Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Too Dark to read - but not too late


Today is November 8th - the final day for the Technique Junkies New Release sale. Today is the last day that you can take 15% off the new release stamps, so I thought I would show you one more piece using the stamps...

The Too Dark to Read focal image stamp is funny, and remarkable easy to use. I simply inked it with Dark Brown Chalk ink and stamped on Neenah Solar white paper. Chalk ink is really the best ink for stamping bold or silhouette stamps -- see how perfect the image is? That is due to the ink, in my opinion.

The area in the middle of this card is a piece of designer paper - I loved the look of the book pages under the stamp. The background is the ABCs background from the Technique Junkies line (previously released).

Make sure to get your discount today, and remember that all of the Christmas stamps are 20% off through November 13th, too! 
Have a great day!
Pat Huntoon

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Get a Bigger Bow

Yesterday we released 15 new stamps at Technique Junkies, and had a blog hop to celebrate. I just love this month's release, and I can't help making more and more artwork from the new stamps! Today am using the  Bigger Bow stamp over the Linen Dots background. The Bigger Bow image was colored using my Studio 71 markers. The background is simply 3 colors of distress inks that I swiped directly onto the background, then stamped onto light blue paper.

Remember that the November New Release Stamps are 15% off through November 8th, including these two stamps. 

Have a great day!
Pat Huntoon

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

November Blog Hop - Last Stop, last hop!

Welcome! Today is November 1st, and that means we have a blog hop to celebrate the release of 15 NEW stamps in the Technique Junkies line.If this is your first stop, I encourage you to take a moment to go the the Design Team Blog to start the hop fresh - you will be directed to all of the amazing creations from the Technique Junkies design team from there. If you have come here from Chris' blog, you are in the right place. Hopefully, you have seen all of the gorgeous artwork an are feeling inspired!

As usual, the November Release Stamps are 15% off through November 8th. So take a look at what I made, and then go on off the shop! Keep in mind that all of the Christmas category stamps are 20% off through November 13th, too -- you can take advantage of BOTH sales!

First up: I'm Fluffy. This simple stamp says it all. As a fluffy girl, I can identify with this stamp. Like the background? It is Nuvo Glimmer Paste through A Colorful Life Stencil, and it will covered in this Friday's email/You Tube video. It's pretty special, no?

Next up is my Kitty Comfort Card, with a Paint Rings Background. I got a little carried away with the gold glimmer, but I LOVE the background, and the sweet love between the kitties. 

To make this background, I simply sprayed watercolor paper with two Dylusions sprays, then sprayed Art Anthology Gold Fairy Dust Spray directly onto the Paint Rings stamp. I stamped the image and let the spray dry. Look at it close up - gorgeous, isn't it?

And finally for today, I have this happy message for you:
I thought the Grey Days stamp just SCREAMED for a rainbow behind it! I simply swiped Distress Inks in rows in the background, and hightlighted the Raindrops on the (previously released) Big Drops stamp with Glassy Glaze. Makes me happy just to look at it!

I made more from this month's release, so stay tuned to my blog later this week.  Hopefully you have been inspired -- time to shop and save some money!

Thanks for coming by today...
Pat Huntoon

Sunday, October 1, 2017

October Blog Hop - Last Stop!

Welcome! Today is October 1st and we have a new release for you at Technique Junkies!  This is the last stop on the TJ New Release Blog hop, so if you started here, I encourage you to go back to the TJ Design Team blog - the beginning - to start again. You won't want to miss any of the inspiration the girls have for you!

Before we get to my art, I just wanted to remind you that the October release stamps are 15% off through October 8th.  Simply add what you like to your shopping cart and they will be discounted automatically until then.

Here are a few pieces I made from the new stamps:
The first uses the new Cocktail Joy set. This was so easy to color; I just used Grey Memento ink and colored here and there with Copics. I just pulled the perfect piece of background paper from my (extensive) stash, and viola! Instant Christmas Card. I may make some of these some of my Card recipients this Christmas, but I think I might only use the top part of the stamp on the outside (Joy is just a cocktail away) and the bottom part (Merry Christmas) on the inside.

