Where I Need To Be.....

Happy Thursday and Welcome to my blog!  I am happy to have a fun techniquey card to share for my Technique Junkie Thursday!

My card features a wonderful and colorful technique called Background Stained Glass.  You will find the instructions to complete your own version (and, I'd love to see it!) of this technique in the August/September 2014 edition of the Newsletter. If you are not yet a Junkie, do not despair!  You can learn about gaining access to the online version of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, right here!

To complete my piece, I've used the Technique Junkie background stamp called, Leaf Repeat #S608.  I encourage a bit of poking around in the "Big Stamps" category of the TJ Online Catalog!  There are so many great stamps there that would be perfect for this technique, as well as, the TONS of other techniques written for background stamps!  Check out this index for the Technique Junkie  Bodacious Backgrounds CD!

To finish things off, I added a sentiment, also from Technique Junkies, and a butterfly accent from the Wings #SS019 set. 

I just love the sentiment because it is completely true!  Perhaps it's the advantage of age, but as I reflect on my life, recent changes and all, I realize that I am just excellent at deciding the wrong thing!  I have definitely not gone where I intended, but life is funny that way.....to be more exact, my Maker is awesome that way!  I am definitely where I need to be.  The greatest part, every day remains an unfolding adventure!

Have a great, colorful day!

TTFN & don't forget the awesome!
Jane

Sweet N Sassy Tuesday

Howdie and welcome to Sweet N Sassy Tuesday!!!  I have a fun and snarky card, today, that features a few of Sweet N Sassy Stamps new release stamp sets.  They are a perfect combination of stamps and sentiments....you really should check them out!

Sweet Sarah and Sassy Cindy are, if you ask me, the perfect embodiment of SNSS!  So cute, funny, and not really all that sassy :).

My card is fairly straight forward with just a few well placed windows and some copic coloring,  I did add some stickles to each image for some extra glitz.  Also, I'm still relearning to sew with my little Janome machine so, I stitched around the card.  I'm not quite ready for fancy stitching.....my bobber thread keeps breaking so, until I figure that little glitch out, I'm sticking to a basic stitch pattern!

You'll find lots of SNSS inspiration by visiting the Blog or follow my SNSS Pinterest board!  C'mon, it'll be fun!!

TTFN & Don't forget to be awesome!  Jane

Sweet, Happy Teddy Bear.....

Good Monday Morning!  Welcome to another I Brake For Stamps Monday, here on my lil ol' blog!

Today, I have a fun little watercolored and stenciled card to share with you!  As most of my projects, this started as a bit of an experiment and some goofin' around.

It's no secret that I love Dylusions ink sprays.  I thought it would be fun to use a few on a water colored type project.  So, I started with some watercolor paper and a stencil!  After adhering the stencil with some temporary adhesive, I added some color using the Dylusions sprays and an aqua brush.  You can see that my application was rather random.....that's what I like about the watercolors---you can barely go wrong!

After the inks dried, I traced the stencil with my copic multiliner.  Later, I added the birthday sentiment frrom Sheet 138B in the I Brake For Stamps Store....it scares me a bit that I no longer have to look up the reference on this sheet--I use it so much!  It wouldn't be so odd if the sheet had a name like.....Birthday and Flowers, but 138B????  I'm hooked......

To pull the whole project together, I stamped, on a separate piece of water color paper, Sweet Teddy.  He's watere colored, also, using distress ink and dylusions ink.  After drying and trimming, I mounted him with some dimensional tape.

I made several things this past weekend, and had them on my table to film....my crafty girl voted the sweet teddy card her favorite.....I do agree!  But, please come back to see what else kept me out of trouble the last few days ;)

If you have a notion to visit the I Brake For Stamps store, be sure to say a sweet hello to my pal, Bo Bella.  Let her know I sent you and use my coupon code SAVE10JANE for some sweet savings while you are there!

TTFN & Don't Forget The Awesome!

Jane

Note To Self.....

What is it that makes you shine?  I'm a firm believer that we all have our something......I had an opportunity to sub in a local elementary school's Early Childhood program this week.  None of the four kiddos in the class I worked in were verbal and yet each one tugged at my heart, connected with me and let their light shine. See, shine isn't necessarily reflected in the words of your mouth.  It's a thought worthy of pondering.....

