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 Push my Buttons

Push My Buttons - that's the theme for this week's Dude Time Doodles Inspiration Challenge.  Pretty easy, right?!

Nicky Lotsaspaghetti, a Bonibleaux Designs image, wanted to get in the act this week because he acts like a tough guy when people push his buttons.  Yet no one can resist pushing his buttons because he's a teddy bear on the inside of that rough exterior.  After coloring the image with Copic markers, I used the Scrap-Mart die from Spellbinders to cut it out.  I hand stitched around both the image and one of the panels with paper floss as well as threading the buttons with the same floss.

You'll have one week (until 8/28) to upload your creation using buttons to Dude Time Doodles.  Be sure to check out the rest of the team's creations too.  You won't be disappointed.

Football anyone?

Hambo Stamps definitely has a lot of cute images - both rubber and digital.  This is Football Girl and she and her teddy are getting ready to play some footballllllllllllll.....  She's not intimidated by anything and she knows: Girls Can Do Anything Boys Can Do, Only Better!

Copics were used to color in the image and the sentiment was computer generated.  I also added hand stitched circles to give it a little extra punch.

Copics used: YR61,YR65, YR68   E35, E37   RV11, E15, E19, E37    YG23, YG13   E00, E01, E11    G17, G29    E97,E74    C2, C4, C7

Fall Splendor

Edited: Fall Spendor was published in the February, 2011 edition of Scrapbook News and review Magazine.

For a change of pace, I decided to share a layout I made for the Stash Challenge over at Challenge Masters.  You had to use die cuts that were already in your stash (you couldn't cut them specifically for this project). 

The photo is a cluster of trees in my yard taken last fall (it's been too hot and dry this year for any great changes of color).  I hand-stitched concentric circles, using both paper floss and embrodery floss.  Then I added the photo and my die cut leaves.  The title in the bottom left says "joys of the season".  I love to see the changing leaves every fall.  Granted we don't get nearly the degree of color in the South as they do in Vermont, but it's still gorgeous here.

Here is a close up: