Monday, June 30, 2014

Under the Mistletoe



Welcome to the July New Reveal from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  This month EIGHT new stamp sets are being introduced. Until July 3, the sets are 20% off their regular price.  The darling "Under the Mistletoe", stamp set #556, is available on Cling Mounted Rubber, as a digital image, and is also included in This Month's Technique Video.

The sets are:





Under The Mistletoe #556 - (digital available)

Feline Humor #631 - (digital available)

Old Friends #633 - (digital available)

Gran's Chair #627 - (digital available)






Winter Stream #601 - ( (digital available)

A Savior #637 - (digital available)

Beach Friends #644 - (digital available)

Daisies #619 - (digital available)












On July 3 one Grand-Prize winner will be selected from the comments left on the designers' blogs listed below. The Grand Prize Winner will receive their choice of 

1) all the new rubber stamp sets
or 
2) all the new digital stamps and digital stamp sets. 

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

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




Now for a bit about my project.   This cute little penguin is just waiting to get a little kiss from his special someone.  After stamping him in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloring him with Copics, I applied some Dimensional Glue to the beard and white parts of the Santa hat and coat sleeves.  I covered the glue with Sparkle N Soft Twinkling Clouds and let it air dry.  One of the things I like about this glue is that it really dries with dimension (assuming you don't smush it before it's completely dry).

Gypsy Red Velvet glitter was added to the berries on the mistletoe and a combination of Waterfall glitter and Aqua Marine glitter was added to the water puddle and the block of ice.  I also applied small dots of glue with a Sakura glue pen on his gloves and added Black Ice glitter to them.  In the background (but hard to photograph) there is snow falling in the form of Bridal glitter.  I randomly added dots from the Sakura glue pen and covered them with the glitter.

The background panel is my version of dry embossing on metal foil sheets.  I adhered a piece of heavy duty Reynolds Wrap to cardstock and then dry embossed it with a Sizzix embossing folder (Snow Flurries).  I wanted some color, so I took an alcohol pen and colored in some of the snowflakes.

The sentiment, which was heat embossed with Clear embossing powder, was cut out of vellum using a Taylored Expressions die (Banner Stacklets 2).  Then I turned it over and added some red Copic marker to the back, covering the entire area.  The next step in getting a marbled look that I was going for was to take a small piece of paper towel and wet it with rubbing alcohol.  Blot the vellum with the paper towel and it removes most of the color.

I wanted to try something different for the red border behind the metal foil, so I took a dot-type adhesive and rolled it along the edges of some white cardstock and then covered it with more Gypsy Red Velvet glitter.  It gives a slight pattern in the glitter.  Then I randomly cut along the sides, so it wouldn't be a straight line.

The final touch is the Frosty Border (by Memory Box) that was die cut from vellum and a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet.  I then applied Cloud Nine Velvet glitter over the entire piece.  It really does look frosty in person.

Be sure to leave each of us a comment for your chance to win the Grand Prize of the entire 8 new stamp sets revealed today.


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Princess



"Life as a Diva" is the theme for the Die-Versions new release this month.  Today I wanted to showcase the Sweet Petite Princess die.

I cut her as a silhouette and created a scene where she's looking out a window.  The curtains are rubber stamps from 100 Proof Press (Left Curtain Parting; Right Curtain Parting) which were stamped with Distress Ink (Fired Brick), heat embossed with Clear embossing powder, and colored with Copic markers.  The floor is a rubber stamp by Beeswax Stamps (Fancy Floor), which was stamped with Distress Ink (Gathered Twig).

The background was created using a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Rosa by Anna Griffin) and white pigment ink, which was lightly rubbed over the embossed areas.  The flowers have been in my stash for ages.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Crazy

Just wanted to give everyone a quick heads up and apologize for not visiting you, my blogging friends much lately.  It's been crazy around here and likely to stay that way for a little while longer.  New jobs/responsibilities, lots of projects (that I can't show yet), etc......

One thing I'd like to share is my new position as the Sparkle N Sprinkle Design Team Coordinator.  Learning about all the things that goes on behind the scenes (like getting product out to the designers in a timely manner and what all it entails to actually manufacture a rubber stamp) plus the normal duties of a coordinator (writing blog posts, etc) is taking up more of my creative time.  At least it will until I get the hang of it.

I wanted to let each of you know that I miss not visiting and hope you put up with my lack of visiting for a while longer.