What is it about you that shines?  Do you let it show?  On this journey called life, I think we are called to find that thing (or things) and go with it.  While we may "think" we want this job or that---this responsibility or title, I think it's more important to discover your gift.  When you do, it may not lead to the acclaim or notice you thought (and the world sells) you wanted.  Instead, you'll realize why they call it a gift....and, why it is something you won't be able to keep from sharing :)

Today, I have a fun card I created using the Technique Junkie technique, Tie It Together. This tutorial can be found in the last (December 2014) edition of the newsletter.  Even if you are not a subscriber, you can purchase on online version of the newsletter that will give you access to the wonderful goodness that is Technique Junkies.  I've adored being a Junkie for more than 8 years because I am never at a loss for an idea or a challenge.  To learn more, visit the TJ Home Page!

The stamp I've used to tie the technique together is from the Technique Junkie stamp line.  It's called Shine Today #SD441.  You'll find it and all sorts of other yummy images/sentiments in the TJ Stamps online catalog!

Now, think about what it is that makes you shine and, let it out! 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to be awesome!

TTFN, Jane

Thinking of You, Paris....

Happy Tuesday, Crafty Folks!  Yesterday, I shared my first Sweet N Sassy Stamps tutorial over at the SNSS blog.....what kind of friend would I be if I didn't share it right here, also?  

Like many of you, I've been watchful, concerned and heartbroken over the happenings recently in France.  I took some of that emotion and put it to paper and ink, as I so often do.  It's therapeutic.  It's the process, though and not the outcome.  Don't get me wrong.....I like the outcome, but the process is the important part.  Don't lose that.  I'm encouraging you to process.  Take the outline below--doesn't matter the images you use or even the colors.  Just go to town....feel it....purge it....pray over it....whatever your "it" might be.

During release week, at Sweet N Sassy Stamps, I received many wonderful comments, which totally made my heart smile, on my Parisian Postcard collage card, so I thought I'd show everyone how I created the vibrant background that seemed to captivate so many.  Plus, I added a design-ie twist ;)

You will need:

 Various DylusionsSpray Ink

Black Archival Ink (Permanent, Waterproof Ink)

Water Mister

Watercolor Paper, Designer Paper

Post It Notes

Cutting Tools:  Trimmer/Scoring Tool, Scissors, Straight Edge

Large Focal Stamp

The first step of my project was to prepare my card front, which was my main palette.  I cut my water color paper to 4” x 5 ¼”.  Then, I stamped the focal image off to one side, keeping in mind the cut panel I had in mind.  I also stamped the image on a post it note and trimmed it as a mask for my card front image.

 

Next, I placed my card front in my tres chic spray booth…..(it’s just a box…..with the sides taped up to avoid over spray….)

And, added several sprays of Dylusions ink!  The colors I used:  Postbox Red, Crushed Grape and Pure Sunshine.  Be generous…you can always remove the sprays with paper towel if it gets to be too much.  Then, you just start over ;)

 

Next, spritz water on the whole project.  This will encourage the inks to blend.  Don’t be afraid to let the inks puddle.

I like to roll the inks around my water color paper.  I use the paper towel to asorb the excess ink that pools at the paper’s edge.  I rarely use paper towel to absorb directly as this tends to mute the vibrant colors I’m seeking as an end result.

Only because I am completely devoid of crafty patience, I use my heat tool to dry the piece.

 

Using the paper trimmer, cut two channels in the panel.  Be mindful of the stamped image, making sure enough of the image remains on either side of the channels.

Use your scissors or straight edge to trim the paper that exists between the two cut lines.  Trim around the stamped image, also

Add a piece of designer paper to “bridge the gap” and you are all set to complete an amazing project!

I love the verse that is the focus of the Vintage Postcard set:  Proverbs 25:25.  "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far away country."  It's my prayer that the Good News reaches all far away countries...to mend the broken hearted, to provide hope....we all need that!  Vintage Postcard is one of the sets you'll find in the Out With The Old area at SNSS......those retiring sets are going fast so, don't wait ;)

That's all for me today....may you be blessed!

TTFN, Jane

How I got crafty:

Warriors....

Welcome to I Brake For Stamps Monday!!  I had an emotional weekend and, in the middle of it all, this card emerged!

My beloved Packers fought a good fight......and, then, they stopped or so it would seem and, well, the rest is just history!  I still love them, though!

