My type of stamp!

Hello All Lanette Here!

I just wanted to share a quick card that I made using one of my favorite set of stamps, the Typewriter Set from the November release. 

TJ Products Used:  Technique Junkies Typewriter Set , Bo Bunny Pattern Paper, Spectrum Markers, Ranger Archival Ink, Thread & Button.

A few details just for fun..

Here is a better look at the stamp I used today...

I am so in love with this set its the perfect must have for any card maker!

Typewriter Set

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

I hope that I have inspired you in some way!

Kindness Matters

Happy Thursday Junkies, Pam here today! We are approaching  the end of 2016 and ready  to ring in the New Year!

I want to share a project today that I feel is a great sentiment for all to start the New Year with: Kindness Matters

This card features the Kindness Matters sentiment atop a background created with the Curved Bamboo stamp. The bamboo was stamped with a green dye ink after creating the stencil mono print as a base layer. 

The sentiment was stamped with Versafine Black ink atop a piece of the matching background-trimmed to a circle.

Thanks for joining me today!

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year! And remember Kindness Matters!

Embrace Imperfection

Pam

2016 Is History!

2017 ... A Mystery!

Hi, Junkies! Hope you all had fulfilling Holidays. Now that all that madness is over, it's time to wind down the year.

One project I always do in December is some sort of calendar for the new year. It ends my year with a fun project and starts out my next year with creative inspiration. I decided to do a CD calendar jfor 2017. So each month in 2017, I will share a new page from my calendar project. BTW....stay tuned for all the great new stamps Technique Junkies has to offer in 2017. The Design Team Blog Hop will kick off on January 2nd with a host of new projects.  On to the calendar!

January is usually a looooooong month. Nothing fun goes on and it's always cold and dreary in Michigan. I kind of feel like this kitty. Peeking out to see if the snow is gone yet.

Supplies:

• Kitty Watching (SD635)
• Snow Swirls (S726)
• 2017 Calendar (I made my own but there are plenty free ones to download on the internet)
• Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black and Summer Sky
• White cardstock
• Empty CD case

Build It:

• First step is to remove the CD "guts". Remove the lid and flip it around forming a stand for your calendar.
• You will need a piece of cardstock with the calendar printed on it.
• I masked off calendar with a post-it note and, using the MISTI, stamped the kitty onto a post-it note. I stamped the kitty on the calendar. I then cut the kitty out of the post-it and used that as a mask.
• Next, I stamped the background.
• I removed the post-its and cut my cardstock down to 4.75" x 4.75" and mounted it on another piece of heavier cardstock. (The heavy stuff wouldn't go through my printer.)
• Slide the calendar into the front of the CD case and there you have a fun calendar!

Hope you are inspired to give it a try! Happy New Year!

Til next time,

Keepin' It Inky!

BRING YOUR OWN SUNSHINE

Hello Junkies!!! 

Well, one year ends and another will soon begin.  I hope you all had a blessed and healthy 2016 and I wish you all that much and more in 2017.  

I fell in love with this stamp "Bring Your Own Sunshine" when I first saw it in the TJ March 2016 release.  I loved the simplicity of it and thought it could take on many background ideas.  

I dragged out my POSCA Markers and had some fun.  My inspiration came from this image I found on Wayfair.  I've seen a technique called crayon melting to achieve this look on canvas, but I thought I'd try it with the markers and while the look is different, I liked the results.  Plus, it was fun playing with the markers!  

Here are two cards I made using this inspiration and my Posca markers.  

I used some Distress Inks to sponge the bg for the stamp after stamping it with VersaFine black and heat embossing it with clear embossing powder.  I splattered the bg with water drops then blotted them up with a paper towel to get the watery marks.  The bg is simply scribbling in various colors with the markers.  I really do love those pens.  They're acrylic paint in a pen and they're so much fun to play with.

Same idea for this card, except I colored the boots with some Copic markers to make them pop. As you can see, I used the pens to emulate the inspiration piece itself.  

