Survivor Bra

Die-Versions and Sparkle N Sprinkle are partnering together this month to bring you the Cancer Awareness Campaign.   Today's card combines the DV Survivor Bra along with a SNS sentiment from the Awareness stamp set.

I started out by die cutting the Survivor Bra from white cardstock and coloring it with Copic markers.  I die cut it a second time from Sticker Paper to create the lacy cups. 

I used the lacy background technique for both the background as well as the lacy bra cups.  This is an easy technique to do.  Start with some Sticker Paper and lay down a piece of lace.  Cover the entire area with glitter (Mauvelous was used here) and burnish it in with your finger tool.  Remove the lace and cover the exposed adhesive with another glitter color.  I used Cloud Nine velvet glitter for this part.  The ribbon in the center of the bra was covered with more Mauvelous glitter and Silver Detail embossing powder was used for the hook on the hanger.   The sentiment was heat embossed with Black Detail embossing powder onto colored vellum and tucked under the oval. 

I also used the Bling Your Brad technique with Mauvelous glitter to have a place for the hander to hang from.  This card is so glittery and I felt that the old adage "less is more" definitely applied.   

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Awareness dies and the Awareness stamp sets will be donated to help cancer research.

BFF's

Best Friends Forever (BFF's) is one of the seven new reveals from Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  I used the digi version and tried to create the feeling that these two were walking out of a store or mall after a fun time of shopping.

The image was colored with Copic markers and the background was created using Memories Mist (Pale Ale) for the walls of the building, Copics for the glass doors, and Pan Pastels for the sidewalk.

Firecracker Blue embossing powder was used to create the sign above the glass doors and Silver Detail embossing powder was used for the button on the jeans.  Black Ice glitter creates sparkle on the flip flops as well as the belt buckle.  Green Iris glitter highlights the neckline of one of the shirts as well as stripes on one of the shopping bags.  Bronze Splendor and 1/4" Tear-ific Tape bling up the background.

Big Wet Kisses

My aquarium shaped card showcases the new Big Wet Kisses stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I used the digi version and printed it out, colored it with Copic markers and did some fussy cutting.  I added a bit of shimmer to the fish with Memories Mists (Bright Gold and Copper Shimmer.)  The aquarium was a free clip art I found on Google.

The background was created with Bister wood stains and watercolor paper and Mudd Puddles (Ocean Water and Shells) create the sandy floor.  The fussy cut hearts were covered with Dimensional Glue and Gypsy Red velvet glitter.

For the inside, I wanted to replicate the front, so I added the digi sentiment to the center of my clip art and printed it.  The sand was created with Copics and the shells and sea weed are brads.  

Shimmer embossing powder was heat set onto the background of the fishbowl and Ice embossing powder was used to Bling my Brads - shells and seaweed.  (Click the link for the SNS tutorial on how to do this.) 

I outlined the sentiment with a Sakura glue pen and covered it with Gypsy Red velvet glitter for a bit of color and sparkle.

Pops Rocks

Today is the start of a new challenge over at Pattie's Creations.  Create either a Father's Day themed project or a Wedding theme - your choice.  You can find images at Pattie's ETSY store for either choice.

As you can tell, I decided to make an easel card for Father's Day using Pattie's Cowboy Dreams image, which is colored with Copic markers.  The background started out as white cardstock that I added embossing paste to using the Crafters Workshop mini chicken wire stencil.  Once the paste was dry, I began adding (lots) of Distress Stains until I was happy with the color.  (It took a while.)

I also tried a very popular technique of sprinkling embossing powder onto cardstock and heat setting it (most people use Frantage powders.)  I didn't have any of those, but have lots of Sparkle N Sprinkle embossing powders, so that's what I used.  I sprinkled both their new (coming soon) Copper Flame mixed media embossing powder and Magic Speckle embossing powder onto the side of the cardstock and heat set it from underneath.

