Technique Junkies

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Welcome Karen Petitt!

Hi, there!  I've got another Crew member that I'd like to spotlight this week--it's the fabulous Karen Petitt!!!  Karen has been crafting for awhile now but she is the only Crew member from the UK!  The rest of us are from North America!  Let's hear what she has to say about herself!

Karen Petitt: stamping in pINK
 

Hello, my name is Karen Petitt!  I am married to my wonderful husband Steve who is my brick as well as being my Carer.  We live in rural Northamptonshire, not far from Oxford and Silverstone Racing Circuit. We don't have any children but I do have a Jack Russell Terrier called Eddy who brings much laughter to our lives!

I have crafted all of my life in various different ways.  I started out knitting - my Mum taught me how to knit when I was 5.  I've always crafted, since childhood, just different crafts!  I started making my own cards when I couldn't find a card suitable for my husband.

Approximately 20 years ago I was introduced to rubber stamping and heat embossing - and I was hooked!  I was lucky enough, at that time, to be able to attend stamping and card making workshops to learn and improve my skills. 

I love clean and simple cards but I rarely make them!  With the exception of Steve and my younger brother, Luke, my family love cards that are bold and loud and I try to make the card to suit the person rather than being one style.

Stamping and creating helps me escape from Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.  I had junior RA as a child and my back was damaged after being in two car accidents within one year. 

I was part of Joanna Sheen's design team for a year and was lucky enough to see my cards on TV in the UK (Create & Craft Channel).  I love learning new techniques as well as updating techniques I learnt 10 years or so ago.   I'm a serious stamp addict with a mega stamp addiction! I love having inky fingers. I'm experimenting with different mediums and techniques right now.

I'm looking forward to working with you all and learning some new skills!  Sorry if I have 'rabbited' on too much - it is one of my main faults!

No worries, Karen!  We LOVE knowing about the girls we work with!  I know that we're all excited to see the creations that you create here at Technique Tuesday! :)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Welcome Katy Drogos!

Hello again!  This week's spotlight is on the fabulous Katy Drogos!  Katy just started blogging a little more than a year, but she's an amazing crafter and her blog is so fun!  But let's let her tell us more about her, since she's the expert! ;)

Hello everybody!  My name is Katy Drogos.  I live in sunny Florida with my husband, son, and 2 cats.  If I'm not doing something with my family-then I must be crafting (or sleeping!).

I made crafts as a kid.  My aunt tried to teach me to sew, but that just wasn't interesting to me.  I loved taking pictures and later made a scrapbook for my high school band class.  Which looking back on it-a total disaster.  Now however, after a few classes and some neat tools I am much better!

My husband is my biggest supporter.  He encouraged me to start my blog-it's already been a year!  I believe I have made more things this one year then I usually do.  I don't know if I have a particular style.  I know I like ink and making a mess!  I enjoy using different techniques especially when you use things you have in a different way.

This is my first design team-so I am super excited!  I look forward to seeing your creations! :)
Thanks, Katy!  We look forward to seeing your creations, too!  Stay tuned to meet the other girls on the Crew in the next few weeks...and then maybe about Mynnette?! ;)  See you again soon!!!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Mid Month Motivation: Take 2--No CASE

Hi, all!  SO sorry to do this, but I have been out of town for a family wedding and I haven't had time to CASE anyone this month. :(  BUT, I do have a Mid Month Motivation for you or the Baby Wipe Reinker Challenge! :)  I'm calling it "Take 2".

So, I'm not sure how you all felt about your baby wipe reinker pad, but I wanted to get a little more use out of it.  I don't throw things away right off, I wait to see if I can reuse it in the next few days, and so that is what I did with my ink pad that I created.  Here's what I did for "Take 2"!


Baby Wipe Reinker "Take 2"

Materials Needed
Previously created baby wipe reinker pad
Glimmer mist (mine's homemade)
Solid image rubber stamps

"How To"

1. Take your previously inked pad and spritz it generously with glimmer mist to get it wet again.


2. Press your stamp into the pad and stamp your images.

3. I added centers to my flowers--add whatever else your image needs.


4. Cut out if needed and add it to your project!  I still had my leftover scraps from my original card out and so I just copied it!  EASY, easy card to make!

