One of Ann's favorite techniques

Hi, readers.....Ann Clack here........When this technique first came out some my friends got together with me and we made a ton of these backgrounds.  We had a blast.  It was a good thing that I had my entire tabletop covered with newspaper.  That Spray webbing is really wild stuff but WAY fun to do!!  I made this card for my in-laws for Easter.  I thought the BG's colors matched the image so nicely!  The image is from Sweet N Sassy Stamps and is colored with copic markers.  The background of the image was lightly air brushed with the copics as well.  The technique is called Veined Marble from the August 07 newsletter.  This is also the sketch challenge this weeks for the Sweet N Sassy Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge.  Thanks for dropping by!!

Try That Technique -- and another 1/2 Price Sale!

Welcome to The Try that Technique Challenge! 

Today's Challenge Technique: Geometric Overstamping from the April 2005 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

My Geometric Overstamping card uses stamps from Firecracker Designs by Pamela. I layered these stamps -- and popped them a bit, too -- on a Simple Whitewash Background (August 2009 Technique Junkie Technique).

Don't have the April 2005 issue? No worries! Starting today (through Wednesday, March 31st) the 2005 issues are on sale for HALF PRICE!*   Instead of $18.00, you will be able to purchase the entire 2005 year (6 issues)  for only $9.00 (plus actual postage). That way, EVERYONE can play! Email me for an invoice: phuntoon@optonline.net -- I will get those issues right out and send you the password to the subscriber-only online tutorial pages for 2005 immediately so you can play right away! You do NOT need to be a current subscriber to take advantage of this deal. Let's see what YOU make!

The Try that Technique challenge was started by TJ Designer Beth Norman and loyal TJ subscriber Diana Enns. They have selected some "way back" techniques for you to try out. If you do try a technique -- post it to the egroup or put a link to your card on this post -- your card may end up on the Technique Junkie egroup home page!

 

Try That Technique

Good Thursday morning. It's Beth here and do we have an awesome technique for you to try this week. Diana Enns and I challenged each other to use the Geometric Over-Stamp from the April 2005 isssue, so pull out that issue, and play along with us.

Don't worry about not having all geometric stamps as shown in the tutorial. Just use what you have. If you look closely, you will see my circle has scallops. Just wing it--pun intended--LOL. TJ techniques are all about having fun.

Please don't forget to link up your card for your chance to have your card on the TJ Yahoo group home page for the week. How fun is that?!

How the collage background was created:

• Clear embossed Fancy Pants large flourish on 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ cardstock
• Stamped Stampendous writing stamp in Adirondack’s Espresso over top of clear embossing. Wiped embossed area clean of ink so words receed in behind the flourish
• Stamped Fancy Pants flower with VersaMark and embossed with clear e.p. over part of the writing to receed the flower into the background
• Stamped Fancy Pants checkers with black VersaFine ink
• Sponged the following colours onto the collage background: Adirondack, Sunset Orange, Citrus, Pool and Wild Plum
• Stamped Inkadinkado butterfly over the Geometric Over Stamp background, cut the image out and adhered it to the collage background

For Everything... Thanks!

Hi TJ friends, Kimm here!
Do you have a stamping technique that quickly becomes one of your favorites? For me, I fell in love with the antiqued glimmer technique (TJN Dec.'09) immediately after one try! On this background I used jazz blue glimmer mist with pine distress ink. I love how the turquoise shimmer plays off the deep green tones in the ink. With so many color combinations possible... I hope you'll enjoy creating many backgrounds with this technique!
Stamp credist- B Line Stamps, Stampin' UP!
Kimm BT
ArtfulsentimentsbyKimm

Hetty is in the mood for Easter

As Easter is around the corner (and this year it is also my birthday) I have been planning some blog candy on my own blog.

So not only can you win my card with glassy embossing artwork, but also the bracelet you see the Easter Bunny is holding, so please after reading here hop over to my Craftcaosblog to leave a comment .

This was one of the techniques I hadn't tried yet from the last newsletter and because the new one is around the corner (can't wait to see it in print) I picked one i did not do. I must confess it is just too easy and with a wonderful result. I did a few backgrounds, so over the group you will see some more in the next few days.

All the papers are from Club Scrap, the chocolate bunny and the sentiment are by Stampin Up! and the egg is by Michael Strong. On the bracelet I used Mike's mini egg on shrink plastic.

Batter Up!

Happy Tuesday!! It's Jane Bosi posting a bit of inspiration today!! Yes, I've been inspired by my fellow designers---what fabulous work they've been sharing!

I, too, have pulled out an older technique for today! This one is called StazOn Color Blocking and can be found in the October 2005 Newsletter. I wonder why I waited so long??? What a fun technique!

