Monday, April 28, 2014

Remember



Today's card incorporates two of the new April releases from Die-Versions:  Remember Express Edge Mini and the Hexagon Punch Border.

One of the things I like to do is to try and recycle items that come in my junk mail.  This Dream Catcher, which was originally a key ring, was one of them.  I started thinking about the various rubber stamps I have and remembered having a couple that centered around the word "dream".  This Stampers Anonymous (CMS 037) rubber stamp was heat embossed using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Native American embossing powder.  I also carefully sprinkled more of the embossing powder on top of the black cardstock and heat set it from the bottom.  (See you don't have to use Frantage powders to get that same look.  Try what you've already got on hand first.) 

To create the background, I started off by cutting a piece of white cardstock the size I wanted and then die cut the Hexagon Punch Border die all the way across the panel until the entire area was cut out.  Distress Inks (Salty Ocean, Vintage Photo, and Squeezed Lemonade) came out next to ink up the white cardstock.  The Remember Express Edge Mini was adhered to the side of the now colored background panel.

A little distressing along the edges of the card base and you're all ready to go catch some dreams.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Love You/Friends Forever


Hi everyone! Welcome to the Inspired by Stamping and Die-Versions Blog Hop.  Twenty two talented designers have united to celebrate the new season and shake off the malaise of a snowy winter.  Yay!!!  Inspired by Stamping, which designs and manufactures the highest quality of photopolymer stamps that bring superior stamping to all crafters, has teamed up with Die-Versions, makers of low profile metal dies which works with virtually every machine out there and cuts through most materials, to create this special eye candy of Spring themed projects.

One lucky "hopper" will get a total prize package of $100 in gift certificates, a $50 gift certificate from Inspired by Stamping AND Die-Versions, so you can stock up on some awesome products both of the companies have to offer.

For your chance to win the grand prize, visit all of the participating blogs, leaving a comment at each, then leave a comment telling us what you like the most about Spring at the Inspired by Stamping blog.  All comments entered between now and April 28th at 10pm (Pacific time) will be eligible for the grand prize.

Now a little about my project:


Inspired by Stamping graciously supplied all the DV Dynamos with clear stamp sets, trims, flowers, and a paper pack.  All of my patterned papers are from their Vintage Floral paper pad and my sentiment is a combination of the Arrows stamp set and It's Your Birthday stamp set.

I die cut the Butterfly Flourish from Die-Versions out of vellum and used Copic markers to quickly color it.  The flowers, also from Inspired by Stamping, were adhered on top of the flowers on the die cut.

The new Quatrefoil Background was die cut from a piece of white cardstock that I had applied Sea Foam embossing powder (from Sparkle N Sprinkle) and heat set.  The Love You Express Banner, also heat embossed with Sea Foam embossing powder was added on top of the crochet trim.

Your next stop on the hop is Archana .  If you ever get lost in the hop, you can always go back to the beginning, Die-Versions blog, for the complete order list.  Don't forget to leave comments along the way for your chance at that $100 prize package!


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Baby Shower Invitation


Have you checked out this month's new release from Die-Versions?  If not, then you definitely should.  This shaped card incorporates three of the newest dies: Baby Shower Express Banner, Love This Express Edges Mini, and the Hexagon Punch Border.  The lace around the leg openings was die cut from the Lacey Dots die.

One of the things I normally do when I get a new batch of dies in is to die cut them right away from plain copy paper and let them sit on my desk.  That way, the ideas start to percolate slowly until something comes together.

I knew I wanted to make a diaper shaped card when I cut the banner, but wasn't sure what to do with the hexagon punch border.  Then it hit me that this reminded me of the velcro fasteners on the sides of a diaper, and the rest is history :-).


To create this card, I started with some older Graphic 45 papers (Little Darlings), hand drew the diaper shape and cut it out.  Distressed embossing technique was applied along all the edges using Sparkle N Sprinkle Sea Foam embossing powder.  I also heat embossed the Love This Express Edge Mini with Sea Foam embossing powder.  The baby image, which is part of the G45 paper pad, was hinged so you could write the details of the baby shower underneath and still have a flat invitation for mailing.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Flamingo Bay



If you like flamingos, then Flamingo Bay from Sparkle N Sprinkle should be on your "I need" list. :-)

After stamping the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, I colored the image with Copic markers and then added a piece of Super Adhesive Sheets to the top of the colored image.  This was covered with Cloud Nine Velvet glitter to give it a soft, shimmery look.

