Stars and Stripes-A Card For Technique Junkies

Happy Thursday!
Today I'm sharing a card that I posted over at the Technique Junkies Blog.  I wanted to do something for Independence Day, so here it is.

I'll apologize right up front because I wanted to do a step-by-step tutorial on this but I've had a crazy week and I just couldn't get it pulled off in time.  So without pictures I"ll do my best to give you the step-by-step instructions.  It looks long but that is because I'm a little windy and not because the process is complicated.  This is a super easy card that can easily be modified to fit whatever supplies you have on hand.

1. Cut a piece of Kraft cardstock to the dimensions of your card. I cut a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock in half to make a card that has dimensions of 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 when folded.
2. I placed a star stencil by Heidi Swapp over the right edge of the card, then I sprayed over the stencil and card front using Glimmer Mist in the color Denim.  You could use any spray you have in red or blue, and you could use any stencil that would work with the theme.  There are several cool stencils available at the TJ Website.
3. I found this cute red, white and blue ribbon at Wal-Mart.  I really wanted to hang a charm from the ribbon but since resources are pretty slim in my neck of the woods, I was unable to find what I wanted.  I dug through my paper stash and found some patriotic paper. I cut out the USA and then I used my Martha Stewart Ribbon Threader Punch to punch two holes so I could thread the ribbon through. If you don't have a punch like this, you can cut slits with a craft knife where you want to thread the ribbon.  I've done that many times and it works really well.  
4. Once the ribbon was threaded through the tag, I wrapped it around my card.  The section where the ribbon comes together should meet in the front so it can be hidden by the flag. 
5. Cut a piece of white cardstock to the size you want your flag to be. This will be the base for your flag.
6. Tear a strip of blue cardstock in a length that will run along the left side of the flag.  Only tear one side of the blue paper. You will need a straight edge to run along the outside of your flag.  Also, make sure your strip is wide enough to accommodate the star stamp you are using.  \
7. Using a Technique Junkies stamp called Star Stream, I stamped along the blue strip with Versamark Ink and then heat embossed it using an off white embossing powder. I wanted the flag to have an Americana feel so I didn't want the starts to be stark white. (I used Seafoam White)
8. Tear strips of red and white paper to fit horizontally on the cardstock. Make sure the edges that will show along the top and right side of the flag are left with a straight edge..
9. Once all of the red and white cardstock pieces are torn to size, make sure they fit on the piece of cardstock that you cut in in step 4, as your flag base.
10. Glue your red and white stripes along the right edge of the flag base and layer them if desired.  I layered by starting at the bottom and working my way up the flag (like shingles).
11. I used some Tim Holtz ink in Tea Dye along the edges of the red and white strips to give it an aged or an Americana look.
12. Glue the blue paper with the stars along the left edge of the flag.  
13. Now that the flag is assembled, cut a foam sheet just smaller than the size of your flag and glue it to the flag base before adhering it to the card. This will raise the flag slightly above the card to give it dimension.  You could use pop dots here but I really like using the thin foam sheets for larger areas like this.   You can refer to my post on June 1st regarding these sheets and how I use them- Technique Junkies Blog Hop- Happy June. I learned about using the foam sheets from the talented Jennifer McGuire Blog.

I hope you enjoyed today's card post. If you have any questions or comments please let me know. I would love to hear from you.

Have an AMAZING day.

Jerri

Technique Junkies- Apple Bough Inn

I love cute quaint little stamps and I REALLY enjoyed coloring this one!

This adorable stamp from Technique Junkies is called Apple Bough Inn.  I colored the image with my Copic markers.

 I used so many markers I really didn't want to list them all!  I get carried away sometimes lol. I know I used R81, R83 and R85 on the flowers. I used a lot of different shades of green and brown for the tree and leaves and then the sky was a large variety of the BG's and a little tiny bit of R01 to give it a pink hue in the lighter spots.

After I got my stamp colored and matted, it was applied to the card using pop dots. The sentiment stamp used, is a quote from Frida Kahlo called Wings to Fly, This stamp is also available from Technique Junkies.

  The card seemed a little too bright so I rubbed Tim Holtz distress ink on the edges of the card in Tea Dye and a little on the colored image as well to give the overall card an "antique" feel.

I hope this card inspires you to get out your markers or pencils and color a while today.

Have a fantastic day!
Jerri

Technique Junkies-Seahorse Card using Texture Paste

Happy Thursday-
Whew! I have been a busy lady. I went to Chicago with my Grandson's class trip and then turned around a few days later for a WONDERFUL craft retreat with some dear ladies from my hometown. While it has been fun, I am ready for things to slow down (just a tad) and get back to my routine.

Today I am sharing a card I made using the Seashorse stamp from Technique Junkies.

