Stencils and Paste {Sweet Stamps}

Hi! This is my final project as January Guest Designer for Sweet Stamps! 
It's been a fun month, and I appreciate the opportunity.

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is STENCILS AND STENCIL PASTE. Please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog to see the beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

Today's project uses Sweet Stamps' Dot Butterfly 438 stamp image, and Sweet Stamps Petaloops stencil.

Split Coast Stampers has a fabulous tutorial for using stencils, paste and adding glitter to the wet paste.

Sadly,

Stencil Paste has long been abandoned in my stash of goodies. I opened my box labeled "Stencil Paste". The last dated projects in it were dated 2006.   SIGH  So this was a good challenge for getting me out of my comfort zone. After applying the white opaque paste, I lightly spooned Sparkle N Sprinkle Guava Nectar Glitter on the wet paste, and set it aside to dry. In real life, it is quite sparkly, with great dimension.

The pretty Sweet Stamps Dot Butterfly was stamped on semi-opaque vellum and embossed from under the paper using Sparkle N Sprinkle Winter Copper Dreams EP.

More Glitter was glued onto the front of the butterfly.

The white frame was smooshed with VersaMark ink and embossed with Winter White Sparkle EP.

TIP:
The frame was made using two Spellbinders Card Creator nesting dies. The larger size for the outer white frame, and the next largest size for the interior frame:

BEFORE CUTTING

AFTER CUTTING
(use the exterior portion of the cuts)

I hope you can visualize the sparkly happiness on this project, right down to the blue rhinestones!

Products Used:

• Image: Sweet Stamps Dot Butterfly 438
• Stencil: Sweet Stamps Petaloops (available in 2 sizes)
• Glitters: Sparkle N Sprinkle Waterfall G1071, Guava Nectar G1106
• Embossing Powders: Sparkle N Sprinkle Winter White Sparkle, Copper Dreams
• Dream Weaver Stencil Paste
• Card Stock: White, Cajun Craze, Vellum
• Ink: VersaMark
• Spellbinders: Card Creator 5x7 Modern Stationary, Card Creator 5x7 Matting Basics A
• Cheery Lynn: Tropical Flourish at Scrapy Land
• Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim Deep Edge punch

Entered in these fun Challenges:

1. Crafting for All Seasons #94 "Things With Wings" 2/1
2. Crafty Creations #281 "Something Old, Something New" (old - my long forgotten stencil paste, which was still good after 8 years of being neglected) (new - stencil, both SB dies, Butterfly image) 2/4
3. Inspiration Destination Challenge #17 Anything Goes! 1/27
4. Lil Red Wagon Challenge #273 "Shhhhhh!" (no text) 1/27
5. Amusing Challenge (Jan 25) Anything Goes 2/1
6. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #2 Anything Goes 1/30

Thanks, as always, for visiting and sharing your thoughts,

Spots and Dots Vintage Style {Scrapy Land #10}

Good Morning! (smoochies to you!)

Such a delightful, sweet card to share with you today!

Welcome to my project for the 10th Scrapy Land Challenge! 

The Challenge is open until February 1. 

The theme is "SPOTS AND DOTS using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells" (electronic die cuts do not qualify). Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and most are at a great discount.
  plus free shipping over $45!

My card features the following Scrapy Land dies.
(for all the dies used, please see the product list at bottom)

Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish

Scrapy Land Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame (used inner holly frame)

Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit

With Spots and Dots, this card is created with lots of "rounds" - even the scallops are round. Big "dots" are featured in the image circle and tear drop circle layer. The Swiss Dot embossing folder worked with the Martha Stewart holly leaf layer. And then some very, very old dotted patterned gold paper.

The adorable Vintage Girl image is from Stampa Rosa J22-1095.

The sentiment image is from Anna Griffin Vintage Seasonal Greetings.

I am in love with the Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame which is actually a 2-frame set. The larger frame is studded with snowflakes. The smaller frame used in this card is clusters of holly leaves and swirls. 

