Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Rustic Flowers - Snapdragons {Sparkle N Sprinkle Dec Reveal}



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

We have six new stamp sets to share with you today.  These new sets are 20% off until the 3rd of the month.  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.  


The sets are:


Build A Flower 811  (digi version DIGI811)
  Will Ewe Be Mine 813  (digi version DIGI813)
   Light Up My Life 814  (digi version DIGI814)
Rustic Flowers-Snapdragons 816  (digi version DIGI816)
Spring Bunny 819  (digi version DIGI819)
Build A Wreath (Digi Only)  DIGI3128B
   


On Dec 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, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).


The Blog Hop order this month is:


(*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 project:


The new Rustic Flowers - Snapdragons stamp set comes with four different sentiments, plus the main image.  I decided to watercolor the image and background with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I love how you can keep part of the image bold and bright and mute other areas.

I stamped my image onto watercolor paper and then die cut both the image and sentiment using an older Lifestyles Craft die set (Nesting Scallop Ovals).


After the watercolor area was dry (if it feels cold to the back of your hand, it's not completely dry yet), I added glue with my Sakura glue pen randomly over the blossoms and then covered the glue with Starfire glitter.  I have to say, the photos do not give the sparkle justice (even though I tried).  It's subtle, but very effective.


The mat behind the image was dry embossed using an embossing folder that my friend Donna sent to me.  I went over the raised areas with a white pigment ink so that they would be emphasized a bit more.

Here's a trick that I used for the card base.  The paper was a freebie in a crafting magazine.  So, as you can image, it was extremely flimsy - not at all suitable for a card base.  So, I decided to copy the colored pattern onto plain white cardstock using my copier/printer.  It worked beautifully.  I also ran a couple strips of 1/8" Tear-ific Tape along the sides and covered them with more Starfire glitter.

The sentiment, which was also die cut from watercolor paper, was adhered to a strip of ribbon that I had tied into a knot in the center.  This not only gave me added dimension by placing the die cut on top of the knot, but it also emphasized the sentiment perfectly.

Now it's time to go visit Diane.  I know she's created something special for you.  Be sure to visit all of the Designers on the New Reveal Blog Hop and leave a comment for each of us for your chance to win all six of the new stamp sets being revealed this month.  (This is checked for compliance. 😌)

Monday, November 28, 2016

Winter Blue Jay


Winter Blue Jay from Sparkle N Sprinkle is one of the new stamp sets revealed this month.  It's by Fred She Said, a digi artist that SNS is now producing rubber stamp sets of some of her digi images.  Expect to see lots more of her images in rubber in the future! Yay!

I stamped the image with VersaMark and heat set it with Winter White semi-transparent embossing powder, for a no lines look.  Then I used Copic markers to color the image and color over the white lines in certain places.

I stamped the sentiment with Bracing Blue embossing powder and then tore off the bottom edge of the cardstock. The next step was to add distressing to the edges.  I randomly applied VersaMark around the edges and then added Bracing Blue embossing powder.  I also sprinkled Bracing Blue embossing powder around the image and heat set it from the bottom so that it wouldn't blow away.  Finally, to give it the appearance of falling snow, I sprinkled Super Thick White embossing powder all around and heat set it from the bottom.

A Sue Wilson die (Noble dies-Double Pierced Rectangles Set B) was used to die cut the dark blue cardstock.  I also applied random bits of glue around the corners and covered it with Rapture Blue glitter.

The card base was dry embossed using a Crafters Companion embossing folder (Wood Grain).  For added interest, I laid a strip of mini glue dots along the bottom.  After peeling off the protective paper (making sure the dots stayed round), I covered the adhesive with more Rapture Blue glitter.  A small bow under the sentiment was the finishing touch.



Friday, November 25, 2016

Stella - Dear Santa


Stella - Dear Santa is one of seven new rubber stamp sets released this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I used the digi version, and after printing it out, Copic markers were used to color the image.  Then I fussy cut out the entire thing.  This message just makes me laugh out loud 😄.

Collegiate Garnet glitter was added to her belt buckle and the word "Santa".  To apply the glitter to the word, first outline it with a glue pen (I used a Sakura glue pen) and then cover with the glitter of your choice.

Green Iris glitter accents her hat and shoes and Nuvo Crystal Drops (Morning Dew) was added to the ornaments. Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Sunkissed Copper) was added to the edges by first applying glue from the large Nuvo glue pen.  Let the glue dry for a little bit.  Once the glue feels tacky to the touch, add the guilding flakes.  Save all the excess and place back in the jar.

Crafters Companion embossing folders were used to create texture on both the circle behind the image (Christmas Merriment) as well as the cranberry layer (Distress).  Distress Ink was used on the circle to have the raised areas pop with a touch of color.


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Reindeer in the Woods



Christmas is almost here, so I'm creating lots of Christmas cards at the moment.  The one I have to share with you today features the Reindeer die from Die-Versions and a layering stamp set by Hero Arts.

