Sunday, May 31, 2015

Happiness is.... {Sparkle N Sprinkle June Reveal}


Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's
 June 1 New Reveal Blog Hop!

We have THREE new stamp sets to share with you today.  These new sets are 20% off until June 3.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  All of the new sets are available on cling mounted rubber or as a digital image.  Ballet 709 is the stamp set featured with this month's Technique Video Kit.


The sets are:

Ballet 709   (digi version DIGI709)
Hearts Like Dogs 711   (digi version DIGI711)
Life Is Better 712   (digi version DIGI712)


On June 3, one GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs.  Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  You never know who the Mystery Designer will be that has the winning comment.  

The winner will receive all of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi version, if preferred) and will be announced on June 3 on the SNS Facebook page, the Designer's blogs, and here on the SNS Blog.  


In addition to our regular Designers, two of our 2015 Guest Designers, Diane and Ashley, are with us again this month.


The Blog Hop order this month is:

Anne (you're here)

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

We love reading your comments and hope that we have inspired you as well.  If you can not leave a comment for some reason, please email icinganne@yahoo.com with your comment and the name of the blog or the Designer you are commenting about.



The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge also begins today.  There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  Come check out how you can become a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.




We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we do.  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  
Last month Belinda was the Mystery Designer with the winning comment.  Wonder who it will be this month????


Here's a bit about how I created this card.  I actually used the digi version so that I could enlarge the puppies and create a mirror image.  After printing the puppies and die cutting them out with the heart shaped die from Lifestyle Crafts (Nesting Hearts), I began creating the background using Distress Paints (Dusty Concord, Wild Honey, Peacock Feather).  After creating a mask for the images, I spritzed water onto the top of Distress Paint dauber and pounced it down onto the cardstock.  The extra water makes the top really juicy so that it will splat really well.  (I saw this technique being used on someone's blog fairly recently, but I don't remember who's.   If you know who's blog this was on, I'd love to give them proper credit.)

After I was happy with the background and removed the masks, I stamped the sentiment with VersaMark ink. It was then heat set with Black Detail embossing powder.  A thin line of dimensional glue was added around the edge and covered with Laser Green glitter.

My dog collar (Diamond mesh from Mon Ami Gabby) holds the paw charm with the help of a couple jump rings.  This allows it to swing around, just like a real dog tag would.  The dog tag was die cut using MFT's Pet Charms die and then heat embossed with Silver Bells embossing powder.  It was heat embossed on both the front and back, since it does swing.

A Crafters Companion embossing folder (Distress) was used to create the mat behind the heart.  A couple more layers completes the card.

So now it's time to go see what Ashley has created for you this month.  Don't forget to leave a comment with each of us for the Grand Prize.  Happy Hopping!



Monday, May 25, 2015

Sew Fun


To showcase the Vintage Sewing Machine die by Die-Versions, I decided to create a small box to hold some basic sewing supplies and I based it on this tutorial (although I made mine slightly smaller).

To start off, I die cut the sewing machine from white cardstock and then "colored" it with various embossing powders from Sparkle N Sprinkle: Black Detail, Red Apple, Silver Detail, and my own concoction of Red Apple, Daffodil, and Tangy Tangerine mixed together for the thread.  The handle and the spool were colored with Copics.   A scrap of fabric was also added, just for fun.

To add dimension and raise it, I used one of my favorite techniques - die cut it from fun foam and glue it to the back of the die cut.  That way there's no fussing around those small openings, trying to make sure none of the dimensional foam shows through.  Quick and easy!!

I also wanted some sort of border for the front of the box, so I die cut the spool and thread part of the die several times and then cut off the parts I didn't want.  I also heat embossed it with my own mixture.



Lace was added to the front cover and along the sides and some (old) alpha chips by Doodlebug Design were added to the front as well.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the team is creating with the latest Die-Versions Vintage release.




Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Celebrations {Scrapy Land Challenge #18}


We always need a stash of birthday cards on hand, so the theme of the new Scrapy Land Challenge #18 is perfect.  It's Birthdays/Celebrations, plus use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

The dies I used to create this birthday card are
- Die Versions Sweet Wordlets: Happy
- Die Versions Sweet Wordlets: Birthday
- Sizzix: Susan's Garden - Yarrow
- Sizzix: Susan's Garden - Pine Cones
- Spellbinders: Opulent Ovals

For my birthday card, I started out by applying Pan Pastels (Pearlescent Blue) to white cardstock, creating a mat.  Next, I created an oval in the center of another piece of white cardstock using Spellbinders Opulent Ovals dies.  I tore the edges of this layer before adhering it onto the blue layer.  My message was die cut using Die-Versions Sweet Wordlets: Happy and Birthday and placing them in the center of the oval.

The flowers and leaves were created using some Sizzix dies (Susan's Garden - Yarrow and Susan's Garden - Pine Cones).  A Viva Decor Pearl Pen gives the flower centers a bit of color and Pearlescent Green Pan Pastels gives the leaves a bit of shimmer.

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the team has created for you on the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog and upload your creation by May 31.  The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.


Monday, May 18, 2015

Gilded Peacock


Today I'm sharing another Dreamweaver stencil and yet another way to use these stencils.  As you probably know, all month long the designers from Sparkle N Sprinkle are showcasing various techniques using Dreamweaver stencils.

I've basically used the Double Glitter technique, but I tweaked it on the Peacock stencil.  Instead of just using glitter, I also added flock and gilded flakes to the focal point.

I started off by rubbing the Hawaiian Soap across the back of the stencil before placing it down onto the Sticker Paper.  By doing this step, it allows the sticker paper to be easily removed from the stencil.

Then I added Palm Leaf flock to the branches and swirls behind the peacock and around most of the edges.  Priceless Peacock glitter was added to the head and part of the wing and Red Tiger Leaf gilded leaf was added to the tail and part of the edges.  I incorporated a little of each of the products into the tail section to give it more depth.

After removing the stencil, I sprinkled a little more Priceless Peacock glitter onto the background with my fingertips and then covered the rest of the background with Lavender Iris glitter.

The die cut panel peeking out from behind the focal point is from Taylored Expressions (Proud Peacock Cutting Plate) and I added touches of SNS Brushable glue to the centers of each of the feathers and covered them with Priceless Peacock glitter.  The sentiment, a die cut from Penny Black (Doodles) was cut from sticker paper and covered with more Priceless Peacock  glitter.

I have to say that this project feels so good to the touch.  It's amazing how soft the flocking is.  You just want to keep rubbing your fingers over the background.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Beauty in Nature


All month long, the designers at Sparkle N Sprinkle have been working with Dreamweaver stencils and creating projects using various techniques.  For my card today, I used the Bare Trees Dreamweaver Stencil and Pearlescent Embossing Paste.

After following the normal steps of using embossing paste and a stencil, I let the design dry overnight.  As I've mentioned in other posts, most embossing pastes act as a resist, but Pearlescent embossing paste does not.  It takes on a soft hue of the color you applied to the entire design.  In this case, that was exactly what I was going for so I added Gathered Twig Distress Stain to the front, making sure to go over the tree trunks throughly.  After I was happy with the results, I did wipe off the excess ink from the embossing paste.  It left a soft pearlescent cream color for the backdrop to the trees.

The sentiment is part of the Nesting Birds stamp set and was stamped onto Velvet Sparkle embossing powder with Archival Ink (Coffee).  A Spellbinders tag (Labels Eight) was used to die cut the sentiment.  The Chevron strip behind the sentiment was die cut from Sticker Paper using a MFT die (Chevron stripe) and then covered with Bronze Splendor glitter.

The two panels behind the focal point were dry embossed using a Darice embossing folder (Fall Leaf) and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink was lightly dragged across the top of each using the direct to paper method.   A bit of jute adds the finishing touch.