TIP: Create dimension by layering identical die cuts: 

I cut the holly frame several times in two colors of green. The sentiment is set in the frame which has a holly frame in tact, and then another, darker frame, cut in half lengthwise and adhered in the back to create depth and dimension.

The sides of the base panel were created the same way, only the frame was disassembled, so that the 2 long sides were utilized to create a partial frame on either side of the base. This provides visual interest.

The tiny berries are from Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit - Festive Collection CED3014.

TIP: The berries are brushed with glue, and have UN-heated embossing powder on them (Sparkle N Sprinkle Christmas Fire EP285). This provides a tiny bit of sparkle and lots of velvety texture. Do you have unused colored EP? Consider adhering it with glue and using it as sandy textures on your cards.

The pretty Stampa Rosa image was added to my stash many years ago, but never used, so it is "new".  It's is so pretty!

I can hardly wait to see what Spots and Dots you will make for the challenge!

Products Used:

Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish
Scrapy Land Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame (used inner holly frame)
Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit - Festive Collection CED3014
Spellbinders Grand Circles
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Squares
Spellbinders Tear Drop Circles
Spellbinders Petite Circles
Spellbinders Fancy Tags One
Martha Stewart Holly Leaves punch around the page
Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy, Brilliance Gold Galaxy, Distress Antique Linen
Copic Markers W3, R05, R20, R21, E00
Paper: Stampin Up! (green, red, DP) and Neenah Ivory (for image)
Stamps: Stampa Rosa J22-1095 (vintage Christmas girl), Anna Griffin Vintage Seasonal Greetings
Embossing Powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle Christmas Fire EP285 (NOTE: this was NOT heat set - it is glued on to create texture on the berries)
Recollections Flowers, Lace from Stash

Challenges Played in:

1. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above) 2/1
2. Paper Take Weekly Challenge (Jan 20) "Get In Shape" (use 3 or more shapes on your card) 1/26
3. Party Time Tuesdays #194 - Anything Goes - 2/3
4. PDE Linky Party (Jan 20) 3-D Projects 1/25
5. Sweet 7 Designs Challenge #9 Anything New (Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 2/9
6. Top Tip Tuesday Challenge (Jan 20) Something New and show tips in your blog post (there are two TIPS in my post) (Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 2/2
7. Christmas Cards All Year Around - (Jan 1) Anything Christmas 1/31
8. Jingle Belles (Jan 16) Bring in the New (use new goodies - Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 1/28

Stamping Hugs,

Hearts {Sweet Stamps}

Welcome New Google Follower Debbie, and all my sweet blogging friends!
I hope the bad germies which have plagued our home this week, have avoided your homes.

Today I'm showing my 3rd project as Sweet Stamps' January Guest Designer! 

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is HEARTS. Please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog to see the beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

Today's project uses Sweet Stamps' Scalloped Heart stamp image, and Sweet Cuts Elegant Leaves die.

First, the back of my Valentine was created:

Now for the front:

To create the glittery heart:

1.  Use double-stick adhesive the size of your image. 
2. Peel off one side of the protective coating and adhere to white cardstock (or whatever color you wish to use).
3. Die Cut your shape.
4. Pull off the remaining protective layer from your double sided adhesive.
5. Dredge with MicroFine Glitter (I used Cloud Nine from SNS).
6. After burnishing the glitter into the adhesive (it only takes a little bit of glitter), brush off the excess glitter.
7. Stamp image onto burnished glitter.
8. The Scalloped Heart stamp image is really delicate and ornate, so I stamped with Royal Purple Staz-On ink, let dry, and then used a Dove Blender Pen to draw off color from Lyra Watercolor Crayons. 

The watercolor is applied directly to the glitter.

Because stickers do not adhere very well to glittered surfaces, Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue was applied to the back part of the self-adhesive jewels. After applying them to the glitter, I dredged the top of the jeweled stickers with more microfine glitter so that the clear sticker portion between the jewels would not show - the microfine glitter sticks to it.

