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Be Fearless

Be Fearless published on 2 Comments on Be Fearless

You know that moment when you see a craft product and you know EXACTLY what you need to make?  Well, that is what I felt when I saw the Peacock Tail stencil from Picket Fence Studios.  I just knew, without a doubt, that it needed to be used with Nuvo Glimmer Paste.  The only problem, I didn’t have any of the paste.  So I ordered and waited and finally I got to sit down to see if I was right.  Yes, yes I was!!

Be Fearless by Jen Timko | Peacock Tail Stencil by Picket Fence Studios, Wild Heart Gypsy Soul Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Tonic Nuvo Glimmer PasteI was introduced to the Glimmer Paste a year ago while I was at Stamping Away.  I created some panels there with the paste and loved it.  But I was super indecisive about which colors to buy and I put it off.  No more!   I chose Emerald Green and Tanzanite Lavender for their “peacock” colors but let’s face it, they are just gorgeous. I taped my stencil to a board over some white card stock and simply applied the paste.  I first added the green and then the lavender, allowing the colors to blend together where they met.  The result you see was my first try and really fast.  I initially planned for this to be a trial run but decided it was too pretty to waste and put it right onto a card.  I’m going to warn you now, I am going to need to glimmer paste all the stencils!!

Be Fearless by Jen Timko | Peacock Tail Stencil by Picket Fence Studios, Wild Heart Gypsy Soul Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Tonic Nuvo Glimmer PasteA note about the paste though….you do need to move reasonably quickly once you have the paste in place.  Don’t let your stencil sit with the paste on it.  Pull it off, put the project aside to dry and get right to rinsing off the stencil so it doesn’t stick there.  You can see my stencil cleaned up perfectly but I knew this from when I first used it.

To finish the card, I thought this sentiment from Wild Heart Gypsy Soul was perfect for the wow of the shimmer.  I simply stamped in Versamark Ink and heat embossed with Wow White Embossing Powder.  So glad you stopped in today.  Let me know what you think about this card and the glimmer paste!  See you soon!


 

Trust Yourself

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I’m over at the Picket Fence Studios blog and wanted to share here too.  When I was creating today’s card, I was completely enamored with the new Petite Cup Die and wanted to focus squarely on that.  I love a stand alone die that can be great for so many kinds of cards.  For today, I created a card to support and cheer on a friend.

Trust Yourself by Jen Timko | Petite Cup Die by Picket Fence Studios, Exhale Worry Stamp Set by Picket Fence StudiosI started with a stack of printed papers in varied colors and used the die to cut out the cups.  On the middle cup, I simply cut it on the reverse so I could stack them better.  Super fast and think of all the papers you have that would be great for this!  To make the gingham cups pop against the background, I chose a woodgrain paper that added texture but also help highlight the fun designs.  For a sentiment, I went to the fantastic Exhale Worry stamp set.  Seriously, this is one you simply must have.  It will be a workhorse for you.  I put the sentiment on a little banner and added a button and some twine from my stash.

I hope you enjoy this card!  Don’t forget to look at your die cuts for fun and inspiration.  There are so many ways to use them!!  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you soon.


Freshly Made Sketches #377

Freshly Made Sketches #377 published on 7 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #377

Happy Wednesday!  Today over at Freshly Made Sketches we have an interesting sketch that is sure to spur you on to create.  The lovely Narelle is our sketch hostess and we all know that she has a special talent for layering.  Her sketch reflects that perfectly and it lends itself to lots of different takes.

FMS377 by Jen Timko | Tropical Blooms Stamp Set and Dies by Gina K DesignsI went a pretty simple route, to be honest, and used flowers as the circles.  I have this great set from Gina K Designs that is so pretty and seemed perfect.  I stamped the flowers and leaves using Gina K inks and then die cut them with the set’s coordinating dies.  I added a stitched square for the layering and then debated the sentiment.  Fortunately, the set has this pretty script that has a coordinating die so that was a natural choice.

I have to admit that the call of the bright colors is upon me.  Winter ice and yuck can be done now and I’m ready for flowers!  Until the time that winter decides to cooperate, you can expect that I’ll just keep doing cards with sets like this.  Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I’ll be back on Friday with a card I created for the Picket Fence Studios blog.  Until then, have a great week!