You'll see that this card is a lot lighter than the original.  Make sure that when you choose a glimmer mist that it is a "clear" one--meaning it won't change the colors, just enhance it with a shimmer.

Here are my two cards side by side so you can see the color difference in the images~

So, there you have it!  I hope you take time to try "Take 2"!  It's so much fun and if you'd like to see more details on this card, they will be available at my personal blog, On a Stampage!  Happy stamping, friends! :)

Welcome Nancy Yankowski!

Welcome to another spotlight!!!  This week we'll be hearing a little bit about Crew member Nancy Yankowski!  Let's read what she has to say about herself, shall we?!

  Hello ~ my name is Nancy Yankowski. I live in Pennsylvania with my husband, our three sons (20,21,23), and our two pups. I started crafting about two and a half years ago after seeing some paper crafts on Etsy. Since then I've become a hoarder of rubber stamps ~ and countless other craft supplies! I love learning new techniques and trying to come up with creative ways to use my supplies.

Short and sweet--but you will LOVE Nancy's fabulous style!  Please take some time to go and visit her blog.  She is a fabulous crafter and we are so lucky to have her here at Technique Tuesday!  Yeah for Nancy!!! ;)

Cascading Card Top Winner & Showcased Cards

Wow!  Over 20 participants last month--thank you ALL for playing along!  I want to just make a short comment before I reveal July's winners.  I cannot choose all of you to win.  Also, some of the technique challenges here will be easier for you than others, so PLEASE keep playing along!!!  That said, let's take a look at July's winners!

Top Winner is a TIE!!!

It's a tie between~


and 


Both are just stunning in different ways and I couldn't choose between them, so congratulations, gals!  You BOTH win 3 digital sentiments of your choice!  Please read the guidelines HERE on how to contact me about your prizes!  And don't forget to snag your badge under the tab above!  Now let's see the fabulous showcased cards!

Showcased Cards in Numerical Order~

(Her card was also one of the 
fabulous CASEd creations as well!)




Carte cascade
  
Congratulations to you all!   All very well earned and all amazing creations!  You each win 1 digital sentiment of your choice!  Please read the guidelines HERE on how to contact me about your prizes!  Please take your badge from the tab up at the top, too!!!

Thanks for stopping by to see July's winners, please play along with me and my new Crew this month--I cannot wait to see everyone's amazing Baby Wipe Reinker creations--happy stamping! :)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Welcome Ellen Parker!

Hi, friends!  I've got some news for you--I've got an amazing group of girls who will be working with me from this point out at Technique Tuesday!  I'm calling them my CREW instead of a design team...because it sounds cool.  Anyway, it's time for you to meet my crew!  I'll be spotlighting one of my fabulous gals each week until you've met them all...including me. ;)  Today's spotlight is on Ellen Parker!  Take it away, Ellen!


 Hi! My name is Ellen Parker and I am addicted to making cards!

I have been married to my dear husband, Donald, since 1985 and have two adult children; one daughter in TN and one son in the US Army.  I also have Almond Joy, my constant companion who is a chocolate Cocker Spaniel that is turning one year old on July 17, 2012. 

I have been seriously making cards for about three years now and have made so many wonderful friends in the card making community.  Once I really got serious about making cards, I set up my blog - In a World of Craft.  My first post was July 25, 2012 so my first blogoversary is almost here!

I really only make cards and could not tell you my "style". I love to make all kinds of cards and vary my style to keep it interesting.  I enjoy using my sewing machine on my cards. My favorite technique is layering elements in different ways to add interest and depth to a composition. 

Vintage and shabby has always been my first love in card making so layering, sewing, distressing, and embellishing are included on most of my cards in one way or another.  Over the last few months, I have been trying to learn more about "clean and simple" CAS cards and am beginning to even enjoy making them, although it is still hard to leave all that empty space on a card!

I adore my Big Shot and use it constantly to assist in all of the layering I do.  Die cuts are my favorite product, but don't ask me to give you a favorite name brand. I love them all so much I am not partial to any one brand.  You will see more Spellbinders than others simply because they are more accessible for me.

