With Sympathy

Hi there!  I have another for-fun (ie not for a team) card to share with you today.  I've had a chance to play in my craft area and have been having a blast.  Today's project uses the Altenew Build-A-Flower: Columbine layering stamp and die set and a fun glueless glitter technique using a stencil.

I started off by creating the background first with some new glitters I was trying out. It was so hard to capture in the photo, but there are actually four different (subtle) shades of glitter used, going from a white with yellow undertones to the three shades of blues.  Here is a closer look where I darkened the photo somewhat so you can see the variation a bit more.

The background was created using the Tim Holtz stencil (Woven Layering Stencil) and the glueless glitter technique.  This is such an easy technique to do.  Start off by temporarily taping down the stencil to your cardstock (I used white, but you can use any color), making sure you can place the stencil back in the exact same position.  Then cover the open areas with VersaMark ink and then heat set using Clear embossing powder.  For this stencil, I added tape to the top of the stencil and created a hinge so I could move the stencil out of the way when heat setting.

Next, lay the stencil back in the same place and cover with VersaMark ink again. (Do not heat set yet!)  Remove the stencil completely and add your glitters.  If using multiple colors, apply each color separately and shake off the excess glitter back into the container.  Keep applying the colors individually until the entire area is covered.  The final step is to heat set one more time.  You can see the glitter start to twinkle, indicating that it's melting into the embossing powder.  Once it's heat set the second time, the glitter stays in place.

Since my glittery background was in subtle shades of blue, I decided to stamp my flower in shades of blue as well.  I used VersaFine Clair inks for all the stamping on this project.  

Here's a trick I used to help me line up the stamps.  First I die cut the flower and the leaf shapes from a scrap of cardstock.  I then used this as a template to lay the stamps into. This helped me tremendously with the alignment issues I was having.  And as a bonus, it made the stamping go much faster.

I wanted a bit of dimension to the flower head, but not the stem.  To achieve the look I was going for, I added pop dots to the top petals and glued the base of the head and the stem directly on top of the background. When adhering the completed flower to the glittery background, be sure to use a good adhesive that sticks to glitter.  

The sentiment is part of the stamp set and I stamped onto vellum with VersaFine Clair and quickly heat set it with Clear embossing powder.  I wrapped this around the first two layers of my card and adhered everything onto my card base.

Until next time.....

Kindness Is Always Beautiful

Products:

Stamps: Bearded Iris 889

Glitter: Bronze Mica (MF05); Butterscotch (GM2051)

Embossing Powder: Clear Detail (EP280); Cerulean Star (EP433)

Dies: Tonic Studios (Sweeping Pampas die set)

¼” Tear-ific Tape

Nuvo Smooth Precision glue pen

Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive

Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Safari Green)

VersaMark

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Tangerine die cutting machine

Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers

colored pencils

This is one of the new March Releases from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Bearded Iris.  Using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, I stamped both the image and the sentiment onto watercolor paper with a Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Safari Green).  I immediately added Clear Detail embossing powder to the sentiment and heat set it.

The image was watercolored using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  Colored pencils were used to add some highlights after the piece was dry.  Butterscotch microfine glitter was also added to the center of the throat on the iris.

Bronze Mica Flakes were randomly added to the watercolor paper and were adhered using the Nuvo Smooth Precision glue pen.

A Tonic Studios die (Sweeping Pampas die set) was used to die cut my embellishments.  The two dies in this set are large!  I used one of them and cut it into two pieces for this project.  Butterscotch microfine glitter was added to the die cut using the glueless glitter technique.  I use the Tangerine die cutting machine for all my die cutting.  I've tried most of the die cutting machines on the market and I like the Tangerine the best, by far!

I wanted a non-traditional card base for this card, so I cut the cardstock at an angle and then applied VersaMark over the entire surface.  Cerulean Star embossing powder was added and then heat set.  The focal image and the embellished die cuts were adhered on top of embossed card base using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive.  I've found this is one of the best glues to use when adhering to glitter or embossing powder.

Be sure to leave a comment here and on my post on the SNS Blog for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  The more comments you leave for the designers, the better your chances of winning. :-)

Fancy Clover

Today I'd like to share with you a perfect card  for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow.  I used the Fancy Clover two piece die set from Cheapo Dies to create this very quick and easy card.

I die cut each piece from white cardstock and used the glueless glitter technique and Clear embossing powder to add Sparkle N Sprinkle's Elegant Emerald glitter to each piece.  You could have also used a double sided adhesive sheet as well.

