Check The Technic

I haven't played in Blogger's Challenge in an eternity -- today is the day! The challenge this week was to use Green, Brown and Neutrals. My card uses shades of brown and greens, but I did cheat (just a little) by adding a splash of red to my card.

The background on this card uses the Faux Fresco Technique from the Emboss or Die CD. (The CD is still available -- 79 tutorials in pictorial, step-by-step format for $17.95). I love how textural it is -- it feels wonderful! The main image uses the Distress Ink Watercoloring Technique from the December 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The stamp is from Artistic Outpost.

Hope you have fun looking at other Blogger's Challenge Creations today -- play along if you can!

I was discussing this card with one of my dear friends, and she reminded me that "I don't do cute." Guess what? YES I DO! I love to color, and if the images are fun and inspire me, then all the better.

These images from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps certainly inspire me. When I first picked up the stamp set, I was immediate moved by their possibilities. In fact, when I was playing over the weekend, I think I used every stamp in the set! I will spread them out over the next week or so with other things mixed in-between.

My Candy Apple Mouse uses a Mono Dies Background (Emboss or Die CD). I used Copics for coloring, and added a glaze over the candy apple with Crystal Effects. Really, it is a simple card, but yes....CUTE.

Don't forget that Sweet 'n Sassy offers a 10% discount using the code TJN2012. Have you seen the new stamps just released? I am in trouble!

Have a sweet day!

Oh my. It has been weeks since I have posted and it is all due to my out-of-control life! At least, it WAS out-of-control, but now I think I have a handle on things and I am embracing my creative muse with both arms outstretched. I was able to just create this weekend and yesterday, too. Getting back in the swing with filming tutorials and creating artwork felt amazingly good. Normal. <insert happy sigh here>

Today I am sharing one of the, um, fruits of my labor. The Try that Technique theme this week is Cascading Images from the April 2012 (current) issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. These fun stamps are from Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps, a Heinrich Co. -- I just love them! They come with several saying, but my favorite is the combination I used on this card: When Life gives you Lemons... (on the front) and inside:"Throw them back and demand chocolate!"  I, for one, can relate to that.  Remember that MFP offers a 15% discount to Technique Junkies using the code WEEKENDER2.

I colored the lemons and edges with Pastel Pencils using the Pastel Chalk Pencil Blending Technique from the June 2011 issue of the Newsletter. The background embossing was colored using the Pastel Embossing Technique from the Emboss or Die CD.

In any case, I hope you have a chance to try our featured technique this week. I would love to see what you do! And I hope you don't get sick of my postings...I have ALOT to share!

Yesterday I posted a card that was started as something else -- and today I am posting the second card from the not-what-it-started as creativity session. This started as a stencil-based card -- not so much!

This card uses the Stacked Nesties Technique from the October 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I love this technique -- it is so elegant! In addition, I used an old stand-by: Cuttlebug Highlights from the Emboss or Die CD. If you click on the picture, you will see where I added greens and oranges to the texture to give it that extra POP of color. The fox was colored with colored pencils.

The stamps are from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company from the "What a Fox" set. I love that saying! 

I think you might be able to see the stacked nesties a little better HERE (click to see larger image):

It has been a LOOONNNGGGG time since I have been creative just for the fun of it. It seems like I am always working on a new issue of the Newsletter or a New CD and I just run out of time to keep up with creating things that just make me happy. Well, I just finished a new CD --  to be announced later this week -- and the newsletter is in great shape, so I allowed myself some unfettered creative time!

I decided to play along with the Late Night Stampers weekly challenge #166: Texture. This is how I challenged myself: I opened my Emboss or Die CD and selected a technique randomly, then worked out my card! I wanted to use a color combination that I normally wouldn't, and I really like how this Peach/Tangerine/Limeade combination works. 

I am so happy to have created this card! I hope you enjoy it. If  you would like the directions for the background, it is on the Emboss or Die CD: 79 tutorials using Embossing folders and Die Cuts, for $17.95. I think I will spend part of my week opening CDs and picking tutorials out randomly!

The Sketch for this weeks Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge was deceptively easy:

In reality, I struggled! How to incorporate such simple elements and still keep my card balanced....and still use my beloved techniques?

