Saturday, November 29, 2008

Glimmering Silk ATC


Today's Blogstravaganza submission is an ATC (Artist Trading Card) that I made for a small group I belong to that trades ATCs every month. This uses the Glimmering Silk Technique from the newest December 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I added a little bundle of pine needles from my front yard for the "Winter Trees" theme.


Stamps: Stampin' Up!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Fabulous Friday Giveaway from Firecracker!

This is the second giveaway this week -- all to celebrate our Holiday Blogstravaganza, which started November 1st -- and what could be better on this Fabulous "Black" Friday than these Festive Firecracker Designs by Pamela Stamps!



One lucky winner will receive the card and Firecracker Designs by Pamela stamps shown here. The card was made using two techniques from the newest December issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The greeting was framed using the Masked Frames Technique, and the background is a piece of Painted Mesh.
A message from Pamela:
"SHIMMERZ are BACK IN STOCK with 8 NEW COLORS!
Oh yes! 8 new colors arrived today, and are ready for shipping!! We are now up to 23 colors of these beautiful shimmery paints!
Aileen's Tack Over Glue-Back in STOCK!! Need an adhesive to put on the backs of your unmounted rubber stamps? this is the best stuff!! Just brush it on with a paint brush, wait for it to dry clear, and you are ready to stick your stamps to your acrylic blocks! (available on the accessories page). The beauty of this glue? It lasts a good long time,and since it's repositional, when you are done stamping, just peel your stamp off the block and replace it in it's storage space!
NEW NEW NEW!! Subscriptions to RSM (Rubber Stamp Madness) The original rubber stamping magazine!! Now you can renew or start a subscription just by clicking the "Get It" button on the Firecracker Designs by Pamela Site!
Remember: TJer's save 10% on every order!! Just use code: ILOVETJS (all one word) at check out.
.**** Coupon is not available on Magazine Subscriptions. Sorry. "
One entry per person, per give away, please. To enter the give away for today, simply leave a comment on this blog entry telling me that you would like to enter by 11:59pm EST on Monday, December 1st. No other entry methods will be included in the give away. If you email me to enter, your entry will NOT be considered a valid entry. When you leave the comment, make sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", I cannot give you the prize! Blogger does NOT record your email address for me, so you will need to check back to find out if you have won or include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you. A good way to do this is like so: phuntoon at optonline dot net -- it will help protect your privacy! I will have a random number generator pick one number from the comments to select one winner. Each give-away is separate, so to be eligible for a specific item you must enter that day's contest on the post where it is listed. Enter today -- good luck!
Now for the players in the Blogstravaganza this week:
Make sure to check out their gorgeous work!

Congratulations to Peggy Moss, the winner of this giveaway!




Wednesday, November 26, 2008

More Sweets from the Sweet Shoppe!


Today's Holiday Blogstravaganza features more Images from Starving Artistamps from the Sweet Shoppe set that I am giving away (see yesterday's post). Make sure that you enter the giveaway by clicking HERE.

Today, my peek-a-boo bear from Starving Artistamps usese the Wrinkled Vellum Technique from the just-released December 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I have a picture of him, alone, on the right -- isn't he cute! This new technique is a way to add color and texture on a flat image. The technique was inspired by a card sent to me from Claudia Phillips.

The front of this card uses the Two-Toned Crunch technique from the December issue, too. If you are a Junkie, go take a look -- the link is live (make sure to refresh your screen for the new images).

Make sure to check out the blogs of the TJ Designers who are playing in the Blogstravaganza today:

Lisa Somerville on Splendiferous Creations
Jane Bosi on Jane's Addiction
Kimm Bennington-Thompson on Artful Sentiments by Kimm
Connie Piotter on SoDak Stamping
Vada Schutz on the Design Team Blog
I hope your day is filled with sweet things -- the rest of mine will be filled with cooking!


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sweet! It's a Giveaway on Tuesday!!!


