My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Sparkle N Sprinkle's AT THE BEACH blog hop!

Update: May 11 -- winners are posted at the SNS blog HERE.


Note: May's Blog Candy question is at the VERY bottom of this post.

Warm cyber hugs and a VERY special welcome to 
Sparkle N Sprinkle's fabulous 
"At the Beach" 
blog hop!

 If you arrived here directly from SNS Home blog, then you are in the right place. Otherwise, you may wish to start at the beginning by clicking here.

If you like sparkle, 
if you love the sea,
this Hop is for YOU!
Sparkle N Sprinkle has its roots in Southern California, and is currently based in central Florida by the Gulf of Mexico, so we are celebrating with an "At The Beach" theme this month!





The hop will run for two days. All the fine SNS products, like Stamps, Glitters, Embossing Powders, Flocking, etc., will be lavished upon our hoppers in artwork, and also shared as prizes at the end of the blog hop. To become eligible for Sparkle N Sprinkle's outstanding prizes, leave a comment on each designer's blog during the hop. Three of the prizes are "hidden" on three Design Team Members' blogs. Even the designers don't know which blogs contain the prizes, so try not to miss any.

Winners will be announced on the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog on Saturday, May 11th.


Your blog hostesses are: 
Donna (that's me - smile) ** Marie Berquist ** Cindy Keogh 
Barbara Bruder  ** Keri Brown ** Cammy Vietzke 

My Card Shares

My first card is FAST AND EASY - seriously.
If I had inked the inside of the embossing folder or used dark cardstock to begin with, the effect would have been more dramatic. But with the white base, the embossing powder photographs better, so that is why white was used.

Back to FAST AND EASY:

  1. Run your cardstock through your embossing folder.
  2. Smoosh VersaMark pad all over the embossed piece.
  3. Choose 4 colors of Sparkle N Sprinkle Tuscany STARS embossing powders and apply them in various places of your inked panel.
  4. Heat set. Easy for a spectacular look, isn't it?
For complete directions to make this card, please click here.

I moved the camera just a hair, so that the light would reflect a little differently and capture the beautiful colors - as each embossing powder contains more than one color "shimmer" to it.

Here is a close up of the textures:
Fibers
Gold Leaf Pen
Charm
Tuscany STARS Embossing Powder 


My card is being submitted in the following challenges:
Love to Scrap - #5 Anything Goes!
ABC Challenges - M for Make It Sparkle (every surface of this card is covered with glitter or embossing powder which contains glitter)





My Second Card Share



MEMORIES: This was a fun card to make as it brought back fond childhood memories (nostalgia) of making large sand castles at the beach in southern California. As we dug the "moats" around our castles, we invariably ended up with moister sand and found all kinds of those little rolie-polie sand crabs. They tickled our hands, and caused us to laugh delightedly.

The castle was stamped with Memento Ink, and colored with copics, on top of Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter.

The backdrop is painted with watercolors. The yellow flag is embellished with dimensional glue and Lemonade Ultrafine Glitter.

The Tear Drop circle framing the castle is smooshed with VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with very glittery Mediterranean Sea Star embossing powder.

NOTE:  (all the embossing powders on this project contain glitter, and are very sparkly in person).

I especially like the mix-and-match capability of this delightful stamp set (#403).
The circles fit most dies, and the set is really great for Scrapbookers.



This happy dolphin is an old, old, OLD Spellbinders die, back with their very first release. He is smooshed with VersaMark and embossed with Silver Lightning EP.


The following tutorials found on the SNS Tips and Techniques page were used:
The Sun Rosette tutorial can be seen on Barbara Bruder's video here.


The rosette sun is embossed with Dandy Dandelion EP.


It is my first attempt at creating a "rosette". Even with fumble fingers it was not that difficult.

It is scored and folded at 3/8" increments.

The same border punch was used on the sun's rays, as was used around the card's border.

The white panel border is "distressed" with matching water color blue as in the sky.

TIP: Try distressing with embossing powders and/or glitter, instead of "just ink". It provides dimension and an element of The Unexpected.



A complete list of products is shown below, and detailed directions are shown here.

