Friday, October 31, 2014

Brighten the Holidays {Sparkle N Sprinkle Nov 1 Reveal}


Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's November 1 Reveal.

This month FIVE new stamp sets are being introduced.   These sets are 20% off their regular price, until November 3rd.  All the new reveal sets are available on Cling Mounted Rubber and as a digital image.  Finn's Scarf, set #671 is the stamp set featured in  This Month's Technique Video.

The sets are:

Christmas Doves #649   (digi version DIGI649)
Brighten the Holidays #663   (digi version DIGI663)
Finn's Scarf #671  (digi version DIGI671)
Woofie Under the Christmas Tree #672   (digi version DIGI672)
Birthday Friends #673   (digi version DIGI673)


On Nov 3rd,  one Grand Prize Winner will be selected from the comments left on the designers' blogs listed below.  The Grand Prize Winner will receive
all FIVE of the new rubber stamp sets (or digi sets, if you prefer)

The new SNS Creative Challenges also begins today, with lots of prizes and recognition badges. 

The winner of the blog hop will be announced on Nov 3 on Facebook, the SNS blog, and on our blogs.  This month's Blog Hop order is:

(Tip: if you have a problem with a particular link, try clicking on the person's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

Don't forget to leave a comment with each Designer to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  We love reading your comments and hope we have inspired you as well.  If you absolutely can not leave a comment for some reason, please email icinganne@yahoo.com with your comment and the name of the blog or Designer you are commenting about.

We hope you enjoy the New Reveals as much as we do!
Last month the winner came from Belinda's blog.  Wonder which Designer contains the Grand Prize winner this month?


Now for a bit about my card.   I used the digi version this month and once the image was printed, I fussy cut it out and colored it with Copic markers.  I added a VersaMarker pen to the light bulb ends on the image, covered them with Silver Detail embossing powder and heat set.
Lavender Iris glitter was added to the scarf of the penguin on the left and to the earmuffs and mitten tops of the penguin on the right.  Plus I added it to each of the light bulbs for a frosted effect. Snow White flock was added to the mitten tops of the penguin on the left.

The Christmas tree is from Die-Versions (Delicate Tree).  I die cut it from green cardstock and then traced the die itself onto green patterned paper and fussy cut out for the background of the tree.  The Christmas Light Swags are by Cheery Lynn and each one was die cut from Sticker Paper.  I added Goldenrod velvet glitter to the cords and Flirt, Gypsy Red, Jasper Blue, Green Iris, and Flaming Orange glitters to the light bulbs.

Brushable glue was added to the bottom of the focal panel to create a snow mound and was covered in Diamond Dust glitter.  The sentiment is also part of the set and after printing it, I applied a piece of 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape over it and die cut it using the Taylored Expressions Banner Stacklets 2 die).  The exposed adhesive on the top of the sentiment was covered with Green Iris glitter.

I'm at the end of the SNS Blog Hop this month and we hope you've enjoyed the wonderful projects the Designers have made.  Be sure to leave each of us a comment in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize (all of the stamp sets revealed this month!).

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Gift Boxes {pop up}


Front
Opened
Die-Versions just released twenty new dies, including brand new pop up dies, cut out dies, and some new fonts.  This is the new Pop-Up Gift Boxes die.

I die cut the card base from patterned cardstock and then paper pieced the inside panels and the gift boxes.  Goldenrod glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle was added behind the stars and vertical lines for a bit more bling.

Here is another version using this die.  Basically it is the same, except for my paper choices.  The sentiment on the front is die cut from Sticker paper using the Die-Versions Compliments-Holiday 1 die and covered in Goldenrod glitter.



One more thing I'd like to share with you.....did you notice that the first card and the sample on the packaging is the same?  I am over the moon excited that I was asked to create the samples for all of the new die packaging!  Doing the Happy Dance every time I see the packaging :-)


These new pop dies are really fun to use and the Gift Boxes can be used for so many different occasions.  Hope you have as much fun playing with these as I did.


Monday, October 27, 2014

Witches Brew


Witches Brew from Sparkle N Sprinkle features Gerty, from the girlfriends line of stamps and she's ready for her favorite holiday - Halloween!

I played with the Glow in the Dark embossing powder and love the results.   I used a VersaMarker to add embossing ink to the spider web (a die from Taylored Expressions) and to the pot of witches brew.   Unfortunately, my photo is a bit blurry, but you can see how well the embossing powder glows.

The photo on the left was taken with no other light source (these were taken in a windowless closet) and the one below was taken with the door open just slightly.  You can still see how well the spider web and the "brew" glows.



The image itself was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with Copic markers.  The VersaMarker was used again to add embossing ink to Gerty's apron, shoe buckles, and to make dots on her hat.   Amethyst Spray embossing powder was applied over the embossing ink and heat set.  Gypsy Red velvet glitter was added to her glasses as well as her kitchen mitts.

