Come On Along.....

Summer is here!  The first of June means we are in full school's out count down mode and headed to summer!  It also means the Technique Junkie Designers are hoping along with new images and a blog hop full of inspiration.  Won't you come along?  To start at the beginning, you can head to the Designer's Blog.  There you will find the entire list of designers who are hopping and a few other details too!  If you've been hopping all along, you have just come from Kathy Stacy's blog.

My first project features the beautiful background image called Sea Urchins.  I'm not gonna lie....I totally had to google sea urchins.  I really had no idea how to color them....my rendition might not be realistic, after all, but it sure is fun to look at!  I used a variety of distress colors and some daubers to add the rainbow hues.  To finish things off, I added a simple sentiment, Beach Day.

My second project features the Seagrass Lighthouse image along with an sentiment called Better Things.  I started this piece by heat embossing the lighthouse image and then water coloring a sunset sky.  I really love to use my distress inks to water color--it makes me feel so arty!

You can purchase the entire new release at a discount until the 8th of the month, so be sure to head over to the store when you've made it through the whole thing!  You are now off to see what my pal, Beth Norman, has instore for you!  Enjoy!

TTFN, Be Awesome!  Jane

Find A Song.....

Happy FRIDAY!!!  Today's project is a colorful one I created using my Gel Press Printing Plate from Technique Junkies.  I also used some acrylic paint and a few other odds and ends!  I love using the printing plates and have found need for one of every size!  Even my kiddo's like to use them.  I wish I had discovered them years ago when we were heavy into finger painting!  I was lucky enough to get several background pieces from just one inking of the plate.

Once dry, I punched several differently sized circles from the background piece and then layered it over a second background.  For the second background, I used kraft cardstock, black ink and one of my favorite stamps, Fresh Chevron, To finish things off, I added Rain Dance and Always Find A Song--all from Technique Junkies.

Fridays are always a colorful happy day in my world!!  Go find your song......Jane

Fancy and Fun February--Technique Junkies

There is nothing better than a Monday morning HOP!!!  I'm not quite sure what happened to January, but here we are already at February's door!  I'm dedicating my entire post to the best gal pal ever.....she knows who she is (Fawn Darley) and she also knows I'm waaaay too lame to have gotten her birthday card in the mail for like the millionth year in a row!  I love her and certainly do not deserve her!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Friend!

Now that I've gotten the most important part taken care of, let's get this party started!  If you have not followed the hop to this point, you are going to want to head to the Technique Junkie Designer Blog where it all begins. If you have been hopping along, you've just been to the amazingly talented Kathy Stacy's blog!  She always amazes me!  Such creativity!

I've prepared a few goodies to share--I just love this new release!!  The good news for you is that the release images will remain on SALE for the next week!!  What an awesome deal!

While I readily admit to being mostly a homebody, I love images that capture the world around us.  This release is full of beautiful worldly images.  In the project seen above, I've used the new London Eye Background image.  This is a fun image to play around with.  I love the collagey (ya, that's a word) nature of it.  I've paired it with the birthday sentiment from Simple Sentiments 1a.

My second project is so me and my gal pal, Fawn Darley!!  She has always been and always will be my partner in crime.  We've been friends since the 4th grade.  Our youth was full of shenanigans that we often reflect on fondly!  Motherhood, responsible thinking and a good dose of common sense has encouraged cleaner living.....but....good times.  Good times.  This card is a tribute to all the nonsense of our youth (we were never caught--LOL!)

I started by stamping all of the sentiments from Partners in Crime in various distress inks, saving just enough space for the black sentiment.  I misted the stamped sentiments to run the inks.  Mug Shot was the perfect finishing touch for this card.  That, and a bunch of multi colored sequins :)

And finally, still a message to my bestie, but all cheekiness aside.  My final project bears the real sentiment, Always Be There--which is true.  I've created a colorful backdrop using the new Le Tour Eiffel.  I cut a frame from kraft card stock to highlight the beautiful image and then added a floral die cut from the same card stock.

