It's a Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride...

Sunday...a day for breakfast in bed, gardening, and bike rides (well, at least in my fantasy land). Actually, I think Sundays should be for doing whatever makes us the happiest, whether that is exercising or crafting. 

Today's card celebrates the bike ride! I am using the Bicycles set for the main images, with the Explore-Dream-Discover sentiment from the Road Trip set. The Bicycles set is part of the May 2017 release, which means that it is 15% off through the end of tomorrow, May 8th. Simply add it, or any May release, to your shopping cart before midnight May 8, 2017 to receive the discount.

I stamped the three bicycles using my MISTI for perfect alignment. The bikes were colored using neon, metallic and glitter fine-tipped markers. Then I stamped and cut the Explore-Dream-Discover stamp and placed them next to the bikes.

I hope you have a happy Sunday and can find some time to do whatever makes you relaxed and happy!

XO,
Pat Huntoon

Life is Beautiful Tag

Hello All Lanette Here!

I just wanted to share a fun mixed media tag that I created using a couple of this months new release stamps and my current addition Distress Oxide Ink.

Don't forget you have until the 8th to save 10% on May's New Release!!

If you would like to see my process you can watch it over on my YouTube Channel 

A close up just for fun..

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

  

Life is Beautiful

Lollipop Flowers

But don't forget Pat has an awesome

 deal for the complete set of Distress Oxide Ink!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

I hope that I have inspired you in some way!

TJ Inkspirations: Chameleon Color Tone Pencils

If you are like me, you have a plethora of coloring tools and mediums from markers to pastes to inks.  One of the reasons we have so many is our desire to have the best tool available for the job. Today I am introducing you a new coloring tool (yes, I am an enabler). Chameleon Color Tone Colored Pencils are new to the art and paper crafting world, and I have to say, I am smitten. Each set contains 50 colors - 25 pencils that have perfectly matched colors on each end. They blend beautifully, and you can achieve multiple color tones depending on the amount of pressure you apply to the pencil. Chameleon Color Tones Colored Pencils The pencils come in a beautiful - and functional - box that folds open to allow you access to the pencils. They are numbered and indexed with a color/shading chart showing the variations that can be achieved with each pencil.     I added the pencils to the www.techniquejunkies.com website under the May releases, so you can get 15% off the pencils from now through May 8th. Just add them to your shopping cart; they will be discounted at checkout. Ready to see them in action? I colored a nature scene first, then show you how pretty and appropriate they are on skin tones - both Caucasian and Ethnic alike.

Beautiful Birds

Since spring is finally here, I thought a little nod to the Robins and Lilacs I am seeing would be appropriate.First, I stamped the Watercolor Birds image in black StazOn ink on white cardstock, then started coloring...:   Each of the pencils are numbered, and are also labeled with the numbers 01 and 02.  I started with pencil 20, side 02 to colored my the first leaves. After, I went back over the leaves with 20-01, blending as I colored.   I continued coloring the leaves until I had the first layer of color on them, then moved onto the robins.   Robins are a mixture of reds/oranges in the breast and greys/brown on their wings, tails and bodies (yes, I googled Robin images to double-check my color choices before I started). I used the color tones on each pencil for perfect blending to layer the colors.Notice that I kept track of which pencil I used on a separate piece of paper in case I needed to pull one out again,   Finally, I went back over the piece, adding highlight and shadow colors where appropriate.

Skin Tone Coloring

One of the things I am really impressed by with the pencils is the ability to color skin tones beautifully,  To color the Don't Lose Faith piece above, I used one pencil to color the skin tone:     First I used the #6 pencil, on the 02 side (light coral) add the darker tones to the hands. The second color for the skin tone was added using #6, 01 (soft shell) to blend and add the remaining color to the skin   Chameleon Color Tone Pencilsare also great on ethnic skin tones,also, as you can see from Chris Dayton's work with the Big Dreams stamp: This is how Chris' piece turned out - she's fabulous, isn't she?   You can read Chris' entire blog post using the pencils HERE. Welcome to the team, Chris! Thanks for joining us today! Pat Huntoon

Call the Girls

Happy Thursday!

Chris here, sharing on the Technique Junkies Blog for the first time!

Today I am sharing a card made with the some of the fantabulous new May Release stamps, Make Lemonade and Call the Girls.

This background stamp was stamped with my MISTI tool in a yellow archival ink.  I left my stamp my stamp in place in my MISTI and added some color to the lemons with Copic Markers.  I then put my cardstock back in my MISTI and clear heat embossed over the top of my coloring.

My focal image was stamped with Memento and colored with Copics.  It is popped up from my card panel with foam tape, and then I added a bit of chunky bright yellow glitter to the lemon.

Thanks for stopping by!  

Happy May!

Even though it's been a little brisk, here in Michigan, I know it's Spring! I hear the birds chirping outside my windows in the morning, which is a great way to start my day!

Hope you've been enjoying the Hop and all the new inspiration from the DT.  I've been getting lots of inspiration and ideas from them!

I've done up a few little projects for you today using some of the new releases. I hope you feel inspired to give some of these a try for yourself!

First up is my May calendar.  I just love the Bicycle (SS068), Set of 4. Those little bikes are just adorable.