Both sentiments were die cut from Die-Versions fonts - the larger one on the front of the easel card is Saloon Door and the message revealed when the card is open is the Little Lizzie font.  The music notes are also from Die-Versions (Harmony Wee Petites).  The bow tie is a Memory Box die (Family Ties).

You have two weeks to upload your Fathers'Day or Wedding project to Pattie's Creations Design Challenge.  We look forward to seeing what you come up with.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created as well.

Honeymoon Surprise

Today is the Die-Versions new release for May.  The themes are all about weddings and the guys in your life.

I've created a card for those who like to surprise their future spouse with the honeymoon destination.  I've incorporated the new Sweet Wordlet "Honeymoon" with an older one "Happy", plus I've added the DV Beach Bag to give a hint as to where the honeymoon will be.

Be sure to check out all the new dies released today as well as visiting the DV Blog to see what the rest of the DV Dynamos have created for you.

Sassy Birthday

Today we are celebrating International Scrapbook Day at Time 4Scrap and we're using a sketch supplied by our very own Milo.  The theme is Anything Goes, but you must use the sketch.

As you can see, I've rotated the sketch to the right and the image (Birthday Cake Sassy), which is colored with Copic markers, is from Sassy Studio Designs.

The square directly behind the image started out as a piece of white cardstock and then I kept adding Distress Paints (and blotting off sections) until I was happy with the color.  You'll also notice that sometimes I don't apply adhesive to all four sides of a piece, leaving the edges to curl a little.  This is a little trick I use to give something a bit more dimension without adding pop dots.

Die-Versions Happy Birthday Corner Concepts die was used to create the next square, by die cutting it twice.   Spica glitter pens adds a bit of sparkle to the letters.  The bow is made from bar grain ribbon (the kind that curls easily) and a big heart brad holds it in place.

Enjoy using the sketch, which is an easy one to use as is or to tweak as you like.

Spunky's Valentine

Spunky, along with his friend Rocco, is making his debut this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  They will become regulars and will have lots of adventures.  This set is called Spunky Skunk Valentine (#521).

After stamping and fussy cutting out the image, or parts of the image, three times, I colored Spunky with Copics and added Black Ice glitter and Twinkling Clouds Sparkling Flock to his tail.  I then pop dotted his body onto the image base and finally pop dotted the heart to the second layer.  The sentiment on the heart is also covered with Black Ice glitter. This paper tole technique gives your image lots of dimension.


The mat was created using a Spellbinders die (A2 Polka Dots) and then I used the Emboss Resist technique, using one of the other stamps from this set.  After stamping with VersaMark and heat setting with Clear Detail embossing powder, I used Distress Inks to color the background.  I also blinged up my brads (they were originally silver) using the SNS Bling Your Brads technique and White embossing powder.

The lace flower was quick and easy to do and I have a few photos for a quick step by step tutorial.  The first thing you need to do is to make your own large glue dot with the Mega Tack Glue.  Save some of the backing papers from the Super Adhesive Sheets or even the sheet that you get with all those address labels you receive for free.  Just apply the glue to the backing sheet and make a circle as large as you want.  The hard part is that you have to let it dry over night.  As you can see by the photo, it starts out white, but when it dries, it's clear.  (You can also make homemade regular sized glue dots this way too.)  Once it's dry, your ready for the next step.















Cut a long piece of lace (or ribbon or fabric) and start pushing it down onto the glue dot, going from the outside edge and continuing in a circle until the entire glue dot is covered.  I also scrunched mine up just a bit as I was adhering it so I would have a small ruffle.

I added a couple vintage buttons to the center of my lace flower and tied them together with some embroidery floss.  I also glued them down to the lace with the Mega Tack Glue.  That's it!  Easy, easy.

You can also view more detailed instructions in my SNS Art Gallery, here.

Northern Lights

I recently saw the Northern Lights technique on Splitcoast Stampers and knew it would be perfect for the Geraniums rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle. 