My tribute is done,  but the inspiration continues!  Your next stop is Tonya Davidson!  Enjoy!

Be Awesome!  Jane

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

Wisdom in Words.....

On the last day of 2015, I cannot think of any better advice that that found in the Technique Junkie stamp set, Things I Want To Do!

I've combined these words of wisdom with one of my most favorite floral images, also from Technique Junkie stamps, Flourished Floral.  I love the eclectic feel of the image and its versatility.  Above, I've watered colored the image with distress inks.  Here, I embossed the image onto a stone tile and then colored with Copic markers:

So many great ways to use it all!!  Have a great, and safe New Years---be sure to visit the Technique Junkie blog tomorrow--New Year, New Stamps and we are hoppin' with inspiration to share with you all!!

Until tomorrow--be awesome!  Jane

Angels Among Us

Happy Thursday!!  With the holidays just about upon us, I'm starting to focus on Christmas cards.  While I like the traditional holy family images, it's always fun to step outside of the box with more non traditional images and colors.  It's a nice stretch of creativity!

Today, I have two cards to share that feature the beautiful Angel Choir image from Technique Junkie Stamps.  It's a great image to color!  I finished the above card by stamping onto water color paper and then using distress inks and an aqua brush to add color.  I love to water color especially when I have a strong urge for the soothing effects of coloring. 

When I'm not feeling much like coloring, it's still an awesome image with lots of possibilities.  My second card features the Spotlight technique.  It's a great way to highlight a few of the beautiful cherub like faces:

Either way, it's an awesome image and perfect for a non traditional Christmas card.  You can find Merry Christmas 2 in the Technique Junkie store also!

Make your day awesome, TTFN--Jane

Technique Junkies Are Hopping!

Happy October, Junkies!! A new month means new designs and hop to show it all off!  I'm so happy that you've happened by today!  If you didn't start at the beginning of the hop, you may want to START over in order to catch all of the inspiration!

Beth Norman has done it again, hasn't she??  She never fails to suprize and delight me with her unique style! 

For my projects, I've used Incrediball Canning Jar for a quick and easy tag.  It's such a fun pun!  I tend to think of the Fall as a time for gifting so, the decorated canning jar of flowers was an instant match!

For my card, I created a window die cut card front similar to a popular new die I've seen online quite a bit lately.  I, however, used my paper trimmer to create the same effect.  The "die" cut front is mounted on dimensional tape over the colorful resist background I created.  I began by stamping Pom Pom Swag with Versa Mark on white cardstock.  After heat embossing the image, I used a variety of art sprays to add colors.  I split the Live In the Present sentiment placing the first part on the front with the remainder inside the card:

The butterfly adornment is from the very versatile Technique Junkie Stamps set, Whimsy Wings.  Although Whimsy Wings is not included in the sale, the rest of what I used is!  All of the October release images are on sale until October 8th--now is the time to shop!!

Your next stop on our inspiration hop is the fabulous Jerri Jones!!  Enjoy!

Be Awesome--Jane

Sweet Black and White

I often find inspiration, like lots of you, on Pinterest.  Years ago, when I saw a project that I loved, I would search diligently to obtain the exact product used so I could completely copy the whole thing.  After many years of hoarding.......collecting, inspiration happens differently and I am always delighted when I am already set to go!  I love making the most of what I already have.  (ya, because I have SOOO much it's almost ridiculous!)

The original card, from which I drew my inspiration, was created using stamps from Hero Arts:

The image and sentiment I used both come from Technique Junkie Stamps.  I embossed both the Flourished Floral image and the So Sweet sentiment using white pigment ink and white embossing powder.  When embossing on black, I am always certain to use my embossing buddy to reduce random areas of powder cling---I hate that messy speckled look!

