Be Kind Card for Mom (#39/52) {09.29.2017}

Hello! Today's card for my Mom is a wonderful reminder about being kind. I bought this The Crafter's Workshop Balzer Designs Mini Lotus Blossom stencil a while ago, and keep meaning to use it. It has sat in a pile on my craft desk. I have had one heck of a busy and stressful week, and needed to make a pretty quick card for my dear, wonderful Mom. Add those two things together, and viola, this is what happened! I used my Tonic Studio 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine to cut a piece of kraft cardstock to 4.25" x 11", scored it in the middle, and folded it over and smoothed it with my bone folder. I laid down my stencil, and blended some distress ink through the opening to color the lotus flower. I concentrated most of the ink towards the center of the flower, and lightened it as the petals went out. Here is what the card looked like.

I stamped out my sentiment, using Taylored Expressions Wonderful World stamp set. I lined up my card in my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, positioned my stamp where I wanted it to be, and inked up the stamp with Versamark Ink. I sprinkled on Sparkle N Sprinkle's White Detail embossing powder and heat set it. Then, to add a bit more fun to it, I spritzed on Dylusions London Blue and Fresh Lime ink sprays. This gave just a little bit extra oomph and helped fill some white space.

This card came together pretty fast, which is exactly what I needed. And, the sentiment was perfect too, since this week was stressful. It is a great reminder to always be kind. I love this hobby because it really does help us be kind to one another. More kindness is never a bad thing!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Cardz 4 Galz Dragonfly Card {09.28.2017}

Hi! Today's card is for the Cardz 4 Galz most recent Challenge: Dragonflies! I also did some heat embossing, foiling, and had to incorporate some huge ribbon ... here is the card.

I stamped the dragon fly (from a stamp set that has been retired I think) with Versafine Black Onyx ink and sprinkled on Clear Detail embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle. I heat set it, and then colored the dragonfly with prismacolor pencils. I also squeezed on some Nuvo White Blizzard Crystal Drops along the dragonfly body, and on some of the wing areas. I also stamped out the hello you sentiment from Lawn Fawn's Scripty Sayings, and sprinkled on Sparkle N Sprinkle's Silver Lightning embossing powder and heat set it. I layered the dragon fly over a die cut circle.

I also created a background by foiling a Tonic Studios Budding Vine Patterned Panels by die cutting a card panel covered with Sparkle N Sprinkle Super Adhesive Sheets. I removed the adhesive release paper layer from the vine area. I covered the adhesive with light green foil, then ran it through my laminator to press the foil into the adhesive. After this step, I removed the rest of the release paper over the negative spaces, and then pressed in Sparkle N Sprinkle's Bridal glitter in the negative spaces.

I finished off the card with a light green ribbon, and the card was done. I love how sparkly and colorful this card is. I know my friend will love it. I can't wait to see what you enter in our Dragonfly challenge at Cardz 4 Galz!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Sparkle N Sprinkle Victorian Camille at Christmas {09.27.2017}

Hi Sparkle & Sprinkle Designer Chris with another Sparkle N Sprinkle September reveal card! It is starting to look like Christmas ... Let's check out the card I made using the Victorian Camille at Christmas digi stamp, expertly colored by our very own Anne Temple! THANKS Anne for this amazing coloring!

One of the amazing features about the Sparkle N Sprinkle digi stamps is that there are the "non-colored" options and the "pre-colored" options. I opted to use the pre-colored option (thanks again, Anne!). I sized out the image on my computer, then printed it onto white cardstock. I partially die cut out the image using Tonic Studios Scalloped Square Layering Basics Die. I used the Nuvo Glue Pen Fine tip to roll on some adhesive to specific areas on the image. I sprinkled on Gypsy Red glitter to the holly berries, Elegant Emerald to the holly leaves, Celestial glitter to her hair, Margarita glitter to her eyes, and Waterfall glitter to her ruffles and hat.