On Monday, January 1, Technique Junkies will be releasing NEW stamps for January 2017.  There will be a blog hop starting at the Technique Junkies Blog and a big discount on the new stamps. You don't want to miss it.   

Have a crafty day and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

Creativity and Art

Happy day after Christmas!   Are you feeling the post Christmas lag?   I am  as I have had family for three different meals and three different sets of gift opening.  It was all good, but all tiring.  One adult son-in-law was ill so he and his family stayed home while the elderly relatives were here (age 89 and 90) so they would not get the virus.  Then after the elderly folks went home, they came out and opened gifts. Now my daughter and kids are here for a couple of days.  That will be fun. And in between gift openings  I had the opportunity to craft a couple of cards.  I will post one today and one on Wednesday. 

I used a variety of Technique Junkie stamps -- Veined Marble (http://techniquejunkies.com/veined-marble/), Return to Sender (http://techniquejunkies.com/return-to-sender/), and Art Mistakes (http://techniquejunkies.com/art-mistakes/).  I also used a dirty Versamark pad and Pan Pastels.  Pat Huntoon talked about this in her blog post on Friday - http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2016/12/pan-pastel-backgrounds.html.  The dirty Versamark ink pad helps you to see the image you have stamped much easier.

Pan Pastels are unique in several factors.  You  can layer them and still see the individual colors as they are more transparent than other  pastels.  I have used both.  The fact that these are more translucent adds to their uniqueness.  Like nearly all kinds of pastels they are fragile and easily crack or break.  However, unlike traditional artist grade pastels, these can be repaired.    I was so impressed by the Pan Pastels that I bought a LOT of them at the York Heirloom stamp show in September.  One of the deciding  factors for me was how easy they can be repaired.  I have a LOT of other artist pastels in my craft room.  I used artist pastels in high school in art classes.  They are easy to blend with.  But we did not have  Versamark ink for the pastels to adhere to in those dark ages so long ago.   

To repair the Pan Pastels is relatively easy but it does take a bit of patience.  You need a toothpick or something thin and sturdy that you will not mind using for this or that you can throw away.  Add small drops of distilled water to the cracked pastel container.  You can start with a teaspoon drizzled slowly over the pastel pan. Add tiny amounts (drops) of water allowing the water to soak in.  Continue this process stirring carefully with the toothpick  until you have a thick soupy mixture.  You want to add the water slowly so you do not cause the (not cheap) pastel powders to overflow the container. Continue to stir until it is as smooth as you can get it.  There may still be some lumps left and the surface may not look the same as it did originally.  But it will work the same!  So if you are looking at these, choose the colors you want and ignore any cracks as now you know how to repair them.  (And I learned at the York show that you can do the same thing with your cosmetic compacts!)

Now for my card.  I first stamped the Veined Marble stamp on white card stock.  I used a sponge and a  purple Pan Pastel  and rubbed the pastels over the stamped image.  Then I just sort of heat set the ink with the pastels.  I don't think it is necessary but since I knew I was going to  stamp an image to heat emboss I wanted to be sure I didn't have embossing powder  sticking to the Versamark ink under the pastel powder.  Then I inked up the Return to Sender stamp without it being on an acrylic block. That way I could bed the stamp and apply the ink in sections which is what I did. I continued this process all over the card stock.  I applied a deep blue Pan Pastel over the purple. And I heat set it again.  My final stamping was with the Art Mistakes stamp.  I used Versafine Black ink and a detailed black embossing powder and heat set the powder.   I sprayed some pearlized  glimmer spray over the final card. 

The focal image was trimmed and layered with two different shades of purple card stock.   The ribbon was added before adhering to the base card stock.  A few Mylar snowflakes were glued down with  liquid glue.

So now, I am curious did you get any stamping stuff for Christmas?    Now you may have some time to get inky!

Judy Jackson

Pan Pastel Backgrounds

First and foremost, I hope that your holiday season has been happy and festive. I hope you have made time to craft - after all, it is what keeps most of us sane, right?