I started out by stamping the trees in different colors of green to see which combination I liked the best.  I ended up using Memento Ink (Cottage Ivy, Bamboo Leaves) and Brilliance (Pearlescent Ivy).  The top layer for the trees was stamped with VersaMark and heat set with White Spark embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The background of falling snow was also stamped using one of the stamps from the Hero Arts set.

The snowy banks were hand cut (although the trees ended up covering up most of the banks) and then heat embossed with Sparkle embossing powder.  I added Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard) for more definition of the banks.




The reindeer was die cut from white cardstock.  I colored his hoofs with a Copic marker and then began adding flock to various the rest of the die cut.  His antlers are covered with Buff flock, his tail with Snow White flock, and his body with Amber Wheat flock.  He is so soft to touch.  Unfortunately the reindeer is temporarily out of stock.

Hope this gives you some more Christmas card ideas. :-)

Monday, November 21, 2016

Winter Birdhouse


Winter Birdhouse is one of the new Bugaboo stamp sets released from Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  This was so much fun to color with my Copic markers.

A Spellbinders die (Labels Twenty-Five) was used to die cut the image.  Nuvo Crystal and Glitter Drops were used to accent various areas on the image. White Blizzard was applied to the snow and icicles; a double application of Morning Dew was added to the ornaments (let dry between applications); Ruby Slippers to the pom-pom on the bird's pink hat and Bubble Gum glitter was added to the body of the hat.

For the next layer, I used the new Nuvo Glimmer Paste (Blue Topaz).  If you haven't used this product yet, you should definitely put it on your wish/want/NEED list 😀.  I love using embossing paste, but this is so much easier (even though embossing paste is easy to use) and so fun to use.  (It's really hard to describe.)

I placed a The Crafters Workshop stencil (Mini Aboriginal) onto white cardstock and then covered it with Blue Topaz glimmer paste.  After it was dry, I spritzed the cardstock with Dylusions Ink Spray (Lemon Zest).  The glimmer paste acted like a resist and wasn't effected.  This was die cut using the same Spellbinders die and then cut into thirds.  Tear-ific Tape was used to adhere all the layers together.

The sentiment is from a different Bugaboo rubber stamp set, Deer Duo.  I added more Blue Topaz to a white circle and let that dry.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the Deer Duo set with Archival Ink onto the glimmer paste.  I used a marker to color in the letters on the ornaments (STOP).  This was pop- dotted for a bit more dimension.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Snowman Kisses



Today's project features a sweet tag that can be used as an ornament, a tag on a bottle of your favorite vino, or on a present.  The stamp set, Christmas Tag #2 from Sparkle N Sprinkle has two different images that come with it, plus a "to" and "from".



This project is a hybrid as I used the digi image of the snowman (and made it a little bigger) and the rubber for the sentiment.  Copic markers were used to color the image and Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard) was used to accent the snowflakes.  Luau Green velvet glitter accents his hat.


The to/from, which is on the back of my tag, was stamped with green pigment ink and then heat set with Clear embossing powder.

This colored project was sitting on my desk for a few days while I decided what I wanted to do with it.  While it was there, I received some happy mail which included a Tonic Studios die (Wreath Bauble die set) and the wheels started turning. :-)

I took a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet, adhered one side to white cardstock, and then die cut the wreath.  After removing the protective sheet, I placed the snowman image in the center and then covered the rest of the adhesive with more Luau Green glitter.  An instant tag/ornament/decoration was created once a piece of stretchy string was added through the hole at the top.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Giving Thanks to our Veterans {Scrapy Land Challenge # 54}



It's the third Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme is Give Thanks, plus use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.  This is perfect since we just celebrated Veterans Day here in the US and are about to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Even though Veterans Day was last week, I wanted to create a card to show that I am thankful for all our Vets.  I was fortunate enough to visit a World War I site and a World War II site this fall (both in France) and it really hit home how much our Veterans sacrifice for this country.  So my card is a small tribute to all they have done and continue to do for us.


The following dies were used:

Die-Versions: A Little Lime font
Die-Versions: Fireworks
Die-Versions: Hero w/ Star
Impression Obsession: All-in-One Frames Rectangles 2

You are also seeing a sneak peek of a new rubber stamp coming out in early 2017.  I colored the image with Copic markers and added Spectrum Noir Sparkle markers to the fireworks explosions and to the firecrackers in the upper left corner.

I used three of the pieces from the All-in-One Frame.  This die cuts all the pieces at the same time, so I die cut it twice: once in black and once in red.  The oval (part of this die set) was pop dotted.  I used the negative pieces from the Hero w/Star die to create this portion of my sentiment.  The rest of the sentiment was created by die cutting the individual letters from the A Little Lime font.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Scrapy Land team to see what their take on this theme is.  I think you'll definitely be inspired.  You'll have until December 4th to upload your project to the Scrapy Land Challenge.  We can't wait to see what you are thankful for.  The winner, chosen by the Design Team, will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Spirit of Christmas


My Christmas card combines the Die-Versions Holiday Tag die with a Stampabilities rubber stamp.  For some reason, this die reminds me of those thick winter sweaters.