I started this project with some watercolor paper and Dylusions ink (I may be stuck in Dylusions land....).  I love creating Mixed Media canvases so, I thought I'd treat this card front like a canvas.

My girls are from the stamp sheet, Fashionistas, and I just find them to be all warrior like.  I added some extra stamping from the Diamonds Half Sheet.  I inked up the diamond backgrounder by rubbing/dabbing white acrylic paint on to the stamp surface.  It was thicker in some places and ended up providing some extra dimension and tonality.  Also, because the watercolor paper was saturated with ink (and still a bit wet) I found that the application of paint and, later mod podge, drew some of the ink's pigmentation into the paint and glue.  I like the effect it created and, even more, I like that it was complete happenstance :)

The warriors were stamped once (in archival black ink) directly to the watercolor paper and then again, on an old book page.  After trimming the images, I applied them to the card front using mod podge.

Be happy.
Be Bright.
BE YOU!

It's a whole new week---don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

Cancer, It Can't.....

 

 Happy Thursday!  I have a card to share that you will also see on the Technique Junkie Designer Blog!  There's lot of good art going on over there so, be sure to check it out!  It's a frugal project, if not vibrant and eye catching!  Inspiration is everywhere....and, so are supplies!  Yet another case for hoarding those crafty supplies!

In November, I was fortunate to meet up with the wonderful Technique Junkie mastermind, Pat Huntoon, at a stampy show in Madison, Wisconsin.  At that show, there was a lot of stampy goodness going down with gelatos, stencils, stamps and more.  Pat demonstrated gelatos and various techniques for two days!  You can imagine the volume of "samples" that existed after two days.  At a show like that, if the customers don't take the samples with them, they pretty much end up in the circular file.  I just couldn't have it so while cleaning up, I grabbed a bunch of the discarded pieces....they were all just so pretty and vibrant!

So.....I crafted this colorful card which features several renditions of the Gelatos Wipe technique.  This technique is featured on the Technique Junkie Sensational Stencil CD.  If you haven't gotten your copy yet, now is the time!  This CD is jam packed with awesome tutorials!  You can read all about it here!

After mounting variously sized portions of the technique pieces on black cardstock, I added the sentiment.  I didn't want to cover up any of the beautifully vibrant background, so stamping on vellum was the natural choice.  I chose to use the sentiment, What Cancer Cannot Do #SD607 from Technique Junkie Stamps.  I love the verbage of this sentiment:

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot dissolve faith,

It cannot destroy peace,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot suppress memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot steal eternal life,

It cannot conquer the spirit.

Cannot!  I love this for the words and, mostly, for why it is ;)  #goteamalex

TTFN,

Jane

I Chose You....

Isn't that the greatest thing about friends?  We get to chose them?  In some ways, I think they are the most real relationships we can have.....if we are really able to let go and reveal ourselves, that is.

I love my family, but they are pretty much stuck with me.  I'm convinced that is purposeful, but that's a whole other post...

Today, I'm sharing a card I made using Stampin' Up!'s new Painted Petals stamp set.  It's featured in the new Occassions Catalog.  I can't paint to save my life, but this set makes it seem like I did--I'm all about that!

The sentiment brings me back to my point, FRIENDS!  They can come and go--and, some should.  Some of the greatest lessons (lesson = struggle/pain) of my life have come from friending or trust the wrong person.  But, I also serve a loving and redemptive Father who has brought much joy and healing by placing people in my life who love me despite me, just like He does.  I love that!

If this were facebook, I'd tag you-you know who you are.....
TTFN,  Jane

Color Me Monday...

Welcome to my Monday-I Brake For Stamps share!  Today, I have a colorful thank you card to share.  I've had this particular sheet of stamps for awhile.....it's a sheet full of vintage and kitchy images.  You can see it here, in the I Brake For Stamps Store.  See what I mean?  Kitchy....paintbrushes, mustaches, body builders, Chatty Cathy....It's such a great sheet with amazing random images. 

I have to admit, though, the paint brushes had me stumped for a bit.....somewhere, recently, I saw a project that was colorful and inspiring--it stuck with me :) 

I began with some watercolor paper, archival black ink, and a bunch of distress inks.  After stamping the brush image multiple times, I added blocks of distress ink color with my aqua brush.  I always forget how much fun water coloring is.   I like the look of it and really should spend more time with this coloring medium.  I've been stuck in the marker box (because I just adore my alcohol ink markers!) for quite awhile...new year, new me?   LOL!!

