Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Someplace To Go......

Happy Middle of the Week, sweet friends!! Thank you for stopping by to see my Sweet N Sassy Stamps share for the week! Summer is winding down, there have been many orientations and lots of school supply shopping in this house.  I'll be happy when school is underway and life again has a schedule ;)

I created a colorful background using Sweet N Sassy's  Floral Pattern Background stamp.   I stamped it multiple times in multiple colors.  After trimming the blocked colors apart, I pieced them together, as shown, on to a scrap of card stock.  Then, I covered the whole piece with Versa Mark ink and clear embossing powder.  Heat embossing created a background that was vibrant and polished looking.

I finished the card off, still playing with the Bookmark Bits & Pieces stamp set.  I love that little owl :)  And the sentiments......

Have a great day and don't forget to be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

Monday, August 24, 2015

Believe In Love

Happy Monday!! I just had to take a break from my Monday Florals feature with I Brake For Stamps.....I've already sat on this cute 3x3 canvas for a couple of weeks and I just can't not anymore!

Sweet Ms. Bo Bella sent me this amazing sheet by Alie Hoogenboezem de Vries Designs ......and I could barely cut all the images apart before I was compelled to ink them up.  I started by laying down a layer of acrylic paints in various colors.  Using a few of the shaped images, I added contrast to the colorful background with white paint.  The remainder was a bit of fussy cutting (which I love), copic coloring and modge podging--all my favorites!  For finishing touches, I added some bling/dimension with sequins, glitter glue wings and dimensional glaze for the character's eyeglasses. 

I love these sweet little girls! And, it's a great message in these sometimes challenging times in which we live.  You can pick up your own sheet over in the store!  Save with my coupon code SAVE10JANE and feel the love :) 

Go be awesome!  TTFN-Jane

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Flower Lunch Box Notes

Happy Day, Friends!! Thanks for stopping by to enjoy my Sweet N Sassy Stamps share for the week!  I'm a bit stuck on floral images lately.  I'm truly not much of a plant/flower person.  Not that I don't enjoy them, but I just don't know much about them.  Sometimes, I have to google a flower name just to figure out how to color it!  Other times, I just let my designer paper dictate ;)

I've been completely obsessed with the concept of lunch box notes for quite some time.  Granted, my share today will never find themselves in a lunch box.....but I just love these little 3 x 3 cards.  I created a little box to hold them also and think they would make a fun little birthday or just because gift---a hostess gift, maybe?
Sweet N Sassy's Mini Flower Block stamps are absolutely perfect for this project!  I've used Mini Flower Block 3 today, but am feeling somewhat compelled to use them all! This inside of the box is simply decorated with a strip of designer paper and sentiment from Keep In Touch, Too.
The box is secured with a belly band, also adorn with a sentiment from Keep In Touch, Too.
If you are wondering, the beautiful papers that really make this project are from a pad called Country Road from The Paper Studio.  They are the perfect compliment to the Mini Flower Block images!  I was lucky to have a stash of 3x3 envelopes from days gone by.  If you own an Envelope Punch Board, they are easy to create, too. 

The box, itself, is pretty simple too.  Just start with a strip of card stock that measures 9 1/2" x 3 1/4".  Score along the length at 2", 2 1/2", 5 3/4" and 6 1/4".  To create the sides of the box, use two pieces of card stock that measure 1" x 2".  Score both, along the 1" length at 1/4" and 3/4".  These narrow 1/4" sections will hold the adhesive and adhere to the larger card stock to create the "pocket" you see holding the cards.  The belly band should measure 1" x 8 1/2" and can be scored at 2", 2 1/2", 5 3/4" and 6 1/4" also.  Have fun finishing things off!

Don't forget to be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

Monday, August 17, 2015

Flowers Are For Monday

Happy Flowery Monday, Friends!  Thanks for stopping by to check out my I Brake For Stamps Monday share!!  I really had to force myself to stay on schedule......Sweet Ms. Della sent me some new goodies last week and I actually had some time to play right away...I can barely contain my love.  It's so hard for me to wait and share later.  It's part of the reason that I don't often work ahead......that and I am totally a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl and often run out of time....LOL!

