• Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

all the sparkle

jessica frost-ballas

  • home
  • about me
    • about
    • creative resume
    • disclosure
    • house tour
  • Disclosure
  • craftroom
  • video tutorials
  • patreon
  • contact

Lil’ Inker Designs May Mini Release and Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAYS!)

1 May

Lots happening on the blog today!  For the Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #4 Black/White & Bright please scroll down or click here!  For the Hero Arts May My Monthly Hero Blog Hop and giveaway (after 1pm) please click here!

Good morning and welcome to the May mini release of Lil’ Inker Designs!  We’re releasing 2 stand alone stamp sets, one stamp set with a matching die set, and a pretty cover up die!  I love that Laura doesn’t make you wait to shop the new release so I totally understand if you want to go shop now, but make sure you come back and comment for a chance to win one of the new release items! Giveaway details are at the bottom of my post!

You Will Never Regret by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

My first card was quite the labor of love but I am so happy with how it turned out!!  I started by stamping the large sentiment with antique linen distress ink on watercolor paper.  Then I smooshed distress ink onto my craft mat and slowly painted over the stamp in rainbow order.  Here’s an in-progress shot:

It took me about an hour to paint over all of the stamp.  After I was done painting I decided to outline the tiny line accents with a black pen instead of continuing with rainbow colors.  I really think it helps the colors pop!  After it was totally dry I stamped over it with versamark and heat-embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I trimmed it down and matted it on a black cardstock frame.  It’s not a conventional card size but I didn’t want it to detract from the stamp in any way.

You Will Never Regret by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

My second card is quite easy to make with a few unconventional tools but packs quite the colorful punch!

Be the Reason by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

To create this card I stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock with intense black ink.  I used my MISTI and stamped it a few times to make sure the coverage was really solid.  Then I copied it with my laser printer onto black cardstock.  This technique will only work with a laser printer.  Next I laid a sheet of foil over the stamped image and ran it through a super hot laminator.  I peeled off the foil sheet and the foil stuck only to the toner from the laser printer leaving that gorgeous shiny design!  I die-cut the image with the Silly Stitched Square die and then adhered it to a white cardstock base.  Unfortunately it’s tricky to capture the foil on camera but you can see a quick video on my instagram account here.  Originally I thought about adding sequins or enamel dots to the card front but I really think the sentiment can shine all by itself! 🙂

Be the Reason by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

My last card was a little tough to create.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you know that my family recently said goodbye to our beloved sheltie, Merlin.  I am so very thankful for the beautiful sympathy cards that my friends have sent over the last month.  While it was difficult to think about creating a pet sympathy card I realized that I do (unfortunately) need to keep a few of these types of cards in my stash so that I can send a supportive card to a friend who might be grieving the loss of a furry friend.  Thankfully the Angel Pets set has some beautiful sentiments and images for these types of cards.

Pet Sympathy by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

It was a little tricky to photograph the silver embossing powder on this card but in case you can’t read it the sentiment says “sometimes our lives are touched by gentle friends who stay only for a while…but remain in our hearts forever”.  Yes, I teared up just reading the stamp set for the first time but I think the card is really meaningful.  I started by die-cutting part of an A2 panel with the Stitched Clouds Cover Up plate.  I left about 3/4 of an inch for my sentiment.  Then I stamped the sentiment from Angel Pets and heat-embossed it with silver embossing powder.  I also die-cut a couple clouds from the Rainbow and Clouds die set.  Next I decided to just die-cut the Angel Pets cat using light grey cardstock.  I decided to keep it simple and skipped stamping the cat image on the stamp.  Then I covered her with spectrum noir clear sparkle and tucked her into the clouds.  You could easily do this with the dog die as well and just trim the bandanna off of the die.  And of course you could also stamp any of the pet images and die-cut them for a similar card.

Pet Sympathy by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

I used a mixture of regular adhesive and foam mounting tape to adhere my cat and clouds onto the background panel and then adhered it to a card base.  To finish the card I adhered a few heart die cuts that I colored with copic marker RV21, brushed with spectrum noir clear sparkle, and added a layer of glossy accents for a little more sparkle and shine.  I think the soft touch of color really makes this card special.

