HOPPIN' DOWN THE BUNNY TRAIL WITH TECHNIQUE JUNKIES

Welcome to another fabulous new release hop with Technique Junkies! I am so excited to have you join us and to show you some of the great new stamps being released this month (click HERE to see all the stamps being released in April). All the new releases are on special until April 8th. You will save 15% (automatically applied at checkout) on the new releases, and if you use the code "TJ10Ro", you can save 10% on pretty much everything else! 

If you have arrived from the very creative Janelle Stolfuss, you are on the right track. If not, you may want to hop back to the BEGINNING so you don't miss any of the wonderful projects along the trail. So, let's get hopping!

First up is a really cool stamp called WILDFLOWERS.  This image was colored with colored pencils and Gamsol, and embellished using Nuvo Crystal Drops.

Next up is a super fun card featuring PARTY CHICKS (SET OF 12) and FRENCHIFIED CLOUDS. The sentiment is from the set FAIRY TALE FLOWERS (SET OF 5). I simply stamped the clouds background and then stamped the chicks where I wanted them. I then stamped the chicks again on a separate piece of cardstock, colored them with Zig Clean Color Markers, cut them out, and attached them over the stamped images.  Such a fun card!

This next card may just be my favorite in the release. "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. Now I am changing the things I cannot accept."  Wow! Don't you just love it? This set is called CHANGING THINGS. I simply stamped and embossed the image using Nuvo Embossing Powder, and used a die to cut it out. A couple more die cuts (the red corners) and some Nuvo Crystal Drops finished off this stunning card.

The next card is also from the set FAIRY TALE FLOWERS (SET OF 5).  I stamped the bird using my Misti and some Nuvo Glitter Markers. A couple of die cuts and a few sequins later, and we have a cute card ready to send.

My last card features two stamps: FAIRYTALE FLOWERS and SOUL TO DANCE. I stamped the flower background and colored it in using Zig Clean Color Markers. I then stamped the sentiment on a piece of vellum and attached that to the front of the background. I added a few sequins and some Nuvo Glimmer Drops to finish off the card.

Well, there you have it. Hope I was able to give you a little inspiration today. Remember, 15% off the new releases until April 8th. For anything else, use the code below (this is good any time, no expiration!).

Your next stop along the way is the talented Judy Jackson. I'm sure you're going to love what she has to share with you.

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

New Releases Deserve a Technique Junkies Blog Hop!

Technique Junkies has released their new March stamps and I cannot wait to share with you the fun cards I created using them. There are some great stamps in this release, and I'm sure you will find many of them to love. 

If you have arrived from Janelle, you are on the right track. If not, you'll want to start at the beginning so you don't miss any of the wonderful projects being shared by the Design Team! Also, until March 8th, you can save 15% on all the newly released stamps. No need for a code, it will automatically be applied at checkout. And on the rest of your order, save 10% by entering the code "TJ10Ro" at checkout. No expiration on that code!  Now let's get on with the card parade!

First up is a sweet card featuring Little Bunny and Wisdom of Oz. I am absolutely in love with this little bunny. And you will see I have used a couple of the Wisdom of Oz sentiments (there are 7!) on my cards. That set includes several memorable phrases from the movie!

For the next card, I stamped Big Butterfly Collage two times. Once on a panel with green embossing powder, and again on patterned paper, with black embossing powder, which I trimmed down to use only the butterflies. I love this set. It can be used for celebrations or sympathy, or even just because. I used deckle scissors to trim out the panel which was then mounted on a white card base.

This next card features some primary colors and the stamp Birthday Cat. The sentiment is from January's release, called Donuts Happy Birthday. I also used Calligraphy Loops for the background behind the cat. I had fun coloring this cat. And, FYI, there is a set called Mouse Birthday Party that would go with this kitty perfectly!

This next card uses two new stamps: Clouds and Wisdom of Oz.  Both sets just seemed to go together. The rainbow was freeform using watercolor pencils. The cloud was stamped with Versafine ink and chalked.

