All Things Grow with LOVE...and a giveaway!

Hi, everyone!

I'm so excited to be back on the Helmar Design Team blog today with another recycled project using some Helmar showstoppers:
*Acid Free Glue
*450 Quick-Dry, and
*Zap Dots!
Today I want to show you how I keep a lot of loose odds and ends that either a.) don't have a real "spot" in my craft desk or b.) I have maybe one or two leftover from a pack and I probably won't refill or replace it.   (a girl's gotta have some variety in her crafting, right?  ;)


I have a few of these little 'odds and ends' jars and I'm actually GIVING THIS ONE AWAY today!

I think there were flowers in this jar originally, and they've all been used.  I've been storing leftover ribbon from card kits I've bought online, some lefover brads, charms, a few flowers, and some other odds and ends in this one and as you can see it's very plain and 'blah'.
I decided to give this a little makeover using some paper and some Maya Road (a Helmar preferred partner!) rose ribbon.  It's SO pretty!

I started by adhering the paper with some ACID FREE GLUE.  After a few layers I added a label and was already loving how this was looking ;)

I then took 450 QUICK-DRY and applied a thin layer where I wanted to lay down my rose ribbon.   450 QUICK DRY is the BEST for ribbon, fabrics, etc.  It dries clear and super fast, and doesn't bleed through even the sheerest of fabrics such as this ribbon.  It's a MUST have in your crafting area!

After this was done, it was time to decorate the lid.  I did use 450 QUICK-DRY on the paper for the lid because the lid is a bit transparent and I didn't want any glue lines on the inside/bottom of the lid.  It worked fabulously!


Last but not least I took some circle 1/4" White ZAP DOTS and added them to the back of the rose sticker to give it some dimension- love the look!

Here's the final result, what do you think?

Thanks SO much for letting me come and hang with y'all on the Helmar blog today.  DID YOU SEE thenews?  It's ABOUT THAT TIME for the 2011-2012 DESIGN TEAM CALL and Tracy has all the detailsHERE....we would LOVE for you to apply!


I'll be posting on Helmar's FACEBOOK page, with my project here today, too!  Are you following us on Facebook?  Our page is hoppin', fun, and FULL of inspiration so make sure to head over if you're not there already...once you "like" us, come back here and leave a comment and I'll draw one random winner on MONDAY, 10/17 (so please comment by Sunday at 11:59pm CST! and post the winner on MONDAY!  All you have to do is go "like" Helmar or let me know that you do already!  Cuz really....what's not to like?  And we can ALL grow better with love ;)


Love to all,
Jess :) 



PS...thank you to my SWEET and beautiful daughter Madelynn for helping me take some of the pictures!  <3

I ECHO all the excitement this week!...

Hiya! It is the BIG anniversary week for The Twinery and as I'm sure you've seen, there are sooo many awesome companies joining us to celebrate!   We are so glad you could join us for our 1st Anniversary Celebration blog hop with The Twinery and Echo Park Papers.

First thing's first-if you came here by way of my sweet friend EMILY LEIPHART's blog,you are on the right track!.  If not, make sure you start at the beginning over at The Twinery's blog because there are terrific prizes for those who complete the hop by commenting on each blog.  You'll have two days to enjoy this hop, so relax and have fun!

I was THRILLED to be able to work with Echo Park paper today and cannot wait to show you what I've been up to :)  I created three cards today, and they are all special to me!  The first one uses the gorgeous Victoria Gardens collection:

My second and third cards use papers from the adorable "SPLASH" collection and I just can't get enough of summer and soaking up all that's left of it!  These verses fit well for that too, don't' you think? (from Verve Stamps).  Here are my next two cards, one featuring a button/twine flower with Mandarin Twine:

Now....just for hopping...have I MENTIONED the prize that one lucky winner will take home from this hop?  The Twinery is giving away a SAMPLER PACK of twine, and Echo Park has generously offered to give away THREE COLLECTIONS!  That is a mega-prize, baby!

