SNS "ANYTHING BUT A CARD" BLOG HOP

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Here we are with another fun-filled, inspiring blog hop from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  If you came by way of the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog then you are in the right place, because I have the honor of starting out the blog hop this month.   If you happened to come directly to me, then go back to the SNS Blog to get the information you need to win a variety of prizes, but basically, all you need do is comment on each of the designers' pages to be eligible for all the goodies!  That's easy, right?

A while back, one of the designers sent out an e.mail asking what we were all doing for the hop, but, I have to say I didn't reply, not because I was being rude, but as I still had no idea what I was going to do.  I usually try to incorporate a technique in the Blog Hops, using as much SNS product as I can.   With that at the back of my mind, and being in love right now with a new set that just came out,  Set 493 - Silhouettes, here is what I came up with:

I had a clip picture frame lying in a drawer, which I disassembled, masked out a circle from a Post-It note for the sun,  and then applied Versamark ink to the entire back of the glass.  I applied six different embossing powders, starting at the top: Shimmer, Ice Rink, Country Blue, Arctic, Vintage and Hit the Beach, then heat embossed the entire back.  I then went back and applied a mortise mask to the sun, applied Versamark and heat embossed with Gold Coast. 

I simply stamped the Silhouette Scene on the front of the same piece of glass in black StazOn.  I added a couple of extra stamps from the same set, including the birds.  The great thing with working on glass is, before it completely dries, you can erase anything you don't like with StazOn cleaner and a tissue and then stamp over.

All I needed now were a few embellishments: a lovely teal ribbon, some Mudd Puddles, a little shell, and of course the beautiful saying and I was done.  If you need more thorough instructions, you can find them right here in my Gallery.

I hope you liked what I shared today.  After leaving me a comment, you should hop right on over to see what our talented Jacqueline has come up with.  I can't wait to see what everyone has done.  

Enjoy the hop and have a great day!

See you again soon,

Shona

IT'S THE SNS CHRISTMAS IN JULY BLOG HOP

Thanks for stopping by the Sparkle N Sprinkle's Christmas in July Blog Hop.  The design team are aiming to beat the heat with some cool winter and Christmas projects.  Hopefully it will inspire you to get started on your Christmas cards early this year.  All the Christmas, winter and Jewish stamps are on sale this month, so if you see something you particularly like, now is the time to get it!

Grab yourself a cool glass of lemonade and enjoy the show!  If you got here by way of the very talented Barbara Bruder, then you are on the right track.  If not, then you need to go back to the start at the SNS home page, and remember to leave a comment on each of the designer's blogs to be eligible for one of the five prizes.

For my cards today, I used the Merry Crow Stamp Set.  For my first card I kept things really simple, I don't know about you, but with 162 cards to do each Christmas, I try to come up with a couple of easy ones!!  I stamped the Merry Crows twice across the card and colored their hats with Copics and added a little glitter (of course!).  I then added a couple of strips of Sparkle N Soft using the amazing 3/4" Tear-ific Tape. Here is the finished card, and here are the full instructions:

For my second card, I painted the background using different embossing powders. I then stamped the images on top, colored in with Copics and added extra texture, using some Mudd Puddles!  Such fun!

Here is the finished project:

Here's a close up, so you can see the texture of the Mudd Puddles:

....... and here are the full instructions for the card.

I hope you've enjoyed my projects today, now you need to jump over to crafty Marie's blog, but remember to leave a comment for me before you go!  Enjoy the rest of the hop.

CELEBRATING SUMMER

Hi there,

Well here we are half-way through May,
and Summer is definitely on it's way!  (Oh cool - that rhymes!).

Welcome to the latest Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop, where this time we are celebrating everything about summer! If you've hopped here by way of our very creative Marie, then you are on the right track,   If not then you should stop back at the SNS home page to become eligible for five great prizes. To be eligible for these fabulous prizes, all you have to do is a leave a little comment on each one of the blogs on the hop.