Sparkle N Sprinkle products used on this card:

Stamps (on sale this month):
Adhesives:
Inks:
Markers:
Embossing Powders:
Glitters:

Other Products:

Cardstock: Lemonade, Kraft, White, Dark Teal
Punches: MS Deco Fans Punch Around the Page, EKS 1” circle, 
Dies: SB porpoise (very old, one of the originals, retired years ago - sorry)
SB Tear Drop Circles S4-344
SB Standard Circle-Small S4-116
Lyra Water Color Crayons


To enjoy more inspirational card shares, please hop on over to the incredible Marie Berquist's blog!




This card is submitted to the following awesome challenges:


  • Ooh La La Creations - Nostalgia (memories of my childhood in Southern California as we built massive sand castles and roasted hot dogs, marshmallows, and popped dried kelp in the bon fire at night)
  • Crafty Catz Challenges - #181 - Inspired by a Song - ("Beach Baby, Beach Baby" by First Class a 1960's song about spending the summer days on the beach - I'm showing my age - smile)
  • Inspire Me Fridays - #101 Anything Goes
  • Sister Act Card Challenge - #5 Anything Goes
  • Stampin for the Weekend - Die cuts and/or punches (3 punches, 3 die cuts)
  • ABC Challenges - M for Make It Sparkle (every surface of this card is covered with glitter or embossing powder which contains glitter)
note: Blog Winner announced here.

Now... Onto May's Blog Candy Question. My gift to visitors in 2013 is to have monthly blog candy. You do not have to "follow" my blog to be eligible to win (though I love it if you do). On June 1, I will make every attempt to contact you should you be May's winner, as long as blogger contains your e-mail addy or you leave it in the comment. Because I still have not figured out Random.org, my husband pulls a name out of the basket.

For three SNS Flocking Colors, just include a brief mention in your comment below about how you might use SNS flocking on a project.

Stamping hugs always,

88 comments:

Brenda said...

Just when I think you can't outdo yourself - you do it again!!! Your beach scene was so pretty, but the top one - off the charts!!! Love it.....

Barbara Bruder said...

Whoa, 2 beautiful sparkly cards!!My fav is the sand castle one.Love all the glitter and EP's Makes the cards look like theer wet. Great designs.

Cindy Keogh said...

Stunning cards - very beachy!

Anne Temple said...

Both of these are stunning! Love all the glittery colors in the first one.

E. Marie said...

Donna, both cards are gorgeous and soooo sparkly!! Love the embossed background and little charm on the first and your awesome coloring and cute sun rosette on the second.

April said...

Look at all that beautiful sparkle! I love the colors and shape of the first one and the cute sun on the second!

Monica said...

Hello Donna,
Oh my goodness, what beauty and sparkle there... JUST love it ALL. What a cool thing to do to swoosh Versamark and glitter over the image to produce this awesome image. And I am loving the blues and greens. The sea horse and charm fit perfectly.
The second card sure tells a story... the sun looks AMAZING. And the castle shines in all it's glory. Two beauties here - thanks for sharing.
You make me feel so special about my cards - thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel honoured by your visits. And you said you wanted to use the sentiment on one of my cards - please do, I would be delighted.
Much love, sparkle and all things wonderful,
Monica xxx

Jacqueline Smith said...

Fabulous cards, love all the details on your card! They are simply amazing works of art!

Cammy404 said...

WOW!!! Gorgeous!! I love the lovely rosette that you had made as sunshine! It was just pure perfection!! The sparkles are just as awesome. :)

SusanH said...

Wow - beautiful cards! Love the embossing powders! and glitter, and stamps, well all of it!

Jenn Bedient said...

Gorgeous projects! Love how sparkly they are and the designs of both. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Stampin' for the Weekend. Hope you have a fabulous day!

- Jenn DT

Karalee said...

Wow Donna! Both cards are gorgeous, but I have to say, your first card really catches my eye. Just beautiful.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sue said...

WOW!!!! Donna, such wonderful creations and so much inspiration.
I really love how you have added the shimmery colour to the embossing, the effect is just amazing.
Your second card is equally beautiful. Such a gorgeous design, full of sparkle and the colours are perfect.
I have to be honest and say that I have never used flocking on my cards, it looks very interesting though!!
hugs Sue

Eret said...

Amazing, Donna! Your both cards are absolutely stunning. The first one looks so difficult to make. I can't believe how easy it actually is (at least you make it sound so easy). Second card is amazing as well. You are Queen of glitter and embossing powders :)
I'd use flocking on flower centers and on animal stamps.
Hugs Eret

brenda said...

