2016 Top 10 Blog Hop | Blog Candy

Hello and welcome to the 2016 Top 10 Blog Hop! With the end of the year almost here, I'm participating with a group of my crafty friends to share our top 10 favorite projects from 2016.  This year has been full of change with regards to my creative outlet. Early last year, I became more interested in card making and started doing some stamping and coloring. As the year has progressed, I've done less and less scrapbooking and more card making. I never thought I would stop scrapbooking and maybe I'll pick it up again, but for now, I'm really enjoying card making and learning more about using different mediums to design and create with.

After you take a peek at all my favorite projects, make sure you check out the end of the post for all the blog hop details and for the blog candy!

Top 10 Blog Hop 2016

This past year I was blessed to be asked to join the Card Maker Magazine Blog Design Team. This opportunity sealed the deal for me with card making! It really helped me realize just how much I enjoy the process involved with making a card. I had the opportunity to create and share a variety of card making technique and paper craft projects on their blog and to participate in several blog hops with new to me companies such as Impression Obsession and Taylored Expressions.

Stamping With The Back Of Your Clear Stamps - This is a card I made for our Impression Obsession Blog Hop where I shared how to use the back of your clear stamps to create a watercolor effect.

Get Well Wishes Card by Juliana Michaels featuring stamping with the back of your stamps tutorial

In February I taught another online class for Big Picture Classes called Stretch Your Punches. This class shows you how to get the most out of your paper punches by creating four different layouts, each featuring a different technique. I share tips and tricks along the way that help you look at your punches in new ways and allow you to customize your scrapbook pages even more.

Love This Scrapbook Page by Juliana Michaels Stretch Your Punches Big Picture Classes

During 2016, I continued to create and share free digital cut files here on my blog. One of my favorites was Butterfly Frenzy Free Digital Cut File. This post also included a tutorial on how to back your die cuts with patterned paper.

All That Matters Scrapbook Page by Juliana Michaels featuring Butterfly Frenzy Free Digital Cut File and Elle's Studio

Another favorite of mine was the Chevron Background. This one is a simple overlay that looks great with a piece of patterned paper layered behind it. And as always, if you are looking for more free cut files, make sure to check out my Digital Cut Files Page.

Sweet Memories Scrapbook Page by Juliana Michaels featuring Cocoa Vanilla and Chevron Background Free Digital Cut File

As for design teams, I was blessed to continue designing for Therm O Web using their fabulous adhesives and Deco Foil to create a variety of paper crafts.  I even made a couple of fabric projects this year including this cute hedgehog pattern I created with Heat N Bond and Jennifer Jangles Strawberry Festival Fabric.

Hedgehog Sewing Pattern Jennifer Jangles Strawberry Festival Fabric, Therm O Web HeatNBond by Juliana Michaels

Another fun opportunity I've had this past year was to guest design for Sunny Studio Stamps. I adore their adorable stamp designs and I had a blast creating cards for their spring, summer, fall and winter releases.  This is one of the cards I created using their Sweet Shoppe stamp set for their Spring release. And, I'm pleased to share that I'll be guesting for them for their Spring 2017 release in March!

Sweet Birthday Wishes Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Stamps Sweet Shoppe Stamp Set

I also continued to participate in the seasonal Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and created a variety of coffee themed projects. One of them was this Pumpkin Spice Coffee Card and of course it included a coffee themed digital cut file! Pumpkin Spice Coffee Card Digital Cut File

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Card by Juliana Michaels

As many of you know, I love Halloween. This year, I created some fun free Halloween Apothecary Labels.  I used them to recycle some glass jars to create a set of Apothecary Bottles to decorate my house this past Halloween.


In 2015, I started working my dream job as a graphic designer for Jillibean Soup. I've continued working for them this year and it has been a blast working along side the Jillibean team to create a lot of fun new products this past year including a new line of Holiday Shape Shakers. I used these to create a few Christmas shaker cards this year. I mean, who doesn't love a shaker card?! 

