Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Today is Christmas and the day when I get to offer you a present!!  The card below was made using the awesome technique called Marvelous Marque from the new Motion CD from Technique Junkies.  AND.....today you get a chance to win this CD.  Especially for those ladies who really wanted it for Christmas but didn't get it!  ;-)  Please make a comment on THIS post to be eligible.  I will give the CD away next Saturday, January 1st, at 12:00 noon PT.  Good Luck from all of you. 

Win a Cricut!

I've been following a great 12 days of Christmas giveway at SVG Cuts.  If you have a Cricut, you may want to sign up for this giveway!!  They will be giving away a Cricut Personal.  Here is the link:

http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=8033

A little fun

Here is a link to a great giveaway for those of you who have a Cricut and the SCAL2 program!!

http://svgcuts.com/blog/?p=7764

Just a little tease!

The December Technique Junkie newsletter is coming out soon!!  (Not mailed yet but soon......)  So, here is just a little teaser for you.  This is called the foiled stencil technique.  The results on this are quite stunning. 

We had a great Thanksgiving in Bend.  Went Black Friday shopping with my girls.  We had a TON of fun.  Instead of getting up at 4am.....we just stayed up!!  Some of the sales were staring at midnight so we just stayed up all night and got home at 10am.  Crazy but crazy fun!!  Maybe more stories later.

Wednesday is the big day!

Wednesday will be the start of my yearly card sale.  If you live in the area, you are more than welcome to come.  Send me your e-mail and I'll e-mail you the flyer with directions and hours.  I'll be open until Sat.


I'm finishing up an awesome exploding surprise box that I learned from a friend at our beach retreat.  I'll try to post pics soon.  I also made six of the awesome card boxes that have all kinds of goodies inside.  Pics below.

Hope to see you!

Silent but not Quiet!

I've been pretty silent on my blog but I certainly haven't been quiet at home!  I've been frantically working on items for my once a year card sale that I have in my home.  I just finished these fun little gift card holders.  Each one has a decorated paper on the inside as well that is a different pattern.  So easy to make and great for those smaller scraps of paper that you accumulate.

Marvelous Marque from the new CD!

Here is a card I made from one of the technqiue from the new Motion CD mentioned below.  The technique is called Marvelous Marque.  It is really fun to make and the results are surprising!  The "joy" on the first photo is pulled apart when you open the card to reveal the image below.  So fun!! 

Have you ordered your CD yet?  The price is wonderful for the number of techniques you get!!

I know that at least one of you have ordered it!  Give a comment if you did!

THIS is an awesome box........

I just got an e-mail from my friend, Pat Huntoon, showing another cool example of what is in the new Motion CD (you can click on the PayPal button to the right to pre-order).  I loved the box shown so much and want you to see it....it is really awesome!!  Sounds like she will be an an upcoming show with a class on this box as well......in the NY area!  Wish I was closer!!

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I love this Stationery Box. It is remarkable easy to make -- a few pieces of paper, a few cuts, a few folds...and viola! When closed the box is pretty enough, but when opened...it fits cards, envelopes, tags, a little notebook, a pen, stamps, and little note cards, too. It is a gorgeous little package of delight! This box is found on the Fancy Folds and Motion CD, which is available for pre-order now though the link at the end of this post. The CD has step-by-step directions to make the box, with pictures for each step -- all in a printable pdf format, making it simple for you to follow the directions. There are 60 projects on the CD in the same format! But wait -- there's more! I am exhibiting and demoing at the Greater New York Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Show in Smithtown Long Island on November 6th. As part of that, I am teaching a class on how to make this exact box! If you are interested in attending the show and/or signing up for the class, I encourage you to visit http://stampsmith.net/newyorkshow.htm for full details. I would love to have you join me! I am fortunate to have Donna Duquette joining me at the show. She and I will be demoing several of the new Fold/Motion cards that are on the CD. Come by and meet us! If you would like to pre-order the Fancy Folds and Motion CD, which ships in November, simply click the link on the side bar: I will be posting new artwork from the CD all month long...make sure to order yours!

OH MY GOODNESS!!

THIS sounds like the coolest CD!!  See the ad below!!  I'm getting one.......;-)  I can't think of a better gift for a crafting friend or relative than this.  Wouldn't it make an awesome, wonderful gift or even a stocking stuffer!

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I (Pat Huntoon) am thrilled to announce a brand new product from the Technique Junkie Newsletter:

The Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD! This CD contains 60 Tutorials for all things folded and motion-related. There are 30 Brand new tutorials on this CD, and 30 from the TJ archives. All of the tutorials are in step-by-step pictorial format, and are printable to 8-1/2" x 11" paper. Everything on this CD folds or moves! Of course, there are explicit directions for each tutorial...and fabulous examples from the TJ Design Team. This new CD will ship in November.

Here is a preview of one of the cards -- a Tall Graduated Accordion Card -- on the CD:

The CD is $17.95 for US and Canadian Residents (Overseas, $19.95US). Pre-orders start TODAY!

Email me for an invoice or send a check to me at::

Pat Huntoon

Technique Junkie Newsletter

PO Box 16547

Stamford CT 06905

Let's get FANCY!

