Monday, November 27, 2017

Snow Thankful


This is such a cute stamp called Snowman Couple from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I can think of several different ways to use this sweet couple including Christmas, a winter anniversary, or as a thank you card just to name a few.




I started out by stamping the image using the Stamp Platform and Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black).  Then Koh-I-Noor colored pencils were used to color the image.  After fussy cutting out the image, Orchid glitter was added to her hat band, Fire Engine Red glitter was added to the heart, Waterscape glitter outlines the snowmen bodies, and Bubblegum glitter gives the ornaments added sparkle.  Shaved Ice was added to the snow.




The background was die cut using a Tonic Studios die from their specialty paper (Craft Perfect Embossed Paper - English Lace).  The English Lace reminded me of snow flakes.  In order to give this specialty paper added bling, I lightly sprayed it with a spray adhesive and covered it with more Waterscape glitter.


The sentiment was stamped with Memento Ink (Grape Jelly) and quickly heat embossed with Clear Detail embossing powder.  Then it was die cut using a Simon Says Stamp die (Stitched Circles).  The embellishment behind the sentiment is an Obsession Impression die (Tied Line), which was heat embossed with Fabulous Grape embossing powder.    The little snowflake (Sizzix) was die cut from a piece of Super Adhesive Sheets and covered with Waterscape glitter.  I used a Copic marker to outline the edges of the snowflake to give it a slight purple cast.  Tonic Studios mirrored cardstock (Purple Mist) was used for the card base.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Cat's Meow



This was a fun birthday card to create.  I recycled some junk mail for the presents  (these were fussy cut out from a larger sheet) and used the Cat's Meow rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle to embellish those presents.  What cat doesn't like boxes, whether it's getting into them or sitting on top of them?

I used the Stamp Platform to stamp the two cats onto white cardstock.  (Be sure to leave the stamps in place.)  Then I colored the images with Koh-I-Nor colored pencils.  Once this step was completed, I placed the cardstock with stamped and colored images back on the Stamp Platform and stamped on top of the colored images with VersaMark and heat set with Clear Detail embossing powder.  This gives you great details and is an extra step that I do most every time.








For the background, I started out by dry embossed a piece of orange cardstock with a Tonic Studios embossing folder (Modern Chevron). Then I covered the entire piece with VersaMark and Sparkle embossing powder and heat set.  Just as the name of the embossing powder implies, this gives it lots of bling.

I adhered the packages with 1/4" Tear-ific Tape and then pop dotted the cats on top of the packages. Bubble Gum glitter was added to both cats' noses and the inside of their ears. Sunny Daze glitter gives the little butterfly the grey tom cat is holding its sparkle.

The Happy Birthday die cuts are from a Sizzix set (Balloons Step Up) and were die cut from white cardstock.  The letters were given lots of bling using the Glue-less Glitter techniqueVersaMark and Clear Detail embossing powder are first applied, then another layer of VersaMark and Denim velvet glitter.  The shadows are covered with Sparkle embossing powder.

The sentiment, which is part of this rubber set was die cut using a die from another Sizzix set (Ticket-Fold A Long).  Using the Stamp Platform, I stamped the sentiment with a Nuvo Hybrid Ink pad (Empire Blue).  I decided I wanted the entire die cut to be shiny, so I covered it with VersaMark and heat set Clear Detail embossing powder over it.  This was then given a bit of dimension by adding a pop dot in the center of the die cut and gluing down the two ends.


Tonic Studios Mirror cardstock (Glossy Black) was used for the card base. To complete my birthday card package, Goldenrod glitter was applied to a strip of 1/2" Tear-ific Tape to create my glitter ribbon. 

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

BOO! {Scrapy Land # 78}


inside

It's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme is always Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

Some of the designers got together for a fall/Halloween card exchange and today we are sharing what we created with everyone.  I created this fun Halloween card and treat box filled with a few goodies for Lisa.

