The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas August 2023 | Retro Christmas | Technique Junkies

Hello everyone and welcome to the August 2023 Edition of The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas.  If this is your first time here, on the 25th of each month, I am part of a collaboration with some other Crafty Elves  - Debra of Meticulosity, Lisa of Life of a BZScrapper, and Misty of The Jolly Fat Elf.  Misty is taking this month off but we have a Special Crafty Elf joining us, Shalana Glass of Scrappin With Shalana.

Links to the other Elves' cards and to our social media pages are at the end of this post.   

This month I went retro, using the Retro Ornaments stamp for my main image and Retro Merry Christmas for my sentiment - both from Technique Junkies.  

• I made a top-folding A2 card using red cardstock.
• Then I die-cut a piece of white cardstock using a 4" x 5.25" stitched rectangle die and adhered it to the inside of the card for a message.
• I stamped Retro Ornaments - twice - and my sentiment, Retro Merry Christmas, on white cardstock.   
• I die-cut one of the Retro Ornament images using a 4" x 5.25" stitched rectangle die and fussy cut the ornaments from the 2nd stamped image.
• Then I die-cut the Retro Merry Christmas sentiment using a banner die, and a piece of the red cardstock using a stitched banner die a bit larger than the first die.

• Using my BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip markers, I colored in the ornaments.  
  
  

Then I put my card together by...

• Adhering the Retro Ornaments to my card front.
• Adhering the fussy cut ornaments to my card front using foam squares - to give a 3D effect.
• Adhering the Retro Merry Christmas sentiment to the bottom.
• To finish the card off, I added Stickles and a small crystal in the center of 5 of the ornaments and on the sentiment.

My finished card - 

I hope you have enjoyed this card.  I hope you will find time to visit the other Crafty Elves and see what they made.  Their links are all below.  

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Blog

Instagram

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Debra - Meticulosity

Blog (today's card)

Instagram

Facebook Page

Lisa - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Blog (today's card)

Instagram

Facebook Page

Shalana - Scrappin With Shalana

Blog (today's card)

Instagram

Facebook Page

YouTube Channel

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  I would love to know what you think of this card idea - leave a comment below and, until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil.

~Michael

He Made It / She Made It | Collaboration with Meticulosity | Technique Junkies

 

Hello everyone.  As some of you might know by now, I am not only a huge fan of Technique Junkies but I am also now on their Design Team, along with my friend Debra - and today is her birthday!!  Happy Birthday Debra.  Since Deb and I love to create together, we came up with a fun idea for a collaboration - He Made It / She Made It or She Made It / He Made It...depending on which blog you are on.  

The way this will work is, we will choose a stamp or image that we both own and then we will each make a card using it.  The fun will be seeing what we each make.   

This month we decided to start with the new Creative Background stamp from Technique Junkies.  I LOVE this stamp, which is perfect for the crafter in your life and, I ended up with 3 different ideas for you.  If you like any of these stamps, there is a code to save 10% on the Technique Junkies website - at the end of this post. 

I started by stamping the Creative Background stamp 3 times on white cardstock.  Then I used a stitched rectangle die (4" x 5.25") to cut each of the images out.  Then I grabbed my pile of BIC Intensity Markers and colored them all.  It actually goes much faster than you think.

Next, I made 3 card bases using 3 different colored cardstock.  

Then I went thru my stash of Technique Junkies stamps and found 3 sentiments perfect to use with the Creative Background stamp, all related to art or crafting.  I Endlessly Create Yourself, Do Something Creative, and Perfect Piece of Paper.  

Then I put my cards together.

Card No. 1

• I adhered one of the colored Creative Backgrounds to an A2-sized hot pink card base.  
• I stamped Endlessly Create Yourself on a piece of white cardstock and die-cut it using a circle die.  Then I die-cut a piece of the hot pink cardstock using the next-size-up circle die.  I adhered the white to the hot pink and then to the card front with some foam tape.  
• Lastly, I added a few crystals to the card front for some shimmer and shine, and I adhered a piece of white cardstock to the inside where the message will go.  I also added some glossy accents to the lightbulb, ceramic jar, and a few other areas of the image - and set it aside to fully dry. 