I have included the PayPal link for this CD on my right hand column!! 

So excited!!

THIS is the cover of the magazine that I have some art published in!!  I was very excited when they contacted me to do a journal and card set early this summer.  Onyx Expressions provided the stamp for us and we were to create!  I used the Faux Designer Paper technique from the Technique Junkies newsletter for the background of the journal and the card.  There are a lot of great card pieces in this issue and Lisa Sommerville from our Technique Junkie group is in there as well.  You might consider grabbing a copy.  It will be on the shelves around the 12th of October.

Below is a picture of the journal that I submitted.  The card used the same image and background.  It is hard to see on this small picture but I cut out and bumped up the socks, chair and Santa to give it more interest.  I used a punch for the snowflakes.  The base is one of those inexpensive journals from the school supply section of most stores.

Here is a little blurb from Crafts N Things to give you a teaser of what is in this issue:

Let Crafts 'n things® show you how to make the 2010 holiday season your creative best! Hand-crafted holiday cards and gifts, quick-and-clever ornaments and dazzling décor ideas abound in the December issue. Check out the Budget-Savvy Gifts section for a dozen handmade gift ideas that fit your budget and don't scrimp on style. You don't need to spend a fortune to make your loved ones feel treasured! Be sure to say "hello" to some of our cutest Christmas friends ever, including a houndstooth holiday bear, recycled sock penguins, festive snowmen to sculpt, stitch or sew, and, of course, a jolly St. Nick or two. Go directly to the top of Santa's "Nice List" when you give homemade decadent treats -- from heavenly cappuccino truffles to beautifully packaged chocolate chip banana bread, every morsel packs a dollop of holiday happiness. Love decorating for the holidays? Discover the secrets to creating sophisticated holiday décor on a shoestring, then invite the girls over for a special night of Christmas cookie painting in our Girls' Night In spectacular. Creativity and food -- who can beat that?! New this year, don't miss our special 30-Minute Ornaments showcase. Whatever your style, you're sure to find at least one special addition for your tree. Happy Holidays!

AND THE WINNER IS............

Sorry to be late........I was called away unexpectedly by my DH to help haul a club trailer back to our house.


I must say that I have really enjoyed see where you are all from.  For those of you who lived in Ohio.....I used to live in Carey!  The small metropolis of about 2700 people, just 20 miles east of Findlay.    For those of you who lived in Colorado.....I used to live in Aspen for my 8th grade through High School years.  For those of you who live in Oregon......I'm in Oregon City!!

Now on to the winner........
I punched in the numbers online and the winner was......

 

That lucky number belongs to:  Diana Becker!!  Congrats to you!!!!  Please e-mail me through this blog to give me your address!

Diana Becker said...

What a great blog give away - I live in Florida - in the USA - Didia B

September 30, 2010 8:33 PM 

 

 

Tomorrow is the big day!!

If you haven't made a comment on last Thursday's post NOW is the time to do it.  I'll be closing the voting at noon Pacific Time and announcing the winner.  Remember to make your comment on that post NOT this one!!  ;-)

Free CD!!!

Well......it is THAT time of year again!!!   I have ONE free Technique Junkie CD to give away to one of you!!  This is the BRAND NEW CD8!!  Hot off the press! 

You will need to leave me a comment on THIS post.  This time, I would like you to tell me what state/country  you live in!!   This offer is for Internationals as well!!

I will announce the winner on October  6th.  That is only 6 days away!  Tell your friends!!

Stoned cowboy!

Well.........he isn't actually stoned!  Hee hee!!  The technique I used on this card is called Polished Stone through the Window.  I really love the way this cowboy stamp comes out with this technique.  I also used torn frames around the sentiment.  That cowboy, by the way, is from www.Rubberstampave.com.    The owner, Kathy, has absolutely awesome cowboy stamps.  This cowboy has always been my favorite for this technique.

When you read this post, I'll be at the end of a week long stamping retreat at the beach!  I know I'll be in 7th heaven.  My hubby, however, probably isn't.  He wasn't too thrilled about me being gone a whole week.  I'm coming home soon honey!!

Breauna's Birthday Card

Here is the card that I made for my granddaughter, Breauna.  She will turn 8 tomorrow.  She is becoming a beautiful grownup girl and I'm proud to be her grandma.  I watched her the first four years of her life and we do have a special bond.  She is also very loving......my huggy girl!  She is going to have a Hawaiian theme for her birthday and although this isn't a Hawaiian image, I thought that the colors and flower background would suffice.  The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil and is colored with Copic Markers.  The words are from Stampin Up.  I used the Technique Junkie technique of Wisped Frames and Out of the Box for this card.  The frames are somewhat hard to see.....but there are there.  I really needed my W1 pen for the mouse's face but that darn pen seems to be missing and that surely distresses me!!  I did mount the sentiment and the mouse up a layer with foam tape.   Hope you enjoy!!

It's CD Time Again!

Below are details about the upcoming Technique Junkie CD!  Please read below!

If you have enjoyed the techniques that I have shared on my blog then you would really love what is on the CD!

