SNS March 2016 Reveal {02.29.2016}

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's March 1 New Reveal Blog Hop!

Here is my project for the reveal, more about it further below:

We have Three new stamp sets to share with you today.  These new sets are 20% off until March 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:

Honey Bees 775 (digi version DIGI775)
Lucky Charm 776 (digi version DIGI776) 
Donna's Stylin' Sayings 777 (digi version DIGI777)

On March 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:

Jess
Eret
Diane
Chris <<<You are HERE
Belinda
Anne
Shona
Marie

(*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, let's look at my project for this reveal! Here is the card I made using the digi version (DIGI777) of Donna's Stylin' Sayings.

I sized the "congrats" sentiment with my computer, and printed it out using a laser copier (ink jet printers won't work for this technique). I then used a laminator to press rainbow colored foil into the toner. The heat from the laminator adheres the foil to the toner. I peeled up the rest of the foil and the sentiment was now covered in rainbow foil!

I also wanted rainbow colored flowers on this card. I have been inept with flowers in the past, so I emailed Eret, my fellow Sparkle N Sprinkle designer, because she does incredible flowers. I was so inspired by this card on her blog. She was incredibly gracious and taught me how to make flowers. This was a fun adventure - we are about 10 hours apart in time zones (she lives in Estonia, and I live in the United States), and it took a lot of emails over several days. She was incredibly patient with me and gave me amazing tips and information about how to make perfect flowers every time. I used Spellbinders Rose Creations. The die set has 6 different flower petal sizes. I cut out a bunch of flowers from their dies, in all the sizes. To make the roses, Eret taught me to use two "large" flowers die cuts, one "medium," and two "small." Since the rose creations die set has 6 different sizes, it doesn't matter which three you use, as long as you use three successive sizes. Once the flower petal dies are cut, I squished two distress inks onto my craft mat, spritzed them with water, then dredged the flower petals through the ink. Then, while the cardstock is still moist, I used flower shaping stylus balls on the back side of each flower petal die. Start with the outer edges of petals, then do the inside of the petals - starting from the outside of the petal and pull into the base. This helps curl the petal. Turn the petal over (front side up now) and press into the center of the flower petal die. This will curl all the petals and shape the flowers. Then, set aside to dry. (The steps are fairly the same for the smallest piece, to make the bud, but make sure you ink up both sides of the paper and curl it really tightly together before putting aside to dry.) After all the petal levels are dry, I brushed them lightly with the darkest color of the two distress inks to give some dimension to the ridges from the flower shaping, and adhered the petal levels together with Brushable Glue 540, starting with the largest and moving toward the smallest. After the five petal layers were adhered together and then dried, I brushed on more Brushable Glue 540 to the petal edges, and sprinkled on coordinating glitters. More about those below. Let's look at the flowers and rainbow colors, shall we?

Here is the red rose. I used Festive Berries and Abandoned Coral distress markers. The glitter is Gypsy Red Velvet Glitter (microfine) [GM2005]. 

The orange flowers were made with Spiced Marmalade and Dried Marigold distress markers and Autumn Medley [G1013] glitter. The yellow flowers were made with Mustard Seed and Squeezed Lemonade distress inks and Evening Glow Semi-Transparent glitter [G1086].

The green flower was made with Mowed Lawn and Peeled Paint distress inks, and Luau Green Velvet Glitter (microfine) [GM2004]. The blue flower was made with Blueprint Sketch and Salty Ocean distress inks, and Princess Anna Royal G1124 glitter. The purple flower was made with Dusty Concord and Seedless Preserves distress inks, along with Tyrian [G1089] glitter.

Here is a closer shot of the rainbow foiled sentiment. 

Once I had all my card parts, I created the card. I used Spellbinders Floral Ovals to cut out around the sentiment. I also used Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large to cut out a piece of fun foam in an oval shape to add underneath the sentiment to lift it up and give it some dimension. I also used some flourish dies from my stash to add a lot of swirls. I cut out a rectangular piece of cardstock as my card base, then glued on the flourishes around the edges so that a little less than half of each flourish was outside the outer edge of the base. I layered on the sentiment oval with the fun foam underneath. 

Then, it was time to start adhering the flowers and leaves! I arranged them in rainbow order and glued them on surrounding the edge of the oval.

This was a really fun card to make, and I love how it turned out!

