Saturday, May 31, 2014

Camping


Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle June New Release.  This month, FIVE new stamp sets are being introduced. Until June 3, the sets are 20% off their regular price (no promo code needed). The Camera Life rubber stamp set is available on Cling Mounted Rubber, as a digital image, and is also included in Technique Video Kit for this month.



The sets are:




Travelin (camper) #630 (Digital Stamp Set available)

plus



 Cruisin' Digital Stamp Set #Digi629, which contains all the cars and trucks, including a VW Beetle #Digi629.2, is available. 





My card features two of the new sets, Vintage Pickup and Travelin'.  I actually used the digi versions as I wanted to reverse the direction of the pickup truck (plus I made them a little larger).  I could have also used a reversing stamp to get the same results, but this was quicker for me.


After printing all of the images, including the picnic table and umbrella from the Travelin' digi set, I colored the images with Copic markers and fussy cut them out.  I added a couple of strips of 1/4" Tear-ific tape to the camper and covered the exposed adhesive with Blue Jewel glitter.  Dimensional Glue was added to the hub caps on the Vintage PickUp and covered with Sonic Silver velvet glitter.  All of the windows on both vehicles are covered with Glossy Accents.  Glossy Accents was also added to the picnic table tablecloth and Starfire glitter was immediately sprinkled into the wet adhesive, reminiscent of those old sparkly plastic tablecloths that were used for outdoor eating :-).


The background was created by brayering Distress Inks onto white cardstock.  The tree in the background is by Die-Versions (Spring Tree) and the birds are part of the die.  I've added blossoms to the tree using Sizzix's Flower, Forsythia die.  The flowers were cut from Sticker paper and Bubble Gum glitter was added to the adhesive portion of the paper.  I saved the backings from each of the die cut flowers and these became the white blossoms on the tree.  Liquid Pearls was added to each of the centers.  All of the leaves are covered with Dimensional Glue and Lator Gator velvet glitter.

The new SNS Creative Challenges also begins today, with lots of prizes and recognition badges. 

The winners of the blog hop will be announced on June 3 on Facebook, the SNS blog, and on our blogs:


Enjoy checking out all the great creations from the Designers and don't forget to leave a comment for each of us to be eligible for winning one of these fabulous new sets.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Life's Simple Pleasures


The Garden Silhouette is one of the new rubber stamp sets making it's debut this month from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Although there are several images with this set, as a cat person, I knew right away which one I was going to play with.

The image is stamped with VersaMark ink and heat set with Blackened Bronze mixed media embossing powder.  These mixed media embossing powders leave a halo around an image, so you need to be selective on which types of images you use them on.  (Be sure to watch the video to see lots of great ways to use these new powders.)  It did leave a halo around the silhouette, but on the blue cardstock, it looks more like a shadow - so I was ok with the halo.  Also note that the halo effect looks much starker/harsher in the up-close photos than it does in person.  The sentiment, part of the set was stamped with Distress Ink (Salty Ocean) and heat embossed with Clear embossing powder.

The lattice behind the focal point is a Spellbinders background die (Criss Cross) that is covered with Opaline embossing powder to give it a soft shimmer.  Most of the butterflies are from punches and were given to me.  I spiced them up a bit by scribbling a Sakura glue pen on the wings and added Cloud Nine Velvet glitter.  The very small butterflies are from the Butterflies Delight die by Memory Box.  The banner, a die from MFT (Fishtail Flags Stax), is also heat set with Opaline embossing powder.  The edges of the card base is distressed with Distress Inks (Spun Sugar, Tea Dye) as is the blue card stock (Salty Ocean).


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Leafy Flourish


I had so many ideas for Leafy Flourish, a new rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle, but I finally settled on a color blocking scheme.
One of my other ideas is to create coasters out of plain tiles from the local big box home improvement center - but that will be for another day :-).

The way the background turned out really reminds me of a ceramic tile that you would see bordering a kitchen backsplash (or something like that).    I started out by coloring the stamp itself with Distress Markers (Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimmon, Festive Berries, Faded jeans) and then stamping the colored image onto my cardstock.  Next it was heat embossed with Clear embossing powder.