Card No. 2

• I adhered one of the colored Creative Backgrounds to an A2-sized orange card base.  
• I stamped Perfect Piece of Paper on a piece of white cardstock, die-cut it using a 4" x 5.25" stitched rectangle die, and adhered it to the inside.    
• Lastly, I added a few crystals to the card front for some shimmer and shine and some glossy accents to the lightbulb, ceramic jar, and a few other areas of the image - and set it aside to fully dry.

Card No. 3

• I adhered one of the colored Creative Backgrounds to an A2-sized blue card base.  
• I stamped Do Something Creative on a piece of white cardstock, die-cut it using a stitched banner die, adhered it to another piece of blue cardstock, and then to the card front right a bit above the center of the card.      
• Lastly, I added a few crystals to the card front for some shimmer and shine and some glossy accents to the lightbulb, ceramic jar, and a few other areas of the image - and set it aside to fully dry.   

And, I'm done!  I only thought I was going to make 1 card but with all the fun sentiments, I had to go with 3.  Sorry.  I hope you will go see what Debra came up with.  You can find her card on her blog, Facebook page, and her Instagram page.  You can also check out more of my creations on my Instagram page and Facebook page.    

If you loved any of the stamps I used today, which are all from Technique Junkies, you can save 10% at checkout by using my code - TJ10Michael - I might earn a small commission from your purchase, and I think you in advance of using it.    

I'd love to know which card is your fav, if you have one!  Until next time...

Hugs from Brasil.

~Michael

Let's "Explore" Yellowstone | Shaker Card | Technique Junkies

Hello everyone.  I hope y'all had a great weekend.  Today I am sharing a shaker card I made using the brand-new Explore stamp - which is part of the Technique Junkies August 2023 New Stamp Release. 

Let me show you how I made this card.

When I first saw this stamp, my first thought was Yellowstone - the National Park, not the TV show - and I had to do something fun with it.

• I searched online for a free and fun Yellowstone Park map image, downloaded it, and printed it on white cardstock.  
• Then I played around with a stitched rectangle die and a circle die until I had them positioned perfectly (being careful not to cut thru the Yellowstone name), and then secured them with some washi tape and die-cut them.     
  
  

• I made my card base using black cardstock.  
• I cut another piece of black cardstock and embossed it with a map embossing folder.  You are not going to really see much of it under the map but I wanted something other than plain cardstock. 
• I cut a piece of white cardstock to fit under the map and I stamped Explore so it will be showing thru the circle cut out.  

• I adhered the embossing black piece to my card front.
• I cut a piece of acetate and adhered it behind the Yellowstone Park map, covering the circle die-cut. 
• I adhered my white piece with the Explore image to the card front making sure the stamped image will show thru the circle.  
• I added 1/4" X-Press It foam tape to the back of the Yellowstone Park map making sure to get around the 4 sides as well as around the circle.
  
  

Before I added my shaker elements and adhered the two parts together, I added some Frosted Lace to the tops of the mountains and set it aside to dry.

Then I...

• Added my shaker elements to the top of the stamped Explore image.  My shaker elements are basically a Brasilian version of Prills that I had in my stash.  But you can also use sequins and seed beads.
• And, lastly, I removed the tape backing from the foam tape and adhered the front of the card over the shaker elements.

Here is the final card.

So, tell me, what do you think?  I'd love to know!  Leave me a comment below if you can.  Also, this stamp is 15% off thru tomorrow, August 8th and, if you use my discount code TJ10Michael - you can save an additional 10% off the rest of the Technique Junkies website.  

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  I really appreciate the support!  Until next time...

Hugs from Brasil. 

~Michael

Yes, It's A Holiday | National Coloring Book Day | Free Adult Coloring Book Links

Hello everyone and welcome to the latest installment of Yes, It's a Holiday - my monthly Instagram collaboration with my Instagram buddies - Debra and Lori.  At times, like today, I also love to write up a blog post.    

This month we are helping to celebrate National Coloring Book Day!  

According to National Today, National Coloring Book Day helps us relive our childhood playdates and discover new health and wellness.  There are so many Adult coloring books now in almost every store.  And, with the age of digital downloads, there are so many places to buy them.  Being someone who loves to color, I love them.  I love how you can even print them in different sizes to make handmade greeting cards or other crafts.  

And, it helps with your wellness, relaxation, and lowers your blood pressure.  

To learn more about today's holiday, just click HERE. 

Now...let's make today's card.  

• I made an A2 card base using Kraft cardstock, stamped Coffee Stain from Technique Junkies on another piece of Kraft cardstock, die-cut it using a 4" x 5.25" stitched rectangle die, and distressed both the card front and the stamped image using Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  
• I adhered the Coffee Stain image to the card front.

• Next, I searched online for "Free Coffee Coloring Pages", found a nice image to color on Moms & Crafters, and saved it to my computer.  
• I printed two of the images.  I die-cut the first image using a stitched rectangle die and I had my Scan N Cut cut the cups out of the second image.  

• I colored the coffee cups that the Scan N Cut cut using my BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip Markers. There is no need to color the other cups since they will be covered.  Then I added some foam dots behind each cup and adhered them to the non-colored piece.   

Lastly, I adhered the cups to the front of my card and die-cut a piece of white cardstock for the inside message.  Done!

All I have to do is write a message inside and send it to a coffee lover!  Want to give this a try?  Below are 2 websites that I found offering free coloring pages.  Just save an image you like, print it, and start coloring - with markers, coloring pencils, and even crayons if you want.  

Homemade Gifts Made Easy

Moms and Crafters

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and I hope I will see you over on my Instagram page too.  I hope you can find a few minutes today to go check out what Debra and Lori have made - over on their Instagram pages.  Links to our pages are below.

Me - @worldofmichaeltrent

Debra - @djdavison814

Lori - @mamakobs 

Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil.

~Michael 

Technique Junkies August 2023 Release | Discount Info | Creative Background Slimline Card

Hello everyone, and welcome to August!  I can't believe that half the year is over already.  Time flies.  I hope everyone is doing well in this crazy weather the globe is experiencing.  Here in São Paulo, it's "winter", and we are having a much colder winter than I can ever remember.  I am just hoping that the summer is not going to be crazy.  

Today is the 1st of the month and that means a new stamp release from Technique Junkies.  The August 2023 New Stamp Release has something for everyone - creative and artsy stamps for crafters and cardmakers, fun inside/outside sayings, stamps for dog lovers, coffee lovers, and travel lovers.

All the new stamps are 15% off thru Tuesday, August 8th - no code needed - and, if you use my code - TJ10Michael - you can take an additional 10% off the rest of the website.  

If you love the whole new release and want all the stamps, you can save $25.35 with the "Gotta Have Them All" deal.  

To help kick off the August 2023 New Stamp Release, today I am sharing a slimline card I made using the new Creative Background stamp.  

To make this card - 

• I made a slimline card base, 3 5/8" x 8 5/8", using white cardstock.  
• I printed one of the papers from the Day In The Life Paper Pack No. 1 - digi version, die-cut it using the largest of the dies in the Slim Stitched Rectangle Die set (Pink Fresh Studio), and then adhered it to my card front.
• I stamped the Creative Background stamp twice on white cardstock, used a 2" square punch to cut out areas of the image with the words - creative, design, idea, and art, and colored them using my BIC Intensity Markers.

• I used the 2.25" die from the Stitched Square set (Gina Marie Designs) to cut 3 pieces of bright textured cardstock, and I cut 3 pieces of white fun foam to fit underneath them.  

• I adhered the fun foam under each of the pink, blue, and green squares and adhered them to my card front.  Then I adhered the colored squares on top. 

Lastly, I added Diamond Glaze (or you can use Glossy Accents) to the lightbulb and the two ceramic cups - to give a glassy, glazed look to them.  I could not get all the little bubbles to pop but I don't mind since a lot of ceramic pieces have these little imperfections.  And I set it aside to fully dry. 

The card is DONE!

I have several more ideas on how you can use the new stamps and I hope that you will either stop back or subscribe to my blog.  Links to the other Design Team Members are all below and I hope that you will head over to them to see what they have made.  

Technique Junkies Design Team Blog

Pat - The Technique Trail

Debra - Meticulosity

Pam - Mustang Creations

Shalana - Scrappin with Shalana

Jeanette - Cre8tive Play

Christine - Purple Lake Stamps

Darlene - Dar's Blog

Patti - Cherish Each Precious Day

I'd love to know what you think of this card idea - please leave a comment below.  I'll be back soon!  Until next time - 

Hugs from Brasil.

~Michael