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jessica frost-ballas

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Get Cracking On Christmas!

19 Jul

Good morning!  Today I’m joining my friends Jenn, Chari, Cheiron, and a bunch of other fabulously talented ladies to get cracking on Christmas cards!  We’re hopping along to give you lots of inspiration to get your holiday juices flowing because, you know, Christmas is like right around the corner!! 😉

Today’s card uses a brand new stamp set from the 2018 Winter release from Hero Arts! This set isn’t available quite yet but will be in the next few weeks!  I just LOVE it!  I started by stamping the different elements of my scene with versafine and heat-embossed them with clear embossing powder.  Then I watercolored the scene using Hero Arts liquid watercolors!  I challenged myself to add in some subtle shading and dimension and I really like how it turned out!  After the paint was totally dry I added a little liquid glue along the top of the houses and trees and added iridescent glitter for a little extra sparkly snow!  I stamped the sentiment onto black cardstock, heat-embossed it with white embossing powder, and then trimmed it down to a fishtail banner.  I adhered that to the card with foam mounting tape and that was it! 🙂

To help you get going on your holiday cards I have a little package of gently used holiday stamps and dies to give away to one lucky commenter!  Leave a comment and let me know how many holiday cards you send each year on average before 11:59PM EST Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 and I’ll choose one random winner next week!

Teri is your next stop on the hop and I’ve included the full list below in case you get lost or encounter a broken link!

  • Jenn Shurkus
  • Susan Opel (posting on Jenn’s site)
  • Chari Moss
  • Cheiron Brandon
  • Libby Hickson
  • Caryn Davies
  • Emily Midgett
  • Vera Yates
  • Tifany DeGough
  • Loni Riley
  • Jana Millen
  • Lydia Fiedler
  • Lisa Cisneros
  • Susan Wymer
  • Jessie Banks
  • Jessica Frost-Ballas —> You are here!
  • Teri Anderson
  • Lisa Henke

Thanks so much for visiting and have a fabulous day!

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You May Also Enjoy:

  • Hero Arts: Warm Wishes
  • Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Countdown
  • Hero Arts: Impressionistic Stamping with Liquid Watercolors

Comments:
60 Comments
Categories:
bloghop, card-making, crafting
Tags:
hero arts

« Hello Bluebird July Release!
Altenew July 2018 Release Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAY!) »

Comments

  1. Sharon O says

    July 19, 2018 at 8:21 am

    I usually send about 50 holiday cards but this year I may send less because I’m of that age where friends and family are, unfortunately, passing on! I still love to make the cards and yours is definitely a must-try.

    Reply
  2. itstrulyanoriginal says

    July 19, 2018 at 8:25 am

    Such a beautiful card. I love the color variations of the night sky. I usually send about 150 cards. So, yes, need to get crakin early! Thanks for your inspiration!

    Reply
  3. hsmom24kids says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:03 am

    Gorgeous! I love your night sky…

    Reply
  4. Kathy says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:05 am

    Hello, I send around 110 cards…I also recycle cards I get from others..thanks for the giveaway…

    Reply
  5. Connie says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:07 am

    Your card is beautiful. I haven’t been into card making very long so I only made about a dozen last year. I’m looking forward to making more this year. Maybe 25 or 30. I really hope to make a few for each of my grandchildren and send “happy mail” each week leading up to Christmas. If I do get that ambitious, my number will be greater.

    Reply
  6. Jean Christopherson says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:19 am

    I love Christmas! I dont send many handmade cards because each one is different and tailored to the recipient. Many hours and much love are put into each and every one.

    Reply
  7. Nancy Ketcham says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:44 am

    25 or so. 150 if we do the whole list, but that has become so daunting, we kind of quit.

    Reply
  8. Stacey F says

    July 19, 2018 at 9:46 am

    A classic winter scene! It’s so pretty, I want to go there! I send very few Christmas cards maybe 10, but I do love to make them even though I’m having a dry spell. I love that all the winter and holiday products are starting to be released, you can never have enough of IMO. Can’t wait to see what else you create for the holidays!

    Reply
  9. Mary says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:22 am

    Jess, that is one gorgeous card.

    Reply
  10. Chari Moss says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:23 am

    I love this! The nighttime snowy sky is fantastic! Thanks so much for joining us Jess!

    Reply
  11. MaryFran Simply... says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:32 am

    Oh gad, on average I send out about 25, but it should be more…I usually run out of time. Maybe your inspiration will light a fire…fingers crossed (-:

    Reply
  12. raggiodiluce82 says

    July 19, 2018 at 10:33 am

    Wow! What a magical winter card!!! Love it!
    I usually send about 15/20 holiday cards. Thanks for this chance!

    Reply
  13. Arlene D says

    July 19, 2018 at 11:36 am

    I make at least 80 Christmas cards each year.

    Reply
  14. Colleen F says

    July 19, 2018 at 11:40 am

    I just love the feeling that card evokes, so enchanting. I make 40 cards every year and your card is inspiring me. Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Cheryle King says

    July 19, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    Love sending Christmas cards. Typically send no less than 100 cards.

    Reply
  16. kathleen dumpert says

    July 19, 2018 at 12:46 pm

    I LOVE the coloring on your card and now need to try some of hero arts watercolors.

    Reply
  17. beccab33324 says

    July 19, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    I like to make Christmas cards all year long so that I have enough made that I’m not freaking out when I still need more at Christmas. I usually need about 25 cards for family & friends, but I like to have more so that I can give for one of the many great causes that need them, too. Your card is gorgeous! I love a beautiful scene like this.

    Reply
  18. Betty says

    July 19, 2018 at 1:53 pm

    love this new Hero Arts release and your card is wonderful, Jess. I usually send about 40 christmas cards – making my cards every year is important to me!

