Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD is HERE!

If you love Fancy Folds and Motion projects, or have ever wanted to try them, here is your chance! Pat Huntoon of Technique Junkie Newsletter has announced pre-ordering for a CD with 60 tutorials (ships in November). Half of them are collected from previous issues of the Newsletter, but 30 of them are brand new. All tutorials are step-by-step, with a picture for each step, plus a list of all materials and cutting dimensions. If you want to work from paper instead of your computer, the tutorials are already set to print out in 8 1/2 x 11 format - perfect! The CD also has wonderful finished examples of each technique to inspire you, including the one below that I made called the "Tri-Shutter". This is SO much easier than it looks and is one that you really should try as soon as you receive your CD.

The stamps on this card are by Stampin' Up. The sentiment was printed on my computer.

The CD is $17.95 for US and Canadian Residents (Overseas, $19.95US). You can order 3 ways:

1. E-mail Pat Huntoon for an invoice.
2. Send a check to Pat Huntoon, PO Box 16547, Stamford, CT 06905
3. Go to this page on the Technique Junkie site for a direct paypal link. Note that you do not have to have a PayPal account to use PayPal. You will be given the option to use your credit card info as you would with any other on-line order.

Woo Hoo - New Crafting Ideas!!

Cathy Y

Technique by Design Challenge Blog Hop

Hello, technique lovers! The fantastic Oct/Nov 2010 issue of Technique Junkie Newsletter is in the mail and live on line. The Blog Hop officially begins at 8 AM on October 10th. Did you see Judy's lovely handiwork? If not, start at the first stop - the Design Junkies blog.

In part to celebrate the EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY of the Newsletter, you have the opportunity to win "Technique Junkie Subscriber for Life" including all back issues and CDs!!! All you have to do is create a card per the sketch below, comment on the Technique Trail Blog and post your card. You'll find complete instructions there.

Here is the design sketch for the October Challenge:

And here is the card I made using the sketch. Panels B anc C on my card use the Faded Textures technique from the new newsletter. The sentiment stamp is by Inky Antics.

The next stop on your magical mystery tour is Chrissy D. Hop on over to see what she has up her sleeve.

Then go forth and create your best!

Cathy Y

And the Winner IS. . .

Well, there weren't very many posts, so that meant you at least had more of a chance to win. I literally threw numbers into a bowl, shook it numerous times, and drew the number 3. The third post was from Michi in California. Congratulations, Michi. I will get your shiny new Technique Junkie CD in the mail to you.

Cathy Y

Ooh Ooh - How about a free Technique Junkie CD?

OK, kids, the brand new 2010 Edition CD8 containing a whopping 100 Technique Junkie techniques is now available. The CD contains ALL the techniques for 12 months, plus 10 bonus techniques that can only be found on the CD. The CDs are fantastic; all the techniques are set up to print out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and show each step with a photo of that step. In addition, there is a ton of completed artwork for each technique. AND - this year's CD comes in lovely shades of blue with green and white lettering. (Good to know if you're a "blue" fan like me!)

I have one 2010 CD available for a Give-Away! Leave a response on this post for your chance to win it. One week from today, I will do a random drawing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address so I can contact you for your snail-mail address.

In case you aren't fortunate enough to win the freebie, never fear. The CDs are now available to order, and you can also subscribe to the Technique Junkie Newsletter. It comes every other month and contains 10 to 16 techniques, plus access to the on-line printable step-by-step version with photos and lots of additional finished samples.

Go here for a printable sample with artwork so you can see what the CD contains. The CD is $19.95 for non-subscribers or $14.95 for subscribers.

If you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, a one-year subscription is $16.95, or $29.95 with the new CD. These prices are for US only, and are valid through 12-1-10. To subscribe, send an e-mail to Pat Huntoon at phuntoon@optonline.net

Good luck! Post away & we'll see who wins next week!


Cathy Y

Steampunk Bandwagon

And now. . . for something completely different! I've been doing digital stuff for a couple of years using Paint Shop Pro - always the current version available. It is a fantastic, powerful program.

One of my favorite digital scrapbook stores is Scrapbookgraphics Studio Girls, and one of my very favorite designers is Tangie Baxter. She just came out with the most fantastic, bizarre, wonderful, shades of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" kit called Steampunk Bandwagon. You can buy individual parts of the kit, but what the heck, just get the entire Mega Bundle. It's a huge savings if you buy the bundle, anyway.