This will be the last post on the Design Team blog from me (Pat) in 2016. I will be taking the long New Year Weekend off -- but be ready on January 2nd for our New Release blog hop! 

Today I have a quick tutorial for using Pan Pastels to color a background. While Technique Junkies does NOT sell Pan Pastels, they are pretty easy to find on the Internet or at a Tradeshow.  I don't sell them because they are prone to cracking when sent through the mail...and it would just bother me too much to send out pastels destined to crack.

The first example uses the Greatest Story focal image with the Layered Swirls background. 

This is one of those few-and-far between techniques where it is actually preferable to work with a DIRTY ink pad. My VersaMark pad is very dirty - it actually helps you see the details of the stamp.

First, stamp the image on cardstock. Then load one of the sponges and rub into and around the image.  

 

This looks messy when you are working with it -- that is okay. Note that the pastels appear darker where the VersaMark was stamped, and lighter around the edges.

The pastels may also be added in a more specific manner, as in the Pinecones example below:

Very Happy Holidays to each of you -- I'll see you in the new year!

Pat

Whimsical Bird Christmas Card

Hello Everyone!
Karen McAlpine with you today.   There is still time for one more Christmas card before the big day.  I hope you are enjoying your Holiday season.  I am busy with preparations for the Holiday.  My nephew and niece are hosting dinner this year. Which is nice.  I will make a dish to take along.

So, let's check out my Christmas card made with Technique Junkies stamps.  I used a non Christmas stamp and a Christmas sentiment to make two pretty little cards.

Materials List:

Stamps: Whimsical Bird Branch and Christmas Ornament Trio set (sentiment) both from Technique Junkies

Ink: Real Red and Garden Green (Stampin' Up)

CS: white, bright green, light bright green, dark green

DP: Christmas paper

Copic Markers

Ribbons

Spellbinders Oval Die Cut

Make It:

• Make card bases from green CS
• Wrap ribbons around layers of DP and CS before gluing to the card base
• Add layers of CS and DP to complete the backgrounds
• On white CS stamp the Whimsical Bird Branch - once in red and once in green ink
• Color the images with Copic Markers
• Die cut the stamped pieces
• Stamp the sentiment 
• Tie ribbons in bows and add to cards

Inside of Card: sentiment is from Christmas Ornament Trio Set

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!  I hope your Holiday is filled with Love, Laughter, and Joy!
Karen McAlpine
Dreaming and Creating

Peace

Hello Junkies!!

We are coming into the home stretch of the Holiday season and I hope you all are taking some time to get a little holiday crafting in before the season passes.  As a tip to be prepared for next year, why don't you make a few extra cards this December then store them away in preparation for next year!

My first card today uses one of my absolute favorite holiday stamps called "Christmas Dove".   I created a shaker card after I white heat embossed the dove and colored it with Distressed Stains. For more great ideas using Distress Stains check out the techniques on "Artistic Effects CD".  The sentiment I used is from "Christmas Ornaments Set of 9", which is so versatile and can be used as either a holiday or a thank you card.

My second card features "Oh Holy Night", which I silver heat embossed and stamped over a watercolor background.  This is perfect for mass production.

I want to wish each and every one of you the most wonderful holiday season.  We've got some exciting new stamps to feature for you on January 1st so we'll see you then when the design teams returns for our first Blog Hop of 2017!

Until next year,

The Crafty Nurse

Vintage Snowman

Hello fellow stampers.  I was inspired to make my (six) snowmen from something I saw on Pinterest.  Their snowmen were made out of dies, whereas mine were hand drawn and cut.  I did use dies for the star on the scarf and body, and the buttons.

I had so much fun making my snowmen and plan on turning a couple of them into cards while leaving a couple on my white Christmas tree.

I painted on the eyes and nose with acrylic paint and stamped out Vintage Music on the body.

It's almost Christmas time, and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and holiday season.  For those who do not celebrate Christmas, enjoy your special traditions.

