Happy Halloween

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a few things I've been working on for Halloween this year.

All of the treat boxes I'm sharing with you today came from Simply Crafty SVGs.  I made the front and back of this treat box glow in the dark :-)

glow in the dark front

glow in the dark back

back

Here are a couple of pumpkin treat boxes:

Next up are Tombstones (I made 30 of these):

And lastly, a quick card I created for a friend:

happy haunting!!!!

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.

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. 

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)

Snowman Couple - Christmas 872
(Digital Version: DIGI872BG)

Botanical Orchid Flowers 874
(Digital Version: DIGI874J)

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.

Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Today is the day that everyone has a wee bit of Irish in them 😀.  I have one more St. Patrick's Day card to share with you today called Irish Blessings from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

One of the fun things about this card is that it contains a hidden message tag:

I started out by stamping the image with VersaMark and then heat setting it with Coffee embossing powder.  Prismacolored pencils and Koh-I-Noor colored pencils were used to color the image.  The shamrocks and the inside of the lucky horseshoes have a touch of Spirited Green glitter for added bling.

The die cut is from Tonic Studios that I altered.  It's called It's The Little Things Flip Flop die set, but I cut off the flip part and used the main portion of the die.  I die cut this from cream colored cardstock and applied Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Spring Green) to it with my fingertip.  This set also comes with the cut out frame, which I heat embossed with Irish Spring embossing powder.


The hidden message was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with Black Detail embossing powder.  I distressed the edges using a Versamarker embossing pen and heat set more Irish Spring embossing powder.  The tag was also covered with Spring Green Nuvo Mousse.

The pattered cardstock is digi paper from Echo Park (St. Patrick's Day Mini theme).

This is one of the other sentiment that comes with the Irish Blessings stamp set.  Although I did not incorporate it in my card today, it is one of my favorite Irish quotes and it is my wish for you today.

Coffee Shoppe

Today I'm showcasing the Coffee Shoppe stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle and I decided to use a different medium on this.  So instead of grabbing my Copic markers like I normally do, I used Koh-I-Noor color pencils.  This gives everything a much softer look.

This was a pretty quick card to complete, without lots of added embellishments.  Glistening Emerald flock was used for the bushes in the flower boxes in the front, Blue Jewel glitter creates the sparkly frame around the image, and Firecracker Blue embossing powder was used for the sentiment.

Be sure to come back tomorrow night (9pm EST) to join me for the SNS April New Reveal Blog Hop. 

Hip Hip Hooray

One of the Sweet Spots released this month from Die-Versions is "Hip Hip Hooray".  I was in a restaurant in Franklin, TN and the first thing you see when you walk in is a sign that reads "Hip Hip Hooray - the Gang's All Here".  As soon as I saw it, I knew what I wanted to do with this new Sweet Spot.

This easel card used a lot of stamps (six in total) and quite a bit of masking, but it was fun to create.  I started off by cutting the sweet spot in fabric (just to see if it would work.  I didn't have any problems but you might if there were more intricate details.)  Then I scribbled a Spica glitter pen on the letters for a bit of bling.  Next I started stamping and masking to create my scene.  All of the images were stamped with Memento Black Tuxedo and colored with Koh-I-Nor woodless pencils for a more vintage feel.

The first stamp with the three ladies sitting in front and the man in the back to the right are by River City Rubber Works.  The man and woman image in the back on the left is from I Brake for Stamps and the trees/shrubs in the very back are by Beeswax Stamps.  The large watermarked sentiment is an older background stamp by Hero Arts and the "Happy Birthday you old bird" is retired stamp from Prickley Pear.  The rest of the sentiment was die cut from the Die-Versions Mister Micro font.

Want to see more great projects from the DV Dynamos?  Then check out the Die-Versions Blog and the DV Facebook page.

Twilight

Here is another example of a sponged background.  This time, I was trying to create a twilight effect.  In order to produce this type of effect, you need three shades of blue dye ink (light, medium, and dark) and one shade of dark purple.  I used Distress inks.  Begin by sponging the lightest blue with a sponge dauber around the edges and top of your paper.  Follow with the medium blue, then the dark purple.  Finally use the dark blue to blend everything in.  Be sure to use light pressure and go in a circular motion.  It's easy to put more color on, but you can't take it off.  I also sponged  black ink under the bottom of the car.

The roadster, which is a River City Rubber Works image, was stamped on Neenah cardstock and colored with Koh-I-Noor woodless color pencils.  Next time, I'll probably switch to Copics because I like more vibrant colors.   I also used the Sakura Gelly Roll Star Dust pen to make my twinking stars in the night sky.

Out by the water mill

This is one of my few detailed stamp images and it is a cling mount from Impression Obsession.  I used Copic markers on this version to color in everything.  Once you break it down into parts, it's pretty easy to color.  Copics really make the image pop. 

The next photo is the same image using Koh-I-Noor woodless colored pencils, which look like this.  I purchased mine at a local craft store.

This is a much subtler, softer look than the Copics. It just depends on the look you are going for.  You don't have nearly the selection of colors to choose from, but it is a fun medium to try.  Do you have a preference as to which medium you like to use the most?  As you can probably tell, I like Copics the best.

I'm not cheap...

I'm trying lots of new mediums out (not just always reaching for my Copics).  This guy was colored using Koh-I-Noor woodless pencils (I purchased mine at Michaels, but I'm sure other craft chains carry them as well.  You can always get them on the internet too).  I must confess that I did use Copics for his skin because there wasn't any skin tones in my set of pencils.  The saying came from River City Rubber Works and the man came from My Heart Stamps For You.

For the base card, I used my Scor-Pal to score a subtle diamond pattern in the cardstock.  I began by lining up opposite corners of the front panel on the 6" mark line and scoring down.  I then scored every 2" across the cardstock.  I then turned it, lining up the other two corners, and scored again.  Finally, I scored around each of the four sides about 1/4" in from the edge.

The banner was made by using Spellbinder's Fancy Tags.  I colored the edges of the tag with the Koh-I -Noor pencils as well and stamped my saying in the center.  I pop dotted the tag to make it stand out more.