Like in the original, I added some multi-colored gems to contrast with the black and white simplicity of the image.  It's really a striking card, in real life!!  You should totally give it a whirl!!  You can pick up the Flourished Floral image from Technique Junkie Stamps and totally copy it OR find other fabulous images to use with the same concept. 

If you are in the market for some of the Technique Junkie CD's while you visit the store, be sure to use the coupon code  techniques at checkout to receive a 25% discount on all CDs!!  I own them all and they are all my favorite ;)

Go.  Be Awesome. TTFN, Jane

Your Heart and My Heart.....

Happy Thursday, my peeps!!!  Thanks for joining me today for a Technique Junkie share!  I was immediately drawn to this Old Friend image from Technique Junkie stamps from the minute I saw it.  It perfectly captures that feeling I've been lucky to have a few times in my life---the knowing of somebody who so completely gets you. 

I saw this great little technique online (a Unity Stamps video) and wanted to give it a go.  I'm not really sure that it had/has an official name, so I'm referring to it as Tape Texture.  It maybe something that has been around since time began, but it was new to me so I feel kinda like a pioneer!  :)  It adds dimension and interest--which, like with your personality, is ALWAYS a good thing! 

I started with a precut tag and some masking tape.  After covering the tag with randomly sized bits of tape, I applied gesso to the whole thing.  When the gesso was completely dry, I added various distress inks to colorize and highlight the texture added by the tape.  I added my stamped image, Old Friend, over the top and let it dry completely.  When I got around to using the tag, I decided on a card, adding some extra hot pink ink (Pink Carmine, Faber Castell PITT pen, to be specific) around the edges to tie it to the base cardstock a bit more.  I created a background using panels of Sea Waves.  I like the contrast between the vintage image of Old Friends and the somewhat cartoony nature of Sea Waves---yes, that's a word!  I decided to stop apologizing for my sequin obsession.  I just got a HUGE mixed bucket of them so, they will be my go to for the next decade--at least.  It's better than those fancy cutting scissors.  The scattering a sequins was the finishing touch and really seemed to pull the whole piece together, as usual :)

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

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

It's a Song......Sing it! Technique Junkie Stamps July Hop!!

Isn't that just the truth?  Life is a song....Sing it!!!  I'm glad you are joining me today as I make an attempt to resurrect my blog!  What a better day??  We are hopping today to show the whole world the new stamps at Technique Junkie Stamps!!  If you haven't started at the beginning, you are totally going to want to!  I know I would NOT want to miss Pat, Pam, Beth and Robin's amazing talent!

Speaking of Robin, if you have been hoping right along, you should have just been to Robin's blog...she always has the most interesting things to share!!  I love visiting there!

My first card, above, features Life is a Song and Treble Clef.  The flourishes of the Treble Clef image immediately made me think of the Bandana technique.  You'll find this technique and many others on the Simple and Easy Inking Techniques CD. 

My second card features another beautiful background image, Layered Feathers, and inspirational sentiment, Believe In Yourself!  I'm currently working with kids 7-16 years old in a day treatment program.  I want to make a card like this for each of them!!!  What a great encouragement!

Also encouraging is the news that all of the new release images will be on SALE for the next week!!  Don't wait too long---SALE ends on July 8th!

Now, I'll send you on your way to see what Jerri has made!  I love her style and I know you will too!

TTFN and don't forget to be awesome!  Jane

Dear Self....

Happy Technique Junkie Thursday, my friends!  Hasn't this week just flown by??

I just received this fun Smiley Grid background image from Technique Junkie Stamps and I HAD to get it inky right away!  I have a lot of embossing going on both cards--it was so much fun playing around and, of course, I had my children in mind when creating both of these cards of encouragment!

Shine Today is clearly a favorite stamp of mine--I've used it a lot!  For this card, I've embossed the image with black embossing powder and then used the Non-Stick Color technique to add a rainbow of color.  After matting on a die cut shape, I added it to the embossed Smiley Grid panel--doesn't it just make you smile?