The sentiment was stamped with VersaMark and heat set with more Amethyst Spray embossing powder on vellum.  The frame around the vellum is by Memory Box (Victorian Frame).


Wishing you a Happy (and safe) Halloween!  Can't wait to see all the little trick-or-treaters come to the door.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Die-Versions Think Pink Blog Hop






Welcome to the Think Pink Blog Hop!!  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so the Die-Versions Design Team wanted to bring Breast Cancer Awareness to our crafty friends.  We want to get the message out to all women about the importance of early detection with regular self-breast exams and mammograms.

We want all of you to Hop with us!!  Link up as many new projects on the Die-Versions blog (no back-linking) that fit the theme of Breast Cancer Awareness for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate generously provided by Die Versions.  Die-Versions manufactures low profile dies made right here in the United States.  You can see all of the dies Die-Versions has to offer and do some shopping at the Die-Versions store.

Many of the designers today will be using images generously provided by Doodle Pantry.  Doodle Pantry provides a diverse selection of images.  There is something for everyone, so be sure to stop by to see all they have to offer.

We have also joined with Fighting Pretty to donate cards to be delivered to breast cancer patients. If you would like to donate your cards we would love to pass them along to brighten the days of needed recipients. Please email Lori at mulchlady(at)aol(dot)com for the address to send your cards.

Your next stop on the Think Pink Blog Hop is PATTI. So let’s get hopping, celebrate courage and strength, and most importantly spread some Pink Hope.

Here's the entire line-up in case you get lost along the way:



Most of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another.  Either you yourself have encountered it, or a loved one, or a friend.  I've used the digi image Hope Awareness Fairy from Paper Makeup Stamps for today's blog hop as my hope is that all cancers get eradicated in my lifetime.  Here is a chart I found that lists the various colors of ribbon for specific types of cancer.  Lime is the color of the ribbon in our household.


The digi image is colored with Copic markers, and fussy cut out.  The background is the Die-Versions Bricks Background that I die-cut out of white cardstock and left in some of the negative pieces.  I then spritzed it with Memories Mists (Metallic Purple).  A touch of Lavender Iris glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle was used on her wings and on the ribbon.  The strip of yellow cardstock is also a Die-Versions die - Lacey Dots.

Now, head on over to Patti and see what fabulous creation she has made for our viewing pleasure.


Monday, October 20, 2014

Party Penguins


Sparkle N Sprinkle's Party Penguins is showcased in today's card.  For a change of pace, I used the digi set instead of the rubber stamp set to create this card.

After printing out the image and coloring it with Copic markers, I added glitter accents to the ice and water.  After applying glue using the Sakura glue pen, Aqua Marine glitter was added to the ripples in the water as well as the sprays of water.  Sparkling Snow glitter was added to the ice and snow.  I also added dots of glue and Aqua Marine glitter to the patterned cardstock in the background to give it a bit more so pizzaz.


Distressed Embossing technique was applied to the edges of the patterned cardstock using Evergreen Bough Distress Ink and Clear embossing powder.

I printed the sentiment onto vellum and added Clear embossing powder and heat set it immediately after it coming out of the printer.  This helps prevent the ink from smudging as it has a tendency to dry more slowly on vellum.   The sentiment is attached to the card with brads that I blinged up using the Bling Your Brads technique and Jamaican Dreams embossing powder.

I'm also happy to say that this colored image was used for the laminated card packaging.  So, when you purchase the rubber stamp set, you are bringing a little bit of my artwork home with you :-).  You can also view more detailed instructions here, in my SNS Art Gallery.




Friday, October 17, 2014

Kokopelli Sun



Today's challenge at Pattie's Creations is to use Autumn Colors in your image.  When I think of autumn colors, I automatically think of oranges, yellows, and reds, so when I was browsing Pattie's Etsy shop, I knew the Kokopelli Sun would be a great image to use showcase those colors.

I printed the image twice so I could fussy cut the Kokopelli person and adhere him on top of the main image.  I didn't add adhesive to his "hair", so it would give a touch more dimension to that part of the image.  The zig zag of his clothing and his horn were heat embossed using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Poolside embossing powder.

The entire image was colored with Copic markers and I added some white highlights with some Copic opaque white paint.  The first yellow panel was dry embossed using the Spellbinders "Valor" embossing folder and the mat behind the image was die cut using a Spellbinders die (Large Octagon).  All of the edges are distressed using Distress Inks and the Distressed Embossing technique was added to the card base edges, using Mustard Seed and Clear embossing powder.