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It's time for CD8 – Have YOU ordered yours yet?

Each year the Technique Junkie Newsletter tutorials are compiled onto a CD with 10 additional bonus techniques. They are reformatted as pdfs for easy printing and screen reading. The Eighth edition CD has 100 tutorials on it!

Click Here for an example of what the tutorials on the CD look like.

100 tutorials in that format – to access, view and/or print whenever you want. It’s a great value!

The 8th Edition CD is available right now for pre-order for $19.95 for non-subscriber US residents (Canadian and overseas, add postage). The CD is $14.95 for Subscribers ($15.95 for Canadians, and $16.905 for overseas residents).

Want to subscribe or renew? One year subscription or renewal with the CD is $29.95. A one year subscription is $16.95 ($18.95 Canadian, $22.95 Overseas).  Prices valid through 12-01-10.

Simply email me for an invoice or send a check to me to the address below. Thank you!!

Pat Huntoon

www.techniquejunkies.com

PO Box 16547

Stamford CT 06905

Leveling Up........

Sometimes I wish camera were more like the naked eye.  I have lots of layers on this but it surely is hard to tell in the photo!!  The layering technique is called Leveling Up and is one of the techniques in the August Technique Junkie Newsletter.  The background (black and gold) is also a TJ technique but in my haste to get this post done, I don't have time to look the name of it up.  I used black glossy paper and Lumiere paint to create it.  I used a piece just like this on a tiger card that was published last year in RubberStampMadness magazine. 

The image on this card has such rich colors......I really love it.  It is from a collage sheet from a company called Twisted Papers.  Their images are all digital and oh so easy to use.  I printed this particular image off three times.  Once a little larger than the other two for the bottom layer of the image.  Then I cut the cob and the husks off one layer and mounted them on the last layer to give a 3-dimensional look.  In real life it is just beautiful!! I added a little copper yarn fiber to give it a little sparkle.  I hope that you like it too.

Now for a long overdue car accident report:
I am STILL going in for treatments from our car accident.  My shoulder is almost 90%.  I can move it pretty good now.......just a little tight towards the end of the movement.  My bulging disc is causing a little more problems than I would like.  The physical therapy didn't seem to be doing any good.  In fact, I think I can say that I think it was doing more harm than good.  So.......the PT was deleted from the treatment plan and acupuncture was added.  I was a little scared to do it because I thought it would be really painful.  BUT I was sooooooo wrong.  I rather like it!  I think that it is helping....at least a lot more than the PT was!!  AND I also had Spinal Decompression added to my treatment plan.  This is a unit that provides a type of traction on the affected discs.  Way different than just plain traction though.  You can see the unit and how it works on my chiropractor's site:  http://hilltophealth.com/index.php    This is not my regular chiropractor, whom I really love.  I would have rather had my adjustments by her and the SpineMed by the other doctor but it had something to do with the insurance coding that prevented it.  I've had two treatments with the SpineMed so far.   There wasn't any soreness after the first one but I was sore after the second one as the poundage was increased about 10% from the time before.  One of these days I hope that I can say that I can feel my toes again!     

On another side note:  I went in to the Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute to see if the floater in my eye would be blast-able (is that a word?).  Unfortunately, it seems that the floater is too close to my retina so the irritation of the floater being right in the middle of my vision will stay.   They did offer a solution......they take out all the vitreous and replace it with a man-made material.  Uh.......I don't think so!!!!  Maybe God has something special planned for it!  Hmmmmm............      They also did a Glare test to see how much the slowly growing cataracts are affecting my night vision.  If my eyes measure at 20/50 then the insurance would pay for the cataract surgery.  My left eye is at 20/50 but my right eye is at 20/40 so nothing for me yet.  Maybe in another couple of years. 

Now......let's make it just a little longer of a post!  ;-)  Just after the 4th of July we made a big change in our family room.  Well......at least it was big for us!!  We took down the 20 year old 'college' plank and decorative cinder block bookshelves and replaced them with real ones!  Then as the old ones came down, it was obvious that the back wall should be painted.  I hired my son-in-law (who needed some work) and we painted it a gold color.  Well......I really like it.....it matches some of my painting really well.  Ray, on the other hand........hates it.  I told him that if he really didn't like it after a year that he could take down everything, unload the bookshelves and repaint it white.  ;-)

Acrylic Embossed Leaves

The leaves aren't embossed but the background is!!  Isn't it funny how sometimes you struggle with a card and just can't get something right on it?  Either the color of the paper or the layout.  THIS card just fell together like the background was made for the stamp.  It felt good to have 'Mojo" on my side today!  The leaves are by Hero Arts.  I used the TJ technique called copic expressions to stamp it and just love the mottled look that you get.  It was originally white on the background of the stamped leaves......I thought it looked too bright so I brayered a real light yellow over it to tone it down.  Then I left the sentiment white so that it would stand out.  The colors of paint that I used on the background piece were yellow, green and brown but it sure looks like I used orange BUT I didn't!  I love the pattern in the paint, don't you?  The "hello" stamp is from the $1 bin at Michaels. 