For this card, I used an old scrap booking template to create the different areas, but you could use post it notes to achieve a similar look.  For color, I used Distress Inks due to their unique ability to react with water. The top of each cone flower is lighter due to removing ink with a water brush.  It's a little trick you have to complete in a timely fashion, of course, but it gives nice contrast like you see above.  Also, I used a water drop technique over the whole piece to give this one layer card an extra bit of interest.

All stamp images are from my favorite flower sheet at I Brake For Stamps, Floral Sheet 148B. I just love those cone flowers!  The accompanying sentiments are great too!  This sheet would be perfect for a mixed media canvas, too......hmmmmm.........{insert lightbulb}

LOL!  If you want to beat me to it, you can grab this sheet and more PLUS save with my coupon code SAVE10JANE.  That's all for me.....I've got some chores and children stamping to do!  ;)

Have a great day.....be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

Friday, August 14, 2015

Sweet N Sassy Stamps Release Day!!

Happy Friday!  It's a great day for so many reasons.....mostly because it is release day at Sweet 'N Sassy stamps!   I'm super excited about Worship the Lord--the brand new set featured here!  You can see all of the inspiration and new sets by visiting the Sweet N Sassy Blog!

So many goodies!  I only had a little bit of play time so far, but cannot wait for more!  Last night, my kiddos wanted to make bookmarks---they are more than aware that I purchased Bookmarks Bits and Pieces to use with them so, we finally made the time to get to it!  I was delighted with their creativity and, we had so much fun!

I chose to use the Worship the Lord set for both a card and bookmark.  The images are awesome and fit perfectly on the dies that go along with Bookmark Bits and Pieces, Bookmarks & More Dies.  I'm going to give this one to a friend, but will definitely be making more.  I may need a laminator (finally) now--what do you think?

What would a Blog Hop be without a giveaway, right?  One random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to win a $20 Gift Code to Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  You have until Thursday, August 20th at midnight EST to leave your comments.  The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, August 21st!
Good luck and happy hopping!
TTFN--Thanks for being awesome!  Jane

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Generating Buzz......

Happy Thursday, Friends! Thank you for stopping by to check out Technique Thursday, again!  I've been off schedule for the better part of the summer, but am constantly trying to get back on track!  I'm glad you are here to see my techniquey share for today!  I'm featuring stamps from Technique Junkie stamps and a technique from one of my favorite TJ CD's! 

I'm using stamps from the Palettini line at Technique Junkies called  Botanical Bee.  The technique I am using can be found on the Sensational Stencils CD!  There are 40 different techniques on this one CD--great ideas for using your stencils in new and creative ways.  I love the Technique Junkie CD's because they are all about getting more out of the supplies we already own!

The tutorial is called Pasted Dylusions.  I chose a stencil of hexagonal shapes to add to the bee theme of the card--I think it is very hivey looking :)  After allowing the paste to set, I used three different shades of yellow and orange to create the colorful background.  Once that was finished, I added some Vintage Photo distress ink to highlight the stencil shapes.  I love this technique for the extra dimension and color it adds to any project.

I'm sure you can tell that the bee in this set is HUGE!!!  I surely would not want to meet him in real life, but he is perfect for this card along with the fun saying!  And, just in case you do not yet have a bunch of stencils (like some people I know.....) to use with this fabulous CD, Technique Junkies has some super cool ones for you to grab!  They ARE generating lots of buzz.................


Stay awesome....you know you want to..... Jane

Monday, August 10, 2015

Brakin' For Monday.....

Happy Monday!!!  All  this month, I'm sharing floral beauties from I Brake For Stamps during my Monday IBFS share.  Thank you for joining me!!  I'm glad you are here and ready to kick off yet another week of stampy fun!

I couldn't help, but play with my bisters again while creating this week's floral project!  The bisters become easier to control the more you play with them and produce an intriguing background every time!  I'm like a moth to flame when it comes to these amazing pigments!