 I had fun with this month's theme, as it was wide open to the many summery images of Sparkle N Sprinkle.  At the same time - we had an in-house challenge to use embossing powders in ways a little more differently than just embossing an image and then coloring in.  I, of course jumped in straight away and got my feet wet!!

I did a few different techniques on my first card.  One of my favorites: the Cracked-Ice technique, was used on the star fish.  I embossed the Beach Squares (all stamps from Set 431 - Summer Swirl) by arranging them all on an acrylic block and applying Versamark then spooning the three EPs (one at a time): Electric Blue, Tuscan Star and Blue Fizz. The background piece was done in the same manner, just apply Versamark ink to the edges, this way you get a totally color-coordinated base for your card. The tag was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with the Tuscan Star EP again and then I covered the tag with Versamark and heat embossed with Super Thick Clear embossing powder.  Full details for the card are right here:

For my second card, I used the Embossing Painting technique, which is to cover the entire card with Versamark and either working up or down, spoon on the different colors of embossing powders to emulate a scene. Here, I started at the bottom and used Hit the Beach for the beach, White Detail for the sea foam, Jamaican Dream for the Sea, Silver for the horizon and Poolside for the sky. I added a little White Detail to the sky and sea and then heat embossed from the underside to create the clouds and sea foam. Oh, and then use a Versamarker to add a little Sparkle embossing powder to the sea and sand to add the sun's bling!  You then emboss your images on top of your background and color with Copics where needed.  Full instructions for the card can be found here:

So on to my third card. Yes, I was on an embossing roll!  This time I used "my" embossing painting technique.  This is where you paint on Embossable Acetate using different colored embossing powders on the back-side of your image.  You can stamp the image in Staz-On or in Versamark and then heat emboss with Black embossing powder. That's what I did with this last card.  Then use a Versamarker or Penboss to apply the ink inside the lines of the image. Do one color at a time.  For full instructions for this card, click here:

The items on sale this month are: Water, Food and Beverages and our Featured Artist is Rosiland Solomon. So if you've had your eye on something in those categories - now is the time to get it!

I hope you've enjoyed what I had to show you today. Remember to leave a comment before you hop on over to see what our talented Julie has in store for you.  

As always, thanks for stopping by .....

Shona

  

SURF'S UP!

Hi, there,

I want to quickly share with you the newest buzz over at Sparkle N Sprinkle.  They've just come out with two fabulous new sets called Surf's Up (set 455)  and Surfin' Woody (set 456).  In appreciation for following the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop and all the Design Team Blogs, we're offering a ONE DAY SALE  on those two sets before they are released to the public.

If you purchase one of the sets, you will receive a 10% discount.  If you purchase both sets, you'll receive a 15% discount!!!!  All you have to do is pay by credit card (so your total can be adjusted before you are billed) and place a comment in the comments section of the order on the Sparkle N Sprinkle website that you'd like the blog post discount.

Click on the sets above and scroll down to see what some of the designers have been doing with these sets.  I've just finished working on my third card, which I can't show you until next month, because I'm going to use it for the Sketch challenge!  But here are the first two cards that I came up with:

LIFE'S JUST BEACHY (click for full instructions)

As you can see - I'm still playing with April's Technique Tuesday (Acetate Resist) - check out the little shirt on the washing line!

.... and I used the same technique and my embossing painting technique in the next one:

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' (click for full instructions)

I have had so much fun playing with these sets - so what are you waiting for?  Go "surf" the web for the great deal.  You have until midnight tonight to order!

 ... and as always thanks for stopping by!

WORLD ANIMAL DAY

W(OOF)ELCOME to our Sparkle and Sprinkle World Animal Day Blog Hop!  I'm so glad you've taken time out of your busy day to come see what we are doing with our products over at Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Today we are honoring all our two and four-legged friends (oh, I guess there are six, eight and one hundreds too - hopefully they are not that smart - so they won't sue me!!)) that share the planet earth with us.