This card uses the Grace in her Heart stamp. I simply stamped her in Rusty Hinge Distress Ink, then cut her out so I could get that polka-dotted background behind her.  Again, just a simple stamp, a little cutting, and some background paper.  This is my personal favorite stamp from the release! I love inspirational and uplifting stamps and I just had to use this saying on a stamp. It was fun to design, and even more fun to use!

And for the last one today:
This uses the Give Thanks stamp with Nuvo Glitter Markers. The background is just white paper put through and embossing folder, then highlighted with ink.  This makes a great Thanksgiving card and is perfect for table place cards for Thanksgiving!

Well, that's all I have for you today. It's time to go shop! Make sure to take advantage of the 15% discount on the new October release stamps.  Thanks for coming by today!
Pat Huntoon

Friday, September 1, 2017

September Hop, Giveaways and a Discount!

Welcome! Today is September 1st and we are celebrating the release of 22 new Technique Junkies Stamps with a blog hop and a $200 Giveaway! As usual, you will receive 15% off all of the Technique Junkies September New Release Stamps from now through September 8th. Additionally, we have a guest designer this month -- the fabulous Lydia Fiedler.  

How do two (2) $100 Technique Junkies Gift Certificates sound? Two people will be randomly chosen to each receive a $100 gift certificate to spend in the Technique Junkies store. You will be entered to win by commenting on any of the blog posts for this month's hop - in fact, you will have one entry for EACH blog you comment on.  If you comment on all 13 blogs, you will have 13 entries to win!

Since this is the LAST stop on the hop, you may have already left comments and viewed the artwork on all the designer blogs, but if this is your first stop, I urge you to go the the Design Team blog https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2017/09/technique-junkies-september-release-hop.html to start from the beginning and leave your comments so you will be entered to win!

Whew! That is a lot of stuff!  How about a few final pieces of art to inspire you? I have to warn you, I was in a mono-chromatic kind of mood when I was making these. Kraft card stock  works so well with Autumn cards, and I love the look of Kraft on Christmas cards, too. I might have gotten a little carried away with the Kraft card stock! 

First is a quick card that uses The Greatest Oak stamp layered over a background that was stamped with one of the leaves from the Autumn Set:


 Next, I stamped the single Pinecone stamp repeatedly on a piece of Kraft cardstock with light brown ink, then stamped one of the phrases from the Gifts of Christmas Set over them using evergreen ink. This panel was layered over the (previously released) Pinecones Background, which was stamped in evergreen and lightly colored with colored pencils.

This next piece also uses Kraft cardstock and the same inks as above. Rustic Pine was stamped on Kraft and cut out, then layered over the Faint Scratches (previously released) background. Another phrase from the Gifts of Christmas Set was stamped over the background before it was layered on evergreen and kraft card stock.

For my last piece today, I used the Santa in Moonlight and Too Grown-up stamps on a white card stock panel. The Moon was colored with Copic Markers. This was layered over a black card stock piece that was stamped with the Star Collage in Gold.

I hope you have enjoyed the hop today! Make sure to leave those comments on all the blogs, and to take advantage of the 15% discount on the new September stamps, too.

Warm regards,
Pat Huntoon

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

August New Release Blog Hop - last stop!

Welcome! Today is August 1st and you have gotten to the last stop on our monthly Technique Junkies Design Team Hop. We are celebrating the release of 15 brand new stamps this month!

If this is your first stop, I urge you to go to the Design Team Blog and start there -- the artwork from the team this month is out of this world, and you won't want to miss it.

As always, all of the new stamps are 15% off from today through the end of Tuesday, August 8th only. Make sure to shop after you browse all of the artwork! You don't want to miss out on the savings.