Stoned Butterfly

Okay, okay......it's not what you think!!  This beautiful butterfly and sentiment from Sweet N Sassy Stamps (which I LOVE by the way) is sitting on top of a background piece using a technique called Spritzed stone.  It is a technique from the Technique Junkie December 09 newsletter.  The butterfly was just perfect to use the blending technique for copics.  It is very hard to blend colors that aren't in the same color family.  I didn't try to work it too hard for the blending as the feathered strokes were okay for the butterfly.  I like this image so much for this technique that I think I'll stamp it into my manual for my class coming up in September.    If you click on the Sweet N Sassy button on your right you get to the site where you can purchase this set.  It also has another butterfly in the set as well as several other sayings.

Sneak Peak for Technique Junkie newsletter

Today is your sneak peak for a new technique from the upcoming August Technique Junkiie newsletter.  It is called worn wallpaper and is really easy to do.  How?....Well, THAT is one of the privileges of being a subscriber to the TJ newsletter.  The newsletter is sooooo affordable.  Only $18/ year.  That's only $3 an issue.  When I first started, I thought I'd just try a 6 month subscription....heck.....$9 wouldn't be too much to see if I liked something.  After the very first issue, I was hooked and promptly renewed for the rest of the year and purchased the back CD's as well.  I've NEVER been unhappy about that decision.  There are over 500 techniques in the back CD's which can be purchased by themselves!!

The layout and idea for this card came from one that I received from a friend, Betty Wynn.  Thank you Betty for the inspiration!!

A little polish for a friend.

My friend will be 50 soon.  Her sister-in-law is having a surprize party for her tonight so I made this card for her.  The SIL said that the party colors were Magenta so I married black with it and voila!  I do love the dots on black that Markie's mom (Faith) does so I used that idea for this card.  The flower was stamped on vellum paper.  The vellum used a technique from the Technique Junkie newsletter called Polished Vellum.  I added a little sparkle with my Spica pens as well.  Then popped the flower up with a couple of punched flower shapes.   The butterfly has Spica sparkle too and was bumped up with foam tape.    In retrospect, I could have gone with a slightly smaller card but oh well!!  I hope that she likes it!

Crazy little toes!

Well, the toes on this card aren't really all that crazy, but the weeks leading up to it have been!!  I made this card for my daughter-in-law's sister's baby shower.  She will be having a baby in about three weeks.  It is her first baby at age 36 and they have been trying for many, many years!!  This little girl will be terribly loved!!  Mommy chose dark brown with pink highlights as her favorite colors for the little yet-to-be-named girl.  Mommy also loves butterflies.......this the card you see!  I used a technique from the Technique Junkie newsletter called Mono dies. 

I really could have used more dies on the card but I was just out of time.  Why?.....might you ask.......would I be so short on time?  Well..........a week from tomorrow is the big car cruise-in my car club hosts.  I have been up to my ears in the planning for it as well as the design for the T-shirt.  In between soliciting for raffle items, working on the computer for forms,  running here and there to finish tasks, and generally being crazy

I had to design the T-shirt.  We are having a Construction theme this year for the cruise-in since the grocery store that has sponsored us for 9 years is being torn down and replaced with a different store.  We thought it was the perfect time to have a Construction theme. I found the cool backhoe clipart online but the person using it said it was from an old clipart collection and he didn't know where.  The original artwork was too small so I had to completely redo it by tracing and coloring in with Paint Shop Pro.   Each participant will receive a small 'toy' hard hat when they enter.  Our food vendor, The Hard Hat Cafe, will have great themed foods and we even have a few games planned with construction themes.  So.......you can now see why my blog posts have suffered the last month!!  Hopefully, after next Sunday, life will return to a more hectic normal than now!

Accident Update:  Well.......I'm STILL going to the chriopractor, getting massages, and seeing the physical therapist for my lower back (a bulging disc).  I am very weary of this!!  I know that it takes time to heal this type of thing but it is wearing just the same.  I seem to be doing nothing but going to the doctor all the time.  Sometimes I have feeling in my toes in the morning but it seems to quickly disappear after I get up.  Sometimes my siatic nerve bothers me too.  I felt I was on a good road to recovery until we went to Oklahoma for the Shelby Mid-America meet mid June.  The last evening we were on vacation visiting my step mom in Tahlequah, I twisted to one side to look up at her and felt something weird.  I said to myself, "Hmmm.......I don't want to do that again!"  The next morning I couldn't get out of bed.  My low back was absolutely frozen.  I ended up seeing a chiropractor locally.  It was the only way I made it flying that evening.  Lots of pain.  Still some pain but it is almost back to where I was before I left on vacation.  Sheesh!  I'm soooo ready to be done with this!!

A Post!!!

It has been WAY too long since I've posted anything to my blog.  Life has been  fast and furious around here.  I'm running so hard trying to meet deadlines that I can see my behind in front of me!!  Hee Hee...

