Get Cracking On Christmas {Blog Hop}

Welcome! 

Jenn Shurkus has brought 
some great designers (and friends) 
together for a fabulous Christmas in July blog hop! 

(Bonus: there might be a few giveaways!)

For those of you who may not know me or my company, my name is Tifany and I own Ink Blot Shop. I design clear stamps (made in the USA) for card making, Bible art journaling, bullet journaling, and more.

If you aren't already following Ink Blot Shop, please be sure to follow along on the @InkBlotShop Instagram account and the Ink Blot Shop Facebook page.

The Projects:

For both cards, I used the Peas on Earth stamp set (without the peas). I am not a fan of red, so my Christmas cards generally tend toward non-traditional colors.

I started by stamping a couple of the globe images in a light ink, and used some markers to do a bit of no-line watercoloring. (One card is done with Zig markers and one is done with Tombow markers.)

I used the same basic layout (the sentiment over the globe) for both cards, but decided to add a little extra pizzazz to one by turning it into a shaker card. I heat embossed the sentiment on both cards to help it pop.

If you want to see another card design using the same Peas on Earth stamp set (this time with the peas), you can check it out here. And here are two more cards created by Jenn Shurkus for you to check out.

Although it was definitely a creative challenge for me to create Christmas cards in the middle of the summer, it was really fun to stretch myself and I hope you will give it a shot, too. If you do, please be sure to use #GetCrackingOnChristmas on your social media posts. 

The Giveaway:

Would you like to win the Peas on Earth stamp set that was used on my cards today? You can!

To enter:

Leave a comment on this blog post. That's it!

If you would like additional chances to win:
Comment on any of the posts associated with this particular giveaway on the Ink Blot Shop Facebook page and/or the @InkBlotShop Instagram account.

Rules of this giveaway:
Blog comments for the giveaway will close Monday, July 23rd @ 11:59pm (Eastern) and the winner will be announced Thursday, July 26th here on this blog.
- The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their information.
- Due to shipping costs, giveaways are available to US mailing addresses only.

Please remember to check back to see if you've won.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.

After leaving a comment, be sure to hop on over to Jana Millen's site to continue on the hop.

The Hop List:

Jenn Shurkus

Susan Opel

Chari Moss

Cheiron Brandon

Libby Hickson

Caryn Davies

Emily Midgett

Vera Yates

 >>> Tifany DeGough <<<

Jana Millen

Lydia Fiedler

Lisa Cisneros

Susan Wymer

Jessie Banks

Jessica Frost-Ballas

Teri Anderson

Lisa Henke

Thanks for stopping by today!
Get cracking!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Ink Blot Shop, LLC (Peas on Earth); 
Watercolor Paper: Ranger (Distress Watercolor Cardstock); 
Shaker Window: Grafix (Dura-Lar Clear Film);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Lime Twist - Life of the Party 6x6); American Crafts (Dear Lizzy - 5th & Frolic 6x6); Crate Paper (Portrait Collection 6x6); 
Ink: Tsukineko (VersaFine - Onyx Black); Simon Says Stamp (Barely Beige); 
Markers: Tombow (452, 133, N75); Zig (31, 41, 94);
Embossing: American Crafts (Zing! Clear Embossing Powder);
Sequins: MultiCraft Imports (Go Green Sequins, Black & White Sequins); Martha Stewart (Iridescent Glitter); Pretty Pink Posh (Silver Heart Confetti);
Dies: Spellbinders (Standard Circles);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board); Wagner (Heat Gun);

Handmade Holidays Blog Hop 2016

The Introduction:

If you are hopping along with us today: Welcome!

If you aren't already a follower, I'd love to have you follow my blog!

If you are on Facebook, please "like" Ink Blots by TRD.

If you are one of my regular readers: Thanks for coming back! I love having you! Please feel free to join along in the hop.

The Project:

I'm excited to be part of this year's Handmade Holidays blog hop! I've participated in the past and have always enjoyed it. You can see some handmade gift ideas I've previously shared here.

This year, I joined the hop with a simple (but practical) decor idea to share. This idea came together quickly thanks to some of the great hop sponsors, and it is something that you can re-create easily with just a few simple supplies.