The background was die cut from the Chevron cutting plate from Taylored Expressions.  Next, I randomly applied VersaMark around the edges and covered it with Stickum Powder embossing powder.  I wanted parts of the white cardstock to show through, giving it more of a visual interest.  After heat setting, I immediately covered the hot Stickum Powder with Neon Flamingo glitter.

The sentiment was created using some Super Adhesive Sheets covered with more Neon Flamingo glitter and Staz-on ink.

I twisted two shades of pink ribbons together and attached it at an angle with the Tiny Attacher from Tim Holtz.  I also added a couple Xs with the Tiny Attacher at the top and colored them with a Copic marker.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Spring: Aurora



Spring is the theme for the new Time4Scrap challenge starting today.  We have three sponsors for this challenge: Beccy's Place, The East Wind, and Art by Mirian.

I've chosen Aurora, Floral Kiss for my project and colored her with Copic markers.  I've also added various Spica glitter pens to her hair and several of the flowers, but it didn't photograph well (at all).

The background is one of the new Die-Versions dies called Morocco Background.  These dies cut beautifully, but I wanted some of the negative pieces to remain in the frame.  So instead of painstakingly replacing some of the pieces, I adhered a piece of sticker paper onto the back of the die after I ran it through my die cutting machine.  I had tilted it slightly to let most of the negative pieces to fall out naturally, so what was left stuck to the sticker paper.  Then I covered the entire die cut with Spirited Green glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The border is also a Die-Versions die (Butterfly Garden) that was die cut from a piece of white cardstock and quickly colored with Copic markers.  To add the sentiment, I inked up a Stampendous clear stamp with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, added Clear embossing powder to it, and heat set it for an added bit of shimmer. 

You have two weeks to share your Spring project with us at the Time4Scrap Challenge Blog.  I can't wait to see what you create.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Dogwood Blossoms




Appropriately the theme for this week's Pattie's Creations challenge is Easter.  I associate Dogwood blossoms with Easter time because they were always blooming right about that time when I was growing up.  So for this Easter challenge, I've chosen the Dogwood Branch digi as the focal point of my card.

I've colored the image with Copic markers and added Sparkle N Sprinkle's Sunny Daze glitter to the flower centers.  The sentiment is one I created on my computer and printed on vellum.  Since ink on vellum stays wet longer, I covered it with Clear embossing powder and heat set it.

Pearls were added to the corners of the sentiment (which also hides the glue dot on the back) and a bit of twisted ribbon is layered between the main panel and the Lacey Dots border (from Die-Versions).  I adhered the ribbon with 1/8" piece of double sided tape.  Since it is twisted, bits of the adhesive were left uncovered here and there.  A great way to cover up the sticky areas is to cover it with a semi-transparent glitter.  I covered it with Cloud Nine velvet glitter, which is a micro fine glitter.  It gives it just a hint of sparkle too.


I created the handmade dogwood blossom after viewing this video tutorial.  I improvised a bit since I don't own a balloon punch, but I do own several sizes of balloon dies from Lifestyle Crafts  :-).   (Bet you never would have guessed it was made from a balloon shape.)  I painted Twinkling H2Os over each petal and allowed to dry before assembling.  The center of the blossom is covered with Art Glitter Gala Glitz (gold) and the leaf is a Spellbinders die (Foliage).

You have two weeks to upload your Easter project to the PCDC Blog.  Be sure and visit the rest of the team to see what they've created for you as well.


Happy Easter!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Diamond Medallion



For today's card, I've combine two of Sparkle N Sprinkle's new stamp sets: the Crackle Background and the Diamond Medallion.

The Crackle Background was heat embossed using Tuscan Sun embossing powder.  Next, the Diamond Medallion was stamped using Memento's Bahama Blue and then immediately covered with Velvet Sparkle embossing powder and heat set.  Once it was cool, I fussy cut the image and added a bit of color to the background by scribbling some Copic marker onto my craft mat and picking it up with a paper towel that was dampened with rubbing alcohol.  This dilutes the color and makes it much more subtle.

