Hello Sunshine

I needed something to get me motivated and saw this pretty sketch at

Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

I have to say it 'spoke' to me as I had just purchased a few 'ahem' (16)

new paper pads.

Four of them are very new to me from Mintaypapers and made in Poland.

They are GORGEOUS and I knew right away

I wanted to use them for this sketch!

So, that being said, ALL the papers you see are from the Springtime collection.

 I used Tutti Designs Dotted Nesting Rectangles.

The flowers are from Sparkle N Sprinkle stamp set Nasturtium 1.

I colored them in with Copics and added a bit of sparkle with a Stardust gelly roll pen.

The sentiment is from Stampendous Spring Sentiments.

I used my Tim Holtz Stamp platform to stamp both the flowers

and the sentiment.  The sentiment was stamped with Dew Drop Bamboo Leaves ink.

Here is that gorgeous paper pad

I thought this sketch was a wonderful way to showcase the papers

with the designs like this, as I never know how to use them.

I am sure I will be using this sketch again, just for these kind of papers!

Rock On

My grandson (one of 7) had his 17th birthday

and this is his card for that.

Kind of hard to make a card fitting for a 17 year old.

I used a die from Tutti Designs Electric Guitar

and made a few records from round punches.

Funny thing is he probably won't even know what records are lol!

I guess that shows MY age!!

The background is a simple star embossing folder.

The guitar was cut from metallic paper.

On another note, are you wanting to be on a Design Team?

A new company for dies is having a DT call,

Cheapo Dies.....

all the info can be found HERE....

hurry though as it ends 1/31!!

entering the following challenges:

Cardz For Guys .... Music

City Crafter .... Musical Instrument

All Hearts

Today I am joining in at the

Watercooler Wednesday challenge which is

I embossed a white panel half way up with a snowfall embossing folder,

then stamped the sentiment in the lower half.

I added a scrap of red ribbon to divide the halves

and a snowflake bow left from another scrap .

For my 'snowy scene' I used a die from Tutti Designs

'Winter House'.

As long as I am mentioning Tutti Designs

I will use this opportunity to announce that I have

'stepped down' from creating the sample cards for the Tutti store.

I really enjoyed all the dies and a great company to work for

but I found that it just ate up too much of my life

and I had to step back, take a look, and make a big decision,

one that was 'right' for me.

I will miss it, but I feel very good about my decision!

Entering the following challenges:
Winter wonderland .... Embossing
Rudolph Days .... ATG Christmas

Dashing Through The Snow Challenge

A new challenge begins today at The Sisterhood of Crafters

and is being hosted by our lovely 'sistah' Marsha

and she has chosen the theme

'Dashing Through The Snow'

use any thing snow related as long as it has 'snow'!

I had so many things I could of used for this challenge

that it was mind boggling!

In the end I chose this very old (and never used)

stamp set from Stampin' Up 'A Beautiful Season (2003).

About time it saw it's 'debut' don't you think?

I used the largest in the set of Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Rectangles

to stamp the image in Versamark on.

I embossed the snowman image with Sparkle N Sprinkle Black Detail EB powder, (the EB powder really makes him 'pop')

then using a real red SU marker, just colored in his scarf.

I added a red panel of card stock underneath,

and a fun snowman designer paper under that.

To finish, I added a red ribbon bow and a button snowflake!

Now head on over to The Sisterhood of Crafters

and see all the beautiful designs my 'sistahs' have created....

join in with us, too!

Entering the following challenges:
Merry Monday Christmas Challenge .... Let It Snow 
Addicted To Stamps .... Baby It's Cold Outside
Dragonfly Dreams .... The Power of Red
Challenge Up Your Life .... Snowman

Springtime Wishes

I have lots of 'free' time on my blog lately
(which is good, yes?)
and decided to do a fun challenge I saw at
'Inspired By All The Little Things'
not only does the inspiration board appeal to me
but the name of the challenge does as well
and it looks to be a well run challenge...
which I prefer :>)

I was inspired by the pink, the flowers and the embossing,
I 'kind of' incorporated it all in my own way.

Now, after all that being said
I can tell you I struggled with my Orchid I made.
I bought this die several years ago and never felt I
did it much justice, well it is what it is I guess!

I embossed my pink card base with a hearts embossing folder,
embossed the Spellbinders die cut with an embossing folder I thought resembled the one in the photo,
added my orchid to that.

I felt it needed something more so added a die cut grosgrain ribbon to the bottom.
That's it, pretty simple in the long run!

Entering the following challenges:
Simply Create Too .... Embossing

Happy Birthday Roses

This is my post on the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog today.

