Gel Pressed Deer

Hi Junkies!  It's Holly posting today, and I have a fun Christmas card to share with you.  I was playing with some acrylic inks and my gel press plate and I created this fun background.  There was a lot of white area on this piece which reminded me of snow and I just had to use the Reindeer Names background stamp on this.  Doesn't that look like reindeer standing around in the snow?  

The sentiment is called Season's Greetings and it goes beautifully with this Reindeer Names background.  I need another weekend of "gel pressing" and then I can whip out a bunch of Christmas cards with these two stamps from Technique Junkies.  Have you started on your holiday cards yet?

Sunflowers, Two Ways

Hi Technique Junkie Fans!

Hello Everyone!

The calendar says summer, but the school year says fall.  It is that time of year to head back to school and that means pumpkin spice is right around the corner!  I pulled out my sunflower stamps to make some 'feeling a bit like fall' cards.  If you are planning on shopping, you can get 10% off your order using code TJ10LeeAnn. 
You are probably wondering where the sunflower stamp is on the first card~

If you look closely, you can see the outline of the Single Sunflower stamp.  This is actually a Gel print.  I used various colors or acrylic ink and the Scribble Mask Stencil from A
Colorful Life on my gel plate.  When I was happy with my results, I carefully pressed the Single Sunflower image into the plate and lifted it off, removing the top layer of paint.  I took my print and let it dry.
I really like how this turned out.  I kept it simple and just heat embossed the sentiment from the Sunflower Sentiments set.

The next card is completely different!

I used a technique that Jennifer McGuire has shared, called 'fast watercoloring'.  The flower and leaves were heat embossed in gold on watercolor paper.  Using distress inks, I literally just rubbed the ink to the flower- direct to paper.  Once I had my image covered with ink, I spritzed it with water and set it aside to dry.  Once completely dry, I fussy cut out the flower and leaves.  I assembled them, along with a couple of die cuts onto a die cut hoop wreath.  The sentiment, Always Be There, was stamped with the MISTI for perfect placement. 

That's it for me!  Thanks for stopping by.  Don't forget, you can get 10% off of your entire order (excluding clearance) with code TJ10LeeAnn. 

Happy crafting! 

Lee Ann 

Find your Zen!

Good morning!  Chris here, sharing two cards created with a few of the new July stamps!

Today I am focusing on the new July Zen Waves background stamp.

My first card uses Zen Waves as my background panel for a peaceful shaker card.

I stamped the background in a medium blue ink, and overstamped it with Versamark ink and heat embossed it in clear.  I then added color to the waves with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I used a scalloped die to create a decorative opening in my light blue panel for my shaker card.   I trimmed a flag from lavender cardstock and added a greeting from Dream Quotes.  I attached this flag to the back of my shaker front before assembling the shaker with clear acetate and two layers of foam tape.

My second card uses a Gel Press, acrylic paints and the Zen Waves background stamp for a more intense and active background.

I used Bristol Smooth card stock and three shades of acrylic inks to create the background with my Gil Press.  Once my panel was dry, I stamped Zen Waves directly over the paint with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  I also used another of the new July stamps, Be A Mermaid.  To create the focal image, I stamped the Be A Mermaid in Versafine and colored her with Chameleon Colortone Pencils.  I truly love how simple these pencils are to use.  They make coloring so quick and easy!  The small mermaid focal image was trimmed, matted with black cardstock and added to my card with dimensional foam tape.

That's all from me today!  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,
Chris

Happy Father's Day

Good Morning!

Chris here with a bit of Father's Day inspiration for you today.

Today I am highlighting both the Happy Father's Day stamp and a portion of the Call the Girls stamp.  I created this card first by misting spray stain onto watercolor paper then using my Misti stamping tool to repeatedly stamp the sentiment on the right side with distress inks to give the loose watercolor look.  

The drink is from of the Call the Girls stamp.  It was stamped with Memento ink and colored with Copics.  I then cut a mask for the lemon, so I could cover the whole glass with Versamark and dip it in clear embossing powder and emboss to give the shine of real glass.

I was playing with my gelli plate and some acrylic paints the other day, and loved these warm gray  backgrounds that I had made using some crinkled plastic wrap to create a subtle texture.  I loved the contrast of two of the backgrounds pieces and decided to make a simple Father's Day card for a husband who's out of this world.

And while creating some backgrounds I was using this A Colorful Life Texture stencil with my Gel Press.  When I peeled up my Bristol paper I had to do a double take.  This is one of a series of pieces I'd started when I could help but see something totally unexpected.  Do you see it?

I couldn't help it.  It was in my head.  

The Gel Press plate got pushed aside and the paint brush came out.

I had to get my Monet on.

Speaking of stencils...  There's a new stencil challenge that just started on Technique Junkies!  If you haven't seen it, you can check it out HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Enjoy your day!

Last Day to Save on New Releases!

Today is the last day to save 15% off the new March releases!!!! Hurry!

Hello, Inky Friends!

Sometimes the best creative booster is to wander around a trade show...at least it works for me. Not that I was exactly in a slump. But I had the pleasure of working in the Technique Junkies booth at the Scrap and Stamp Arts Show in Rockford, Illinois this past weekend. Seeing all the TJ Stamps and awesome products together in one booth, along with all the sample boards, PLUS the uber-talented Pat Huntoon, herself, doing make-and-takes...well, how could I NOT get super-charged with a head full of new ideas! Not to mention I came home with a LOT of new product to play with (shhh...don't tell my hubby! tee-hee). If you have an opportunity, I highly recommend these events! You can find a list of all the upcoming trade shows HERE.