To start out, die cut a Sizzix Labels, Fancy #3 die (next to largest) out of white cardstock.  Using Distress Inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Pine Needles, Peacock Feathers, Dusty Concord, Chipped Sapphire, and Black Soot), I used the tutorial as my guide but didn't want to use as much black.  I then spritzed some Dylusions Ink Spray (White Linen) to replicate stars.

I then stamped the solid silhouette image with Archival ink in the center.  Next, I stamped VersaMark on top of (and slightly off-center) the black silhouette and heat embossed it with Lilac Spark embossing powder.

Next, die cut the largest Sizzix Labels, Fancy #3 and stamp the flourishes from the Flourishes One rubber stamp set with VersaMark.  Heat emboss with Black Magic embossing powder.  Using VersaMark and a dauber, distress the edges (like you would if you were using ink) and then heat emboss with Black Magic again.  Finally, bling your brads with Black Magic embossing powder.

Now I didn't stop with inks and decided to do the same technique using glitters for my background.  I started off with a piece of SNS Sticker Paper cut to the size I wanted, and went to town with lots of velvet glitters: Daisy, Lator Gator, Jasper Blue, Cobalt Glaze, Purple Potion, and Black Suede.  I randomly applied the glitter the same way as the inks, using my finger to swish my small piles around.  Then I distress embossed the edges with Black embossing powder.

I thought it still need a little something.  So.... I inked up a Spellbinders Impressabilities plate (Diamonds and Stars) with VersaMark and laid this on top of my glittered background.  I covered the VersaMark with Silver Lightning embossing powder and heat set.  (I randomly brushed off some of the powder so it wouldn't look too uniform.)  Now I was happy with the background.

I found a rub-on in my stash and thought the sentiment fit nicely with night skies and stars.  I applied this to a button, which I then stitched two of the buttons together with paper floss, as well as threading the remaining button holes.  Finally, I hand stitched the paper floss around the purple mat.

Although this project used quite a number of products, it was quite fun to make and will definitely do it again sometime.


 

Don't Take Life Too Seriously

For this tongue-in-cheek card, I combined a couple different stamp sets from Sparkle N Sprinkle:  the Country set for the outhouse and Innies and Outies II for the sentiment.

I used Caramel embossing powder to heat emboss the outhouse and rope corners.  One of the cool properties of this particular embossing powder is that it has a super fine sheen that also coats the paper.  If you don't want it, you can easily rub it off with your fingers after you've heat set the embossing powder.  I wanted those streaks, so not only did I leave it on after heat embossing the outhouse, I also covered the entire card again after heat embossing the sentiment with Tequila Sunrise embossing powder.  I tapped the excess Caramel off and then sealed it with a fixative so the sheen wouldn't rub off later.  Sparkle embossing powder was also randomly added to some of the edges.

The charms are cut out of Super Adhesive Sheets with dies from MFT (Country Charms) and are covered with Reflections velvet glitter, Goldenrod velvet glitter, and Jasper Blue velvet glitter.   The brads are covered with Dark Chocolate flock for an added texture.

Macho Mania

After a month off, it's time for a new blog hop from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The theme is Girly Girls and Macho Mania.  If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you'd know this would be a no-brainer for me.  I love doing masculine cards and have a very hard time making girly cards.

I chose the Country stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle for my project.  (If you need any cowboy themed stamps, this set has 21 different stamps.)  

I found a piece of old parchment paper when I was cleaning and thought it would be perfect for an old western WANTED type of fell.  The paper is not smooth, so when I heat embossed it with Black Detail embossing powder, you could see some of the ridges showing through.  I loved the way that looked, giving it more of a vintage feel.  After tearing around the image, I distressed it with Distress Ink.  The four brads, which hold the silhouette in place, are covered with Amber Wheat flock.The sentiment, which is also part of the set, is heat embossed with Brown Fizz embossing powder and the two brads are also covered with Brown Fizz.  Add a bit of jute, some cowboy paper, and that completes a masculine card fit for any cowboy at heart.  Hope this inspires you to make more guy cards - they are easy to do and fun!

