REMEMBERING WITH GRATITUDE

Greetings Junkies!!!  

This date is the official Memorial Day here in the USA.  Once called "Decoration Day", it's day set aside to remember those who died in the service or our country.  It started after the Civil War and continues today.  Back in the 1971, an act of congress changed the date to be the last Monday in May.  

Growing up, I remember Memorial Day was a day when members of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) passed out red poppies and took donations to help maintain a fund to buy flags to place at the graves of deceased veterans.  

The story of the red poppies being a symbol of Memorial Day has two parts, it was inspired from a poem "In Flanders Field" written by a Canadian, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrea in 1915.  Inspired by this poem, an American Moina Michael wrote her own poem and conceived the idea to wear the red poppy as a symbol to remember those who gave their lives in war.    

The card I made today is honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for world freedoms.  

When I saw the poppy stamp in the Technique Junkies store, I knew I wanted to have it in my collection.  It's simplicity is stunning and can be easily colored with whatever medium you choose.  I used Copic Markers here.  

I first stamped the poppy on a card layer, colored it and masked it.  I then inked the poppy again with Pumice Stone Distress Ink and stamped some more images around the mask.  For additional texture, I used Herringbone Tweed background stamp inked with the same DI ink in Pumice Stone.  That gave it a "linen" look.  

I couldn't stop there, so keeping the mask in place, I mixed up some black acrylic paint and water and splattered it across the layer for even more texture.  The sentiment was made with my old label maker.  (That puppy comes in handy so often.) 

If you'd like a little discount for some awesome Technique Junkies Stamps, here's a discount code to help with that.  

I hope you didn't mind the history lesson and I pray we never forget those who sacrificed everything defending freedom.  It's a precious gift.  

Woohooo!!! Only two more days and it will be the first of the month and time for a new release from Technique Junkies!!!!  We'll be hopping with all the new stamps on Thursday, June 1.  You don't want to miss it!  

Thanks for stopping by today.  See you Thursday!  

MAY 2017 ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE AT THE HOUSE THAT STAMPS BUILT

OMGeeeee....what a week so far....so much to do...so little time!!! 

It's anything goes this week at The House That Stamps Built, so since I haven't had a whole lot of time to create, I went with something easy.  Just masking, sponging and stamping.  

This card was so easy, I feel as though I cheated at something....LOL.  Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and perhaps found some inspiration while you were here.  

The Repeat Impressions stamps I used on this card are #2722-I "Cattails", #3412-C "Gulls in Flight", #102-F "Draggonfly" and the sentiment is #8623-D "Brighten".

For even more incredible ATG inspiration take a look at what these awesome ladies have created.

Deonna - Donna - Heather - Joy - Laurie - Patti J - Shirley

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll grab yourself some crafting time this week and join our ATG challenge at The House.   The details on how to enter will be found there.  

And if you'd like a little discount on any Repeat Impressions stamps, please use my coupon code at check out and get yourself an additional 10% off your order.  Coupon Code RR10CW.  

BETTER THINGS FALL TOGETHER

Hello, Junkies!!! 

Here's a card I made some time ago.  I love the sentiment, "Better Things", a quote from American movie star icon, Marilyn Monroe, and was inspired to create the background around it.  

My Gelatos needed some play time so I created a "drip" background on watercolor paper with them.  Some years ago, Technique Junkies Newsletter published a "Drip" tutorial using reinkers.  I basically did that technique using the Gelatos instead.

You layer the Gelatos at the top of the watercolor panel then add water by spraying or with a wet paintbrush.  I tried both here and they both worked equally well.  

The heart was a piece of scrap of watercolored paper I had from another project.  I heat embossed "Love Script" in white ep before die cutting it.

Technique Junkies has a new challenge up and ready for you to play in.  Our challenges come intact with a technique for you to learn and try.  Our newest one is "Shaped Stencils"  and all the details can be found on that link.  

Also, we have a Facebook page and you're invited to join us there for chatter, fun and a place to post your creations.  

Are you a fan of Technique Junkies stamps or fast becoming one?  If so, and would like a little discount in your next purchase of them, please feel free to use mine and get yourself some happy mail.   

Craft on...and be happy!  Thanks for stopping by today.

  

MAY 2017 INSPIRATION CHALLENGE AT THE HOUSE THAT STAMPS BUILT

Hello crafty friends!  

We're here with another Wednesday challenge at The House That Stamps Built and this week it's an inspiration challenge.  

What inspires you from this image?  Is it the colors, the textures, the flowers? Whatever it is we encourage you to create a project and enter our challenge.  All the details are at The House. 

 I was inspired by the colors, so I went with that.  I used RI Stamp #9008-N "Cool Treats"  and the sentiment is RI# 9313-D "Sweet".  

For more fabulous ideas for inspiration, check out what my team mates have come up with.  

Deonna - Donna - Heather - Joy - Laurie - Patti J - Shirley

Now that you've seen those awesome creations, come on over and play along.  We'd love to see what you come up with.  

I'm also entering this in the new Simon Says Wednesday Challenge "A Bit of Sparkle". 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a fantastic week!  

PUPPY LOVE

Hello Junkies!  

Pat has sooooo many incredibly awesome rubber stamps in the Technique Junkies store.  If you haven't browsed around, you are in for a real treat.  If you have you already know what I'm talking about.  Choosing TJ stamps from my supply to showcase and play with is one of my guilty pleasures.  

This week I couldn't resist this little guy!  He has such an adorable face and can be used with a variety of sentiments.  I used the incredible Chameleon Colortone Pencils to color him.  The trick and technique to coloring this stamp with these pencils is layering colors. What fun they are to play with! 

I used a background cover die I had to use up some card stock scraps and wasn't sure how I would use it until I stamped and colored this puppy.  It all came together quite quickly.  

I first stamped the puppy with my MISTI in "Potter's Clay" Memento ink and then began (I took my time) with light colors to enhance the scruffy hairs then built up in darker colors.  The technique is called "no-line coloring" and it can be achieved with many mediums.  This was the first time I tried it with the Chameleon Colortone Pencils and I really like the way it turned out.  

Technique Junkies has a new monthly challenge posted on our blog.  It was posted yesterday.  You have a month to enter - all the details can be found on the blog post HERE. 

Also, come on over and join us on our FaceBook Page.  Lots of fun, Junkies news and chatter there and a great place to post your creations.  

ENABLER ALERT:  If you find some stamps in the TJ Store you'd like and need a little savings on them, please use my code for a 10% off your entire stamp order.  (It excludes the new release and sale items) 

Grab yourself some craft time this week and get your fun on!