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My first project features one of the new releases for March, Play In The Puddles (SD702). I love the sentiment!

For the background, I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and gently rubbed the raised areas using Nuvo Mousse (Powder Blue) and my finger. I then added some Art Anthology Spray (Siesta Key) to the piece. It was mounted on black cardstock (CS) and adhered to the card base.

For the main focal, I stamped and heat embossed the image using Versamark and some black embossing powder onto a piece of CS I had done a while back using the Gel Press Printing Plate. I added some of the same Art Anthology Spray (Siesta Key). I also added some highlights in the puddles with Art Anthology Sorbet Paint (Splashed) and a white gel pen. That gave the image a really nice shimmer in some areas.

I added a silver ribbon behind the focal piece and adhered it to the background using foam tape. A few drops of Nuvo Crystal Drops (Aquatic Mist) in the corner finished off the card with a twinkle. (Note: The Crystal Drops are self-leveling, so you just add a little blob and it magically turns into a perfectly round "blob".)

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This next card features Downton Boy Kitty (SD705). Oh, and some more of that fun new "stuff" I got at the show!

I used an Art Anthology Stencil (Such A Drip) and black CS to start. Using a spatula, I spread Art Anthology Velvet Paint (Aloha) across the stencil, and then carefully removed the stencil. Be sure to clean your stencils immediately so the paint doesn't dry on it. Then I added some shimmer by spreading some Nuvo Glimmer Paste (Blue Topaz) in splotches on the CS. The sentiment (from the set "Things I Want To Do") was stamped onto vellum with Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black). I scored the vellum so I could fold the excess behind the top layer and not see the adhesive.

The Kitty was stamped on white CS with Memento Ink. I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens to color the image, and added some highlights to the hair and whiskers with a white gel pen. The image was then fussy-cut and mounted to the piece with some foam tape. I added some Nuvo Crystal Drops (Blue Lagoon) to the vellum and mounted the entire piece to a turquoise card base.

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I hope you enjoyed my projects, and I hope I was able to pass on some of that creative juice I brought back with me from the show!

Til next time,
Keepin' It Inky!

Jazzy

Greetings Inky Friends!!

Tonya here today using The Jazz Singer from the April New Releases!!

For my background piece - I had been using the Gel Press making some prints and when I was done, I wanted to 'clean' my plate. I did this by laying down strips of clear packing tape onto the gel press and lifting off all the dried paint. I then taped that piece down onto a piece of sheet music I had been cleaning my brayer on. There were a couple areas where the packing tape didn't cover the sheet music, so I covered that with strips of washi tape.  I then took the whole piece and dry embossed it.

I hit the raised areas with black staz-on and ended up with this neat background piece full of depth and texture!

 I heat embossed the Jazz Singer on a piece of silver cardstock and cut it out using The Journey Ovals dies and piercing piece.  I wrapped some thin silver thread behind the oval piece and popped it up on the card.

 The finished piece. I always hesitate using a greeting when the back ground is so neat looking - I don't want to cover too much up!

 I had a small extra piece of the packing tape background so I created this ATC with it.  I stamped The Jazz Singer onto another piece of sheet music and colored and trimmed her out. I outlined her with a Stabillo pencil which write on glass, plastic, paper etc and can be found in art supply stores.
I did use a greeting on this from That's What She Said. 

I hope I inspired you a little bit to look at your supplies a little differently. Neither of these backgrounds were created intentionally!  I just sat down and played with left over pieces! :D

Until next time...

Happy Creating!

Tonya :)

Other Options

The beautiful veiled lady is a newly released March Technique Junkie Stamp. SD658 Veiled Woman http://techniquejunkies.com/veiled-woman/ The first time I saw her she reminded me of Katherine Hepburn.  I used Copic markers to color her face and eye shadow.  

I also used Technique Junkie Stamps SD669 Too Many Options http://techniquejunkies.com/too-many-options/  .  That saying stamp was heat embossed with detail black embossing powder.  The verse was layered on a piece of torn vellum.

The background panel was created with my gelli art plate.  I used a variety of Art Anthology Products including Minx.  http://techniquejunkies.com/products-and-accessories/art-anthology-products/

I wrapped an organdy ribbon around the the panel before adding the focal image and saying.  Then I tied it in a bow and used my heat gun to "crinkle" the ribbon a bit.


Get inky today!

Love Makes Life Complete

Today I am showcasing another new Technique Junkie stamp March release - SD664 Owls http://techniquejunkies.com/owls/. They are so cute!  I also used Technique Junkie stamps SDX 069 Love Complete - http://techniquejunkies.com/love-complete/.  This would make a nice anniversary card -- or if the right colors and background were used it could be a wedding card or a Valentine card.  

My background is done with various colors on a Gel Press plate.   http://techniquejunkies.com/3-x-5-gel-press-monoprinting-gel-plate/ And it comes in more than one size.  Add a ribbon and some brads and -- done!

Have a inky day!

Those Who Wish To Sing

{jane bosi} Greetings, Junkies!!  Today's project is a colorful one I created using my Gel Press Printing Plate, some acrylic paint and a few other odds and ends!  I love using the printing plates and have found need for one of every size!  Even my kiddo's like to use them.  I wish I had discovered them years ago when we were heavy into finger painting!  I was lucky enough to get several background pieces from just one inking of the plate--so, you are likely to see this combo of colors on some upcoming projects, as well!

Once dry, I punched several differently sized circles from the background piece and then layered it over a second background.  For the second background, I used kraft cardstock, black ink and one of my favorite background stamps, Fresh Chevron.

To finish things off, I added Rain Dance and Always Find A Song.

Enjoy!  Be Awesome--Jane