Birthday Wishes!

Hello All Lanette Here!

Can you believe that this year is almost over? Well I really can't but the fact is that we are days away from 2017!! Which for me means a ton of birthdays.... so today I thought I would build up my stash a bit and share a quick birthday card with you....

Products Used:  Technique Junkies Grand Greetings set of 5, Art Anthology Minx Ink, Art Anthology Sorbet, Ranger and Ink, Archival  Thread, Foam Dots & Bling.

A few details just for fun..

Here is a better look at the stamp I used today...

I am so in love with this set its the perfect must have for any card maker!

Grand Greetings

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

I hope that I have inspired you in some way!

Christmas Note Cards

Morning Junkies, Pam here today! Well Christmas is only 10 days away. I hope you have enjoyed the Design Team's inspiration for the 30 days of Christmas!

Today I am sharing a couple of Christmas Notecards that I created using the Christmas Trees stamp set as well as the Date-o-Matic and Merry Christmas sentiment (Simple Sentiments 1b).

I love these Scribbly Christmas trees and there are 6 different styles in the set.

You could add a sentiment to the front but I liked the plain look for a simple Christmas notecard.

 Using a different style tree I created this background for a note card and added the Date-O-Matic and a Merry Christmas sentiment.

Thanks for joining me today and I hope everyone has a safe and merry holiday season.

Embrace Imperfection

Pam

Day 30 of the 30 Days of Christmas

Welcome to the final post for the 30 Days of Christmas, Inky Friends!

Remember....tomorrow is the last day to save 25% on your Christmas stamp collections!

Well, it's Ro, here, back with you for the final 30 Days project. I have made a shaker card featuring three stamp sets: Sparkles (S536), Magic of Christmas (SD428) and Christmas Trees Set of 6 (SS045). (Click on the Christmas stamp link above to see these and many other Christmas stamps available.)

Supplies Needed:

• TJ Stamp Sets Mentioned Above
• A2 Card Base
• Cardstock
• Sequins
• Foam Tape
• Double Sided Adhesive
• Silver, Green and Black Embossing Powder
• Versamark Ink Pad
• Midnight Minx Ink by Art Anthology
• Ruler
• Scissors or Xacto Knife
• Clear Acetate

Build It:

1. Start with the top layer. Cut cardstock to 4.25 x 5.50 inches. I used a speckled white cardstock. Stamp the trees and sentiment using Versamark Ink. Heat emboss the trees with green embossing powder and the sentiment with black embossing powder.
2. Using a ruler, lightly mark a margin approximately 1/4" partway around the card. Lightly mark where the snow line under the trees will be. Using scissors or knife, cut out the window. Attach a piece of clear acetate to the reverse side using two sided tape.
3. On the card base, stamp with Versamark Ink the Sparkles background and emboss with silver embossing powder. Using the Midnight Minx Ink, add a few drops to the background and rub around with your finger. Let dry a few minutes.
4. On the acetate side of the top layer, add foam tape around the edges of the cut out area. Be sure to leave no gaps between the edges of the tape, or you will lose the sequins when they are added.
5. With the top layer still facing down, add sequins to the center area. Carefully line up the card base and attach to the foam tape making sure there is a good seal.
6. Flip over the card and enjoy the movement!

I sure hope you enjoyed all the fantastic projects the Design Team shared during this 30 Days of Christmas celebration. Don't forget to get your Christmas stamp order placed...the 25% discount (which will show at check-out) ends tomorrow!

Til next time,
Keepin' It Inky!

DAY 29 OF 30 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS AT TECHNIQUE JUNKIES

Hello everyone!!!! 

Cheri here and we're winding down to the end of the 30 Days of Christmas event. 

There's still one more day to get that 25% off all the awesome Christmas stamps that Technique Junkies has in their store, grab them while you can and enjoy the discount!  

It's been 30 days full of inspiration and creativity by the TJDT and I've enjoyed each and every one.  

