ballas

jessicafrostballas

There’s a new release from @waffleflowercrafts and some fantastic layering stencil sets! I’m using the Heart Blooms set with distress oxide inks and a fun new sentiment set! Head to my blog for more details and hop along for a chance to win a gift card to #waffleflowercrafts!! 🌸❤️🌸 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/wf121/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #waffleflower #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #stencil #distressoxideinks

View on Instagram

Jan 5

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Instagram post 17946345070411377 There’s a new release from @waffleflowercrafts and some fantastic layering stencil sets! I’m using the Heart Blooms set with distress oxide inks and a fun new sentiment set! Head to my blog for more details and hop along for a chance to win a gift card to #waffleflowercrafts!! 🌸❤️🌸
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/wf121/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#waffleflower #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #stencil #distressoxideinks

jessicafrostballas

The new My Monthly Kit from @heroarts is now available and it’s Bee-utiful!! 🐝💛🐝 I’m sharing four cards from one watercolored background over on my blog and YT channel! Head over for more details and snag your kit before it sells out!! 💛💛💛 ••• LINK - https://shrsl.com/2ph6v (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #mymonthlyhero #mijellomissiongold #hydracolour #watercolour #watercolor #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 4

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Instagram post 17980797202329692 The new My Monthly Kit from @heroarts is now available and it’s Bee-utiful!! 🐝💛🐝 I’m sharing four cards from one watercolored background over on my blog and YT channel! Head over for more details and snag your kit before it sells out!! 💛💛💛
•••
LINK - https://shrsl.com/2ph6v (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #mymonthlyhero #mijellomissiongold #hydracolour #watercolour #watercolor #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

We have a new Lawn Fawnatics challenge to kick off the new year and we’re creating cards for Outstanding Occasions! 🎉❤️🎉 Today I created a wedding card featuring an adorable squirrel party! 😉 Head to my blog for more details and join the challenge! 🐿🐿🐿 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/lfch92/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #lawnfawn @lawnfawn #lawnfawnatics #inkblending #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 4

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Instagram post 18184726213057099 We have a new Lawn Fawnatics challenge to kick off the new year and we’re creating cards for Outstanding Occasions! 🎉❤️🎉 Today I created a wedding card featuring an adorable squirrel party! 😉 Head to my blog for more details and join the challenge! 🐿🐿🐿
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/lfch92/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#lawnfawn @lawnfawn #lawnfawnatics #inkblending #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

🐝 Today we’re kicking off the countdown for the @heroarts January My Monthly Hero kit and it’s the perfect cheery way to welcome a new year! 🐝🌸🐝 Head to my blog for a closer look and comment for a chance to win a kit before you can buy it! 💛🐝💛 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hacd121/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #mymonthlyhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 2

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Instagram post 17938042399439973 🐝 Today we’re kicking off the countdown for the @heroarts January My Monthly Hero kit and it’s the perfect cheery way to welcome a new year! 🐝🌸🐝 Head to my blog for a closer look and comment for a chance to win a kit before you can buy it! 💛🐝💛
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hacd121/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #mymonthlyhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

Starting off 2021 with a clean and simple card featuring one of my very favorite companies! 🖤💛🖤 I love the new Lovely Letters alphabet set from @concordand9th and how nicely it pairs with the other alpha sets to create this card! Lovely Letters is a stand-alone alphabet set that looks like hand lettering and it’s designed so you can stamp and build whatever sentiment you want! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hny21/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #concordand9th #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #happynewyear

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Jan 1

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Instagram post 17856831182398826 Starting off 2021 with a clean and simple card featuring one of my very favorite companies! 🖤💛🖤 I love the new Lovely Letters alphabet set from @concordand9th and how nicely it pairs with the other alpha sets to create this card! Lovely Letters is a stand-alone alphabet set that looks like hand lettering and it’s designed so you can stamp and build whatever sentiment you want! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hny21/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#concordand9th #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #happynewyear

jessicafrostballas

🎆 HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! 🎆 Today I’m sharing a look back at my favorite cards from each month of 2020 and hosting a $50 crafty giveaway over on my blog! I am honored and thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many of my favorite crafty companies this year! These companies are the heart and soul of this industry and I love to support them! ❤️❤️❤️ Swipe for a closer look as well as a look at my favorite cards from 2015-2019! 😳 It is really fun for me to look back and see my growth as an artist and cardmaker (and it shows me that there’s always room to keep growing)!! 😉 I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you in 2021! ❤️❤️❤️ ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mfc2020/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #allthesparklejfb #inkblending #alcoholink #distressoxideinks #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