Yes, you read that right! We have our giveaway on Tuesday this week, and we will have a second one on Friday!! Since this is the season of thanks, it is fitting to offer you my thanks through these extra giveaways...PLUS -- this is also a sneak preview of one of the techniques from the Technique Junkie Newsletter December 2008 issue called Torn Frames (being mailed later this week!).

Today's giveaway is from Starving Artistamps and is actually for TWO stamp sheets (click on the images below to see them larger). Here is a word about them directly from Starving Artistamps:

"Presenting our newest offering from the DoodleFactory at Starving Artistamps...www.starvingartistamps.com

Santa's Sweet Shoppe!

We have packed this release full of great images, 25 of them! With our coordinating sentiment set also available you will be sure to have a lot of fun making your holiday cards this year!

As if that's not cool enough we are running a great holiday special!
From now until Christmas if you purchase the DoodleFactory Sweet Shoppe set you get the coordinating sweet shoppe sentiments for FREE! (an 11.95 value)

To take advantage of our special simply place your order for the DoodleFactory Sweet Shoppe unmounted set and we will include the sentiments in your package. Its that simple!

Note: Do not add a set of sentiments to your order unless you are intentionally ordering an additional set! Don't worry, we won't forget your free sentiments! Just place your order for a DoodleFactory Sweet Shoppe set and you are all ready to go making your holiday cards and scrapbook pages!
Visit our website today!
www.starvingartistamps.com"


The lucky winner of this giveaways will receive their own double package, along with the card shown above. Hurry though -- the winner of this giveaway will be selected Friday Morning. It is going to be sweet for someone!

One entry per person, per give away, please. To enter the give away for today, simply leave a comment on this blog entry telling me that you would like to enter by 11:59pm EST on Thursday , November 27th. No other entry methods will be included in the give away. If you email me to enter, your entry will NOT be considered a valid entry. When you leave the comment, make sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", I cannot give you the prize! Blogger does NOT record your email address for me, so you will need to check back to find out if you have won or include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you. A good way to do this is like so: phuntoon at optonline dot net -- it will help protect your privacy! I will have a random number generator pick one number from the comments to select one winner. Each give-away is separate, so to be eligible for a specific item you must enter that day's contest on the post where it is listed. Enter today -- good luck!

Oh -- and make sure to check out the blogs of the design team members playing in today's Blogstravaganza, too! Many of them have sneak previews of the new Newsletter!

Lisa Somerville at Splendiferous Creations
Judy Jackson on the TJ Design Team Blog
Jane Bosi on Jane's Addiction
Connie Piotter on SoDak Stamping
Nancy Judd on Inkblocks
Kimm Bennington-Thompson

Connie Babbert

The winner of this giveaway is Connie Gage! Congratulations, Connie!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Jolly Saint Nick -- Christmas Wishes


Santa brings presents for boys and girls...and for the Blogstravaganza, he brings you cards!

My Santa was stamped on green paper and colored with Pencils and Gamsol (Gamsol Pearls, June issue of the TJNL). He is layered on red cardstock that has been Faux Stitched (April/May 2006 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter). That is layered over a piece of Fossilstone (from the same issue).

All stamps from Stampin' Up! (retired).

The following Designers are are joining the Blogstravaganza today:
Lisa Somerville
Kimm Bennington-Thompson
Jane Bosi
Connie Piotter

Friday, November 21, 2008

Blogger's Challenge - Giving Thanks

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to create something to Give Thanks. What better way than to offer a Thanksgiving Blessing to someone you love?

My card uses some retired Stampin' Up! stamps on top of a piece of Silken Mist Background, from the October 2006 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

Joining us today in the TJ Holiday Blogstravaganza are:
Lisa Somerville of Splendiferous Creations
Jane Bosi at Jane's Addiction
Nancy Judd on Inkblocks
Connie Piotter at SoDak Stamping
Judy Jackson on the Design Team Blog


Thursday, November 20, 2008

Poinsettias for the Blogstravaganza


Poinsettias are such a gorgeous flower. One of my favorites. I love the pink ones, the red ones, the white ones...all of them. So I was thrilled to have this grouping on the stamp sheet from Rubberstamp Ave to play with. The winner of yesterday's Blog Giveaway (click here to enter the giveaway, if you have not yet entered) will have these on THEIR sheet, too.


