SNS EXTRAVAGANZA KICKING OFF 2017!

Hi! I hope your holiday celebrations were deeply memorable, and that 2017 is full of promise for new beginnings. Thanks for joining me today.

I am kicking off the New Year as a guest designer for the SNS Extravaganza 2017 with TEN new, fantastically-eclectic rubber and digital stamp sets PLUS a brand new artist joining the SNS team!

My projects use a combination of the digital and rubber images:

IT IS ALL ABOUT FUN AS YOU HAVE NEVER ENJOYED IT!
It's Demo Donna on the SNS YouTube Channel!

Subscribe today to REVEL IN all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques! But even more - PREPARE TO BE ENTERTAINED!  Each week a new technique is shared, and each month, a new video kit is revealed!

BEGINNING TODAY: The easy-peasy Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge. 

There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  We would love for you to be a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's

 January 1, 2017 New Reveal Blog Hop!

We're starting the New Year off with a BANG! 

We have a huge reveal to share with you - our largest ever!

 There are TEN new stamp sets (one is a digi-only set) being released this month!  These new sets are 20% off until January 3, 2017.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  

This month's sets include: 

    friendship, 

        Valentine's, 

            encouragement, 

                Easter, 

    birthday, 

        St. Patrick's Day, 

            Spring, 

                and celebrations. 

We hope you like the assortment! 

Our newest artist is Heather Valentin of Lacy Sunshine Stamps!

Emily Showers of Love 831   (digi version DIGI831)

Right Beside You 812  (digi version DIGI812)

Milton Friendly Giraffe 817  (digi version DIGI817)

Cattleya Orchid Friendship 818  (digi version DIGI818)

Easter Chicky 820  (digi version DIGI820)

Party #1 821  (digi version DIGI821)

Party #2 822  (digi version DIGI822)

Eggs-traordinary Kindness 825  (digi version DIGI825)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #1 828   (digi version DIGI828)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #2   DIGI3129  (DIGI ONLY)

On Jan 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  It's always a mystery which Designer will have the winning comment.

The Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).

The Blog Hop order this month is:

Jess

Diane

Chris

Eret

Donna (that's me!)

Anne

Belinda

Shona

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

My projects use a combination of both digital and rubber sets from Bugaboo's famous Edward Elephant - with the cutest sentiments and accessories!

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #1

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1, (shamrocks)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (embossed background)

Embossing Powder: White Detail EP298,

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (clover), Spirited Green G1070 (hearts)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

The lucky clovers were printed at a very large size, painted with SNS Brushable glue, and coated with Meadow Spark G1014 ultrafine glitter. The clover in the square is layered.

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green center each leaf cluster for visual pleasure and texture.

The Drop make perfect centers every time and never leave a peak or stringy appearance.

The patterned paper was randomly stamped with VersaMark and heat set with White Detail EP298.

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #2

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment),

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Glitter: Spirited Green G1070 (bow)

The digital 3-leaf clovers were printed in large scale format, colored with Copics, with a little Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green painted on and dropped in the center. It gives a little bit of shine to the clover.

_______________________________________

Standard Shape card 6" x 7.5" flat for mailing

Jackpot! Edward and his friends win!

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (enlarged Edward scene), 

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover border)

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy (sentiment)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green (on clover leaves)

Stitching accompanies the clover border which has been fussy-cut on the right side. The clover again has been painted and embellished with Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green after being colored with Copics.

Edward is darling and unabashed in all his "pink and green" glory!

_______________________________________

Last, but not least - the easel card

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (Edward circled, 4-leaf clover border), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (3-leaf clover leaves, sentiment)

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (glittered circle),

Embossing Powder: Silver Pearl  EP391 (brad),

Sticker Paper (glittered circle), 1/4" Tear-ific Tape,

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Here is my creative process, complete with boo-boos, of course!

Print border of four-leaf clovers, color with Copics and Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green. Trim and distress with ink on edges. This is the "Stop" for the card front.