Father's Day is coming up and here is the card I did for my Father-in-law.  He is the only daddy I have left and he is very dear to me!  Since I recently went to the Michelle Zindorf class, I wanted to do SOMETHING with what I learned.  Ray's dad likes to hunt and this set that I got in the class was just perfect for him!!  I did the brayering perfect.........all THREE times that I had to make that little oval.  The first time I tried to stamp the grass and tree leaves while the die was in place.......bad decision.  Didn't work for me.  Then I tried using a mask and it didn't work for me either.  So, Third time is the charm, right?  Instead of trying to stamp the grass and tree leaves, I just drew them in.  I used the same idea as the stamp I was trying to use.  The copic multiliners are so wonderful for this purpose.  I used the .03 and the .2 ones and the thin lines you can get are awesome. 

The background is a super cool technique from the the TJ newsletter called Antique Wallpaper.  So easy and the results are always wonderful.  That's my kind of technique!!  Hope it inspires you to get busy and get a card done for your favorite daddy!

Charlotte and Ann update: 
I'm really tired of going to the chiropractor.  I'm down to twice a week now seeing the chiro along with a massage that same day.  The Chiropractor deleted one of her visits and added one from the physical therapist.  We are hoping that the PT can add in some exercises that will help my bulging disc and in turn get some feeling into my toes.  I'm slowing feeling better though!  Now for my mom's progress.  She saw her new doctor about a week ago.  The doctor seems nice and she is supportive of holistic treatments which pleases mom.  She changed mom's BP meds and they seem to be doing much better than the diruetics which were making her dizzy.  We see her again on Monday.

A quick one!

Hope you are having a great weekend? Mine will be full of rain. Which isn't entirely a bad thing......that means I'll have time to stamp!! I actually totally spaced that I needed to have this card done for the Technique Junkie blog and ran downstairs last night after our family left. Had this card done in a jiffy. The background is called Brayered impressions from the Dec 09 newsletter. I submitted the technique but I don't think I was the first to really think of it! It is so fast and fun. 

Mom Update:  Mom got a prescription from the ER doctor and has an appointment to see her new doctor in about 12 days or so.   I'm sure she will want to pursue natural treatments once her BP is controlled with meds.  I know she really doesn't want to take the meds!  Can't blame her for that.  I tried natural stuff but it didn't seem to help me.

Accident update on me.........had an MRI on Thursday and Dr. shared the results with me at my appointment on Friday.  Yes......this is a disc bulging and that is why my toes are numb.  The real question is whether it was caused by the accident or not.  I'd say that my toes didn't have issues before the accident so it at least aggrevated any problem I may have had if it didn't cause it to begin with.  Chiropractor said that she may add PT into my treatment plan. 

All the kids came over tonight to celebrate my 57th bday!  Got some mad money, a certificate for a pedicure, and a insulated cookie sheet (I needed that!).  Thank you all!  {Mwah!}

Mom Update

Mom did decide she would do the BP meds and we have a GP appointment in two weeks.  I hope things start getting back to normal.

Had a nice birthday today........, appointment in the morning and MRI at noon for my back, piano lesson in the afternoon, rhododendron society meeting where I gave out the trophy award certificates in the evening.  My kids will be coming over tomorrow night.  My daughter=in-law had three of the youngest grandkids do a birthday video for me.....so sweet.  It is on my facebook page!

I'm hoping to get some stamping done tomorrow!

ER & Mom

Took my mom to ER last night. She came upstairs and said that she felt weird.  As she was standing at her microwave drying flowers in her Microfleur, she said that her vision was blurry and white.  Her ears were sensitive to noise, she even was holding her hands over her ears because the piano I was playing seemed too loud.  General weakness.  I had asked her to smile and nothing looked crooked (like a stroke).  She was having trouble coming up with words to items she knew (like 'microwave').  Decided to take her BP and it was 210/94.  That's when we decided to take her into ER. Got there at 8pm and got home at 2:30am.  I am so pooped.....Zander arrived at 8am so I'm running low on energy for watching my sweet 'almost 2 year old' grandson.  The doctor did an EKG, CAT scan, Ultrasound on her carotids, and blood work.  After waiting (soooooooo boring) all the test came back okay.  Diagnosis.....TIA's.  Take a full aspirin each day and get on BP meds.  My mother does NOT want to do the BP meds.  Most all meds give her some kind of bad reaction and she is fearful of starting some.  I hope she can make a good decision about BP meds.....I'd like to have her around for a long time.

A Zindorfian time!

This last Saturday I was priviledged to take the Beginning and Advanced Classes from Michelle Zindorf.  I had a wonderful time with sevearl local friends.  Met some more local ladies there as well.  Yeah!  Now I finally know how to brayer without those pesky lines on my work.  Thanks so much, Michelle, for your tutoring.  Here is a picture of most of us.  This picture is missing several of our members though....a mother/daughter team.  I hope that you'll see some Zindorfian work in the future.  I told Michelle that her last name lent itself to saying that much more than mine.  Zindorfian......sounds fun.  Clackian....not so much!  BTW.....that's me next to Michelle.....I'm the one with the white hair!