I colored my poinsettias using reinkers, and layered it on a Cuttlebug Highlight (October 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletter) background.


The design team members playing in the blogstravaganza today are:







Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway - Rubberstamp Ave!


I am thrilled to have another stamp company join our Wonderful Wednesday Giveaways this week! Today's giveaway is from Rubberstamp Ave. The card I made for today's giveaway features this fabulous image of Saint Nicholas -- and he is just part of the stamp sheet for the giveaway! The stamps sheet you will receive contains 8 of the images you see here: the two Santa images, the poinsettia image, the ornaments (both images), the solid flying reindeer and sled, and the words "Noel" and "Merry Christmas".
My card uses the Aged Tiles technique from the April 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. Doesn't almost look like you are looking at St. Nick through panes of glass?
The best part is that Rubberstamp Ave is having a HUGE sale right now -- the deals are just unbelievable! Until Nov 30th, save BIG on ALL unmounteds!! This includes individual unmounted stamps, sheets of rubber and grab bags. Hurry over there for some great deals.
Before I tell you how to enter today's giveaway, here is a list of players for today's Holiday Blogstravaganza:

Here is how you can win this card and stamp set:

One entry per person, per give away, please. To enter the give away for today, simply leave a comment on this blog entry telling me that you would like to enter by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, November 23rd. No other entry methods will be included in the give away. If you email me to enter, your entry will NOT be considered a valid entry. When you leave the comment, make sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", I cannot give you the prize! Blogger does NOT record your email address for me, so you will need to check back to find out if you have won or include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you. A good way to do this is like so: phuntoon at optonline dot net -- it will help protect your privacy! I will have a random number generator pick one number from the comments to select one winner. Each give-away is separate, so to be eligible for a specific item you must enter that day's contest on the post where it is listed. Enter today -- good luck! I have blog give aways every Wednesday -- come play!

Congratulations to Tammy Malone -- the winner of the giveaway!



Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Holiday Planner Tutorial


If you are on the TJ e-group, you know that I saw a video for a holiday planner from the blog of Technique Junkie Susan Moore HERE. Once I made one, I asked the group whether they wanted a step-by-step tutorial so that they could look at the pictures and get the dimensions directly; their answer was a resounding "YES!!"

This tutorial is very long, so bear with me! I actually cut it down a bit, for the sake of brevity. you can click on any of the pictures for a larger view.

Supplies:
- Trimmer
- Letter-Sized Manila File Folder
- 2 or 3 Sheets of 12x12 Double-sided Designer Paper
- Labels for Pockets, printed on Copy Paper (Template is HERE)
- Red-line Tape or STRONG Double-sided Tape
- Stamps and Ink to Decorate Planner
- Bone Folder
Optional: Oval Punch and Matching Cardstock

Step One:
With the folder closed, trim the Folder to 8". This will cut off the tabs and allow for even measurements.





Step Two:
Open the Folder. With the centerfold vertical, bring the bottom of the file up 3" and crease to fold.






Step Three:
With the bottom flap folded up, have each end of the file folder meet in the centerfold, and fold both ends with the bone folder. Fold the piece so that there is a Valley Fold, Mountain Fold and Valley Fold.




Step Four:
Cut 8 pieces of the Designer double-sided paper to 7-1/2" x 3-3/4". Note: you may have to cut these down a bit for your folder if the measurements are slightly larger or smaller than the brand I used.



Step Five:
Adhere one piece to each of the 8 panels (four in front, and four on the back). I mixed and matched my designs.







Step Six:
Cut 4 panels to 3-3/4" x 3". Close the fold and attach the 4 pieces to the 4 front panels .