Ready to see the last few pieces?

First, this...the Be Cool Llamas. I am obsessed with these happy dudes! The only reason the other designers have not shown them is that this stamp was not added to the release until the last minute - honestly, I couldn't help myself, I just had to release it!

Aren't they just too cute?

Next, I have this gorgeous beauty - called Vine Beauty -- that I have layered over the Rainforest stamp.  The thing about the Rainforest stamp is that it could easily be used with just one color as a background, but I love how it looks with the leaves colored individually:
The sentiment is from the typewriter set (previously released).

And finally for me today, I have this...the Amazing Grace stamp layered over the Planks Background. These two stamps are gorgeous alone, but together? Heaven.
Thank you for joining us today -- I hope you like the new stamps!  Make sure to take advantage of the discount today, too.
Happy August!

Pat Huntoon

Saturday, July 1, 2017

July Release Blog Hop - Last Stop on the Hop!




Welcome! Today is July first and we have new stamps at www.techniquejunkies.com! To celebrate, we have our monthly blog hop...and this is the last stop. If you came here from Chris' blog, you are in the right place, but if you started here, you might want to restart at the Design Team Blog - there are so many yummy things to see!

Before I show you a few things I made from the new stamps, keep in mind that all of the July New Release stamps will be 15% off through July 8th. Simply place them into your shopping cart and the discount will be automatically applied.

Ready for some art?
First, in my salute to the holiday weekend and the multitude of barbeques and picnics dedicated to the celebration, I have the this colorful Watermelon piece from the Watermelon Set. The watermelon square stamp comes with two sentimentss that are perfect for celebrating summer! I colored my watermelons with Copics and kept them bright and lush...looks like you can just take a quick bite, right?



Second,  I had fun coloring the Filled with Wonders stamp with Copics, too:



The Simply Shells background stamp was a perfect pairing for the Something Beautiful Remains stamp, too (previously released). I colored it in tones of brown, tans, blues and greens - pure ocean colors! 

And one more, in case you missed the sneak preview yesterday...you can read about how the Seagrass Mat was colored with Distress Oxide Inks HERE.  This uses the Seagrass Mat stamp with the Joy and Laughter stamp (colored with Pastel Pencils):

I hope you have enjoyed today's eye candy! Make sure to take advantage of the 15% discount on the July stamps before July 8th, too.

Enjoy the celebration this weekend, too!



Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Buoy Shells


For some reason, this stamp reminds me of Cape Cod. When my kids were little, we spent quite a bit of our time there in the summer. As part of that experience, we spent oodles of rainy days in the little shops that dot the Cape...and I SWEAR that I have seen these Buoy ropes in those shops.

Here's to you, my beloved Cape!
Stamps:
Buoy Shells
Psalms of the Sea

Monday, June 26, 2017

Under the Sea



This was one of my first tries with the Chameleon ColorTone Pencils. It's not perfect, but it was a try! I made this a long while ago and I am just getting to post it today : )
Stamp: Under the Sea

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Mermaid on rock


I realized today that I have a ton of artwork that I created for the June 2017 release, and I never posted it! I thought I would start today with one of the favorites this month, Mermaid on Rock. I colored her with Chameleon Duo-tone Colored Pencils, and layered her over the Under the Sea Background. To finish the piece, I added one of the sentiments from the By the Sea set.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Monday, June 12, 2017

Nautical background in blue



   
Just a quick and easy card using the Nautical Background with The Psalms of the Sea sentiment set. A nice inspirational card to send to one in need.

Have a great week!

Thursday, June 1, 2017

June New Release Blog Hop - Last Stop!


Today is release day at Technique Junkies and we are celebrating with our monthly blog hop. If this is your first stop, I urge you to go to the beginning to the Design Team Blog. If you came here from Chris' blog, you are in the right place.  