Die cut SB Teardrop Circles from Sticker Paper. Place the die cut Edward image in the middle of the sticker paper, pressing firmly. Then burnish in the Meadow Spark G1014 glitter around the edges of the teardrops. The glitter is now firmly adhered with the image.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products shown under each card above.

Other Products:

Dies: SW Pierced Circles, SB Teardrop Circles, SB Grand Big Scallops, SB Grand Circles, SB Oval Regalia, MBox Beloved Hearts,
Punch: MS lacy hearts border

On the Home Front:

My white Christmas cactus finished blooming.
They will be severely trimmed then rooted in March for new plants to give to friends:

Fabulous Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 4 Crafty Chicks #331 Anything Goes! 1/6
2. All Sorts Challenge #396 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-6 
3. Crafty Gals Corner #103 Blogaversary and Anything Goes! 1/5
4. Crafting with an Attitude #22 Anything Goes  1/5
5. My Time to Craft Challenges #337 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-26 
6. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #17 Anything Goes 1/15

stamping hugs,

de

December Blog Candy Winner! And new Candy

Hi!

Thanks for leaving a comment for the blog candy.

Those who left comments can see their names here.

The prize is:

The chance to win a $25 gift certificate valid at the Sparkle-n-Sprinkle on-line store 

or at their booth in one of their many Shows throughout the year.
Sparkle N Sprinkle sells many fine art products, rubber stamps and digital images.

Now, Mr. Random Dot Org has made his selection:

And the winner is:

Becky Partan of My Stamping Adventures 

Looking forward to sending this to your loving home.

Please contact me with email address.

And now...

for my next blog candy.

The candy is for my regular followers:

Tonic Studios #224 Birds on a Branch and Bird & Birdhouse Dies:

Sorry for the glare in the photos - it's still in the plastic.

If someone from out of the country wins, I'll remove the plastic because it changes the postage from $9.50 US to a more manageable $2.00 US. Just warning LOL

So please leave a comment to be eligible!

The drawing will be on February 28, 2017, 

or 

when my Google Friend Connect reaches 415

or

when my my Bloglovin' Reader reaches 150

(giggle - is that enough options?)

Please leave a comment below if interested.

sweet Florida Sunshine hugs,

A Little Wine, Anyone? {Sparkle N Sprinkle}

YAYYYY! You are here!

Now we can share some wine! I have a fun Sparkle N Sprinkle card share for a new Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #37 theme is selected by teamie Babs - Anyone For Cocktails?  

so get crafting and show us your favorite cocktails!
Challenge ends on December 21.

My sparkly card has two borders using a Fleur de Lis theme. The bottom portion is actually the flap of the card front. I used a strip of 1/2 inch Tear-ific tape on the inside, burnished Sangria Star EP424 embossing powder on it, and heat set:

This card uses 4 colors of embossing powder:

Sangria Star Embossing Powder

1) The base of the card is white, with the front portion having been punched with a Fleur de Lis border punch by EK Success. On the interior flap is a strip of Tear-ific tape burnished with Sangria Star Embossing Powder  EP424 and heat set. The edges of the watercolored panel are heat set "distressed" with the same EP. 

2) The wine glass was colored with Copic Markers, coated by a VersaMarker Pen, then dredged with Clear Detail embossing powder and heat set, to give it a shiny appearance.

3) The sentiment is stamped in VersaMark and heat set with White Detail embossing powder.

4) The "pink" leafy vine was die cut from white paper, colored with copic marker, "colored" with VersaMarker, and heat set with Opaline Embossing Powder (one of my favorite EPs for its versatility).

Opaline Embossing Powder

Here is the card against a white background. Unfortunately, the white border becomes lost. But the white surely does show off all the richness of the "grapie" goodness!

Here is a close-up of the Clear Detail embossing powder on the wine glass. I love the Burgundy Glitz Glitter color with the deeper "wine" colors:

Burgundy Glitz Glitter

The water color panel was created using Nuance Watercolor Powders.

Using a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen,



I sprinkled a little more Burgundy Glitz Glitter along the water color panel. It looks like sparkling wine dancing across the page:

We want to see all you LUSHES out there!

