Be Yourself

Today I'm showcasing one of the new March Release stamp sets called Amazing You - Paisley Elephant from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

SNS is starting something new this month, beginning today.  Instead of a traditional blog hop, the designers will begin showcasing the new sets on the 5th of each month and a winner of a $20 gift certificate to SNS will be chosen at the end of each month.  The winner will be chosen from comments left on both the SNS Blog and a Mystery Designer's blog.

Although this isn't my normal style, it was fun creating this mixed media card.  I started out by applying various Distress Oxides to white cardstock and then spritzing it with water.  After this dried, I used my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform and a Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Black Shadow) to stamp my image onto my colored background.  Immediately after stamping the image, I covered it with Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set it.


The smallest die from the Swirling Frame die set was used for the sentiment.  I used the same process (Distress Oxides, Stamp Platform, Nuvo Hybrid Ink, Clear Detail) as above to create this tag.  This is pop dotted on top of the card base for a bit of dimension.

After die cutting the next layer using the Sizzix die (Damask), I set it aside to work on the card base.  The card base was die cut using the largest die from the Tonic Studios die set (Swirling Frame) and was die cut from a Super Adhesive Sheet.

After removing the protective sheet, I adhered the mat and my focal image to the adhesive sheet.  I couldn't decide whether I wanted to use glitter or gilding flakes, so I experimented and used both. 😀  I began by randomly adding the Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Radiant Gold) to certain areas and then I covered the rest of the exposed area with Collegiate Garnet glitter.  When I was removing the excess, the gilding flakes co-mingled with the glitter and I thought they looked pretty good together.  I saved this combo in a separate container and will use it in a future project.  (On a side note, if you decide to do this too, remember that the flakes are much lighter than the glitter so you will need to stir it up before using it to get an even distribution of glitter and gilding flakes.)

The focal point wasn't as prominent as I would like after completing the card base so I created a frame around the elephant using 1/8" Tear-ific Tape.  Once the adhesive was exposed, I covered it with Black Diamond microfine glitter.  This was the extra pop that it needed.

I have to say that the photos don't quite do this card justice.  The dark jewel tones of the Collegiate Garnet glitter and the bright pops of gold from the Gilding Flakes are much more vibrant in person.

Thanks for taking a look today and be sure to leave a comment both here and on my post on the SNS Blog for a chance to go shopping at Sparkle N Sprinkle.  No one knows who the Mystery Designer is this month (and it might just be me).  There will be new projects on the SNS Blog every day for your inspiration and for increasing your chances of winning.  Good luck!


Products:

Stamps: Amazing You-Paisley Elephant 884

Glitter: Collegiate Garnet (G1114); Black Diamond (GM2046)

Embossing Powder: Clear Detail (EP280)

Dies: Tonic Studios (Swirling Frame); Sizzix (Damask)

Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Black Shadow) 

Distress Oxides (Seedless Preserves, Fossilized Amber, Candied Apple)

Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Radiant Gold)

Super AdhesiveSheets (SAS02)

1/8” Tear-ific Tape

¼” Tear-ific Tape

Tangerine die cutting machine

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Pretty Blooms {Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Blog Hop}

Welcome to the February 2018 
Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Blog Hop! 

We are pleased to reveal the following new stamp sets this month.

 873 Pretty Blooms
Digital Version: DIGI873B

883 Whispers of Comfort-Hydrangea
Digital Version: DIGI883BG

885 Bonnet Birdie
Digital Version: DIGI885BG

886 Happiness Greetings
Digital Version: DIGI886DE

887 Balloon Bunch
Digital Version: DIGI887BG

DIGI3140M Snowman with a Heart (digi only) 

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.

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 a $20 Gift Certificate to the shoppe!

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.)
  
Lisa
Irit
Diane
Chris
Donna
Sabrina
Jess
Eret
Anne
Shona

The Blog Hop runs from the 15th - 17th of each month.  

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SNS also has two kit clubs: The Stamp and Card-Making Video Kit Club is released on the 1st of each month and the new Multi-Project Kit Club is released on the 15th of each month.  Subscribe to the SNS You-Tube Channel to get great inspiration using all the products available in each kit.

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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.

Products used:

Stamps: Pretty Blooms 873

Glitter: Butterscotch (GM2051)

Embossing Powder: Clear Detail (EP280)

Dies: Lil’Inker Designs (Quilted Stitched Pattern die)

Embossing Folder: Tonic Studios Layered Leaves

VersaFine
Nuvo Crystal Drops (Crushed Grape)
Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Radiant Gold)
¼” Tear-ific Tape
Nuvo Glue Pen (Medium)
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
Tangerine die cutting machine
Zig Clean Brush water markers

For this card, I stamped the Pretty Blooms image with Versafine ink onto watercolor paper.  I used the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform so that I could get good coverage and then I heat set it with Clear Detail embossing powder.

Next I watercolored the image and background using Zig Clean Brush watercolor markers.  I added Butterscotch microfine glitter to the flower petals and Nuvo Crystal Drops (Crushed Grape) to the flower centers.  The image was then fussy cut out.

The mat behind the focal image was stamped using VersaFine and heat set with Clear Detail embossing powder.  Then I ran it through my Tangerine using a Lil' Inkers die (Quilted Stitched Pattern die).  I tied a ribbon around this mat and adhered my focal image.

For the card base, I ran the Medium tip Nuvo Glue Pen around the edges, let it get tacky, and then added Radiant Gold Nuvo Gilding Flakes.  The next step was to run this through my Tangerine, this time using a Tonic Studios embossing folder (Layered Leaves).  I love how the dry embossed gilding flakes look.

