MFT Challenge card

I thought it was time to join in a few challenges and get the creative juices flowing.  Here is a card for the My Favorite Things sketch challenge.  I only own one set from MFT .......a barnyard set that is probably retired by now!  LOL   I hope you enjoy this valentine.  The decorated paper was a little bright for the card so I toned it down by stamping the heart all over it.   I used a curled corner and cuttlebug highlights techniques (from the Technique Junkie newsletter of course!)

Whole lotta love word cards

Splitcoaststampers posted a tutorial for a LOVE word card.  I loved it so much that I thought i would make a number of them for my hubby to take to work.  I also didn't want to cut each by hand so I made a cut file for the pieces.  They aren't exactly like the original on the tutorial but that's okay!  Each one is different.  I have two I didn't get to.......they are traditional red/white format.    Hope you enjoy.  Unfortunately the purple one with the butterfly just would not photo well....IRL the colors are deep and right on the card and the butterfly.

more zen

Here is a little more Zen stamping for you to see!  This darling image is from Our Craft Lounge.  I think they are retiring it or it is just retired.  I colored everything with copics and used my multiliner for the zentangle part.  This is just one of the fun techniques in the current TJ newsletter.

Deal of the day

If you have been on the fence about any of the following TJ CD's, now is a good time.  Make sure you tell Pat that Ann C Sent you!!   You'll want to follow her blog to get the Deals! 

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Announcing: The Deal of the Day!

I  (Pat Huntoon) am pleased to announce a new area on the Technique Junkie Website: The Deal of the Day! If there are any specials being offered for TJ products, you will find them in that area of the website. The deals last as long as the link is active -- it could be a day, a week or a month-long sale. When the link is no longer there....the deal is gone.

And yes, we are kicking off with a great deal!

For a limited time, you can order any 2 Specialty CDs for $31.95 plus postage! The CDs are normally $17.95 -- it's a great deal! Make sure you order from the Deal of the Day page.

Have a great day!

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Zen Stamping

Here is a wonderful technique from the Feb 2012 issue of the TJ newsletter.  It is called Zen Stamping and it was really fun to do.  I used a Hambo Valentine basket that had open hearts.  After Zantangling the hearts, I shaded them with copic marker.  Enjoy!

King/Queen for the day

Here is a fun card that I entered into the challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog.  Anyone can enter.  Their theme is anything to do with kings and queens.  Now.....who wouldn't want their crown to be handed to them on a silver platter!  That would be the easy way to get it!  This was colored with pencils.

End of a good store.

Stampadeedoda has been my local stamp store for over 20 years.  Patty, the owner, has been a good friend over the years and I will miss her very much.  She will be giving classes locally not far from the store site but the retail part had their last day yesterday.  Here is a picture of Patty and me from last week.  I taught my copic class to over 50 people at her store.  It was wonderful. 

Best of luck in your retirement, Patty!  You will be missed very much.

Glittertine

Here is a quick and simple card Uses double embossing....morphed.  I didn't really use double the embossing......only one and some scoring.  BUT if you want to see the real double embossing technique, it is on the Stampin Companion CD (purchase button on the top right). 

I made this for some Valentines for my family and such.  The red heart and crown are made with some sticker glitter paper that I've had for like forever!  Don't know why I tend to hoard the pretty stuff.  The heart/crown die is from Tim Holtz.  Hope you enjoy!

Burnished Love and my Cut File

Today I saw this really cool cut file that made a fold over flap card.  I wanted that cut file BUT found that it was only available for Silhouette cutters.  Grrrrrr........     Well, I thought maybe I'd try my hand at making my own cut file with the same idea.  Found a corner motif that I thought looked nice.  Put it in the corners and added the scallop borders.  Sounds fast but it took TONS of time!

I liked the way it turned out but found that with the motif I picked, it wasn't so great for the fold over card without a backing to keep the little cut pieces from bending out of place. 

I used a technique from the new Stampin Companion CD called Burnished Embossing.  It was fun and looks great.  I hope you enjoy the pics.  If you like the cut file (.jpg and Scal2....I think), send me your e-mail and I'll ship it off to you.  ;-)   (I did punch the eyelet holes with my punch)

 That cute little link for the CD is on your top right!

Acrylic Block Backgrounds

Well......(you say).......she sure has taken a long time to post something creative!!