I added the sentiment and then a few sequins--yes, they are my new obsession!  I'll let you in on a little secret......I smudged some ink in the flourish of the "T"---the sequin is just hiding my oops!  I'm a survivor and a true believer in reinventing my mistakes.  It works in ALL areas of my life ;)

Make sure to stop over and say "Hi Dee Ho" to my sweet friend, Bo Bella, over at I Brake For Stamps headquarters!  You can save a cool 10%  at checkout with my coupon code, SAVE10JANE--have fun!

TTFN, Jane

Sweet N Sassy Stamps Release Day!

Howdeee!  I'm excited for a bunch of reasons this fantastic Friday morning!!  Now, you may already be asking yourself why I am chatting about the latest Sweet N Sassy Stamps release!?  (That's today!)  Tucked over there -------> in my side bar where I go on about all the fantastic companies I am honored to be a small part of......see it?

My newest gig for this year is becoming a Design Team member for Sweet N Sassy Stamps!!  I couldn't be more thrilled to hang out with such a talented group of people and niiiccceee!  I tell ya!

Today is release day!  Did I already mention that?  You can head on over to the SNSS blog to get a full view of the release.

My first project was a beautiful accident/experiment.  I sometimes play silly little games, in my head, with myself.  After playing around with some Dylusions sprays (I stamped and masked the tower first) I decided to see if I could use every single image from the new Parisian Postcard set.

Isn't this just a gorgeous set??  I agree!  Once I started I couldn't stop and ended up in love with the collagey background I created.  On another piece of sprayed cardstock, I stamped and trimmed the three butterflies.  A bit of stitching plus a sentiment strip that features a sentiment from the Be Encouraged set--wahla! 

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, the Sweet Perks Club this month includes an addition to the You and Me family....dies!

Fun right?  Every time I pick my favorite, it changes!!

A bit non-tradition for a Valentine card (colors) but that IS how I roll!   A little design tip:  you can create on theme background paper that is subtle just like I have!  Using tone on tone, I took three sentiments from the You and Me set and stagger stamped them end to end to fill up the entire cardstock.  It's subtle, but I like the "layers" of meaning and design it adds.

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team and SNSS blog for more inspiration and information!

TTFN, Jane

Words Matter....

Words....I know there's a John Mayer-esc song out there that goes on and on about words, but my preliminary google searches just can't conjur it up!  I'll send a little gifty to the first person who comments with the correct reference to the song I'm thinking of.....it goes like this "Words........blah blah blah.....words..."  You dig?

More importantly, I have some cards to share!  They both use Technique Junkie stamp sentiments as their focal points, because, words matter.

You Make Me Proud #SD612, became a fast favorite of mine because it is big enough to be the focal point of any card!  Here, I am featuring it using the TJ technique called Directions.  If you are a Junkie, you'll read more about the technique in the 2014 Oct/Nov issue.  Not a Junkie?  No worries!  You can still become part of one of the largest treasure troves of techniques out there!  Visit the TJ Home page for more information!

Speaking of words, DID YOU SEE THESE WORDS!!?

Technique Junkie/Stamp Camp is looking for a few Dynamic Designers who are passionate about Stamping and Stampbooking to join their Creative Team.

Read.  On.

"Do you love to Stamp?  Do you love elegant, classical and whimsical images?  Are you active on Social Media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest?  Then we invite you to become part of the Technique Junkies Creative Design Team!

Technique Junkies purchased Stamp Camp in 2014, and has been working on a new website launch. We need a creative team to help us show off our new look and all of our new stamps to the world through your blog, websites, and other social media. The new site will be ready March 1^st, and we want a team that is ready to launch with us!

This special group will develop projects and tutorials for our website and blog, have the chance to have their designs showcased on packaging, and have their artwork displayed at tradeshows throughout the country.  In addition, Designers will have the opportunity to create artwork for future tutorial CDs in addition to creating work for the stamp line.

The team will officially start March1st, and will have a term of service through December 31 2015 (9 months).

 Who Should Apply?
We are looking for stampers, stampbookers and stamping papercrafters who have the following skills:
1.  Strong Social Media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Blog)

2.  Clear, Crisp, and Engaging Project Photography

3.  Fantastic project tutorials, tips, and how-to’s; both video and picture format.

4.  The desire to help Technique Junkies develop a stronger presence in the online stamping community. 4 projects per month are required, 2 on the Technique Junkies blog and 2 on your own personal blog.  There may be need for additional projects for blog hops and CD releases on a volunteer basis. Compensation for additional projects will be separate from what is listed below.