I was so excited that immediately after downloading the kit, I plopped right down in front of my laptop and designed the following layout. This one took me about 5 hours to choose elements, reduce, enlarge, crop, enhance and shade. I'm actually using this for my live, local card swap group for this month's theme of things that fly. It's a stamp club, but hopefully they won't shoot me for sharing a digital creation.

This was so much fun! You can click on the picture to see a much larger version. Notice that Mona Lisa is holding a souvenier sized Statue of Liberty, minus the shades and bling I adorned her with in the larger version.

This kit just has so many possibilites. I know I'll be playing with this one for a long time!

Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Cathy Y

Technique Junkie - Technique By Design Challenge - June Edition

Happy June, TJ fans! Time for another Technique By Design Challenge with a chance to win a great prize. Did you love the artwork by Judy and Vada? Oh, if you didn't see it, start here first:

Design Junkies Blog

Then come back here and find out where to go next! When you make your last stop (at Pat's blog, The Technique Trail), you will find directions on posting a link to your entry.

Here is the sketch for this month.

And here is my interpretation of the sketch. I used the "Double Duty Melted Wax" techniqe from the June 2010 issue of Technique Junkie Newsletter, and "Sanded Core'dinations" from the April/May 2010 issue. The sentiment is from Inkadinkadoo and the dotted swirls are from Limited Edition. I'm sorry I don't know the maker of the birdcage & bird stamps. I received those images in an image swap.

The next stop on your Blog Hop journey is Jane's blog. Jane always has some fabulous eye candy for your viewing pleasure!

So, go hop around and see great art using techniques from the new issue combined with some from past issues. The submit your creation - show us your stuff!

Happy hopping.

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #38

Hello out there. Well, I forgot to post my Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge this morning - so sorry about that!

The challenge this week is to make a card with "No Layers". You can see my example below. It is actually two layers, as I mounted the white piece with all the images onto a navy base card. But all the images were added to a single layer of white card stock by masking and stamping. Makes you look twice, doesn't it! The face is the S & D Cheyenne, and the background stamp is the S&D Cheyenne Flourish. By the way, if you have trouble finding ethnic stamps, take a look at the whole "Ladies" series of stamps. They are fantastic and look good with any ethnic coloring you choose.

You can go to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog to see the other lovely entries by Design Team Members.

Have a sunny week!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #37

Today, Sunflowers and Dragonflies has a great sketch challenge for you, as you can see below. Here is my interpretation of the sketch. I chose to use a piece of ribbon trimmed to a diamond shape. The stamp is a center from the JustRite Favorite Occasions Borders and Centers set. Cuttlebug folders were used on the background and on the rose red strip.

Now you can hop on over to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies blog to see all the creations the Design Team came up with for you today!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #36

Good morning, fellow stampers! Today's challenge is to use the colors blue, orange, and yellow. As soon as I got the assignment, I knew just what I wanted to do. I used the Sunflowers and Dragonflies New York Door stamp. The stamped image is colored with Copic markers and is cut out and popped up on a piece of paper from the Basic Grey Sultry collection. I colored a shadow on the yellow Basic Grey paper with a W3 Copic marker. I also colored the cut edge all the way around the cut out image with a black Copic marker. The yellow is mounted on navy blue cardstock (which looks black in the picture), and then on tan cardstock. The lock & key are held in place with a black square brad.
Be sure to pop over to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog to see all the creations by the Design Team.

Have a wonderful Easter!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #35

Happy Saturday, fellow stampers! The Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge this week is to make a birthday card using the JustRite birthday stamp from the JustRite Favorite Occasions Borders and Centers 1 5/8 inch set. Or, if you don't have that, make a birthday card using what you have. Sunflowers and Dragonflies are now carrying more JustRite stamps in different sizes, and even more will be there soon. Unfortunately, the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog has suffered some problems which prevent you from linking your cards and winning prizes. But you can still go there and see everyone's lovely art!

We'll keep you posted when Beth's new S&D blog is up and running, and we will get back to those wonderful prizes.

Have a great weekend.

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #34

Today we have a color challenge for you. Make a card using the colors Pomegranate, Teal, and Artichoke. Then go the the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog to find out how to post a link to your card. If your entry is chosen, you will win the following adorable set of cupcake stamps. These are from the Sunflowers and Dragonflies exclusive line of stamps. I think they are the cutest cupcake stamps I've ever seen!