Monday, May 11, 2015

Poinsettia in Felt



A few weeks ago someone on the Die-Versions Facebook page asked if DV dies would cut through felt and I thought it would be a good idea to create a card using felt so everyone could see the results.

I used the Poinsettia 2 die from Die-Versions and die cut it out of red and green felt.  My green felt was a bit thicker than the red, so I added a shim to my sandwich and that was perfect.  The red felt cut like it was soft butter, without needing a shim.  After stacking the layers up, I added some Liquid Pearls for the flower center.

The Bubble Background die was used to create the backdrop.  I took a sheet of gold mirror cardstock and randomly sponged some Copic Various alcohol reinker (B69) onto it with a felt blending pad.  Once the cardstock was die cut, the blue looks even more random.


The sentiment is the Merry Christmas Sweet Wordlet die cut out of double sided adhesive and covered with Goldenrod glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The red gem flourish behind the poinsettia is by Zva Creative.  A touch of Antique Linen Distress Ink was used to distinguish the edges of the card.


I hope this helps to answer the question.  As you can see, the edges cut perfectly and there was no need to get out the scissors to cut stray threads.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Die-Versions Mother's Day Challenge and Blog Hop


I wanted to remind everyone that you still have time to enter the Die-Versions Mother's Day Challenge.  

You can start the hop here on the Die-Versions Blog and go from there.  This is where you will also upload your card celebrating mothers.

Winners be announced on May 15th and will receive a $20 gift certificate to go shopping at Die-Versions.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Four Seasons {Scrapy Land Challenge #17}



Scrapy Land Challenge #17 begins today and the theme is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy land sells.  


Scrapy Land is also having a Guest DT call.  Visit the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog to find out how you can be a part of this team.  All the information needed to apply is included in the Challenge #17 post.

For this challenge, I've used two stamp sets to create a card for each of the four seasons:  Seasonal Trees by Sparkle N Sprinkle and Simple Sayings CMS155  by Stampers Anonymous.

Spring
As you can see from the photo on the right, each of the sentiment banners are curved for added interest.  Each of the sentiments were stamped onto vellum with Distress Inks and then heat set with Clear embossing powder.


The dies used for these cards are  Spellbinders (Labels Twenty-Eight, Grand Labels Large) and Paper Smooches (Dots and Dashes).


Summer

The edges around the die cut and the sentiment banner were heat embossed using Copper Peddler embossing powder and Distress Inks  (Faded Jeans, Picked Raspberry, Ripe Persimmon, Mowed Lawn) were used to stamp each of the images.

Fall



Winter

Liquid Applique was used to create snow on the branches of the winter scene.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has created for your inspiration.  You have until May 17th to upload your project.  The winner, chosen by the Designers, will receive a gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.    And don't forget to check out how easy it is to become a Guest Designer.





Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Die-Versions Blog Hop Celebrating Mom


Dear Die-Versions Fans,

In honor of National Scrapbook Day and Mother's Day we on the Die-Versions Design Team have come up with a fun Blog Hop and Card Challenge.  The Mother's Day Card Challenge will begin on May 5th and run thru May 11th and the winners will be announced on the Die-Versions Blog on May 15th. The Design Team will be picking 5 winners from the Mother's Day Card Challenge.  The theme for this Challenge is to make a Mother's Day Card.  To be eligible to be one of the 5 Lucky winners of a $20.00 Die-Versions Gift Card you have to comply with the following:

*  Your card must be newly created and PLEASE, no back linking
*  Please be a follower of  the Die-Versions Blog along with the Design Team Members Blogs (listed below)
*  You need to leave a comment on the DV Blog and each of the Design Team Members blogs (listed below)
*  You must link your Mother's Day card with the inlinkz link on the DV Blog  
*  We would love it if you used a Die-Versions die in your card, but that is not mandatory!

Now for some inspiration, here is the list of Design Team Members Blogs:


So have fun hopping and don't forget to leave a comment on the Die-Versions blog and the DV Design Team members listed above blogs!!  We look forward to seeing all your beautiful creations!!  