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Dec 31

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Instagram post 17866448675260868 🎆 HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! 🎆  Today I’m sharing a look back at my favorite cards from each month of 2020 and hosting a $50 crafty giveaway over on my blog!  I am honored and thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many of my favorite crafty companies this year!  These companies are the heart and soul of this industry and I love to support them! ❤️❤️❤️ Swipe for a closer look as well as a look at my favorite cards from 2015-2019! 😳 It is really fun for me to look back and see my growth as an artist and cardmaker (and it shows me that there’s always room to keep growing)!! 😉 I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you in 2021! ❤️❤️❤️
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mfc2020/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#allthesparklejfb #inkblending #alcoholink #distressoxideinks #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

jessicafrostballas

Today I’m sharing a card over on the @heroarts blog for the newest Stay Crafty with Hero challenge! We’re challenging you to create a card using a creative team member’s card as inspiration for your card! If you swipe you can see the beautiful card @thecardgrotto created that I used as inspiration for my card! ✨🌌✨ I hope you’ll play along with the challenge! 💙💛💙 ••• LINK - https://heroarts.com/blogs/hero-arts-blog/galaxy-focal-point-inspired-by-michelle-short (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #staycraftywithhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Dec 30

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Instagram post 17915304478546934 Today I’m sharing a card over on the @heroarts blog for the newest Stay Crafty with Hero challenge! We’re challenging you to create a card using a creative team member’s card as inspiration for your card!  If you swipe you can see the beautiful card @thecardgrotto created that I used as inspiration for my card! ✨🌌✨ I hope you’ll play along with the challenge! 💙💛💙
•••
LINK - https://heroarts.com/blogs/hero-arts-blog/galaxy-focal-point-inspired-by-michelle-short (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #staycraftywithhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

So earlier today I posted the most liked alcohol ink work from 2020 and here are the cards you liked the most this year! ❤️ There are definitely some surprises in there 😂 but it’s fun to see what you liked best! It appears that ink-blending is popular! 😉❤️😘 ••• #allthesparklejfb #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

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Dec 30

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Instagram post 17855338049408350 So earlier today I posted the most liked alcohol ink work from 2020 and here are the cards you liked the most this year! ❤️ There are definitely some surprises in there 😂 but it’s fun to see what you liked best! It appears that ink-blending is popular! 😉❤️😘
•••
#allthesparklejfb #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

jessicafrostballas

It’s always fun to look back and see what posts you liked most over the year. And often I’m surprised by what is or is not liked. I’ll be sharing my annual favorite cards series in a few days but I thought I’d share your favorite 2020 alcohol ink posts and cards today! ❤️ Surprisingly alcohol ink art and ink-blending are more liked than most of my cards 😅 so I thought I’d share them separately! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 It does make me wonder if I should change a bit of my art focus for next year! 😂🤔😜 ••• #alcoholink #alcoholinkart #alcoholinkartist #fluidart

View on Instagram

Dec 29

686 34
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17893561561794477 It’s always fun to look back and see what posts you liked most over the year. And often I’m surprised by what is or is not liked. I’ll be sharing my annual favorite cards series in a few days but I thought I’d share your favorite 2020 alcohol ink posts and cards today! ❤️ Surprisingly alcohol ink art and ink-blending are more liked than most of my cards 😅 so I thought I’d share them separately! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 It does make me wonder if I should change a bit of my art focus for next year! 😂🤔😜
•••
#alcoholink #alcoholinkart #alcoholinkartist #fluidart
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I design for several companies because I truly love their products! Anything I recommend on my blog is something that I genuinely love and regularly use. I do not get paid for product reviews and I will never recommend a product that I do not like or would not use.

I am affiliated with several of my favorite crafty companies which means I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you!!) when you click on one of my links and make a purchase through the store.

You can find my full disclosure as well as a list of the companies I am affiliated with HERE. Thank you so much for supporting me!

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