Thinking About You

This month at Sparkle N Sprinkle, the designers are combining SNS products with chipboard from Want 2 Scrap.  For today's card, I used the painting with embossing powder technique on both the bird and the background.  This post is photo heavy with step by steps of how the chipboard was painted. 

To start off, I usually add White embossing powder to the naked chipboard.  If you are using brighter colors, this allows the truer color to show; otherwise it is a darker shade because of the brown base.

The background for my bird is the Fleur de Lis Nestaboard and I chose three different colors of blue to create the sky: Bracing Blue, By the Lake, and Sky Blue Spark.  I used the Stampendous Boss Gloss Embossing Ink on top of the heat set White embossed background.  If you look closely (you can click on the image to enlarge it), this embossing ink doesn't go on smoothly on top of an already heat embossed area like VersaMark does; it creates little puddles of ink.  For this background, I was fine with these dots (or puddled areas) as it reminded me of white clouds peeking through.  If you don't want the dots (or puddles), then you should use a different embossing ink.  (Note: If it's the first coat of embossing ink, this works just like any other brand of embossing ink and it's super easy to apply with the dauber top.)

Now it's time to start painting the chipboard bird.  This is actually a large piece with multiple birds called Birds of a Feather,  but I cut off the one I wanted.  I started out by adding color to the branch he was sitting on using Coffee embossing powder.  

Next came the leaves with Emerald embossing powder used for the base.   I used the VersaMarker to draw in the veins before adding Forest Green embossing powder.

For the bird, Concord was used for his body and feet, Red Apple for his head and wings, and Platinum for his beak.  I heat set each color before adding the next color.  Then I added a few details using a permanent fine tip marker.

The card base was die cut using a Sue Wilson Designs die (Noble die-Double Pierced Rectangle, Set B).  The center portion was then dry embossed using a Sue Wilson Designs embossing folder (Rambling Blossoms) and then I did a faux letterpress technique (from Sue Wilson) on top of the dry embossing. 

The thin frame, which gets cut when you use several of the dies from this set together, was pop dotted with dimensional tape and the center dry embossed, faux letterpressed paned was recessed.  The sentiment is also a die cut and is from Lawn Fawn (Thinking About You Border die).

Hope you enjoyed the process and it inspires you to try this technique too.

Do What Makes You Happy

Today's card is the result of playing around with lots of embossing powders from Sparkle N Sprinkle and Want 2 Scrap chipboard to see what I could create with them.

I started out with the Doily (Doily Set 2 chipboard embellishment) from Want 2 Scrap thinking I wanted to create a deep impression in the heated powder with a stamp. The first layer was Fleur de Lis embossing powder, then I added a couple layers of Super Thick Clear to make it even thicker.  It takes a bit of time to heat the chipboard through the bottom (you don't want the embossing powders to fly all over the place).  Next I used the Versamark pad to create a rectangle as I wanted to create a backdrop.  I added Super Thick White and heat set that.

Well, I didn't like that result, so I doubled up on craft mats, had a heat resistant pad under those (so that I could be hands free and the piece was flat on the table) and I really began to heat up the embossing powder to mix the white in with the background.  This is where the fun really started!  I got super close to the surface with my heat tool and the powder became like molten lava.  I was able to push the liquid embossing powders around with the heat to create depth and ripples.  The contrast between the black and white are actually little ripples that you can feel with your finger.

Here is a closer view so hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.

 It still needed a little something, so I sprinkled some Super Thick Gold on top and quickly melted that in for more contrast.

The chipboard words (Create, Inspire) came from the Want 2 Scrap Printer's Tray Embellishment set and they were heat embossed with Gold embossing powder.  The final touch was to add Nuvo Crystal Drops (gloss white) to the outside edge of the finished doily.

The Poppy in the center of the doily is from the Poppies stamp set #771 and was colored with Copic markers and then fussy cut out.  Black Ice glitter was added to the center and Bubble Gum glitter was added to the outside petals.

For the background, I added Red Apple embossing powder to a piece of white cardstock and heat embossed it.  I then sprinkled  Super Thick Gold embossing powder on top and heat set that as well.  The card base is Coordinations Kraft cardstock.  I tore the bottom edge and then inverted the two pieces to create the strip of kraft paper between the black.

The sentiment is from the Bicycles stamp set #494 and I used the embedded embossing technique to create this (also known as Molten Pearls technique).  I added some Red Apple embossing powder to a scrap of white cardstock and heat embossed it.  Then I die cut an oval using a Stampendous die (Build A Pop Up die set) from the embossed area.  The sentiment was then stamped in Versamark on top of the Red Apple, covered with White embossing powder and heat embossed again.

I hope this has inspired you to go and create more of what makes you happy :-).

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:

Eret

Diane

Belinda

Anne (you are here)

Shona

Marie

Jess

(*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.

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.

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.

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.

Ooh La, La!

This large card was created using chipboard elements from Want 2 Scrap and embossing powders from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The Dress Form Corset was first covered in White embossing powder and then Morning Glory embossing powder for the dress and Silver for the dress stand.  If the white embossing powder had not been applied first, then the Morning Glory (or the color of your choice) would have been darker.  This is because you are starting out with a brown base.  The white allows the true color of the powder or glitter to be seen.  Fleur de Lis embossing powder covers the Doily set 2 chipboard embellishment.  As this color was darker to begin with, I didn't bother adding the white embossing powder first.  