Step Seven:
Open the bottom fold. Add double-sided tape to the creased lines, and the two outer edges of the fold. Do NOT apply tape to the bottom edge.




Step Eight:
Remove the backing from the tape and fold up; press firmly to adhere.





Step Nine:
Create labels for the pockets (mine can be found HERE). Decorate as desired and uses punches and cardstock to decorate them, if desired.





Step Ten:
Attach labels to the bottom flaps of the pockets.







Step Eleven:
To make a receipt holder, glue the flap on a regular-sized envelope. Cut the top off, then use 1/2 of a circle or oval punch to create an opening. Decorate as desired, then slip into the receipt pocket.





Step Twelve:
Create a belly band to close the Planner by cutting a 1-1/2" x 12" strip of Designer Paper.







Step Thirteen:
Fold the band around the outside of the planner, overlap the folds by 2-1/2" and use adhere the ends. Cut off any excess paper. NOTE: I made my bands loose so that when I have paper filled in my planner, it has room to expand.



Decorate the front of the planner, add paper to the inside (I created my own, using THIS line template), and you are done!






I loved this so much, I made THREE! One for me, one for my sister in Virginia (I am visiting there this weekend!) and one for one of my SIL's... I love making these!



Monday, November 17, 2008

Blogstravaganza with a Technostamper Tag

The Technostamper Sketch Challenge this week was to create a large tag. Since we are in the midst of the Holiday Blogstravaganza, I thought I would make a gift tag for one of the larger gifts I am giving this season.

This tag uses the Burnt Edges Technique from the April 2007 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. Instead of using the traditional "burnt" colors for my creation, I chose to use the greens to match my Rubberstamp Avenue Saint Nick. The sheet of stamps that this is one is one of my favorites this holiday season!

Check out the other TJ Designers who have joined in the Blogstravaganza today:

Jane Bosi on Jane's Addiction

Lisa Somerville on Spendiferous Creations

Connie Piotter on SoDakStamping

Nancy Judd on Inkblocks

Judy Jackson on the TJ Design Team Blog

and Beth Norman on Sunflowers and Dragonflies

Sunday, November 16, 2008

An Elf for Christmas


Today's card for the Holiday Blogstravaganza is this cute elf from Firecracker Designs by Pamela. What makes this card especially cool is that the elf is layered on a piece of red and green Snakeskin Background (October 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletter) that has been rubbed with gold ink. It is a pretty effect in person! I was a bit more "swirly" with the snakeskin -- i would consider this "Swirl-skin!"

Today's Blogstravaganza players are:



Saturday, November 15, 2008

Holly Jolly Christmas...

Just a simple wish for a Holly Jolly Christmas! Today's Blogstravaganza Card uses the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique from the October 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletter. I actually used the debossed side to highlight the green leaves! The red dots are stickles -- it is sparkly in person. I just couldn't get this to photograph well...but I think it is really pretty in person.

The Holly Jolly Christmas stamp is by Firecracker Designs by Pamela. I really like this stamp -- the words are in outline form, so you can color them in to custom-match your design.

Happy Saturday!

Today's Blogstravaganza Players are:

Thanks for playing ladies!



Friday, November 14, 2008

Blogger's Challenge - Chocolate Peace


Today's Blogger's Challenge was a color challenge to use Baja Blue and Chocolate Chip, along with a little vanilla or white, on our creation. I think this is a wonderful, classic combination of colors, and they work perfectly for elegant holiday cards. That is a good thing for those of us in the midst of the TJ Holiday Blogstravaganza!


I chose to stamp the saying stamp (Penny Black) in brown over the blue sled stamp (River City Rubber). I took that mounted panel and placed it on a piece of designer paper used with the Pleated Paper Technique (Technique Junkie CD 6 Bonus Technique). Those were layered over a piece of designer paper...that I brayered ink onto. The blue designer paper started it's life as cream and brown; I wanted it blue, so I brayered it that way. I think I learned to do that from Lisa Somerville last year.