It's a sweet little card! 

The Sweeties are looking forward to seeing your creations at their challenge, too!

Products Used:
Sweet Stamps' Scalloped Heart stamp image 
Sentiment: SU Elegant Greetings image
Sweet Cuts Elegant Leaves die.

Spellbinders Labels Eight
Life Style Nesting Hearts
Life Style Nesting Lace Hearts
Paper: White, Lavender, Purple
Ink: Royal Purple Staz-On, Imperial Purple VersaFine

Glitter: Cloud Nine from SNS

Lyra Watercolor Crayons

Dove Blender Pen

Challenges I've entered:

1. Amuse Challenge (Blessings Ink) - Jan 18 - HEARTS theme (my heart and my sentiment are hand stamped)  1/25
2. The Craft Place Blog - Jan 18 - Love-Valentine's Day theme 2/1
3. My Time To Craft Challenge - #275 Love is all Around - 1/23

Thanks for visiting!

Stamping Hugs,

Winter Blues {Sweet Stamps}

Hi, Blogging Friends! 

Today I'm showing the 2nd card as Sweet Stamps' January Guest Designer! I hope you will stop by and see their many pretty stamp designs, stencils, dies, and art supplies. 

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is WINTER BLUES. Please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog to see the beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

The following Sweet Stamps products were used:

• Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap Rubber Stamp 4004
• Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Rubber Stamp 9115
• Sweet Stamps Fuschia
• Sweet Cuts Fancy Leaf die cut
• Sweet Stamps Danube Blue Memento Ink
• Sweet Stamps Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Back in the Olden Days (some 20 years ago),

we frequently used a technique called CRACKED ICE.
(anyone ELSE recall that term?)

"Cracked Ice" is now known as "Cracked Glass". 

It was called Cracked Ice because the freezer was used as a tool to create the finish. When "cracked" it also was reminiscent of the "old fashioned" ice cubes that cracked when manually removed from the freezer.

My card has fewer cracks to let the pretty Fuschia image be seen. It is distressed with the same color ink the image was stamped in (Danube Blue Memento).

Love the delicate yet playful font in the Sending Happy Thoughts 9115 sentiment:

Have you noticed that the stamped Floral Wrap 4004 image is on the left at the top, but on the right on the bottom? (giggle)

Tip: How to reverse a rubber stamp image:

Also "back in the olden days", we used to ink a rubber stamp, stamp it onto a flat piece of rubber, and then stamp that flat rubber image onto paper in order to reverse the image. It never came out perfectly. 

Sooooo... this is how I did it:

Today's card uses Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap Rubber Stamp 4004. It is stamped with Danube Blue Memento Ink. The stamped image was scanned and saved to my hard drive. The image was manipulated by flipping it vertically to show it on the right side, instead of the left, and then printed. Because it was printed on X-Press It Copic paper, I was then able to color it just like any other image using Copic Markers.

One Last Look at those Cold Wintry Blues the rest of the country is contending with:

The Sweeties are looking forward to seeing your creations at their challenge, too!

Products Used:
Sweet Stamps Fuschia
Sweet Stamps Floral Wrap 4004
Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts 9115
Sweet Cuts Fancy Leaf die cut
Sweet Stamps Danube Blue Memento Ink
Sweet Stamps Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Scrapy Land Spellbinders Majestic Squares S4-383
Scrapy Land Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic
Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Sparkle N Sprinkle Clear Detail embossing powder
Spellbinders Grand Labels One
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Spellbinders Luscious Labels One
EKSuccess corner punch
Ink: Danube Blue Memento, VersaMark, Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue, Spun Sugar Distress
Copic Markers

Challenges this card is submitted to:

1. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
2. Artistic Inspirations #122 - Anything Goes with A Twist of New (new stamps, new Danube Blue Ink, New Reverse Technique)  1/18
3. Crafting from the Heart #42 - Anything Goes - 1/18

Stamping Hugs,

Mistletoe and Bells {Scrapy Land #9}

Hi, Everyone! I made two "flat" cards! Yippee! (and I said it could not be done)

Welcome to my project for the 9th Scrapy Land Challenge!
and to new follower Karen

The Challenge is open until January 18. 