A fun one for a friend

An older lady at church normally gets cards from me at my yearly card sale.   But last week at church she came to me with a special request.  A funny card for a 70 year old man.  Hmmmm..........well......I happened onto the Sketch challenge over at Hogs & Sketches (by Hambo Stamps) and I decided that I would participate.  THEN I saw the card that Monica (one of Hambo's owners) made.  Her sentiment was just perfect for an older man so I decided to use it with a little tweak of my own.  Since I was using the freebie bongo Henry, the sentiment had to reflect him!  The inside of the card says  "Old!"  ALSO, stolen from Monica.  Thanks Monica for your inspiration!  Henry is colored with copic markers.  The 70 was hand drawn and colored in.  I only had a quickly hand drawn sketch of this week's sketch.......I guess I reversed the sizes of the small circles......sorry!

Nope......I haven't fallen off!

It has been so long since I posted on my blog, I bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth!  Nope....just terribly busy!  Here is the card that I made for my Mother for Mother's Day.  It uses the Masked Spellbinders technique from the April 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. 

Today I received a card in the mail from Cathy Yamashita and it was just beautiful.  It inspired me to create this card.....since I didn't have it done yet!  The stamps are from Stamp Camp and Hero Arts.  The inside over flowers are colored with copic markers. 

When I stamped the sentiment, it marked where it shouldn't have....drat!!  So, I decided to cover up the mistake by drawing the rosebud.   When problems like that happen, try to cover them up in a creative way. 

The bird is cut out and mounted with foam tape.  The green layer is lighter in real life.  The lighting really did funny things to it.  My overhead light also illuminated the pearls.  They don't really shine like that!!

This will be a busy weekend........ Ray and I will be working at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden all weekend.  He helps with judging and recording and later plant sales.  I am in charge of the trophies, their purchase and display, as well as the judging process to award them. 

This has been a good week for me.  I've felt the best I have since the accident.  A general feeling of well being.  The shoulders are still a little tight but the hip is hurting less.  The toes are still numb but I think they are getting a little better too.  Yeah!!

Don't you wonder too?

So........as I have been looking at the Feedjit at where the different people are from that visit my blog, I notice some fun places and wonder, "Just who are they?"

Someone from Perth, Western Australia, visits often.....I wonder if I know them? 

How about the people from Oregon or the people from Ohio?  I've lived in Ohio in a tiny town called Carey until I was 13 and still have a soft spot in my heart for Carey.  I see people from Billings, Montana and wonder if they know my daughter's in-laws, the Zagels.

Did you arrive from a foreign country?  I'd love to know how your found me and who you are!  ;-)

Okay.....I'm done......going off to stamp!

Sanded to perfection!

I wanted to do something simple today.....well.....at least it was supposed to be simple and fast.   I ended up making about 4 of there flowers to finally get the one that was the color I wanted....sheesh!  This flower was in the e-newsletter from Splitcoaststampers this last Wednesday.  Instead of spritzing the flower with my color (which was too dark for me) I just rubbed the flower on the stamp pad instead.  The background behind the flower is Technique Junkies technique called Sanded Cordinations.  I had gone to the local stamp store and they had a gazillion colors of this cool paper.  I didn't have ribbon to match this color so I used white ribbon and colored it with my copic markers.  The only thing I don't like about doing that is that the ribbon is a little stiff when you are done.

Accident update:  Still waiting for the car....hopefully tomorrow!  Still seeing the chiropractor and massage therapist but this week I'm finally starting to feel a little better!

Spritzed Stone Turtle

Isn't this turtle just darling?  This image is from Dustin Pike and is colored with copic markers.  I've had such fun with his images.  You can see them on his blog:  http://www.dustinpike.blogspot.com/  He sells many of his designs but some are available for free too!  The mottled background behind the image is a Technique Junkie technique called Spritzed Stone from the December 2009 newsletter.  Super easy to do.  I chose the light application method so I could get some mottling.  Hope you enjoy it!

Now for the accident update........well.....we are supposed to have our car back sometime this week.  No word from the shop on Friday so now it will be next week!.

Still seeing the chiropractor and getting massages and slowly getting better! 

So....................as my grandson, Zander, says when he is saying goodbye.......C'Ya!  ;-)

Going Gray is great!

Well.....if you know me then you may think that the title of today's post would have something to do with my hair.......BUT.....you're wrong!!  ;-)  Hee Hee!  Today's card was made using a stamp from I Brake For Stamps that I've had for a while and hadn't seen ink.  I was having a hard time making this collage stamp look the way I wanted.  THEN I decided that I would stamp it with SU's Going Gray stamp pad and color it in from there.  I really love the look......very subtle with a very different look.  The image was colored using the Pencil over Marker technique from the Technique Junkie newsletter.  After I colored the image I went through my background stash and found this piece of Veined Marble (another TJ technique) that was just the perfect color!  I added some purple rhinestones that were round.  Got them on a rhinestone sheet from Hero Arts.  Funny how they caught the light in the photo.  They really aren't that bright!!  Hope you enjoy!!