Then I brought out my sponge daubers and vigorously applied Distress Ink (Tea Dye) to the entire background.  This rubbed off small areas of the heat embossed image, exposing the white cardstock in the background.  Love the variegated look this achieved for the background.  


Once that was completed, I covered the entire square with VersaMark and heat embossed Clear embossing powder a couple different times.  Doing it more than once gives it that textured look and feel.

To bring out the blue in the center of the image, I adhered 1/8" Tear-ific tape around the edges and burnished Blue Jewel glitter into the exposed adhesive.  1/8" Tear-ific Tape was also applied to the edges of the card base and covered with Orange Marmalade embossing powder. 

The sentiment, which is part of the set, was heat embossed onto Clear Embossable Acetate (using Black Soot Distress Ink and Clear embossing powder) and was die cut using the Banners Stacklet from Taylored Expressions.  The frame around the sentiment is also die cut from the same set and heat embossed with a couple layers of Clear embossing powder.  For this one, I made sure to throughly heat the powder each time, creating a perfectly smooth and shiny frame for the sentiment.   

Monday, May 26, 2014

A Chirpy Hello



Nesting Birds, one of the new rubber stamp sets from Sparkle N Sprinkle, is today's inspiration.  The photo is a bit on the lighter side so you could see the dark cardstock better.  The close-up shows the more vivid colors of the stamped image.

I usually start off by stamping my image and then after it's colored, decide what shape (if any) to die cut it in.  This time around, I started with the Spellbinders Decorative Label Twenty Two and stamped the image to fit inside the area.  Copic markers were used to color the image and Mimosa Sparkle N Soft was added to the flowering portion of the plants.


I also stamped the separate flower/leaf, colored it with Copics, and fussy cut it out.  Once the Mimosa flock was dry on this one, I adhered it next to my sentiment, which is heat embossed with Chocolate Sparkle embossing powder.  Timeless Rectangles (by Spellbinders) was the die used to cut out the sentiment.

The background is actually a die from Cheery Lynn Designs (Lattice Circles) that was dry embossed instead of cut out.  This was adhered to the next layer, brown cardstock that is covered with Dark Chocolate flock (with the help of 1/8" and 1/2" Tear-ific Tape).


Friday, May 23, 2014

You Are Here


Sparkle N Sprinkle has come out with a fun mixed media rubber stamp set called Travel Mixed Media.

To start off, I stamped the map with VersaMark and then heat set it with Blackened Bronze, one of the new mixed media embossing powders.  If you look closely, it leaves a soft black halo around the entire image.  I was ok with it for this project as it automatically aged the white cardstock for me.  The halo effect looks more dramatic in the photos.  In person, it's much more subtle.

The rest of the elements, including the patterned paper, are digital elements from DSE (Digital Scrapbook Experts) that I've had for quite some time.  I printed them out and then fussy cut around each piece.  I applied glue from a Sakura glue pen around the edges of two of the elements and the word "vacation" and then added Gypsy Red velvet glitter to the glue.  The lens of the camera has Opaline embossing powder heat set on it and the car was covered in glossy accents for a more dimensional  look.  The yellow netting behind the map is part of a recycled vegetable bag and the brown cardstock was crimped, using a crimper.  If you're like me, this is one of those tools that you probably have hidden somewhere and forget to use it.  It's fun to bring those things out every now and then and play with them.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Floral Flourish


This new rubber stamp set, Floral Flourish, from Sparkle N Sprinkle just screamed to be heat embossed.  So that's what I did :-).

I stamped the image with Adirondack ink (Meadow), quickly heat embossed it with Clear embossing powder (since it is a dye ink and dries faster than pigment inks), and colored it with Copic markers.  I actually stamped the image twice and fussy cut both out, so it would have a bit more dimension on the tag without adding any pop dots.

The background for the tag was created using another soon-to-be-released set from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Journal Mixed Media.  I stamped the journaling stamp multiple times (and in random directions) all over the tag and then heat set it with Clear embossing powder.  Next I dug out my rarely used Chiffon White pigment ink (by Color Box) and randomly stamped the second image (it sort of reminds me of fencing or chicken wire).

Before the pigment ink was dry, I sprinkled Starfire glitter over and it stuck (even when I brushed it with my fingertip).  Just to make sure the glitter stayed in place, I also sprayed the tag with a matte sealer.  This did darken the background kraft cardstock slightly.  But the good news is that the darker background does make the image pop off the tag even more.

