Welcome to the HOP!

Welcome! Today is Day 30 of the Technique Junkie Newsletter 10 year Anniversary Bash, and we are celebrating today with a Blog Hop! The TJ Design team is joining in today with a very special prize. If you arrived here from Holly's blog, you are in the right place - the final stop of the hop. If you STARTED here, take a minute to go to the Design Team Blog and follow our hop back to here. The artwork is worth it!

Our idea today was to show our favorite techniques with the hop. Holy cow -- with over 1000 techniques published, asking me to pick my favorite is like picking a favorite child! Instead, what I decided to do was to pick my favorite fold -- The Tall Accordion Card from the Fancy Folds and Motion CD. I love this fold because it is so easy -- and since it stands up so nicely, it is lovely to display, too.

 I have two cards here to show you. The first is one (above) that I designed for Make and Takes for our Trade Show booth during 2012. It uses Close To My Heart Stamps and one of my favorite color combinations: black, white and red.

The second, on the right, uses Club Stamp papers and stamps. On this sample, I also used two more techniques. First, the peacock feather in front was colored using the Brush Wash Technique from the October 2011 issue. The center portion uses the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique from the October 2008 issue, with a bit of gold embossing to match the gorgeous gold paper.

So you are probably wondering what the prize is today, right?

One lucky winner will have the opportunity to become a Guest Designer for an issue! The winner will have their artwork published on the TJ Artwork site, and at least one piece will be published in the paper issue. You will see the issue two months before everyone else, too! Oh yes -- I will add a year subscription to your prize, too.

To win this giveaway, simply leave your email address and a comment on this blog post. My random number generator will select one lucky winner on Thursday, November 1st (Hurricane Sandy/Power Outages Permitting). Good luck and thank you for coming to the hop!

Congratulations to Beth Parker, the winner of the Guest Designer Prize!

Scrappin' Saturday: REC Center

This is another page in my book of me. This is the recreation center where I spent my early teen years ice skating and learning how to socialize. 

This page is embellished with a little squirrel and tree from Hampton Arts. (There is a park next to the Rec center, hence the squirrel and tree, in case you were wondering. The journaling covers that.) 

The REC Center words are painted in Espresso Adirondack Paints, and covered with Rock Candy Distress Paint. Not exactly what I thought it would turn out like, but I am happy with it none-the-less.  Close To My Heart paper.

Today I am at a scrapbook retreat in New Jersey -- I will have a whole new batch of pages to upload when I get home!

Hope your day is filled with creative endeavors!

Scrappin' Saturday: School Days

I started this feature on my blog -- Scrappin' Saturday -- where I would post a stamped scrapbook page once per week...and it lasted one whole week! Seriously, I could show you a billion pages..but for some reason, taking a good picture of them is beyond me. Bad pictures be damned, I will try to post more!

In any case, a few years ago one of my sisters drove around our childhood town of Cheektowaga NY and took pictures of some of our "landmarks." Since NONE of my 5 brothers or sisters still live in or anywhere near Buffalo, I decided to create my own little book about my childhood home, places I visited, memories of my family, etc. I haven't even told my family about this -- I am certain that my DH, my sons, and even some of my siblings would all think it  was lame. I don't care! Some day I will have grandchildren who will be interested, LOL. 

The stamps and paper used on this layout are from Close To My Heart. Thanks for stopping by today!

Scrappin' Saturday: Zoo Layout

Since I scrapbook as often as I can on Fridays, I am starting a new feature here: Scrappin' Saturdays. I hope to display a new scrapbook page each Saturday from the previous week (or at least, something new to you!). I hope you enjoy this new feature!

This week's layout (you may have to click on it to make it larger and to get more detail) was of Zoo pictures from Cape May this summer. The giraffe is stamped (a close-up is on the right) using Close To My Heart Stamps. I did use the torn frame technique (December 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletter) on one of the mats, too. In addition, the title uses crackle paint from Tim Holtz -- I love this stuff. I especially like that I used my woefully neglected fibers to spruce up the title along the edge of the Z and the two O's! Here is a close-up of that:If you are so inclined, leave a comment and let me know whether you like this new feature!

Well, that's it for today -- thanks for sharing in my scrapbook adventures!

Cuttlebug Highlights in Autumn

Fall is my favorite time of year. Living in Connecticut, the leaves are so gorgeous in autumn...it is impossible NOT to love fall. I think this card captures autumn perfectly! It makes me want to put on a sweater and take a walk in the cool, fresh air.

The leaf stamps in this card were made with Close To My Heart using the Stamp Rolling Technique from the Technique Junkie First Edition CD. The light green panel uses the Cuttlebug Highlight Technique from the October 2008 issue of the TJ Newsletter. Of course, I HAD to add some Shimmerz Paint to the leaves, too. I just couldn't help myself!

The crackle stamp on the dark green cardstock is from Stampin' Up!, and the saying is from Club Scrap.

I hope your fall has been as beautiful and colorful as mine!

Camouflage Camping..