Today is also a little different because we’re hopping along with a fabulous group of special ladies!  You should have arrived from Shay and the amazing Tracey is your next stop.  If you get lost you can find the full hop list on the Lil’ Inker Designs blog!  Leave a comment for a chance to win one of three giveaways!  One lucky commenter will win the Angel Pet stamps and dies and the Stitched Cloud cover up die and two commenters will each win one of the large sentiment stamps!  Good luck and happy hopping!!

Thanks so much for visiting and have a fabulous day!

supplies

Interested in the products I used?  To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Affiliate disclosure can be found here). Your purchases help keep my blog running and I thank you for the support!!

You Will Never Regret Being Kind
Be The Reason Someone Smiles Today
Angel Pets
Angel Pets dies
Stitched Cloud Cover Up die
Silly Stitched Squares dies
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad PICKED RASPBERRY Ranger TDP40088
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad FESTIVE BERRIES Ranger TDP39969
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad RIPE PERSIMMON Ranger TDP40118
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad MUSTARD SEED Ranger TDP40040
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad MOWED LAWN Ranger TDP40033
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad SALTY OCEAN Ranger TDP40132
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad SEEDLESS PRESERVES Ranger TDP40156
Tim Holtz Distress Mini Ink Pad DUSTY CONCORD Ranger TDP39938
Simon Says Stamp Premium Ink Pad INTENSE BLACK Ink065
Therm O Web SUMMER RAINBOW Deco Foil Transfer Sheets iCraft 53125
Crafter’s Companion CLEAR OVERLAY Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens SPECNSPACLE3
Silver BLACK VELVET Brush Size 8 Round 300589
EK Success POWDER TOOL Applicator 54-04002
Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark VM-001
Hero Arts EMBOSS ULTRA FINE CLEAR EMBOSSING POWDER PW111
Simon Says Stamp EMBOSSING POWDER SILVER Fine Detail SilverEP3
Precision Heat Embossing Tool Gun Hero Arts PW200 Wagner
Ranger Inkssentials MINI GLOSSY ACCENTS Glue Adhesive .5oz GAC27898
Tim Holtz 8.5 X 11 DISTRESS WATERCOLOR CARDSTOCK Ranger TDA53927
Neenah Classic Crest 110 LB SMOOTH SOLAR WHITE Paper Pack 25 Sheets
Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# BLACK Black8
3M Scotch PINK ATG ADVANCED TAPE GLIDER 0.25 Inch Adhesive Glue Gun
InLinkz.com

Share This:
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

You May Also Enjoy:

  • Lil' Inker Designs Birthday Bash Blog Hop!!
  • Lil' Inker Designs: February Release - Day 1 (+GIVEAWAY!)
  • Lil' Inker Designs and CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAY!)
    Happy Birthday by Jessica Frost-Ballas for Lil' Inker Designs

Comments:
59 Comments
Categories:
bloghop, card-making, crafting, design team, lil' inker designs
Tags:
lil inker designs

« Hero Arts: May My Monthly Hero Countdown (take 2!)
Lawn Fawnatics: Challenge 4 – Black/White & Bright »

Comments

  1. Carla Hundley says

    May 1, 2017 at 12:16 am

    Gorgeous cards with the
    rainbow coloring and the
    foiling. Your cat card is so
    touching and sweet.
    Carla from Utah

    Reply
  2. Lou Wittmer says

    May 1, 2017 at 6:32 am

    Loving you rainbow card! But the pet sympathy card touched my heart.

    Reply
  3. Kristina "CraftyPaws" says

    May 1, 2017 at 6:47 am

    All wonderful cards, and that pet sympathy one tugged at my heartstrings. TFS and tight furry hugs to you

    Reply
  4. Amy Cooley says

    May 1, 2017 at 7:31 am

    Your three cards showcase the new products beautifully. Thanks for sharing these neat techniques.

    Reply
  5. Tara Prince says

    May 1, 2017 at 8:21 am

    Amazing cards!!

    Reply
  6. ssonnier2015 says

    May 1, 2017 at 9:19 am

    LOVE LOVE LOVE these cards!!!!! What great stamps

    Reply
  7. Cindy Reynoso says

    May 1, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Love all your cards, but the first card with all the hand painting…GORGEOUS!!