Wowzers Donna, spectacular these certainly are.

What awesome effects you have create don both. I am especially drawn to the first card as I love the fusion of colours and all the wonderful texture.

B x

McCrafty's Cards said...

These are both really gorgeous Donna, I cant stop looking at the first one, the more I look at it the more I see I love all the sparkle
Kevin xx

Lynne Platt said...

Donna, The seashell embossed card is just phenomenal. I just got the embossing folder in my shop and now I will have to try it out! I love your work and can't wait for the next card to appear.

Anonymous said...

Great card, the sandcastle is so typical of the beach.

Cherished said...

Amazing Work! Thanks for sharing your talent with us at Love To Scrap.

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards De, you are an amazing creator of the best glimmer and shine cards...luv annie

Karin said...

Woo-Hoo Donna! So happy to have you kicking off the hop in such a spectacular way! Love the gorgeous colors on your first card! Simply amazing and I adore that little sandcastle on the second. So perfect for the theme of the hop :) And to top it off with that clever rosette sun is just genius!

Shona Erlenborn said...

Wow - talk about the bling factor. Both cards are awesome, each with so much detail. Love your sandcastle (on top of Cloud Nine!. You've managed to incorporate half the SNS products in these two cards!! Love how you achieved the different edging on each too. Just gorgeous Donna.

pam said...

wow Donna, love all your sparkle and shine, fabulous cards, make`s my sandpaper sand look so dull, mind it was pinched from my husband!!!. love all the embossing, embellishments and gorgeous design
pam

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cards. Especially like the colors on the first card. How stunning! Great work.

Wendy H said...

Beautiful cards, Donna. Your reminiscing caused me to reminisce also about the times we spent on the beach. I'm sure the beaches here in the UK aren't as beautiful as yours over there though. Good luck with the challenges. Wendy xx
PS I thought about you today when I was playing with the dog - re post below. We had one tulip left in the garden, the only one that he hasn't trampled on. Well, since lunchtime we have - zero. I threw the ball for him and he ran into it. Ah well, roll on the next lot. Take care. Wendy xx

Kim S said...

WOW! That's some good use of glitter ! TFS
Kim

elf1023 said...

OMG I love the sand castle!! Your background on the first card. Great style.

Valerie said...

So cool. Love all of it can't wait until the summer. Thank you so much for playing with us at Love to Scrap challenge blog.

NickScrapShack said...

You made me wish it was a bit closer to summer and the beach! Love how you made your card sparkle. You could almost feel the heat...

Thank you for playing along with us at Crafty Catz this week. Good luck!
Nick

namabear said...

Awesome cards Donna The sandcastle is my favorite. Yes it brings back memories for me also. Great job thanks for sharing.

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow, wow, wow Donna those cards are stunning aspecialy the one on top.
love it.
you did a great job and have used great colours.

greetings karin

Janet said...

Wow! What lovely glitter and glitz cards. The blues, greens and purples remind me so of the beach the way you have combined them.

Anonymous said...

Nice summery,sparkly cards! The way the shell is positioned in the first one almost gives the apperance of a wave.

Sherry VH

carrie said...

Wow! These are two outstanding sparkly card! Love the blue/green colors, so fitting for the look of a summer beach. This looks like such a great technique ............ very different, that I would like to try. I would love to use three flocking colors for some flowers and animals. I do enjoy following your blog.


carrie008@mac.com

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love both of the beach cards and all of that glitter is really sparkly! I love everything about the beach and these cards are so beautiful.
Eleanor

Anonymous said...

I simply love the sandcastle creation! Makes me want to go back to the ocean! Very nice

Joan

Anonymous said...

Wow!
Love the colors. Puts me in the mood to be on the beach.
pAT

Anita Braddock said...

Stunning Cards the first Is Awesome the colors are wow just Beautiful. its like you are under the sea. the second is Amazing the colors are Beautiful the sparkle of both is super. love the attention to details. the added embellishment is perfect. thanks for sharing. I would use the flocking for our Anniversary card.
abbraddock@msn.com

Pat K said...

WOW these are gorgeous Donna. I'm soaking up all the wonderful detail on each one. Fabulous colours...love them both. hugs, x

Anonymous said...

