jane's addiction

The Cat is Out......

  of the bag, so to speak! 

It is with great excitement and honor that I can share some news with you today!

Yep, there it is......my card on the front cover of the June edition of Scrap and Stamp!  I consider it a great honor to have my very first published work be in support of Hambo Stamps.  It is my priviledged joy to work with Monica and Tim and I'm so grateful to them for their faith in me, their generosity and their creativity.

ROCK ON HAMBO!!!

Because I am so excited, I am offering a special Hambo class at the Stamp Shoppe this Thursday!!  Make sure to visit the store blog for more details....

I'll also be posting some Hambo candy (including your very own copy of the mag) later this week!  Make sure to check back :) 

TTFN, Jane

Will Spring Never Come?

Just a quick share.....it's been a Happy Monday here...Spring Break is over and we are getting back into our routine! 

I am planning on playing the TechnoStamper challenge today, but am having some trouble with my post so, I decided to share this new TJ technique first!  It's called Chalk Lines and it's sure to be a favorite.

Even if it isn't springy outside, our art can reflect the prayer of our heart---right?  I so long for the nicer weather....I think we are currently under a winter weather advisory.  Will it never end?  I think this has been the longest winter EVER!  With April just days away, I feel I can ask....are we not supposed to go out like a lamb? 

Speaking of Lambs.....since Easter is just around the corner, and since this technique screams EASTER EGG to me, I thought you might like this card.

I'm using a brand new SU! set called.....Egg-cellent Easter, I think...?  LOL!!!  I really need to start paying attention to the details a wee bit better!   I guess with 5 kids, a hubba, house and all that other life stuff, something has to give right?  Anyway, it's a set featured in the SU! Occassions Mini and is very Peter Rabbit which makes me like it even more!

After completing the Chalk Lines technique, I added another EASTER EGG favorite...my spritz tool.  I rarely think to use that nifty little tool, but I do love it!  The main image is colored with my Many Marvelous Markers and then popped up on dimensionals over the polka dot ribbon.  Hope you likey!

I do have some splendiforous news to share so make sure to check back for MJ's Sketch Challenge post!

TTFN, Jane

Glenda's Challenge is Da Bomb!

Glenda posts a weekly Amuse challenge...on Mondays....

LOL!  I'm tardy, I know, but not for lack of trying!  We took a little mini vacation earlier this week (which explains part of my tardy) and I found these adorable Amuse stamps I just had to have! 

I just know my pal, Dawn, is going to be so proud of me!!  Not only did I finally complete the challenge (which was inspired by yours truly!), but I did it with brand new Amuse stamps!

My papers are from The Paper Studio, Pink Armadillo collection.  While our trip was a fun little splash at the water park for the kids' benefit, my hubba and I managed to sneak in a few stops at some favorite shopping sites.  I came home with a few goodies that I'll be sharing over the next few days!

I love paper....I think that is fairly clear!  If only there were just a few more free hours in a day....I'd actually have time to use what I own and could buy even more without guilt....LOL!!  I have to restrict myself in places where paper is sold....I went to Archiver's and walked out paper free!!!  Can you believe?  I think I deserve a reward......

TTFN, Jane

Birthday Butterfly....Blogger's Challenge

  Happy Friday!!!  It's the last day of our Spring Break, but you'd never know it from the weather!  I decided a springy card was just the remedy!  I shooed the kiddies outside to play in our 32 degree weather (what a meanie) and got to it!

Our Blogger's Challenge this week was to use either a template or die cut.  Since I am currently in love with the SU! Butterfly die, the choice for me was easy!

I first created a patchwork pattern using some paper scraps (The Paper Studio Pink Armadillo) and my SU! Top Note die.  I layered the butterflies--one of pink and the other of vellum and then added some light green rhinestones for the body.  I also made some antennae of thin strips of vellum curled between my finger nails.  I absolutely love the versatility of this butterfly die.  If you don't currently own it, you should really consider it--I guarrantee you won't be disappointed!

Is there any color that doesn't work well with Chocolate Chip?  It's kind of like a candy bar......when wouldn't that be good?  We all need a little extra chocolate these days....don'cha think?

I'm out for today.....the wee-est one had some shots today and needs a little extra Mommy time :)  Gosh.....I just HATE getting all those smiles and kisses :) 

TTFN, Jane

Bummer....

Tee Hee!