A while back, I purchased some of the Ranger texture paste and now I am in LOVE with the product.  It was fun, and so easy to work with.  It adds great dimension and texture to your project.  Here's how I made this card:

1. I put a stencil on top of a piece of water color paper.  Using a spatula, I spread a thin layer of texture paste on top.  Carefully remove the stencil.  Clean your spatula and stencil immediately. Allow the paste to dry on your card before moving on to the next step. For this card I cut out my own stencil using Life Is A Beach Cricut Cartridge.  If you would like to try using Texture Paste, check out the stencils for sale at Technique Junkies in the Products and Accessories section.
2. I stamped the Seahorse image using green distress ink and then embossed over the top with clear powder. Why did I do this?   I wasn't sure if I would be spraying the card with water later and therefore wanted to use a solvent ink but I only had Stazon in black.  I didn't want the seahorse to have a stark black line so I used the same green I would be rubbing on the card later and embossed it.
3. I colored in the seahorse image using a watercolor technique.  I used my paintbrush, my distress inks and some water to get this look.
4. I used green and blue distress inks and rubbed them on the card using a blending tool.  If you don't have a tool, you can use a sponge or Makeup wedge. 
5. I let water drip off of my fingers onto the page to create the "bubbles".  When doing this I tried to avoid the seaweed and the seahorse.
6. I used a Wink of Stella Pen to put sparkles on the seaweed and the seahorse. You can't see the sparkle in this picture but in person it adds just the right amount for some shimmer without being overdone.

Thank you for checking out my project today.  I hope the rest of your day is AMAZING!!

Jerri

Old Friends- Distress Ink Watercolor technique

Happy Thursday!
Today I am sharing another card I created for Technique Junkies.

I made this card using a really cool Technique Junkies stamp called Old Friends and a process called Distress Stain Watercoloring.

By using distress inks and stains with water and a paintbrush, you can easily get a watercolor effect. The shading is done for you with this stamp, all you need to do is color it in.  I did make some areas darker by adding a second layer of ink, once the first layer is dry. You can also make areas lighter by blotting them with a paper towel.  You may want to play with it a few times to get the hang of it. If you're impatient you can use a heat tool to dry the card between layers. I was feeling creative so I added some clouds and a couple of birds in the sky.

Because you use water with this technique you will want to use a solvent ink like Stazon or Archival Ink and you'll want to do this on watercolor paper. You can get step-by-step instructions on how to do Distress Stain Watercoloring on the Artistic Effects CD.

I used a Tim Holtz Distress ink pad in Tea Dye and with an applicator tool, I went around the edges to give it an aged look.

I really hope you give this technique a try. I love the way it turned out and it was a lot of fun. If you have any questions just let me know and I will be glad to answer them.

Have a wonderful day.

Jerri

Technique Junkies Blog Hop- Happy June !!

There's a whole lotta NEW going on at Technique Junkies----Today is a NEW month, a NEW BLOG HOP, NEW inspiration, a NEW sale, and a whole buncha NEW stamps.

June means Summer.  YEAH!  The only thing better than Summer is a SALE!  All June release stamps are currently 15% off this week.  So lets get this Party Started!

If you're following along on the hop, you should have just visited Jane Bosi's Blog. She does AMAZING work! She is so talented and really knows her stuff when it comes to techniques.  If you DIDN'T come from Jane's blog then you'll want to make sure you do this right and start at the beginning.  The Blog starts at the Technique Junkies Blog. Visit each site for tons of ideas and inspiration.  If you get lost along the way, I have listed the blogs in the order of the hop below.

I created two cards for the hop today.
 I used a stamp called High Hopes for the first card.  I envisioned this particular card as a congratulations card for either a graduation or maybe a new career.  Now personally I wouldn't wear stripes with plaid but I was feeling a little adventurous, why not be more daring for a card.  I stamped the image with black and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I cut out the shape for the skirt by hand and attached a small little button.  

For the second card I used two Technique Junkies stamps.  The background stamp used is called Sea Waves. The Sentiment stamp is Listen to the Sea.  I used one of my favorite techniques called Stain Resist which is found on the Artistic Effects CD.

I started by stamping Sea Waves onto watercolor paper in Versamark and then heat setting with clear embossing powder. I applied a few of my blues and purples in Tim Holtz distress inks and then spritzed it with water and let it dry. After it was dry, I applied a piece of foam to the back before placing it on the card front. I used a piece of foam sheeting that I purchased at Walmart.  It's thin and flexible so it doesn't cause any problems when mailing the card. I cut out the sentiment stamp with a Spellbinder die and and then placed it on top of the background. The foam gave my card a little extra dimension.

I created both of these cards using simple techniques that can be used to make some quick cards and are also easy to make multiples of.  When doing the easier cards, I like to make a few of them while I have the supplies out.  This gives you a stock of cards to have on hand or to give away as a gift.

Don't forget to check out ALL of the new stamps at Technique Junkies and to take advantage of the sale- Take 15% off all June Release stamps this week. 

Your next stop on the hop will be Gini Cagle.  She has some great inspiration for you!

Design Team Blog http://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com

Pam DeChellis http://journeyawakensthesoul.blogspot.com

Beth Norman http://sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog

Jane Bosi http://janembosi.blogspot.com

Jerri Jones http://www.abushelandahug.blogspot.com-- You are here

Gini Cagle http://ginicagle.blogspot.com

Judy Jackson  http://judysstampart.blogspot.com

Marilyn Hughes http://DollsEtc.blogspot.com

Kathy Stacy http://craftynurse4u.wordpress.com

Pat Huntoon http://patstamps.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a FANTASTIC DAY.

Jerri