BC230 Who's got the Button?

A Button Challenge from Blogger's Challenge! I like to be challenged, but sometimes I love the easy ones, too. Buttons are easy!

Today's card uses stamps and paper  from Mark's Finest Papers (colored with Copic Markers) over a Texture Duet Background (October 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter). I love these pumpkin stamps -- so easy to color, and just the perfect size (don't forget to use the code TJFALL15 for 15% off your order, too!).

Make sure to visit the other Blogger's Challenge designers, then add your own card to the list below. Play along with us this week! Certainly you must have some buttons in your stash...

Blogger's Challenge: Sketch

It's ironic. I had two sketch challenges this week, and they were close enough to each other so that I could use the same card! It is Blogger's Challenge Friday, though, so I am sharing it here today under that auspice!

This card uses the Copic Texturizing Technique from the April 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The image is a cute Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Digi. The Texturizing is a bit hard to see in the photo, but it is there! I love this cute Digi. And don't forget to use TJNRocks to receive 10% off your order at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!

Here is the Blogger's Challenge sketch:

 You can play along, too. Simply add the link below to your blog post using the sketch to play. Enjoy your weekend!

The CDs are here, June's issue and Blogger's Challenge!

What to talk about first? I don't know which I more excited about! I went out for a few hours this afternoon, and the CD fairy delivered the first shipment of the Stampbooking CDs! I will work on stuffing the mailers, labeling, and applying postage this evening so that they are all winging their way to the folks who pre-ordered their copies. If you have not yet, you do order the Stampbooking: The Art of Using Rubber Stamps in your Scrapbooks HERE.

The June issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter was mailed yesterday, too, and the link to the issue is live. If you are a subscriber, you can access the online pages right now! Email me if you subscribe and need the password, or if you would LIKE to subscribe, do so HERE.

Finally, today is Blogger's Challenge Friday -- and it is about shimmer. My submission uses Glitter for my shimmer, and it is from a new technique from the June 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter called Glitter Roll. In addition, the LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH words are from an embossing folder that uses the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique  (From the Technique Junkie Newsletter Emboss or Die CD). You can, of course, play along with us on the BC Shimmer Challenge by adding your artwork to the hop list. And make sure you look at what the other ladies are doing, too!

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Blogger's Challenge - Nature

Today's Blogger's Challenge was easy -- NATURE. We simply had to create something -- open to our own interpretation -- that represents nature. My take is this card using the Pierced Vellum Technique from the April 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, along with the out of the box technique from the October 2004 issue of the Newsletter. The gorgeous paper and the cute stamps are all from Mark's Finest Papers  - and don't forget -- you can get 15% off anything at Mark's Finest Papers by using the code TJMAY15. Valid through 5-15-11.

Feel free to join in the challenge today - simply enter your artwork using the links below.

Thanks for stopping by --

Masculine Birthday

How convenient for me that Blogger's Challenge has the birthday theme, since I just sent this card out for another masculine birthday challenge. My card uses the Faux Barnwood Technique from the February 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter as a background. The stamps are new-to-me from Stampin' Up!.  I thought the little Tim Holtz Gears were perfect with the stamped image. 

Hope you have a great day!

Blogger's Challenge: Sketch Challenge

It's Friday and I am finally getting my Blogger's Challenge card posted! What a  whirlwind my life has been this week...I am actually amazed that I was able to post anything at all.

 I used the Petal Punch from Stampin' Up!, along with some of their Sell-a-bration sets (Are you sick of this flower punch yet? I am a little addicted to it). The background uses a  Stamp Camp background stamp under the SU stamps. The total effect is  It is a hybrid of the Bandana, Background Whimsy, and Pencil and Ink backgrounds, with some Glimmer Mist thrown in for good measure.

I love the way this flower turned out! I used the vintage paper from Stampin' Up!, a white Sharpie pen, and Glimmer mists on the petals. I had to take a little liberty with the sketch (below)  though -- what do you think? Is it close enough?

You can play along, too -- simply create something using the sketch, and upload your card with the links below. Have fun!

Blogger's Challenge: Emboss Me

Happy Friday! Today is Blogger's Challenge day and the theme is "Emboss Me."  I am very excited about this theme, since I have a brand-new CD called "Emboss or Die" available for pre-order now! The Cd contains 79 pdf pictorial tutorials for using your embossing folders, Die Cut machines, and Electronic Cutters. You can order it HERE, or on the sidebar of my blog.