Stamp Credits: Artistic Outpost, Stampin Up! (Sentiment)

TTFN, Jane

Twisted Papers and Antique Glimmers from Judy Jackson

I really enjoyed using this vintage image from Twisted Papers! One of my little granddaughters loves chickies, duckies, and all things soft and fuzzy!

They have beautiful images for sale -- and unlike other images you purchase, these are digital and you can use them again and again with a click or two of a button on your computer! So that makes it a very good deal. Check out the coupon code on the Technique Junkies home page.

I used Labels 12 from the new Nestabilities by Spellbinders. I used a second Nestabilites to add some interest to my card. I sponged the embossed areas and then highlighted the embossed area with my glitter pen.

The base card is a soft yellow, layered with a pale green that has texture. The next layer is the Antique Glimmers layer.

I sponged all of the layers to add a finished touch to each layer. I punched a ribbon slot under the focal image to run the ribbon through so i could get a nice bow on the left hand side.

Check out the many, many delightful images from Twisted Paper -- you will certainly find you will love!

Jeremy's Bistro

Hello! Kathie McGuire here with a technique from 12/2005. Remember Milk Paint? This is one technique that I use over and over on my projects. Look closely at my card and you'll see that Milk Paint is the element that helped pull my entire card together! See the black strip that separates the floor from the wall?? That's it! It's a strip of black "wood" paneling that looks like a baseboard or even a small piece of wood trim mid point on the wall (depending upon how you, as an individual, look at it).

I made this card for a friend who is a Culinary Chef at a high end resort in New York. Obviously, his name is Jeremy and I decided to put him in his own "Chef Jer's Bistro". I created the sentiment on my computer. Jeremy made a fabulous Italian dinner for me a few months ago when he was visiting in Arizona, so the pile of spaghetti seemed perfect for him! The image was colored with Prisma Colored pencils and blended with Gamsol. The floor image and the chef are Stampin' Up stamps; the wall is patterned paper.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Chef Jer's Bistro and a little taste of Italy!

Kathie McGuire

Try That Technique

Hi Peeps, Beth here with another new week of Try That Technique challenge. Diana Enns and I like to challenge each other to try new techniques, and you have been invited to play along.

This week's challenge is to use the Tapestry Technique from the February 2003 issue. If you don't have that issue, don't worry, you can get all of 2003 issues for half price. Please see Pat's post below for all the wonderful deets.

That's not all. You are all invited to play along and link up your card to Mr. Linky for your chance to win. The prize is a chance for you to be in the spotlight. How? One random winner will be selected and the winning card will go onto the TJ Yahoo group home page for a whole week. The more you play, the more you can win.

My card uses the Tapestry technique. My image is from Stamping Bella. Pat has a card in the post below and Diana has her card posted on her blog. That's a lot of inspiration to get you going. Please don't forget to link up your cards for your chance to win.

Oh-So Fru-Fru from the past!

t's Evelyn here....digging in my stash for the fabulous 'fru-fru' which just might not be available any more.   I think people can make their own with iridescent or holographic acetate wrap, shredded into tiny pieces.   What I have came from Pennywise Arts, but I know it's not available there anymore.  The stamp is a new one for me..."Poppy Poem" from Penny Black. 

The technique can be found in the August/September 2007 newsletter.

---Evelyn Spikes

Sweet Easter Bunnies

When I saw these bunnies from Twisted Papers I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist them. I immediately saw those cute fluffy tails and knew I had to use the Out of the Box Technique (October 2004 Technique Junkie Newsletter) for them!  I found this pretty designer paper in my stash, use the Glassy Embossing Technique (February 2010 issue of TJN) on it, and added the saying, ribbon and flower.This is all matted on Paper Temptress's exquisite Gold Metallic Glossy and Brown Bag cardstock. I love how it looks in person!

I noticed that there are new Alice in Wonderland FREE downloads on the Twisted Papers site -- AND there are 210 new Easter download-able images, too. I am having so much fun with these! I hope you do too!

Thanks for stopping by today!

BURNISHED BACKGROUNDS & WISPED FRAMES

Hello Everyone! This is Chris Dickinson coming from the damp ends of the earth in Wisconsin! Today, I am sharing two projects with you from one of our wonderful vendors Firecracker Designs By Pamela!

This card uses the TECHNIQUE I used on this card is called Wisped Frames from Technique Junkies Feb/ March Newsletter.

Stamps: Easter Blessings by FCD

Paper: Teal, Aquamarine Stardream Metallics, Cocoa, White

Ink: Brown Memento, Copics

Accessories: Ribbon, Nestibilities, Punches, Dimensionals, Cuddlebug folder, White Gel Pen, gems, Stipple Brush, Stickles

Techniques: Wisped Frames from Technique Junkies Newsletter

This card uses the TECHNIQUE I used on this card is called Burnished Backgrounds from Technique Junkies Feb/ March Newsletter.