I hope you have been inspired so far by what you've seen!  I have just a few more pieces for you to peruse -- then you should go shop! Remember that you receive 15% off the June New Release Stamps from now through June 8th.
First, I have an example of the Watercolor Hummingbird for you. I love this little stamp - it is so easy to color with many mediums! I used the Chameleon Color Tone Pencils to color mine. Check into the Design Team blog tomorrow to see a different way to color this gorgeous bird.



My second piece is the Under the Sea background with the Advice from a Sea Turtle stamp over the top.  I created the sentiment because we have TWO sea turtles in this release, and I thought the saying was great.  This piece was stamped in Sky Blue Memento Ink, then the sea turtle was colored with Chameleon Pencils. Green ink was sponged around the edge,and the Sentiment was stamped in Deep Blue Ink. The little shell pieces were in my stash.

and finally for today:



I used the Let's Play a Round stamp for my final piece.  I used the Out of the Box Technique to create my focal image, and a simple circle die behind it to simulate a golf ball.  The background was created by stamping the Live*Laugh*Golf sentiment from the set repeatedly. 

When I was creating this set, I had my Dad in mind. He LOVED to golf, and every time I see that golfer silhouette, I think of him. I miss him, but little parts of him are with me always.

Okay, the hop is now officially over -- go get your 15% off!  Remember, simply place any June New Release Stamp in your shopping cart and the discount will be applied at checkout.

Thanks for coming by today!  

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Cats and More Cats




Just a simple card to make you smile.  This cutie uses the Crazy Cat Border with Cats and More Cats. Randomly colored with Chameleon Colored Pencils.
Have a great day!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Can't get enough of these birds!


Oh...these Watercolor Birds.  I just can't stop coloring them!  Today I used Chameleon Color Tone Colored Pencils. I made these for a Clean and Simple Challenge -- I just can't seem to make a much simpler card than this, I'm afraid!

The sentiment it Trust your Journey. I added it at the end. Thank goodness for the precision of my MISTI!

Have a happy day!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Last Chance to Save on May Stamps!


Today's card uses the Make Lemonade background with the Call the Girls stamp as a focal image. The background was colored with Distress Inks, and the glass was colored with Distress Markers, To add some pizzazz to my piece, I used Glossy Accenst to the glass and some of the lemons. It added a glossy finish in selected areas - the lemons almost look good enough to eat!

Today is the last day to save on the May 2017 New Release stamps! You don't want to miss out on the discount : ) Simply add any May Release stamp to your cart (including the two above) to receive 15% off.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Last stop on the TJ Blog Hop!

Welcome! Today is May 1st and that means New Stamps! Today the Technique Junkies Design Team is celebrating the release with a team blog hop to showcase the new stamps and provide some inspiration. This is the last stop on the hop; if you came here from Chris Dayton's blog, you are in the right place. If not, start at the TJ Design Team Blog, where Design Team Manager Jeanne Streiff kicks off the hop with a few beautiful pieces of art.  We have three great new designers joining us this month -- along with our wonderful existing crew of designers -- the artwork is  fresh and fabulous!

Remember that all the May 2017 Release stamps are 15% off through May 8th. Simply place any of the May stamps in your basket and the 15% discount will be deducted at checkout.

Here are a couple of pieces from me to help close out the hop:
 This first pieces uses the Last Breath stamp. I simply colored it using markers, then layered it over a piece of red cardstock that had been decorated using the Art Anthology Twilight Stencil with Silver  Gem Glimmer Paste to make the stars. 


The second piece uses Watercolor Birds. To create this, I spray Art Anthology Colorations in Patience, Plush and Ink Spot to make a colorful background. Then I  just used markers to color in the stamped areas. It is darker than it would be if I had not sprayed the background, but really pretty in person. The sentiment is from the Better at the Lake set (precious release).

