Saturday, January 30, 2016

Coming Soon.....

Howdee Stampers!  I've put together a little collection of projects featuring goodies from Stampin' Up!  If you are local to me, consider yourself invited to a workshop!! 

In this February workshop, you will make the three projects you see in this posting, plus one more secret project.  The rest of the workshop details will be shared privately.  If you are interested, please send me an email or visit my group page: Jane's Addiction, The Studio.

Here's a closer look:
 This card features a water colored background and goodies from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Catalog, Party Wishes and Rose Wonder.  Also from Rose Wonder:
Come ready to cut, color and have a load of fun!!

Be Awesome!  Jane

Friday, January 29, 2016

Hop, Hop, Hipity Hop-Sweet N Sassy Stamps!


Happy Friday, Sweet Friends!!  I've been waiting for today for oh so many reasons!!  Today, Sweet N Sassy Stamps reveals a brand new Creative Worship Line and it's very first kit (shown above)!  The two stamps sets were illustrated by the talented Krista Hamrick and the equally talented Rebecca Rios illustrated the bookmark.  You'll be wanting to grab your kit right away!

I don't yet own a Bible designed for journaling, but the more I see, the more I lean toward getting one.  I do like the smaller format (and less scary than wrecking an entire Bible page....) provided by my Scripture Rolodex:
I also like the idea of creating something to share with a friend:
I've only just begun!  Make sure you check out what the rest of the team has created!  Be inspired, Be Awesome!

TTFN, Jane





Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Be A Daymaker.....

Happy Wednesday, Sweet Friends!  Today is Sweet N Sassy Stamps day here on my blog.  I'm so glad you decided to stop by!  Sweet N Sassy Stamps is moving and shaking--I'm sure you aren't going to want to miss any of the upcoming goodies, so be sure to stay tuned!

I want to bend your ear just a little bit about being a Daymaker today!  Read this story; it touched my heart.  It was written by David Wagner--the founder of the Daymaker Movement:

"It only takes a moment to make someone's day - to become a Daymaker. Sometimes those moments even change lives as I discovered a number of years ago. I was working in my salon one day when a client came in to have her hair styled. I was surprised to see her since it was right in the middle of her five-week period between haircuts. I figured that she must have an important social engagement, so I asked her about her evening plans.

"I don't have anything special going on," she told me. "I just want to look and feel good tonight."
I gave her a great scalp massage, then shampooed and styled her hair. During our 30 minutes together, we joked and laughed. At the end, she smiled radiantly, hugging me goodbye.

A few days later I received a letter from this client and began to realize the enormous potential of Daymaking. My client admitted that she had wanted her hair styled so it would look good for her own funeral. She had planned to commit suicide that evening. But the wonderful time she had during our appointment had given her hope that things could get better. She decided to check herself into the hospital and get professional help. She thanked me for caring, even though I hadn't known what she was going through. She wrote "thank you for being there without knowing that you were."

You can read and learn more about the Daymaker movement here.  I interact in my world, under this philosophy, often.  My kids often comment when I start a conversation with someone in the grocery store..."do you know that person, mom?"  Usually, I don't.  You just never know when a smile or a kindness will transform someone else's day.

I like to use my art to reach out, too!  The above project was completed using Sweet N Sassy Stamp's Bottom of My Heart stamps and dies.  I cut two differently sized circles from both the base and card front then pieced it all together using baker's twine and die cuts.  It's a fun card sure to brighten someone's day!

What will you do to be a Daymaker today?
Be Awesome!  Jane

I got crafty with:

Monday, January 25, 2016

Enjoy

Happy Monday, Friends!  Thanks for stopping by!  Today, I am sharing a fun embossed and water colored project.

I like finding different ways to use the same image.  This Kerr jar image, from I Brake For Stamps, is a favorite image of mine. I've used it here for Fall Flowers and also here for Lacey Spring Flowers. You'll notice the versatility of the image with each use.  This makes for a great stamp to have in your cabinet!

I started by heat embossing the image on kraft card stock.  Using water colors (Koi by Sakura), I added color to the image.  Once dry, I cut the image using an oval die and the Out of the Box technique.  To finish things off, I added the sentiment "Enjoy the good life."  You will find it on the Beach Theme Full Sheet.

