Broom in a Vortex

 

Did you ever have an idea for something that you just couldn't let go of, even if it didn't pan out the first 7 times you tried to make it work? That, my friends, is this card. I wanted an orange-on-black Vortex (using the Vortex Stencil) for my card and I didn't want to do it with embossing powder.  I sprayed through the stencil. Used Distressed Oxides through the stencil. Used some paint through the stencil. I used other media through the stencil. Nothing looked good to me...not what I wanted.  

So to get here, after all that...I put VersaMark through the stencil and embossed it with an Orange Embossing Powder. Just what I didn't want to do! I was trying too hard...but knew when to get back to basics to make it work. 

Doesn't the Vortex Stencil look a little like a hurricane wind? Something about this   when it is combined with the Mile on My Broom stamp just gives me that Wizard of Oz vibe.  Is it just me? I'll have to try that with the Wisdom of Oz stamps - but this time I will START with the embossing powder!

Mandalas and the Witch Switch

 

The Technique Junkies Beautiful Mandala stamp has so many beautiful uses! I like this double colored effect. To make this simple, I inked the medallions with orange first, then went around around the outer edges of the stamp with black ink.Just make sure to clean the stamp off between inking and stamping. Perfect for the Witch Switch stamp, don't you think?

Wicked Spider Web

 

This is one of those cards that started as one thing and became another.  First I started with that background. If you look closely (and I have a close up below), you will notice the brick wall outline in shimmer. I made a brick wall background a week or so ago, and after I sprayed, I put the shimmery sprayed Brick Wall Stencil on top of this wine-colored paper. I then stamped the S578 Spider Web background over it with black ink. I then added the Wicked Halloween sentiment and a die-cut spider - and viola! A card emerged.

It always makes me very happy when I can get a two-fer like I did with the Brick Wall Shimmer. It's Wicked Good : )

Pat Huntoon

Put on the Hat

Some days,don't we all feel like this? I had fun creating this Put on the Hat focal image over my stenciled Bats. The Bats Stencil is from A Colorful Life Designs, available  from Technique Junkies HERE.

Hope you don't need to put on YOUR hat today!
Pat Huntoon 

Colorful Pumpkin

I love the Drizzle Dots from the September Release. They are very versatile - whether used vertically or horizontally, they can be subtle or strong.  In my rendition here, I wanted to emulate blowing wind - I think that was accomplished! I simple swiped ink in different colors over the background and stamped it over my masked Pumpkin stamp (colored with Copics). The sentiment from the Autumn (Set of 6) Set was stamped over the top with Black StazOn.

It might be a bit busy, but I like it anyway! The Pumpkin and the Drizzle Dots are from the Technique Junkies September 2019 release; the Autumn set was released last fall.

Have a colorful day!
Pat Huntoon 

Zig-Zagged Headless Horseman on an easel...

When I saw this ubercool image from I Brake for Stamps, I was enamored! I love the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman, and this image is a fun representation of it. I used a few techniques from the Technique Junkie Newsletter to create this easy easel card, too.

The first, of course, is the Easel Card. We have an Easel Card Tutorial on the 3D and Fun Folds CD.

Second, the background is the Zig-Zag Technique. This can be found on the Stampin' Companion CD. The background was straight lines when I started!

Finally, I colored the image with both Chalk Pastel Pencils and Colored Pencils. A tutorial for using Blending Chalk Pastel Pencils in the June 2011 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. When I was done, I swiped the piece with Antique Linen and Black Soot Distress Inks. Here's a close up of the coloring:

 

No Halloween card it worth it's salt without a spider, right? I had some fun with the buttons, too!

 Don't forget that Technique Junkies get 10% off at I Brake for Stamps, too -- use Code TJ10 at checkout.  Have a great day!

Happy Halloween!

Today's Blogger's Challenge was to create a Halloween card. I have to say -- this was tough -- it is my last Halloween card this season!

In any case,I chose to make a spooky background using the Distress Dragging technique from the February 2007 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I placed my glowing skeleton (Stampendous) over that...added a stitch stamp (Starving Artistamps), my greeting (Inkadinkadoo) and added a brad...Spooky!

Oh, I just have to share one more thing? What do you get when you have dolls glued all over a sweatshirt?

A Chick Magnet!!!

Happy Halloween!

TSSC41: Witches Brew

Boy, am I ever going to miss Halloween. I just LOVE making Halloween cards! This card was made for the Technostamper Sketch Challenge #41. I used I Brake for Stamps Halloween Plate with a Veined Marble Background from the August 2007 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter (Gosh, it was that long ago?). The Witches Brew recipe is layered on a Cuttlebug Highlight Spiderweb (October 2008 issue, TJNL). I also glittered the moon with Yellow Stickles. It just screams for that, doesn't it?

