Thursday, March 31, 2016

Soul Sisters



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


This month the Designers were asked to create projects with Want 2 Scrap chipboard products.  If you are able to visit any of the shows that SNS is participating in this year, you will notice they now have a larger booth.  Margaret and crew are sharing this new, larger space with Want 2 Scrap.  

We wanted to showcase various projects using both SNS products and W2S products together.  Hopefully, you'll see some new uses of these products that you may not have thought of before.  Chipboard can be used for more than scrapbook layouts or mini albums :-).  So sit back, enjoy the Hop and get ready to have those creative juices flowing!  

Be sure to visit the SNS Blog all month long for more projects and ideas that incorporate your favorite glitters, embossing powders, and more with the Want 2 Scrap chipboard.   

On April 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. 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 Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog on April 4, will receive a $20 gift certificate to go shopping at the SNS Shoppe.



The Blog Hop order this month is:
Anne (you are 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 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.  
 Wonder who the Mystery Host will be this month????


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.


Have you checked out the SNS YouTube Channel featuring Demo Donna?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques!







Now for a bit about my card.


I was playing around with the various Want 2 Scrap chipboard I had, trying out various combinations.  When I added the Soul Sisters chipboard quote on top of the Vintage Fancy Frame, I knew that's what I wanted to use.  The Soul Sister words are actually connected to each other, but I cut them apart with my scissors.

I like vibrant colors and in order to achieve that with chipboard, I first apply a layer of White embossing powder to all my pieces.  (You could also apply gesso or white paint, but then you have to wait for it to dry and make sure you get smooth.)  The white allows whatever color I decide to apply on top look like it's intended color, instead of a darker version.  For the frame, I added Tangy Tangerine embossing powder and the words were heat embossed with Caribbean.

The Wine Friends stamp was perfect for this project.  It's so easy to imagine that Gerty and Eunice (the names given to these girls by the artist who draws them) are soul sisters and best friends.  The girls are colored with Copic markers and a bit of Crystal Ice glitter was added to Gerty's pearls and eye wear and to Eunice's fingernail polish.  Glossy Accents was used on the wine glasses and on their reading glasses.



I also wanted this to be like one of those decorative frames you find when on vacation.  In order to achieve that, I added a piece clear acetate behind the frame to replicate a piece of glass.  Then I added dimensional foam to the backside of the frame so that the "photo" is lower than the frame itself.  You can see the reflection of the acetate in the photo on the right.

For the card base, I dry embossed the front panel with a Spellbinders embossing folder (Dainty Dots) and then added strips of 1/4" and 1/2" Tear-ific Tape in the center.  Crystal Ice glitter was added to the adhesive strips for a bit of bling.

Your next stop on the April New Reveal Blog Hop is Shona and I know she's had lots of fun playing with the Want 2 Scrap chipboard too.  Be sure to leave a comment on everyone's blog for you chance to win the $20 gift certificate to Sparkle N Sprinkle.


Monday, March 28, 2016

Hugs Before School


Instead of a card today, I decided to make a hanging frame, which would be perfect for a little girl's room.  You could also add a real photo instead of a stamped image.



I used a Michelle Perkett digi image from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Hugs Before School.  It's colored with Copic markers and a touch of glitter was added to her backpack and bow.

The chipboard frame is by Want 2 Scrap (Heart You with Frame) and I heat embossed it with White embossing powder before adding my final color, Rosa embossing powder.  This allows the true pinks to be seen; otherwise it would have been a darker shade because of the brown chipboard base.

The pet charm is a die cut from an older My Favorite Things (Pet Charms) die and was covered with Super Thick Silver embossing powder.  I thought this was the perfect accompaniment for this big sweetheart of a dog.




Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Easter Blessings


As Easter is only a few days away, I'm sharing a card created with the new Holy Bible die from Die-Versions.  I die cut it first in white cardstock and then fun foam.  Be sure to save the small crosses as they are the perfect accent size.  (You can see where I used one on them by the sentiment on this card.)

I colored the pages and the fun foam small crosses with a gold leaf pen and the rest with Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers.  The cardstock piece was adhered to the fun foam for added dimension.   


Once the gold leaf was dry on the fun foam, I inlaid them back into the Bible.  The sentiment was created on my computer and printed onto vellum.  I heat set the ink with Clear embossing powder.

After adding a strip of ribbon across the focal panel, it was pop dotted and adhered to the card base for even more dimension.  This CAS card is pretty straightforward and would be quite easy to create multiples of.   I think this die would also be great on a First Communion card, a sympathy card, or even a Newlywed card, just to name a few other ideas.

Remember to use the code anne15 to get a 15% discount on all your dies at Die-Versions.  Add the code to your shopping cart when you're ready to check out.  And don't forget to visit the Die-Versions Blog to see what the rest of the team is creating with these new dies.