Freshly Made Sketches #376

Freshly Made Sketches #376 published on 7 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #376

So you may have noticed (especially if you follow me in Instagram) that I have been trying hard to participate in the Daily Marker 30 Day Challenge as much as possible this month.  I really am trying to eek out more coloring, even if only for a few minutes.  So this card is a reflection of that as I found the perfect way to use the sketch by Karren Johnson for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  Karren is an amazing Copic colorist and this sketch lends itself to colored images, bold panels and word dies, among other things.

FMS376 by Jen Timko | Mondo Gerbera Daisy Stamp Set by Ellen Hutson, Zig Clean Color Real Brush MarkersI chose to use this new Mondo Gerbera Daisy by Ellen Hutson as my focal image.  I stamped in black ink and then colored it with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers.  I chose a number of corals/reds/pinks to play with the shading on the flower.  It didn’t take long and I love it.  The flower reminds me of the Gerbera Daisies my dad would grow when I was little.  There is something velvety and special about these flowers and I was thrilled that Ellen came out with this one.

A super quick post today.  I’m back at work this week and it seems harder that usual after spending time at my mom’s last week.  Off to bed to be ready for winter weather fun tomorrow!  I hope you have a great day and will play along this week.  See you soon.


Picket Fence Studios February Release Day!

Picket Fence Studios February Release Day! published on 3 Comments on Picket Fence Studios February Release Day!

Hi everyone!  It is one of my favorite days…release day!  Every single month Picket Fence Studios gives us so much to use for creating and this month is no exception.  Another amazing release!!  So I’m going to get right to my cards.

I Love Your Face Light Up by Jen Timko | I Love Your Face Stamp Set and Dies by Picket Fence Studios, Chibitronics Chibi Lights, Light Up CardFirst up, I used this super cute selfie cat to create an interactive card.   The name of the stamp is I Love Your Face and it is such fun.  I colored the kitty to look a bit like my little Meg.  We decided that Kate is far too dignified for selfies but Meg, well, she would totally be taking them!  But then I wanted to take it a step further.

I Love Your Face Light Up by Jen Timko | I Love Your Face Stamp Set and Dies by Picket Fence Studios, Chibitronics Chibi Lights, Light Up CardSo I created an interactive light up card using Chibitronics Chibi lights.  So when you push the cat’s paw, the camera “flashes”.  I used my bone folder here to keep my hand out of the way.  I dimmed the lights a bit too so you can see the light better.  I’ll post a quick video over on my FB and IG pages later today.  The foundation of this card is pretty simple.  I used stitched dies to cut out the square of patterned paper.  Then I used the actual die and traced inside it to make sure I knew where my boundaries are.  I built the simple circuit and then poked a small hole in the paper under the cat’s paw so the light could shine through well.  I think this is fun for anyone, don’t you?

Own Kind of Beauty by Jen Timko | Shop Hard Stamp Set and Dies by Picket Fence Studios, Let's Shake Our Tail Feathers Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Copic ColoringNext up, I chose a set from the “Girls” series and this one is called Shop Hard.  Now, I chose this image because it reminds me of one of my neighbor girls.  So much so that I showed her mom (and mom agreed).  This girl is like family to us and she is such a beauty.  How could I not color her??  So out came the Copics and I chose some colors I thought would be right.  While I love the sentiments in the set, they were not quite right for this girl (she is a super athlete and doesn’t have much time for shopping).  Instead, I chose one from the new set called Let’s Shake Our Tail Feathers.  I think it is perfect for a teenage girl!

The whole team will be sharing today and I hope you enjoy my cards.  Make sure you go check out the whole release over at the Picket Fence Studios site!  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you soon!


Freshly Made Sketches #375

Freshly Made Sketches #375 published on 8 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #375

Glad you are here to visit today as I share the latest from Freshly Made Sketches.  The always brilliant Cécile has created a unique and wonderful sketch for us this week.  Such fun when you get to stretch your brain with something truly new.

FMS375 by Jen Timko | Hay There Stamp Set and Dies by Lawn Fawn, Land Borders Dies by Newton's Nook DesignsI will admit that those triangles had me a bit confounded at first so I reverted to another shape.  Circles!  You’d think I’d have had my fill of those last week but nope.  So I pondered what stamp set to use and how to make this work.  And I came across this Hey There set by Lawn Fawn that had gone uninked….how is that even a thing?!  Every image in this set is totally adorable.  I stamped the barn, the cow and the fence (in my brain this would be the leaf element) and of course the speech bubble.  Because why shouldn’t a cow send Valentine’s sentiments?  I colored them with my Copics and started playing with the layout.  Originally I started with no background shapes at all but quickly found that not to work.  So I cut a landscape border for “grass” and then cut it out with a circle die (and cut whole circles from blue card stock while I was at it).  That worked much better!  It seemed for me that a square card worked better so I cut a square from some Lawn Fawn plaid and then layered my elements.  I kind of love this quirky cow card and DH will surely chuckle.  He thinks cows are hilarious so I think he will like it.   I’m back in FL this week to work on my mom’s house….so off I go back to organizing.  I hope your day is wonderful!  See you tomorrow with the latest release info from Picket Fence Studios!