I decided to use the color theme from this week's LNS Challenge: Use Night of Navy, River Rock and Cajun Craze for the card. This makes me happy because my beloved Well Worn Paper using some of those colors, too. I decided to use the Glassy Embossing Technique (in the February 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, and on the Emboss or Die CD) on one of the designer papers, and use that as my base. I layered on the sentiment, papers and ribbon and didn't move the elements around too much:

Make sure to stop by the Stamping Queens blog to see the other creations this week!

I guess it is no longer Friday -- and I missed Blogger's Challenge a little -- but I can still play along! I have these wonderful stamps from Mark's Finest Papers, after all, and I just couldn't resist using them, since the theme was Falling for You.

My main image uses the Out of the Box Nesties Technique from the Emboss or Die CD, layered using the Stacked Nesties Technique from the October 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I just love this technique! It is so grand and it really sets off the main image.  Try it!

All of the stamps and paper used on this card are from Mark's Finest Papers. I love the fox peeking out -- just so sweet!. Don't forget that you can get 15% off anything in the MFP store, too, by using the code WEEKENDER. You will love all the new fall and winter sets!

You can still join in, too -- at least until Thursday -- by entering your Falling for You themed card. Play along!

I NEVER have a baby card ready when I need it. Ever. Nothing could have made me happier than this LNS Challenge! LNS 139 is Ohh Baby Baby! so I am happy to have made this for my stash (now I just hae to make one for a boy LOL).

I used the Out of the Box Nesties Technique from the Technique Junkie CD: Emboss or Die for my main image. I took my color inspiration from the Cheerful Treat DSP. Don't those dots work perfect with the balloon the elephant is holding? I colored the main piece with chalks, and added some pen work for whimsy. I also popped up a couple of the layers in back and front, they are a little hard to see from the photo, but fun to look at!

I hope you like it, and will play along!

As you read this, I am off to take my oldest son to college. It is a bittersweet time for me. I am thrilled that my son is starting a new chapter into adulthood, but melancholy about the big hole that he leaves in my heart because of his impending absence.

Millions of moms get over this every summer. I will too.

This card is dedicated to him. I used the Glassy Embossing Technique (on the Emboss or Die CD)  on the Well Worn Designer Paper and added other distressing touches to finish off the card.

In addition to the college orientation and drop-off, we are visiting my dad and dh's parents while we are south-bound.  I will have internet access on and off for the week and may check in from time to time. Any orders placed between now and August 25th will be processed upon my return.

White on white sounds so easy, doesn't it? It can be challenging to make something that has enough zing power so all of the white elements work together. Thank goodness for embossing machines!

Today's card also serves two purposes. First, it is for the Blogger's Challenge, in which we were challenged to use Embossing this week. The LNS 131 Challenge this week was to make a white-on-white card. My card serves two masters! A tutorial on White-on-White can be found on the Emboss or Die CD. 

To make this card, I used Stampin' Up's Blossom Petals punch on a sheet I had embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. I punched the petals and arranged the flower on a piece I had embossed using the  with the Designer Textured Frames embossing folder (this is a hidden gem in the new catalog!). I used the Blessings from Heaven stamp set for the greeting. The flowers were colored with White Smooch ink -- and they are heavenly in person. Oh -- I added the punch on the bottom, too -- thought it needed a final touch for balance.

I had a really hard time getting a good photo of this card -- it is so pretty in person, and nothing I did seemed to capture that. I hope you get the idea!

You can join in the Blogger's Challenge below -- just follow the links. Have a great weekend!

What to talk about first? I don't know which I more excited about! I went out for a few hours this afternoon, and the CD fairy delivered the first shipment of the Stampbooking CDs! I will work on stuffing the mailers, labeling, and applying postage this evening so that they are all winging their way to the folks who pre-ordered their copies. If you have not yet, you do order the Stampbooking: The Art of Using Rubber Stamps in your Scrapbooks HERE.

The June issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter was mailed yesterday, too, and the link to the issue is live. If you are a subscriber, you can access the online pages right now! Email me if you subscribe and need the password, or if you would LIKE to subscribe, do so HERE.