I have more to show you later this month, but now it's time to shop! If you missed it, here are the links once again for the entire hop:

Design Team Blog: http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com
Lanette Erickson: http://stacksofscraps.blogspot.com
Cheri Weston: http://stampnboomer.blogspot.com
Kathy Stacy: https://craftynurse4u.wordpress.com
Jeanne Streiff: http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Ro Donner: http://rodonner.blogspot.com/
Beth Norman: http://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca
Judy Jackson: http://judysstampart.blogspot.com

Vicki Garrett: http://summerthymestudio.blogspot.com/
Giovana Smith: https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/
Chris Dayton: http://www.cattalesandpapertrails.com/
Pat Huntoon: http://patstamps.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you were inspired, and I hope you love the new stamps...

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Veiled Woman - Oldies but Goodies


Hi All! Today kicks of the first ever "Oldies by Goodies" Wednesdays here, and on the Technique Junkies Facebook Group. Each Wednesday, we will celebrate stamps that have been released at least a year ago, reminding of our hidden gems!

Today my "Oldie" is a trio of stamps that were released last March (2016). I can't believe how much I use these stamps, and how many times I have combined each of them with other stamps.

The main image is Veiled Woman. To color her, I used Copic Markers, just adding touches of Caucasian skin tone to her features and lips. She really doesn't need much coloring! I layered her over the Classy and Fabulous sentiment, using a piece of Rick-Rack as a transition.

For the background, I used Copic Markers to color the Mosaic Scallops background stamp. I wanted to create layers with this stamp, so I colored the smaller portions of each scallop with darker hues and lightened up each scallop with lighter hues as they "fanned" out. One of the things I REALLY like about this stamp is that it can be used with the scallops facing up or down -- it is pretty either way!

I hope you like our new "Oldies but Goodies" feature! If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to join the Technique Junkies Facebook group - so much is happening there these days! Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1217840814981827/

Saturday, April 1, 2017

April New Release Blog Hop


Today is April 1st and this is the last stop on the TJ Design Team Blog Hop. Today we introduced 15 new stamps for you with some ideas to inspire your creative muse. If you are STARTING here, you might want to restart the hop from the beginning, on the TJ Design Team Blog. Here is the order, in case you missed it:
Design Team Blog: http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com
Lanette Erickson: http://stacksofscraps.blogspot.com 
Cheri Weston: http://stampnboomer.blogspot.com
Kathy Stacy: https://craftynurse4u.wordpress.com
Jeanne Streiff: http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Ro Donner: http://rodonner.blogspot.com/
Beth Norman: http://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca
Judy Jackson: http://judysstampart.blogspot.com
Pat Huntoon: http://patstamps.blogspot.com

Today was also the first Blog Hop that our new Design Team Co-ordinator, Jeanne Streiff, managed. I feel so lucky to have her on our team! Wasn't her work just spectacular?
As usual, you will receive 15% off any April 2017 New Release Stamps through April 8, 2017. Just place any of the new stamps in your shopping cart and they will be discounted at checkout.

Ready for a couple more pieces?
 I love this little gem of a stamp, called Flower Square. I stamped it with London Gray Memento Ink, then did some simple coloring with Pastel Pencils (I LOVE those things -- they blend like a dream!). Out of all of the April stamps, this one was my lovely surprise - it turned out exactly as I would want!

Next, I used the Row of Birds stamp. I stamped them with Timber Brown StazOn ink and colored the birds with Pastel Pencils. The birds are layered over a maroon panel stamped lightly with the Vintage Music Stamp (previously released) and paired with the Always Find a Song (also previously released) sentiment. I love the way my birds turned out, but did you see Jeanne's? Divine!


Finally, I used the Mom Anchor stamp. This stamp tends toward the masculine, so to feminize it, I stamped it with Wilted Violet Distress Oxide Ink. I sponged both Warm Lipstick and Wilted Violet around the edges (my lord these things blend like a dream!). The background is Fresh Chevron (previously released) that has been swiped with the same two colors of the Oxide Inks and sprayed with Art Anthology Gilded Gold Fairy Dust. This has AMAZING gold sparkle!
I hope you have enjoyed our hop this month. Go shop! Remember, the 15% off the new stamps ends April 8th, and if you picked up a discount code from one of the Designer's Blogs, you can use that for 10% off the other stamps, too.