Your next stop on the SNS Blog Hop is Shona and I know you'll love what she's created for the hop!  Don't forget to leave each of us a comment for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to go shopping at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Teacup Pansies

The new Teacup Pansies set from Sparkle N Sprinkle is so pretty and I had lots of different ideas on how to use this set.  For today's card, I used the digi version, mainly so I could make my sentiment be the focal point and the image as the embellishment (albeit a rather large embellishment).

I printed the image twice so that I could fussy cut the flowers from one of the printed images and then pop dot them on top of main image.  Both the flowers and the teacup were colored with Copics before adding anything else.

I started out by adding some tacky glue (Nuvo Glue pen) to the border and the small dots at the top of the teacup. Then Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Radiant Gold) was applied to the glue once it was tacky to the touch.  Next, I added several layers of Super Thick Clear embossing powder to the teacup.  After placing the teacup in the freezer for about 20 minutes, I took it out and cracked the embossing powder (the cracked glass technique) so that fine lines would appear.  A little Distress Ink gives highlights to the cracks.

Eggplant glitter was added to the throats of the pansies and Lady Luck glitter gives the leaves extra bling.

The Decorative Border die (by Heartsfelt Creations) was used for the background.  I die cut this twice, once from purple cardstock and once from white cardstock and then offset the purple from the white, giving it a light shadow effect.

The sentiment was die cut using a Taylored Expressions die (Banner Stacklets 2) and then I outlined the letters with a Sakura glue pen.  More Eggplant glitter was then added to the letters.

A Nuvo Glue Pen (small tip) was used to outline the border of the sentiment die cut.  Once the glue felt tacky to the touch, I adhered more Radiant Gold gilding flakes.  The large tip Nuvo Glue Pen was used to add strips of glue to the focal layer and once it was tacky to the touch, Radiant Gold was added.

she said YES

Today's card showcases several dies from Die-Versions.  The Heart Proposal die was recently released and I thought it paired well with the Express Edge "Save the Date" die.  The sentiment uses the Curly Fries font die.

I started out by die cutting the Heart proposal twice, once from Sticker Paper and once from white cardstock.  I fussy cut out the couple, added adhesive with a Nuvo Glue pen and allowed the glue to dry a bit and become tacky.  Once it was tacky to the touch, I added Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Sunkissed Copper) to the couple and then adhered them on top of the exposed adhesive from the Sticker Paper die cut.

Remove all the backing paper from the Sticker Paper die cut and cover the entire thing with a piece of Deco Foil. To make sure it was well adhered, I burnished it into the adhesive with my fingertip.  It works beautifully and I didn't need a laminating machine 😀.  Although in the photo it looks as if the heart portion is both copper colored as well as red, it's the reflection from the Gilding Flakes.

Before die cutting the Save The Date die cut and the letters from the Curly Fries font I applied VersaMark and Candlelight embossing powder to a piece of scrap paper and heat set it.  The I die cut the Express Edge as well as the specific letters I wanted.  To make the "YES" stand out a bit more, I colored it with a marker and then rubbed some of it off.  This way the copper colored background still shows through a bit.

This layer was adhered to a piece of mirrored cardstock and as a finishing touch, a strip of tulle with a knot tied into it was added to the bottom.  (Tie the knot...get it 😂😂😂.  Sorry - couldn't resist!)

Be sure to visit the Die-Versions blog to see what the rest of the team has created for you.  And remember, you can always get an extra 15% off your Die-Versions purchases (everyday sales price) when you use the code anne15.

I am SO Irish!

Today's card is celebrating the day that everyone has a little Irish in them - St. Patrick's Day.  😀   Edward Elephant #1 from Sparkle N Sprinkle is available in both rubber and a digi version.  For my card today I used the digi version and after printing it out, colored him with Copic markers.

Elegant Emerald and Misty Isles glitter accents the greens and Celestial glitter was added to the gold coins.  The pot of gold is covered with Neon glitter - Exhilarated Green.  I added a very light layer of brushable glue to the pot of gold so some of the details from the image would still show through the glitter.

The chicky is covered with flock: Sun Dazzle for his body and Paprika for his beak.  A bit of Elephant Gray flock was added to Edward's toes.

Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Sunkissed Copper) makes the buckle on Edward's hat shine.  Pan Pastels were used to give a touch of color to the dry embossed background layer (Sizzix - Damask embossing folder).

The sentiment, which is part of the set, was printed and added to a strip of white cardstock outlined with Misty Isles glitter.  Pan Pastels were added to the sentiment itself for a bit of color.

The card base edges were covered with 1/2" Tear-ific Tape and then more Elegant Emerald glitter was added.

Stella - Dear Santa

Stella - Dear Santa is one of seven new rubber stamp sets released this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I used the digi version, and after printing it out, Copic markers were used to color the image.  Then I fussy cut out the entire thing.  This message just makes me laugh out loud 😄.

Collegiate Garnet glitter was added to her belt buckle and the word "Santa".  To apply the glitter to the word, first outline it with a glue pen (I used a Sakura glue pen) and then cover with the glitter of your choice.

Green Iris glitter accents her hat and shoes and Nuvo Crystal Drops (Morning Dew) was added to the ornaments. Nuvo Gilding Flakes (Sunkissed Copper) was added to the edges by first applying glue from the large Nuvo glue pen.  Let the glue dry for a little bit.  Once the glue feels tacky to the touch, add the guilding flakes.  Save all the excess and place back in the jar.

Crafters Companion embossing folders were used to create texture on both the circle behind the image (Christmas Merriment) as well as the cranberry layer (Distress).  Distress Ink was used on the circle to have the raised areas pop with a touch of color.