Holly Season's Greetings

Hi there and welcome to May! I've been missing for a while, between the kitchen renovations, and then battling with families of raccoons up above the garage, where I normally stamp! So, needless to say, I've not been doing much of anything up there! We caught another two on Friday night in have-a-heart traps, but there are probably more to be caught!  The pest control ran out of traps!!

Thankfully the weather has started to get really nice, tonight is the last of the frost warnings and I am looking forward to planting my annuals on Thursday!! In the meantime, my perennials have been keeping me amused. Columbine, such a dainty and beautiful plant is my header for May.

Anyway, on to my card today, which is for the Christmas Craft Creations Design Team.  

This month the theme is:

Of course, I couldn't make up my mind what die to use, so I ended up using 4!

I began with die cutting the Tutti Holly Panel from green cardstock.

Sticker paper was attached to the back of the panel and then I added Cherry Sparkle flocking.

Then I stuck a piece of 2 1/2" Terrific-Tape down on white cardstock and cut it out with the Spellbinders Mega Oval Large die.

The Winterland Holly was cut from the same green cardstock.

The Tonic Season's Greetings sentiment was then cut from red cardstock and both of the dies were arranged on top of the sticky oval.

The remaining sticky surface was then applied with Snow White Flocking.

The front panel was taped to a red card base and then the sentiment was added with mounting tape. A few self-adhesive rhinestones were added for the holly berries.

Below you can see the dimension and fuzziness of the flocking a bit better!

Here is a list of what I used on my card today:

Cottage Cutz Winterland Holly

Tutti Designs Holly Panel

Tonic Season’s Greetings

Spellbinders Mega Oval Large

Sticker Paper

2 ½” Tear-ific Tape

Cherry Sparkle Flocking

Snow White Flocking

Self Adhesive red rhinestones

I hope you've enjoyed my share today?

Please leave a comment and then head on over to the Christmas Craft Creations blog where you can see all the other Designer's creations and then upload yours to the link. All you need to do is use a die cut!! How easy is that?

I'd like to join in the following challenges:

The Holly & the Ivy Challenge #71: Anything Goes
Unicorn Challenge Blog #54: Use Dies
MLCCB #22: Anything Goes
CHNC Challenge Blog #489: Include a tree (Holly)
Crimbo Crackers Challenge #210: Use a Die Cut
Fezziwigs says anything festive goes Challenge #10

Stay safe everyone!

Shona

WISHING EWE A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Good morning to Ewe!

Today, I'm jumping ahead to 2017, with this fun little set from the December Reveal, Will Ewe be Mine Set 813, to wish the recipient a Happy Valentine's Day.

I n"ewe" right away that I wanted these little lambs to be fluffy, and what better way to do that than with some fun Snow White flocking! Did you know you can color your flocking? Just dab a Copic marker using the side of the nib and the color transfers nicely on to the flocking. If you are doing larger areas - you can use a dauber. I used the marker for the inside of the little lambs' ears.

So to begin, I stuck a piece of 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape to a piece of white cardstock. I took off the protective backing and added the Snow White Flocking to the sticky surface and burnished it in well with my finger tool. Once I was happy with the coverage, I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black directly on top of the flocking. I then stamped the image on black cardstock in Versamark and heat embossed with White Detail.

After coloring in the lambs' ears, I fussy cut the two white lambs on the left and right so that I could pop them up along side the little black sheep.

I covered the silver brads in Versamark and then dipped them in the Red Apple embossing powder and heat set them.

Using a Versamarker Pen, I added a little embossing ink to the inside of the black sheep's ears and heat embossed with Petal Pink.

The white sheep were then adhered on top of the black version and I used a needle with silver thread to make the heart rope, before adding all the little hearts to the image.

Dimensional Glue was used to add the googly eyes. The red background was die cut with Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Scallop Rectangles before being embossed with the Darice Hearts embossing folder. This was then layered over the image then layered on white cardstock.

The sentiment was stamped on red cardstock in Versamark and then heat embossed  with Black Detail, this was also cut out using one of the smaller Lifestyle Crafts Rectangles. A piece of red and white gingham ribbon was attached to the back of the sentiment and this was popped up with Foam Squares at the base of the card.

The ribbon was attached to the back of the card front before being layered to the black card base to finish.

I'd like to join in the following Challenge with my card today:

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge: 15th November - Anything Goes

I hope "ewe've" enjoyed my share today!

Big Hugs,

Shona

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

SPARKLE N SPRINKLE DECEMBER MYSTERY PARTY WINNERS

Hi!  Thanks to everyone who played in Sparkle N Sprinkle's recent "Beautiful Geraniums" Mystery Party. We enjoyed making the new projects, and hope you enjoyed browsing. 

April Williams was our Mystery Designer for the contest. With 22 comments left on April's blog, Mr. Random.org was used to generate our Commenting Winner - . Jean Bullock!

Here is another card that I made, while playing with this beautiful new set 519: Geraniums:

I used the same floral frame that I had used in my first card (scroll down to last post to see). I used the two-step stamping technique, stamping the silhouette geranium on watercolor paper with the stamp colored with crayon and misted with water. Then went over the top of the image with the detail stamp. I love the soft look it gives.

I took some of the 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape and stuck it down to white cardstock. I then cut out some little flowers  and a base for my sentiment and after removing the protective backing, covered them with Bubblegum Glitter.  I fussy cut one of the flowers from the stamped image to go along with my other two little flowers.