So, going with that idea in mind, I decided to create a plaid look using Copic markers.  I started out by die cutting the tag out of white cardstock.  Then I chose a couple Copic markers and a Copic multiliner and just winged it.  It was really easy to create this.  I used a piece of graph paper and a ruler.  (The graph paper helped me keep my ruler straight.  I'm one of those that can draw a crooked line using a ruler :-O.)

The sentiment is an older rubber stamp from Stampabilities called Warm Your Heart.  After stamping the message with black Versa Fine, I heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

I also used a couple of the negative pieces from the die cut - the large snowflake and the two smaller ones located below the large one.  Before adhering them back into the main die cut, I added Nuvo Glitter Drops (White Blizzard) to them for for added sparkle.


My die cut was adhered to red mirror cardstock that already had some texture.  This was then added to a piece of pre-glittered cardstock.  A small plaid ribbon was the finishing touch.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Festive Lantern




The Festive Lantern stamp set is one of seven new sets released by Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.   This set includes three stamps: the lantern, the poinsettia cluster, and a sentiment.  That way you can mix and match.  For my project, I used the lantern and the poinsettia cluster.  Both were colored with Copic markers.

To start out, I stamped the lantern image with VersaMark and then covered it with Copper Flame embossing powder. After heat setting from the bottom (this is a chunky embossing powder) and letting it cool, I then sprinkled some Coffee embossing powder on top of the Copper Flame.   This gave it a great two-toned aged look.  Finally, I fussy cut out the open areas of the lantern so that my background would show through (just like a real lantern).  


The poinsettia cluster was stamped with a light ink so that the lines of the stamp would blend into the colored areas.  After fussy cutting this cluster out, I added Sunny Daze glitter to the centers of the poinsettias and outlined the leaves with Lavender Iris glitter.  This was then adhered to the base of the lantern with pop dots.  Lavender Iris glitter was also added to the candle flame.

The background is a die cut from Sue Wilson Designs (Festive Collection - Snowflake Background) that I covered with VersaMark and then heat set with White Spark embossing powder.  With this particular die, you can leave the oval in the center solid.  I wanted this to have a yellow glow from the "candle", so I colored that portion of the embossing powder with a marker.

The next layer was dry embossed using a Tonic Studio embossing folder (Simple Stripes).   This is an 8" x 8" folder with a "frame" around the outside edge, so you'll want to be careful where you place your cardstock.  That way the parts you want to get embossed will. :-).  All of these layers were adhered to the white card base using Tear-ific Tape.

A strip of ribbon and my die cut sentiment are the final touches.  The sentiment was created from a Die-Versions Sweet Wordlets (Merry Christmas) die.  To add sparkle and shimmer the sentiment, I added a bit of VersaMark to a scrap piece of paper, heat embossed Sparkle embossing powder, and then die cut the words.  For me, this is a quicker way to get bling on a smaller die cut instead of doing it after they have been die cut.


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Merci {Scrapy Land #53}

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It's November!  Where did the year go??? Since it's the first Wednesday of the month, that means it's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge!  The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes using any brand of dies that Scrapy Land sells.  (If you haven't checked out the new look of the website, you definitely should.  It's easy to navigate and looks great.  The Products page is where you will find all the brands of dies that Scrapy Land sells.  There are some new companies on the list too. :-).)

Here are the dies used to create this project:


Sizzix - Ticket-Fold A Long
Taylored Expressions - Thanks
Elizabeth Craft Designs - Merci
Joy Crafts - Eiffel Tower (this was a special order from SL, but here are several other choices)

For my card today, I created a thank you card for a friend that helped me out while I was on vacation. (Unfortunately, her mailman stole the card and all she got was an empty envelope that had been resealed.  So, from now on I'm going to tape the back too. :-). )

I started out die-cutting the base of the card with a Sizzix gate fold die (Ticket - Fold A Long) and G45 papers.  I die cut both sentiments twice for added dimension and added Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Mother of Pearl) to my Eiffel Tower so that the details of the die cut would show.


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Here are some close ups of each section:









The center section (with the Eiffel Tower) can either be adhered permanently or slipped through the pre-cut tabs.  If you slip the piece into the tabs, then you can write your message on the back.

So again, thank you Lori for all your help.  I'm sorry that you only get to see the pictures though and not the real thing. :-)

Be sure to visit the Scrapy Land Challenge and see what amazing projects the rest of the team has created for you.  Then upload your own project using the InLinkz button.  You'll have until November 13 to play with us.  The winner, chosen by the Design Team, will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.