Thursday, December 31, 2015

Happily Ever After {Sparkle N Sprinkle Jan Reveal}


Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's
 first New Reveal Blog Hop of 2016!

We have FIVE new stamp sets to share with you today.  These new sets are 20% off until Jan 3.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  All of the new sets are available on cling mounted rubber or as a digital image.  


The sets are:


Three Tenors 767 (digi version DIGI767)
 Sing On 768 (digi version DIGI768)
  Thinking of You 769 (digi version DIGI769)
 Happily Ever After 770 (digi version DIGI770)
 Poppies 771 (digi version DIGI771)


On Jan 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  You never know who the Mystery Designer will be that has the winning comment. 

The Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).


The Blog Hop order this month is:
Anne (you are here)

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)


We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we do.  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  
 Wonder who the Mystery Host will be this month????


The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge also begins today.  There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  Come check out how you can become a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.


Have you checked out the SNS YouTube Channel featuring Demo Donna?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques!





And now a bit about my project.  I used the digi version of Happily Ever After so that I could adjust the size of both sentiments and the image.  I printed the sentiments on vellum and heat embossed them with Clear embossing powder.

 Green Iris glitter was used to highlight the roses and Bridal glitter was added to the veil.

I also printed the image twice so that I could fussy cut out the bouquet of flowers and pop dot them.  Copics were used to color the image.

The pocket tag is a Spellbinders die (Cascading Grace Pocket).  I die cut the pocket from white cardstock and then used the Glueless Glitter technique to add Bridal glitter to the front.  The tag topper was also die cut from textured foil cardstock using the same die set.

 Once you remove the tag, the second sentiment is revealed.  You could add your personal message to the back side of the tag.


 I'm the last stop on the SNS January Reveal Blog Hop.  Be sure to comment on each of the Designers' blogs for your chance to win all five of the new stamp sets revealed in the Blog Hop.

Happy 2016 everyone!



Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Blogger Google Friend Connect update

Blogger has decided to enact a policy from 2011 regarding the Google Friend Connect:




Posted: December 21, 2015

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs. 

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other Open Id providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.