I'm the first stop on the blog hop this month, but you may want to visit the  SNS Blog to see the complete lineup, prizes, and rules.  Remember to leave a comment with each of us in order to win one of several prizes.   Now it's time to round 'em up and head on over to see what Karin has created for your viewing pleasure.  

Seahorses

Since I'm working with the Sweet Seahorse die from Die-Versions, I wanted to create some sort of underwater scene.   If you have been following me for a while, you know that I love trying new techniques.  I know this hair gel technique has been around for a bit, but this is the first time I've tried it.  I have to admit, this interactive portion of the card is really fun to play with.  You can move the bubbles in all sorts of configurations.

To create the frame around the seahorses, I applied Sparkling Sea Sparkle N Soft flocking to double sided tape.  Sea shells and coral brads complete the underwater feel.

Be sure to head back on Monday for the beginning of the Die-Versions July New Releases.  You won't be disappointed.

Summer Treats

Here's a quick and fun idea using the new Sandcastle Sweet Petite from Die-Versions.  It's a coupon book that you can fill will all sorts of special treats for the kids during the summer.

I've used Mudd Puddles (Tropical Beach) to cover the sandcastle and popsicle brads to hod the coupon book closed.   Die-Versions Sparkler and Mister Micro fonts were used to create the title of the coupon book.

School of Fish

Fishing with Dad is one of the new stamp sets from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The technique used on the first panel is a new one introduced on the SNS Blog a few weeks ago - Stains and Shimmer.  I modified it just a bit and used Distress Inks on the base and used Distress Stains for the shimmer.  The embossing folder is an old Cuttlebug folder called Spots and Dots.

To create the fish, I tried my hand at using a brayer.  Although I've had it for a long time, I've never gotten around to trying it but was inspired by some of the beautiful pieces by Shona on the design team.  For my first attempt, it was't bad but it wasn't as smooth as I would have liked.  (Guess I need to practice some more.)   After brayering the ink onto a piece of cardstock, I added Opaline embossing powder and heat set it for a shimmery look.

Next, I stamped the fish image multiple times and fussy cut each one of them out.  I also stamped the fish directly onto the background (but it's hard to see them in the photo).  I pop dotted the colored fish, added a few brads, some netting, and a die cut anchor by MFT to complete my undersea scene.

Bicycle Race

When I saw this new rubber stamp set called Bicycles from Sparkle N Sprinkle, the "Bicycle Race" song by Queen immediately started playing in my head.  So I decided to use lyrics from the chorus as my background.  I copied them into Word, changed the color of the font and made it semi-transparent.  I also digitally colored the gradient background.

Next I stamped one of the bicycle images directly onto the lyrics and began adding my Copic markers.  Since the background is already a shade of green, you need to be careful of which colors you choose.  I used V22 and V25 for the bike.  Even though these are violets, they appear more of a silvery-gray color.

I stamped the image twice so I could pop dot the basket of flowers as well as the bouquet beneath the seat.  After coloring (and fussy cutting), I added Flower Soft (Heather mix) to all of the flowers.  It's hard to tell in the photos, but I also sprinkled Orchid Rose velvet glitter on all the flowers.  You want to shake off the excess Flower Soft and sprinkle on the glitter before the glue dries. It gives it just the right amount of sparkle.  I also added Orchid Rose to the bow and ribbon streamers trailing under the seat as well.  Sonic Silver velvet glitter was added to the chrome areas of the bike, including the pedal.

The final steps were to add a few details.  I faux stitched around each panel to coordinate with the stitching on my ribbon and I glittered the brads with Orchid Rose as well.  (You can see the tutorial on how to do this here.)