The theme is "ANYTHING GOES using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells" (electronic die cuts do not qualify). Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and most are at a great discount.
  plus free shipping over $45!

My cards feature the Impression Obsession Mistletoe and Bells die cut available at Scrapy Land.

Below, using gold glossy cardstock and accented with gold glitter:

A very simple flat card made with a distress panel and other die cuts and punches for interest:

Below is a triple panel version using old, old coordinating KandCompany designer papers.

This card will cost only one stamp to mail:

Inside:

The gold glossy cardstock is so pretty, and looks great with the Sparkle N Sprinkle Celestial Glitter G1031 (another virginal product bites the dust! giggle)

I hope you have enjoyed my two flat cards! Now let's see what you come up with for the "ANYTHING GOES using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells" Challenge!

Products Used:

Scrapy Land - Impression Obsession Mistletoe and Bells
Spellbinders Scalloped Oval - Small Petite S4-141
Spellbinders Oval - Small Petite S4-140
Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles (LG) S4-142
Spellbinders Long Classic Scalloped Rect. (LG) Sr-143
Martha Stewart Holly Leaves PAP
KandCompany Papers (years old!)
Sparkle N Sprinkle Celestial Glitter G1031 (never before used - so pretty!)


Fun Challenges I'm playing in:

1. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
2. Crafty Catz Challenges #260 - Anything Goes - 1/7
3. WagsnWhiskers Rubber Stamps Challenge #144 Merry Christmas 1/8
4. Winter Wonderland (Jan 2) Favorite Color Combination - My favorite Christmas color combination is more traditional - red, green and gold. 1/8
5. Clear It Out Stash -(Jan 6) Anything Goes (using old, old cardstock, and 2 old die sets) 1/13
6. ABC Christmas -(Jan 7) Anything Christmas (1/20)
7. Christmas Cards All Year (Jan) Anything Christmas P1 M
8. Completely Christmas #1 Anything Christmas with NY resolution - my promise to myself is to keep the previous 4 years promises AND to have my Christmas cards completed by November. I've been afraid of saying this out loud in the past for fear of failure - so thank you, Sue, for making sure I have to do it now LOL 1/9
9. Paper Take Weekly (Jan 6) Anything Goes 1/12
10. Party Time Tuesdays #194 Anything Goes - 1st Tuesday

Stamping Hugs,

Something New {Sweet Stamps}

Welcome 2015!

"Midnight Magic"

Hi, Blogging Friends! A special hello to new followers Pamellia Johnson and Debs Artliff. 

For the month of January it is my pleasure to guest design for Sweet Stamps! It certainly was fun choosing from their many pretty stamp designs, as well as artsy stamps, stencils, several brands of die cuts, and so much more. I'm sure you'll be as pleased as I was with the quality of their broad selection of fine crafting products.

The Sweet Stamps Blog challenge this week is SOMETHING NEW - it can be anything that speaks to you about newness. For complete details, please visit the Sweet Stamps Blog and check out what beautiful inspiration the Sweeties have designed for you! 

Today's post, while themed "Something New," is all about Midnight Magic with the newly-hatched Swan Family from Sweet Stamps. Midnight is also the magical hour when the new day starts. The new Swan Family is taking their first swim with the babies in the New Year!

I wish for you special new awarenesses in 2015 which will bring creative magic in your soul! 

I used the following products from Sweet Stamps:

• Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
• Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
• Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
• Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

I love using bold blue or navy with sweet, soft pastel pink. It was perfect for these little swimmers!

YES! it is FLAT for mailing!