I used Tonic Studios 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine and cut down a piece of blue cardstock into a square. I dry embossed it using the Tonic Studios Filigree Affections Idyllics Dies Embossing Folder. I then used my finger tool to rub on some Pure Platinum mousse and Pacific Teal mousse, in random spots over the embossed image. Then I adhered it onto a red cardstock panel. I lined the seam edge with 1/8" Tear-ific Tape, pulled off the release top layer, and then sprinkled on and burnished in Sparkling Snow glitter. This gave a fun and sparkly edge to my card.

I added in a new die set, Tonic Studios Buttercup Sunburst Window Box Die Set. This die is really fun - it adds "flaps" or "wings" to the card, that create a base or stand that allows the card to stand upright. And, they are tabs and insert into the card and each other, and can be folded flat for mailing! Perfect and amazing design. I die cut blue cardstock with this window box die set, and also ran it through the Filigree Affections Idyllics Dies Embossing Folder. I also added on some more Pure Platinum mousse and Pacific Teal mousse, to the cardstock. I also die cut some red cardstock with the window box die. I adhered the window box flaps to the back of the card with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive, and shaped these across the front of the card. This photo helps show the dimension of the window box flaps. They really pop out across the top and are amazing!

Okay, just had to add in this photo too, which shows Camille in her full glory. I love how the sun is coming up over the back of the photo and the sun streaks! So cool!!!

This image is stunning, and I love how Anne colored the digi image. I enhanced the colors with the glitters and added in those fun embellishment mousse. Overall, this card makes me feel happy about the upcoming winter season, and I am looking forward to using this image a lot for the holidays! I know you will love her too!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Thanks Tote Bags {09.25.2017}

Hello! Today's project are some sweet little thank you tote bags using products from Lawn Fawn. Let's check them out, shall we?

I die cut some patterned paper with the Lawn Fawn Tote Bag die. I adhered the two halves together, and had a sweet bag! Then, I stamped out some of the sentiments from Lawn Fawn's Tiny Tag Sayings, with Versamark ink and then sprinkled on White Detail embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle. Then, I die cut them with the Tiny Tags matching dies.

I tied on the tags with Lawn Fawn Trimmings, and these tote bags were ready to be filled with chocolates!

I really had fun with these bags. They are the perfect size for a little giftie, and fit the chocolate truffles as a little thank you giftie for some folks.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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A Little Something For You Dahlia Card for Mom (#38/52) {09.22.2017}

Hi! Today's card is another attempt at using up some patterned paper ... I LOVE patterned paper but don't really know how to use it. I was inspired by some YouTube videos on "one sheet wonders" where you cut up a sheet of patterned paper and use it to make multiple cards. I was inspired by a 6x6 one sheet wonder. This is one of the cards I made, and this one is for my Momma!

I stamped out Sparkle N Sprinkle's Dahlia stamp set with Versafine ink, and sprinkled on Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set it. I colored it with Prismacolor pencils. I fussy cut the dahlia and matching leaves, and layered them over a white cardstock panel cut into an oval using the Tonic Die Layering Basics Die Set Mixed Edge Oval die. I die cut a black scalloped mat, using the next size up of the oval edge die. 

And, a sweet little sentiment stamped at the bottom of the oval. I stamped out Lawn Fawn's Tiny Tag Sayings sentiment. There are several sweet sayings, and I chose this one. It seemed just perfect :)

I am feeling more comfortable with patterned paper, and like how this paper all layered up and the beautiful dahlia image is just amazing!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Sparkle N Sprinkle Birdhouse Friends {09.20.2017}

Hi from Sparkle N Sprinkle Designer Chris! For today's card, showcasing one of Sparkle N Sprinkle's September release, I used the really fun Birdhouse Friends digi stamp. Because I used the pre-colored digi version, I sized the image to what I wanted. Because the image is fairly skinny and tall, I figured it would lend itself really well to a "business envelope" sized card, so that is what I did! I sized the image and printed it out with my color printer. I trimmed it to the size I wanted using the 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine trimmer and began embellishing!