I used the Calligraphy Loops (S714) background stamp in a couple different colors and colored and trimmed out the bicycle and added to my computer-generated calendar. I then added a sentiment from Things I Want To Do (S546).  I love that set! There are 16 different sentiments in that set...like "Walk with confidence", "Choose Joy" and "Live Out Loud", just to name a few. I can always find something to go with my images!

My next project again used one of the bicycles from the Bicycle set.

I used Nuvo Mousse for the sky background. It's really shimmery! I die cut the grass panel and adhered it to the card front. I stamped the bike a few times and used my Brother Scan and Cut to trim out the images, just whacking off the bike on two of them so I could use the flower baskets. After I colored them and attached the images to the card, I used Nuvo Crystal Drops for the flowers.  The sentiment is from You Are The World (SS071). A couple of hand drawn, kindergarten-style (lol) birds finished off the scene.

My last project today is a card featuring Crazy Cat Border (SD798).

I have had it in my head for a while that I wanted to do a window. When I saw this set, it struck me as the perfect image to go with a window! I just keep picturing a crazy cat lady, lol.  I masked off the area where the window would be and stamped the background image. I colored in the cats with colored pencil. The diecut window was inked with some Distress Inks and foam taped to the card front. But first I added a couple of strips of lace for curtains. This card just makes me smile. I chose to not add a sentiment to the front. That way it can be used for a birthday card, thinking of you, friendship, or note card.

Remember, the new releases are discounted 15% until May 8th! So get your order in soon! And if you'd like to save 10% on everything else, simply enter the code below!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

ROSES FOR MOM

Hello Junkies, 

Did you get a chance to hop along yesterday with the design team while they showed off the new stamps for the Technique Junkies May release?  If not, you can still catch it and take advantage of the 15% off any of the stamps from the new release until May 8.  Also, Pat is offering a 15% discount on the Chameleon Color Tone Pencils.  (I used them to color the roses on this card).  

It soon will be mother's day and while my mother is no longer living, there is a lovely lady who was my mother's dear friend and like a second mom to me. When I saw this Long Stemmed Rose stamp in the April Release, I knew I wanted to use it to create a card for her.  

I made 2 masks of the rose so I could stamp multiple roses and place them one in front of the other.  After stamping them, I colored them with Chameleon Color Tone Pencils,  (15% discount but only until May 8).  The background was sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  

The sentiment is another stamp from the April Release "Happy Mother's Day"  which I stamped in a light gray ink in order to let the roses stand out.  

If you'd like to purchase any stamps from Technique Junkies (except for the May Release Stamps, already discounted stamps and Distress Oxide Inks) and would like a little discount on your order, please use my code TJ10Cheri at check out.  

Have you visited the Technique Junkies FaceBook Page yet?  Check it out and join in on the fun. 

And we also have a monthly technique challenge going.  You have until May 14th to join in on this month's challenge.  There's a $25.00 GC to the Technique Junkies store for a lucky winner who enters and who's name is drawn.  The winner will be announced on May 14th.  A new technique challenge will begin on May 15.  

Have a super crafty week, my friends.  

  

May Release Blog Hop and Discount!

Happy May Release Day!

I'm so about the May Release at Technique Junkies!

We have 17 new stamps in the Technique Junkies line! The TJ Design Team has so many beautiful projects to share!  Get ready to ooh and aah as you view their projects to kick off the release!

All of the May 2017 New Release stamps are 15% off through May 8th!

We can all use a little bargain now, right? No codes needed, just put them in your shopping cart and the discount will be applied at checkout.

Here is the list for our blog hop:

Design Junkies Blog <-- you are here

Lanette Erickson

Cheri Weston

Kathy Stacy
Jeanne Streiff

Ro Donner
Beth Norman

Judy Jackson

Vicki Garrett

Giovana Smith

Chris Dayton

Pat Huntoon

We have a brand new product in the store!
Chameleon Color Tones Pencils
Chameleon Color Tones Pencils are specially designed double ended pencils you just flip to blend! These unique artist quality pencils take the guesswork out of choosing different colors for blending and shading and they eliminate the hassle of sifting through dozens of colored pencils to find the right shades, as the right shade is on the other end and all you have to do is flip to blend! 25 Pencils / 50 colors Artist Quality Made In Austria Highly Pigmented Intense Colors Ultra Smooth Consistency Permanent Break Resistant 3.8mm lead Pre-sharpened Chameleon Color Tones Pencils are a wonderfully convenient system that allows you to do MORE with less! Each pencil has two colors that have been custom matched to deliver captivating color blends and transitions. The 25 pencils create 50 vibrant colors, and each pencil is finely crafted in Austria to provide richly pigmented, intense color and a buttery smooth consistency. The pencils are designed to layer and blend exceptionally well and feature break-free 3.8mm leads that come pre-sharpened for ease of use. The best part is that Chameleon Color Tones Pencils are packed in a convenient storage case that transitions into a brilliant workstation for creativity on the go.
http://techniquejunkies.com/chameleon-colortone-pencils/

I would also like to invite you to join the Technique Junkies Facebook Group, which recently moved from Yahoo.  We have a fun, interactive group with plenty of artwork for you to view! Simply search Technique Junkies Group in Facebook or copy and Paste this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1217840814981827/

Here are a couple projects from Jeanne to start us off!

This project uses Hats off to Dad and Pocket Watches

This card uses It's a Guy Thing and Happy Father's Day

Have a great day!