We're back from a short and sweet little family outing to the water park :)  Everyone had a great time, and I am totally exhausted!

I wanted to share this little "Bummer" tonight before I hit the hay.

A few weeks back, some awesome ladies and I were chatting at our local expo about this adorable Hambo Plummer when they gave me the idea for this paper pieced buddy.  The flannel print was a piece of scrap in my drawer and I thought it would be just perfect for his shirt.  The rest of the papers (his pants are pieced, too) are from Daisy D's.

That's all the blah I can muster :)  Hope yours is a good day!

TTFN, Jane

Spring Is In The Air?

Not here, that's for sure!  Happy first day of Spring!  The temperatures have hovered around freezing all day and as I type, the snow flies.  And, we just started Spring Break!!  I certainly hope the weather drastically improves over the next few days!

I'm in love!!!  My dear hubba talked me into getting a Big Shot--for sure!!  Now, I love him AND my Big Shot! My friends, seriously, all the credit goes to the incredible man I had the good fortune to marry.  He worked on me for about a week before I gave in and placed the order.  Of course, once I was out of the gate, I had to get a few dies, too.  I think I read that in the fine print somewhere...

Anyway, I picked out the Butterfly die and then immediately second guessed myself--would I use it?  I don't really even like butterflies that much.....WHAT...was I thinking?

Then, it made it's way to my house and I used it and again....I'm in love!

There seems to be a new trend in carding called Clean and Simple...while I do like it Shabby and Complex, I thought I'd give it a go.  I rarely use white or any neutral as a primary component of my cards, but I really am liking the outcome of this card.  It's simple, clean and showcases that lovely butterfly beautifully!  I'm also thrilled with the ability to use some of those half pearls from my Pretties kit....I've wondered for some time what on earth I would use those for....problem solved!!

I think I may have forgotten to mention that this is my rendition of this week's Blogger's Challenge.  YOU don't have to be a member to play along--just leave a comment with link for me so I can see your amazing Springy work!

Make sure to check out the other gals in the BC! 

TTFN, Jane

Paper Challenge and a Mother's Heart....

  Bein' a mom is hard....but, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that.

Before I became a mom, I had no capacity to understand the job.  Foolishly, I remember thinking, if I can just get passed this one issue (with my then precocious 18 month old), it will be smooth sailing....

Eight and a half years and 4 more kids later, I've come to the conclusion that being a mom is hard.

I'm not talking about the discipline--I've learned that that is an everyday thing.  Set the standard, have the expectation, dish out the consequence when needed.  That's life.  That's what makes them who they will be.  It can be exhausting, but I get that.

I'm also not talking about the dishes, the laundry, the dust bunnies and all that other fun stuff.  That's not even hard--it's just boring and time consuming--or, stamping time sucking!

I'm talking about....what?  The tugs and tears of a mother's heart. 

We are dealing with a situation right now with our oldest--nothing life threatening---just some character building, but it's so hard watching him walk through this potential disappointment.

Ben lives for baseball.  As the season got started, our local league offered tryouts for what they call the Major league.  Ben has played in the league for several years and this year decided to request a tryout for the draft.  He and his buddy were all psyched and participated in a three weekend clinic to be observed in the hopes of being drafted.  Draft notifications are supposed to happen this week.  The buddy got his yesterday.  Nothing yet for Ben. 

While I realize this is just peanuts in the big picture, it's pretty huge in the mind of my 10 year old.  And, while we really believe he has some talent for the game, we are powerless and must sit back and watch it playout.

SO, when Kerry laid out her challenge for the day, I immediately knew what I would do with it.

I wanted to create a fun little project to house some peeps I picked up at Target. 

Peeps....nothin' says I love you more that sugar coated sugar!!  LOL!  Ben loves them and since I usually don't buy them, I thought they would be the perfect little "I'm thinking of you..."

The challenge:  cease the hoarding of paper--dive into that coveted designer paper and cut, use--go nuts.  The only specific:  it must be in your stash at least a year. 

I've had this particular piece of paper for about three years--no lie.  I won't go into the particulars--I've already confessed my addiction to paper.  However, I will have you know that I've used the entire 12 x 12 piece!

The box itself is cut with my newBig Shot (resistance is futile) and the Box #2 die.  The box, is larger than what the die will typically cut due to a "z" fold which allows for the expansion of the box.  It measures about 3 3/4 by 4 1/4 when finished.