I really appreciate all you who take time to follow my blog and to leave a quick comment on my posts.  I know that takes time and I really do appreciate it.

I'll be back visiting you as soon as I can.  Thanks for understanding!

Monday, June 23, 2014

Hello


I needed a quick thank you type note card and I decided to do some inlay die cutting to give it a little more punch.

This really was quick and easy to make.  Start off by cutting you circle from patterned paper and then die cut the sentiment, I used a die from Savvy Stamps, in the center of the circle.  Be sure to save the little "extra" parts from the letters as you'll need to re-insert these later.  You can save the actual "hello" for a different project.  Die cut the sentiment again, this time from solid cardstock and insert it into the circle.  Here is a trick I use to adhere those little pieces back into the "e", "l", and "o".  I added regular tape to the back side of the circle, making sure that the open parts of the letters was covered with the tape.  Then I turned it back over to the front side the adhesive from the tape will let you stick those little pieces in where they belong.


On the inside of the card, I die cut the Vest Card from Die-Versions out of the same patterned paper.  I wanted it to look quilted, like a hunting vest would be.  So I dry embossed it using the Die-Versions Diamonds Background die.  I did the same technique to the front of the card as well.


Here is the vest opened.  I added a small strip at the bottom inside of the vest so I could tuck my note inside (without having to worry that it would fall out in transit).

I also added a strip (read "scrap") of the same patterned paper to the envelope for a coordinated note card look :-).


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Ooh La La


Introducing the "Life as a Diva" new release from Die-Versions.  Today I'm showcasing two of the new dies - the Ooh La La Express Edge die and Nice Heels Whispers die.

When I think of girly girl projects, I think of lots of glitter.  So what better way to showcase the nice heels than to use the double glitter technique?  I started off by die cutting the image from some adhesive paper.

(I need to digress here for a minute and tell you about this paper.  I was out of what I normally use, which is Sparkle N Sprinkle's Super Adhesive Sheets or SNS Sticker Paper , and I used another brand that I had purchased some time ago.  Like most, I thought all double sided adhesive papers are basically the same.  Wrong!  I ended up having to die cut it several times as the adhesive paper curled up when I was trying to cut off various parts of the release paper to add the various glitters.   Needless to say, I wasn't a happy camper, but wanted to do this technique - so I persevered :-) And I'm not just saying the SNS product is better because I happen to be on that design team as well.  I wouldn't recommend anything I didn't like!)

The way this is suppose to work when you have the right tools is that you die cut the image from adhesive paper and die cut the background (the circle in this case) from another piece of adhesive paper.  Take off the release paper from the background and from the shoe.  Attach the shoe's release paper to the exposed adhesive in center of the circle - since it's release paper, it won't stick when you pull it off.  Add Goldenrod Velvet Glitter to the entire surface, burnishing it in with your fingertip.  Now, if you wanted the image to be all one color, you'd just remove the release paper and cover with your next color of glitter.  I wanted the flowers to be white instead of red, so I carefully cut the release paper between the flowers and the rest of the die with an exacto knife.  Make sure you don't cut all the way through.  The flowers are covered with Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter and the rest is covered with Gypsy Red Velvet Glitter.


The Ooh La La Express Edge was done pretty much the same way.  I added double sided adhesive paper to cardstock and die cut the sentiment.  Using an exacto knife, I cut the release paper across the center of the letters and added Goldenrod Velvet Glitter to the top portion of the letters and Gypsy Red to the bottom half.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created for you using the new Life as a Diva dies.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Camera Life



For today's card, I've combined two new stamp sets from Sparkle N Sprinkle: the Camera Life stamp set and the Journal Mixed Media stamp set.

To start off, the background was created by swiping some metallic (Pewter) Pan Pastels randomly over some dark blue cardstock.  Then I inked up the circles from the Journal Mixed Media set with white pigment ink and randomly stamped across the entire background.  Immediately after completing the stamping, I covered the area with Starfire glitter.  Since pigment ink takes longer to dry than other types of ink, the glitter stuck to the ink.  (You could have achieved a similar look by heat embossing some Stickum Powder and adding the Starfire glitter.  I wanted some of the white pigment ink to show through, so I decided to try this method instead.)  I also used a spray fixative to make sure the glitter stayed on permanently.