Speaking of CD 6 - Nancy Judd is giving one away on her blog!! Go Enter!
If you have time, click on the Blogger's Challenge logo on my sidebar to see what the other Challenge players are doing this week.
Make sure to take a look at the Holiday Blogstravaganza submissions from the Technique Junkie Design Team:
Lisa Somerville of Splendiferous Creations





Thursday, November 13, 2008

Abstract Embossing meets Glimmering Waves


Call me a goober, but one of the things I love about having a group of stamps on a sheet is mixing and matching them -- and ALSO seeing how different I can make them look from each other. Today I am doing just that. You see, this card was made from the same sheet of rubber as the card in the Giveaway Post, below, from I Brake for Stamps. Where that one is cute, this one is elegant. Same stamp sheet, different look and feel. Cool, huh? Okay, I know... I'm a goober.

For this card I used two techniques. First I stamped "NOEL" in VersaMark, then used the Abstract Embossing Technique from the April 2005 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter to add the blaze of color. I colored the inside of the letters with a black marker, then cut and mounted them, then placed them on a background of Glimmering Waves (April 2008 TJNL), where I also used the Abstract Embossing Technique. The background was so pretty, I really had a hard time covering it up! Click on the image if you want to see it up-close. And if you have not done so already enter the giveaway (but not on THIS post, enter it on yesterday's post, here!

Make sure to take a look at the Holiday Blogstravaganza submissions from the Technique Junkie Design Team:

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway - I Brake For Stamps!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Today is Wednesday, and for our giveaway today, I have a fun stamp sheet from I Brake for Stamps. This is a great sheet -- with everything from snowmen to trees. You can use these to make a wide variety of Holiday Cards! And guess what? In the true generous spirit that defines Della from I Brake for Stamps, these stamps are on sale this week, too! Read on!

The card that you will receive with the giveaway uses the Cuttlebug Rainbow Technique for the background (the tutorial for that can be found HERE). In addition, the snowman has added dimension -- his hat, gloves, scarf, cheeks, nose and the candy cane have all been popped to raise them above the Liquid Applique I used for snow. Isn't it perfect for our continuing Holiday Blogstravaganza?

Here are the stamps we are giving away:

This sheet is on the I Brake for Stamps website for 20% off! In addition, TJ members can take an extra 10% with TJ discount code that the Yahoo group members have. There are also more Christmas sets on sale -- you really should go take a look!

I Brake for Stamps also has 6 new Humorous Seniors and a mermaid. View the all new stamps, here.

Before I tell you how to enter the giveaway, Here are the list of Technique Junkie Designers who are participating in today's Holiday Blogstravaganza:


Lisa Somerville of Splendiferous Creations

Jane Bosi on Jane's Addiction

Connie Piotter on SoDak Stamper

Vada Schutz on the Technique Junkie Design Team Blog

Gerrie Johnnic on the Queen of Grunge Blog

Beth Norman on Sunflowers and Dragonflies

Take a peek if you get a chance!

Okay, this is how you enter the giveaway:

One entry per person, per give away, please. To enter the give away for today, simply leave a comment on this blog entry telling me that you would like to enter by 11:59pm EST on Sunday, November 16th. No other entry methods will be included in the give away. If you email me to enter, your entry will NOT be considered a valid entry. When you leave the comment, make sure to put your NAME in the comment -- if you enter your comment as "Anonymous", I cannot give you the prize! Blogger does NOT record your email address for me, so you will need to check back to find out if you have won or include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you. A good way to do this is like so: phuntoon at optonline dot net -- it will help protect your privacy! I will have a random number generator pick one number from the comments to select one winner. Each give-away is separate, so to be eligible for a specific item you must enter that day's contest on the post where it is listed. Enter today -- good luck! I have blog give aways every Wednesday -- come play!
The winner of this giveaway is Charlene LeBel -- congratulations!