Happy Home

Happy Friday, Sweet Friends!!  Today, a few of the Sweet N Sassy Stamps Designers are featuring this cute stamp set on their blogs.  To see all kinds of inspiration and sharing of  Happy Home, please visit the Sweet N Sassy Blog! And, PS--it's on SALE until June 4th!!  Get it while supplies last!

I started by custom creating my background card stock with a random pattern of images on my stamping block:

Aren't those little houses so sweet?  When creating your own patterned card stock, it's important to stagger the placement of the images.  Also, be sure to stamp off the sides of the card stock.  Otherwise, it looks to uniform and wonky :)

Afterward, I water colored the tree leaves and added the white tag and colorful ribbon for some contrast.  The little house on my tag is pieced so the roof has a bit of dimension. 

I even have new neighbors to give this to!  What a happy to your home welcome this will be!

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

On A Roll.....

Happy Middle of the Week, Sweet Friends!  I'm glad you all survived Monuesday!  We are half way to the weekend all ready!  Thank you for stopping by to see my Sweet 'N Sassy share of the week!  I have a fun little graduation card/gift project to share!

For the purpose of my project, I've trimmed down some fake money so it is sized like real money.  The box is designed to accommodate a roll of money that the receiver pulls out the top.  In the picture below, I show how the money roll fits into the bottom of the box.

It's super fun to make and a unique way to give cash--which, by the way, I normally hate to do.  I'm not a big fan of gift cards either.  However, a fun presentation, like this, shows that it WAS thought out and purposeful vs. last minute and "I don't know what else to do so, I'll just shove some money in this store bought card"  GASP!!

I'm planning to create a tutorial for this fun project so, keep your eyes here for that!

I decorated my money roll box using Congrats Grad Clear Stamps and matching die set  from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps. It would also be sweet for a birthday card/gift--no?

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

Reinventing Monday.....

Happy Pseudo Monday!!  You know it's going to feel like one all day, right?  So, let's just call it Moneusday and get on with it!!  Thank you for popping by for my weekly I Brake For Stamps share! 

I stamped all day yesterday!  It was heaven!  I couldn't help but spend some time reflecting on the fact that yesterday was Memorial Day and what that means.  I've read a lot of comments from veterans about it not being a holiday and how they cringe at the sound of "Happy" Memorial Day!  I get it.  And, there really isn't a "happy" about it.  However, there is, in my heart, a deep and abiding reverence for all that is, was and will be given by members of our Armed Services.  So, like my verse says, my thoughts and prayers were with the vets and their families......

I started with.....Bisters!  Suprise!  I just can't stop.  There's something so very arty about using a medium that is difficult to duplicate.  Not that I've actually tried to obtain the same result twice, but I just know, from my experience with Bisters, that it would be difficult.  This background was achieved in layers.  I find that it is easiest to maintain the color saturation if you stop and dry between applications.

I added a few berry sprigs from this beautiful sheet called, Birds.  That fat little birdie (I have no idea what kind of varmit that is, but I'm sure one of you knows!) is also from the same sheet.  I have a weird hate/love relationship with birds.  In real life, they completely freak me out.  However, I am inexplicably drawn to bird images....what is that about?

My verse can be purchased separately or as part of Inspiration Sheet Plate #5.  When you stop by the I Brake For Stamps Store, be sure to say a warm hello to sweet, Ms. Della.  You can use my savings code, SAVE10JANE, too!

Make it a great one 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

Butterfly...Flutter By....

Happy Tuesday, Sweet Friends!!  Today, I'm sharing one of my all time favorite images from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps!  Thank you for joining me, on this blustery morning (snow has fallen in my area!).  May is such a hilarious month, isn't it???

I created a resist by stamping and embossing Butterfly Flourish on watercolor paper.  After misting the paper with water, I added color with Distress Ink Stains, Tumbled Glass & Wild Honey.  Once dried again, I buffed the image with a tissue to remove any residual inks.  That simple.

While you are over poking around in the Sweet N Sassy store.....be sure to check out the retiring sets.  They are a cool 50% off!!  Get them while you can :)

TTFN--Jane

Happy, Bright, You!

Good Monday Morning!!!  Welcome to my weekly I Brake For Stamps share!  I'm glad to be back on this fabulously sunny day and hoping that it finds you also ready to take on the day!

The last few weeks have been super super busy with kids and other life activities--I've had little time for creating.  Yesterday, I found myself with a few moments and all I really could muster was some coloring! I think my Unicorn, really rocks that coloring though, don't you?

One of my daughters is absolutely obsessed with unicorns.  When I saw this Unicorn image, from I Brake For Stamps, I had to have it!  Isn't this just the BEST image?  I chose the Larger image---there is a small one, too---because I thought it would be perfect for birthday invitations--it also works great for when you just want to color! ;)

I always am a bit uncertain with such a straight forward card.....must be those years of layers, gadgets, fancy cuts, embellishments and more!  I simply stamped with Memento black ink, colored with copics and added a layer of Stickles glitter glue....what would a unicorn be without glittery rainbow hair?  Just a horse with a horn, I'm afraid!  Speaking of horns, I added a layer or two of crystal effects to the horn to give it some dimension.

Finally, I added THE PERFECT sentiment, also from I Brake For Stamps, from the Fashionista Half Sheet.  You know I just love the message!  When you stop over at the IBFS store, say "Haaaayyyyyyyy" to sweet Ms. Della and use my coupon code to SAVE10JANE :)

Go ahead.....Shine, be you!
Don't forget to be awesome!

TTFN, Jane

Monday, Monday....

