SEASIDE PEACE

When I think of the word peace, calming sounds are what come to my mind.  When it comes to calming sounds - nothing can beat that of the tide lapping up on a beach, with the soft breeze rustling the sea grasses - just all so soothing! 

So here is my photo of peace: The North Sea!! Taken from behind the sand dunes in St. Andrews, Scotland. It was a warm and not windy day, I might add!

In an attempt to capture the sea breeze and the sound of the tide I used Sparkle N Sprinkle's Set 493: Silhouettes, which till now has been one of my favorite sets. I have to say I am a little partial to silhouette stamps on the whole - and therefore was delighted when another Silhouette Set was brought out - it's with a garden theme, but you'll have to wait till next week for the May 1st Reveal to see that one!

After stamping the scene on Embossable Acetate with Black StazOn, I tried to make the scene look like it was viewed through an old cracked window, as I wanted to use the new Crackle Background from this month's reveal. However, it was too much on top of the scene, so I decided to go with a "crackled" frame instead.

The frame was cut and embossed from a piece of chipboard and then after applying Versamark, I heat embossed with Ocean and Squash embossing powders first. Versamark was reapplied and then Magic Speckle was next. It is best to heat from the underside when using the marbled embossing powders as the white flecks tend to fly off if heated from the top. With the chipboard being thicker, it took a while to emboss this! Vintage embossing powder was used to achieve the crackled background.

The background isn't quite so swirly in reality - but I loved what the camera did here, so kept it!  I wanted to create a dreamy looking background and was able to achieve it by dabbing ink from the Kaleidacolor Creole Spice Ink Pad directly onto an acrylic pad, then misting with water, before placing glossy white cardstock face down in the ink.

The acetate scene was attached to the back of the frame and then I attached dimensional foam to make a well for the shaker card.  I put in some real sand and some micro beads, thinking that when it got shaken it would make the noise of the tide on the beach! Which it actually does! The protective backing was removed from the tape and the inked background was placed over the well, encasing the sand and the beads.

The Chipboard word "Peace" was covered with Versamark and heat embossed with Antiquities, then again with the Ocean marbled powder. I added some Ice Sea Glass Mudd Puddles to the right hand side and attached "Peace" with some Mega Tack Glue to finish off the card.

I'd like to enter today's "Peace" card in the challenge over at the Path of Positivity. 

Can't you just hear the tide swishing over the beach? Summer will be here before we know it! Yeah!

Remember to stop back next week for our May 1st Reveal - to check out the new Garden Silhouette set. I assure you - you will not be disappointed! OK, I'll be nice - here's a little sneak preview!  

Hope you've enjoyed your visit, see you next week!

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 

A VISIT FROM THE HUBBY!

Here's another Golf card - this time with a little humor!  There may be a few out there that can relate?  

I took the lady golfer from Sparkle N Sprinkle's new Golf Set 509 and positioned her behind the window die cut and layered that on top of the brick background. I then stamped the sentiment and made it into a golf ball, using the Polka Dot embossing folder.

The card opens up to the scene that our little lady sees out of her window:

Hubby has just hit his last ball towards the 18th - so he should be home soon!  She better get the lunch ready!!

Here's a closer look at the three inside panels:

Plenty of bling, using Sparkle N Sprinkle's Sparkle N Soft.  I added some to the leaves and clouds and each of the panels are edged with Sparkling Sands. 

Some dimensional glue was added to the golf cart and to the flag. The "rough" was achieved using Golf Mudd Puddles.

Well that's it for today, our little golfer is headed home for lunch - I wonder what she's prepared for him?

Hope you have a great day,

Be back soon!

Shona

AT THE BEACH BLOG HOP WITH SPARKLE N SPRINKLE

Welcome to the latest Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop.  Today we are getting in summer mode with our beach theme!  You're at the penultimate stop in the hop if you came by way of our very talented technique lady, April!  If you didn't, you may want to start back at the beginning of the hop at the Sparkle N Sprinkle home, then leave a comment on each of the designers' blogs, to be eligible for all the prizes that are up for grabs.  

I did four different projects this month, but I'm only showing you two for now!  