Who wouldn't want a card declaring You Make Me Proud?  I started by creating a resist and embossing Smiley Grid in white on white card stock.  Later, I used my distress markers to add color in a random pattern.  I also added some drips of color for a bit of a tie die look.  I added the sentiment in the cut out window and colored it up a bit by piecing colorful bits of the sentiment. 

Fun, fun, fun!

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

Stained Dollars......

Happy Thursday, Friends!!  I'm glad that you have joined me, once again, for my Technique Junkie share of the week!  I'm dabbling with colors again....once I got started, I just could not stop! 

I poke around Pinterest, like most of you, for inspiration and relaxation.  Last week, I spotted this picture of painted rocks:

Aren't they beautiful?  I'm like a crafting squirrel....as soon as I see something beautiful, I want to make it.  Right.  Now.  

 

But, I've been learning some very important lessons lately about working with what I have, from where I am.  It's all about following instead of knowing.  So, I decided to follow vs know and began to play with what I have.

 

What I had is this beautiful Sand Dollar background and a mess of Ranger Distress Stains.I pulled out the tried and true Non-stick Color technique and got on it!  The two earth tone prints are from the same application of ink. Specifically, I was using Ranger Ink Distress Stains.  The two blue cards vary in that I used the stains directly to the stamp surface.  One also has a spray of water to blend the inks--the other is just straight ink to stamp to paper...Can you tell the difference?

Finally, I took all of this:

Added: Love You Circle, You Make Me Proud, Be Silly and Forever and A Day to come up with this:

Don't forget to be awesome!  TTFN, Jane

New York, New York....

Happy Thursday, Junkies!!  I'm so glad you stopped by to see my Technique Junkie share for the week!  I'm super excited because tomorrow, the Technique Junkie Design Team is hosting a May Day Hop!!!  We have lots of new images, sentiments and goodies to share--it's going to be awesome so, please be sure to check back!

I completely and 100% adore this image from the April Technique Junkie release, Watercolor-NY.  I'm sharing it today as a quick and easy card, but this image has so much depth and potential--it's wonderful!

I started by stamping and embossing my image on water color paper.  Using a variety of distress inks and an aqua brush, I added drips of color and then let them run down the paper.  I did use my heat tool between color application.  If the first color isn't dry, the new color tends to follow the same "stream" and then you just get a muddied look.  And, nobody wants that.....

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow for a fabulous hop--don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

Scream and Hang On!

I love me a good roller coaster ride.....years ago (I should say decades) my family went to Great America for the day.  My sweet dad rode the Tidal Wave with me because no one else would.  The ride looped the loop and then rolled back and did it again.....backwards.....if I remember correctly, I wanted to throw up for a couple hours afterward....but I loved it!

Life is kind of the same way--ya know?  Not always rosey, but worth the ride.....if you do it right!  I love the sentiment on this new image, Like A Roller Coaster, from Technique Junkies--it creates a wonderful word picture of the choices we have in this crazy, sometimes upside down world.

I started my creation with a background technique called It Takes Two.  You will find the tutorial for this fun technique on the Bodacious Background Stamps CD by Technique Junkies.  To emulate the circular feel of a roller coaster, I used several background images from Technique Junkies.  You can view all of the wonderful backgrounds available here.

I created the illusion of movement with the main image by stamping three times without inking between.  Later, I added color with markers and distress ink.  All in all, it's a pretty simple and quick card--just the way I like it sometimes, when the coaster is at full tilt :)

Thanks for stopping by!  TTFN--Don't forget to be awesome!  Jane

Flutter By.......

Happy Technique Thursday, my friends!!  Better late than never, I always say!

I have some super Technique Junkies goodies to talk about/share today!  I've created this little mixed media canvas using a beautiful image from the Technique Junkie Palettini line.  Technique Junkies exclusively carries the Palettini line--there are several of these beautiful Vintage Collage images that would work perfectly for a project such as this!