Monday, March 21, 2016

Best Wishes




Today's card features two of the new stamp sets revealed this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle, plus the new Dreamweaver butterfly stencil duo.  Donna's Stylin Sayings stamp set was used to create the background and the sentiment is from the Lucky Charm stamp set.

To start out, I used a pen to outline the butterfly stencil and then filled in the areas on the wings with the second stencil.  If you like Zentangle, or would like to try it, this would be a great way to get your feet wet.  Once everything was filled in, I used Copic markers to color the wings. Nuvo Crystal Drops and Nuvo Glitter Drops were used throughout project, including outlining the butterfly as well as filling in some of the circles inside the butterfly wings.  Sparkling Snow glitter was also added to various areas on the wings.  Once everything was dry, I fussy cut out the butterfly and began working on the background.

I started out with white cardstock and then stamped the brush stroke from the Donna's Stylin' Sayings set with Memento Ink (Dandelion and Tangelo) in various directions.  Then I began adding embossing powder.....lots of embossing powder :-).  I sprinkled on Super Thick Silver and Super Thick White on opposite corners and then heat set it from the bottom.  Once it was mostly melted, I heat set it from the top to make sure everything was melted.  These Super Thick embossing powders add lots of texture to any project and I love how you can layer them all together.  Once this was complete, I gently folded the wings of the butterfly so that I could pop dot them on the card for added dimension.

The sentiment was stamped onto Embossable Clear Acetate using Outer Space embossing powder.  Outer Space is a fun color.  It's not quite black, but it's not exactly dark blue either and it has lots of shimmer.  Then I die cut it using a Die-Versions die (Nesting Flowers).  I wanted the background to show through the sentiment, but I didn't want it to get lost either.  So I die cut a frame using the same set and heat embossed it with Clear embossing powder for a shiny look.

The focal panel was then adhered to a piece of cardstock dry embossed using the  Daisy Tiers embossing folder by Sue Wilson Designs.  This was then die cut using the largest Noble dies-Ornate Pierced Rectangles die by Sue Wilson Designs.  I wanted the card base to be slightly larger, so I used the largest die, traced around it onto white cardstock and then cut it with a paper trimmer.  To get the dots along the outside edge, I dry embossed it with the same die.  A bit of rick rack ribbon is the finishing touch for this card.


Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Lucky Charm {Scrapy Land Challenge #38}



It's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge #38 and the theme is Think Green (St. Patrick's Day), plus use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.   There are over 40 different brands that Scrapy Land sells.  You can find them listed here.

My St. Patrick's Day celebration card uses the new Lucky Charm stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle and the following dies:


Cheery Lynn Designs: Mega Tea Party Doily
Die-Versions: Shamrock Flourish
Die-Versions: Nesting Flowers
Sue Wilson Designs: Noble dies- Double Pierced Rectangles, set B

To start out, I stamped the image and colored it with Copic markers.  I then die cut it using the Sue Wilson Designs rectangle dies.  A touch of glitter (Lavender Iris) was added to the centers of the clovers as well as the blossoms.  Nuvo Crystal Drops were added to various areas on the flourish.  I don't have a green color, so I colored them with a Copic.

The sentiment, which is part of the set was stamped with Memento Ink (Cottage Ivy) and die cut using the new Die-Versions Nesting Flowers die set.

The large card base doily was die cut from white cardstock and heat embossed with Irish Spring embossing powder.   Below is another angle so that you can see the sparkle from the embossing powder.


You have until April 3 to participate in our Think Green challenge.  Although it doesn't have to be a St. Patrick's Day project, it does need to be predominantly green.  The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to Scrap Land.  The winner as well as the Top Three and Honorable Mentions are all chosen by the Design Team.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Laugh, Love



This is one bright card!  I used the new Neon glitters from Sparkle N Sprinkle and boy, is it vibrant.  The stair step die used is from Spellbinders called Happy Days.  The hearts are die cuts from Die-Versions (Heart Doodles) and the words are chipboard embellishments from Want 2 Scrap.

The Happy Days die set comes with a total of 13 dies, including the one to cut out the main panels.  I cut these out of Super Adhesive Sheets and then began to randomly cover them with Exulted!, Exhilarated!, Energized!, and  Electrified!

The chipboard words were covered with more neon glitter using the Glueless Glitter technique (apply clear embossing powder and heat set first, cover with more VersaMark and glitter of your choice, and heat set a second time).  Love this super easy technique to add glitter without having to wait till the glue dries.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Happy Birthday pop up



As promised, here is my other pop-up card using the Stampendous Build A Bouquet stamp set and coordinating die set.  (You can see my other post here.)  This time I used the hydrangea stamp and a different vase.

After stamping the hydrangeas and leaves multiple times, I colored them with Copic markers and then die cut them.  I added a touch of Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle markers to the centers of each of the blossoms.

The bowl was also colored with Copics and a thin layer of Glossy Accents was added to the top to make it look more like glass.