Happy Monday, my friends!!  I hope all you mommies and mommy-types had a great day yesterday!  I had a wonderfully busy weekend--lots of baseball, rehearsals, a dance recital and much more.  We just started "tech" week for the Central Wisconsin Children's Theatre's Cinderella production.  It's a busy, busy week, but one that will make many memories!

Today, I am sharing a new I Brake For Stamps creation.  I continue to play around with the bisters and have a bister background to share.  For me, it's about controlling the color saturation.  There is a fine line between beautiful color and muddied background.  The key is water and movement.  I created this background by layering multiple dippings of bister.  This little "dip" method works great for a marbled look. 

I began by sprinkling some bisters on my non-stick craft sheet and then generously sprtized with water.  After larger pools of wet bisters formed, I dipped my cardstock into the inks.  Dry.  Repeat. And, do it again!  And, again and again, until you get the look you want. 

To finish off this earthy looking card, I waited until the background was completely dry (over night).  Then, I embossed Fennel Silhouette Negative directly on to it.  A wide piece of burlap ribbon and some pearly accents finish things off.

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

Chickin' In.....

Happy Thursday!  This has been a super long week, a busy week as we are preparing for a dance recital, performances in the play Cinderella, multiple baseball games, preparing for AP exams and the regular fun of life like work and school!  So busy, and yet still my favorite time in the lives of my kiddos who are doing what they love to do!!

I'm glad you stopped by to "chickin'" for my Technique Junkie Thursday share!  All week, the Technique Junkie Design Team has been busy showcasing the TJ May release stamps.  You can enjoy the inspiration by checking out the Designer Blog.  The Technique Junkie May release images remain on sale for just a little while longer.....If  you haven't been by, go on a check them out!

I created my background using an ink dip technique and some Distress Inks (by Ranger).  I wanted a turquoise color in my background---I love turquoise with red and yellow--but, sadly, distress inks don't come in a true turquoise color.....enter, ink dip!  I was able to combine Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers on my craft sheet along with Barn Door and Mustard Seed....waaaaahhhlaaaa!

And, it was all focused on the fun banner card stock.  I've been hoarding this scrap of red cardstock with flocked polka dots for about 5 years.  It's such a beautiful piece of paper, I couldn't use it on JUST anything.....who feels me?

I love this campy little Chicken image.  I've combined with with the Forever and A Day sentiment to finish things off.  I'm really loving the newly released sentiments.  They are so fresh and unlike anything else I have in my stash.

That's it for today, have a great, inky day and, don't forget to be awesome!
TTFN, Jane

Cute Elephants.....

 Happy Monday!!!  Welcome to my I Brake for Stamps weekly share!  We are off of school and lazin' around today enjoying some sunny weather, good friends and a bit of a break before an extremely hectic next few weeks!  I love days like today!

When my oldest was a toddler, he was completely obsessed with elephants.  Completely. There were a few stuffed elephants (Mommy Elephant and Baby Elephant---soooo creative!) that went with us everywhere.  We also had a plethora of plastic elephants that showed up in the fridge, at the dinner table, bath tub...you name it!

Sixteen plus years later, I am still drawn to elephants.  It isn't hard to understand why I find this Cute Elephant, from I Brake For Stamps, so appealing!  It's an elephant that looks like Horton and is adorn with flowers and hearts....I think I am in love!

My background was created using a gelli plate, a variety of inks and a few stencils. After making several different prints, I cut them apart and blocked them for a patchwork-ish background. (It's a word!!) It adds interest to an otherwise pretty simple creation. I colored Cute Elephant with copic markers and cut out using the Out of the Box technique.  My final step was to add the Happy Birthday sentiment from a new I Brake For Stamps sheet, You Are The Beast.

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

Technique Junkie May Day Release Hop!

 Oh......good gravy.....I'm so excited!!!  It's release day at Technique Junkies!  That means it's HOP time!  If you are just getting here, I sure hope you came straight from my pal, Beth's blog.  If you just stumbled over, WELCOME!!  I'm ever so glad you are here, but be sure to head over to the Technique Junkie Designer Blog for the beginning of the hop.  I don't want you to miss any of the beautiful work created by my team mates!

Didn't Beth outdo herself AGAIN??  That girl just never ceases to amaze me!  The new stamps are pretty amazing too!  Once I got started, I had a hard time stopping.

My first two projects were created using the new Starfish background.  It is just beautiful and delicate...and makes me want to head straight for some place beachy!

I created this background using Starfish and the Background Whimsy technique found on the Bodacious Backgrounds CD.  I cut a window, creating a frame to highlight the What Cancer Can Not Do sentiment. 

Using the same stamp and technique, I created this second card to feature the To The Moon sentiment.  As a mom of many, I've said this or a version close to it about a gazillion times!! 

My last card features the Dragonfly image and an altered sentiment from Old Friends.  I know you must tire of me saying this or that is my favorite.  I surely seem fickle as I am constantly changing my opinion of "favorite."  I can honestly say, however, that I nearly cried when I opened the package containing my Old Friends stamp.  Seriously.

And then, I nearly cried again when I finished this 6 x 6 canvas.  I'm so in love with this image.  And, the sentiment.  After applying paints and gesso, gellatos and more paint, the canvas really started to come together.  My excitement was complete when I finished the right hand corner with a combination of bee's wax, sequins, glass glitter and a few charms.  Then, I decided who I would give it to, and, I cried......just because it is so perfect for my pseudo sister.  I can't wait until she gets it!

BUT.....enough about me!!

All of the May Release images are on SALE 15% off for the next week!!  Add these to your wish list and keep on going!  There is more inspiration to be had!  You are now off to see what the ever talented, Gini Cagle, has to share!

Have fun and don't forget to be awesome!

TTFN, Jane