I created the "polaroid" frame by die cutting a square out of the center of cardstock.  There are dies out there that do the same thing, but I don't own any of them.  Plus this way, I can created whatever size frame I want.  Once the frame was cut, I covered it with VersaMark and then heat set it with Shasta Puff embossing powder.  This gives it an off-white look and adds a bit of texture to the frame.


The camera inside the frame was stamped with VersaMark and then heat embossed with Tequila Sunrise embossing powder.  I fussy cut the image out and added a few highlights with a marker and Glossy Accents to the heart in the center.

The Emboss Resist technique was used for the sentiment tag.  Start off by stamping the circles from the Journal Mixed Media set with VersaMark and heat set using Clear embossing powder.  Next add Distress Inks over the background until you are happy with the results.  Take a paper towel or cloth and rub any excess ink from the embossed portion.  I then stamped the sentiment, part of the Camera Life stamp set, with Staz On ink.  The "ribbon" on the tag is a digital element from DSE that I've had for ages.

Distress Emboss the edges of the card base using more Tequila Sunrise embossing powder, adhere the layers, and you're all set to go.  This could be a card front, or part of a scrapbook layout.  Love that versatility.



Friday, June 13, 2014

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.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Road Less Traveled


The car in the new stamp set Road Less Traveled by Sparkle N Sprinkle reminds me of old British racing cars for some reason.  So I decided to create a racing scene along the country side.

To start off, stamp the car image several times and fussy cut out each one of them.  Alternately, you could create masks and stamp the trio on a single piece of cardstock and fussy cut out the silhouettes.  I have to admit that I tried this method first.  The "sample" one I created to find out if I liked the placement of the cars looked perfect.  The next four tries, however, always looked a little off.  So I salvaged cars from my masking attempts and cut them out individually.  In the end, this worked out better as I had started out with 4 cars instead of 3.  Color the images with Copic markers, or your favorite type of marker.  Glossy Accents was added to the windshields, headlights, and turn signals for added sheen.  Also, some Clear embossing powder was heat set onto a couple of the car grills as well.  The racing numbers on the doors are cut from Die-Versions A Little Mint font.


The racing scene started off as a piece of light colored fabric.  I drew in my road with a Sharpie and then began coloring the sections with Pan Pastels.  The cars were then adhered to the fabric using Tear-ific tape.

The card base was created by stamping the map from the Travel Mixed Media stamp set over the entire area with VersaMark and heat set with Blackened Bronze embossing powder.

The sentiment was created using Sticker paper and die cut from the Fishtail Flags die by MFT.  The sentiment and the border are covered with Blue Silver embossing powder and heat set.  The banner at the bottom, part of the MFT die set, was also cut from Sticker paper and heat set with Blue Silver embossing powder.


Saturday, June 7, 2014

Blossom



Time4 Scrap has a new challenge starting today.  The theme is anything goes and you have a chance to win digi images from our sponsors, A Day For Daisies and Delicious Doodles.  

I've chosen Blossom by Delicious Doodles and used Copic markers to color the image.  I printed the image twice so I could cut out the butterfly for added dimension and is covered with Green Iris glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.


The background was created by first stamping the scrip, a rubber stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms in VersaMark and then heat setting with Clear embossing powder.  Next I got out my Pan Pastels and started adding colors until I was happy with the results. 

 I wanted the image to be flush with the background, so I used the Spellbinders Large Labels to die cut both the image and the center of the background to give it an inlayed look.  The crochet lace at the bottom is a Die-Versions die (appropriately called Crochet Lace).

You have two weeks to participate in the Time4Scrap challenge.  Also, Time4Scrap is having a design team call.
You can read the details on the T4S blog.




Tuesday, June 3, 2014

June Winners - Sparkle N Sprinkle

Hi!  Thank you for participating in Sparkle N Sprinkle's June's Release.

This month FIVE new stamp sets were introduced as well as five new digital stamp sets. 


The sets are:




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


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









Winners can 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. Steff's blog - LouLou (comment #3) - Road Less Traveled #629
  2. Anne's blog - Alicia DiCarlo (comment #16) - Camera Life #620
  3. Eret's blog - Brenda (comment #7) Vintage Pickup #628
  4. Mayra's blog - Gina Howe (comment #25) - Travelin' #630
  5. April's blog - Pat (comment #28) Journal Mixed Media #606


When sending your requests, please include the product name and number so no mistakes are made. Please email 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




hugs always from The Sparkle Team,