I really like your first card. The shine and colors and images make me ready to go to the sea. Thanks for sharing.
Jan H

RuthAnn said...

I love anything Sparkley and shiney, but I usually wear more of
it then my cards. Your card are
awesome, thanks you for sharing.

Susannah said...

I love the shimmer and charm on the first card and the second card makes me want to go play at a beach!

Penny Ockey said...

Love the colors on the first card and the added touch of the charm. On the second card, I like how you used the same edging on the sun as the edging around the card. Really ties it together. Very nice cards. Thank you for sharing!

Karenladd said...

WOW!!!! Your cards are both beautiful but that first one is amazing! I would love to see it in person with all the shimmer and color. I would never have thought to use the embossed image like that but what a spectacular effect!
I am a new follower and I would use the flocking on cards for every holiday and theme!

Frann said...

Two gorgeous and sparkly cards. I love the colors on both of them.

NanaConnie said...

Donna, I swear you do glitter and sparkle better than anyone I know! These cards are simply magnificent. I love the sandcastle and the dolphin especially. I'll think about that one if I get a chance to build one with my grandkids this weekend when we're "At the Beach." Your first card looks so complex and your instructions are so simple. Hard to believe that can be the end result. WOW
OK, now about SNS Flocking -- I love it best on animals, stuffed or otherwise. I've also used it like Flower Soft and gotten a really incredible effect on plants and blossoms.
I just don't have time to do the entire hop since I'm packing to leave for a Mother's Day long weekend with family but had to stop by your blog first. :-D Hugs, my friend.

Candy Meyers said...

Love your cards, especially the colors. Great job.
Candy Meyers

Pat said...

That first card is gorgeous.

HelenM said...

Both cards are beautiful! I think I would use the flocking in the ocean. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Lynne said...

f a b ul o u s!

Jean Bullock said...

Thanks for the tips on the flocking. I would love to do the flocking for some Christmas cards and I would love to use it on a carousel horse card.

Loved your projects.

Gina H said...

Gorgeous cards! I love the beach (Florida native!) and these cards are very inspiring! Bummer that the nestie dolphin die is retired, but one could die cut a dolphin on the Cricut...:)
I would use the SNS flock on a palm tree for the fronds or coconuts...gee, I just inspired myself! LOL
I hope you win those challenges!

Rita said...

LOve, love, love the sand castle card! Thanks for the great ideas.

Unknown said...

Awesome projects!

Lois Gulotta said...

Both of these cards are fabulous! I really can't pick a favorite. There are techniques on each one that I want to try. So glad I have both of these stamps sets in my stash!

Debi said...

Wonderfully amazing cards. I must try the first technique. As for the blog candy - when I made my bee cards the other night, I was wishing I had flock to add as pollen on the bees legs, instead of just using a yellow marker.

Pam said...

Wow! I think both cards are beautiful but I sure fell in love with the seashell. The colors you used reminded me so much of the ocean and all it's wonder. Thanks for the memories

Anonymous said...

Love,love, love that sand castle card. I think I just might have that dolphin die in a 2nd hand set of older spell binders that I bought @ a used craft supply sale. Bought that stamp set already so now I'll have to see if I can come up with a nice of card as yours.
I love how you used the different colors of glitter on your first card. You have Devine designs!
Linda Gibb

Jac’s Playground said...

WOW! Spectacular card, love all that sparkle, thanks for joining us at Crafty Catz this week, Jac x

Julie said...

The sparkle effect makes me feel cooler already. Cool!!!

Unknown said...

Love the any thing with the sea pretty colors, thank you for showing us

Anonymous said...

Love the beachy sparkly colors, Donna. Especially like the corner sun with border that matches you card border. Thanks for sharing the rosette tutorial link.

Nina

Alane said...

Beautiful cards! I especially like the first one with the sea horse and the shells and would love to get those stamps. The way you used the different Tuscany colors makes it seem like an underwater scene, love it!!

Unknown said...

Also like the way you made the sun on the 2nd card, clever!

Sue said...

WOWZERS Donna. What beautiful sparkly beach scenes. LOVE the shell, seahorse, and sand dollar on your first card and all that beautiful color is gorgeous. Sometimes it is very hard to photograph glittered cards, but you have also done an outstanding job with that! Your second card with the sandcastle scene is precious, does bring back days at the beach. Just fabulous!