I absolutely love the new Silhouette Set 493.  If you did our last month's hop, you'll recognize it.  I also used it for the Sketch Challenge for May. Make sure you check out the challenge this month, you have 'till the end of the month to enter.  This set is so versatile, just by changing the colors used, you can get an entirely different look every time.  So this time I made a beach scene using the Silhouette set and some watercolor crayons.  I stamped in brown StazOn instead of black, to make it look more natural.  Adding a little Florida Beach Glitter here and there, and some Sparkling Snow glitter for the waves, to give it a little bling, like the sun was reflecting off the water.

For the inside of the card, I incorporated some stamps from another set - 403 By the Seashore:

You can find complete directions in my gallery here.

For my second card, I decided to use some Beach Glass Mudd Puddles, and yet another "beachy" set 404 - Ocean Treasures.  I colored the shells with Copics and stuck them to a piece of 2 1/2" Tear-ific Tape.  I then applied Sparkling Sands Sparkle N Soft to the remaining exposed tape, to give the look of the shells lying in the sand:

I used one of the Tide Embossing Folders, that SNS carries for my "waves".  You'll find complete directions here for the above card.

Stop by in the next couple of weeks and I'll have the other projects posted.  

Now it's time to hop on over to the ever-inspiring Brenda to see what she has done with the beach theme.  

Have a great day!

Shona

STOP THE LIFE BUS - I WANT TO STAMP!

Why does life always get in the way of stamping?  I've had a crazy two weeks, so I raised my hands and said forget even going up to the stamping room since last Thursday!  

It started with a girlfriend coming in for an overnight a week past Tuesday.  She left on Wednesday, then it was straight to the High School musical (Legally Blonde) rehearsal to take photos, and again on Thursday and Friday.  Friday evening old friends came in from Washington DC, they were staying 'till Sunday.  

Calum, our youngest had three soccer games over the weekend - the first of which was at 8 am on Saturday!  Then the next was at 11.30.  Gillian, our daughter, in the meantime had to be at school at 6.15am, as they were getting bussed to a rehearsal in the city, as she was rehearsing with the High School for a concert  at Carnegie Hall on Monday night!  

Saturday night ended up being late and Calum had his third game at 8 am on Sunday morning!  I ended up missing that one, as I was concerned I wouldn't get back in time to make my 11am appointment, which was to chaperone the choir in the city.  We finally got home at 8.30pm, exhausted, and went to bed.  I had offered to chaperone Monday also, so it was another 11am start from school, and with the performance, which was amazing, starting at 8 pm - they sang the Durufle Requiem, we pulled in to the school parking lot at 12.15am.  

Here's Gillian (center), singing at Carnegie Hall:

Tuesday, I spent the day going through the photos.  I had previously done the headshots, so I just had to pick out some of the best of the shots I had taken over the past week, to put up on the action shots poster boards.  Wednesday afternoon was the dress rehearsal that they do for the local Seniors. I recorded the performance, and took the last of my photos (463) making a total of 2081!  (Oh my God, oh my God - you Guys!)  The last four musicals we've created a DVD with 800+ pictures, set to the music of the show.  The kids love to have the memories! 

Here's Gillian (center) in the musical:

Yesterday afternoon I went up to the church to survey the grounds - I'm in charge of the landscaping for the church, and we are having our Spring Clean-Up on Saturday morning, yes I know - who scheduled that right in the middle of the musical?  You guessed it - me!

So last night was Opening Night and the show went great. Today, I'm catching up with everything that has not been done since last Monday and getting ready for my 8am start up at the church tomorrow!

Knowing how crazy things were going to be, I had got ahead in most of my stamping stuff and plan to dedicate next week to catching up with that.  So, in the meantime let me share a couple of ATCs that I did a couple of weeks ago.  

They are so much fun to make!  Details?  Still staying with the sun and beach idea, here is the second one:

Aren't Mudd Puddles cool?  You can find the ingredients for this one right here!

OK, that's it from me for today.  Got to go and make up my to-do list for tomorrow.  I hope to post again next week.  

Shona 

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.