Next up features Perfect Atoms and a watercolored background. the image as colored using Zig Clear Color markers. This was a super fun card to do. And I love the bright, cheery birds in this stamp!

This next card features an image from the set Free Spirit. I stamped and embossed the image on white CS and mounted that on a blue panel. I watercolored a larger panel and used a die to cut out the shapes. That was then mounted on a blue panel and attached to the card base. I added a couple of feathers, and then mounted the stamped panel using foam tape.  I love the teal and purple colors!

Don't forget these great stamps are only on sale until March 8th (15% off). You can save 10% on any other items using the code below:

Your next stop along the hop is the very creative Judy. I'm sure you will love what she has to show you! Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

Happy Valentines Day!

I made a sweet little Valentines card today using some fun stamps from Technique Junkies! (You can save 10% on your order from them using the code TJ10Ro).  Here's the card:

The sets I used were:

• Vogue Kitty (a new release this month!)
• Love and Poison (set of 3)
• Love Complete

I started with a white card base and added a heart embossed panel. I stamped and fussy cut the kitty and the love potion bottle, and attached them to the card. I used Nuvo Glitter Pens for the bottle, the kitty's hat, and a few embossed hearts. I stamped and embossed the sentiment, trimmed it down and attached it to the card.

This card could be used for Valentine's Day or just to let someone know you love them. If you like any of these stamps, don't forget to save 10% by entering the code below:

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

FEBRUARY BLOG HOPPIN' WITH TECHNIQUE JUNKIES

Welcome stamping fanatics! It's February 1st, which means there is a brand new batch of stamps being released at Technique Junkies! I don't know about you, but every time there is a new release, I am inspired with new ideas and layouts! And I can't wait to share with you what I have!

But first things first...If you've arrived from Janell Stollfus, you are on the right track. If not, jump on back to the beginning (HERE), so you don't miss any of the good stuff!  Remember, all new releases are on sale until Febuary 8th. No need for a code...the 15% discount will automatically be applied at checkout! And you can save 10%* (see the badge on the right) on the rest of your cart by entering the code "TJ10Ro" at checkout.

Now, on to the hop!

I have several cards to share featuring some awesome and amazing stamp sets! I have indicated which stamp sets were used under each picture. New releases are in BOLD.

WHY FIT IN
This fun giraffe in goggles was fun to color and really stands out on this lighthearted card.

VOGUE KITTY
A tag on a card base worked perfectly for this very stylish pussy-cat.

DEFY AUTHORITY
The background for this fun card was done with the 
Almano Upper & Lower Alphabet with Numbers.
The image was colored using Spectrum Noir colored pencils.

VAN GOGH KITTY
I just loved coloring this awesome image. I googled Van Gogh and used his
painting for color inspiration. A label printed sentiment and some embellishments
finish off the card.

SOUL OF A GYPSY
This great sentiment stamp was heat embossed onto vellum.
The background was done with water colors in my favorite colors.

WISHLIST
I did a little surgery on this stamp set, which lists three "you's" under "Wishlist".
The vellum die cut jar holds the embossed and trimmed "you's".
I used one of the 5 stamps from Incrediball Labels for the front of the jar.

KEEP CHICKENS
This set of 13 stamps has chicks, chickens, eggs and phrases. Lots to choose from!
I used a die cut for the "fence" area of the background.

There are several more new sets in this release, as you may have seen along the hop. If you would like to see all the new releases, simply click on this link: FEBRUARY 2018. I hope I have provided some visual entertainment and piqued your creative spirit!

Remember....new release stamps are 15% off (automatically applied at checkout and only until February 8th) and all others are 10% off (good any time!) with the code below:

The TJ10Ro code can be used at any time throughout the year. No expiration!!

Your next stop on the hop will be Judy Jackson. I'm sure you are going to love what she has to share!