As usual, I had to add a few pieces of bling for some finishing sparkle!  You can pick up some IBFS goodness for yourself--be sure to use my savings code:  SAVE10JANE

TTFN, Jane

Saturday, January 16, 2016

How Sweet It Is....

Happy Saturday, Sweet Friends!  Sweet N Sassy stamps rolled out 21 new digital images yesterday and it is time to play!!  Be sure to see the entire digital image release and stop by the SNSS Blog for lots of inspiration!

I have to admit, I haven't always been on board the digi train.  But once you step out beyond the box, you discover a whole new world of options!  One great thing about digi images is that their purchase involves almost no wait time.  Who doesn't seek some instant gratification once in a while?  The other great feature offered by digital images is the ability to manipulate them for sizing and layout.

The biggest barrier for me and digital images has been my printer.  It does matter, for sure, but similar to choosing inks and coloring medium using traditional stamps, the type of printer ink will dictate coloring options.  My samples have been printed using an Canon inkjet printer, 80lb white card stock and distress inks using a water color method. 

The candy card, above, features images from the Sweet As Candy digital set.  I added some extra interest with Grunge Elements 2 clear set on the background and a sentiment from Candy Sentiments 1.

My second card is also a hybrid creation combining stamp and digital images.  The focal image, Cocoa Sends Love, is a digital image complimented by sentiments from Valentine Critters Clear Stamp set and Bottom of My Heart Clear Stamp set.  The cute little heart embellishment also comes from Bottom of My Heart Clear Stamp set and the matching dies.  To create my hilly background, I used the Hillside Edges Dies to trim two complimentary pieces of designer paper scrap.

Be sure to check out the entire digital image selection!  Once you get started, it's a little hard to stop......;)

Be awesome!  Jane

Thursday, January 14, 2016

People Will Stare

Happy Thursday, Junkies!!  More than 50 years after her death, Marilyn Monroe continues to captivate us with her sultry smile and screen persona.  It's amazing to realize she would be celebrating her 90th birthday this year if she were still alive!  Clearly, a complicated woman with an interesting story, to say the least!

The January stamp release from Technique Junkies includes this photo stamp image of Marilyn.
For my featured project today, I started by creating a background using the Back To Back technique.  You'll find this technique and 29 others on the Bodacious Backgrounds CD available exclusively at Technique Junkies.  Images used are Circus Stars and Lipstick Kisses. To finish things off, I added one of my favorite kitchy sentiments, People Will Stare.

Make It Worth Their While ;)  Jane

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Thankfulness

We did it!  Made it to the middle of the week!  Yay, us!!   Wednesday is Sweet N Sassy Stamps day here on my blog....so, thanks for stopping by to check out my latest creation!

I've been wanting to try my hand at the No Line Water Color technique and finally--thanks to my sweet mother-in-law--got my hands on some a Koi water color kit from Sakura.  I've been goofing around with them and finally I have a project I feel is share worthy.  There is definitely a learning curve for this girl!!

The focal image of my project is from Shining Light Clear Stamp set from Sweet N Sassy stamps.   I grew up on the waters of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, WI.  I spent several glorious summers working at the Manitowoc Marina, sailing sailboats (and cleaning them!) and explored Door County many many times.  I've always been drawn to the various lighthouses located along the Lakeshore so, this particular set feels like home to me.

The sentiment can be found in the Keep In Touch, Too Clear Stamp set, also available in the Sweet N Sassy Stamps store.  Go check it out!!

Be awesome!  Jane

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Stand Out

Happy Middle of the Week, Sweet Friends!  We are half way to a weekend already and I have a fun little Sweet N Sassy Stamps share!

We are also well on our way in the new year!  New Years always brings with it reflection and resolutions.  Promises to "be the best me"; "New Year, New You".  We've heard all of the cliches.  I'm not ashamed to admit, it is exactly this sentiment I was thinking about when I created this card featuring Winter With Winnie 
from Sweet N Sassy Stamps!  I love Winnie--she's such a fun and expressive character!  You can see all of Winnie, HERE.

Now, I'm not much for "the shoulds" or New Years Resolutions.  I do, however, firmly believe that each day is a gift to be the best you can be. I work with kids in a mental health treatment program, and a lot of the work I feel we do is aimed at pulling out their best selves.  It's important to define your best.  We are so much more than our circumstances! 