The sentiment, also part of the Floral Flourishes set, was stamped onto a sentiment banner from Simon Says Stamp.  I added a bit more Starfire glitter around the edges of the banner using a Sakura glue pen.

Scroll down (or click here) to see the winners of the SNS May Release.  Nana Connie was the commenter who won from my blog.  :-) Congrats to all the winners.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

SNS May Reveal Winners

Hi!  Thank you for participating in Sparkle N Sprinkle's May Release
Eight new stamp sets were released and five new digital stamp sets.

Travel Mixed Media #607
Floral Flourish #634
Leafy Flourish #641
Nesting Bird #602   (digital available)
Church Sympathy #604   (digital available)
Across the Miles #603   (digital available)
Spunky with Flowers #605 (digital available)
Garden Silhouette #600 (digital available)


Winners will choose an embossing powder and glitter to go with their new set

** or **
instead of rubber, glitter and embossing powder
you may select:

$25 worth of images from our new Digital Line


Our winners are:

From:
  1. Anita's Blog - KATY - Floral Flourish #634
  2. Anne's Blog - NANA CONNIE - Spunky with Flowers #605
  3. Shona's Blog - SHELLY SCHMIDT - Garden Silhouette #600
  4. Donna's Blog - MARYLOUH - Leafy Flourish #641
  5. Eret's Blog - MALLIE METS - Nesting Bird #602
  6. Emmy's Blog - SUE D - Across the Miles #603
  7. Mayra's Blog - LOULOU - Travel Mixed Media #607
  8. April's Blog - PJW - Church Sympathy #604
When sending your requests, please include the product name and number so no mistakes are made.
Please e-mail SNS_Artist@tampabay.rr.com with your mailing address, choice of one glitter and one embossing powder which can be used with your new stamp sets, and we will mail your prize.
ALTERNATELY - you may choose $25 worth of images from our new Digital Line

We look forward to sharing ideas from 5 new stamps sets on June 1.


hugs always from The Sparkle Team,

Church Sympathy

For the Sparkle N Sprinkle May Reveal, please click here (or scroll down)



Church Sympathy is a beautiful rubber stamp set from Sparkle N Sprinkle and one of the new May reveal stamp sets.  However, I think it can be used for many other occasions as well.

I started out by stamping the image in StazOn onto watercolor paper and then colored it with a waterbrush and Distress markers.  I used an oval die as a barrier so I could add color to the background with Distress Inks (Chipped Sapphire, Wild Honey, Gathered Twig, Stormy Sky), keeping a white area around the image itself.  After I was happy with the colors, I flicked water on the background.  (Tim Holtz calls this the Spritz and Flick technique because you spritz water onto your fingers and then flick the water onto the inks.)

Since my background is pretty dark, I wanted to bring brightness around the focal image.  I die cut a piece of textured cardstock with a Spellbinders Opulent Oval die and then covered it with VersaMark and heat set it with Gold embossing powder.  This particular gold gives it a nice rich tone.

The sentiment was heat embossed, using the same Gold embossing powder onto some white cardstock that was die cut using the Banners Stacklets 2 from Taylored Expressions.  However, I gave it a twist and die cut the same piece twice, so both ends would be rounded.  I didn't want this to be a stark white, so I mixed some Distress Stains (Picket Fence and Tumbled Glass) onto my craft sheet with my finger, spritzed some water on it and ran my sentiment through the color.  Then I dried it with my heat tool.

I used the Distressed Embossing technique around the sentiment, the focal piece, and the card base.  All were done with VersaMark and the Gold embossing powder.

As a finishing touch, I applied some more Distress Stains (Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry) to my craft sheet and ran some seam binding ribbon through it to give it color.  Then I tied a double loop bow and adhered it to the top of the oval.


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Wedding Bouquet

For the Sparkle N Sprinkle May Reveal, please scroll down, or click here.


Die-Versions' May release is all about Wedding Bells and Father's Day.  Today's card showcases three of the new dies released this month: the Wedding Bouquet, and two Sweet Wordlets Bridal and Shower.  (Don't you just love how you can mix and match these Sweet Wordlets?  I do.)