Following is the card I made for the challenge. The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Sultry collection. The stamp is from the JustRite Favorite Occasions Borders and Centers collection. The image was colored with Copic Markers.

OK, now it's your turn. This is a great color combination. Lets see what you can do with it!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #33

Hello, Stampers! Today, it's all about the Luck of the Irish. If you'd like a chance to win the prize below, make a card using the Luck of the Irish stamp from the JustRite "Favorite Occasions Borders and Centers" set, or another St. Patrick's day stamp (if you don't have that set). Then go to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog for instructions on how to post a link to your creation.
Below is the card I made with the Luck of the Irish stamp. The central image is colored with Copic Markers. I used a Cuttlebug folder on the yellow cardstock and also on the green cardstock. The green is a piece of Core'dinations, which I sanded after running it through the folder. It was cut out using a Spellbinders Nestabilities die. I then cut into the edge at each scallop and bent the petals up to make a flower.

OK, your turn! Show us your stuff.

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #32

Happy Saturday! Sunflowers and Dragonflies have a nice "Springy" challenge for you this week. Make an Easter card using the same Just Rite stamp that I used below, or another stamp if you don't have this one. Then hop over to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog for instructions on how to post a link to your card. If yours is chosen, you will win a $15 gift certificate for your choice of Sunflowers and Dragonflies merchandise.

On my card, I used the chick from the Favorite Occasions Borders & Centers set. The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Sultry set.

I hope you have a warm & sunny Saturday. I'm off to my local Heirloom stamp convention!

Cathy

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #31

And now. . . for something completely different! No, the challenge isn't to make something bizarre, but feel free to express yourself. The Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge this week is to use the colors pink, lime, and orange. Make your creation for the chance to win a $15 gift certificate for your choice of Sunflowers and Dragonflies merchandise. Then go to the S&D Blog for directions on how to post a link to your card. You will also find wonderful samples by other S&D designers.

Don't ask what possessed me to use the Happy Moose stamp for this card, but I think she's pretty cute. She even has an earring with a charm that says, "Made with Love". My dear hubby loved this card. If you are familiar with the "Spore" video game, he thinks my moose looks like a Spore creature!

I hope you enjoyed this little fantasy trip today!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #30

Hello, Stampers. How would you like to win a $15 gift certificate to Sunflowers and Dragonflies? Well, all you have to do is make a card, following the sketch below. Then go to the S&D Blog for details on how to post a link to your creation.Here is what I did with the sketch. I used 3 Cuttlebug folders and the S&D "Ladies" stamp called Melody. I used only the head, and actually used a Micron pen to fill in hair at the back of her head. She is colored using Copic Markers.

Be sure to finish and post your card by Friday, February 26th.

Go forth and create.

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies - Challenge 29 - Red, Pink, Cream

Happy Saturday! Today's Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge is to make a card using Red, Pink, and Cream. Now, I was thinking of just the image, so I forgot the challenge colors when I chose my card stock! And the "cream" items came out a little browner than I intended with my Copic Markers. But you get the idea.

So, make a card using Red, Pink, and Cream. Then hop over to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Blog for instructions on posting a link to your creation and the chance to win any two Stampavie stamps by Rachelle Anne Miller and/or Sarah Kay. The stamp images are adorable and are perfect for coloring with your favorite medium - pencils, watercolors, Copics, etc.

Here's my card using Rachelle Anne Miller's stamp, Lily and Milo. The image is colored with Copic Markers. Crystal hearts adorn the corners of the image. I also used a Cuttlebug folder on the red cardstock, and a Cuttlebug alphabet die set to make the "love" letters from glitter card stock.

I hope you enjoy my sample. Let's see what you come up with!

Cathy Y

Sunflowers and Dragonflies - Challenge 28

OK, here's your chance for more wonderful, free prizes! This week, the Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge is to make a card using the following sketch. Then go to the S&D Blog for directions on how to post a link to your card. If you win, you get to pick any pad of Basic Grey card stock AND any package of Prima Flowers.
Here's my sample following today's sketch. I used the S&D Large Fish, Basic Grey Sultry card stock, Coquette Flowers, Paper Trey white card stock, and Stampin' Up Sage Shadow card stock. The image was colored with Copic Markers.

I love this fish stamp; you could do this in so many color combinations.

We hope you have fun with this sketch challenge. Show us your best!