Posted by Michael Goddard, Software Engineer

~~~

The date for this to be in effect is Jan 11, but a number of my blogging friends (and me) have already noticed a drop in Followers.  I'm sorry if this causes any issues or inconvenience to any of my Followers.  I do hope that you will create a Google account so that you can continue to follow both me and anyone else who uses Blogger.  

Once you create a Google account, you will need to become a Follower again because all previous Followers who did not have an account will be permanently removed from our Follower lists.  If you choose not to open a Google account, you can still follow my blog using Bloglovin' or via email.  You will need to check each blog that you currently follow to see what options they have for you.

I really appreciate all of my Followers and hope that you will continue to follow my blog going forward.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.  I will have a new project for you on the 31st (Sparkle N Sprinkle January Reveal Blog Hop).  Here is a sneak peek: 



Monday, December 28, 2015

Southwestern Bear



Southwestern Bear is one of the new southwestern themed dies from Die-Versions.  I used traditional colors and design.  Luckily I had an old (and I mean at least 15 years old) stencil that had southwestern designs on it.  I gave one of the patterns a more modern twist by using embossing paste in the design.  While the embossing paste was still wet, I sprinkled Nuance dye based powders all over and then let it air dry.  Once it was dry, I spritzed the entire are with Dylusions Ink Spray (Pure Sunshine).  The great thing about embossing paste is that it acts as a resist, so the ink wiped off with no problem at all.

For the Bear, I also used Nuance powders, but on glossy paper.  I also added back in the negative pieces to the main die cut.  I used that same stencil to cut out patterns for the various layers.

Even though I created a card, I could see this as a wall hanging or create a series of these in various colors and framed individually and placed in a grouping.



Monday, December 21, 2015

Friendship


Today's card incorporates the kiss cut method (found on electric die cutting machines like a Silhouette) with lots of Sparkle N Sprinkle glitter and a Sue Wilson Designs background die (Italian Collection - Background).

To start off, adhere one side of a piece of Super Adhesive Sheet to cardstock, then die cut using your favorite die.  Slowly peal off sections of the release paper to reveal the area you want to cover in glitter.  The roses were uncovered first and Sugar Plum glitter was added to each of these areas.  Next I revealed more sections of the background and covered them with Luau Green velvet glitter.  Finally the rest of the release paper was peeled off and Tyrian glitter was burnished over the entire area.

The sentiment is from the SNS Beautiful Friendship rubber stamp set and was stamped with Versamark and heat set with White Detail embossing powder.  Next I die cut the sentiment with a Sizzix die  (Labels).  While the cardstock was still inserted into the die, I traced around the inner edge with a Sakura glue pen and then added more Tyrian glitter to the glue.  The Leafy Swirl die cut (by Die-Versions) was added to the back of the sentiment and then pop dotted onto a strip created by die cutting two Little Open Scallop Strips (by MFT).  These two strips were adhered together using 1/8" Tear-ific Tape.  The top portion of the adhesive tape was covered with Black Suede velvet glitter.

You can do this technique with so many different dies and different colors of glitter or flock and each time the results will be completely different.  Hope this inspires you to try this technique too.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Suspended bird calendar


I created something a little different today.  It's an easel card that reveals a 2016 calendar once it's open and the chipboard bird is suspended above.  I thought this would be something fun to look at throughout the year.  I started out with various products from the Sparkle N Sprinkle shoppe, including Want 2 Scrap chipboard, self adhesive bling and of course embossing powders.

After heat embossing two of the Want 2 Scrap chipboard birds with Lemon Sherbet embossing powder, I glued them together with a piece of twine adhered between them.  The bird is suspended from a frame created using a Sizzix die (Ticket Fold A Long).  I also die cut this twice from cardstock for added strength and both sides were heat embossed with Oriental Fire embossing powder.

Although it's hard to see in the photos, I used a Sakura glue pen to highlight certain portions of the roses in the patterned paper and I added Sparkling Snow glitter to the glue.


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Madonna Ornaments {Scrapy Land #32}




Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's etc.) is the theme of the new Scrapy Land Challenge, which begins today.   The winner will get to go shopping at the Scrapy Land store and will receive a $15 gift certificate.

I have a couple of cards to share with you today using both the negative and positive parts of the Madonna Ornament die by Die-Versions.  So one pass through my die cutting machine creates two cards.  Very shiny silver metallic cardstock was used to die cut the ornaments.

The dies I have used to create these cards are:
Die-Versions: Madonna Ornament
Die-Versions: Noel Sweet Wordlet
Sizzix: Tim Holtz's Holiday Words
Memory Box: Pine Needle Border

Version One uses the positive parts of the Madonna die (the actual die cut) and the Die-Versions Noel sentiment.   The blue background was dry embossed using the Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Diffuser and the Spellbinders Dainty Dots M-Bossabilities embossing folder.  The diffuser allows parts of the cardstock to not be embossed.  For this version, I didn't want any dots behind the ornament.