Yes, you are VERY right!!  At the beginning of the year, I decided that once the Christmas decorations were put away (in my craft room closet), then I would tackle my Stamp Hole (aka Craft room) and redo everything!  It has been a huge job!!  There was so much stuff that didn't have a 'home' that I relocated unnecessary things and replaced them with stamp storage things!  I'm really close to being done and finally just HAD to create!!

This card is made using a technique from the new Stampin Companion CD (hint.....you can order it from my sidebar at the top).  This CD was created using only Stampin Up products.  THAT is really great if you are a demo!!  BUT.......even though I'm not a demo, I still LOVE this CD!  The techniques are fun and most are easy.  Many are swift as well.  This technique is called Acrylic block background.  I love the different looks you can get from it as it has 4 variations.  I used Variation two.  Enjoy!!

Today has been interesting.........we don't seem to have any water.  Ugh!!  Not sure what is wrong but the well doesn't seem to be pumping the water up very fast.  Sounds like an expensive service call to me.  Showers tonight at my daughter's house.  Thankfully, she is close to us. 

It's a new CD~!

Technique Junkies as a brand new CD out!  Below is more info about it including a sample tutorial.

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Do you love SU? If so, you will love Technique Junkie's brand new CD:

Stampin' Companion - 70 tutorials exclusively using Stampin' Up! products.

This CD has a terrific blend of cards, projects, and other ideas. Every tutorial uses current Stampin' Up!* products, including items from the current mini catalog and Sale-a-Bration. The CD is a collaboration between Pat Huntoon and Jane Bosi and uses all of the products -- including the dies, sizzlits/framelits, smooch paints, inks, stamps, paper, etc., from the current Stampin' Up! catalogs.

If you are a demonstrator, this CD will provide you with workshop ideas for many months to come....and if you are just a fan (like me), you will enjoy using your SU Products with these tutorials.
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AND.......here is the link to a free tutorial from this CD.  CLICK HERE
To purchase.....just click on the link on my sidebar!

Tiddlyinks

Tiddlyinks has some really darling images coming out in two days.  Click on their link on my sidebar!  They are having some blog candy along with their release.  Check it out!

Hoping to get some regular posts up on the ol' blog in January!  Stay tuned.

A Christmas Lesson

My yearly humulity lesson story.......... 

Every year when I decorate my dining area for Christmas, I take out a cute little Christmas ball that is made into a little bear. This little decoration reminds me every year to be more caring and loving. Why? Well, one Christmas many years ago, I was sick, sick, sick. I could hardly get out of bed. My family had to make the dinner and everything.  The flu had really kicked in and I barely made it out of bed to eat.

My husband's uncle and wife announced that they would come and spend Christmas with us. I was NOT happy. Why would they come when I was so sick? My rebellion took the place of "no gift for them" kind of attitude. When we opened our gifts Christmas Eve, the aunt had given me this bear decoration. Not a big gift by any means but it really put me into my place. It reminded me that family is precious. No matter whether you want them there or not!! Lord, may I be humble this season! Remind me that YOU are the reason for the season. Not my own selfish desires. The aunt died of cancer several years ago and the uncle was gone before her. No opportunity to make amends in my mind. Just this small reminder every year when I decorate. 

May this Christmas season remind you to be humble and thankful!

Sweet N Sassy Stamps & Technique Junkie Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and Technique Junkie Newsletter joint Blog Hop!  The Technique Junkie Newsletter is excited to show case their new 3D and Fun Folds CD (remember you can get it right from my sidebar!!)

“The Technique Junkie Newsletter has been publishing rubber stamping technique tutorials since 2002. The 3D and Fun Folds CD contains 70 step-by-step technique tutorials in pdf format – perfect dimensions, perfect directions and great pictures for every step. Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more details about the CD and the Technique Junkie Newsletter.”

A fantastic group of design team members from both Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and the Technique Junkie Newsletter, have helped put together this fabulous Blog Hop to kick off  the 3D and Fun Folds Cd.

We have a Blog Hop happening each day with an opportunity for you to win many prizes from some of our wonderful advertising companies! Please stop through EVERY DAY and take your time visiting each blog!  You have until 11:59pm EST December 2^nd to leave comments on as many blogs as you can to win the Grand Prize.     Go to Tuesday's post for the links to the other days of the blog hop!

On Saturday, December 3, Pat from Technique Junkie Newsletter will announce the winners from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS! On Monday, December 5^th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all of the participating businesses.