Since my photography on this was not spectacular, here is the recipe for Witches Brew (from the stamp), if you are so inclined to cook today:

Witches Brew:
Three Purple Tadpoles
Two Pinches of Ghost Dust
A dash of Creole
Frog Warts (add to taste)
A split hair from a Queen Bee
One cup of Camel Spit
Two tsp. of Frozen Rainbow
*Mix thoroughly, simmer over low heat for 4 hours. Serve Ice Cold.

Hope you enjoy your brew!

Pat

Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway -- Shimmerz Paints

I am uber-super excited. Today's giveaway is NOT stamps. Instead, I have these gorgeous Shimmerz Paints! If you have not yet heard about Shimmerz Paints, you are in for a wonderful, fun, glimmering time...They are happiness in a bottle!

The winner of this giveaway will receive the Bandanna Halloween card above (Bandanna Technique: August 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter), along with 4 colors of Shimmerz Paints: Butter Cream, Royal Purple, Iced Lavender and Pumpkin. The Bandanna card is super shimmery in person -- the witch, the pumpkins, "Happy Halloween" and even the spiderwebs were all painted with Shimmerz! As you can see on the right, the paints have a beautiful translucent sparkle to them. I bet I never put these away -- they will stay right on my desktop! (Note, the stamps used on the card are NOT part of the giveaway, they are from my personal collection.)

Here is what I love about Shimmerz (okay, I took this from their website, but I couldn't have said it better!!):

• They're already mixed. No recipe, no mess
• They're ridiculously shimmery
• They dry on glossy or non-porous surfaces, so they're perfect for use on acetate or metal
• They come in 35 spectacular colors
• They're non-toxic
• They're water-based

One thing I discovered while working with them is that when I wanted a different color, I simply colored my image with marker underneath, then painted over that with the Shimmerz Butter Cream -- it was like having custom colors at my disposal!
Check out Shimmerz Blog to find an online resource or retailer who carries Shimmerz Paints. Now, this is how YOU can win them...
ANYONE can enter this give away.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, October 26th. 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 Carey Rogers -- the winner of these paints!

A Rockin' Skull - Designer Tile Card

I recently participated in a card challenge to make a Halloween card using all Stampin' Up! stamps, and this is the card that I made for my partner. I think it just, well, ROCKS!

The card uses the Designer Tile Technique from the August 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. I especially love this skull -- after stamping it I covered it with VersaMark, covered it with glittering translucent embossing powder, heat set it and cut it out. I love the shimmer of it! I have a close-up below.

I hope my partner likes this card!

The stamps and paper are all from SU.

TSSC 39 - Glitter Masking and Cuttlebug Highlights

I missed the Technostamper Sketch Challenge this week, so today's post is here to make it up...and boy did I have a good time doing this!

The front panel on this card uses the Glitter Masking Technique from the October Issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The Spiders, and Circle and the orange square are all glittered! That panel is layered over a spiderweb piece of Cuttlebug Highlights, also from the October issue.

The Boo stamp is from The Angel Company.

Another Clear Artistic Card: Snakeskin

I just liked the Clear Artistic Stamps from the giveaway so much yesterday that I had to make another card today. This time I used the Snakeskin Technique from the October 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter and made a little flap front for an extra message. I adore the way this turned out. It's funny -- I always think that I "don't do cute". I guess I DO, don't I?

In any case, these stamps are on sale right now at Clear Artistic Stamps until Tuesday October 21, 2008 for only $8.95!

Remember that I am giving the stamps for this away CLICK HERE to place your entry.

Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway: Clear Artistic Stamps

Halloween scary? No way! This card was made with terrifically fun stamps from Clear Artistic Stamps, our Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway sponsor this week.

The main panel of this card was colored with pencils and gamsol. It is layered on a purple piece made using the Cuttlebug Highlights Technique from the October 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. The ribbon was colored using Starburst Stains and dried (it is GORGEOUS in person!). I love how bold the colors are together in person -- the purples, the bright green on the Cuttlebug portion, and the shimmer to the ribbon are just perfect with the fun feeling of the stamp.

So here are today's stamps, called Autumn Treats from Clear Artistic Stamps:

Here are the directions to receive a generous 15% off!
E-mail your their order to clearartisticstamps@belindalandtroop.com
Belinda will do a discount of 15% on the order. That does include sale items. Then she will send an invoice through PayPal.

Clear Artistic Stamps has two new sets that were released yesterday! They are on special until Friday this week. You can check out all news and specials here: http://www.belindalandtroop.com/WhatsNew.html

Okay, so how do you enter this giveaway? ANYONE can enter this give away.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, October 19th. 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 Michelle Sampson, the winner of this giveaway!

Cuttlebug Highlights meet Bandanna...