I also printed out one of the sentiments in the stamp set. I chose the "Welcome" sentiment, sized it, printed it, and the trimmed it with the 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine into the shape and size I wanted. I trimmed another piece of cardstock a teeny bit larger, and covered it with a strip of 3/4" Tear-ific Tape. I burnished in Rapture Blue glitter into the wee bit of adhesive that stuck out. And, I rolled on some Nuvo Glue Pen Small adhesive onto the wide parts of the letters and sprinkled on more Rapture Blue glitter. This really made the sentiment sparkle!

I also added sparkle and glitter to the birds and bird houses. I used the Nuvo Glue Pen Small tip to roll out adhesive, and then sprinkled on Collegiate Garnet, Raspberry Soda, and Ballerina glitters to the birdhouse roof tiles. I also added Aquamarine glitter to the grass and leaves, and Rapture Blue to the birdies. So cute!!!

Here is a close up of the butterfly with his sweet little fly trail. I used Collegiate Garnet and Cloud Nine glitters on the wings, and Rapture Blue for the trail.

I also used Cloud Nine on the house.

I also embellished the flowers. I used the Nuvo Glue Pen Small tip adhesive to roll out adhesive onto the flowers and leaves. I sprinkled on Creamsicle and Evening Glow glitters to the flowers, and Aquamarine glitters to the leaves, stems, and grass. I wanted a base to anchor the birdhouse. So, I laid a strip of 3/4" Tear-ific Tape across the base of the card. I removed the release paper and burnished in some Aquamarine glitter. This glitter is semi-transparent so the grass base below showed through. I also created a glitter ribbon by adhering a strip of 1/4" Tear-ific Tape across the 3/4" Tear-ific Tape. I burnished in some Collegiate Garnet. I also created a ribbon by cutting about an 8" strip of 1/4" Tear-ific Tape. I pulled off the top layer of release paper. I burnished in Collegiate Garnet glitter. Then, I pulled off the bottom layer of release paper and burnished in more Collegiate Garnet to the other side. This creates a perfect ribbon that can be tied in a bow, like I did here. I tied it and then adhered it to the ribbon strip below.

I had a lot of fun with this card and it was really fun to make. I encourage you to check out this stamp set, in rubber or digi format. You will be thrilled!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Welcome Galaxy Background Card {09.18.2017}

Today's card is a galaxy background!!!! I colored some cardstock with pearlescent watercolor paints in random colors (greens, purples, pinks, blues). Then, I covered it with black Distress Ink by blending it over the dried pearlescent watercolors with an ink blending tool. I spritzed on some water and blotted the drops away to give more dimension to the background. Then, I smeared on some Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste I also splattered on some White Copic Opaque paint over the entire front. Then, I die cut it with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle die.

Here is a close up of the background and the Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste. I smeared it in blotches across the galaxy, not the entire surface. You can see the glimmer along the left hand side of this panel. So pretty!

I also stamped out a Lawn Fawn sentiment on vellum, using Versamark Ink. I sprinkled on Sparkle N Sprinkle's Silver Lightning embossing powder and heat set it. I layered it across the card panel and adhered it underneath. Then, I matted the panel with black cardstock.

And, cuz I am a nerd, I created a panel for the inside of my card and stamped out a sentiment using Taylored Expression's Wonderful World stamp set. I used Versamark Ink and Silver Lightning embossing powder like the sentiment on the front.

I made this for a friend who joined my work place. I wanted to welcome her with this card and a little giftie. She will love it!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Congrats Card {09.16.2017}

Okay ... This card is a mash up of so much Lawn Fawn goodness!! My dear friend and colleague got a new position at a new institution and we gave her a send off ... she is Lawn Fawn's #1 fan, and I made her a Congrats card with tons of Lawn Fawn products. I also had to make it with enough space for all our colleagues to write notes and good luck wishes to her. You will see further below how I made lots of space for folks to write in. I stamped and masked out tons of critters from Lawn Fawn stamp sets: Critters Ever After, Critters in the Burbs, Critters in the Jungle, Critters in the Sea, Critters on the Farm, Critters Down Under, Critters From the Past, Critters in the Forest, Critters on the Savanna, Critters at the Dog Park, Critters in the Arctic.