The bouquet was die cut from watercolor paper and colored with Distress Markers and a water brush.  I also added Bubble Gum and Sunny Daze glitters from Sparkle N Sprinkle to the flowers, words, and bow to have these pop more.

Once again, I've dry embossed my background using the Die-Versions Diamonds Background die (love that versatility).  I added a couple strands of coordinating ribbon, completing this CAS invitation.


Sunday, May 18, 2014

SNS May Reveal



Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's May Reveal.
Our website was not playing nicely, so we are a bit late showing off our May projects with the new images.

This month Sparkle N Sprinkle is introducing EIGHT new rubber stamp sets and 5 new digital sets. Through May 21, the rubber stamp sets are 20% off their regular price.
The beautiful Nesting Bird set is available:
 on Cling Mounted Rubber
as a digital image
and is also included in Jazzy Jill's Technique Video for the month.

SPECIAL FOR VIDEO KIT CUSTOMERS ONLY:
FREE shipping any size order. When checking out in the on-line store, please use a credit card (not PayPal) and write VIDEO KIT CUSTOMER in the COMMENTS section. Your account will be manually adjusted.
Video Kit Customers using PayPal, please phone the office to receive free shipping.
Offer expires May 21, 2014.

On May 21 EIGHT winners will be selected from the comments left on the designers' blogs listed below. Each winner will receive a new stamp set, and the choice of one embossing powder and glitter to go with their new set.

The new stamp sets are:

Travel Mixed Media #607
Floral Flourish #634
Leafy Flourish #641
Nesting Bird #602   (digital available)
Church Sympathy #604   (digital available)
Across the Miles #603   (digital available)
Spunky with Flowers #605 (digital available)
Garden Silhouette #600 (digital available)



Now a little bit about my project.



I've chosen the Across the Miles stamp set to showcase today.  After coloring the image with Copic markers, I added Dimensional Glue to the flower centers and covered it with Bubble Gum glitter.

Using a WeR Memory Keepers Envelope board, I created an envelope to fit the image and one of the sentiments from the set was randomly heat embossed over the entire area with Tangy Tangerine embossing powder.

Numbers and Letters embossing folder (by Spellbinders) was used to create the background for my envelope.  I ran some VersaMark over the entire area and sprinkled some Opaline embossing powder over it and heat set.

I added a bit of twine to the end of my fishtail banner, which I scored along the edges with a score board.  Another sentiment is also heat embossed with Tangy Tangerine embossing powder on the banner.  As a finishing touch, the Distressed Embossing technique was done around the edges of the card base, using Distress Ink (Mowed Lawn) and Clear embossing powder.

I will be showcasing the other new stamp sets in this month's release each weekday beginning on May 21st, including the Nesting Bird (which you've already seen a sneak peek for).  So I hope you come back (daily) to see the rest of my projects with these new stamp sets.

The blog hop winners will be announced on May 21 on Facebook, the SNS blog, and on our blogs:

Anita Scroggins
Steff Munnings
Donna Ellis
Shona Erlenborn
Eret Pank
Mayra Hernandez
Emmy van den Heuvel
Belinda Shupe
Marie Berquist
April Williams
Anne Temple (you're here)


Thanks for being patient with us and hope you've enjoyed this extra special Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop.


Friday, May 16, 2014

Peacock canvas


Today's challenge from Pattie's Creations is "No, No, No - Anything BUT a Card".  Normally when this is the challenge, my usual go-to thing is to make a tag.  But I wanted to stretch my boundaries and go outside my comfort zone.

I began by printing and coloring Pattie's Peacock image with Copic markers and adding a touch of Rapture Blue glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle to the centers of the feathers.  When I googled images of peacocks, I was amazed at the variations of colors they came in, including all white which was absolutely stunning.



Now to decide how to showcase this beautiful image.  I had this 8"x8" canvas laying around that I've had for a very long time (I even moved it with me) and I decided that now is the time to use it.  I started off by applying Pan Pastels to the white base and blending several colors together to achieve a background that coordinated with my colors.



I wanted something subtle in the background, so I dug out my translucent embossing paste and a MFT stencil (Spring Flowers).  The embossing paste goes on milky but dries clear.  While the paste was still wet, I covered all the flowers with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Cloud Nine velvet glitter to give them a frosted look.   I didn't add any other embellishments since I decided I wanted to hang this in my craft room and I'm more of a "less is better" type of crafter.