When it comes to decor, I am not one to have closets full of items just for the holidays. I like things that are practical (and pretty) and I love it when decor is functional. All of that came together in this rustic shutter photo hanger:

I started with a wooden rustic shutter from Walnut Hollow and painted it with a couple coats of DecoArt's True Teal paint. 

I love the pop of non-traditional holiday color that this piece brings to my home for the holidays. With the addition of The Twinery's new Icicle twine, it is the perfect place to showcase the photos that arrive in holiday cards each year.

Of course, it can also be used to hang the cards themselves, or even a few special ornaments.

While I had my paint supplies out, I went to work making a few special ornaments to complete the display. I love how paint and a few simple stencils can bring such a cozy feel to some round cuts of wood. The stenciling reminds me of a cozy Christmas sweater:

Be sure that you hop on over to The Twinery blog next, where you'll find more beautiful handmade ornaments.

Thanks for stopping by today - and happy holidays!

Supplies were from the following sponsors: The Twinery, Walnut Hollow, DecoArt, and Buttons Galore & More.

The Giveaway:
Before you move on - don't forget about the giveaway! This collection of craft supplies will be sure to help you make this holiday handmade. Enter to win using the link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Hop Order:

Be sure to continue on the hop!

Easter Treat Bags {The Twinery}

Easter is almost here and I just love to celebrate such a joy-filled holiday. 

In our family we try to remember that Easter isn't about eggs, bunnies, or candy, but about the fact that our Lord was raised to life and that He lives! (And we are certainly thankful that He gave us eggs, bunnies, and candy to enjoy.)

These decorated bags are a simple reminder - and as a bonus they hold a little treat.

Each treat bag is topped with a paper doily and tied closed with The Twinery's twine. (I used Solid Marigold and Solid Lilac.)

I love these quick, easy additions to any celebration (just change out the stamped images and these are perfect for any party and/or holiday). Simple to make but add such a great handmade touch.

What special way(s) will you be celebrating Easter this year?

Supplies: 
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Lilac, Solid Marigold); 
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (The Lord Is Risen, Worship The Lord); 
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);
Colored Pencils: Prang;
Other: Wilton (Paper Doilies); Gartner Studios (Woodgrain Favor Bags);
Tools: Fiskars (Scissors);

Distressed Foil Embellished Onesies {The Twinery}

Today I've got a fun project to share with you...distressed foil embellished onesies!

Foil is so popular right now, and I love the fact that it can be applied to fabric. I wanted to create a fun gift for two of my newest nieces, and I thought decorated onesies would be perfect. My sisters-in-law like vintage and/or shabby chic styles, so distressing on the hearts was the perfect look.

This may look like a difficult and time-consuming project, but it really wasn't. In fact, it went something like this:

Step One: Punch shapes from Hot Melt Adhesive.
*Step Two: Feed the kids.
Step Three: Iron Hot Melt Adhesive punched shapes onto onesies.
*Step Four: Change a diaper.
Step Five: Iron Deco Foil onto onesies.
*Step Six: Put baby down for nap.
Step Seven: Peel back  to reveal finished design.
*Step Eight: Think to yourself, "Wait...you're not finished. These are cute. You should make one for your own baby."
*Step Nine: Repeat steps one through seven.

*Some steps may not apply to all crafters. Feel free to insert a chocolate break instead.

To get that fun, distressed look, I simply set the iron to a higher temperature than was recommended on the package when ironing on the foil. (It will dull some of the high shine of the foil and alter the amount of adhesion, so you will only want to do this if you are wanting the distressed look.)

After I created the onesies for my nieces, I went back and made another onesie, this time choosing a star embellishment for a "little sheriff" look.  

And, of course, no gift is complete without being tied up with The Twinery's fabulous twine! I chose Solid Lilac and Solid Peapod for the heart onesies, and Copper Shimmer twine for the star onesie.

If you are looking to do a distressed foil look on paper, that is possible, too. Simply place parchment paper over the foiled image (after you've peeled the transfer sheet off), and use firm pressure with an iron, being sure to move it back and forth. This will wrinkle and dull the foil - a perfect distressed look!