THIS JUST IN!!!  A special bundle is available with a super awesome deal! Purchase the Faith-Hope-Love Bundle which retails for $23.95 (and saves you over 10% off the combined price of the two sets), plus save an additional 15% until February 8th. After February 8th, you can still save 10% on this special bundle by using the code TJ10Ro! Here is the set:

FAITH HOPE LOVE BUNDLE

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

Alcohol Inked Foil

I had some inspiration to revisit a technique that has been around awhile called AI Foil. This technique was featured in the Technique Junkies Newsletter from August/September 2009. It's an oldie but a goodie. I made two cards from one small sheet of foil.

I love the way these cards turned out! Oh so shiny! Here's how they came together:

Start with a piece of cardstock (I cut mine to 4" x 5.25").
Cut a piece of aluminum foil (about 1-2" larger than the cardstock). 

Wrap the corners to the back first.

Finish folding the sides to the back. 

Place a few drops of the desired colors of alcohol ink on the dauber pad.

Begin "pouncing" the foil.

Continue until the entire panel is covered and let dry.

Place the inked panel in your embossing folder and run through your embossing machine.
I used an Anna Griffin folder here.

Here are the two panels I inked and embossed.
They are mounted on a cardstock mat.
The one on the right as a sheer iridescent ribbon wrapped around it.

Once you have your panels completed you can continue to assemble and decorate the cards as desired.  Here are the two cards all finished:

You can really see the beautiful detail in these cards. Here is an even closer view:

The stamps I used for these cards were: Too Many Options, Wings Quotes and Dragonfly. The sentiments were embossed in black, and the dragonfly was embossed with an iridescent powder.

If you would like to see the original instructions on this technique, you can read it here: AI Foil Technique. If you like the stamps I've used, you can save 10% on these (and many other!) by using the code below:

Just because a technique has been around awhile, don't let it stop you from giving it a try and putting your own spin on it. I hope I've inspired you to give this one a try!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

Happy New Year Blog Hop!!

It's a brand spankin' new year! Welcome to 2018, Junkies fans! With a new year brings a new blog hop for Technique Junkies! I am so happy to share these projects with you! There are some fun new stamps this month, I'm sure you will enjoy! Let's get started!

If you've arrived from Janell Stollfus,  you are on the right track. If not, jump on back to the beginning (HERE), so you don't miss any of the good stuff!  Remember, all new releases are on sale until January 8th. No need for a code...the 15% discount will automatically be applied at checkout! And you can save 10%* (see the badge on the right) on the rest of your cart by entering the code "TJ10Ro" at checkout.

Let's kick off with "I Woof You." What a great stamp for Valentines, Anniversaries, BFF's, etc. Don't you just love that adorable lil face?

Next up is another super adorable card using the set, "I've Had My Coffee." This card also has a couple of coffee-related stamps from TJ:  Coffee Kitty, Coffee Gauge, and Coffee Barcode. You'll notice Coffee Gauge and Coffee Barcode are very lightly stamped on the top of the card behind the sentiment. And Coffee Kitty...what a perfect complement to the sentiment!

The next two cards feature sentiments from "Butter My Butt." There are eight stamps in this set! You're sure to find sentiments to tickle your funny bone in this great new set! The first one showcases "Kitty Duo." So stinkin' cute!

And the second card uses another sentiment from the set and is accompanied by "Doo Rag Kitty." Just too much fun!

Now we have a super fun birthday card using the set, "Birthdays and Donuts." If you look closely, you can see that the donuts have been "shined up" to give them a yummy, glazed look.

And last, but definitely not least, this card features two new sets: Love Harlequin (the background), and Truly Madly Deeply. 

There are so many fun stamps in this release. Make sure you visit all the Design Team blogs so you don't miss any of the good stuff!  Your next stop will be Judy Jackson. I'm sure you will love her projects! 

And don't forget...save 15% until January 8th on the new releases, and 10% all the time on the rest using the code below:

Happy New Year! And enjoy the rest of the hop!!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!