    Reply
  19. larissa p says

    July 19, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    I send about 25ish. Love your card.

    Reply
  20. Crimson Owl Creations says

    July 19, 2018 at 2:48 pm

    Your holiday cabin scene is adorable! I love the way you colored the woodgrain and that little snowman is SO sweet! I usually try to limit myself to 25 handmade cards a year, but I know I’ll be sending a lot more than that this year! I have so many brand new friends!

    Reply
  21. Karen @ MisplacedMojo.com says

    July 19, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    I give out about 20-25 cards, depending on how many teachers/coaches my son has had that year as I like to make sure they know they are appreciated. Luckily I only have to mail 5 of them for family out of state and the rest are usually hand delivered to friends, teachers, hair dresser, etc so I can get really dimensional with the card and not have to worry about how much the postage will be! I also sometimes make cards for my retired next door neighbor who lost her husband a couple years ago. She has a had time getting into the spirit and I think she likes sitting with me while I whip up some mass production cards. I let her pick from my stamps and give input on the colors and I think it helps her ease into the season and process of sending them out. Maybe one day I’ll turn her into a card maker too 😉

    Reply
  22. Daria Zender says

    July 19, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    Love this card, Jess! Your watercoloring is beautiful and I love the touch of sparkle. I usually make 60-75 cards each year.

    Reply
  23. Olive M says

    July 19, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    Lovely card. Gotta get my thinking cap on for my Christmas cards! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  24. Wendy Fisher says

    July 19, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    Love this card!!!! I can’t believe it is already that time of year to think about getting started on Holiday cards. I send at least 20-30 cards. This will be the first time I am going to attempt to make them. LOL!!

    Reply
  25. Mindy1414 says

    July 19, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    The winter scene on your card is definitely stirring up the “Christmas Spirit” for me, I love it. I usually send around 30 cards however, this will be the first year I am attempting to make my own cards so I definitely need to get started LOL.

    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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❤️❤️❤️ My friend @lstein0 is a miracle worker! Rogue is very much NOT a cuddly lap cat. She’s happy to come to you when she wants attention but she never wants to lay next to us. Until she discovered the soft and comfy blanket Lisa crocheted for me...and she loves it enough that she’s willing to share it with me and actually rest her head on my leg! 😱😱😱 Also pictured, a VERY jealous Gambit as that is usually where he lays. 😂 #tortiesofinstagram #torties

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Instagram post 2196950807969174119_586658445 ❤️❤️❤️ My friend @lstein0 is a miracle worker! Rogue is very much NOT a cuddly lap cat. She’s happy to come to you when she wants attention but she never wants to lay next to us. Until she discovered the soft and comfy blanket Lisa crocheted for me...and she loves it enough that she’s willing to share it with me and actually rest her head on my leg! 😱😱😱 Also pictured, a VERY jealous Gambit as that is usually where he lays. 😂 #tortiesofinstagram #torties

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🎅🏻🎄🎁 Are you playing along with @ellenhutsonllc’s 12 Tags of Christmas yet? There are all sorts of ways to join in the fun and lots of prizes up for grabs including a $150 shopping spree to Ellen Hutson!! I chose Let It Snow as my Christmas carol theme and created this winter shaker for that cute polar bear! I’d love to know if you create a tag inspired by mine, please tag me if you do so I can see it! 💙💙💙 ••• LINK - https://youtu.be/Bqkz0tqclXw (clickable link in profile) ••• #essentialsbyellen #ellenhutson #shakertag #distressoxideinks #copic #copics #christmascard #allthesparklejfb

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Instagram post 2196670083252662134_586658445 🎅🏻🎄🎁 Are you playing along with @ellenhutsonllc’s 12 Tags of Christmas yet? There are all sorts of ways to join in the fun and lots of prizes up for grabs including a $150 shopping spree to Ellen Hutson!! I chose Let It Snow as my Christmas carol theme and created this winter shaker for that cute polar bear! I’d love to know if you create a tag inspired by mine, please tag me if you do so I can see it! 💙💙💙
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🎉🎉🎉 The December release from @mftstamps is now available and I’ve created two cards using the same cheerful Huge Hugs die with some help from that cute bird from @staceyyacula and sentiments from other sets in the release! 💚💙🖤 Head to my blog for more details and shop the new release!! ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mft1219/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #mftstamps #shakercard #interactivecard #allthesparklejfb #distressoxideinks #staceyyacula

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Instagram post 2195889153474959916_586658445 🎉🎉🎉 The December release from @mftstamps is now available and I’ve created two cards using the same cheerful Huge Hugs die with some help from that cute bird from @staceyyacula and sentiments from other sets in the release! 💚💙🖤 Head to my blog for more details and shop the new release!!
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mft1219/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
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Instagram post 2195106304484221807_586658445 Have you seen the new @juliancharlton collection over at @purpleoniondesigns?! I just love these quirky little silhouette stamps (that fox 😍!) and they’re perfect for pairing with an ink-blended background! 🐿❤️🦊 Head to my blog for more details and don’t forget to take advantage of Purple Onion Design’s fantastic 25% off sale through the 13th!!
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Instagram post 2192292483277353742_586658445 🎉🎉🎉 The December Valentine’s release from @waffleflowercrafts is here and it is packed with adorable critters like these cute mice from @cassieloizeaux! 🐭❤️🐭 Head over to my blog for more details and hop along for the chance to win a gift card to #waffleflowercrafts!
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Instagram post 2190840601082152246_586658445 You can’t help but start your day with a smile when you wake up to something as goofy as this pup! 🤣🤪😂 #sheltiesofinstagram #sheltie @rogueandgambit297
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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.

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