I should not be buying stamps. Ever. I have billions. But I can't resist! I was in the stamp store purchasing chalk refills (ahem, junkies, that may be a December hint) when this Happy Halloween stamp just jumped out at me. I knew that this cool Cuttlebug folder had been calling me for a week or two -- so I just had to have the stamp (by Inkadinkadoo) so I could make a happy marriage between the two. My creation combines the Cuttlebug Highlights technique (October 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletter) with the Bandanna Technique (August 2008 newsletter). This time, though, I used a Souffle Pen to out line the embossed areas. Did I mention that those pens jumped into my basket, too?

My highlighting on this is not perfect, but I am reveling in it's imperfection...Happy Technique Blitz.

Blogger's Challenge 66: Warhol

I haven't had the opportunity to participate in the weekly Blogger's Challenge recently, so I am so happy to have a chance to play today!

Today's challenge was to create a Warhol card, a technique done by the Technique Junkie Newsletter in the February 2005 issue. Such a simple technique -- it can be done with almost any stamp, too.

I chose to use a stamp from I Brake for Stamp's Halloween stamps. I happen to be giving this stamp set away this week, too -- click here to see the stamps and enter the giveaway. If you haven't entered to win it, you should!

Have a great weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway: I Brake for Stamps

Boo! Today's stamps for the Wonderful Wednesday Giveaway are from one of our featured vendors for October's issue, I Brake for Stamps.

I haven't stamped for several weeks -- I have had so many personal and professional issues and commitments, that it just was not in the "cards" for me. So, lucky for me, I had these fun stamps to work with for today's giveaway! I was so inspired by these stamps...these deeply etched, well-designed images are a joy to work with.

The background on this card, the spiderweb, was done using the Cuttlebug Highlight Technique. What? You haven't heard of that technique? Well, that is because it is from the soon-to-be-mailed October 2008 issue of the Technique Junkie Newsletter (Friday is our mailing day). Just a little sneak preview : )

Here are the stamps we are giving away this week:


The best part is that I Brake for Stamps have these stamps on special this week for 25% off -- in fact, there are a whole slew of stamps on special for 25% to 60% off. Really, these are just great deals!


Okay, so how do you enter this giveaway? ANYONE can enter this give away.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, September 28th. 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 stamp set is vlromaine! Congratulations!

A little Halloween fun...

Just a quick card to share...I made this for a recent Halloween swap. I usually don't make much for Halloween, but I just love this little circle set and the designer papers. All supplies: Stampin' Up!.

I helped DH paint the deck today...I had greay and white paint all over my body -- why can't I be neater when I paint? Oh well, the paint thinner removed the leftover ink on my fingertips, so it's not all bad... Hope YOUR weekend is great!

Leftovers, Anyone?

Does this ever happen to you? You are working on a swap, making all of the pieces and parts (and a few extra of everything, just in case), and when you finish you have a bunch of pieces left that haven't been used. Not quite enough to make another of the swap cards, mind you, but too much to just toss. What do you do with them? I make leftovers!

That is what I did today before I cleaned my stamping desk from yesterday's swap...I made Halloween leftovers. Just a couple of pieces from my stamping candy jar...

The "Boo" card on the left is my favorite. I used my new Outline Alphabet stamps -- SO cool! See the little "Happy Halloween" above the black piece? it is cut from the Batty Jumbo Wheel. That wheel has a ton of uses! All three of the leftovers here have something from that wheel. All of the black pieces have been stamped with the new Sanded Background in white ink, too.

The piece on the left was just a simpler version of the original swap card. The major difference is that "Trick or Treat" was cut out of the Batty Wheel. Just flipped the designer paper, over, too.

Finally, the piece below was made last. I just punched out the three Batty for You images -- the 1" punch is PERFECT for this. These are layered on punched black 1-1/4" circles and layered on designer paper scraps. Can you guess where the little "Trick or Treat" in the metal piece is from? You guessed it -- the "Batty" Wheel!

Hope you enjoy my leftovers!

More new card samples

I have seen so many beautiful things done with this set. I swear I wasn't going to get it...but somehow, someway, Pick a Petal ended up on my Mega order. I am so GLAD! This is my first creation with it...

Again, Guava makes an appearance, this time with Celery and Wasabi. I started with a pre-made piece of Polished Rainbow from the Technique Junkie Newsletter, and the colors from that matched perfectly with the Guava and the Greens. I just added a little texture to the Polished Rainbow and then cut it up for the background behind the petals and the flower center. Finding a way to use Stem Sayings in the design was a challenge, but I like the wavy look. I am happy with the way this turned out!

The Batty for you card on the left also uses the batty wheel and the Halloween designer paper. The top bat is popped up, you just cant see it in the scan. This is for a Halloween swap I am in.

Okay, one more for today...

The card below uses Moose You -- and a cool color combo that I really like - Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, and Pomegranate. It is really cute in person, it is a shame that the tone-on-tone stamping doesn't show well. If you would like to see the details more, double-click the image and it will open a new window with a larger image.

In any case, you can always resort to squinting to see the Big Pieces in the background on the left side, and under the Deer. Enjoy!