Products used:

  Roses In My Heart 879 stamp

Cloud Nine Glitter

Red Apple Embossing Powder

SNS Brushable Glue

Water Brush

Tonic 5" Mini Scissors

Tim Holtz Lace Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Memento Black Ink

Versamark Ink

Tear-ific Tape 1/2"

Gelly Roll Stardust Pen

Other:  Ribbon, Copics

Hi, Diane with you to show you a beautiful card and

a very easy and fun technique using the products shown above.!

The Roses In My Heart stamp was stamped using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

The sentiment was then stamped with Versamark (also using the platform)

on a die cut heart and then embossed with Red Apple embossing powder.

The image was then colored with Copics

and fussy cut with Tonic 5" Mini Scissors.

I added a bit of shimmer around the out edge of the heart here and there using the

 Gelly Roll Pen Stardust.

I embossed a panel using a Tim Holtz Lace embossing folder

and adhered it down with Tear-ific Tape 1/2" on my 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card base.

The technique I used is so fun and so very easy.  It is the Glitter Spatter Technique.

You will need a little lid of some type like I have shown,

Cloud Nine Glitter, SNS Brushable Glue, and a Water Brush.

Squirt a very small amount of SNS Brushable Glue in the lid, and a small squirt of water

from your water brush, stir with the brush.

Next just simply 'flick' the end of the brush (just above the brush itself)

onto your paper.

Sprinkle with your Cloud Nine glitter.

Repeat this step as many times as you like until you are satisfied with the results.

I laid down a few sheets of scrap paper to protect my work surface as it does 'spatter!

Here is a close up of the heart'

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and will try this yourself,

the results are amazing!  Thank you for visiting with me today.

Entering the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journeys ... The Power of Red
613 Avenue Create .... ATG Twist New (stamp)
Penny Black and More Challenge ....  New (stamp)
Simply Create Too .... Embossing 

Happy Birthday Ribbon

On the 21st (tomorrow) all the Design Team gets together to share

all our projects in one place at 

The Cutting Cafe blog..

This week we had a 'free for all' meaning we could choose ANY file we wanted.

There are so many wonderful cut files, I knew I would have a hard time choosing

so I played a little game with myself and decided to pick the first one

in my downloads.

That file just happened to be #1 Ribbon Shaped Card Set.

A perfect choice for me as I have a little granddaughter's birthday next last week

(she will  be is 10) and this will be her fun card!

If you are wondering why I would use a chicken/rooster paper for the flower,

it's because she has 8 or 9 of her own that she raises.

I figured she would get a kick out of it!

Nor did I fancy it up much because that's just not her!

This cut file has 3 different ribbons and 29 phrases to go in the center,

plus a box to hold ribbons and a matching envelope!
(edited to add, she LOVED it)!!

Here it is with the matching envelope.
So, take a peek at The Cutting Cafe blog on the 21st
you will be glad you did!

What's In Your Kitchen?

It' the 3rd Wednesday of the month and that means a new
challenge and a new mood board at
Double D Challenges!

Team Darlene is hosting this time and the theme is
What's In Your Kitchen
with the fun mood board below  for inspiration.

I had so many fun things and options for this challenge
but finally settled on stamps from Martha Stewart Cottage Christmas
and a sentiment from the Bo Bunny set What U Got Cookin.
Both sets of these stamps I have had for quite some time
and have never been used (NBUS)..

I stamped each image with Dew Drops in these colors

I love these little inks (and just ordered a few more colors
because I loved the names...lol!  
They stamp so precise and they say the die inks are best for
the poly/acrylic stamps...works for me!!
Did you know that you can get Dew Drops and many other new goodie
at the Dies R Us store?
It's more then just dies.

The die cut I used to 'shelve' my stamps on is a little tricky one,
I found it cut better from a lesser weight card stock,
I cut it 3 times before I was satisfied with the outcome.
I used the Ken Oliver Stick It to adhere it (also sold at Dies R Us)
It's a really cool die and I hope to use it soon the way it was meant to be.
The die is from Frantic Stamper and is Color Block Card Panel.

So pop on over to Double D Challenge and see all the FABULOUS
creations to inspire YOU!

Helium Bear Balloon

I am finally getting back in to the creative mood,

good thing too since I have many DT obligations to fulfil!

Speaking of, it's time for a new challenge at 

Dies R Us and the theme is Kids Kards

 I made my own little bear 'helium' balloon using the cutest

new die from Dovecraft called , well, simply BEAR

I cut him from white card stock, then stuck him down

on a piece of sticker paper, then colored in his cheeks,

and his other 'parts' with Copics, then inlaid them.  !

I left the pieces off the hat band and pompom and added glitter (Gypsy Red)

to the exposed sticker paper.

Once I had all that done

I fussy cut him out and then coated him with Nuvo Crystal  Glaze.

It made him real shiny, just like a real balloon

The Balloon Bouquet is a Tutti Designs.

I die cut these from white card stock and colored them with Copics as well.