I die cut out the Congrats sentiment with the Scripty Congrats die from paper I had ink blended with several Distress Ink colors. I blended several colors together from green to blue. I used them for more sentiments, which you will see below. I die cut a black cardstock Congrats too, and layered it behind the multi-colored one. Then, I covered it with a swipe of Wink of Stella glitter pen, and then a layer of Glossy Accents. Sparkle & shine! I also die cut out two strips of green paper with the Meadow Borders die cut.

Here is a close up of the cute dino hiding behind the tree, and the griffon behind him! That sweet little owl is just sitting there ... so fun!

And, the dolphin! LOVE this! I colored all of the critters with copic markers. I also gave him some white spots with a white gel pen, and then covered him with some Wink of Stella glitter pen and Glossy Accents. More sparkle & shine!!!!

Monkeys!!! I love this monkey. He is swinging through, carrying a load of bananas. Ha ha ha! He has some Wink of Stella on his face and bananas, as well as some Glossy Accents too.

Okay ... here is how I constructed the card, along with the rest of the sentiments. I needed a card with a lot of space for people to write. I didn't think a standard size card would work, and I didn't want to make a "booklet" style card. I landed on making a "fall" card that cascades open. I designed it so that the front panel of the card had the first fold at the bottom, so that the card would just fall open. I scored 8-1/2" x 11" sheets of brown cardstock in half at 5.5". Then, I adhered four sheets of white cardstock together, with valley and mountain folds so that it would cascade. I trimmed white card panels to 8" x 5" and gave them a little distress inking to soften and age them a bit, and stamped a critter in a bottom corner. I die cut out the rest of the sentiment ("for moving on, we'll always be your herd") using Lawn Fawn's  Cole's ABCs.

And, here is the a side view of the card, with the mountain and valley folds. When it is shut, it is a perfect stack of card panels. Awesome!

Our colleague LOVED this card and was so pleased with the send-off we gave her. She will be missed. Best of luck T at your new job!!! We will always be your herd - we got yo' back always!

And, I am entering this in the Lawn Fanatics Challenge 12 - Create a Scene challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Happy Card for Mom (#37/52) {09.15.2017}

Hi! Today's card for Mom is a card that is really just a background ... Let's check it out!

I stamped this Hero Arts floral background stamp onto Bristol paper, using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform. I stamped it with Versafine Black Onyx ink, and sprinkled on Sparkle N Sprinkle's Clear Detail embossing powder. I heat set it, and then started coloring! I used Pearlescent watercolors, and tried to go lightly on the water since it wasn't watercolor paper. It worked out okay. As I let it dry, I die cut the Alt E New Happy die sentiment from blue sparkle paper. I also die cut another Happy from black and layered it behind the blue Happy. This gave it a shadow and helped offset it from the background. Once the panel was dry, I die cut the panel with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle die. And, I stamped out part of the sentiment onto vellum, using Versafine Black Onyx ink and also sprinkled on Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set it. I trimmed the vellum into a narrow strip using my Tonic Guillotine Trimmer and adhered it to the card front. Then, I die cut some blue cardstock using the Scalloped Rectangle from Lawn Fawn. Layered this all together over a card base, and the card was done!

Another close up of the gorgeous flower in this background stamp!

I know Mom will love it ... simple, pretty, so fun, and lots of sparkle from the pearlescent paints and blue sparkle paper :)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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Sparkle N Sprinkle September 2017 Reveal {09.15.2017}

Welcome to the September 
Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Blog Hop! 

The Blog Hop is on the 15th of each month.  On the 1st of each month, SNS will release a new Video Kit Club.

SNS is always adding new products and new product lines to the store.  So stop by often to see what's new! 