Cathy

Technique Junkie "Technique by Design" Challenge/Contest

Happy Monday, fellow Technique Junkies! Today is the big day that the Technique Junkies Feb/Mar 2010 issue goes on line. And . . . how would you like the opportunity to become a "TECHNIQUE JUNKIE FOR LIFE"?

First off, did you start at the Design Junkies Blog? If not, go there to start your journey through some wonderful samples from Vada and Judy using techniques from the new issue (and maybe some previous ones, too). Then come back here to see my card and find out where to go next.

For your chance to win "TJ FOR LIFE", you must make a card using the sketch below the contest instructions, and follow these specific directions:

1. In order to qualify for the drawing, at least two different TJ techniques must be used on your card, and one of those two must be used on the background squares.

2. The deadline for the challenge is March 15th.

3. The sketch uses a background made from six 1-1/2 inch squares; three sets of two different technique or cardstock pieces. In other words, 2 squares of a technique, 2 squares of a second technique, 2 other cardstock squares, either plain or using a third technique. Make sure your colors coordinate; using different techniques can give you some amazing results!

4. When you finish your card, go to Pat's Blog ( http://patstamps.blogspot.com/ ) to make a comment and POST A LINK BACK TO YOUR CARD following Pat's directions!

OK, here's my sample:

For my background squares, I used Pulled Pastels and Marker Tapping from the Feb/March 2010 issue, and Antiques Glimmers from the Dec 2009/Jan 2010 issue. The main image employs the Wisped Frames techniqe from the Feb/Mar 2010 issue. Image and sentiment are Stampendous acrylics. A Spellbinders die was used for the main image. Card stock is black, white, and brushed gold. The central image was colored with Copic Markers YR23, G24, G99, and BG09, and the piece was outlined with a gold Krylon Leafing Pen.

Your next stop on the hop is Shelly.

Can't wait to see what YOU come up with!

Cathy

Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge 27 - ATC Art

The Sunflowers and Dragonflies challenge for January 30 is "ATC Art". If you would like to win any TWO lady and matching flourish stamps here, just make an ATC. Then go to the Sunflowers and Dragonflies blog for Challenge 27 details on how to post and link your entry!

I used Cheyenne and Cheyenne Fourish. The flourish is stamped on Basic Grey "Sultry" paper with a glue pad, then brushed with Brilliant Gold Pearlex. Cheyenne is stamped on acetate with black StazOn solvent ink and colored on the reverse with Copic markers (you can use any alcohol markers). The brads are Basic Grey "Two Scoops", and the flowers are "Coquette". The Basic Grey is mounted on black cardstock edged with a gold Krylon Leafing Pen.

I hope you enjoy this lovely lady!

Cathy Yamashita

Copic Flat Coloring versus Advanced Blending

Hello, Copic fans! I thought I would post a chart I made for one of the scrapbook stores where I teach Copic classes. This shows the differences you see with "flat" coloring, basic blending and advanced blending. On the advanced blending picture of the cupcake, the frosting is highlighted with pink, but it did not show at all in the scan. The flat coloring looks nice, but the basic and advanced techniques really bring the images to life!

If you click on the picture, it brings up the full-size version. But you still can't see the frosting highlights or the shadow around the flower.





The lovely fairy image is an unmounted rubber stamp from Prickly Pear. The flower is a cling mounted rubber stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms. And the cupcake is an acrylic stamp from a set made by Pink Persimmon.

The best recommendation I can make is to play with your Copics and try lots of color combinations. When you find something you like, scribble the combination into a notebook and write the colors beside it.


Cathy Yamashita

Haiti Relief Incentive

I know we are all aware of the terrible suffering caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. If you've been thinking of donating and need a little more motivation, Paper Temptress will send you a package of beautiful Silver Lustre paper for any donation of $10 or more. I received the following e-mail this morning:

Paper Temptress is offering a Silver Lustre Package for every donation of $10 or more that is donated to any charity for Haiti by anyone for the next two weeks. All you have to do is e-mail me at patricia@papertemptress.com with some form of proof, an e-mail confirming the donation, a cc bill (of course cover the numbers), or any type of proof of a donation with an address and I will send you a Silver Lustre package (my absolute favorite) free of charge. There is no great joy than giving! I hope to hear from all of you so please donate to any charity of your choice to help during this tragedy. Please spread the word, also.

Patricia

www.papertemptress.com/

Thanks for giving this some consideration!

Cathy