Zendoodle Flowers

Here's a quick change of pace from all the Christmas cards I've been making - a spring criss-cross card featuring the Zendoodle Flowers stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

I used a couple different techniques on this card - stamping with Staz-On on Cloud Nine velvet glitter.  (See the technique here in the SNS Tips and Techniques section) and watercoloring on velvet glitter (the SNS Tips and Techniques tutorial can be found here).  After stamping the image with black Staz-On, I used Distress Markers and my water brush to color the sky.  One of the cool things I discovered is that if you make a little boo-boo, just re-wet it and blot it dry with a paper towel  (very helpful when the color went outside of where I wanted it to go).  For the rest of the image, I colored it directly with Distress Markers as I wanted these colors to be bolder and more vivid.  I also found that if I blotted a small section right after coloring, it fades that little area, giving a nice blending effect.

Here's a closer view of the insert for the criss cross card.  I wish the camera captured how shimmery and glittery this is in person - it's pretty amazing.  I wish SNS sold the Cloud Nine velvet glitter in a huge tub size, as it's SO versatile.  Another thing I love about all the velvet glitters is that they don't come off when you rub your finger across it.  (We received a store bought Christmas card that had lots of glitter on it and my hubby kept pointing out all the glitter specs I had - all night long :-)  It was everywhere.)

Since the inside of the card is so glittery, I had to bling up the outside a bit.  Raspberry Soda glitter, Luau Green velvet glitter and two sizes of Tear-ific tape (1/4" and 1/2") to the rescue.   Lay down the tape and add the glitter.  Be sure to burnish it well with your finger or a bone folder.   Now you've got lots of sparkle and bling exactly where you want it - all over your card (and not all over you).

M is for MOM; G is for Guest Designer!

I'm so excited!   I was asked to be the Guest Designer at Stamp-by-Step for the month of May. I'll be sharing different projects with you each week.  Almost all the supplies in each project can be found at the store.

Since Mother's Day is next week (better get those gifts ready!), my first project is for all the moms.  I decided to make a criss-cross card (here's a tutorial) to better showcase the image of a mom surrounded by little ones. 

This is what the card looks like when you pull up on the ribbon to reveal the image (and any sentiment you wish to add).  I love all these bright papers and the old fashioned feel of this image.

Be sure to come back next week to see what else I've created with products from Step-by-Step.