Season's Greetings Christmas Shaker Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Jillibean Soup Holiday Shape Shakers

Last, but not least, I created quite a few crafty projects that weren't paper related. I have always enjoyed creating holiday themed projects such as this Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration I made as a Christmas gift for friends and family.


Now, that you've made it to the end, it's time for the giveaway!

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Leave a comment below for your chance to win my Top 10 Blog Hop Prize... 
a $25 Gift Certificate to the online store of your choosing!

If you would like an extra chance to win, follow me on Instagram and leave a comment to let me know you did that or if you are already following me.

To be entered to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below by 11:59 pm CST on January 2.

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Now, I invite you to visit the rest of my crafty friends for the 2016 Top 10 Blog Hop. I know many of them are having giveaways and such as well. Happy hopping and thank you so much for stopping by!

Newton's Nook Design Team

I'm so super excited today to share with you that I'm one of the new members of the Newton's Nook Design Team! As many of you know, I started my journey into stamping and card making this past year and it has been so much fun. I've truly fallen in love with the stamping, inking and coloring that goes along with it. I truly feel blessed to have been asked to join the  Newton's Nook design team and I'm looking forward to creating, sharing and inspiring you as I create with their awesome stamps and dies in the coming year.


To go along with this awesome announcement, I made a card to share with you using the adorable Newton's Nook Sweater Weather stamp and die set.

Sending Warm Thoughts Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Newton's Nook Sweater Weather Stamp and Die set and stenciled background

I stamped the adorable fox and mittens with Versafine Pigment Ink in Onyx Black. I then colored it in using Prismacolor Colored Pencils and blended them using Gamsol.

Sending Warm Thoughts Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Newton's Nook Sweater Weather Stamp and Die set and stenciled background

The background was created using an Echo Park stencil and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.

Sending Warm Thoughts Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Newton's Nook Sweater Weather Stamp and Die set and stenciled background

Of course, I'm not alone in joining their team. Here are all of the talented ladies I'll be creating with on the Newton's Nook Design Team. I invite you to visit their blogs to get to know them a bit better and start following them on social media if you don't already.



Thank you all so much for joining me to share this exciting news! I'm sending all of you big hugs and wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop Winner

Congratulations to Cynthia, the winner of the blog candy from the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! I don't have a way to get a hold of you to get your address, so I do hope you or someone who knows you see this post. Thank you to everyone who visited during the hop and for all of your sweet comments. It's amazing how much this hop continues to grow. I can't wait until the next one. How about you?

Color Throwdown | Cozy Fire Warm Hearts

Happy Sunday friends! A bit late in the day for my normal posting, but I played along with a card challenge blog and I wanted to share what I created so I could link it up.

Friends Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Newton's Nook Fireside Friends Stamp Set. Colored with Prismacolor Colored Pencils.

The Newton's Nook Fireside Friends stamp set is so adorable! I colored the image using Prismacolor Colored Pencils in the following colors: Chartuese, Crimson Lake, Crimson Red, Process Red, Golden Rod, Mineral Orange, Ginger Root, Light Umber, Black, 90% Cool Grey, 30% Cool Grey, 50% Cool Grey, 70% Cool Grey, 70% French Grey, Canary Yellow, Spanish Orange, Sunburst Yellow, Pale Vermilion. The image is stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink and I blended the pencils using Gamsol and blending stumps. I then fussy cut the image and adhered it to the card front. I used some BoBunny Double Dot 6x6 Paper for the patterned paper.

Friends Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Newton's Nook Fireside Friends Stamp Set. Colored with Prismacolor Colored Pencils.

I was inspired by the Color Throwdown 423:


Thanks for stopping by!