I had purchased a package of these sweet little Back Stapled Deco Canvases a while ago.  They measure 4" x 4" and are great if you are creating a grouping or using for a stand alone piece.  For my canvas, I've chosen the Palettini Vintage Botanicals Collage image.  It was so much fun, I'm now a little obsessed with making a set and also using Vintage Bicycle Collage, Vintage Balloons Collage and Vintage Daisy Collage or Vintage Ship Collage!  Wouldn't that be a sweet wall collection?

I always use a combination of acrylic paint and gellatos to add color and shading on my canvas work.  I started with purple and blue paints to coat the canvas.  Once dry, I used similar colors of gellatos around the edges.  It's harder to tell in photography but in real life, the shading is visible.  My image was stamped on tissue paper and then mod podged on top.  It is important to let the layers dry completely.  When it was dry, I added some extra layer of color with my PITT markers and more shading with gellatos on the edges.

To finish things off, I added a dusting of glitter glue to several areas.  The butterfly is colored and glittered on the first layer with a second vellum butterfly over the top. I can't wait to make another one!

Enjoy and have an inky tomorrow!  Don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

My Name is Jane......And, I'm a Junkie!

Happy Wednesday....Happy April....I'm so glad you are joining me today!!  Today is the day!!!

The NEW Technique Junkies website was launched today!  I've been a Junkie for more than a decade!  It's truly been my honor to watch this company grow and to be a part of an amazing technique movement!  With the addition of a stamp line, a few years ago, Technique Junkies has really become a one stop shop!  I'm proud of this team and so excited you've joined us for today's Welcome Hop!  If you haven't started from the beginning, please head over to the Designer's Blog.  You will meet all of the Designers and be able to follow the hop from the very beginning!  I don't want you to miss one single thing!

If you are already on the hop, you've just visited my pal, Beth Norman, and seen her amazing work!  I've been working with Beth for years and she never fails to inspire and awe!!

Technique Junkies is also releasing a SLEW of new stamps today!  I must admit, I've had an impossible time choosing my favorites.  I've also neglected a few chores or twenty because I just cannot stop playing!

My first project, seen above, uses one of my all time favorite techniques, Bandana.  You will find the details of this eye popping and colorful technique on the Simple and Easy Inking Remix CD.  Stamps used:  Flourished Floral (#S627) and Always Be There (#SDX050).  I truly gasped out loud when I first saw the Flourished Floral image.  It is just exquisite!

My second project features a most riviting image and a technique from the Sensational Stencils CD called Stencil and Doodle.  Give me the beat!!!  Oh, how I just adore this image!

The stencil I used for this project is actually a 12 x 12 stencil from Heidi Swapp.  The stencil in it's entirety is a grouping of circles with hearts inside....use on a smaller platform elicits this random shape type background that I think works perfectly with this fun image!  After creating a card front sized panel, I split it into two pieces to create just a little bit of a more interesting panel.  I haven't stopped singing Free My Soul (#SD600) since my stamps arrived.  Isn't it just the best??

My You Are Amazing (#SDX045) card doesn't have a specific published technique attached to it, but does include yet another beautiful and unique image!  As the mother of five kiddos with a background and interest in Early Childhood Education, I am always drawn to images of children--especially when their spirit is so clearly felt.  I have many pictures and memories of my children running and splashing in puddles for the first time--you can almost feel the smile on this girls face!!  Rain Dance (#SD642) is sure to be a well used and favorite image for me!

I have more to share, but I'll call it quits for now!!  There's a SALE going on all week in the Technique Junkie store to help you celebrate all of the NEW with us!  The sale runs from April 1- April 8th!!  15% all stamps in the store--check it out!

Gini Cagle  has her wonderful talent to share with you next!  (I don't want to be a design hog all day!)  Be sure to visit me here and the Designer blog often for more inspiration!

TTFN & Don't Forget To Be Awesome!  Jane