With all of these cards starting to accumulate, it quickly became apparent that I needed an outlet for them.  After several tries at organizations, I found Operation Write Home which is an organization of crafters who make blank cards for our Armed Forces to use to write home on.  We also send AnyHero cards to deployed troops thanking them for their service to our Country.

Since I am now a new PROUD Army Mom, I think the marriage of cards and Operation Write Home was perfect for me.  I look forward to now creating for Technique Tuesday and sharing my handiwork with all of you and creating more friendships here!

Welcome, Ellen!  Your style is amazing and we can't wait to see all your fabulous creations here on Technique Tuesday!!! :)

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Baby Wipe Reinker Challenge--And An Announcement!

Welcome to a new month here at Technique Tuesday!  I have a surprise for you all!!!  In addition to a new challenge, I have a new CREW to introduce you to!  That's right--now you'll get 5 examples of the technique each month!  You'll get to meet these 4 gals more one on one throughout the month, but right now, please take a peek a their blogs!

Please welcome~




and last, but certainly NOT least

Tracey at "Serene Stamper"

These ladies are all fabulous crafters and I am so excited to have them here working with me at Technique Tuesday!!!  You'll get to see their first submissions here at the end of the post!  Let's get down to business, shall we?!

Thank you to all who played along last month with the Cascading Card challenge--the winners will be announced on the 15th of this month!
 

August's Top Winner will receive 3 digital sentiments made by yours truly, and each stamper who's card is showcased will receive 1 digital sentiment made by yours truly! ;)  Here's the best part--THE WINNERS get to choose what they want their sentiment to say and what style!  If this doesn't sound like something you'd like, you could choose from some sentiments that I already have made. :)

This is how it will work--please email me within 5 days with the sentiment(s) that you would like and choose from the following styles: classic (ie Times New Roman type font), elegant (ie cursive font), whimsical (ie swirly/kid type font), or fun (handwriting font).  More information will be mentioned when the winners are announced!
This month's technique is called Baby Wipe Reinker Pad!  It's SO fun and easy--and I have a "Take Two" that I will be sharing sometime this month! :)
Baby Wipe Reinker Pad

Materials Needed


Reinkers (I've used 3, but 2 or more is fine)
Baby wipe
Large clear block (optional, but nice to have)
Bold imaged stamp
Cardstock
Embellishments, etc., to finish your project

"How To"

1. I like to start by putting my baby wipe onto a large clear block.  This way, the reinkers don't make a mess of my desk and I am able to have a more sturdy base to ink my stamp onto.  If you put the baby wipe on a towel or other paper, it tends to get soggy and you don't have a good foundation for stamping.


2. Start adding drops of your reinkers.  Start with the lightest and then next darkest etc. until your mostly filled in a portion of the wipe.  It's not necessary to ink the entire wipe, just a good sized portion to give variety to your ink splotches.





3. Take a bold imaged stamp (you won't see the effect with lined images) and PRESS into the ink pad.  DO NOT TAP.  I promise that if you press relatively hard that there will be more than enough ink on the rubber/acrylic to create a nice stamped image!


4. Stamp your images.  Make sure to wipe your image off after each time you stamp.  I use the side of the "ink pad" to clean my stamp off with.  It's just more convenient and I'm lazy. ;) Change where you ink up your stamp on the baby wipe.  No two images will be alike!  It's awesome!







5. If you've used a two step image like I have, add your border/second stamp on top of your reinker image with a dark color--I've used black.  TIP: I always stamp more than I need as the ink will dry out.  This way, I have some ready made embellishments for another project!


6. Punch or cut our your images IF YOU HAVEN'T STAMPED DIRECTLY ONTO YOUR PAPER CARD.  I've used an image that I have a punch to use with--it's so much easier than fussy cutting, but fussy cutting is cool, too! ;)  You can also stamp your images right onto paper and not worry about the cutting part.


7. Choose your favorite images and add to your project.  If  you didn't need to punch/cut them out, add your panel to your project!  I've made a card--what will YOU make?

And now, some inspiration from the Crew~


Front view

Side view



Please feel free to link up ANY TYPE of project that you wish using the above technique--we cannot WAIT to see your creations!  Please make sure you read the rules before linking up!  Their located under the Challenge Rules up at the top!  Happy crafting! :)