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!

Ellen: In a World of Craft

 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!!! :)

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~

Ellen at "In a World of Craft"

Nancy at "The Trinket Collector"

Katy at "I Like To Cut & Paste"

Karen at "stamping in pINK"

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?

Mynnette

And now, some inspiration from the Crew~

Ellen

Karen

Front view

Side view

Nancy

Katy

Tracey

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! :)

One Week Warning!

 Hello, friends!  This is your one week warning!  You have just 7 more days to play along with the Cascading Card challenge!  Happy stamping--can't wait to see what you create! :)

June Winners!

Hello!  Thanks to everyone who joined in the Faux Pressed Flowers challenge!  There were some amazing entries and so picking my Top Winner and 5 Showcasers was really hard!!!  But, it's been done.  I hope that nobody is upset with the choices--I hope you keep playing along for a chance to win!!!

June'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!

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).  Here's an example of what you could email me:

"I'd like a sentiment that says 'Thank you SO much' in a fun font." of "I would love my sentiment to be my favorite quote.  It's 'Be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of someone else.' -Judy Garland.  Please make it in a mix of classic and elegant fonts, highlighting the words first rate, yourself, second rate, and someone else with the elegant font."

Does this make sense?  I hope so!  If not, email me and I will clarify as much as possible!!!  And now, let's get down to it!

June's Top Winner is~

 #8 Kimx!

 

I love her wonderful flower cluster that she created!

 And now for the showcase in numerical order~

#1 Victoria

(she was also this month's CASE!)

#3 Lnda-Ann
 

#4 Wilwarine

 

#5 Katy

#9 Nancy

 Congratulations to all!  Grab the appropriate badges and please email me for your prizes!  Hope you all join in the Cascading Card challenge for this month--you'll have another chance to win free personalized digi sentiments again!!! :)  Happy crafting!