Thanks for joining us today!
Pat Huntoon



Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Last stop on the March Hop!



Welcome! Today is March 1st and we are celebrating the release of 15 new stamps with a TJ Design Team Blog Hop. If this is your first stop on the hop, please a take a moment to go back to the Design Team blog  and start the hop there. If you arrived here from Judy's blog, you are in the right spot.

If you have followed along, I am sure that you are aware that the March New Release stamps are 15% off through March 8th. Once you are done here, it is YOUR turn to hop over to the TJ site and pick your favorites!Ready for just a little more inspiration?


My first card uses the Big Bunny stamp. I love this bunny! So cute and so easy to color.  I paired it with the Happy Easter sentiment from the previously-releases Holiday Flourishes Set. I colored the Bunny with Colored Pencils.



Hello Cupcake!  This is a set of 7 sweet stamps that you will just love.  So pretty and so easy to color.  The sentiments will have you licking the frosting off your lips!




And finally --- Yes, it's a giraffe.  I love giraffes, and the Watercolor Giraffe stamp that is the focal image here is no exception.  This pretty lady was colored with markers, and layered over a background that I sprayed with Art Anthology Colorations Sprays (in Patience, Granny Smith, and Plush). The sentiment is from the previously-released Typewriter Set.

I hope you were inspired by today's hop!  Make sure you stop by www.techniquejunkies.com to get your discount on the new stamps!




Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Last stop on the hop!

Today is February 1st and we are celebrating the release of 15 new stamps with a TJ Design Team Blog Hop. If this is your first stop on the hop, please a take a moment to go back to the Design Team blog and start the hop there. If you arrived here from Judy's blog, you are in the right spot.

If you have followed along, I am sure that you are aware that the February New Release stamps are 15% off through February 8th. Once you are done here, it is YOUR turn to hop over to the TJ site and pick your favorites!

Ready for just a little more inspiration?


This card uses the End of your Rope stamp as a focal image. I used the previously-released Wasted stamp as a textural background. I love this image; it is nice encouragement for anyone who might feel a bit stressed or overwhelmed.

The actual image includes the rope; I just thought it would be interesting to weave my own rope through the card over the stamped image.

And finally this adorable pug...

This uses the Pugs & Kisses stamp as the focal image. I have to confess; as I was looking up pugs to make the coloring somewhat realistic, I got a little lost on Google images. Now I want a Pug...Ayone think my DH might have a problem with us have THREE dogs?

I hope you were inspired by the artwork in the hop today. Thanks for coming along with us - Have fun shopping!





Monday, January 2, 2017

It's our January 2017 Blog Hop!

 Welcome and Happy New Year! Today is January 2nd, 2017 and I am thrilled to be releasing 15 new stamps to the Technique Junkies line. The TJ Design Team is celebrating today with a blog hop, so if this is your first stop, I urge you to go back to the beginning on the Design Team blog - you won't want to miss the inspiration! If you arrived here from Judy's blog, you are in the right place -- the last stop of the hop.

Remember, all of the January New Release stamps are 15% off through January 9th - make sure you take advantage of the discount! Just add your stamps to your shopping cart, the discount will be applied at checkout.

Ready for MORE inspiration?
 First off, this stamp - Be a Lucy. One of my personal favorites from the release. I don't think I have to explain why we all should want to be a funny, classy woman over, well, what THEY are, but hey, everyone has their own taste... (sorry or the commentary lol)

Then another stamp that is close to my heart:
Amsterdam Winter, combined with the Beauty of Winter Sentiment. Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world - beautiful in ALL  seasons!

In case you missed it, this is the whole line-up:

I hope we inspired you today! Have a safe and Happy New Year...