SNS Birthday Blog Hop!

I'm so glad you're here! Welcome to the final stop in the Sparkle N Sprinkle Fall Inspiration Blog Hop! If you hopped here by way of Sandy Meier's blog, then you're on the right track. If you've arrived from somewhere else, you might want to start from the beginning, at the SNS blog, so as not to miss anyone's remarkable cards and your chance to win a prize! At least one prize is involved. 

The more visitors we have, the more prizes will be awarded, so tell your friends! To become eligible for a prize just leave a comment at each designer's blog about her card AND who you think has the Hidden Birthday Prizes. If you've only just arrived, please check the GAMES page at the SNS website, or the link above. Feel free to return to the SNS Home Blog if there is another comment you'd like to leave there. In the meantime, we hope you have enjoyed the hop and obtained some great technique ideas in the process.

My Fall Inspiration is a bit different over traditional Autumn Ideas. We live in Central West Florida. The colors are taken from an indigenous tree called the"Turkey Oak".  The vibrant colors only last a brief 3 or 4 days. Displaying a single stamp from the SNS "Frames and Borders Set #219" and two colors embossing powders, this project portrays a unique grasp on Autumn - the metallics reminiscent of icy-sparkly frost on the pumpkin, with golden leaves still waxy and dazzling in the Florida sunshine.

To show how much embossing powders can change the appearance of cardstock -- all the embossed images are stamped on the same color cardstock! What a difference the EP colors make! Cordial Red EP is very clear. Spiced Cider, one of the newest Essentials colors, creates the metallic look blended with glitter. Unfortunately, glitters and EPs don't show up well in photographs, but are amazing in person.

On a more traditional note, SNS Designer Barbara Bruder sent a surprise package containing blank die cuts just itching to be colored and used! One was a large pumpkin. I painted the pumpkin with regular acrylic paint, shaded with Createx translucent paint, and chalked in a reddish orange. Frosted with glitter, it appears to have frost on the pumpkin. 

The entire background has been coated in Black Ice Glitter. The vine and stalk have been coated with 3 colors of EP. The coats are thicker on the stalk to create dimension. VersaVine Onyx Black stamped "Wish" from our Fairy Dust set.

So... who do you think has the hidden birthday prize(s) on her blog? I'm interested in seeing what you say in the comments below. :-D The names of our winners will be placed on the SNS Home Blog October 20.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck! 

Sparkle N Sprinkle images:

Flowers in the Square 0470-219V

Mirror Gold Cardstock 99570

Cordial Red Embossing Powder EP352

Spiced Cider Embossing Powder EP407

Brushable Glue #540

Dimensional Adhesive Dots

Cardstock: Red, Yellow Gold, Ivory, Gold Mirror

1/4” Tear-ific Tape SAT01

Grand Calibur

Spellbinders Standard Circle Sm S4 116

Spellbinders Petite Scallop Circle S4 117

Spellbinders In Spades Pendants S4 208

Corner punch

Scissors

Plain Tape

NOTES:

a) embossing powders can change the appearance of cardstock -- all the embossed images are stamped on the same color cardstock.

b) the base of this A8 card is actually the yellow gold CS (the background was for photographing)

1. With Yellow Gold CS, create A8 size card base. Corner punch red panel and adhere to card base. Set aside.

2. With VersaMark Ink, Stamp image twice on Ivory CS. Emboss one image with Cordial Red EP, and the other with Spiced Cider EP. Fussy cut image in manner pleasing for layering. Slip the two outer frames together to form an interlocking effect. Tape backs together so they don’t slip apart.

3. Cut dies for layering, adhering some with Tear-ific Tape, and others with Dimensionals, depending on the look you wish to achieve. Cut some of the dies in half, and piece together from the back side with plain tape.

4. When layers have been constructed to your liking, adhere to card base on the red panel. 

Pumpkin card:

Stamp Credits Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Wish 3131-394AA

Other Supplies:

Bullfrog EP404 

Bronze Rose EP335 

Butterscotch EP115 

Orange Crush Glitter G1092 

Black Ice Glitter G1020 

Brushable Glue 540 

VersaMark Ink 99702

VersaMarker 99561

1/4” Tear-ific Tape SAT01

cardstock (orange, black)

die cuts

optional border punch

heat tool

black ribbon

1. Paint die cuts (pumpkin, vine) with paints, inks, pencils or chalks. Apply a thick layer of VersaMark Ink (either with refill or VersaMarker on pumpkin stalk and vine. Sprinkle with the 3 colors of EP, as desired. Thicker application gives added texture and depth. Set vine aside.

2. With Brushable Glue, lightly “paint” a shaded area at the top of the pumpkin to resemble due or frost and sprinkle on Orange Crush Glitter.

3. Paint black background entirely with an even coat of Brushable Glue. Adhere pumpkin and sprinkle Black Ice glitter on the rest of the black cardstock. Allow 15 minutes to dry. Border punch if desired.

4. Adhere glitter black panel to an orange piece of cardstock. Attach embossed vine. Tape on the black bow.