My Card uses the Antique Wallpaper Technique on the flower petals. That technique is in the June/July 2009 Technique Junkie Newsletter, and is also on the  new CD!  The stamps on this card are from Stampin' Up!, as is the petal punch.

One of the things I did with this card was to use the brick embossing folder on just a little bit of the card to give it more grunge and added texture. You can see it better here:

Have a great weekend!

Bloggers Challenge: Love

 Happy Friday! Today is Blogger's challenge day and our theme is LOVE. Perfect for me...it forced me to make my DH's Valentines Day card!  

My card uses a modified version of the Spots and Phrases Technique, one of the bonus techniques from CD8, as the background. I layered a Cuttlebug Highlights (October 2008) Heart and the saying over that. Finally, I used the Curled Corners Technique from the February issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter to add my final accent.  All stamps Stampin' Up!. 

If you have a minute, take a peek at the submissions from the other Blogger Challenge art by clicking on a picture below this post. I am sure the Bloggers Challenge girls will be adding their art all weekend, so check back to see more, then play along.

Hope you have a great Valentine's day weekend!

Blogger's challenge: Sketch challenge

Yoo Hoo! I am finally playing in the Blogger's Challenge again. Today's challenge was a sketch challenge, and it was a simple one to boot! the sketch is on the right - give it a try!

My submission for the challenge uses Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps on a piece of Newsprint Reveal from the April 2009 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. That piece is layered over a piece of gray paper that uses the Texture Duet Technique (October 2010 issue of the TJNL). All papers are from Paper Temptress.

If you have a chance, click on the Blogger's Challenge link on my blog to see the creations from the other players. It is always a feast for the eyes!

Have a great weekend!

Blogger's Challenge: Birthday

Today is Friday -- Blogger's Challenge day! Our challenge today was to create a birthday card.

My card uses the Splash 'n Stick Technique from the August 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter for the butterfly and dragonfly. the background is a piece of  Faux Metal from the June 2010  issue of the Newsletter. When I was creating this, the thought that the swirls from the background looked like the path of a butterfly in flight kept going through my mind. Does it look that way to you?

If you would like to see what the other Blogger's Challenge players created today, simply click on the Blogger's Challenge banner on my sidebar -- this is one fabulous group of creative ladies! 

The birthday sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up!.

Have a nice weekend,

P.S. Dare I say it? These techniques can be found on the Cd8, which will be mailing in less than a month. did you order your copy yet? Email me for details.

Blogger's Challenge: Sketch with Worn Wallpaper

Today is Friday, and that means it's Blogger's Challenge day. Today's challenge was to use the sketch provided to create a card. My card uses the Worn Wallpaper Technique from the August 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter for the background. I cheated a bit on that, using vanilla in place of the white and embossing it with Tim Holtz's Distress Embossing Powder. It is really fabulous in person!

The card stock and stamps used on this card are from Club Scrap -- my new pizza box came on Wednesday, and I was anxious to tear into it! The papers and stamps are exquisite in this month's kit -- you will be seeing more of it next week.

I really tried to stay true to the sketch, and I did -- if you are standing on your head! I turned the sketch around so that the three elements were at the bottom right of my card, rather than the top left.  although I originally created the card like the sketch, it just didn't look balanced with my elements, so I had to flip it! Here is the original sketch (click for a larger view):

If you are interested in seeing some great art, click on the Blogger's Challenge banner on my sidebar for the list of BC players. Have a great weekend!

P. S. The Worn Wallpaper Technique will also be on CD8 -- have you ordered yours yet?

BC, a Pinwheel, and the new issue

The rumors are true!  The August/September 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter was mailed on Wednesday, and the link to the issue is now available to subscribers (email me if you subscribe and you need your password, or if you would LIKE to subscribe and GET a password!). I am very happy with this issue -- it has 15 great tutorials, many of which are pretty easy -- you need easy in the summer, right?

You might notice that I am now taking pre-orders for CD8. There is a special for subscribers, too: $29.95 to renew your subscription for one year and pre-order the CD. Details are HERE for subscribers. Make sure to get your pre-order in before the end of August, so you can get your CD in the first "wave".  send me an email if you would like an invoice.

The card above was VERY easy. It features the Pinwheel Technique from the new August/September 2010 issue (which was contributed by Hetty Sanders). I love this technique!