5. We love techniques, and if you do, too, this is a great opportunity for you. BUT - if you prefer clean and simple, or have another style, that is great too – variety is what we are looking for.

6. A commitment to the full 9 month term of March 1^st through December 31^, 2015.

What do I need to do to apply?
Send an email to designteam@techniquejunkies.com with the following information:
1.  Your full name, email address, phone number, and address. List your current design team affiliations (if any) and past affiliations.  Note: It’s okay if you have not been on a team before. I am interested in the quality of your work!

2.  Links to all of your social media outlets:   Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and any other on-line sites/galleries.

3.  Please share links to three (3) of your favorite stamping projects. Make sure that the projects represent your best photography and your personal style. I want to see what you love! Note that these do not need to be new projects, nor do they need to use our stamps or techniques for the application.

4. Tell us a little about yourself…how you started, what you love, the type of stamps (cute, elegant, weird, classic, vintage, photo-style, etc.) you like, What kind of stamps you are drawn to (birds, butterflies, geometrics, etc.).  Just a paragraph or two – whatever you are comfortable telling us.

5. What are your favorite mediums and coloring tools? Do you like to color or are you a master of ink? Or both?

What’s in it for you?
1. We will promote your name/work on the Technique Junkies blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Newsletters, and website.

2. You will receive a box of stamps/cds immediately when selected.  It’ll be like Christmas!

3. You will have a $75.00 stipend per quarter to spend on stamps. I always pay for postage.

4. You will receive a 30% discount on stamps beyond your stipend quarterly.

5. You may choose one tutorial CD per month.

6. You will receive a box of goodies from time-to-time to supplement the stamps above, and to keep things fresh.

The call is open immediately and will end on February 10^th 2015, at midnight EST. Confirmation emails will be sent out when we receive your application (but we do travel, so give us a day or two before following up). A final decision will be made by February 16^th, 2015."

What have I been telling you?  You are Amazing (SD#X045)!!  Answer the call!
TTFN, Jane

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Isn't that the truth!  Here in the near northwoods it's about -40 below zero with the wind chill factor.  Winter break got an extension with canceled school districts all over the area......yay....

Not that I need an excuse to stamp, but.....I REALLY hate leaving the house when it is so cold. For me, it's just a win win!

This is a very straight forward, non techniquey card (yes, it IS a word).  Just a sketch I liked and wanted to try.  Plus, I searched for this stamp for 24 hours and finally found it!  Do you ever misplace something and get more and more agitated looking for it--because you KNOW you just saw it, but can't remember what you did with it?  All.  The.  Time.  In.  My. World.

This Large Penguin can be found at I Brake For Stamps.  I'm also linking the complete results from the "penguin" search because there are just so many cute "Happy Feet" penguiny images!  The sentiment is my all time favorite and most used, half sheet 138B.

Most of you already know, but just in case there is a new friend out there......don't forget to use my coupon code SAVE10JANE at check out to save some new year dollars!

TTFN, Jane

Happy New Year!

With it being a brand new year and all, I guess I should wax philosophic a bit......I could reference the butterfly on my {gorgeous} card and liken it's journey from caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly of freedom......and, how representative that is of all of us on the verge of so many great things in this brand.  new.  year.

But, I won't.  Mostly because I just don't buy into the New Year hype.  I never really have.  Never been big on the whole new year resolution thing either--truth be told.

I'm not jaded or kermudgeny.....I just think every day is a gift.  Everyday is a day you should try to be your best and do your best.  Everyday is a day full of opportunity and hope.  Each day, we come a little closer to being who we are supposed to be.

New Year's just makes me feel old.....LOL!  As I struggled to stay awake until midnight, I used the time to create this colorful card.

I started with watercolor paper and my best and favorite sprays--Dylusions!  After it was all blendy and dried, I over stamped with the beautiful Vintage Botanicals Collage Palettini stamps (#P018) from Technique Junkie Stamps.  To finish it off, I've used the Bandana technique (TJ Newsletter 8/2008).  It's an oldie, but a goodie!

That is all.  Go be awesome!

TTFN, Jane