 

Happy Birthday Shaker Card

Happy Birthday Shaker Card published on 1 Comment on Happy Birthday Shaker Card

I’m over on the Picket Fence Studios blog today with a fun birthday card idea that is great for anyone on your list!  Let’s face it, everyone loves a shaker card.  What is not to like?!  Even my boys go a little shaker crazy when I show them one I have made.

Happy Birthday Shaker Card by Jen Timko | Happy Happy Happy Birthday Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Rough Around The Edges Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Shaker CardSo I thought it would be a great way to highlight the Rough Around the Edges background stamp and the Happy Happy Happy Birthday sentiment set.  But other backgrounds or sentiment would work great too!  I have the how-to over at the company blog so hop over there to take a look.

Happy Birthday Shaker Card by Jen Timko | Happy Happy Happy Birthday Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Rough Around The Edges Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Shaker CardI love the mint color on this for a fresh feel but any color would be fun.  Find some sequins or jewels in your stash, pick coordinating ink and paper, make a quick shaker, send a smile to someone!  I hope you enjoy this card.  Let me know what you think!!  Thanks for stopping in today.  So happy you did.  See you soon!


Freshly Made Sketches #374

Freshly Made Sketches #374 published on 5 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #374

So you need a new sketch idea?  Something you haven’t seen before?  Have I got something for you!  This week’s sketch at Freshly Made Sketches from the former circle-phobe Jen Brum is amazing.  Not gonna lie, when she first showed me the sketch, I thought she was kidding since we have a long running team joke about her lack of love for circles in sketches.  Well, she has clearly embraced Team Circle and the sketch is fabulous!

FMS374 by Jen Timko | Monogram J Stamp and Monogram Dies by Concord and 9th, Posie Fill-In Dies by Concord and 9th, Daniel Smith WatercolorsAs per usual, my first thought when I see circles is a flower.  But will all the circles, I needed to stretch a little.  So instead, I thought about die cuts and different elements I could use.  As I went through my stash, I came upon two set by Concord and 9th and knew exactly what to do.

First I took my Daniel Smith watercolors and painted some random splotches on watercolor paper.   After they were dry, I piled on the dies from both the Monogram and Posie Fill In sets.  The dies coordinate well so I just cut things in multiple colors to see what would work.  I mixed and matched and played with a few backgrounds until I settle on a watercolor wash.  To help follow the sketch a bit more, I added some Clear Drops from Studio Katia.  The sentiment comes from the Monogram J set.

I’m so impressed with the variations on this sketch by the team.  I think this week is going to be particularly fun and that there will be loads of creativity on display.  I hope you’ll play along!  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you soon!


Daylight comes to my stamp room!

Daylight comes to my stamp room! published on 4 Comments on Daylight comes to my stamp room!

As with many things, this post has been overdue for a bit but I really wanted to make sure I had time for a real product review.  Because lighting is SOOOO critical to all we do as crafters, I feel like I have been in search of the right lights for a long time.  And then something crazy happened.  I won some!  Like a whole, insane group of some!  Sarah of Sariditty is a brilliant quilter.  BRILLIANT!  She is a designer and artist and creates beautiful things.  And she swears by the lights from the Daylight Company.  Enough that she joined with them as a promoter.  And then she had a contest and I won!!  All of this happened during the chaos of my life so only during the holidays did I get a chance to properly set some of the lights up in my craft room.  And I have only begun to really assess all that I got.  But I’m going to start today with two of the products.  The first is the Luminos and the second for today is the Smart Travel Lamp.

Daylight Company - LuminosIn my first photo I wanted to show you a bit of what my set up looks like from afar.  I have been using the Luminos as my lighting for my desk for about a month.  It is a difference maker!  It provides a natural lighting that is great for all my coloring.   Bright enough to reduce eye strain but my colors remain true.  You can see that it clamps to my desk on the far side which works well for me to maximize my table space (translated, I can make a bigger mess).  The Smart Travel Lamp is a supporting actor for this post though.  Because all of these pictures were taken at night.  Yes, AT NIGHT.  Daylight photography is the holy grail, as many of us know.  But how many times does that just not work out?!  So I brought over this little travel light on the side to help balance my shadows while I took photos of this card for my Picket Fence Studios post a couple of weeks ago.