A few gems on the corners and a another bit of blue (in the form of ribbon) are the finishing touches.  Be sure to visit the Pattie's Creations Design Challenge to see what the rest of the team has created for you.


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Floating Witch {Scrapy Land Challenge 4}

Front, closed
Inside
Scrapy Land Challenge #4 begins today and the theme is Halloween PLUS use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.  I wanted to do something a little different and had lots of ideas, but decided on a floating image card.  I had received a store bought card last year that had this general idea and kept it because I knew I wanted to try and make my own version.   (After my card was completed, I saw that Jennifer McGuire recently created something similar.  Guess that tells you that it's definitely a fun card to create.)

They are very easy to make and I love how the die spins in the center when the card is opened.  I added double adhesive tape to black cardstock and die cut the Wicked Witch from Die-Versions.  Make sure one of the die cuts is reversed, so when you glue them together they will be facing the same way and the adhesive will be on the front and back of the glued together piece.  She is adhered to a piece of thread that is sandwiched between the patterned paper and the cardstock on the front panel.  I wanted the string to blend in more, so I colored it with Pan Pastels to match my Pan Pastel colored moon, which is on the inside of the card.



Once the front and back pieces of the witch were adhered to the string, I exposed the adhesive on each side and covered it with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Night Sky Sparkle N Soft flocking.  Not only is she sparkly, but she feels good too.


For the inside, I added more patterned paper and my colored moon.  The sentiment was created using Die-Versions Metropolis font.  The letters and the "bats" were cut out of left over pieces from when I die cut the witches.  When I was looking at the die, the parentheses resembled bats to me, so I went with it. :-)  I added Orange Surprise glitter to the letters and Black Ice glitter to my bats.

Now it's your turn to create a fun Halloween themed project and submit it to the Scrapy Land Challenge.  Be sure to visit the rest of the team as I know they have come up with some fabulous projects for you too.


Monday, October 13, 2014

Welcome Autumn


Welcome Autumn rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle is featured on today's card.  Actually, it's a hybrid with the main image being the digi version and the sentiment part of the rubber stamp set.

To start off, I printed the image twice so I could add dimensional dots to the bottom portion of the image as well as double layer the cat on top of the fence.  The image is colored with Copic markers and glitter accents were added to the pumpkins (Autumn Medley glitter), gourds (Spirited Green glitter), and leaves (Lavender Iris glitter).




As I mentioned, the bottom portion of the image was pop dotted for added dimension.  I used 1/4" pop dots to really create the illusion of depth between the fence posts and the items in front of it.


The sentiment was created by first die cutting a piece of white cardstock with an old Spellbinders die (Nested Maple Leaves) and stamping the sentiment with Black Soot Distress Ink.  Immediately after stamping the sentiment, it was covered with Clear embossing powder and heat set.  The rubber stamp sentiment is in a single line, but I masked the parts I didn't want when I was stamping it, thereby creating a two-line sentiment.  Distress Inks (Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade) were used to color in the maple leaf.  A bit of bling was added to the panel by adhering a strip of Mon Ami Gabby Diamond Mesh and two strips of 1/8" Tear-ific Tape, covered with more Lavender Iris glitter.

For detailed instructions, please visit my SNS Art Gallery.  I'm also happy to say that my colored image was used for the laminated card packaging.  So, when you purchase the Welcome Autumn rubber stamp set, you are bringing a little bit of my artwork home with you :-)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Bubble Gum


Today's card showcases the new Bubble Gum rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

To start off, I stamped the image in Barn Door Distress Ink and heat embossed it with Clear embossing powder.  The rest of the image is colored with Copic markers.  I added a very healthy dose of Glossy Accents to the "glass bowl" holding all the bubble gum pieces.  It took this quite a while to dry, but I like that it really looks like a piece of glass.


The embedded embossing technique was used to create the sentiment tag.  I started off by stamping one of the sentiments from the set with VersaMark, covering it with White Detail embossing powder, and heat setting the powder.  Next apply VersaMark over the entire tag, which is a die cut from Taylored Expressions (Tag Stacklets 1), cover with Clear embossing powder and heat set again.

I created a frame from black cardstock and then adhered several different colors of twine around the edge to create a multicolored frame.  Distressed embossing technique was added to the edges of the larger patterned paper using Faded Jeans Distress Ink and Clear embossing powder.

For more details, you can also visit my Sparkle N Sprinkle Art Gallery.  (You can search under my name to see all the projects I have worked on since becoming a Designer too.)


Monday, October 6, 2014

Beautiful Friendship


Beautiful Friendship is one of the six new releases from Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  I decided to create another acetate card and although they are really hard to capture in a photo, they are pretty easy and fun to make.