Party Mouse

When I saw this little mouse in a set at the Crafty Secrets booth at the Portland Rubber Stamp Convention, I just had to have it.  I saw it last year and didn't get it so.........when I saw it again I decided not to pass it up this time!  The background on the card is a technique from Technique Junkies called Spritzed Stone.  The colors on the BG are very subtle.  I also embossed it and rubbed a little color over the top.  The mouse is colored with copics.  I also used the "out of the box" technique with my spellbinder label die.  The color of the ribbon really came out quite odd in the picture.....it really matches much better than it looks!!

Hope you like it!

Sounds like our car should be ready by Friday....we'll see! 

A Bird in the Hand......

This card is appearing on the Technique Junkie Blog this weekend as well!  When I first saw this stamp at the recent Rubber Stamp convention in Portland, I knew I had to have it and I knew what I wanted to do with it!   I colored it with copic markers.....twice.....cutting the bird body out to layer.  Then I decided that I wanted to try out my Ranger Crackle glue.  Looks and dries like diamond glaze but it cracks on its own.  I had the pieces already cut out and applied the Crackle.  I had lightly taped to my work space so they wouldn't walk away!  When I cam back in the morning.......eeeeeeeek!!!!!!!.......both pieces had curled into little cylinders.  So I moistened the back and press them with an iron to flatten them back outl.  It only kind of worked.  I used my Xyron to put adhesive over the entire back of the base piece to make it lay flat on the card...sheesh!  Maybe next time I'll just just a little less of the Crackle.  The background behind the bird layer is a Technique Junkie technique called Dabbed Shimmers.  Such an easy technique and the results are sooooo glimmery.  To the real eye, the BG looks very dark brown until you tilt it.  I dug out my letter brads and colored them with my copic markers to match them to the background better.  That purple shimmery paper is from Paper Temptress.  It is wonderfully heavy and was perfect for this card!  You can see the beautiful shimmer on the background and the purple paper as well as the crackle on the close-up.  I hope you enjoy!

Accident update:  Ended up seeing the chiropractor four times this last week with two massages.  Yesterday I felt so good, I thought that my treatment would be shorter than planned.  Then, this morning....UGH! .....I was so stiff and sore when I got out of bed.  My three last toes on my right leg are asleep and the muscle going up the side of the leg from the ankle kept cramping.  Can't wait until some of the inflammation goes down.  I love the massages but don't recommend getting into an accident to get them!!  The car won't be totaled....$5,500 in damages and we should have it back in two weeks or so.  We'll have to purchase two new tires though.  The one that got hit needs to be replaced and there was only 37% tread left so they will only pay that much.  That's okay....BUT you really need to put two tires on and not one new and one old.  So off to Costco to get a couple of tires today.

Easter Goodies

Here are the Easter goodies I made for my grandchildren.  The little nuggets with the Easter bunny faces were an idea I originally got from my friend, Judy.  The bunny face was an idea originally from my friend, Cindy!  Thanks guys for the inspiration.  I put Cindy's bunny face on a box I made with Cardstock and voila!  A cute (really inexpensive) Easter Basket!  I hope you enjoy them and it inspires you to create some yourself........for next year!!

Below is the card that I made for my granddaughters.  I posted the same image several weeks back.  THAT card was for my grandson.  I already had the image colored up so quickly made it into a card.  It has two techniques on it.....marker tapping and out of the box.  There were techniques from the Technique Junkie newsletter.  Marker Tapping was a technique I had submitted.  ;-)  The image is from Dustin Pike and is colored with copic markers.

Car wreck update:  My DH is not complaining....don't know if that means he is trying to be a guy or really isn't bothered.  Me, on the otherhand........My neck, hip, and a little on one hand and knee are bothering me.  Seeing the chiropractor and getting adjusted along with massages.  I love masssages but wouldn't recommend this method of getting them!  Car.....$5,500 in damages and we are hoping that they won't total it. Here are a couple of photos.  One shows the other guys car with its smashed hood.  The Explorer is ours and this picture from home shows the damage a little better.  You still can't see how much it is dented in or the angle of the wheel.  Makes my neck hurt just looking at them.  You can see how far he slide after hitting us.....we're the car with the hatched raised.  The guy that hit us was traveling towards us originally. 

Unpleasant day.......

Well, today STARTED out just fine.  Got up early to head into the Garden to help with the flower show.  I help with the trophy judging and procure the trophies.  Got everything loaded into the Explorer.  As we were leaving town, some guy coming around the corner, puts his car into a 4 wheel drift and hits us on the side.  Cracked the bumper, bent the wheel at a funny angle, mashed the quaterpanel, and got the driver door bad enough we can't open it, and got the door behind just a little.  I can't say that I thought he was speeding but it almost looked like he was trying to drift around the corner.  He claimed his tires were bald but I took pictures and they didn't look too bald to me.  I'm pretty sore in my shoulders and low back.  See the chiropractor on Monday.  Such a bummer.  I am happy that God saw fit to keep us safe.  No one was badly injured on either side.  No other cars were involved and they easily could be.  That little Subaru isn't going anywhere anymore.  I'm so glad my big car took the hit without harming us inside with broken parts.  That you God for your protection!!    This wasn't the first problem we had either.  Last night (Good Friday), on his way to church, Ray's pickup decided to die and we had to have it towed home as well.  Sheesh!  I'm just praying that God sends only a little thing for the third thing......everything somes in threes, right?!