Before you go...I don't mean to alarm you, but it's come to my attention that some people are using irons for things other than craft projects. I just felt the need to spread the word incase you come in contact with one of these people. They are out there.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: 
Transfer Foil: Therm O Web (Deco Foil - various colors);
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Peapod, Solid Lilac, Copper Shimmer); 
 Tools: Fiskars (Squeeze Punches, Scissors);

Valentine Treat (Peanut Butter Balls) {The Twinery}

Hi there! 

Today I'm sharing a delicious treat with you!  

Okay, it's not easy to share homemade, chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls through the internet...but I can at least share the recipe with you. (And the recipe makes plenty to share with friends and neighbors.) 

You can find the recipe here:

Recipe:

4 cups natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt...no sugar)

8 cups (2 lb. bag) powdered sugar

2 cups butter

2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients and chill in refrigerator until firm.

Scoop into balls and place in fridge or freezer until firm.

Melt 2 pounds chocolate chips with 1 stick (1/4 box) Gulf Wax paraffin wax in a double boiler (or a dish over a pan of hot water).

Dip each peanut butter ball in chocolate coating. Place on tray that has been covered with wax paper & return to fridge or freezer to firm up. Dip tops in melted chocolate (if needed) and return to fridge or freezer to firm up. Store in fridge or freezer.

This recipe is pretty forgiving. Add more peanut butter, more butter, more sugar...more chocolate...whatever you want. 

And I don't pretend to be some master chocolatier - these aren't the prettiest things. (In fact, my friends and I call them my "peanut butter blobs".) 

But they sure do taste good!

Once you've got all those treats made, it's time to wrap them up.

I created these quick and easy boxes that each hold three peanut butter balls:

And, of course, I used The Twinery's twine to add an extra pop of color (and hold the boxes closed).

...delicious treats all packaged up and ready to pass out for Valentine's Day! 

(If you don't eat them all first.)

Enjoy!

Supplies: 
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Charcoal, Solid Honeydew, Solid Pink Sorbet); 
Patterned Paper: Heidi Swapp; Jen Hadfield;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); We R Memory Keepers (1-2-3 Punch Board);

LOVE you

Shaker cards. 

I'm a bit late in the game, but I've recently given them a real shot...and...they are so fun!

This one is a fun one because the shaker portion of the card goes all the way to both edges of the card (without spilling sequins everywhere, thanks to my Fuse tool).

I love how this one turned out - and I can't wait to really shake things up (pun intended) here on my blog.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink; 
Dies: My Favorite Things (Love Die-namics, Love & Adore You Die-namics); 
Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh; Martha Stewart; 
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Scor-Pal (Scoring Board); We R Memory Keepers (Fuse Tool);

Handmade Holidays - Stamped Monogram Napkins

With four kids, let's face it...I don't have a lot of time to get my craft on. Quick and easy handmade gifts are right up my alley, and recently I have really enjoyed giving hand stamped cloth napkins. These are perfect for hostess gifts, neighbor gifts, gift exchanges, gifts for your child's teacher...

The process is fairly simple - start with plain cloth napkins. (I prefer cotton napkins.)

You will want to make sure that you are using a permanent, fabric safe ink - you don't want your work to wash away with the crumbs! Then just ink up your stamp(s) and stamp straight onto the napkins and heat set.

For this set I went with a monogram, but any stamp will do. 

Once you've got your ink heat set, it's time to get it "wrapped". I prefer to keep my hand stamped napkins the star of the show, so I simply tie up a bundle of stamped napkins with some of The Twinery's twine. (I used Solid Charcoal for this set.)

Since I already had my stamps on my block, I went ahead and created a quick coordinating tag - this gives you a small space for a quick note to the recipient.

Easy, peasy, and ready to go!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: 
Twine: The Twinery (Solid Charcoal); 
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company (Liz Hicks Alpha, Blossoming Thoughts & Wishes - March 2015 Sentiment Kit);
Ink: Ranger (Archival - Jet Black);