The next stop on our blog hop is Belinda!! I know she has an incredible treat in store for you. Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Sending Hugs {02.26.2016}

Lots of people I know are getting sick, or have had some medical struggles. I made this card for a co-worker so that we could all send our thoughts as she got better. Let's check it out.

I created a watercolor wash on some watercolor paper for the background. The focal point of the card was the sentiment banner, with flowers surrounding it. I used Lawn Fawn's Penelope's Blossoms and matching die cuts. I stamped out flowers and stems with assorted pigment inks, and then die cut them. I also stamped out and die cut the banner from the same set. I stamped out the "sending hugs" sentiment from the On the Mend stamp set. Here is a closeup of the flowers and banner.

 

I also decorated the inside. For this, I used the bandaid image from the On the Mend stamp set, and another sentiment.

Our friend enjoyed this card and having us all visit while she was recovering. It was fun to make and share! 

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Secret Garden Bird {02/24/2016}

Hi, from Chris! Today's card is using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Secret Garden 773 stamp set. I stamped out the bird, sentiment, and key/flower images, and made this card. Let's say hello, shall we?
 
After stamping the images, I colored them and covered them with some glitter to make them pop a bit more. I used the Quicky Sakura Glue Pen and adhered Rapture Blue Semi-Transparent Glitter [G1078] and Evening Glow Semi-Transparent Glitter [G1086] to the bird. I also added in some Easy Green Semi-Transparent Glitter [G1077] to the leaves.

 
I also added in some Celestial Semi-Transparent Glitter [G1031]  to the key above the bird, and repeated the Easy Green Semi-Transparent Glitter [G1077] on the leaves.


After stamping out the images on white cardstock, I cut them out with a die cut. I also cut out a piece of fun foam to layer behind it to add some height. I also cut some more white cardstock with larger matching dies to add more layers. I covered the edges of the first decorative label with Versamark Ink Pad [VM-001] and heat embossed Sparkle Semi-Transparent Embossing Powder [EP107] to add some sparkle :) On the next larger label, I edged it with 540 Brushable Glue and adhered on the super fun and sparkly Sapphire Silk Sparkle N Soft [SS104]. This really made it POP! And, at the bottom layer, I used a sheet of Mirror Gold Cardstock [99570], which brought everything together.

Here is another angle of the layers, including the Sapphire Silk Sparkle N Soft [SS104] and Mirror Gold Cardstock [99570].

This card makes me so happy that spring is coming ... I can't wait! I hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day!

Chris

Twins Baby Card {02.22.2016}

Our friends had twins, so I made them this card to celebrate.

I used Lawn Fawn's Flirty Frames stamps and matching dies. I stamped out and then die cut several frames using some of Lawn Fawn's patterned paper. I then stamped out the same frame stamp on white copic-friendly paper, and then fussy cut around the inside of the frame. I stamped out the "twins" sentiment, mama bunny, and a baby bunny in the inside frames using Lawn Fawn's Hello Baby stamp set. I masked off the first baby bunny, and restamped another baby bunny to make two baby bunnies. I stamped out the "congrats" sentiment from Lawn Fawn's So Much To Say set.

I colored the images with copic markers, and added in some grass at the feet of the bunnies, and light blue copics in the background for some sky. I put my card panel on a pink card base, and this card was done.

Congratulations to the parents! I know they are loving every minute of these two wonderful babies.

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Pink Birthday Flip Card {02/19/2016}

Today's card is for my niece's birthday. She is horse crazy, so I just had to put a horse on it. I can't wait to show you what I made for her:

Okay, so it is actually a unicorn, not a horse ... but close enough, right?!?

I used the unicorn from Lawn Fawn's Critters Ever After stamp set, and used the matching dies to cut it out. I also used a flip card die to make the card base. I colored the unicorn with copics. I used additional dies from the flip card set to cut the label and inside card panels from patterned paper. Here is the inside of the card:

I also decorated an envelope for the card, that I made with more patterned paper I had on hand. This photo also shows the pink and gray shirt I got her for her birthday gift as well. I thought it was perfect!

I really enjoyed this card - I am partial to pink, so this was a really fun card to make! 