So........I wish everyone a safe and blessed Easter!  Me?  I'll be at church at 7:30am.  I'm directing the choir and we'll sing at both services.  It will be a full day.  Hopefully the ibuprofen will let me sleep.  Night to you all!

It's Technique Junkie Blog Hop Time!

Hi, Blog Hoppers!!  Don't these flowers remind you of spring?!!  Well, I want it to be inspiration to 'spring' you into action today!!   I'm the second stop on the Technique Junkie April Blog Hop.  If you arrived here first you may want to start at the beginning HERE!    You don't want to miss what our whole Design Team has in store for you!!  AND This blog hop has a Challenge ONLY for Technique Junkie subscribers with a prize!  Read about it below.

BUT.......before you read about the challenge, here is a little bit about my card.  I used the Corduroy technique from the April newsletter.  It was very fun to do and I look so festive now with glitter on me!  ;-)  The tulip stamp is from one of our newsletter vendors, I Brake For Stamps. (REMEMBER.....if you are a Junkie subscriber, you get a discount on "I Brake For Stamps"!  The code is on the Subscriber pages!)   I colored it with copic markers and as you can see from the closeup photo, I layered the flowers to give them a little more dimension.  The butterfly was also bumped up with foam tape and it was sparkled with the Stardust pen.  Now.....I must confess....my card only has one technique on it which was what I thought I was supposed to do.  BUT I see that the challenge has two techniques needed.  (Shame on me!!)  So don't forget to add one more technique on YOUR card!

NOW....back to the blog hop particulars!

This Technique by Design CHALLENGE is a new feature in the Technique Junkie Newsletter. You MUST be a subscriber to participate.  In order to WIN you will have to DO the challenge! 
Pat (the owner of the Technique Junkie Newsletter) will be offering a prize for this Technique By Design Challenge by drawing a name from those who PARTICIPATE in the challenge! The prize will be:

*  One year added to their Technique Junkie Subscription AND

*  A $25.00 gift certificate to ONE vendor of their choice from this issue's participating advertisers: I Brake for Stamps; Paper Temptress; Firecracker Designs by Pamela; Mark's Finest Papers; Croppinsville; OR Twisted Papers! YOU get to choose the place to spend your cash!

So.......Here is the Challenge:

“Technique by Design” Challenge/Contest. 

1. Follow the sketch on the Technique By Design area in the new April newsletter.  You can access the sketch and the dimensions/supplies list HERE.  PLEASE note that the dimensions printed in the paper version of the newsletter were incorrect.  The correct measurements are on the website.

This sketch is a great way to incorporate technique backgrounds into your cards. Just make sure the colors coordinate and you can mix and match different techniques on your card with a stunning effect! If you make extra backgrounds when trying out the techniques, you will love being able to use them here. I did talk to Pat and she said that you can use only one technique on your card to qualify for the challenge! 
2. Post a link and comment on Pat's Blog, which is the last stop on the hop.

3. The deadline to the challenge is MAY 15th!

Below is our blog hop order.  You will go to Beth's blog next!!

The Technique Junkies blog http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/
Ann  -THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE NOW!
Beth
Cathy
Lisa
Shelly
Chris
Hetty
Jane 
Kathie
Kimm 
Pat

My Very last Sweet Stop Design Team Card

This is a sad post for me.......I've completed the maximum 6 months of Design Team with Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge group.  I really have loved being on this Design Team.  The other members post fabulous cards and have been an inspiration to me!!  Thank you, Korin, for allowing me to be on your team.  I hope that I have met your expectations!  This week my card was one that I made for my in-laws as their Easter card.  The cool background piece behind the image is called Veined Marble and it a Technique Junkie technique.  It is such a fun technique that when a group of us got together to make some, we made a gazillion pieces and I'm still working off of them!!  The colors of this one just matched my cross coloring perfectly.  The cross image is from Sweet N Sassy Stamps and was super easy to color.  The coloring was done with copic markers.  I didn't blend the material drapped over the cross as good as I should have but that's okay, don't you think!!  After I cut it out with my Nestabilitiy, I kept the die in place and used my copic air brush to add the soft purple around the edges.     So.....this is the last time I get to tell you....make sure you visit the Sweet Stop and play along with the sketch of the week!!  Just click on the badge to the right!  So easy even a Caveman can do it!  ;-)

This was a great week......Zander was a good little boy both days that I watched him.  He has a healthy respect for the spoon and obeys so well now!  Amazing.  He must be growing too.......he has been pounding down the food and taking three hour naps.  While he naps, I've been trying to get a little stamping done as well as working on my picture cropping for our car club.......331 pics to crop....about 200 done!  My cards for the Rhododendron Society are done and sent.  I'll post a picture of them on Sunday or Monday.  Laundry is caught up.  Today is supposed to be beautiful again.  I hope to get lots more weeding done.....got three beds completely weed free this week....THAT felt good!  They are huge beds too.  The largest bed is about 30' long and 18' wide.