Firecracker Designs By Pamela has a SKETCH CHALLENGE HERE

Some more details:

Stamps: Easter Blessings from Firecracker Designs By Pamela

Cardstock: Banana, Black, Blue

Accessories: Embossing Powder, Sponge Daubers, Stickles, Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots, Heat Tool, Copics, Gold Pen, Black grosgrain

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

Bunny by Ann Clack

As today's designer, I wanted to revisit one of those older techniques!  This one uses those oil pastel crayons that you've had lying in your stash that never seem to see the light of day!  This technique is called Oil Pastel Gesso from the February 08 newsletter.  The image and words are from Dustin Pike (sorry that I reported it was from another company initially!)  and is colored with copics.  The 'out of the box' with the rabbit's basket and grass is also a TJ technique and even though I used Nestibilities to cut out the image, the technique was still quite easy to do.   The corners are an EK Success punch.  The oval for the words are Stampin Up punches.  The oval and scallop oval are Nestabilities.   This card will be going to one of my grandkids!  Hope you enjoy it!

Springtime With Dabbed Shimmers

Happy Friday, Junkies! This is Shelly today, and I don't know about you, but after our cold winter, I am desperate for Spring to come. Here in Mississippi, daffodils and forsythia are blooming and all the trees are budding out. What better time to announce, 'Spring is Here!'

My card today was created using the Dabbed Shimmers technique from the current newsletter. After my background was dry, I ran it through the Cuttlebug to give it a bit more texture. This is such a gorgeous technique - you really need to see it in person to appreciate it!

Such a soft, romantic background lent itself perfectly to these Springtime stamps from Artistic Outpost's Birds of a Feather collection. Vintage ribbon and lace tie it all together and add to the feminine feel.

Have a fantastic weekend - try to fit some art time in!

Shelly Hickox

Brayered Brilliance

Hi, it's Beth here, with my Chinese New Year cards using the Brayered Brilliance technique. You can find this technique in the February 2010 issue.

Each year Donnie and I gather our friends together to celebrate Chinese New Years at our local Chinese restaurant. This year 16 of our friends joined us for a fun evening of eating and catching up.

It is a tradition that I present each couple with a Chinese New Year card. One of my friends said she was looking forward to seeing what I came up with this year.

Brayered Brilliance is one of my favourite techniques because I love to layer. It is a technique that works well with any colour I choose. Doesn't the red pop?!

Both my background stamps, and the Chinese lady are from Stampin' Up.

Beth Norman

Bandana is here again!

Hello stampers!
Here is Hetty again with a technique from the past.
Didn't we all love the Bandana technique way back in August/September 2008?
I haven't seen it for a long time, so I got out my distress inks and my white gel pen. Especially now with all the new colors in destress inks it is a pleasure to work with these again. The white gel pen is great to use for accents, dots and lines. It gives the card something extra. All images you see are by Firecracker Designs by Pamela. But really any image can be used for this technique. If you don't like spongued backgrounds, if you more of a neat type of person, how about this bandana mandala card? Use the distress inks to color your stamped images with a small sponge or as I do, I love using those fantastix ( a reusable applicator by Tsukineko) and than use the gel pen for accents.

Happy Crafting,
Hetty Sanders
The Netherlands

The Long Awaited Princess by Jane Bosi

Today I am sharing a very special card--a card for my brand new neice! You can read the whole story here, if you are so inclined!

I've used three different techniques---one of my very favorite and often used, Paper Piecing. I love the attention to detail and stress relief this technique affords me!

For the background piece, I finally had a chance to try Glassy Embossing (Feb/March 2010). The true beauty of this technique is completely lost in a scanner! If you haven't given this easy and dynamic technique a try--do it today! You will completely love the results.

Finally, I completed the image piece with the Whisped Frames technique (Feb/March 2010). I really wanted to pull more of the pink (it being a baby card and all!) tones from the background paper--Whisped Frames was the perfect way to do so!

I hope you're feeling inspired!!

TTFN, Jane

Pieced Zine

These little bears are so cute (copy right Stampin' Up). I created masks for the bears after I stamped them on my white card stock. I covered the bears with the masks I cut out. Then I used my home made cloud template to create the sky. I used the direct to paper technique to the grass. I looked through some old magazines and found some interesting textures in advertisements for their clothes -- using the Pieced Zine technique from the February 2010 TJ newsletter. Boy Bear's cargo shorts were from an ad for cables inside very large tubes. I colored the bears and highlighted Girl Bear's dress with my Copic markers. To create the lace on the side I punched the edge on text weight paper (not an easy thing for some reason) and then ran it through my crimper several times to help break up the fibers in the paper. Look through your old magazines and see what you can find for this fun technique! Enjoy your week!