My sentiment was die cut from a scrap of cardstock covered with Morning Glory embossing powder.  I used the Peppermint font from Die-Versions.

Special

This is a bright, fun card that is quick and easy to create.  I used the new Neon Glitters - Exulted! (hot pink), Energized! (orange), Electrified! (yellow), and Exhilarated! (green) from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Black Ice glitter was also added to the Want 2 Scrap piece of chipboard using the Glueless Glitter technique.

 This is an easy way to add glitter without using any adhesive.  Start out by covering the surface with VersaMark and then heat set with Clear embossing powder.  I then cover the entire surface with more VersaMark, sprinkle on the glitter of my choice, and then heat set the entire thing.  Your glitter is adhered and won't rub off.

To create the background, I started out with a piece of white cardstock and then covered it with varying widths of Tear-ific Tape.  Before exposing any of the adhesive, I used the Die-Versions "You Are" Express Edge to die cut the top. The next step is to randomly expose the strips of adhesive and burnish on the glitter with your finger tip.

I added a couple strips of glitter ribbon to finish off the card.  In order to create glitter ribbon, choose a long strip of Tear-ific Tape (in any width), cover one side with the glitter and then slowly peel off the protective backing and adhere glitter to the other side as well.  Instead of making a bow, I tied a large knot in each of my pieces of glitter ribbon.

Forever

In addition to lots and lots of glitters and embossing powder (not to mention rubber stamps), Sparkle N Sprinkle also carries chipboard from Want 2 Scrap.  I don't use much chipboard in my projects as I mainly create cards and I associate chipboard with scrapbook layouts.

I wanted to challenge myself to change this notion.  I started out by using the digi version of Happily Ever After so that I could alter the size of it.  Bridal glitter was added to the veil and Sparkling Snow glitter was added to the bouquet.  I also decide to use one of the soon to be released Neon Glitters Exhilarated! (a bright green).  This was added to the groom's vest and tie as well as the ribbon on the bride's bouquet.

This is also the color I decided to use on the "Forever" chipboard element.  I used the Glueless Glitter technique to adhere the neon glitter to the chipboard.  As you can see in the photo, it turned out a little darker than it did on the rest of the card.  In order to alleviate this, you can first heat emboss White embossing powder onto the chipboard and then add the color of your choice.

To finish off this CAS card, I added 1/8" Tear-ific Tape around the edges and applied more Exhilarated! neon glitter.

Poppies

Poppies was one of the new stamp sets revealed in January by Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The image was stamped onto white cardstock and colored with Copic markers.

I framed the image with the Want 2 Scrap (Vintage Fancy Frames) chipboard that I covered with embossing powder.  In order to get the true color of your chosen embossing powder, it is better to cover the chipboard with White embossing powder first.  Then repeat the process with your favorite color.  For this frame I used Caribbean embossing powder.

I also added small dots of Black Ice glitter to the center of the poppy as well as outlining each of the squares.

Seam binding ribbon colored with Distress Stain (Tumbled Glass) adds the finishing touch.

Suspended bird calendar

I created something a little different today.  It's an easel card that reveals a 2016 calendar once it's open and the chipboard bird is suspended above.  I thought this would be something fun to look at throughout the year.  I started out with various products from the Sparkle N Sprinkle shoppe, including Want 2 Scrap chipboard, self adhesive bling and of course embossing powders.

After heat embossing two of the Want 2 Scrap chipboard birds with Lemon Sherbet embossing powder, I glued them together with a piece of twine adhered between them.  The bird is suspended from a frame created using a Sizzix die (Ticket Fold A Long).  I also die cut this twice from cardstock for added strength and both sides were heat embossed with Oriental Fire embossing powder.

Although it's hard to see in the photos, I used a Sakura glue pen to highlight certain portions of the roses in the patterned paper and I added Sparkling Snow glitter to the glue.

Feathered Bird

Today's card uses various products sold at Sparkle N Sprinkle, including Embossable Clear Acetate, Super Adhesive Sheets, Dreamweaver stencil, Want 2 Scrap chipboard, and of course glitter and flock.

The background was created by first applying a piece of a Super Adhesive Sheet onto the clear Embossable Acetate.  I then rubbed Hawaiian soap on the Cherry Blossom stencil so that it wouldn't permanently stick to the adhesive.  Pink Spirit Sparkle N Soft flock was used to cover the design.  After removing the stencil, I used a marker directly on the flock to change the color of the branches.  

Once this was completed, I added Waterfall semi transparent glitter to the rest of the adhesive.  Since this glitter is semi-transparent, it's color changed in intensity depending on what color of cardstock I had behind it.  This is why I used this technique on acetate - to see how the overall look changed based on what color cardstock I used for the mat.  The centers of the flowers are self adhesive bling from Want 2 Scrap.  In order to flatten them, I ran it through my die cutting machine.  This gives you more ways to use the dimensional gems.  You can really see the difference when you compare his eye to the centers of the flowers.  The same self adhesive gems were used for both.

The chipboard flourish bird is also by Want 2 Scrap and he was covered with Fleur de Lis embossing powder and heat set.  I added a pull ribbon bow by Mon Ami Gabby.  Sue Wilson Designs (Noble dies - Ornate Pierced Rectangles) complete the card and card base.