The Happy and Birthday are both words from Tutti Designs.

I added an embossed confetti background and a big twine bow!

Make sure and visit the Dies R Us challenge blog

to see all the beautiful and creative cards from my teammates!!

Entering the following challenges:
Dragonfly Journeys .... Hooray For Birthdays
Cute Card Thursday .... Something New (bear die)

Sparkle N Sprinkle January 2018 Blog Hop Reveal

Come along and hop along with us at Sparkle N Sprinkle....

all the details about the hop and my card can be found by

scrolling down...it's a hop you won't want to miss!

Welcome to the January 2018 
Sparkle N Sprinkle New Reveal Blog Hop! 



We are pleased to reveal the following new stamp sets this month.

The sets are:

Cherished Moments - Bride 875
Digital Version: DIGI875B

Roses In My Heart 879
Digital Version: DIGI879FS

Ornate Greetings 880
Digital Version: DIGI880DE

Cara and Mouse Friend 881
Digital Version: DIGI881SG

Hello Foxy 882
Digital Version: Digi882B

You are definitely going to want both the digi version as well as the rubber version because when you purchase the digital versions, there are lots of extras that aren't available otherwise.  These extras can include additional images, additional sentiments, digi papers (in some cases), and a cut file.

The new sets are 20% off until the 20th of the month.  Head on over to the SNS store once you've finished the Blog Hop and start shopping.

SNS is always adding new products and new product lines to the store.  So stop by often to see what's new! 

One GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be announced on the 17th of the month.  One of the Designers is our Mystery Host and the winner will be selected from comments left on her blog.  You must leave acomment on each of the Designers' blogs in order to be selected as the winner, as you never know who the Mystery Host will be.  This is checked for compliance.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog and will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the shoppe!

The Blog Hop order is:
(Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to be directed to their Home page.)

  
Belinda
Anne
Chris
Jess
Donna
Diane
Shona
Eret

We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we enjoy creating new projects for it.  Be sure to visit the SNS Blog for even more inspiration.  Something new is posted most every day.

Did you know that SNS has a You-Tube Channel?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest tips and techniques!

The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge group is on Facebook.  

This is a closed group (just trying to keep out spammers), but we want anyone who to participate to join.  Click on the link and join in on the fun today! 

The Creative Challenges run from the 1st - 25th of each month.  A SNS image (either rubber or digi) is required.  If you don't have any yet, there are freebies located on the Home page of the SNS website.  Just scroll down the page a bit to see them.

The Creative Challenge Winner and Top Three will be posted on the last day of each month.  The winner will receive a $15 Gift Certificate to go shopping at theSNS store.

Please review all the Challenge Rules before submitting your photo 😀.  We can't wait to see what all you create using SNS images.

Now onto my card.
I used the Digital Version of Roses In My Heart
and printed the image 5 times.  
I adjusted the size to fit my largest die in Microsoft Word.
(I don't have  a fancy program to print digitals, but this works fine).

The dies I used for this card are the Tonic Ribbons & Bows Layering set.

I started by placing first the largest die on (I have them shown cut side up so you can see the cut lines of where they cut.  To cut you will of course want the cut side down.

You will want to make sure that the largest die is placed so you don't cut off any of

your image.  Then place the next die, the next and so on until you have the last die on (the smallest)

adjusting the other 4 as needed.

Once you have the dies where you want them,

turn the smallest over and carefully remove the other four.Tape the die down

with removable tape  and die cut.

Take the cut piece and line up to match on the next printed image and place the next size die.

Remove the smallest image.

Keep doing this in order until all pieces are cut.

Line up each image one on top of the other using foam tape to pop them up.

I started with the largest and built up to the smallest.

I stamped the sentiment using the stamp Rose In my Heart.

I added the next largest of the dies from the same 

Tonic Ribbon and Bow Layering die set, but this time using the more detailed

die in the set along with a solid back piece (also from the same die set).

I then added Sticker Paper to the solid piece and added the intricate piece on top.

This allowed me to sprinkle it with Hyacinth glitter...so pretty.

I simply (and carefully) cut around the outer edge of the back piece.

This was then placed and adhered to the other die cut layered pieces.

I used a Sakura Quicky Glue pen on various places on the Roses and added more

Hyacinth glitter, I did the same on the leaves but this time added Gecko glitter.

A small heart punch was used to punch a heart, coated with Nuvo Glue Pen Medium Tip, sprinkled with Hyacinth glitter and glued to a ribbon bow.

I hope you have enjoyed my card and give this technique a try!

Next on the hop is the our lovely and very talented  SHONA!

Entering the following challenges:
613 Create .... ATG Twist Something New (digitals and stamp)
A Gem of A Challenge .... Happy Anything
Moving Along With The Times .... Flowers
Fab 'n' Funky .... Let's Be Happy