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Disco Dancing {02/17/2016}

Today's card is a fun and sassy disco dancer from Sparkle N Sprinkle! Let's check her out:

Sparkle N Sprinkle has four new neon glitters, and I used ALL of them in this card! And, several of the Nuance water color powders too. I just went for it. I used Sparkle N Sprinkle's new Disco Fever 772 stamp set. I stamped out the dancer, and all of the sentiments in the stamp set with black pigment ink on water color paper. I then heat embossed Clear Detail Embossing Powder [EP280] over the image and sentiments. Then, I dropped on some Nuance powders: Nuance-Turquoise [MNU001], Nuance-Red [MNU015], and Nuance-Bright Yellow [MNU002]. I spritzed water onto the loose powders. This caused the colors to explode and burst all across the page. It is really fun and a great way to make your own background!

I also stamped out the dancer again, fussy cut her out, and colored her with water colors, adhered foam tape under her, and added her over the image already stamped on the card panel. This gave her dimension over the busy background. I added all four of the neon glitters to her, using the Quicky Sakura Glue Pen. Her green bracelets and earrings are covered with Exhilirated! Green Glitter [G1134], her dress swirls with Electrified! Yellow Glitter [G1135] and Energized! Orange Glitter [G1133], and her headband and scarf with Exulted! Pink Glitter [G1132].

Her boots were also decorated. I again used the Quicky Sakura Glue Pen and adhered Intense Teal Sparkle N Soft [SS120] onto her boot tops, and more Exulted! Pink Glitter [G1132] to her boot bottoms. Here is a close up:

Even though the background is busy, I wanted to add a bit more "DISCO" into it. I sprinkled on some Super Thick Silver Enameled Embossing Powder [EP467], and heated it from the bottom. This gave a really fun splash of silver randomly around the card.

To finish off and frame the card, I die cut a scalloped square from white cardstock, and swiped the edges with Versamark Ink Pad [VM-001], then dumped on Super Thick Gold Opaque Embossing Powder [EP235] and heated it from the bottom. The super chunky embossing powder will fly away if you heat it from the top, so always heat this type of powder from the bottom. I adhered the card front to the scalloped base with 1/2" Double-sided "Tear-ific" Tape [SAT04] to hold it all together.

I hope this fun, sassy disco dancer puts a smile on your face. Here's hoping I am as sassy and fun as she is, when I am her age!

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Peek A Boo Bunny {02/15/2016}

This sweet little card was my first attempt at the front and back type images that are popular right now. Let's peek at this little bunny, shall we?

I stamped out the front of the bunny from Art Impressions Bunny and Ducky Mini Set and colored him with copics. I also stamped out the bunny back and colored it too, which you will see next! I also used some retro stripe and floral paper I had in my stash, because I wanted to make it feel like grandma style wallpaper :) I fussy cut around the flowers and layered them over the wallpaper stripes for the front of the card. I also die cut a hole to make the window for the bunny to be peeking through, and framed it with another die cut.

For the inside of the card, I layered more paper from this paper pack to make it look like more wallpaper and wainscoting. I adhered the bunny back to the front, and made him looking out the window. Let's see him from the "behind"!!!

  
I also used textured solid paper to make more of a base for the floor or bottom part of the wall. 

This was a fun card to whip together, and I just love this little bunny! I will definitely be trying more of these style of stamps because they are so cute, and I love having the front and back of an image.

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Birthday Fishes {02/12/2016}

Punny cards make me happy, and this one is a punny birthday. Let's swim by:

This card used several Lawn Fawn stamp sets: Fintastic Friends (and matching die cuts) and Party Animal (and matching die cuts). I stamped out, colored, then die cut a lot of fishes, coral, seaweed, and the cake. 

This card was for a co-worker, so I wanted to put a lot of fish on it since the card was from all of us, instead of just me. So, lots of fishes, more fishes, and then a few more for good measure.

I added waves to the background using Lawn Fawn's Ocean Wave Borders. I blended distress ink to the white cardstock to create a bit of an undersea effect. I also stamped the sentiment with Versamark Ink, and used Sparkle N Sprinkle's White Detail Embossing Powder [EP298] to make it pop a bit more on the colored cardstock background.

I also stamped the inside, I tried to keep it open since a lot of us would be writing birthday wishes, but I also needed to match the inside to the front, so stamped lots of fishies along the edges and a sentiment inside. Here is what it looked like:

What a silly, punny card! 