Judy Jackson

Saran Wrap Backgrounds

This card uses a technique from loooooong ago, but it's still one of my all time favorite "go-to" techniques for a fast and fabulous background. The background layer on the card uses the "Saran Wrap Background" from the 1st Edition CD. I used a Brilliance Ink for it and stamped it onto a navy blue cardstock.

The main image is watercolored and I mounted it onto a piece of metal that I Cuttlebugg'd. And by the way, that piece of metal is a cut up soft drink can!! I LOVE to recycle!! After I ran it through the embossing folder, I die cut another shape from a cereal box (FREE chipboard. More recycling!)and glued the two together with Fabri-Tac to give the piece more stability.

The purple glittery "Faux Dew Drops" were created by purchasing a bag of clear plastic half-round drops in the floral section at Michael's. I placed them onto a piece of double sided tape on scratch paper, and then painted them with glittery nail polish.

I think the Saran Wrap background was so perfect for this hodge-podge card made from lots of odds and ends. In fact, I think the background is what pulled it all together. What do YOU think??

Thanks for looking!!!

~Kathie McGuire

Wisped Frames

At this time of year our thoughts gravitate towards spring. As stampers, we find ourselves using spring-like colours, stamps, and images. These darling Robin eggs are nestled in just waiting for spring to arrive.

It is also the time of year that I start to make Easter cards for my family. This year my cards will showcase spring birds and nests purchased at Twisted Papers. It still surprises me how long birds have been in vogue for us cardmakers.

Speaking of trends, the downloading of images have really taken off, haven't they. How about digital stamps? Have you downloaded any yet? I'm such a stamp-in-the-hand kind of gal that I haven't downloaded any. Instead, I download high quality coloured images from Twisted Papers.

Both of my images use the Wisped Frames technique. Did you notice the Mono Dies background as well? The flower die, used in my background, was purchased from Stampin' Up, and bought specifically for the Mono Dies Technique.

By the way, Diana Enns (a TJ subscriber) and I challenge each other to use a new technique each week. Our challenges are posted to our blogs every Wednesday, and we shout out for you to join in on the fun. Simply create a card with the Wisped Frames technique for everyone to see and post it to the TJ Yahooo Group.

Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see another lovely technique from Pat's team.

Beth Norman

Spritz that Pigment Ink!

The Pigment Spritz technique appeared in the June/July 2009 newsletter.  Because most of my pigment inks are in little cubes, I chose my ink colors first and then looked for a piece of patterned paper I could use as a frame.  The image is from Rubber Stampede and the sentiment from River City Rubber Works.  A 5-inch square card is really one of my favorite shapes.

Glassy Embossing - February-March 2010 TJ

This just a fun card to make, plain and simple. The animal stamps are from Stampin' Up and the background stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms. I used the Burnished Background technique as well to add some definition to the background stamped area. Such an easy technique to use -- and what a difference it makes. The flowered piece of designer background paper is where you see the Glassy Embossing technique applied. It adds just the right touch to this whimsical card. The ground is applied direct to paper from several ink pads. I find that the small spots are the easiest to use when using the Direct to Paper technique. I used my own cloud template and sponged pale blue ink for the sky. All the animals were colored with my copics.

I am thinking Happy Spring thoughts even though the snow outside my door - still in mounds - does not look Spring! Surely, Spring is on the way! So happy Spring everyone!

Judy Jackson

IRISH BLESSING: Watercolor Smooch

Happy Monday! This is Chris Dickinson from Wisconsin coming to you with a card made using the Watercolor Smooch technique!

I have to say, when I first saw the bottles of Smooch...I thought to myself, "ahhh, there is something I will not use!" The bottles look like nail polish and I was thinking I might as well buy the nail polish. Then, last week, I went to a local scrapbook store and saw it, and needed some Retail Therapy and there wasn't much there that I "needed," so decided to buy some Smooch.

I immediately came home, pulled up the Technique Junkies Newsletter and started painting with the Smooch and had so much fun! I finished the project only to find out I had not followed directions. Needless to say that project did not turn out...so I started over with this piece.

The Smooch was fun to work with and has a very fine tip so you can get into tiny areas. It dried fast on the paper, as long as I didn't put too much on. Best of all, the Watercolor Smooch Technique gave me some thing else to do with it besides just paint! I loved the shimmer it gave too.

TECHNIQUE: TECHNIQUE JUNKIES: WATERCOLOR SMOOCH

Stamps: I BRAKE FOR STAMPS - Leprechaun, Irish Blessing, Bunch of Clover

Cardstock: Co'ordinations, Black, White, Watercolor paper

Accessories: Black EP, Heat Tool, Smooch Green, Nestibilities Fleur De Lis, Copics, Brads, Gold Ribbon, Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a WONDERFUL day!