The double sentiment is a stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle (Luck of the Irish Enchantress) and was stamped with a Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Black Shadow) and was heat embossed with Clear embossing power for added dimension and gloss.

The bottom of the card base was cut using a deckle cutter and I added a strip of patterned cardstock to the bottom.

This super quick CAS card is perfect for St. Patty's Day.  It may be simple, but the bling from the glitter is amazing!

Be sure to visit the Cheapo Dies Blog regularly to see what the rest of the team has created for your inspiration.

Special Friend

The following products were used:

Tonic Studios - Beautiful Bramble Square 586E

Caspia Sea microfine glitter - GM2048

Purple Fig microfine glitter - GM2047

Velvet Sparkle embossing powder - EP437

Clear embossing powder - EP 120

Ornate Greetings stamp set - 00-880P5

Tim Holtz Stamping Platform - 1707E

Super Adhesive Sheet - SAS02

VersaMark - VM001

Encore metallic ink (Tsukineko) - Gold

Today's post is sharing two of the thirteen new microfine glitters that were just released from Sparkle N Sprinkle and a sneak peek at one of the new stamp sets being released in January.

I started out by die cutting the Tonic Studios die from white cardstock and then using the Glueless Glitter technique to add Caspia Sea microfine glitter to the intricate brambles.  Be sure to save the negative piece that cuts out the center.  I added dimensional tape to all four sides of the die cut as well as various parts toward the center, as I wanted to have the sentiment recessed in the center.

To create the sentiment, I used the negative piece that I saved and covered it with VersaMark and then heat set Velvet Sparkle embossing powder for a subtle shimmery background.  Using the Tim Holtz Stamping Platform and the Stamping On Embossing Powder technique, I added my sentiment.  This is one of four from the upcoming Ornate Greetings stamp set.  In order to stamp on embossing powder (or glitter), it is much easier to use some kind of stamp positioner so that you can apply the ink multiple times.  The Stamping Platform is by far my favorite type of stamp positioner that I've used (and I've tried a bunch!).

Now that all the pieces of my card are ready, I created the card base.  I used the largest outline die from this same set and die cut a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet.  The back side of the super adhesive sheet was adhered to white cardstock. After exposing the adhesive on the top, I added the glittered bramble die cut piece and then gently pushed the sentiment down in the center.  Next I poured Purple Fig microfine glitter over the rest of the card base, covering the rest of the exposed adhesive.

Until next time.... 😀

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 technique.  VersaMark 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. 

Elf Sitter

I have another fun Christmas card to share with you today.  It's an acetate card (which are so hard to photograph, but are so fun to make!).  I used the Elf Sitter stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  After coloring him with Copic markers, I fussy cut him out and added Imagination glitter to his belt, hat, and boots.  Nuvo Crystal Drops (Bright Gold) was added to the bells on his hat and boots.  His eyes were given dimension by applying Gloss White Nuvo Crystal Drops and immediately adding a small drop of Ebony Black to the still wet white drop.

I decided that since elves live in the North Pole, he should be sitting on top of an igloo.  I didn't have an igloo die that would work, so I made my own igloo by using an oval die (from Spellbinders).  My blocks of ice are outlined with Olaf White glitter (part of the Frozen glitter set).  The snow banks, die cut using a Paper Smooches die (Stitches) were also outlined with Olaf White.

The sentiment base was die cut from vellum using a Sue Wilson die (Spanish Collection - Cordoba).  After stamping the sentiment with VersaMark, it was heat set using Red Apple embossing powder.  A couple drops of Bright Gold Nuvo Crystal Drops were added as well.

The focal panel was then adhered to the center of a piece of Embossable Acetate.  I created the frame using two of the Double Pierced Rectangles (Sue Wilson Designs) and used the Glueless Glitter technique to add Sparkling Snow glitter to the edges.

Here is one more photo with a different color background so you can see the acetate better.

Winter Flamingos

Today's non-traditional Christmas card combines two of the new stamp sets released from Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  I used the digi versions of Winter Flamingos Set 1 and Winter Flamingos Set 2 to create this fun scene.  You could do the same scene with the rubber versions by masking the flamingos that in the front.

After coloring the birds with Copic markers, I die cut the image using a square die from Crafters Companion and a scallop square from Lifestyle Crafts.  Then I went to work on the bling 😎.  I die cut several different snow flakes (Die-Versions, Spellbinders, Sizzix) from a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet and then covered the adhesive with a combination of Waterscape and Ocean glitters.