Here is the in-order-list of the Blog Hop this month:

SNS Home Blog

Patti White 

Sandy Meier 

Barbara Bruder

Dawn Thomas

Judy Rozema

Julie Zippel 

Karalee Ingram

Karin Martin

Marie Berquist

You're here

Linda Loew 

So, you're on the final stretch, and should have galloped over from Marie Berquist's  blog to get to here.  If you have come here without seeing all the other blogs, you will want to go back to the SNS Home Page to be eligible for one of the two prizes this month - a stamp set of your choice.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, the 5th of October (between 11 am and 3 pm) on the SNS Blog.

For this Blog Hop, the Design Team had an in-house challenge to use Spellbinders in our animal cards.  I was in!!   I don't really know how I made a card pre-Spellbinders!!  I just love my Grand Calibur!  So I just went wild (animal) - I love to use the Grand Spellbinders as a base of a card and my first card today is no exception!

I had so much fun creating this.  I had used the Mirror Stamp in my last blog and was thinking "What could I fit in that heart shape Tent Topper?".  I just think the giraffes fit quite nicely into the space - don't you?  To find complete directions on how to do this card, just click here.   

I felt that I had to give our two-legged friends some love too!  So for my second card I used a few other images from the Set 275 - Critters, along with the Oval Spellbinders.  Oh and don't forget - my embossing painting.  Yes, I know I really need to get that Tutorial up.  After doing a rather mono-chromatic card - I really wanted the next to be super colorful.  I hope that I succeeded!

 

I wish the Blog Hops weren't so close together this time - as I could go on forever with animal cards!  I do have a big month of birthdays coming up.  Two brothers and umpteen friends!  So maybe I'll just go let my animal instincts go wild in my stamping room - after all - it already looks like a stampede just ran through it!!  LOL

Well that's all for now folks!  Remember to leave a comment for me here now, and at the SNS home blog, after you have visited the incredibly talented Linda Loew.  Thanks again for stopping by!

SPARKLING WINTER SENSATIONS

Hi there, and welcome to our cool Sparkling Winter Sensations Blog Hop!  I hope that you are beating the heat, sitting in front of your computer, with a nice cool drink and blasting the air-conditioner.  Hopefully the SNS's designers' cool creations will chill you down at least for a while, as you go through the Blog Hop and leave comments on each of the designers' blogs, giving you the chance to become eligible for six "hot" prizes!

If you mountain boarded in from Dawn Thomas' blog - then you are on the right ski trail!  If not, take the ski lift back to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog at http://sparklensprinkle.com/blog/. You don't want to miss out on any chances to win!

For my winter season cards, I wanted to highlight one of my latest favorite products from Sparkle N Sprinkle, the 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape.   It is a super-quick way to make super cool backgrounds.  For my first card I adhered the tape across a piece of ivory cardstock , then applied Waterfall glitter, to make a sparkly strip to highlight my ornaments!

I also used the tape on the two background ornaments.  After stamping and embossing in gold, I colored in with Copic Markers and then stuck the Tear-ific tape over the front of the entire ornament.  I cut out the ornament using the Spellbinders die cut, which can be purchased as a combo along with the Heirloom Ornament stamp set and then I took off the protective backing and applied Sparkling Snow Glitter.  For complete instructions to make this card, just click here.

The tape is strong enough to hold everything.  In this sample, I colored the same ornament three times and then applied the tape on top of the center ornament in the same way after it was colored.  This time I stuck clear micro beads for a different look.  To see full instructions for this card, click right here.





So now, how about a couple of ornaments!  I stamped the big Joy Ornament from the Heirloom Ornament stamp set, twice in red, and twice in green.  Cover both with the tape again and cut out with the Spellbinders die cut.  Glue the two ornaments together and punch a hole for the thread.  Remove the protective backing and apply the micro beads to both sides.  An easy ornament ready to adorn your Christmas tree this year!  Here they are, and their full instructions are here:

 Joy, Joy, Joy!