TIP: There is a boo-boo on this card - I ran out of enough pink for the folded base, so the card is pieced together as shown below:

Here is the inside (using the positive stars die cut) and the Sweet Stamps sentiment:

Next I have my NOT-SO-FLAT easel card:

Isn't the Swan Family image beautiful?

I experienced another mishap while coloring with my Copics:

When opening this brand new Copic Marker, it splattered everywhere!
I was lucky that it did not splatter on the image!

TIP:

This happens when the pressure inside a Copic Marker is not equalized. To fix the problem, remove both ends of the cap at the same time. Let it breathe a moment, and then put the caps back on. This was the worst I've ever had happen. Usually, I open both ends of newly-acquired Copics, but I forgot this time.

Here it is colored, and without all the frou-frou. 

It's gorgeous like that, 

but I decided to add "stuff" to it (giggle).

What is a swan lake without roses, fauna, lacy backdrop and microfine glitter?

The microfine glitter is very fine - it lightly shows up on the floral spray. Instead of glitz, it actually provides a sweet texture.

Close Up of the sentiment:

This beautiful Umbria Italian Collection Sue Wilson die works a little differently than expected.

It comes in 3 pieces. The outermost and innermost dies completely cut on the outside.

But the middle piece does not have a cutting edge.

TIP:

A circular die cut is needed if you want to layer it as this sentiment is.

If using a Circle brand other than Spellbinders, please cut the circle first, and then place the Sue Wilson die inside and re-cut. It seems to me that the SB dies are slightly deeper in cut than other brands, and that is why I suggest that.

Here is how to do it if using the SB circles:

Close Up of the swan family in these colors:

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope my boo-boo's and tips have helped! :-)


Products Used:

I used these products from Sweet Stamps:

Sweet Stamps Swan Family #3009I
Sweet Stamps Sending Happy Thoughts Sentiment #9115F
Sweet Stamps Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
Sweet Stamps SweetCuts Die Elegant Leaves

EASEL CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Circles
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Circles
Cardstock: Xpress-It White, SU Lost Lagoon Turquoise
Embossing Powder: Mediterranean Opaque by Sparkle N Sprinkle
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504

Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Chloe Stem Die by Memory Box

Sparkle N Sprinkle Micro Fine Velvet Glitter "Cloud Nine"

FLAT CARD:
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Spellbinders Grand Labels One
Cardstock for the flat card: SU Pink, SU Blue, Xpress-It White
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Die – Umbria Italian Collection CED1504
Scrapy Land Copic Sketch Markers

Scrapy Land Beloved Stars Die by Memory Box

Challenges my card is submitted to:

1. Creatalicious Challenges #70 - New Beginning P15 M
2. Monday Morning Challenge (My Creative Moments) - #2 New Somethings - (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year) 01/26
3. Dies R Us Challenges #17 - Anything Goes and Use Something New (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new)
4. Gem of a Challenge #135 - Something New 1/15 (new stamp, 2 new die cuts, new turq cardstock)(new babies going for their first swim in the new year)
5. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above)
6. Crafty Catz Challenges #260 Anything Goes - 1/7
7. QKR Stampede Challenge #120 Anything Goes - 1/8
8. Stempelsonne Challenge (Stamp Sun) - #131 Anything Goes With Stamp as main focus 1/8
9. Hiding in My Craftroom Challenge #181 Pinks (my first card displays my love of pink!) 1/9
10. Winter Wonderland (Jan 2) Does not Have to Be Christmas this time - Favorite Color Combination - Pink and Bold Blue is one of my favorite color combinations (first card) 1/8
11. Outlawz Coloring Challenge (Jan 2- Jan 8) Theme is BIRDS-Wings 1/8   CPC010215 
12. Artistic Inspirations #122 - Something New -  (Both Stamps are new- Sue Wilson, Tall Chloe Stem and Beloved Stars dies are all new) 1/18

Stamping Hugs,