Be sure to hop to each of our amazing designers blogs and check out the projects using baker's twine from The Twinery and the fabulously creative designer papers from Echo Park.  Each 12x12 collection is double sided, comes with stickers, journaling boxes, pretty borders....oh, my goodness they are SO FUN.

I'm so glad you stopped by today and I hope I've inspired you to try The Twinery's twine.  Not only is it the best quality, but their customer service is excellent and well, I have to say I think the design team is pretty great, too ;)

Just ONE more reminder-the deadline for commenting is 11:59pm EST, Friday, August 19th.  Prizes will be announced on Saturday, August 20th on The TWINERY blog!

Your next stop on the hop is the UBER talented Echo Park designer Wendy Sue ANDERSON's blog.   Thank you SO much for hopping and for sharing in The Twinery's exciting ANNIVERSARY EVENT!

For the Record...

Hey peeps!

I have lots of fun stuff to show you today using some of my FAVE Echo Park Paper, "For the Record".  I've had a blast working with the 6x6 Sampler Pack from Claudia & Co. and I actually have three projects to show you today.  The first one uses this week's DECONSTRUCTED Sketch by my girlie Jen Shults:

I have to admit, I kind of freaked when I saw this week's sketch.  Don't get me wrong, I LIKE it- but it's not my typical 'style'.  However, this paper could not have done a better job showcasing this fun sketch and I pretty much love the end result:

Whatcha think?  The sentiment on this card is from Stamping Bella.  I have MORE to show you, but don't forget to check out the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch girls and their fabulous creations, and don't forget to stay tuned for a special blog hop next week! 

Amber Hight

Angela Sowell

Anna Maria Nilsson

Arielle Gordon

Emma Eads

Donna Wardle

Jen Shults

Jessica Diedrich

Kadie Ensley

Lori Boyd

Sheri Gilson

Now, ya ready for MORE "For the Record"??  I have to say, Echo Park is one of my favorite paper companies but I was really glad when Claudia offered them as 6x6 Sampler Packs because I'm just not a big storer of the 12x12 size..plus, I LOVE that so many sheets are included in the sampler.  I've been able to make a LOT of cards using this sampler pack and I STILL have lots left over!  Here's another card I made using an Itty Bitty stamp from UNITY:

 Last but not least, I had some fun w/ buttons and TWINERY twine, also available in the Claudia & Co. store!

Well, that's it for me today, but be sure to stop by the Claudia and Co. store blog and also check back on the store site on Thursday or Friday as Claudia will be adding some goodies and restocking some SMASH that I just can't wait to get my hands on!

See you tomorrow for Bella-riffic Friday!

Be Mine for Hip Hop Thursday?...(bats eyelashes ;)

Hello Hip Hoppers!

Today we're VERY excited about the BRAND NEW Releases from Echo Park and UNITY STAMP CO this week, including the new "Be Mine" collection that I have to show you today:

...and card #2... (I couldn't stop at just one-LOVED it so much!)

Yep-using the "Be Mine" Patterned Paper from Echo Park and this new kit? Talk about making my heart skip a beat!  I LOVE this new collection and how perfect for the upcoming holiday!  Of course, not Christmas, sillies!  LOL-but seriously-we all know as soon as the 25th comes and goes, we'll all be hard at work on those Valentine cards and actually, the whimsical and vintage feel of this set makes it perfect for YEAR round fun!

I'm SO excited about all of our new releases-and also want to remind everyone that this month's Kit of the Month is spectacular!  Here is this month's kit, "Just Be YOU":

As if that wasn't fun enough?  In ADDITION to the FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders until January?  Check out this AMAZING sale and giveaway promo this week:

I hope you guys will head on over to my friend Jimmi's blog next-I'm sure she's made something BEAUTIFUL for you to look at!

Take care, everyone!  The weekend is ALMOST here!  See you back here tomorrow with a Farm Fresh Friday post and a FUN special challenge at TGF ;)

xoxo~