If you have been following along already you should have come from Jackie Kalchert's blog.  If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Blog and go from there.  You won't want to miss any stops along the way – in order to win you will need to comment on everyone’s blog AND Pat Huntoon’s Blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop! (you can read about how you can play along on my post from Tuesday.) 

Here is what I created for today's hop.........

I really love Cocoa........Well......I like hot cocoa but this Cocoa is Cocoa the Mouse.  Korin, owner of Sweet n. Sassy Stamps has Cocoa doing many different and fun things.  I thought this image was just wonder for this little Table Basket.  It could hold a packet of hot cocoa along with a baggie of marshmellows.  I wanted to stage my photo with a packet of cocoa but, alas, none to be found in the house!  Cocoa was colored with copic markers and completely cut out to mount on the front of the basket.  I must confess that I didn't use the same dimensions that were in the CD for this project.  Reason?  Well......I don't have the Grand Caliper Spellbinders dies or cutting machine......so.......I just made it a little smaller!  Quite easy.  I used the largest circle and scallop circle I had and decreased the size of the holder between the two.  Other than that, the directions are the same.  Hope you like my little cheat!

Your next stop on the hop is Monika Davis, but just in case there are any hiccups, here is the whole list of celebrants on this Blog Hop!

The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog 

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Cathy McCauley

Jackie Kalchert

Ann Clack

Monika Davis

Holly Brown

Jane Bosi

Chris Dickinson

Pat Huntoon

My Sneak Peek contribution to Thursday's blog hop!

Reminder:  If you plan on getting the 3D CD, it is easy as pie....

just click on the link on my sidebar!

Today is the fourth day of the Technique Junkie blog hop to showcase the new 3D and Fun Folds CD.  Design team members from both Mark's Finest Papers (a Heinrich Company) and the Technique Junkie Newsletter helped put together a fabulous blog hop for us today. 

If you have been following along already you should have come from Geri Utterback's blog.

If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Blog and go from there. You won't want to miss any stops along the way – in order to win you will need to comment on everyone’s blog AND Pat Huntoon’s Blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop!  See Tuesday's post for the Double Easel card tutorial so you can play along!

I used the Top Note Die project from the 3D and Fun Folds CD. All the images are from Mark's Finest Papers (a Heinrich company).  AND they are a Sneak Peek from a new set they have being released on Dec 13th called Snow and Ice. 

Here is the top/side view of this fun project.   The words, deer and snowflakes were stamped.  Then I embossed the trees with a sparkley embossing powder.  The whole top was sponged.  The snowflake cut out is their stamp in this set as well.  After I cut it out, it was embossed several times with clear to give it some weight, then decorated with the rhinestones and silver cording.  The icicles on the sides of the box are also part of this cute set. 

Here you can see the glittery appearance a little better.  Isn't that a lovely saying!  You are going to LOVE this new set.

 The inside of the box has a divider that was decorated with the snowflake stamp (stamped and embossed, then sponged).  You can put anything inside that you want.  Some put in candy! 

The bottom of the box has the same paper treatment as the box insert.

 

Your next stop on the hop is Lois Bak, but just in case there are any hiccups,  see the whole list of celebrants on this Blog Hop below!

As with most blog hops, there are prizes!  This one is no exception.  You will want to hop along and make comments on all the participating blogs.  The daily winner will be selected from one of the blogs, but no one but Pat (TJ's owner) knows which one!  The daily prize is product from the "company of the day".   PLUS, You will get one entry each day you comment for the GRAND PRIZE.  Read about the grand prize on Tuesday's post.  You can go back and see the other projects from the other days if you wish too.  The schedule is listed below.  You have until 11:59pm EST December 2^nd to leave comments on as many blogs as you can to win the Grand Prize. 

On Saturday, December 3, Pat from Technique Junkie Newsletter will announce the winners from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS!

THEN on Monday, December 5^th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all of the participating businesses PLUS a Lifetime Technique Junkie Newsletter subscription!!

“The Technique Junkie Newsletter has been publishing rubber stamping technique tutorials since 2002. The 3D and Fun Folds CD contains 70 step-by-step technique tutorials in pdf format – perfect dimensions, perfect directions and great pictures for every step. Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more details about the CD and the Technique Junkie Newsletter.”

1st Stop:  The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog 

2nd Stop:  Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company Blog

3rd Stop:  Geri Utterback
4th Stop:  Ann Clack   (You are here)
5th Stop:  Lois Bak

6th Stop:  Chris Dickinson
7th Stop:  Patty Penn
Final Stop:  Pat Huntoon