I originally bought these stamps to scrapbook pictures from my son's Boy Scout camping trip. They are just too cute to let languish on my shelf, though. They seemed a perfect match for the Camouflage Technique from the October 2008 issue of the TJ Newsletter, too.

I love my Bear card!

Stamps: Close to My Heart

Blogger's Challenge: Gift Giving

This week's Bloggers Challenge (#70) was to make something that you would give as a gift. I made this little candle basket, which I plan on taking to my SIL's house this weekend when we visit.

I have a little confession: I struggle with this kind of thing. I usually approach them with a moderate level of dread, since I know that 3-D stamped things usually end up looking like a Kindergartner made them when they are crafted from my hands. I actually like this one, though.

The leaves were done using the Stamp Rolling technique from the Technique Junkie Newsletter's 1st Edition CD. Stamps are from Close to My Heart.

I hope my SIL likes this little gift...

My disturbing ATC

Did you ever make something that was vaguely disturbing?

I think this ATC is disturbing. I am in an ATC group and the theme for this month was fruits and veggies. I have these cool vegetable stamps from Close To My Heart that I thought would be perfect for this. They are long retired and I haven't used them much, so when opportunity knocks, you have to answer the door : )

When I started this ATC, the idea was pretty normal. Carrot, good for your eyes, and all that. In fact, this piece is probably the most normal of all the ATCs I made for the swap --the other ones are REALLY disturbing! (sorry swapmates, don't mean to freak you out!!).The reason I think that these are so disturbing is because the eyes are too serious -- it is almost like they are too intense for the stamps. Oh well, every once in a while we have to make things that jar the senses...

The background on this is a Technique Junkie Newsletter technique called Acetate Swirl from the 6th Edition CD Bonus Techniques. The eyes were stamped on the Acetate, then colored with gel pens. Is it just me, or do they disturb you, too?

Blogger's Challenge #51 - Color Combination

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to use the color combination of Green, Pink and Turquoise. While I was tempted to grab some flowers, I have been drawn to these cool stamps from Starving Artistamps all week long.

I just kept thinking that I wanted to turn these Doodle Factory: Urban stamps into something girly. Cool, hip, phun and phunky girly. Hence my creation today!

Originally I had hand-wrritten "Girlz-Rool" in the banner, but I didn't like the way it looked, so I stamped this saying from Close To My Heart. In any case, I colored it all with Copic Markers, I am working on perfecting my technique in using them, so bear with me. Heck, I even dug out a cloud stencil!

Check out the entries from the other BC players, listed in my sidebar.
Hope you have a phun weekend!

Blogger's Challenge #49 - Animals

I am back for Blogger's Challenge Friday! Today's challenge was make creations featuring animals. I just couldn't decide what to do, so I made two cards today!

The first uses a Stampin' Up! set called Bronc Buster. The main image is layered on an Aged Parchment Background. Aged Parchment is a technique from the newest June issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter.

This was the first time I pulled out the "Build-a-Brad" set that I bought in January! As I was making these custom brads I immediately thought that I should order more...can't run out now that I used them! Stamping is a disease, I swear! They sit there for months, then I use them once, now I want more! YIKES!

On to the second sample. This one uses Close To My Heart stamps. The main image is surrounded by greens and blues from the Marker Water Coloring Technique from the June issue. This card is a captured beads card -- again, a technique from the June issue. I show the outside here, then the inside below... Love this card! It is so adorable...

So here are three techniques from the newest June issue -- 3 out of 12. If you are not a subscriber, shouldn't you be? You can see all of these techniques, plus the OTHER 60 that will be published this year, for just $9.99. What are you waiting for? (Sorry about the shameless plug -- someone has to do it!)

Hey, do you like the props for the photographs, or do you prefer them "bare bones?" I can do them either way -- let me know your opinion, if you have a minute.

Make sure to check out the other Blogger's Challenge cards from the other players -- they are listed in my sidebar.

TSSC 12 - Faux Brick

I have sinned.

I covet these stamps. My friend Valerie just signed on as a Close To My Heart Consultant and brought these stamps over Friday for me to look at. Of course I love them, and that wicked, wicked, evil girl knows that they will be on my next order. So which is a bigger sin -- coveting the stamps or giving in to the impulse to buy them?

In any case, my sketch card for Mary Jo Price Williams' Technostamper Sketch Challege uses the Faux Brick Technique from the April 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter as the background piece. The stamps are from the aforementioned coveted set from Close To My Heart. My evil friend let me christen them on Friday,and I just wrote the check out for my own set. Sigh.

I did take a small liberty with the sketch by adding an additional element behind the front panel, but I think I can be forgiven for that. The original sketch is below. Check out Mary Jo's blog to see the other sketch players this week.

Cards from the TJNL Swap...

For each issue of the TJNL, we have a swap -- and the cards are fabulous! (The gallery of swaps is here.) I almost always make a card for everyone in the swap. Well, that is not really true -- I usually make three cards or more, and each uses a technique from the NEXT issue, so everyone gets a sneak preview. I love doing these swaps (oh heck, I just like swapping in general). It is hard sometimes, though, since the swaps get 35 people or so each time -- and time is always an issue for me. I give these cards a high priority -- I am committed to making those cards each time!!!