For this project, I began by creating a floral resist using several images from IBFS's Floral Half Sheet 148A and Floral Half Sheet 148B..  I stamped the images in versamark on water color paper.  Then, using white embossing powder, I embossed each of them.  Once cooled, I was able to sprinkle bisters in strategic places and mist to create the colorful background you see.  I was specific to place only red bisters in the center of the two cone flowers....I love how this turned out!

To finish things off, I used my white signo pen to color the cone flower petals and some distress markers for other accenting.  I just got this cute little stampy stapler so, that is now my favorite rustic accent--you might be seeing it a lot for awhile :)  Only because I MAY just be tiring of sequins and need a new obsession!

You can stock up on floral images, bisters and so much more over in the IBFS store!  Be sure to use my coupon code SAVE10JANE for some sweet savings!

Have an inky week and don't forget to be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Start A Fire In My Soul.....


This world can be cold and bitter
Feels like we're in the dead of winter
Waiting on something better
But am I really gonna hide forever?

Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see

Start a fire in my soul
Fan the flame and make it grow....

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  Thanks for stopping by today!  I cannot get Start a Fire by Unspoken out of my head!  My project for today is the reason why.  This stamp set, Shining Light, from Sweet N Sassy Stamps always reminds me of  that song! The verses are a great reminder, like the song, our ability to influence the world for good.

I started the lighthouse image by stamping and masking on white card stock.  After completely masking the stamped image, I applied a variety of distress inks.  The sun set turned out a little bolder than I was originally planning.  I struggle with landscapes and the whole horizon thingy.....I'm still working on it :)  I think the contrast with the grey card stock makes the bold background work.... 


How will you let your light shine?  Go ahead....be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

I Got Crafty With:

Monday, August 3, 2015

Wedding Bouquet....

Happy Monday, Friends!!  I recently read an article that stated weekends go faster in the summer......I completely think that is true!  There I was, relaxing on a Friday night watching the new HOME movie with my kiddos and BOOM.....it's Monday morning!

I AM glad you are here....today, I'm starting a month of Mondays sharing projects using some of the beautiful floral images from I Brake For Stamps.  This week, I'm using Wedding Bouquet.

I started with a white piece of card stock and some distress ink to give the background a simple spot of color and grounding.  Though it's hard to see, there are two stampings of the bouquet pieced together.  I trimmed the top piece to include just the florals and joined them with some dimensional tape.  This adds dimension to the finished card. 

I finished things off with some matching sequins and a sentiment from I Brake For Stamp's Floral Half Sheet 148B.  I'll be using this sheet more this month too, so stay tuned for my Floral Mondays!  The Wedding Bouquet image is a beautiful and elegant image.  It can easily be colored to match the colors of the day and also makes a perfect any time or birthday card, too!

When  you pop over to the IBFS store, be sure to say a robust "hideho" to my pal, Della Bo Bella.  And, you can also use my savings code SAVE10JANE---that way, you can get just a little more....;) (It's what I would do...)

Go get yourself inky and be awesome!
TTFN--Jane

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Oh, Goody.....It's A Hop!

Happy Weekend, Peeps!!!  "Weekend" is almost the same word as "stamping" in my book! I'm glad you popped by because I am sharing several projects I created for the August Technique Junkie Hop!  If you have not begun on the TJ Designer Blog, please hop on over to start at the very beginning!  I don't want you to miss any of the beautiful art being shared!

If you have been enjoying the journey, you've just been to Beth's blog.  Were you WOWed?  Beth always has such colorful and creative work to share!

Most of my work, still reflects the sunny weather we've been enjoying this summer.  Beaches and happy colors!  It was easy to find inspiration this summer--it's hard to believe that summer is nearly over! Good thing we can create art that safely stores those feelings and memories!

I have several projects to share.  The images used will be listed below each close up.  Enjoy!
 
 

 








I cannot begin to explain how much I love the Double Weird stamps!  They were perfect for creating my hop canvas--cuz there always has to be one!  I just love the whole everything!
 

Well, I love them all!  They are all my favorites.....until next month!  LOL!  Have a great rest of the hop!  It's time to visit Jerri Jones!  I know she will have something super fantastic waiting for you!

Don't forget to be awesome.......it's a little weird....but that's just perfect!
TTFN, Jane