Finally, today is Blogger's Challenge Friday -- and it is about shimmer. My submission uses Glitter for my shimmer, and it is from a new technique from the June 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter called Glitter Roll. In addition, the LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH words are from an embossing folder that uses the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique  (From the Technique Junkie Newsletter Emboss or Die CD). You can, of course, play along with us on the BC Shimmer Challenge by adding your artwork to the hop list. And make sure you look at what the other ladies are doing, too!

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

 I recently acquired this gorgeous embossing folder from Stampin' Up! and it has quickly become one of my favorites. With this card I used the Pastel Painted Embossing Technique from the Technique Junkie Emboss or Die CD to color the embossed area. The stamp along the side is from I Brake for Stamps. The side view is here:

Have a great day!

The month of May brings big things...first, the Technique Junkie Newsletter is sponsoring the Gingersnap Creations Cowgirls and Cowboys Challenge this month. If you have not frequented the blog, go take a look -- we are sponsoring prizes all month there! One of the items we are giving away is the Emboss or Die CD. The card above uses the Faux Tooled Leather Technique from the CD. Other techniques used include the Out of the Box technique from October 2004 and the Torn Frames Technique from December 2008.  Stamps from Oxford Impressions.

The other Big Thing -- and this is a BIG THING -- is a new announcement I will be making on Saturday. Let's just say that making this announcement on National Scrapbooking Day is not a coincidence! You may have noticed that I have been a bit MIA for a while -- especially these past few months. You will know why on Saturday!

So Saddle up, partner! Take a look at the Gingersnap Creations blog (today features the work of some of the TJ designers!) and get ready for Saturday's big news.

I am sorry I have been MIA for a while. I am working on a big project (a new Cd) and it is consuming all of my time. I will be announcing it May 7th, so stay tuned! 

In the meantime, I thought I would post this little card for today. This card uses the Tye-Dyed Texture Technique from the Emboss or Die CD. I am sorry that the scan isn't great, but since I have already sent this to someone, it is the best I can do with it now.

Hope you're having a great week!

This is an example of Double Bugging, the TJ Newsletter Technique for Try that Technique Thursday.  I wanted to use two folders that were both very detailed since I usually gravitate toward the same two folders every other time I have done this technique. I love the way this turned out!

This technique is from the June 2009 issue of the TJ Newsletter, and can also be found on the Emboss or Die CD.

The image is from Inkadinkado. 

I Love Great Paper.  I think I need a button to wear on my chest with that saying!  Paper Temptress, our giveaway sponsor this week, is all about GREAT paper. I tend to horde it, but Patricia is trying to break me from that habit! It is a habit one lucky winner can break, too -- with the $25.00 gift certificate to Paper Temptress as our giveaway prize.

The card above uses Paper Temptress papers. The fun thing about this card is that the beautiful paper used for the teal and the orchid are the same paper! One side is teal, on orchid -- "blue ice" and grape" double sided paper. It is just luxuriously beautiful!

I used the Tissued Color Technique (February 2011 issue of the TJ Newsletter) and layered that on the Grape side of the paper, then layered that on the teal piece that was done using the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique (Emboss or Die CD). All-in-all a simple card, but Paper Temptress paper just makes it pop! Stamps: Close To My Heart, Embossing Folder: Stampin' Up!

Go take a look at the gorgeous papers on Paper Temptress' site and dream about what you would order -- and don't forget -- use TJ15 to take 15% off of your order, too.

To win the card and the $25.00 gift certificate, simply leave a comment on this message on my blog and make sure to leave me your email address. I will have my random number generator select a lucky winner on Monday, March 14th, at 9am.  Good luck!

I recently received this adorable stamp from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design (from the Elisabeth Bell Collection)  and thought it would make the cutest baby card. Blogger's Challenge this week is a color challenge- peach, white and green -- it was a perfect time to get it inky.

My baby is colored with Copic Markers, and was cut using the Out of the Box Nesties Technique (which can be found on the new Technique Junkies Emboss or Die CD. The background behind my flower baby uses the Pastel Painted Pigment Technique (also on the Emboss or Die CD). 

I am normally not a pastel-type of person -- I tend to like earth tones and jewel tones the best -- but I really love this little cutie. I think it is the SCACD stamp! It is a little sad, though, I just can't get the colors to turn out right on the screen. This card is soft, and sweet, and soothing, and it just doesn't look like that here -- but trust me on this!

Have a great weekend!