The following dies were used for my creations:


Sue Wilson Designs: Noble dies-Double Pierced Rectangles, Set B
Taylored Expressions: Birch Tree cutting plate (these would also work)
My Favorite Things: Birthday Speech Bubbles (these would also work)
Tonic Studios: Spooktacular Coffin Treat Box die set
Tonic Studios: Boo! (this would also work)
Tonic Studios: Crawly Spiderweb (these would also work)
Tonic Studios: Happy Halloween (these would also work)

Starting with the card, the background was created by first applying Distress Inks and Distress Oxides to a piece of white cardstock die cut with the Sue Wilson Designs die.  Once I was happy with the colors,  the next step was to add the hint of trees in the background.  I used the Birch Tree cutting plate and die cut a piece of white cardstock.  I laid this on top of my colored background and then generously spritzed it with a homemade spritzer.  You could also use Perfect Pearls mist or just plain water.  My spritzer has a pearlized finish to it.  The trees remained dark and the areas in between were lighter.  I loved the results of this technique.

The skeleton is part of the Coffin Treat Box set and each piece of the skeleton is individual, so you can pose him any way you'd like.  I added Black Ice glitter to the Boo! and to the hat band.  Distress Inks and Oxides were also used to color my speech bubble.


For the inside of the card, I die cut two of the spiderwebs from white cardstock and gave them a bit of color using Antique Linen Distress Oxide.  The Happy Halloween background was also colored with the same inks as the front of the card and Copic markers were used to color the lettering.  The spider (part of the Coffin Treat box set) was die cut from mirrored cardstock by Tonic Studios and then a bit of Nuvo Crystal Drops accents his backside.


In addition to the card, I also made this fun treat box to give to my recipient, which was Lisa. Mirrored cardstock (Glossy Black and Purple Mist) was used for all of the die cut pieces except the centipedes.  These were die cut from scraps of white cardstock, colored with Copic markers and then heat set with Glow in the Dark embossing powder.

Here are some photos of the sides.


I also want to share the fabulous fall card I received from Maryvonne.  It is stunning and also came with a beautiful gift box (along with some very nice treats!)  Be sure to visit Maryvonne's blog to see how she created this special card.  Thank you Maryvonne!!



There will be two winners chosen for the Scrapy Land Challenge, one random.org winner and one chosen by the design team.  Each winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.  You have until Dec 3 to join us.


Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Botanical Orchids {Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop}




Welcome to the November
Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Blog Hop! 

We are pleased to reveal the following new stamp sets this month.

The sets are:



Cat's Meow 870
(Digital Version: DIGI870B)





You are definitely going to want both the digi version as well as the rubber version because when you purchase the digital versions, there are lots of extras that aren't available otherwise.  These extras can include additional images, additional sentiments, digi papers (in some cases), and a cut file.

The new sets are 20% off until the 20th of the month.  Head on over to the SNS store once you've finished the Blog Hop and start shopping.

SNS is always adding new products and new product lines to the store.  So stop by often to see what's new!


One GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be announced on the 17th of the month.  One of the Designers is our Mystery Host and the winner will be selected from comments left on her blog.  You must leave a comment on each of the Designers' blogs in order to be selected as the winner, as you never know who the Mystery Host will be.  This is checked for compliance.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog and will receive all the rubber stamp sets revealed this month.

The Blog Hop order is:
(Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to be directed to their Home page.)

Chris
Diane
Shona
Belinda
Anne (you are here 😀)
Donna
Eret
Jess


We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we enjoy creating new projects for it.  Be sure to visit the SNS Blog for even more inspiration.  Something new is posted most every day.



Did you know that SNS has a You-Tube Channel?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest tips and techniques!



The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge group is on Facebook.  
This is a closed group (just trying to keep out spammers), but we want anyone who to participate to join.  Click on the link and join in on the fun today!

The Creative Challenges run from the 1st - 25th of each month.  A SNS image (either rubber or digi) is required.  If you don't have any yet - no worries - there are some freebies located on the Home page of the SNS website.  Just scroll down the page a bit to see them.

The Creative Challenge Winner and Top Three will be posted on the last day of each month.  The winner will receive a $15 Gift Certificate to go shopping at the SNS store.

Please review all the Challenge Rules before submitting your photo 😀.  We can't wait to see what all you create using SNS images.



Now for a bit about my project.  I had a hard time deciding which stamp set I wanted to showcase for the Blog Hop, but finally decided on the Botanical Orchid Flowers.