So, this card is my "Stand Out In the Crowd" card.  It's a challenge for myself and each of you to be your best.  To stand up and stand out for the One who made you.

I had to call attention to the "Stand Out" with more goodies from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.  I used the What's Up Clear Stamp Set and matching Dies.

Go ahead...Be Awesome!  Jane

Snowman Soup Kit!

Happy Wednesday, Sweet Friends!  I have a Sweet N Sassy Stamps share today that I created just for you!

I admit it.  I'm still a gifting kind of mood!  To some degree, I think being a stamper has a lot to do with it.  I love to think up fun little gifts to give the people in my life--after all, what fun would it be if I made things and just let them sit on my shelves?

Every so often, I get in the mood to make a box.....like once a week?  I love the process of creating dimensional items.  I like it best when I have to figure out how to do it, but that isn't always the case, like for this cute test tube tote!  For this project, I was able to follow THIS TUTORIAL from Splitcoaststampers.  My  my test tubes are considerably smaller than the ones used in the tutorial so, I had to adjust some of the measurements, but it worked out just fine.  My mini tubes are perfect, however, for this very special Snowman Soup Kit!

The blustery days of winter here in Central Wisconsin make hot cocoa the perfect any time drink!  Each tube can be filled with 1) Cocoa 2) Mini Marshmellows 3) Tiny chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies.  Of course, the possibilities are endless!

To complete the project, I decorated the holder with Sweet N Sassy Stamp's Snowman Soup with matching dies !! You can also purchase the same images in digital stamp format!  Go check it out! I love the cup toting snowman and wish I had a cuppa THAT big!!

Be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

Monday, January 4, 2016

Be Mine

Happy Monday!  Who is ready to adult today??  I'm kicking off the new year with a little love card featuring goodies from I Brake For Stamps!  If you have to adult, why not do it with a little art thrown in for good measure?

I created my water colored background using a stencil and some Ranger distress inks.  Once it was dry, I was ready to assemble using one of the little cuties from THIS SHEET by Alie Hoogenbozem de Vries.  I stamped her on water color paper, also, and colored with distress inks.  Then trimmed her and added to the background with dimensional tape.  Finally, I added the Be Mine sentiment, which is an older sentiment from I Brake For Stamps.

You can find all kinds of Valentine goodies in the IBFS store, HERE.  Don't forget to check out the deal of the week section too!  When you shop, you can save by using my coupon code: SAVE10JANE.

Be Awesome--Jane



Friday, January 1, 2016

Hop On By......Technique Junkie Release!

Happy Friday and New Year, Junkies!!!  Isn't this just the best day ever???  Today, on this fine first day of 2016, the Technique Junkie Design Team is hopping along to show off the first brand new designs of 2016!!  The hop starts on the Designer Blog--it you haven't started at the beginning, I know you are going to turn yourself around and head back there....you don't want to miss a thing!

If you've been on the hop path for bit, you should have just been to Kathy's blog.  She's such a crafty nurse, no??  I often wonder where she finds the time for her amazing creations!? 

I know I should pace myself, but I always get so excited for a hop!  So many goodies, I just can't choose.  I think I'm going to save some creations for the rest of the month, but I'm like a kid at Christmas and I just can't wait!!
 Love this vintage Marilyn photo stamp!  I'm thrilled to have a few Valentine's checked off my list already!  I've combined Marilyn with Circle-Love You and added some bling for a quick and eye catching note!
 My next card combines multiple goodies from Technique Junkie stamps and features the brand new sentiment, Better Things.  Also used: Pom Pom Swag Background, Lover's Silhouette and Live Love Laugh Frame.
 This might be my favorite...Geek Chic......cuz, I kinda am.  I used the Steve Jobs quote to add a water colored background.  It turned out so cool, in real life!
Finally, another valentine....I love how the swirl from the sentiment forms the heart!!  Also, added some water color Falling Checks  using various colors of distress ink. 

Don't forget, all of the new release goodies are on special for the next week!!  Now is the time to get these brand new goodies! 

Your next stop is Tonya Davidson's blog!  Tonya is brand new to our Design Team.....I'm just as excited as you are to see her first share!!!!  Have fun!

TTFN & Be Awesome! Jane