For my last post during this event, I have some bookmarks to show you and a card.

This is a front and back shot of the bookmarks.  I used some coordinating scrap pieces of design paper to cover the backs.  The stamps I used for the bookmarks is SS029 "Christmas Words" set of 4 stamps.  The technique to create them is the easy white embossed image and sponging Distress Inks over the image to create a resist. Adding some water splatters to the sponged ink gave them a "vintage" look.  I like these as card inserts for Christmas cards to special friends.  

The face on this puppy just cracks me up.  Another easy card.  The background was splattered with white acrylic paint and once dry, I sprayed with some glimmer spray. I stamped "Ho, Ho, Ho Dog" on 80# white cardstock with Archival black ink using my Misti.  In order to get a good coverage, I stamped it 3 times...I wanted him to pop right off the cs.  I made a mask and covered him while I sponged a bg with Distress Ink.  I again splattered some water and soaked it up with paper towels then heat dried it.  I decided to add some "snow" to match the red bg, so I took my white pen and dotted it in the bg.  I used Copics to color his scarf and paper pieced his hat with some red glittery paper.  To frame him, I used MFT stitched arch Stax.  As a final touch, I added some sequins to the bg and some glossy accents to his nose and eyes.

There you have it!!!!  I hope I've inspired you and I hope you don't miss grabbing youself some of these fabulous stamps.  

Cheers!

Day 28 of the 30 Days of Christmas!

Wow, this time has gone by very fast!  Of course that is often the way it is in December!  I had "planned" to post and make more cards than I was able to do.  My reason is a simple one -- I just didn't have the time to make anymore cards than I made! Everyone ought to be able to understand that.  They "whys" to explain my lack of time are too numerous to list but  I am sure many of us have found that lack of time to be  true for many things we want to do during the holiday seasons.

So here is my card for today.  I will now have a Christmas card on my personal blog for the next three days.  I spent time tonight making these cards.

I used some die cuts I purchased years ago.  This is the first time I have used them.   I used a Technique Junkie stamp - All is Calm - http://techniquejunkies.com/all-is-calm/.   I cut several strips* of white card stock or the trees die and the houses and church die.  *If you decide to do something like this , make sure you have at least an inche below the lowest part hillsides for each each strip. I sponged the tree strips with green ink.  It didn't matter to me if the sponging was really even because I felt it added texture.  I sponged the houses and church strips with a matching blue of the card stock for the base  card.

I covered each strip with Versamark ink, cover it with a "snowy" embossing powder and heat set.  All those strips really glisten!   It was not an iridescent powder.   Then I stamped the greeting at the top (allowing room for the "star.") with Versamark ink, and heat embossed with detail silver embossing powder.

I used my ATG tape runner to to adhere the strips together in an eye pleasing arrangement  to me. I then ran all of the strips adhered together through my Xyron machine to get adhesive on the back side.  I used my home made cloud stencil to add color and visual texture to the sky.  Then I adhered the panel of trees and houses, etc to the sponged cloud panel. This was layered on blue and layered on silver, and onto the base card.

While this card is not difficult, it was a little "fussy" and time consuming, but i felt it was worth the effort.

I still have a few cards to make, and some to hand deliver, but most of my cards are in the mail.  Some have received because they told me so.


 I hope you have a great day -- and get inky!

Judy Jackson

Day 27 and the Stars are Shining

 Today is Day 27 of the 30 Days of Christmas, and I am happy to show you this pretty - and simple - card using The Stars are Brightly Shining stamp.

With just a few sprays of non-traditional Barbie and Glorious Art Anthology Colorations Sprays, the background color was done. When dy, I stamped the Brightly Shining Image ove it with StazOn ink. To add a little shimmer, I sprayed Sterling Fairy Dust Shimmer Spray, then highlighted some of the words with a silver glitter pen.

Just a few more days left of the 30 days of Christmas -- and only 4 more days of 25% off any Christmas stamp. Don't miss out!
Warmest Wishes,
Pat Huntoon