Daylight Company - Luminos and Smart Travel LightThis give you an idea of exactly how good the lighting was for my pictures.  My photos were simply taken with my iPhone 8 Plus with no additional features.  This was an aha moment for me!!  Less stress, less time, night time work can actually still get done!

Daylight Company - Luminos and Smart Travel LampA little more close up you can see how good the lighting is on my work station too.  Again, this is really a big help since my crafting time is not always on a good schedule for the best lighting.   As a reminder, here is the photo that was the result of of this set-up.

Beautiful Inside and Out by Jen Timko | Rose Bouquet Stamp Set by Picket Fence Studios, Zig Clean Color Markers, Watercolor, FlowersYou’d never know that it was not taken under optimal conditions or that it was 9p when taken.  Now while I have focused on how it works with photography, the real plus for me has simply been how much I feel a difference in my eyes while coloring.  I love to color!!  But my eyes do not.  And given that my eyes are one of the most important things in my flying, I will do what I need to protect them from strain.  Much of the time that has simply meant I cannot color as long as I’d like.  But the Luminos has changed that for me.  I don’t say that lightly.

So now the rest of the story.  Sarah is a Brand Ambassador with Daylight Company and as such she is able to offer us all a deal.  You get a 20% discount with this code:  SARIDITTY.  Just enter that at checkout and you get the savings.  Super easy, right??  That said, I do have some other products that I’m going to be testing soon.  These include the Slimline Light, the Halo Lamp and the Wafer Light Box.  If you have specific questions about any of these, let me know so I can address them for you.  I intended to do this all with just Instagram but found that it was so much easier to give specifics here.  Thanks so much for stopping in today.  See you tomorrow for the latest from Freshly Made Sketches.

Freshly Made Sketches #373

Freshly Made Sketches #373 published on 10 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #373

Hello my friends.  I’m going to start off with a brief explanation.  I know that my posting right now seems to come inconsistently.  The truth is, I’m working very hard on balancing a lot of things.  The biggest of them has been my mom’s estate.  My mom lived in Orlando and I’m not there.  That makes things hard since there are many decisions to be made and many beloved treasures to be sorted.  So I’m going down there as much as I can to help handle that.  When added to my flying schedule, I admit that my blog is the thing that seems to get the short end of my attention.  I promised more details on my PFS January release and then promptly didn’t provide them all.  I’m so sorry.  Please forgive my distraction.  The last trip was highly emotional for me and I’m truthfully feeling a bit overwhelmed.  But stamping helps.  And my family is the best.  I’ll find my new normal soon but until the estate is handled, I think this is my normal.  Thank you for your patience and support.  It means the world.

And with that, I’m on to this week’s FMS card.  I love this sketch by the lovely Kim Singdahlsen.  It is fresh and clever!  And, as usual, I think I may have stretched it a little too far.  But whatever comes out of my head when I’m crafting is what I go with these days.

FMS373 by Jen Timko | Be A Unicorn of the Sea Stamp Set and Dies by Picket Fence Studios, Sunburst Stencil by Picket Fence Studios, Watercolor, Life Changing Blender BrushesI love the Be a Unicorn of the Sea set by Picket Fence Studios and I thought it might be fun for the sketch.  But what about the diagonals?  Oh yeah….the new stencils!!  And an idea was born.  The Sunburst Stencil seemed perfect when I chose a few select “beams” and inked them with Distress Ink using the Life Changing Blender Brushes.  I chose one of the small brushes because it fits in the beams perfectly without me having to tape and cover the others.  Nice and simple!  I inked up another piece of Bristol and then cut it out with a stitched circle as a background for my narwhal.

I have to confess that I love narwhal images.  And this set is the BEST!  The sentiments are such fun and useful for so many occasions.  They are encouraging and kind!!  I colored the narwhal with my Zigs to coordinate and then chose some Audrey Blue (SSS) as a background to make the colors pop.  I love the Shark Bite Sequins too so of course I added a few.

Thank you so much for stopping in today.  I’m grateful you choose to spend a few moments of your day with me.  Make sure you hop over to see the inspiration from the whole team.  See you soon!


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