Since I wanted the corner pieces to match the medallion, I covered some scraps of cardstock with more Bahama Blue ink and die cut out the corner pieces.  I then covered these with VersaMark and heat set them with more Velvet Sparkle embossing powder.

The sentiment is die cut from a scrap of Super Adhesive Sheet and a Memory Box die.  Cloud Nine Velvet glitter was used to cover the die.  Next, I heat embossed the sentiment (part of the Diamond Medallion set) with Tuscan Sun embossing powder and added some gems to both the sentiment and the medallion.

As a final step, the outer edges of the card are given a bit of color using the distress embossing technique.  I applied some Antique Linen Distress Ink to the edges and then heat set them with Clear embossing powder.  I love using this technique as it gives the project the look of another layer and subtle shimmer.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Hibiscus (and tutorial)


Hey everyone.  Today I'm using one of the exclusive Sparkle N Sprinkle digi stamps, the Hibiscus, and the dryer sheet technique to create this fun card.  I think most people think of this using this fuzzy and glittery technique on snow themed focal points.  But I wanted to try something different.  Plus, I want to show you how easy it is to use digital images.  So, I'm combining a tutorial on the basics of using a digi and how to do the dryer sheet technique.

To start off, download the digi onto your computer and save it in a folder.   (I have folders for each digi company that I have images from - but save them however makes the most sense to you.)  Then I upload the image I want, in this case the Hibiscus, into Microsoft Word.  The beauty about digis is that you can resize them to make them larger or smaller than a rubber stamped image (plus they are easy to store).  Once you're happy with the size, you can copy and paste if you want multiples of the same image.  I normally do this when I want to add dimension and layers to the image I'm working on.  Print it out. 


The somewhat tricky part come in when coloring an image and it's a trial and error process to find out what works best with the printer you have (unless you have a laser printer, then no worries) and the markers you use.  For an inkjet printer, you may need to let the ink dry a bit before coloring with Copic markers (that'w what I use).  Some people heat set the ink with a heat gun.  I usually print out several images at a time and then set them aside until I'm ready.  So I don't really have any problems.  Every now and then, the black ink from the inkjet wants to bleed when I touch it with a Copic marker, even after the ink is completely dry.  Although, luckily, this is fairly rare for me, the best way around this is to be a bit more conscientious about coloring over the lines.  You can go right next to them, but try not to color over them and smear the ink.  Again, most of the time I don't have any problems with this whatsoever.  If I do, it's usually right after I've changed the cartridge on my printer.  So don't let this frighten you away from trying digis.


Once the Hibiscus digi was colored, I adhered a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet on top.  Next, take a used dryer sheet and spread it over the image and the adhesive sheet.  It should look like the photo above (please ignore the die cut edges).  Tip: if you do plan to us a die cut (and you shouldn't have any problems cutting through the dryer sheet and cardstock), cut it after you've added the dryer sheet.  Otherwise, you'll have to cut the edges by hand - no big deal, but an extra step.


Cover the adhered dryer sheet with glitter.  I used Cloud Nine Velvet glitter, but any color would work.  Lightly burnish into the surface.  Shake off the excess glitter and return it to the bottle.  What your left with is a fuzzy, sparkly image.

Proceed to create your card as you normally would.  For this one, I decided against the die cut edges (as seen in the photos) and decided to fussy cut the image out.

The next layer is vellum that was die cut using a Just Rite die (Vintage Frame Label).  I added color to the vellum with a Copic marker.  The layer behind the vellum is a die cut from Taylored Expressions (Retro cutting plate) that I heat embossed using SNS Indian Spark embossing powder.

I also added some coordinating ribbon and a triple looped bow for more interest.

I hope you found this informative and given you one more reason to try a digi (if you haven't already).  Also, if you have any questions, please let me know and I'll try my best to answer them.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Right Now


Today is the New Release from Die-Versions.  Today, I'm showcasing one of the new Express Edges Mini.  This is the "Right Now" Mini Edge.  They are smaller versions of the Express Edges, except instead of being 5/8" tall, they are only 1/2" tall.

For this card, I've combined several Die-Versions dies as well as a couple different rubber stamps.  I started off stamping the background stamp (from Just For Fun) with Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) and then heat setting it with Clear embossing powder.  I further distressed the background by adding Tattered Rose and Old Paper to it.  Next, I stamped the "Journey" Stampers Anonymous stamp onto Sparkle N Sprinkle's Embossable acetate with VersaMark and heat set it with Amethyst embossing powder.