Version Two uses the negative portions of the Madonna die and the Holiday Words die cut sentiment.  I used an actual die cut as a guide and glued the negative pieces back into the appropriate spots, like puzzle pieces.  The entire blue background was dry embossed with the Dainty Dots embossing folder.




To create the pine boughs, I started off with white cardstock and spritzed on Color Bursts and water.  Once the cardstock was dry, I die cut all the pine boughs.  I added a small ribbon to each of the ornaments so that they could hang from the pine branch.

Now it's your turn to join in on the fun.  You'll have until January 3, 2016 to upload your Holiday projects to the Scrapy Land Challenge.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree




I have two cards to share with you today.  Both incorporate the Memory Box die, Flowering Christmas Tree. Both versions of the Christmas tree have Gypsy Red glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle on each of the flowers.

To create the mat for the first card, I die cut it a from a piece of double sided adhesive sheet (Super Adhesive Sheets) using a Memory Box die (Debutante frame).   The sentiment is a die from Die Versions (Deck the Halls Sweet Wordlet) and was covered with Golden Wheat glitter.  Then I laid down the Christmas tree and the sentiment and covered the remaining adhesive with Sparkling Snow glitter.  The glitter ribbon bow is created by applying Gypsy Red glitter to both sides of 1/4" Tear-ific Tape and then tying into a bow.

For the second card, the mat was dry embossed using a Spellbinders embossing folder (Dainty Dots).  The Merry Christmas sentiment (from Die-Versions) was die cut from a piece of Super Adhesive sheet and covered with Golden Wheat glitter.

Both Christmas cards are fairly quick to make and would easily be mass produced to create a nice batch of cards for a gift.

I am entering these into the Memory Box Challenge #7, Seasons Greetings.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Stagecoach and Western Horse


Today's card showcases two of the new releases from Die-Versions - the Stagecoach and the Western Horse.  I thought they would be perfect paired together for this masculine card.

To create the background,  I inked up my Rays stencil (from Tim Holtz) with Distress Inks and then added Clear embossing powder on top.  Then I spritzed Dylusions Ink Spray for the sky and added ore Distress Inks for the ground.  The beauty of embossing powder is that it acts as a resist, so I wiped off the excess ink spray from the rays.

Both the Stagecoach and Western Horse were die cut multiple times so that I could layer and/or use the negative pieces to create the final piece.  Each was also die cut from fun foam so that they would have added dimension.  The sentiment was die cut suing the DV font Saloon Door.



Monday, December 7, 2015

Feathered Bird


Today's card uses various products sold at Sparkle N Sprinkle, including Embossable Clear Acetate, Super Adhesive Sheets, Dreamweaver stencil, Want 2 Scrap chipboard, and of course glitter and flock.

The background was created by first applying a piece of a Super Adhesive Sheet onto the clear Embossable Acetate.  I then rubbed Hawaiian soap on the Cherry Blossom stencil so that it wouldn't permanently stick to the adhesive.  Pink Spirit Sparkle N Soft flock was used to cover the design.  After removing the stencil, I used a marker directly on the flock to change the color of the branches.  

Once this was completed, I added Waterfall semi transparent glitter to the rest of the adhesive.  Since this glitter is semi-transparent, it's color changed in intensity depending on what color of cardstock I had behind it.  This is why I used this technique on acetate - to see how the overall look changed based on what color cardstock I used for the mat.  The centers of the flowers are self adhesive bling from Want 2 Scrap.  In order to flatten them, I ran it through my die cutting machine.  This gives you more ways to use the dimensional gems.  You can really see the difference when you compare his eye to the centers of the flowers.  The same self adhesive gems were used for both.

The chipboard flourish bird is also by Want 2 Scrap and he was covered with Fleur de Lis embossing powder and heat set.  I added a pull ribbon bow by Mon Ami Gabby.  Sue Wilson Designs (Noble dies - Ornate Pierced Rectangles) complete the card and card base.


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Christmas Poinsettia {Scrapy Land Challenge #31}


It's the first Wednesday of December and that means a couple things.  First of all, it's time for a new Scrapy Land Challenge and Christmas is only a few weeks away!  The theme for this challenge is Anything Goes using any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.  There are over 40 different brands and you can view them here.

Today's card combines a couple different Die-Versions dies (Poinsettia 2 and the Merry Christmas Script die) and the white-on-white technique.  Theoretically, this should be an easy technique to create, but for some reason this particular technique takes me longer to accomplish than I think it should.


I started out by die cutting the Poinsettia 2 die several times, so that I could create layered flowers.  Before forming the flowers, I lightly spritzed them with a homemade shimmer that has a touch of gold in it.  I also added light pink gems for the centers to add a little color to the card.



The Merry Christmas sentiment was die cut from Sticker Paper by Sparkle N Sprinkle and Bridal glitter was applied to the adhesive.  The frame around the sentiment also has Bridal glitter on it.

Two different embossing folders were used for more contrast between the layers.  Spellbinders (Dainty Dots) and Sizzix (Snow Flurries) were my choices for this card.

You have until Dec 13 to visit the Scrapy Land Challenge blog and upload your project.  The winner of the challenge, chosen by the Design Team, will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at the Scrapy Land store.