I have to say I was pretty pleased with the outcome.  I guess I should get out of my comfort zone more often.  You have two weeks to upload your creation and I can't wait to see what you come up with.  While you're visiting the PCDC Blog, be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

For a Great Guy


Today's card features the new Vest die just released by Die-Versions.  The die itself measures approximately 6.75" wide by 3.75" tall and the completed vest measures about 3.25" by 3.75".  There are score lines incorporated into the die, so the vest can close easily.




As soon as I saw this die, I knew that I wanted to cut some fabric with it.  The pocket and pocket flaps are separate, so you can die cut as many as you want.

I've added faux stitching all around and brads for a more authentic looking vest.  It would be cool to run this through a embossing folder to give it a quilted look too.  (I did do this, but the fabric I happened to choose doesn't hold the embossed design as well as I hoped.)

I also added an extra pocket on the inside to hold a gift card.  I just die cut the fabric again and cut off the sides (that way I didn't have to measure :-). )  As you can see, I added some white stitching on the inside as well.

The photo on the right shows you the sentiment (or journaling) card I created, using the gift card as my template.  That way I can write a quick note on the back of this.  The sentiments (which are a sneak peek from a new rubber stamp set - Vintage Pickup - coming soon from Sparkle N Sprinkle) was stamped with Distress Ink and heat embossed with Clear embossing powder.


On the left is what the vest looks like when opened and reveals the gift card.

The diamond background (again to give it a quilted look) was dry embossed using the DV Diamonds Background die.  The strip of patterned paper is from Carta Bella (Giddy Up - Boy).  I've added a bit of twine and my card for this great guy is completed.  Love how this die could be for any occasion - Father's Day, Birthday, or Just Because.




Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Save the Date



Save the Date Express Edge is one of the new dies released this month from Die-Versions.  I'm not sure if it's a Southern thing, but sending out announcements about saving the date for an upcoming wedding is pretty popular around here.

What better way to announce an upcoming wedding than to have a sparkly wedding cake front and center?  This is an older release from Die-Versions called Cut the Cake and the background is a portion of the Morocco Background die, also covered in glitter.  


I recently discovered a super easy way to cover an intricate die cut with glitter.  You can check out Jennifer McGuire's video here.  She used it for a background and I've used it as a focal point, but the idea is the same.  I've done this technique the longer/harder/more time-consuming way (adding back each individual die cut piece) and believe me, this way is so much easier!  I adhered some Sparkle N Sprinkle 2 1/2" Tear-ific tape to cardstock and ran it through my machine.  It cut through the release paper like butter, leaving the cardstock uncut.  If I had added a shim, it would have cut through the cardstock as well.  

The Express Edge was covered with Glossy Accents and then Bubble Gum glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The pink portion of the cake is also Bubble Gum glitter and the white icing is Bridal glitter (love the texture of this particular glitter.)  The photos don't do this sparkly Save the Date announcement justice.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Sneak Peek


As some of you may have noticed, the Sparkle N Sprinkle website has been having some difficulties.  They have recently switched web servers, but not all of the most recent info is up yet.

So, I'm going to tease you with some sneak peeks periodically until I can show you the entire projects.  For this first sneak peek, I'm giving you a glimpse of the new Nesting Birds rubber stamp set.  Check back soon for the entire card and instructions :-)


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Peace Roses



Challenge #39 at Time4Scrap is all about being feminine.  The theme going forward is always Anything Goes.  Our sponsors for this challenge are Aurora Wings and Dilly Beans.

I've used Peace Roses by Aurora Wings and she is colored with Copic markers with touches of Spica glitter pens here and there (of course the camera doesn't capture these very well).


The petals behind the image is one of those large flowers that I've had forever and cut in half.  I also spruced up the individual petals with Copics and Spica glitter pens.  The Lifestyles Crafts (Nesting Rick Rack Squares) frame was heat embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Velvet Sparkle embossing powder for even more subtle shimmer.  Pearls frame the image itself to add the finishing touch.

You have two weeks to upload your feminine creation to Time4Scrap.  We can't wait to see what you do.