I just got to spend 4 days with about 200 of my craftiest friends at Junkiefest 2019 ... seriously solid days of making art and learning new techniques ... not much better than that.
I started by hanging out with the talented Effie Cho owner of The Ton Stamps and watched her make her sample for our class. Then at 8am the next morning, I got to try the skill myself.
I managed to get two finished in our 4 hour class ... can you tell which one was first? ... I could already noticed marked improvement in my second watercolor. We used the gorgeous Peony Dreams Cluster Stamp from The Ton and Ken Oliver's ColorBurst Watercolor Powders for those intense colors. Can't wait to try painting again in my own space.
I did a terrible job of getting pictures of people this trip. I think partially because I get pretty overwhelmed by that many people in such a tight space for an extended period of time. I had to sneak off with a book throughout to recharge my batteries. However Effie's lovely Mom Laura snapped a shot of us in class.
She also took a picture of the entire class with our projects.
Next class was another 4 hours ... coloring with Kathy Racoosin of The Daily Marker. I had fun playing with unexpected colors (and the new AlteNew Markers) for this little cutie.
Mingle the Flamingo was hiding throughout the venue ... we found him and won an awesome prize from ThermoWeb (thanks Sue). My new friend Seeka aka SkyPaperScissors and my friend Mona joined me.
Next day I had lots of fun creating with Angela & Whitney of Unity Stamp Company. We started with Angela's card.
We used batteries and electronics, so that the card lights-up when you push the battery. We also learned some awesome masking & distress oxide techniques with the MISTI that made the jar look like it was glowing ... can't wait to try them again.
Next we made a gorgeous Mixed Media Notebook cover ... I didn't exactly follow the directions, but I did absolutely love the end-result. I will use the notebook at work ... seeing my art while I'm crunching numbers makes me happy.
I also spent time in the big crafty room doing challenges and making cards. Hanging out with Ellen Hutson and Julie Ebersole was one of the highlights of my trip ... Julie took a picture of us, but she shared it in her Instagram stories, so I didn't know how to find it again. Love them both so much. Here are some of the make and takes I did one evening.
Stenciling with Karen Hightower and Canada Kim from The Creative Card using Gina K. Designs products ... a couple of stenciled cards using a cool layered stencil and fun color combinations with A Colorful Life Design Stencils ... and a stinkin' adorable card with Julie and Ellen using stamps & dies from Essentials by Ellen Voices in my Head ... and cool cork earrings from Taylored Expressions.
I had fun doing a Love from Lizi Kit Unboxing with her ... and remembered (from last year) how much I loved her Peel Off Strips. There was a store this year, so I was able to buy the entire collection and bring them home with me.
I got a whole batch of holiday cards finished.
Next I had class with Alexandra Renke using her gorgeous papers, stamps and dies.
Can't wait to add some more of her products to my collection.
My final class was with the super-talented Gina K. and Rina. I had so much fun creating with her stencils ... and I coveted her shoes so much, I had to order my own pair.
We finished the night with a group picture. I already miss my friends and making art all day.
If this sounds like fun to you, start saving your money because next year's event is already scheduled.