Note that my card is black and white  - and red. This week's Blogger's Challenge was to use black and white with one other color. I wen pretty traditional with the red, but I can't help it -- it is one of my favorite combinations.  I haven't played for several weeks so I thought I would put this one out there today. All of the stamps used are from Stampin' Up!. 

Thanks for stopping by today -- have a great weekend!

Bloggers Challenge: Cricut and Stamped Grad

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to make a graduation card. Simple, right? Well, not so much when you realize that your supply of graduation stamps consists of ONE measly graduation cap stamp! Me, the woman with 10,000 stamps...one graduation stamp.

So I made lemonade out of that lemon....

I decided to make Cricut letters and decorate them using the Cricut and Stamp Technique from the June 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I took it a step further than the directions, too, and highlighted the texture on teh Cricut words. The "tassel" was made from yarn, and the background was cuttlebugged with the congratulations embossing plate. I also Popped the "A" to give it more interest. Overall, I think it turned out pretty good for only having one "official" stamp!

The Graduation Cap is a stamp from VAP (one of the Michael's Dollar Stamps), the Congratulations Stamp is from AMuse, and teh Grid Stamp on the letters is from Judikins.

Make sure to check out the other Blogger's Challenge Player artwork -- the link is on my blog sidebar.

Bloggers Challenge: Color Challenge

Today's Blogger's Challenge was all about COLOR. The colors we were charged with using for the challenge are blue, moss, and orange. I happen to love these colors together, so this was an exercise in pure fun for me!

My card uses the Watercolor Distress Technique from the February 2007 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter for the background. Color can be funny sometimes -- I originally intended the Faded Denim and Orange Marmalade Distress Inks to make up my background, but when they smooshed together they came out that lovely moss color, so I ended up with all three colors on the background. What a happy accident and perfect for this technique.

I collaged over the Watercolor Distress and added the other element to complete my card. All of the stamps are from Tim Holtz. I just LOVE the style of these stamps -- but doesn't everyone?

Make sure to check out the other creations -- click on the Blogger's Challenge link on the sidebar of my blog to get a list of players this week.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!

Blogger's Challenge - April sketch challenge

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to use the sketch on the right as inspiration for our creations. I love this sketch - so easy -- and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to use this piece of Silken Mist (from the October 2006 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter) for my rectangles. The dog was colored with Copic Markers, cut out, and layered over my Stampin' Up! verse. This card is for my niece, who just got a new puppy this week.

Every time I create or do a technique I create extra sheets of it. If I don't use them right away, I pop them into a drawer that I have set aside for them. Then when I have a challenge like this, I go "shopping" in my drawer! I knew as soon as I saw this piece that it would be perfect here. Hope you like it!

Make sure to visit the other Bloggers Challenge players this week. The link to their blogs is in my sidebar. thanks for stopping by today!

PS: Don't forget that the 2007 issues are on sale for 1/2 price ($9.00 plus postage) through April 19th -- and you do NOT need to be a subscriber to order them!

Blogger's Challenge - Happy Easter

I love making Easter cards. Well, honestly, I love making spring cards of any type! Just the happiness of them...well, makes me happy. The challenge for Blogger's Challenge this week was to make Easter cards. My Easter chick uses a Glimmer Mist Watercolors Background (from the April 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter) that was Cuttlebugged, with a layered, Copic-Markered chick. All Stamps from Stampin' Up!.

Happy Easter, one and all!

 

Scored Diamonds - Blogger's Challenge Sketch

Today's Blogger's Challenge was a sketch challenge. My card is loosely based on the sketch (on the right). I needed to drop one of the elements in the sketch to create balance for my card elements. I am really happy with the way this turned out!

I used the Scored Diamonds Technique from the April 2010 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter to create the green background. I layered an image from Twisted Papers over it, and added a ribbon, along with some piercing details. The "Happy Easter" saying is from Stampin' Up!.  

Take note: A new offer is posted from Twisted Papers, too -- a free CD with every $25.00 purchase! If you love the vintage images they carry, I suggest you go on over. (Details of the offer are on my site in their ad, or on my sidebar in the ad).

If you are a Technique Junkie, you many want to know that the link to the April 2010 issue is  LIVE -- you can access the 16 tutorials in the issue right now! If you are a junkie and you need a password, feel free to email me for it at phuntoon@optonline.net. I will get back to you ASAP with YOUR password.

Make sure you visit the other BC players this week -- their work is wonderful! Just click on the Blogger's Challenge icon on my sidebar. Have a great weekend!