Hugs
Sue

Dianne Potter said...

OMG! Your first card is beyond compare! And I love the sun idea on the 2nd one. Thank you for sharing.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous cards Donna. Love the sparkle, the colours and your designs. They are both beautiful, especially love the first one and the embellishments. I hope you are doing well, Hugs, Shirleyx

dmbennett said...

Gorgeous cards. Love all the sparkle. Really like the first one with the multiple colors. I may have to give it a try......

Carol Drumwright said...

Beautiful and brilliant with bling! Love it!

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Wow, Girlfriend, what amazing cards you have made. AND you did two! I am impressed. That shell embossing folder really turned out awesome. And you say it is easy! You have to have vision to see this before it happens. And you have it.

Anonymous said...

Two beautiful cards!! I am impressed! They are both gorgeous, but my favorite is the top one. I can't wait to try it.

Judy Masters

Judy Hall said...

Beautiful cards. I can hardly wait to try the "easy" one. I'm a sucker for beach stamps and these are too cute.

Shanna Shands said...

Amazing amazing amazing. I love you first card. I have never tried this technique and think maybe I should.

Beth Hansen said...

The first thing out of my mouth was "Wow" - I loved the use of the frayed blue at the top. I too, love to add charms to every project I make. The picture didn't just flow, it bumped along the way with the layering. Love it, and, am going to try it. :0

Winterseve said...

I love the cards!! I know want to get the set with the sandcastle. The rosette sun gives it that extra something. Thanks for the inspiration!

Dawn said...

WOW!!! What a stunner! Love the embossed background with all the sparkly goodness on top - and perfect colour choices. Just gorgeous! And a beautiful scene you have created in the second card using the glitters! Love the sandcastle and the shell border goes so well with the theme. Your rosette sun is so clever. I wish I was at the beach! :)

I have never actually used flocking but it always makes me think of winter - mittens, toques and other warm, fuzzy winter outerwear. Thank goodness those can finally go in the closet for a while! :)

Hugs, Dawn

Carol Hurlock said...

Wow, simply amazing. I love that glittery sparkly bling. Just beautiful.
Bear Hugs
Carol
PS: As far as flocking is concern I love to use it on Santa cuffs and trim or on winter coats and trim on my images. I also use it in the centers of my daisies.

Unknown said...

Two gorgeous cards and such obviously happy childhood memories. Thank you for sharing with us at OLL this time
hugs
Dawn xx

Leslie Miller said...

Your first card certainly is spectacular and looks like much more trouble than it actually is. That is some mighty sparkly embossing powder and I LOVE it! Gorgeous, fun, and fantastic second card, too! I love how you did the sun with the fancy border. I'm simply enthralled by all the amazing sparkle! As for the flockng question -- I usually use white flocking for snow, but, oooh, think Teddy bears and puppy dogs and flower centers and baby blankets, baby chicks, baby buntings... it goes on and on!

Jenn said...

Both of these cards are fabulous, love all the sparkle! Thanks for joining us at ABC Challenges.

Purple Crazy said...

lovely creations, such fab memories, thanks for sharing at OLLCB x

Amy Martin said...

Wow..... These are Beautiful. I love the way it all sparkles. If it sparkles this much thru the picture, I can only imagine the sparkle in person. Beautiful job Donna. You always inspire me to try new things. Thank you. HUGS

Amy Martin said...

OOOPs.. I forgot to say I would use the SNS flocking colors on my cards. HUGS> :)

Bernardine Cuttino said...

DE, your creations are magnificent, beautiful job with the glitter. I used flocking for flowers, sand, and water scene. Flocking is excellent to enhance the embellishments,
Thanks for allowing me to share.
Hugs

Shea said...

Phenomenally beautiful, once again. The glitter just knocks my socks off, and that dolphin card is the cat's meow! The SUN! Genius idea! And the image and background are stunning! Thanks so much for the gorgeous inspiration, Donna!

Leslie said...

Both of your cards are gorgeous but that first one is absolutely stunning! Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us in the Love To Scrap! Challenge Blog's Anything Goes challenge!
Hugs,
Leslie, DT
http://leslieturner58.blogspot.com

Cathy's Obsessions Still said...

Beautiful!! Thanks for playing along with us at Loves to Scrap!!