Two of the cards I made for the August swap are here. The one on the right uses the Marker Wash Technique -- these Close To My Heart stamps are perfect with the technique.

The second card (on the left) uses the Cuttlebug Smoosh Technique -- something I have done in the past two posts. Are you sick of it yet? I'm not!

That card uses all Stampin' Up! stamps.

Now for some exciting news...

October marks the 5th year anniversary of the Technique Junkie Newsletter -- and I will be having a GIVE-AWAY-A-DAY every day during October! Watch my blog, my website and the Technique Junkie Newsletter e-groups for details. I have approximately $750.00 in stamps, gift certificates and merchandise from various vendors to give away! Join in the fun -- it all starts tomorrow!

Blogger's Challenge Week 11 - Adorable

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to use this layout for card inspiration. Well, I just couldn't get this Close To My Heart set and Papers out of my mind! I hope you enjoy my interpretatio0n of the layout. Make sure to check out the other cards from the rest of the Blogger's Challenge group -- the talent in this group is amazing! Their blogs are on my sidebar.

Finding Beauty....

I recently ordered quite a few stamps from Close To My Heart, and I am using them almost every day. Unfortunately, they are being used for artwork for the next two newsletters, and I just can't show you that right now! In the meantime, I was just playing around and came out with the card on the right. I hope you like it!

I used a modified Milkpaint Technique for the burgundy section of this card. The Milkpaint technique was covered in the TJ Newsletter a few years ago, and I have a Free Tutorial for the technique HERE. The file is a .pdf -- it is in the format that the TJNL CDs are in. Enjoy the tutorial!

Oh, I keep forgetting to post this -- I am adding a Close To My Heart Gallery this month to the http://www.patstamps.com/ website, so keep your eye out for that. I am also in the midst of the 1,000 update to the Stampin' Up! Current Set Gallery (and the ATC Gallery, too). I will announce the updated site areas here as I complete them.

A new way to use them...

I have a bunch of Anita's (and Outline) Art Stickers that I rarely use. I was on a buying jag (does that surprise anyone?) at a Stamp Convention and I was very enthusiastic about using them on my art. Two years later...and I haven't used them much at all.

I pulled some out the other day to make some ATCs for a swap. I discovered something really cool! By coloring the stickers with Sakura's Gelly Roll Pens and letting them dry, then pulling up the stickers, you can get a whole new look. I made two ATCs -- one with the Sticker still on the ATC, and one with it off...

I like them both!

All Stamps: Close To My Heart

Swallowed by Swaps

Every two months I am swallowed by swaps! I host a swap based on the techniques from the current TJ newsletter. Each time, 30 - 40 people sign up. It truly is a joy to open the envelopes, oogle the artwork, and match cards to cards...

So why do I avoid doing it every time? I should have mailed these out last week -- but it was newsletter mailing week, and the special pricing I am running was in full swing. I truly did not have two seconds to add something to my "to-do" list, much less to actually DO the task.

But why do I put it off until the last minute? Is it the two hours I need to spend opening the packages, photographing everything, swapping the cards out and repackaging everything back up? I'm not sure, but I task avoid it every time. More than likely it is because when I get to the last few piles of cards I realize that I have one or two more to swap out than I have left available. It happens every time (and today was no exception!). I know how to fix the problem of course, but I always feel like a big dope -- I think maybe that is what I am avoiding! Repetitive stupidity.

The irony of this is that I love the cards I get from the swaps, and I actually enjoy swapping out the cards (up until the time I realize I am an idiot -- that part I don't like LOL). I even enjoy making the cards -- I try to participate in every swap and make a card for every swapper. This time I made four kinds, 40 in all -- but those were done weeks ago. Maybe i just don't like when it is over! In any case, you can see the swap cards from this issue here.

Here are two I really like! The one on the right was made by Korin Sutherland and uses Close To My Heart Stamps. Korin used the Reverse Prints Technique to make her card.

The card below was made by Cathy Johnstone using Stampin' Up! stamps for the Flap Fold Technique.

So another issue's swap ends -- I have 34 new cards and a floor full of swap debris to show for it!

August, a little early...

The August issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter was mailed today and the link for the subscriber-only online tutorials went live at 5-ish Wednesday. Technique Junkies can now view the tutorials for the newest techniques at their convenience.

There are some techniques I love in this issue...one being the Z-Fold card technique illustrated here. It is so easy, that even I -- one of the founding members of the "Folding-and-Motion Impaired Club" -- has mastered it! I can whip these cards out in no time - and I love that I am using bits and pieces of left-over designer paper pieces from my scrapbooking supplies.

The card above uses all Close To My Heart Stamps; the one below uses all Stampin' Up! stamps. Did you notice that both use the same format? Both use designer paper, texture from the Cuttlebug, and an oval center backed with ribbon.They look totally different, though, and I bet you didn't notice that until I told you, did you? I guess that is another reason I like the technqiue so much...

Give it a go, you will love it!