I also used the Glueless Glitter technique on the scalloped frame.  (Cover the area you want to have glitter on it with VersaMark, heat set with Clear embossing powder, cover again with VersaMark and cover with the glitter of you choice.  Heat set again and the glitter melts into the Clear embossing powder and won't fly away.  This is much easier than applying glue to an area, covering with glitter, and waiting for it to dry.  Especially if it is a larger area.)

A bit of Neon Flamingo glitter accents the tail feathers of the bright pink flamingo in the back.  Waterscape glitter also accents the snow mounds and snow flakes as well as the sentiment.  I used the Sakura glue pen to draw over the letters and then applied my glitter.

True Beauty

Today's card showcases the True Beauty rubber stamp set revealed this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Did you know that some peacocks are all white?  When I am going to color something found in nature, I sometimes Google it to see what different colors that particular animal, bird, plant, insect, etc. can come in.   I was surprised to see several images of white peacocks.  I knew that's exactly what I wanted to try and replicate.  I hate to say it but no matter how many photos I took of this acetate shaker card, none of these photos do the peacock justice.  He is amazing looking in person (even if I do say so myself 😄 😆.)

I started out by stamping the image and then giving his feathers some highlights and shadows using a couple different grey Copic markers.  Once I was happy with that, I applied Brushable Glue on his tail and covered the glue with Waterscape glitter.  Since I added the glue with a pretty heavy hand, I let this air dry overnight.

While that was drying, I began creating the colored peacock feathers by taping down the Stampendous/Dreamweavers Peacock Feathers stencil onto an acetate sheet.  I then used a palette knife and randomly added several colors of Nuvo Glimmer Paste (Tanzanite, Peridot, Blue Topaz) over the stencil.  I created quite a few of the peacock feathers and then let them dry overnight as well.

The next day I began assembling my shaker card. I adhered the peacock feathers to a piece of Embossable Acetate and set that aside.  Then I die cut the front and back panels from thick white cardstock using a Simon Says Stamp die (Stitched rectangles).  The front panel was dry embossed with a Sue Wilson Designs embossing folder (Climbing Vines).  Once this was complete, I adhered the acetate with the peacock feathers to the inside front panel and pop dotted the peacock on top of the completed panel.

I also added a piece of Embossable Acetate to the inside back panel and then two layers of dimensional tape was adhered to the edges.  To the inside of this, I sprinkled in some Royal Purple Glass Glitter, a bit of Priceless Peacock glitter, and a few sequins.  Then I carefully lined up the two panels and adhered them together.

To create the sentiment, I die cut another piece of Embossable Acetate using a Sizzix die (Tim Holtz Labels) and also created a frame for this using the same Sizzix die along with a small circle from Little B (Circles).

Using the Glueless Glitter Technique, I stamped the sentiment onto the Embossable Acetate using VersaMark, Clear embossing powder and Priceless Peacock glitter.  I also added more Royal Purple Glass Glitter to the edge and adhered a couple more sequins.

Here is another photo using a different color backdrop.  It also shows more of the sequins and glitter that are inside the shaker card.

Proudly Patriotic

Today's card features the newly released Proudly Patriotic stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I used the digi version to create this night time scene.

I colored the image with Copic markers and used colored pencils for highlights and shadowing.  A bit of Peach Bellini glitter was added to each of the flower centers.  This not only gives it a bit more sparkle, it is also a tad darker than the flowers, so it gives the centers a little more shading.  Dimensional Glue and Daisy velvet glitter was added to the fireworks bursting in mid air and Sparkling Snow was applied to the "tails" of the fireworks.  The All-in-One Frames Rectangles 2 by Impression Obsession was used to die cut the frame around the flag.

The background was created using the Double Glitter Technique and a mask created from die cutting the Tonic Studios Ribbon and Bows Layering Set from a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet.  (Always save the backing paper instead of throwing it away 😉.) I adhered the mask to another piece of Super Adhesive Sheet and covered the exposed area with Liberty glitter.  After removing the mask,  I covered the remaining exposed adhesive with Cloud Nine velvet glitter.  I also let some of the Liberty glitter mix in with the Cloud Nine so that it had specks of color throughout.