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Disco Fever Shaker {02/10/2016}

I am beyond thrilled to be joining Sparkle N Sprinkle as a Designer. Sparkle N Sprinkle has incredible products, and Margaret, the owner, is just the most wonderful lady, and the entire design team and all the folks behind the scenes are amazing!

Today's card is from the Disco Fever (digi version DIGI772) stamp. I wanted to make a frameless shaker card, but needed a solid base. I printed out the pre-colored image of the disco dancing gal on white cardstock. And, lo and behold, my printer was just on the verge of running out of ink. Her boots ended up being streaked due to my printer ink issues, but I really loved the look of it and decided to embrace it because it fit with the theme. She has some funky boots!

After printing her out, I fussy cut around her and the sentiment I also printed out. I kept a large base beneath her feet. After cutting her out, I added two of the new, incredibly awesome neon glitters to the sentiment. I used the Quicky Sakura Glue Pen to add the glue in each letter, and then added in Exulted! Pink Glitter [G1132] and Energized! Orange Glitter [G1133].

 

Here is another view of the sentiment. The two glitters were perfect for this card. I love these neon glitters!!!
 

Another newer product that was the perfect embellishment for this card is the Super Thick Silver Enameled Embossing Powder [EP467]. I swiped a Versamark Ink Pad [VM-001] along the edges of my card front base, and sprinkled on the Super Thick Silver Enameled Embossing Powder [EP467]. I also scattered a bit of the pieces of chunky embossing powder across the front as well. I heated the powder from below (it will fly off if heated from above), until it melted. It formed little puddles of silver on the front, and created a nice, thick framed edge.

Here is another photo of the base with the edging and puddles of the awesome thick embossing powder:
I made the shaker portion of the card with plastic and silver sequins from my stash. I layered the disco dancer on top of the shaker, and added a rectangle base on the back to help give it some bulk. Then, to give some frame to the edge of the shaker portion, I laid down a strip of 1/2" Double-Sided "Tear-ific" Tape [SAT04], half of it across the front, and wrapped the other half around the back. Kinda like a serger seam or something. I also laid a strip of Diamond Mesh Silver [MON3] on top of the Tear-ific Tape on the front. I sprinkled on some Silver Sonic Velvet Glitter (microfine) [GM2002] and burnished it in with my finger tool. Here is what it looks like up close:

This disco dancing, fun lovin' gal is after my heart. I hope you enjoyed this card as much as I enjoyed making it!

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

You're the Gratest Candy Hearts {02/08/2016}

Valentine's Day is coming up ... so buckle up! I made some heart tags to give some chocolate candies to some special people. And, because I used hearts, I am entering these into the current Lawnscaping Challenge.
 
Here they are:

I cut some watercolor paper with heart shaped dies, and then used Lawn Fawn's Best Pun Ever stamp set, and stamped  the sentiment and images with Versamark Ink. I heat embossed some Sparkle N Sprinkle's Black Detail Embossing Powder [EP171]. Then, I did either some ink blending or ink smooshing with several distress inks. The ink smooshing was easy-peasy. I smooshed the ink pad right onto my craft mat, then spritzed with a few pumps of water. Then, I dredged the heart through the inky water. It streaked and swirled all the colors together. Each heart that I did this way looked a little bit different, which was really fun!

Here is another angle of the hearts.

Here is a closeup of one of the ink blended hearts.

And, another view of the gifties.

I hope my peeps enjoy getting these gifties in the mail!

Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris

Rainbow & Clouds Happy Birthday {02/08/2016}

Today's card came together pretty easy - and it makes me happy! Let's check it out:

I made this card for my niece's birthday. She is at the age where rainbows and clouds are fun! So, it was a lot of fun to make. I used Lawn Fawn's Rainbow die to cut the rainbow. I used white cardstock, then colored the rainbow bands with Copics. 

First, I cut a piece of white cardstock with Lawn Fawn's Stiched Rectangle die. I also used Lawn Fawn's Puffy Cloud Borders die and cut a white cardstock rectangle panel piece into cloud layers. I used distress ink and sponged ink onto the tops of the stitched cloud pieces to give them some depth. Here is a close-up:

The sentiment was from Lawn Fawn's Party Animal stamp set. I stamped it with black ink at the bottom of the card. I framed the panel with red, and slapped it onto a card base.

This card was really fun, and I think my niece enjoyed it.


Thanks for stopping by, have a magical day! 

Chris