SEPTEMBER MINI BLOG HOP - THE BIG DAY!

Hi there,

So glad you stopped by today. If you are participating in the Mini Blog for the chance to win the cute "Big Day Stamp Set", along with a calendar, you should have visited me via Chris's blog. If you didn't and want to be in the running for the prize this month then go back to the beginning of the hop with Jess.

Now that summer is" almost" behind us and school is back in session - it's back to getting up early (5.30am for me - GROAN!) and getting back to a routine! To help us keep everything straight, Sparkle N Sprinkle is debuting this cute little set - The Big Day! Here is what I created:

Decided to branch out and do something other than a card this time! Had no idea how far this was going to go, but I got on a roll and then just couldn't stop myself!!

This planner/calendar stamp set that was included in this month's video technique kit club. This new set is 20% off until Sept 23.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  

Big Day 749

A WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs and will receive this new Big Day set along with the Basic Grey calendar kit also showcased in this month's video.

  Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for this Prize.  You never know who the Mystery Designer will be that has the winning comment.  

The Grand Prize Winner, will be announced on Sept 23 on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog.

The Blog Hop order for our Mini Reveal is:

Jess

Chris

Shona (you're here)

Eret

Anne

Marie

Diane

Ashley

Ani

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

WARNING! This post is heavily loaded with pictures!

It was inspired by this:

Hubby, David changes this daily (when he's home - I do it when he is travelling). I thought the little stamps were the perfect size for the little special days. Our new calendar will be more for our routine than just major holidays (afterall - you really do remember when Christmas and New Year's Day is, don't you? - they are on the back of the 25 and the 1st! - however, you don't always remember your anniversary!) Now you have no excuse!

So you see how it works? The month you are in is posted at the top and then there is a space between the dates and after the space is the date you are on (everything has a magnet on the back,  so the extras are kept conveniently on the back). The tin plaque hanger was a cheap find from Michaels. It was a happy accident that the month plaques coordinated nicely with the shape of the plaque!

I started with the special days from the stamp set. These were done using little wooden blocks, which were each given two coats of Acrylic paint. (Note to self - paint both sides of each wooden piece next time - I think it would look more professional). I then stamped the images with Black StazOn ink and colored them in with Dye based ink markers. I did a few extra birthday blocks. Pink icing for the girls and blue for the boys, as our calendar only had one, which was never enough!

The dates were created using a piece of black cardstock covered in Versamark and heat embossed with Clear Detail. This was then attached to a strip of 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape and then each date was punched out.

These numbers were attached to each of the blocks from 1 to 31.

The Magnetic Sheets were cut into 1 inch squares, which worked really well with the little 1 1/4" wooden squares. They were attached to the back of each of the squares. 

So on to the months! Did you see Demo Donna's last video using Dimensional Glue as embellishments. I had to add a finer applicator to the dimensional glue spout as it needed to come out in a finer flow to fit the area I was working with - but doing this worked very well. I then applied 12 different glitters to the glued lettering:

Which colors to choose? Well, I decided to use the Velvet Glitters for the birthstone for each month and there was one for all, except for January and February! So for January I used Collegiate Garnet and Periwinkle for February, both Opaque Ultra Fine glitters:

January - Garnet - Collegiate Garnet (G1114)
February - Amethyst - Periwinkle (G1060)
March - Aquamarine - Teal Velveteen (GM2017)
April - Diamond - Reflection (GM2007)
May - Emerald - Lator Gator (GM2008)
June - Alexandrite - Purple Rain (GM2020)
July - Ruby - Gypsy Red (GM2005)
August - Peridot - Luau Green (GM2004)
September - Sapphire - Cobalt Glaze (GM2013)
October - Opal - Mountain Mint (GM2015)
November - Yellow Topaz - Daisy (GM2019)
December - Blue Topaz - Jasper Blue (GM2012)

All that was left was the letters for the days of the week. I found some letters that were self adhesive, and got permission to use two brand new, not-yet-released embossing powders - Polka Dot and Dalmation!:

Aren't these powders stunning? They will be in the Shoppe soon!

I practiced first on the least useful letters to make sure it would work! Loved the results!

All of the months, dates and images were sealed several times with an Acrylic Sealer. 

...... and then it was complete! Front:

.... and back:

  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  (We love reading your comments as they inspire us as well.)  Now it is time for you to hop on over to Eret's blog. 

Till next time,

Hugs,

Shona