I stamped the image using the Stamp Platform with Memento (Tuxedo Black) ink and colored it with Koh-I-Noor colored pencils.  Leaving the stamp in place on the Stamp Platform, I cleaned the stamp, and then applied VersaMark to the stamp and stamp on top of the colored image.  Cover with Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set.  This really makes the detailed lines pop.  One unexpected, yet happy, surprise was when I covered the image with the Clear embossing powder, the embossing powder adhered to the entire image.  When blending the colored pencils on the cardstock, I used the trick of adding a small bit of Vasaline to a Q-Tip and using that tool to blend the colors.  In hindsite, I should have realized that the petroleum jelly would leave a film (even though I didn't feel it).  So, not only were the detail lines embossed, the entire image had a nice shiny look to it.


Once my focal image was complete, I die cut it using a Simon Say Stamp die (Stitched Circles).  This die leaves stitches in both the positive and negative pieces of cardstock.

For the focal mat, I used a Tonic Studios die (Swirling Frame layering die set) and die cut a piece of cream cardstock as well as some specialty embossed paper (Craft Perfect Embossed Paper - Coral Confetti).  These two die cuts were adhered together and offset slightly so that the cream would show through the openings.   I wanted to see the stitches left on a negative cut from the Stitched Circles, so I before adhering the two die cuts together, I die cut the circle out of the specialty paper.  Then I inserted the focal image, so it has an inlayed affect.

This was then adhered on top of brown cardstock, which was die cut with the largest die from the Swirling Frame die set  I added drops of Nuvo Crystal Drops (Copper Penny) for accents on this textured cardstock.

I also cut a small slit on the right side of my focal mat so that I could insert my ribbon through the opening and have the ribbon wrap around the entire card and have the bow be centered to the right of the focal image.

Now it's time to visit with Donna.  I know she's got something fabulous for your viewing pleasure.  Be sure to comment on each of our blogs for your chance to win all the stamp sets revealed this month.  You have plenty of time (by 5pm Eastern time on the 17th) to leave comments.



Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Nativity Globe {Scrapy Land #77}



Wow, it's already November and that means Thanksgiving (in the US)  and Christmas are just around the corner!  It also the first Wednesday of the month and time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme is always Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

The following dies were used to create this card.


Die-Versions:  Nativity Ornament
Die-Versions: Noel Sweet Wordlet
Tonic Studios: Ribbon and Bows layering set


These are the steps I used to create this card:
1.     Die cut the Nativity Ornament from white cardstock.  Cut off the ornament topper and bow to make it a circle.
2.     Apply VersaMark to the top of the die cut, cover with Sparkle embossing powder and heat set.
3.     Die cut the base portion of the Snow globe die set twice from white cardstock.
4.     Spritz both of the bases with a combination of Walnut Ink and Terra Cotta Walnut Ink.  Continue lightly spritzing each color until you are happy with the results.  Once the paper is dry, you can highlight the lines on the base with a Copic marker (or your favorite marker).
5.     Die cut the globe portion of the Snow Globe set twice, one from white cardstock and one from black cardstock.
6.     Using the Direct to Paper method, cover the black globe circle with Opalite (Glacier Blue).  Make sure to get good coverage.
7.     Adhere the embossed Nativity scene to the Opalite enhanced globe.  Insert the globe into the stand and add a piece of tape to the back to hold the two pieces together.
8.     Die cut the plate label from the Snow Globe set twice from white cardstock.
9.     Apply VersaMark to each of these plate labels, cover with Sparkle embossing powder, and heat set. Add two “nails” to the plate label with a marker.
10.  Die cut the Noel Sweet Wordlet from white cardstock.
11.  Using the Direct to Paper method, apply Encore! gold metallic ink to the die cut.
12.  Adhere to one of the plate labels created above.
13.  Adhere the completed plate label to the snow globe base.
14.  Die cut the patterned paper using the Tonic Studios layering die set.
15.  Cut a piece of black cardstock 4 ½” x 12” and score at the 6” mark for a top folding card base.
16.  Temporarily adhere the larger layering die on top of the folded card base.  The top of the die should be slightly above the card fold.  Once you have the die positioned correctly, die cut to create a shaped card.
17.  Apply Opalite ink around the edges of the cardstock. Make sure your strip is wider than the openings in the patterned paper previously die cut.
18.  Place the patterned paper die cut over the front of the card base and make sure all the peek-a-boo openings are covered with Opalite ink.  Then adhere to the card front.
19.  Adhere the finished globe on top of the patterned paper.
20.  Take a small strip of ribbon, tie into a knot and adhere to the top of the card with a small glue dot.

Now it's your turn.  You have until November 12 to join us for the Scrapy Land Challenge.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has done to inspire you too.