"Your" is die cut using the DV Tide Pool font and "begins" is from the Missy Micro font.  The Mini Edge is heat embossed with Sea Foam embossing powder for a shimmery look.

I thought this would be a good graduation card for a guy either starting college or getting his first "real" job after college.

Be sure to visit the Die-Versions Blog for more great projects using all the New Releases and check out the DV You-Tube channel showcasing each of the new dies.


Monday, April 7, 2014

April Showers

Front panel

Today's card uses April Showers, one of the new stamp sets released by Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  I have to admit this card came together very slowly.  I had no idea I was going to try and make a reversible card when I started out.

Front panel - Flipped 


I began by stamping the image onto vellum with VersaMark and heat setting it with Clear embossing powder.  I wanted to try my hand at the "no lines" coloring that I've seen.  I colored the image with Copic markers and them backed the vellum with a soft shade of peach thin weight cardstock.

Then I decided this might look good on an acetate card, so I go out my SNS Clear Embossable Acetate and stamped the sentiment on the front cover with Distress Ink (Black Soot) and heat set it with Clear embossing powder.  It didn't show up as well as I wanted, so I die cut the stitched sentiment flag from Lil' Inkers Designs and adhered it to the inside front panel behind the sentiment.  I also adhered the image to the inside front panel.

Inside (normal view)

The back panel is the Scribbles cutting plate from Taylored Expressions, which I covered with VersaMark and heat set using Holiday Blue embossing powder.  It reminded me of swirling rain.  I didn't want the backside to be plain white cardstock, so I embossed it with Sapphire embossing powder and heat set it.  That's when the idea of a reversible card popped into my brain.

Inside with color panel behind it


Since the sentiment mentions rain and sunshine, I added a sun and a cloud (both from MFT) to the backside of the colored image.  These were die cut from a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet and covered with Cloud Nine Velvet glitter.  I then colored the pieces with Distress Markers and a water brush because I wanted to blend a couple different colors together.

Inside when Flipped (with color panel behind it)

Now when you open the card, you see the sun.  When you flip the card upside down, you see the sunshine peeking through the swirls of rain.

Front Flipped (with color panel behind it)
This was hard to explain, but looks pretty cool in person.  Let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer them for you.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Easter Blessings


Time4Scrap has a new challenge for you, beginning today.  This two week challenge is to create an Easter themed project.  The two sponsors for the challenge are Robyn's Fetish and A Day for Daisies.

I've chosen the Lily Wedding image from A Day for Daisies.  Although Easter lilies are mostly white, I've added touches of soft yellows for shading (it's really hard to tell in the photo) and greens for the throat.  Sparkle N Sprinkle flock (Canary) was added to the yellow anthers in the flower center for a more realistic look.  (You are supposed to remove these on a real plant to prolong the life of the plant. )

The dies used are mostly from Spellbinders (Timeless Rectangle for the mats and the cross is from the Cross Collection) and a Simon Says Stamp die was used to die cut the computer generated sentiment.  While the cross was still in the die, I smushed VersaMark through the openings and then heat set it with Silver Pearl embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I also added a few pearls here and there.  The card base was dry embossed with Spellbinders Dainty Dots embossing folder.

Be sure to visit the blog at Time4Scrap to see what the rest of the team has created for you.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

SNS April Winners

Hi!  Thank you for participating in Sparkle N Sprinkle's April 1st Release
We enjoyed making the new projects, and hope you enjoyed the 20% off, good through April 3. 



Five new stamp sets, 2 new digitals, and Jazzy Jill's technique kit were released.
Winners get to choose an embossing powder and glitter to go with their new set
or
$20 worth of images from our new Digital Line


Our winners are:

(50 comments)
Marylou H


(47 comments)
Gerlinde


(39 comments)
Aunt Di

(42 comments)
Kim Petriga



(42 comments + 3 who were unable to leave a comment)
Paula


Please e-mail SNS_Artist@tampabay.rr.com with your mailing address, choice of one glitter and one embossing powder which can be used with your new stamp sets, and we will mail your prize.
ALTERNATELY - you may choose $20 worth of images from our new Digital Line

We look forward to sharing ideas from 6 new stamps sets on May 1.


hugs always from The Sparkle Team,