Happy National Scrapbook Day and have a wonderful Mother's Day!!


The Vase of Roses die was used to create the focal point for my Mother's Day card.  I die cut the image four times - once from watercolor paper that I created a pattern using Bister stains, once from white cardstock, and twice from white fun foam.

I cut out the vase from the cardstock and adhered it directly to the white cardstock then I colored the flowers with my Copic markers.  A Wink of Stella (Clear) was added to the roses for added sparkle.

The background for the flowers was also die cut from white card stock using the Diamonds Background by Die-Versions and the sentiment was die cut from the Cuppycake font.


I wanted lots of dimension to my roses and since there are so many small opening throughout the image, I decided it would be too time consuming to cut up small pieces of dimensional foam to achieve the effect I was looking for.  Fun foam to the rescue.  The double layer of fun foam gives me lots of added dimension.  Plus, all the layers were easy to adhere to each other with liquid glue.  It really brings the vase of roses to the foreground.  The photo on the right gives you a glimpse of the effect.

I also distressed the edges of the yellow cardstock and added some Mon Ami Gabby bling around the corners.

Now it's time to visit Archana and see what beautiful project she has created for you.  Happy hopping!  Don't forget to become a Follower of each of the DV design team member in order to be eligible for the grand prize.  We all appreciate it!







Monday, May 4, 2015

Angel


During the month of May, the Designers at Sparkle N Sprinkle are sharing various techniques using Dreamweaver stencils.  Today, I want to share the Angel stencil and the technique I used was to dry emboss with it.  You could use a light box and trace around the stencil, but I used my die cutting machine.

Everyone's sandwich for dry embossing with a stencil will vary depending on the machine used.  I use a Grand Calibur and my sandwich for this technique is:

  1. Base Plate A 
  2. Stencil
  3. Card stock
  4. Silicone Mat
  5. Fun Foam (cut to size of base plate)
  6. Embossing Plate B (the pink one)

Once the image was dry embossed onto my cardstock, I treated it as if it were a stamped image and colored it with my Copic markers.  This gives you the same effect as no-lines stamping.

After the image was complete, I placed the stencil back on the image and I added a thin layer of white embossing paste to the angel's wings and to the dove.  Remove the stencil (drop in a bucket of sudsy water) and cover the wet embossing paste with  Sparkling Snow glitter.  Allow this to completely dry.  I also added some Golden Silver glitter to the halo (using a Sakura glue pen) and Goldenrod glitter to the star.  (Tip: you could have used SNS Dimensional glue and get the same results.  You have to be careful not to squeeze to hard in the narrow areas.)

My background is a piece of fabric that I adhered to cardstock.  I added some SNS Brushable glue to the edges, smeared it inward with my fingertip and then covered the glue with Cloud Nine velvet glitter for a sparkly edge.  I also added Cloud Nine to my die cut sentiment (from Die-Versions).

Red velvet ribbon and gold mirrored cardstock for the base finish the card of nicely.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Sparkle N Sprinkle May Reveal Winner

Thanks to everyone who participated in this month's reveal.   The Designers did something a little different this month.  We all used Dreamweaver stencils and created projects using various techniques and SNS products.


The winner can choose $55 worth of any products listed under the Stencils and Templates category, plus mica powders (Pearl Ex) and of course, glittersembossing powdersflock, and sticker paper or adhesive sheets.


 One Grand Prize Winner was selected from the comments left on the participating Designers' blogs.  

The Grand Prize Winner will receive 
 each of the New Reveal rubber stamp sets (or digi versions, if preferred)


Congratulations goes to 
Darlene
who said:

WOW! WOW! WOW! LOVE this creation! All the beautiful glitter, those amazing butterflies and the over all design ... AWESOME! Thanks for inspiration and a fun hop!
Darlene
DAR'S CRAFTY CREATIONS


Her comment came from Belinda's blog.


Please email Anne at icinganne@yahoo.com to claim your prize.  Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number (if you are an international winner).


Hugs from The Sparkle Team,