For my last card, I switched gears back to a technique that I used in the last SNS blog hop, which was the "embossing painting".  I got many favorable comments on my embossable acetate over the basketball court photo card.  So I thought I'll keep you "oiled", while you wait on my next blog, which I am hoping to get to soon, which will be a tutuorial on the embossing painting technique.  My Christmas card is less complex than the basketball player, so if you tried the technique and were scared off, perhaps try doing this card, and you'll see how easy and effective it can be!

For full instructions on how to create this card , just click here.  Basically, for the embossing painting on the acetate all you do is stamp the tree in Versamark on the embossable acetate and heat emboss with Silver embossing powder. Repeat the process with Merry Christmas, under the tree image and heat emboss with Gold.  Then turn the piece over and using the Penboss marker, paint within the outline of the tree and then heat emboss with Halo embossing powder.  One more step, apply Versamark ink to the same side as the Halo EP and then heat emboss with "my-all- time-favorite, never-be-without" Sparkle embossing powder.  Such a sparkly little number - don't you think?   

Well that is it from me for this Blog Hop.  I hope I am one of "The Five" holding a secondary prize, so please be sure to leave a comment here, before you ski down the mountain to Eleanor Jenkins' blog at http://stampinginva.blogspot.com/ and see what she has in store for you!  Enjoy the cool ride! 

The "Not So Macho Masculine" Card Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle "Not So Macho Masculine" Card Blog Hop.  If you are anything like me, meaning you cringe every time you have to make a masculine card, then you are in for a treat this month!  This month all the sports, vehicles and school stamp sets are on sale, just in time for Father's Day creations.  If you got here by way of the SNS Home Page then you are heading for a field goal!  If you came directly to me, go back to home plate here at SNS to get all the information you need to be eligible to win a stamp set of your choice and 13 different designer choice goodies!

Throughout my life, I've always been surrounded with sports. Actually, I can't think of many that I haven't tried (well OK. I don't do skydiving, but then I really don't think that should be considered a sport - more like a suicide aid!!).  I grew up with three brothers; enough said!  My Dad is a very keen and reasonably proficient (I would say) golfer.  I met my hubby playing coed softball and my 11 year old is not happy unless there is some kind of sport ball at his finger-tips or toes!  So for me, when I heard masculine theme, I just had to go with Sports.

So for the SNS masculine Blog Hop I decided to highlight Set 257 - Baseball and Basketball.  I have a soon-to-be 11 year old, (next Monday, actually) and his birthday present is going to be a basketball hoop!  Hopefully he'll like the card too!  So, here is my first card, Slam Dunk!

When my hubby and I met, I was the pitcher on the team!  So, I think I'll strike him out again!  Here is my Father's Day card.  For this one I used three of my favorite Sparkle N Softs!  I used Irish Sparkle (for the grass), Blissful Blue (for the sky) and Sparkling Sands (of course for the mound).  Just stick a piece of Tear-ific Tape down and apply the different Sparkle N Softs and you have an instant background!  My personal give-away to add to the Grand Prize today is Irish Sparkle.  Remember to leave a comment at the bottom of each of the blogs and at the home blog to increase your chances of winning!

And for my final card, I thought to incorporate one of SNS's new avenues!  Lately, Sparkle N Sprinkle has been attending Scrapbooking Conventions, so we've been giving a lot more thought to how to incorporate our products in the Scrapbooking World!  Our designers have been been busy showing some fun things to do with photographs, using our embossing powders, glitters and lately, the Copic markers.

I personally love to play with our Embossable Acetate, and that is what I have used in the creation of my final card for you today.  I call it "embossing painting".  You paint the embossable acetate with a Versamarker pen and then "color in" with an Opaque embossing powder.  Layer it over a black and white photograph - e voila!  Click here for complete instructions for this card.







I hope you have enjoyed seeing my projects!  Don't forget - leave a comment here (to increase your chances of winning) and then slide on over to Eleanor to see what she has in the second inning for you!