    Reply
  8. Patt H. says

    May 1, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Love the awesome foil card & the kitty is wonderful. I think this set is a must have for everyone.

    Reply
  9. Sharon O says

    May 1, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Love your work! Your attention to detail and color is amazing!

    Reply
  10. Teresa Doyle says

    May 1, 2017 at 10:05 am

    Awww, Jessica, what fabulous cards. You really tapped into your “inner Kathy Racoosin” on the first one. I LOVE it!
    The last one is lovely with the beautiful Cloud Cover Plate and I think the silver is beautiful!

    Reply
  11. Sue LD says

    May 1, 2017 at 10:53 am

    Wonderful cards. I like the colorful sentiments on the first two and the silver and pink on the cat sympathy.

    Reply
  12. Mary Holshouser says

    May 1, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Love the ways you colored the sentiments on the first
    cards. The kitty in the clouds if fun.
    thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Nicole Nardi says

    May 1, 2017 at 11:25 am

    Three great cards. Such vibrant colors. And the perfect sentiment for your sympathy card.

    Reply
  14. Linda Lipford says

    May 1, 2017 at 11:25 am

    I teared up also (hugs). Your cards are lovely!

    Reply
  15. Laura Pryor says

    May 1, 2017 at 11:26 am

    Jess, you’re amazing. These projects are tremendous!! I especially love how you used the cat die as a silhouette or shadow. WOW!!!! I would never have thought of that.
    Thank you for all these lovelies!
    Love,
    Laura

    Reply
  16. Dee Earnshaw says

    May 1, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Stunning cards again, Jessica. Love all your designs especially the second psychedelic one lol!!!!

    Reply
  17. pansy47 says

    May 1, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Great job on your cards Jessica!

    Reply
  18. Amy Kolling says

    May 1, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    STUNNING is that foil card! Oh man do I wish I had a laser printer to do this! Just amazing!

    Reply
  19. Amy Vitriani says

    May 1, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Beautiful cards Jessica! I really love the techniques you used on your first two! The new sentiment stamps are just amazing ❤️

    Reply
  20. Dayle S says

    May 1, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    Great card for such a hard subject… I do dog agility, so many of my friends consider their furry friends as family. Love that sentiment… I’ll have to get that stamp set! Thanks for sharing your heart with us.

    Reply
  21. cknutti says

    May 1, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    I love all of them! That labor of love one, though…gorgeous!

    Reply
  22. Teresa Godines says

    May 1, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    Beautiful projects. Love the bright and vibrant colors. TFS

    Reply
  23. renee milner says

    May 1, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    Wonderful stamps and cards! I’m sorry about your sweet pup—the hardest part about having fur babies is when we have to say goodbye. I have no doubt he had a great life with y’all!

    Reply
  24. Gilda (McStamper) says

    May 1, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    Love your wonderful cards. Your ideas are always inspirational.

    Reply
  25. denisey443 says

    May 1, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Love the new sentiments, love the multiple colors you used. Losing our pets is so hard, you are right, however, we should probably have a couple pet sympathy cards onhand.

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I read and appreciate all of your thoughts! :) Please know comments are moderated so it may take a few minutes for it to show up!Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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 extra sparkle!

Subscribe Via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email!

Join 3,248 other subscribers

Crafty Sales (updated regularly)

Favorite Crafty Shops

Previous Posts

Instagram

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

Disclosure

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!

Most Popular Posts

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Swatch Card Download and a revelation!
Stamptember Concord & 9th Exclusive: Oh Hello
VIDEO: Distress Oxide Ink Blending Combinations and Swatch Book
Autumn Color Palette Inspirations
Ink Blending Die-Cuts and Backgrounds with the June MFT Release (+VIDEO)
A Blog Named Hero's 5th Anniversary Celebration Hop (+GIVEAWAYS!)
Hero Arts July 2021 My Monthly Hero Kit Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAY!)
Hero Arts July 2022 My Monthly Hero Kit Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAY!)
Christmas Card Challenges #7: Santa Hats and our new Facebook group!
Hero Arts August My Monthly Hero Release Blog Hop (+GIVEAWAY!)

Copyright

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Copyright © 2025 · Bloom theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · All The Sparkle