To the box, I added a few peeps and a little note adorn with my Amuse Elephant and verse. 

  Finally, I decorated the box with an image from Our Craft Lounge's set Children of the World.  My OCL stamps have been terribly neglected and I was so happy for the opportunity to ink this one up! 

I colored this little guy with copics (suprize) and used my gel pen for a few accents....I love him!

Ben loved the whole thing. 

Thanks for the catharsis!  I'm out for tonight, but will be back again tomorrow for the Blogger's Challenge--

Peace,

Jane

A Random Amusing Challenge....

 

Ever meet someone and immediately know you were destined to be friends?  I love that when it happens!

Some time ago, I had a brief encounter with this really fun gal at the Stamp Shoppe.  We chatted about Nestabilities, Amuseapalooza and CHA--just on a whim....I immediately knew we'd become good friends!

And......we did!  We are!  Did I also mention that this gal is an amazing enabler?  Her passion is Amuse---she is an Amuse Instructor--and, she finally talked me into tackling some Amuse weekly challenges.

This challenge comes from Glenda at Papers,Scissors and Rocks.  The challenge was to use our least used tool...great challenge!  I am a certified (or certifiable) tool junkie.  Naturally, the challenge also includes the use of Amuse Artstamps, as well.  My friend, Dawn, knows I struggle with these adorable images despite the fact that I own many of them.  Her parting words to me....think simple....think Amuse.  I chanted this mantra for the duration of my card making. (I'm not that weird, right?)

Back to the tool issue....I thought I would resist SU!'s Circle Scissor Plus....I thought wrong.

I've had it for a little while.  I must be honest, I didn't like it at first.  I usually feel this way when I don't know how to use something or use it incorrectly.  I did what any good natured (and slightly frustrated) tool addict would do, I read the instructions.  Yay, me!

It actually is a fun little tool with a bit of a learning curve.  I still need practice with this little gem, but I'm sure I will be finding more and more reasons to love it!

I thought simple.....I thought Amuse....I likey....

Make sure to check out my friend, Dawn's take on this challenge and then, do it yourself! 

TTFN, Jane

Come Stamp With Me and The Technostamper Monday Challenge...

  Happy Monday Everyone!!! 

Come stamp with me this week at the Stamp Shoppe!!  Preregistration is required, so make sure to stop in and sign up ASAP!!  In this Hambo Class, we will be using several adorable Hambo images to make two cards and a special gift card holder.  I'll be teaching several techniques with a focus on Copic coloring....lots of stuff packed in this class!  You don't want to miss it!  Class will be Thursday, March 19th from 6-8pm.

The sketch challenge today from the Technostamper is very cute, very simple and very up my alley these days!  LOL!

I'm using another of Hambo's most recently released images.  I don't know about you, but boy cards are really hard for me to do.  I have to rely on a great masculine image to do the job for me.  I think Hambo hit it out of the park with this adorable fisherman! The sentiment is also from Hambo.

My colors scheme is:  Baja Blue, Black and Kiwi Kiss.  The patterned paper is actually from Amuse, but is Kiwi in color :)  My colors are a bit off (the fisherman's shirt is actually pale blue), but I did use my Copics to complete the image. 

Wouldn't this make an awesome Father's Day card?  I'm sure we'll be seeing him again...

TTFN, Jane

 

Blogger's Challenge--Texture

  Who doesn't love a little texture?  While there are lots of ways to add dimension and texture to your cards, it was certainly made simple with the introduction of the Cuttlebug and other similar products.

On my card today, I've used a Cuttlebug folder to add a textured pattern to this card front.  Interestingly, the texture folder matches my Cool Pig's swim trunks perfectly...don't you love it when you have the perfect element to incorporate into your project?

This is one of my favorite 3-D card designs.  I'm definitely hands on when it comes to learning something like this!  Recently, I taught my ladies the basic concept for this card and can't wait to see what they come up with (HINT, HINT, GIRLS!)

All stamps are from Hambo---I'm delighted---like a pig in mud :)  that Hambo recently released more of my fav piggie stamps!  (That one is for you, Mon!)

Here a picture of the card in all it's glory:

  It's been a week here!  Not necessarily in a bad way.....just lots of long days with babies who don't sleep!  :P  I'm hoping that we either adjust to the time change or pop some teeth soon!  Crazy, crazy!

That's all for me on this happy friday...

TTFN, Jane