Faith Is....

......knowing Who holds your future!  I just love that!  Happy Day and welcome to my Sweet N Sassy Stamp share for the week!

I was goofing around some more with my Bisters and created this earthy shabby background.  These are my colors....I find this piece really speaking to my soul for many reasons.

I started by stamping and embossing the faith sentiment, from the Faith set.  This created a great little resist that has the end result just popping off the page!  I also used this same technique to create the butterfly embellishment.

I adore having New Creature Dies to match the New Creature set!  I've never been opposed to fussy cutting anything, but the dies just create a more polished piece....and, it's easy!  Especially, if you are mass creating something....just another selling point ;)

To finish the project, I stitched the edges and the butterfly to attach.  I think it adds something else to the overall earthy feel of the card.  A few sequins and flat beads (from a broken "found" necklace--yet another case for hoarding!) and project complete!

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

I Got Crafty With:

Let's Dance....

Happy Monday!!  Here in Wisconsin, we are well on our way to a beautiful sunny day with temperatures far warmer than the 14 degrees we welcomed last week with!  I sure hope the trend continues as this seems like the longest winter ever!  Thank you for popping by to see my Monday I Brake For Stamps share!!

We are on Spring Brake this week ;)   Spending a week adventuring with my kiddos and the warmer weather has me feeling all happy and dancey!  This beautiful silhouette image, called Mayday, from I Brake For Stamps,  is the perfect expression of my inside giddy!

I started by taping the edges of some water color paper and applying various watercolors.  For this project, I broke out my Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrous watercolors.  I love the intensity of the colors.  Once the inks dried, I removed the tape and stamped over the top.  For final touches, I added some baker's twine, sequins and this truthful sentiment from Time For Friendship, aslo from I Brake for Stamps.

Don't forget, you can save in the I Brake For Stamps store by using my coupon code, SAVE10JANE.  Save and  be awesome!  TTFN--Jane

They Say It's Your Birthday.....

Happy Thursday!!  I've got you singing now and we are just one day from Friday--what could be better?  I've been on a bit of a masculine birthday trend lately and have yet another birthday gifty set project to share.  It's Technique Thursday so, I'm showcasing all things Technique Junkies today!


This great project from the Technique Junkie CD,  Washi  Tape + Ribbons  is perfect for birthdays or even garnishing your Easter table with goodies and sweet treats!  Really, anytime you need some packaging--this Rolling Washi Box is a sure fire way to WOW!  the receiver.

 

My project is birthday themed but imagine it filled with candy at each place setting for your Easter table?  How sweet would that be?

Above you see the box open.  Just enough space for some jelly beans, chocolate eggs and a few more sweet treats!

My card is a quick and simple one using the Washi Words tutorial, also found on the Washi Tape + Ribbon CD from Technique Junkie.  I've also used one of my favorite go to sets from Technique Junkie stamps, Simple Sentiments, Set 1a (#SS01a).

What's on your crafty agenda today?  Don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

I Want Candy.....

Happy Middle of the Week, Sweet Friends!  I'm absolutely giddy to share my project with you today!  If you know anything about me, I can be a bit "dog with a bone" about stuff.  This past weekend, my bone was this sweet little candy box.  It's similar in size and function to a tic tac box. (See size comparison below)

Roaming around Pinterest, I spied this fantastic project.  Not daunted, at all, by the fact that the blog is written in German, I purposed to figure it out!  Now, when you translate the blog, you will quickly realize that the original author was gracious enough to provide a template.

Can you keep a secret?  I abhor.....COMPLETELY ABHOR.......templates.  No, I don't have a reason.  Just a cooky little quirk.....(it's not the only one!)  So, Saturday night, armed with the Hallmark channel and a a glass of wine, I worked it all out.  It took me quite a while, but my sense of accomplishment is great!

The green cardstock is all one piece!!  That's the tricky part.  It's scored, cut, folded and wrapped.  Before you ask, yes!  I will be writing a tutorial for this project because I love it, and you, so much!

I finished things off with some fun stamps from Sweet N Sassy Stamps!  What could be cuter than this sweet little owl image from Bookmark Bits & Pieces?  My sentiment comes from the Owl Be There set.  I think these would make some super cute Easter treats or even favors for a shower....the possibilities are endless!

Here's a photo of my candy box along side a standard gift card to give you some sizing perspective:

That's it for today!  Go get crafty!
Don't forget to be awesome!
Jane

I Got Crafty With:

Bister, Mister!

Happy Monday and welcome to my I Brake For Stamps Monday share!!  I have a quick and easy boy card to share, today!

I adore this Music Sheet from I Brake For Stamps!  It is one of the first sets I ever purchased from IBFS and I still use it all the time!  I love music, so it really speaks to me.  The images are genderless and versatile and just never go out of style!