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

The sets are:

Birdhouse Friends 852
(Digital Version DIGI852BG)

Lovely Magnolia 853  
(Digital Version DIGI853FS - see below)

A Puppy's Halloween 863
(Digital Version DIGI863FS)

Victorian Camille at Christmas 864
(Digital Version DIGI864LS)

DIGI853FS - Lovely Magnolia huge digi bundle (lots of extras not included in the rubber version.)

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 all the rubber stamp sets revealed this month.

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.)

Belinda
Anne
Chris -You are HERE!
Jess
Diane
Shona
Eret

Did you know that SNS has a You-Tube Channel?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest tips and techniques!

The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge group is on Facebook.  

This is a closed group (just trying to keep out spammers), but we want anyone who to participate to join.  Click on the link and join in on the fun today!

The Creative Challenges run from the 1st - 25th of each month.  A SNS image (either rubber or digi) is required.  If you don't have any yet - no worries - there are some freebies located on the Home page of the SNS website.  Just scroll down the page a bit to see them.

The Creative Challenge Winner and Top Three will be posted on the last day of each month.  The winner will receive a $15 Gift Certificate to go shopping at the SNS store.

Please review all the Challenge Rules before submitting your photo 😀.  We can't wait to see what all you create using SNS images.

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.

Happy Hopping!

And now, here is the card I made from one of the September reveal stamp sets.

I used the GORGEOUS Lovely Magnolias digi stamp set, which includes the extra features and backgrounds. Digis allow some extra versatility that we don't get with just the rubber stamps. I reviewed the different backgrounds and color options for the pre-colored magnolia flowers. I went with PINK, of course :) I sized the flower over a pink background, and also copied two additional flowers and printed them out too. Here is the final card. I'll explain more details below!

I LOVE glitter ... I used the Nuvo Glue Pen Small tip and rolled it over the flower. I sprinkled on Bubble Gum glitter to the petals, and Evening Glow and Daisy glitters to the flower stamen. I also added on some Easy Green glitter to the flower leaves.

I also blinged up this card with Radiant Gold Gilding Flakes by Nuvo. I rolled out more Nuvo Glue Pen Small onto parts of the sentiment (also printed from the Lovely Magnolias digi stamp set) and let it dry to tacky. Then, I rubbed on some Radiant Gold Gilding Flakes and burnished them to adhere them and to remove all the unused flakes.

I die cut the entire card panel with a die (more on that below). I cut another panel from black cardstock to frame the image. I used the positive piece of the black cardstock and covered it with Versmark Ink, and then sprinkled on Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set it. I layered this over another card base with 2-1/2" Tear-ific Tape on it. I rubbed in more Radiant Gold Gilding Flakes to the outer edge. You can see all of this below.

What did I do with the other two copies of the printed out magnolia flower? Welp, here we go! I fussy cut out the leaves and the flower in layers, and then layered everything up with dimensional foam tape. Here is a side shot that helps show the height!

Okay, here is the step-by-step on how I made this card. Here is a print out of the card panel and the two additional flowers for my fussy cutting. This is printed out on a sheet of Neenah Solar White cardstock using my color printer.

Then, I covered a panel of black cardstock with two strips of 2-1/2" Tear-ific Tape. Here is a photo of what it looked like. I overlapped two strips of the 2-1/2" Tear-ific Tape to make sure there was no gap down the center line where they matched up.

I die cut another black cardstock panell with the die, and added Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set it. I layered it onto the background layer of cardstock covered with 2-1/2" Tear-ific Tape. I also die cut the floral image with the same die cut, and then pieced all the cut pieces into the negative spaces of the die ... yep, this took a while. I would do it again, but I will hydrate and grab a snack!

Here is the floral panel pieces all pieced into the black background. I really liked it this way, but the flower wasn't quite popping enough, and the sentiment was a little muted as well. I had already decided to add layers to the flower by fussy cutting the other two flower images, but I re-printed the sheet and die cut the sentiment with a label die and layered it over the panel too.

I love this card, the glitter, the pink, the fun!!! Please click on over to Jess's blog, she has the most amazing card for you and you gotta see it!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a magical day!

-Chris

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