To get all the dimension, I used the Stampendous Pop-Up Die Set.  This just makes creating pop-ups easier.



front
For the front of the card, I used a Spellbinders die (Opulent Ovals) and a Elizabeth Craft Designs die (Happy Birthday 2).  I added a couple pearls and ribbon to finish it off.


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Stained Glass Cross


When I saw the new Cross Background die from Die-Versions, I knew I wanted to try and replicate a stained glass window.  I thought about coloring cardstock with my Copic markers and then applying glossy accents to it.  But then, I remembered my YUPO synthetic paper and how vibrant alcohol inks look with it. (You can see my other post using this paper and alcohol inks here.)

I used the Copic marker refills to create the background.  I really wanted the cross to stand out, so I chose a bright yellow (Y35) and a couple shades of blue (B04, B26) for the rest of the background.  I lightly drew pencil marks where the cross would be located and then began applying color using a felt pad.

One of the really cool things about YUPO paper is that when you go over the same area again, it gives you a different pattern.  You can also completely change the way it looks if you don't like the results.  In the close-up photo on the left, you can really see the variegated patterns.


The sentiment is from a stamp set by Sparkle N Sprinkle (Spring Window) and it was heat embossed with Clear embossing powder.   The small cross to the left of the sentiment is actually one of the negative pieces from the new Holy Bible die.  (I'll be sharing my project with this die in a couple weeks.)  I added some Spectrum Noir Sparkle marker to it to really make it shimmer.


If you'd like to receive a 15% discount on your total purchase from Die-Versions (and who doesn't like a discount?), be sure to use the code anne15 at checkout.  The discount is good for the everyday sale prices and you can use it over and over.



Monday, March 7, 2016

Thanks


Today's mixed media card features the new Sparkle N Sprinkle stamp set Donna's Stylin' Sayings.

To start off, I cut a piece of watercolor paper to the size I wanted and began playing with my Nuance pigment powders (Hot Pink, Red, Bright Yellow).  Once I was happy with that and it was dry, I added some Dreamweaver's white embossing paste that I had tinted pink using a bit more of the Red Nuance powder.  While the embossing paste was still wet, I sprinkled a little Lavender Iris glitter here and there.

The sentiment was stamped onto a piece of Embossable Clear Acetate and heat embossed using Buttercup Petal for the brush stroke and Outer Space for the word.  After adhering, I began to sprinkle on some of the chunky embossing powders (Super Thick Silver, Super Thick White, and Super Thick Gold) in various areas.


Next I added a piece of chipboard from Want 2 Scrap (dress form from the Printers Trey Embellishment set).  I used Super Thick Silver embossing powder to color the dress form base and Bronze Rose embossing powder for dress form.

I pulled out my Mon Ami Gabby pull ribbon thinking I would add a flower bow to the piece, but then I started playing around with it and thought it would make a cute skirt for the dress form.  Instead of pulling the ribbon string completely, I let it gather a little to create the look of a skirt and then I tied it around the waist.  To finish off the card, I distressed the edges with the edge of some scissors.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Happy Birthday {Scrapy Land Challenge #37}


It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme for Challenge #37 is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

For today's card, I created a pop up card and used the following brand of dies:

Sue Wilson Designs: California Collection - Beverly Hills
Elizabeth Craft Designs: happy birthday2
Sizzix: Thinlets Tim Holtz Labels set

After die cutting the Sue Wilson Designs oval frame, I threaded a thin piece of ribbon through the openings and tied a small bow at the top.  The Elizabeth Crafts Designs sentiment on the front of the card was die cut from black cardstock and Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle marker was liberally applied to the words before adhering.

The background is a piece of vellum that was dry embossed using the Sue Wilson Designs Rambling Blossoms embossing folder.  The vellum was a little tricky to get out of the embossing folder without tearing, so be aware.  I ran the embossed piece of vellum through a Xyron sticker machine for complete adhesive coverage before attaching to the card base.

inside

The inside of the card uses a stamp set from Stampendous (Build a Bouquet).  I purchased the Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers a couple months ago and this is the first time I've tried using them as if they were Copics and blending colors together.  The Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers I used include Solar Red, Emerald Green, Holly Leaf, Moonlight, Inspired Violet, Pink Champagne, and Red Berry.  I definitely need more practice blending these markers, but you've got to start somewhere :-).
Unfortunately, the camera really doesn't pick up all the shimmer and sparkle these markers have, but I tried.


The stamp set includes roses, daisies, hydrangeas, leaves, and a couple different vases.  (Next week, I'll post the other pop up card I created using this same set of stamps.)  

The sentiment on the inside of the card is a clear stamp by Inspired By Stamping, and was heat embossed onto the die cut shape (Tim Holtz Labels) using Clear embossing powder and Distress Ink (Black Soot).




You have until March 13 to upload your project to the Scrapy Land Challenge.  The winner is chosen by the Design Team members and will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.