The sentiment was created by using the Glueless Glitter technique and one of the smaller dies from the Tonic Studios Ribbon and Bows set.  Clear embossing powder was the first layer and then I stamped the sentiment with a stamp positioner and VersaMark.  (The Tim Holtz Stamp Platform is a perfect tool to use with the technique.)  I then added Liberty glitter to the VersaMark and heat set it again.  I actually did this step twice to make the sentiment have a bit more dimension.   Fun foam die cut using the same Tonic Studios die was adhered to the back of the sentiment for more dimension.

I can see this stamp set used in so many different situations - of course Fourth of July, but also Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or just as a Thank You to a Vet.

Kindness

Eggs-traordinary Kindness is one of ten new stamp set released this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

After stamping the image onto white cardstock, I colored it with Copic markers.  To create the speckled background, I repeatedly dipped a stipple brush into Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Lilac Lavender) and applied the mousse until I was happy with the coverage.  (Be sure to wash your stipple brush after doing this technique and let it air dry.  It will be as good as new and ready for the next time you want to use it.)  

The Glueless Glitter technique was used to add the sentiment.  Start out by heat embossing Clear embossing powder, cover stamped sentiment with VersaMark ink again, and then cover with your favorite color glitter (Denim velvet glitter used here), and heat set a final time.  The glitter will melt into the embossing powder and won't come off.  

This layer was then adhered to a piece of cardstock that was edged with 1/8" Tear-ific Tape and covered with Denim velvet glitter.  When adhering the stamped layer onto this layer, don't add adhesive to one side.  This creates a pocket so that you can insert your tag.  I added a strip of Glitter Ribbon (1/4" Tear-ific Tape covered with Denim velvet glitter) to the tag edge, so that it can easily be removed.

The background layer was dry embossed with a Spellbinders folder (Cane Weave) and the Mother of Pearl Nuvo Embellishment Mousse was added to the raised areas.

The sentiment on the tag is also part of this set and the Glueless Glitter technique was also used to add Denim velvet glitter to the stamped sentiment.  The edge around the tag was created by adding Nuvo Glue pen and covering with Denim glitter.

Merry Christmas

I've created another Christmas card using the lovely Elegant Poinsettia die and the Merry Christmas Sweet Wordlet die from Die-Versions today.

I wanted to keep it simple and flat for easy mailing, so I die cut the Elegant Poinsettia twice, once from the gold cardstock and once from white cardstock, and used the inlay technique.  I've saved the gold poinsettia for future use and used the negative portion for the background.  The Glueless Glitter technique was used to create the sparkle on the main image.  This is a super easy technique and so much quicker than trying to add glue to a die cut.  First, heat emboss your die cut with embossing powder.  I usually use clear, but today I used Ranger's White Pearls embossing powder.  Once this is heat set, cover the die cut again with VersaMark and then with your favorite glitter color.  I used Sparkling Snow from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  (It's a semi-transparent glitter so I knew a bit of the White Pearls would show through. )  Heat set the die cut again and all the glitter magically melts into the embossing powder :-).

For the leaves that are inlayed into the focal image, I added Spectrum Noir Glitter (Crystal Clear) markers for a different kind of sparkle.  I wanted them to stand out from the rest of the die cut.

If you'd like to receive 15% off any future Die-Versions everyday prices (and who doesn't like to save money - especially when there's no catch), be sure to use the code anne15 in the coupon box at checkout.

Groovy Birthday {Scrapy Land Challenge #48}

Welcome to Scrapy Land Challenge #48.  The theme for today's challenge is Use an Image (digi or rubber), plus any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

The dies used in my project are:

Sue Wilson Designs: New York Collection-Madison Square

Taylored Expressions: Banner Stacklets 1

I used a couple different rubber stamps in this project.  The focal point is an older rubber stamp from Unity Stamp Co. and the flowers and sentiment are by Taylored Expressions.

The scooter was stamped a couple times, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut out.  I wanted to add dimension by layering the both the front and back wheel fenders with pop dots.  The body of the scooter was covered with Glossy Accents and a touch of glitter was sprinkled onto the wet glue for added sparkle.

Once this was dry, I die cut the square from white cardstock, added a backdrop created with Bister wood stains, and adhered the scooter on top with dimensional dots.

The embedded embossing technique was used to create the sentiment.  I started out with a piece of yellow cardstock and heat embossed it with Clear embossing powder.  I then stamped the sentiment and flowers on top of this, covered the entire thing with more clear embossing powder and heat set it again.

You have until Sunday, Sept 4 to upload your project to the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog.  The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.