Sunny Studio Stamps Mug Hugs | Colored Pencils and Distress Ink

Hello friends! I'm so excited to share that I'm guesting over on the Sunny Studio Stamps blog again today with four cards I created using stamps and dies from their Winter 2016 release. As I was creating my cards, I decided to create one extra one to share with you here today.

For this card, I used the Mug Hugs Stamp Set. Since I'm a bit of a coffee lover, this one has quickly become one of my favorites because of all the cute little cups and mugs.

You Warm My Heart Coffee Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamps, Prismacolor Colored Pencils and Distress Ink

I stamped each image using Versafine Pigment Ink in Onyx Black. I then colored each image using my new 150 set of Prismacolor Colored Pencils.  I was lucky to win a Amazon gift certificate recently and with that and an awesome sale, I was able to get the set. It's really quite fun to say that I have all of the colors!

To create the smooth look with the colored pencils, I used Gamsol, which is oderless mineral spirits and stump blending tools.

You Warm My Heart Coffee Card by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamps, Prismacolor Colored Pencils and Distress Ink

After, I finished coloring the images, I die cut them and then added a bit of Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter to the white area on the snowflakes, heart, candy cane and cookie. You can't really see it in the photos, but it add such a wonderful touch of shimmer and shine to them.

I created the background, by applying Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass to my cardstock using a ink blending tool. Next, I splattered a little bit of water onto the ink using a paint brush. I then dried this with a paper towel to remove a bit of the ink and create a fun, snowy background.

To complete the card, I stamped the sentiment and then adhered the die cuts to my card front using some double sided foam tape to give them a little dimension.

Sneak Peek by Juliana Michaels for Sunny Studio Stamps

I sure hope you'll stop on over and visit the Sunny Studio blog to see the other cards I created. Here is a little peek at a shaker card I created using the Gleeful Reindeer stamp set.

Thanks for stopping!

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Affiliate Links are used because these are products I love and want to share about them with you. If you make a purchase after clicking, this means I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Supplies:
Sunny Studio Stamps Mug Hugs Stamps Set
Sunny Studio Stamps Mug Hugs Die Set
Doodlebug Kraft In Color - Color 6x6 Paper Pad
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, 150-Count
Distress Ink Tumbled Glass
Mini Round Ink Blending Tool
Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter
Tsukineko Versafine Pigment Ink in Onyx Black
Gamsol
Blending Stumps No.2
Prismacolor Colored Pencils Used:
Hot Pink
Process Red
Yellow Orange
Cadmium Orange
Aquamarine
Light Aqua
10% Cool Grey

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Welcome and thanks for stopping by today. I'm so happy to be playing along with the 2016 Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! The hop started today, Friday, December 9th and will run through Friday, December 16th. The theme for this hop is winter/holiday and this inspired me to create a fun coffee themed card with a cracked ice background. For more details about the hop and a chance to win a special little gift from me, check out the bottom of this post.

Cup of Cheer Coffee Card with Cracked Ice Background by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set

So what is a cracked ice background you ask? I'm going to share with you what it is.  This technique uses something from my stash. This stuff has been sitting there for several years and I'm not going to say just how many. 

Cracked Ice Background Technique:
  • To achieve this look take a piece of cardstock, cut to your desired size, and ink the entire surface with Versamark Embossing Ink. 
  • Sprinkle the surface with clear UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) and heat with a heat gun. To get the fun bumpy surface, try to avoid heating it until it is fully melted.
  • Apply another layer of Ink, sprinkle on more UTEE and heat with heat gun. Again try to avoid over heating or completely melting the UTEE.  
  • Repeat this process one more time. 
  • Once the entire piece is completely cooled, gently bend the paper and you will see that the UTEE will start to crack. 
What a fun effect and one I haven't done in ages. It's perfect for creating a winter themed background, don't you think?!

Cup of Cheer Coffee Card with Cracked Ice Background by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set

Once my background was completed, I adhered a couple of cute mugs from the Mug Hugs stamp set by Sunny Studio. I colored them with my Prismacolor pencils and added a touch of shimmer to the snowflakes using a Silver Metallic Gelly Roll pen. For the sentiment, I again used the Mug Hugs stamp set and embossed it with white embossing powder. 