I started by stamping the drum set in black ink on Fabriano water color paper and then heat embossing it.  In real life, it is shiny and the embossing makes it a bit dimensional--like it could pop right off the page.  I like using the water color paper with my bisters.    For this project, I used Green, Blue and Yellow Bisters.  I'm still learning how to control and layer the color so, I tend to use a lot of water--especially for a well blended look like this.  I periodically tilt the paper to roll the colors.  I also use my heat gun to stop and concentrate color in some places.

To finish, I added the birthday sentiment from the Floral Half Sheet 148A.  When you shop the IBFS store, say halllloooooo to Sweet Ms Della for me and don't forget to use my coupon code SAVE10JANE.

Don't forget to be awesome!  TTFN--Jane

Everything She Touches....

It's Technique Thursday!!  Thanks for joining me to see what kind of Technique Junkie goodies I'm going to chat about!  My project for today combines two of my very favorite TJ stamps.   I've loved both from first sight and just HAD to combine them into one project.  When you get to the blah, blah about the verse, Everything She Touches, I think you will understand.



She is Let's Face It 2 found in the Palettini Backgrounds section in the Technique Junkie Stamp Store.  I'm linking, but you do need to scroll down.  I do realize the store is a bit difficult to navigate at present and some items I use are not there.  This is why I always share the item number, if I have it.  Just so you know, a little bird has told me that in just a little bit, the TJ store will be getting a facelift!  I'm so excited!!  It's going to be super easy to navigate and explore!  Be sure to watch closely for more information--you don't want to miss anything!

The verse is called Everything She Touches (#SD352) and reads:

"She alters everything she touches....and everything she touches alters her."

Isn't that just the truth?? Read it again.  Alter.  Dwell.

It's been my experience that some people really don't give much mind to how they effect others.  I'm not exactly sure why that is.  I know that I am effected by others.  Some would say too much, at times, but I care deeply and have pretty solid beliefs about what we are supposed to be about on this earth.  This sentiment just resonates so deeply within me.  To that end, each day, I purpose to touch others--with a hearty hello, a smile, a compliment, an ear that listens.  It has the power to alter them.  It certainly alters me.  Join me....it's a crusade, ya know!

I'll be sending this card on along the crusade....

Let's Face It + Verse is anchored to my background technique piece.  Working from the Technique Junkie's Artistic Effects CD and the Goosed Stains tutorial, I created a colorful, sparkly background.  The background stamp, also used, is called Leaf Repeat (#S608).  The sparkle comes from my use of a metallic stain, in addition to the several colors.  This is a great technique, a great CD!  I encourage each of you to get out your goodies and give it a whirl!  If you don't own the CD, you can get it HERE

Don't forget to be awesome! Go ahead and touch something....alter it, be altered--
Jane

True Friends

It's Wednesday--I'll celebrate for SO many reasons!  Mostly, because my precious friend, Tanice, celebrates the day of her birth!  I praise and thank the Lord for her, her tender heart, her amazing family and her friendship that is steady and true.

Friendship really isn't something that should need explanation-right?  However, as I help my children navigate through the twists and turns of growing up, in addition to some of my own experiences, I've decided that true friendship really is something deserving of our consideration.

It hurts--almost as real as a physical pain--when someone we consider a friend shows themselves to be.........different from what we thought.  Sadly, we've all been hurt by betrayal, we've all gotten close to someone who isn't good for us.  I do think these situations are wonderful moments of growth--that hurt tremendously while we walk through it.  My sadness and disappointments have ultimately led me to a greater dependence and relationship on the One Who Created me.  I've realized THAT is the most important relationship, because when all is said and done, IT will remain.

That said, friends are important.  To learn from, to help carry the burdens of life, to seek joy with. 

This sums up my Happy Birthday Friend, Tanice---so grateful for that girl!

We will be true friends--always and forever...for all of eternity :)

I couldn't help but dwell on her when I made my Sweet N Sassy Stamps card for this week!  I'm still playing around with my gelli plate and used it to create my background.  In addition to ink, I also used a stencil and some dylusions ink spray.  And, this great tree background!  I may have gasped out loud when I pulled the cardstock up from the gelli plate.  It's kind of like opening a gift :)

Inspired by Monika Davis' card from the most recent SNSS release.  If you scroll down on her release post, you will see a beautiful card using New Creature.  It's a butterfly on top of a musical score.....just gorgeous!  Like her butterfly, my owl is heat embossed and water colored.  I'm grateful for the inspiration and love how it turned out!

I need to scurry!  Thanks for checking things out today--say a little prayer for my girl in your heart!
Don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

I Got Crafty With: