Earthy Inspiration

It's Technique Thursday!!!  Thank you for joining me for more Technique Junkie inspiration!  If you haven't hopped through the Technique Junkie Welcome Hop--that went live yesterday, go ahead and check it out!  I'm honored to be part of such a fabulous team of artists!


Today, I have two projects to share.  Both showcase new releases from Technique Junkies.  The first, is shown above.  For my background, I used the Alcohol Stencil technique from the TJ  Sensational Stencil CD.  My muted earthy colors are the perfect backdrop for Bird and Butterflies.  Using Stazon ink, I stamped the image on vellum and colored it on the opposite side.  I have such a conflict when it comes to creating background pieces!  I never want to cover them up!

I'm partial to giraffe images because they were my Gram's favorite!  I just love this new image called Stand Tall.  Not only is the grouping of giraffes eye catching, but I love the sentiment, as well!   For this background, I use a technique from the  Technique Junkie Simple and Easy Inking Techniques Remix CD.  This is a great CD that is perfect for any level of stamper!  The technique used here is called It Takes Two.  Additional stamps used to complete this background are  Lipstick Kisses  and  Burlap.  For embellishments, I continued the earthy feel with a piece of canvas, twine and some wooden buttons.

If you missed the hop, please take some time to meet the Designers and see their work using lots of new goodies from Technique Junkies!  To make things even better, there's a SALE happening right now!!  (Sale is over April 8th so, go.....shop!)

Go, 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

What's New?

It's a Junkie kind of a day....thanks for stopping in to check on my Technique of the Week ala Technique Junkies!

I have to admit, I've had a sensational week so far!  I've had an opportunity to sub in an EBD classroom in our local school district and it has been a fast paced, often tiring, but heart warming experience.  I don't particularly have specific experience working with emotionally and behaviorally disordered children in a classroom environment.  My experience lies in working inpatient psych in an acute care hospital--our patients, in that time, were viewed as broken.  I don't particularly have specific training in education either, but I've trained for many years as a mom and dabbled in a few early childhood work situations.  I do, however, find that I have a knack for the classroom (if I do say so  myself!) and, I've decided a few things:

Kids are amazing little studies in human nature.  In an environment that teaches respect and acceptance by doing AND speaking it, excellent human beings can be grown.  Inclusion is understanding that we are not all the same and that's okay.  Compassion is understanding and respecting the limits of another while treating them just like any other friend.  Seeing the value in every single person is powerful.  Writing anyone off just will not do.

Like the butterflies in my project....I'm on the verge of something.......

But, enough about me :)  I'm pulling a project out of the vault for this week as my creative time has been cut short.  I created this colorful piece for the Technique Junkie Sensational Stencil CD.  The Stencil and Doodle technique is just one of the 40 techniques available on this CD (it may be my favorite...) and if you don't yet own it, you can find it here!

Also available from the Technique Junkie stamp line are the Simple Sentiments, Style 2 I used to finish my card!  Feel free to check them out here....and, be sure to look around at all the other goodies while you are there!

Thank for stopping by.....don't forget the awesome...
TTFN, Jane