Cup of Cheer Coffee Card with Cracked Ice Background by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set

I just love the cool effect and texture this technique adds to my card. I hope you enjoyed learning about this the Cracked Ice technique and that you'll give it a try on your next project!

Cup of Cheer Coffee Card with Cracked Ice Background by Juliana Michaels featuring Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set

Here are the details for the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop:
To play along all you have to do is create a new winter/holiday coffee, tea and/or cocoa themed project and then head over over to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog to link it up. While you are there, make sure to check out all of the details. There are loads of great prizes being given away for playing along. Anyone is welcome to link up any time between Friday, December 9th at 6 am pacific and Friday, December 16th @ 11:59 pm pacific. There are no limits to the number of entries - in fact, the more the merrier! By linking up your project, you become eligible to win a prize from one the amazing Super Sponsors! I hope you'll play along and thanks so much for stopping by today!

Some other fun days to celebrate during this hop: National Cocoa Day 12/13
International Tea Day 12/15

If you share your project on social media, make sure to tag it with #winter2016clh!

And now, as a special Merry Christmas gift to you, I'm giving away a Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set to  one lucky person who leaves a comment below telling me what you are most thankful for this holiday season. Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you're the winner. Commenting will be open until December 16th at 11:59 EST. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!


Supplies - Affiliate Links are used because these are products I love and want to share about them with you.  If you make a purchase after clicking, this means I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This extra money helps me do giveaways like the one for this hop. Thanks so much for your support!
Stamps and Dies: Sunny Studio Mug Hugs Stamp Set
Dies: Sunny Studio Snippets Mug Hugs
Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Winter 6x6 Petite Paper Pad
Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel Clear
Tsukineko Versamark Embossing Ink
Heat Gun
Cardstock
Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencils, 150-Count
Sakura Gelly Roll Pen Metallic - Silver

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration

This easy to make Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration is perfect to use for decorating your own home or giving as a gift!

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

Lately, I've been getting more into the farmhouse decor trend and this year some of my Christmas decorations and craft projects are taking on this style. With Christmas coming soon, I've been crafting up a storm creating gifts for my family and friends. One of the projects I recently created for some of my crafty friends is this Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration. 

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration Supplies:
Galvanized Nativity Ornament - JoAnn's
Garland - Michaels
Red Berries - Michaels
Gingham Ribbon
Wire Cutters
Hot Glue Gun

If you are unable to locate the Nativity ornament I used, feel free to substitute it with any Christmas themed die cut shape made from metal or wood. You could paint the wood with metallic paint. Another option would be to use a die cut or an electronic cutting machine, such as a Silhouette Cameo, to cut out a Nativity from chipboard or paper.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

Begin by making a wreath from the garland, using wire cutters to cut it. Size it so the Galvanized Nativity Ornament, or whatever piece you use, fits on top of it and touches the wreath in 2-3 places. Use a hot glue gun to attach the ornament to the wreath.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

Cut a length of ribbon, tie it in a bow and hot glue it to the top of the ornament.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

Use wire cutters to cut the berry stems in half. Take three of them, twist the ends together and add a dab of hot glue close toward the berries to help hold them together.  Try to keep the stems short. Create five groups of berries.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

Adhere the berries to the wreath using hot glue. Once the wreath is complete, hot glue it to the wood plank.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

I really love how this gift turned out and so did my friends.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

The wood plank and galvanized metal really add to the farmhouse style of it.

Wood Plank Christmas Nativity Decoration made using Jillibean Soup Mix The Media 6x6 Wood Plank created by Juliana Michaels

 Of course, after I made them for my friends, I couldn't resist, but to make one for myself as well.

Linked up to Snap Creativity Show + Tell 246
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