I started out by creating the scalloped card base using the Spellbinders Scalloped Edge Frame.  Take a piece of cardstock slightly larger that the die and fold in half, creating the card base.  Using removable tape, lightly adhere the die on the card front, making sure the cutting edge is slightly past the card fold.  Die cut the card.  Your card should now open and close with the fold at the top.  I really like this technique, but I prefer to have all the scallops showing at the top, instead of being part of the fold.  To alleviate this, I die cut a single piece of cardstock and adhere it directly on top of the card base.  Now you won't see the card fold at all (at least until the card is opened).  After die cutting this top piece, I spritzed it with Memories Mist (Pale Ale).  I'm not a huge fan of mists because they usually spurt out big blobs of ink along with the finer mist.  So far, I haven't had this problem with the Memories Mists, so I think I'll be using these more often.


Now to create the focal point.  I started out by applying Memento Ink (Cantaloupe and Cottage Ivy) directly onto the rubber stamp.  Once I had an outline of the image, I colored the rest in with Copic markers and added touches of glitter to the rose petals with a Sakura glue pen and Sparkling Snow glitter.  Fussy cut this out and die cut a piece of Sticker paper using the Labels Four die from Spellbinder.  Expose the adhesive, adhere the colored image to the center, and cover the rest of the exposed adhesive with Lavender Iris glitter.  Die cut a second piece of Sticker Paper and cover the entire thing with Lavender Iris glitter.   This will be adhered to the inside of the front panel.

Next, recycle pieces of acetate from packaging (or you can also use Embossable Acetate) which are cut to cover the openings in the frame (front panel and back panel.)  After adhering these acetate pieces to the inside of the card, I added strips of 1/8" Tear-ific Tape around the edges and covered them with more Lavender Iris glitter.


Die cut two smaller pieces of white cardstock using the Labels Four dies and stamp your sentiment onto one of them with black ink.  Cover with Clear embossing powder and heat set.  Adhere the sentiment to the inside center of the back panel with Tear-ific Tape.  Adhere the same sized die cut to the back panel as well.  This covers up your adhesive so that it won't show through the acetate.

You can review step by step instructions on my SNS Art Gallery page, found here.



Friday, October 3, 2014

Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Winner

Thanks to everyone who participated in this month's release.  One Grand Prize winner will win the entire collection revealed this month!

This month SIX new stamp sets were  introduced.  All the new reveal sets are available on Cling Mounted Rubber and as a digital image.  Bubble Gum, set #664 is the stamp set featured in  This Month's Technique Video.

The sets are:

Welcome Autumn #650   (Digi version - DIGI650)
Party Penguins #654  (Digi version - DIGI654)
Witches Brew #660  (Digi version - DIGI660)
Bubble Gum #664  (Digi version - DIGI664)
Beautiful Friendship #665  (Digi version - DIGI665)

Ellie's Dance Lesson #667  (Digi version - DIGI667)

 One Grand Prize Winner was selected from the comments left on the participating Designers' blogs.  The Grand Prize Winner will receive their choice of:

1) each of the new reveal rubber stamp sets
or 
2) all the new digital stamps and digital stamp sets. 

Congratulations goes to 
Jean Bullock

who commented on Belinda's blog:
Wonderful textures and colors and embellishment. You have captured the fun feeling of Halloween. Well done.

Please email Anne at icinganne@yahoo.com to claim your prize.  Be sure to include your mailing address.


Hugs from The Sparkle Team,

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Scrapy Land Challenge #3


Time for a new challenge at Scrapy Land and the theme for this bi-weekly challenge is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells (and there are over 40 different brands!)

My CAS card actually incorporates five different dies.  To start off, I die cut the Bubbles Background from Die-Versions in white cardstock and layered it on top of a subtle patterned paper.  Next comes the Chloe Stem die from Memory Box and the Scalloped Edge Frame from Spellbinders, both die cut from the same patterned paper.  My sentiment was created from two of Die-Versions Sweet Wordlets - "Happy" and "Birthday".  Love the way you can mix and match these Sweet Wordlets around.  The shadows are die cut from the same green patterned paper and the top layer of the sentiment was die cut from white cardstock and then covered with Glossy Accents.


I wanted to emphasize the bloom on the Chloe die cut a bit more, so I first colored in the small circles representing the flowers with a Spica glitter pen and then covered each one with rounded circles of Glossy Accents.  The cool effect the Glossy Accents gives the flowers is that it magnifies the Spica glitter that's underneath the glue.  In person, it looks a lot like looking through a snow globe when all the glitter has settled at the bottom.  

Be sure to visit the Scrapy Land Challenge blog to see what the rest of the Designers have come up with this week. You definitely won't be disappointed.  You have until Oct 12th to upload your projects.  The winner, which is chosen by the Designers, will receive a $15 gift certificate to Scrapy Land and will be announced on Oct 15.