The background is the silhouette geranium stamped randomly over white cardstock and then heat embossed with Clear Detail Powder. I ran Memento Angel Pink ink over the top to achieve the resist technique.  

Full instructions for making this card can by found here:

Hope you've enjoyed your little visit with me today!

See you again soon, off to continue with some Christmas cards now!

Hugs,

Shona

OCTOBER CREATIVE CHALLENGE AND A NEW SET!

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's October 1 Release,

where you have two chances to win

the 1st with our "Snow One Like You" Release Contest

 and

the 2nd with the SNS monthly challenge!

As you discovered last month, Sparkle N Sprinkle has changed things up a bit. At the beginning of each month, one or two new affordably-priced sets will be featured on our Facebook Page, Blog, Jazzy Jill's Technique Video for the month, Designers' Blogs, and our Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenges Blog, where the monthly theme is always "Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking"
(There are three winners each month, badges and awards too!)

But Today...

 Sparkle N Sprinkle is releasing a darling little "Snow One Like You" set created by artist Beccy Muir. Jazzy Jill is also releasing the new Technique Video kit for October which uses this sweet new set. Click here for details about the monthly Technique Video Club.

For a chance to win the Snow One Like You stamp set, an embossing powder and a glitter, we are kicking things off with our 2nd Mystery Designer Party!

At the same time we are releasing a pretty new Flourishes Set #516 by artist Rosiland Solomon, created by popular demand from our designers and customers (thank you for the suggestions).

How to Party with Us:

On one of the participating blogs below, a Commenter will be selected to receive the prize. 

Snow One knows who the Mystery Designer is, so you may wish to visit each blog to leave a comment.

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

Emmy van den Heuvel (Debuting Designer)

Mayra Duran-Hernandez (Debuting Designer)

Shona Erlenborn (that would be me!)

Eret's Kaardimaania (Debuting Designer)

Craft E Marie Berquist

April "Stampwilly" Williams

Belinda Shupe
Barbara Bruder

Donna Ellis

Here's a SPECIAL TREAT

A shared Reveal Day with artist Beccy Muir and her fabulous designers so you can gain even MORE wonderful ideas in using this sweet set! To see what Beccy's digi team has created using these images, please click here.

AND AND AND

This darling Snow One Like You Set#515 and the pretty Flourishes One set #516 are available available  at 20% off 

as part of our Snow One specials. 

Just use the code SNOWONE20 in the COMMENTS SECTION 

when checking out in the SNS on-line store 

to receive these brand new sets at 20% off.

Promotion valid through October 3.(sorry, credit card customers only. Total will be manually adjusted. Or phone the SNS shoppe on Wednesday and ask them to manually adjust the charge on the phone for you).

So now that you've got all the details - let's get on with the show:

This is such a cute little set. I decided to go for a super sparkly look, so for the background I tried my hand at using metallic green cardstock, which I ran through a snowflake embossing folder. I loved the result ('though had no idea how hard it was going to be to photograph later!) 

  

The little snowman was stamped on Cloud Nine glitter and I colored him with Copics. I applied 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape to white cardstock and cut out three different snowflakes using the Spellbinders Snowflake die. I peeled off the protective backing and applied Lator Gator Velvet Glitter to get my sparkly green snowflakes!

I made the "snowflake poinsettia" in the same way, except I applied Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter and then distressed the edges with a little green ink. I added one of the snowflakes on top and finished off with a snowflake brad.

My "snow" was created using Mudd Puddles Ice Sea Glass. Full directions can be found here, if needed. 

Here he is in his little green winter wonderland! Hope you've enjoyed your visit with me today, remember to leave a comment, as I may be the Mystery Designer. Please pop over to the other Designers' blogs to check out what they have done with these new release sets. You're sure to find plenty of inspiration.

Warm snowy hugs!

Shona 

"HOOT OF A PRIZE" WINNER!

A big thanks to all of you that joined us for the latest Sparkle N Sprinkle release of Set 510: Owlettes.  The winner was randomly picked from the (Mystery Designer) Belinda Shupe's blog: 

CONGRATULATIONS KAREN LADD!

Please e-mail SNS_Artist@tampabay.rr.com with your mailing address, choice of one glitter and embossing powder which can be used with your dear little owlettes, and we will get your prize in the mail!

While we were preparing for our big release, I played a little with the Owlette set and some of the many products that Sparkle N Sprinkle has to offer. Here are three more designs that I came up with:

  

This one uses our "Glow in the Dark" embossing powder!  I used a Versamarker pen to apply the embossing powder to the rings around the eyes.  It's also a great embossing powder choice for those upcoming Halloween projects! The instructions are here.

Then I decided to glitter things up a bit, using the Tear-ific Tapes. It's so easy to add strips of bling (not to mention furry softness) to your projects! 

For the little owl, I used the 2 1'2" Tear-ific Tape with some Buff Flocking and then shaded with Copics on top. He is also attached to a wobble, another fun element to add to your projects!

I also edged the card base with the 1/2" Tape, centered the card front and applied the Buff Flocking to the exposed edges. Can you see the fuzziness in the frame?  

For my last card I decided to use two of the new marbled embossing powders, Ocean and Mojito:

Mojito for the grass, Ocean for the sky! Full details can be found here, if needed:

So there you have a few more ideas for this adorable little set.  

Owl be back soon!

Shona