Oooops!

I mean,

we want to see all your luscious cocktail creations!

Link it up here: Cardz 4 Galz

On a Personal note:

Sigh! Our last bean crop before that unexpected, heavy freeze we had 2 weeks ago:

Yesterday we awakened to a very humid 75F (24C) and
in a few days we are expected to have another freeze.
I feel badly for the farmers - and all the wildlife!

My Christmas cacti have begun blooming!

Have you ever seen a white one? This one is getting ready to bloom!

Products Used:

• Images: Sparkle N Sprinkle - Chianti Wine Rubber #450, (also available digitally here), and Wine Tableau Rubber Stamp Set #449
• Dies: SB Classic Scallop Ovals Petite, SB Fleur de Lis borderabilities, Sue Wilson Pierced Ovals, Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish, IO Heart Set (die cut one, fussy cut another)
• Glitter and EP: Burgundy Glitz Ultrafine Glitter G1047, Clear Detail embossing powder (on goblet), White Detail embossing powder (sentiment), Sangria Star Embossing Powder EP424 embossing powder (the distressing), Opaline Embossing Powder (on pink leaf vine)
• Punches, Nuance Watercolor Powders (background), Copic Markers, DL Art Ribbon, 

Challenges I'd like to Support:

1. 4 Crafty Chicks Challenges #328 No Pattern Papers! 8/15
2. 613 Avenue Create #192 Anything Goes 12/31
3. A Bit More Time to Craft #33 Anything Goes 12/13 (sep post day aft)
4. Artistic Inspirations #169 Anything Goes 12/20 (sep post)
5. Classic Design Team Open Challenge blog #9 Anything Goes 1/1
6. heARTful Stamping Challenge #1 Anything Goes 1/4 (1st Mon)(weekly Mondays)
7. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #47 Anything Goes 12/14
8. Robyn's Fetish Challenges #345 "Square or Rectangle Cards" 12/11
9. Scrapy Land #55 Anything Goes with SL Dies 12/19 (dies listed above)
10. Unicorn Challenge Blog "Add Some Glitter" (Glitter trail in middle of card, Glitter in the Embossing powder on edges of card, Glitter around the stamp image panel, Glitter on heart)
11. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #16 Anything Goes 12/15

Thanks for stopping by!

Ewe're So Wonderful

Greetings, my friends!

Hope this finds you well, and enjoying the holiday preparations in your special corner of the planet.

Today I have the pleasure of guest designing for Sparkle N Sprinkle during their December Reveal!
If you arrived here from Diane's fabulous blog, then you are in the right place!

Sparkle N Sprinkle has six new stamp sets to share with you today.  I am using:

These new sets are 20% off until the 3rd of the month; so once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping!  Five of the new sets are available on cling-mounted rubber and digitally. One of the new offerings is available digitally only.  

The sets are:

Build A Flower Set #811  (digi version DIGI811)

  Will Ewe Be Mine Set #813  (digi version DIGI813)

   Light Up My Life Set #814  (digi version DIGI814)

Rustic Flowers-Snapdragons Set #816  (digi version DIGI816)

Spring Bunny Set #819  (digi version DIGI819)

Build A Wreath (Digi Only)  DIGI3128B

   

On Dec 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from one of the comments left on ALL the Designers' blogs listed below. So leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize. The Winner, who will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).

My super talented teamies have some wonderful ideas waiting 
JUST FOR YOU on their blogs! 
The Blog Hop order this month is:

Eret

Chris

Shona

Belinda

Jess

Anne

Diane

Donna (that's me!)

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, 

try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

We hope you enjoy the stamp sets as much as we do.  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize. Wonder who the Mystery Host will be this month?

BEGINNING TODAY: The easy-peasy Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge. 

There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  We would love for you to be a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.

IT IS ALL ABOUT FUN AS YOU HAVE NEVER ENJOYED IT!
It's Demo Donna on the SNS YouTube Channel!

Subscribe today to REVEL IN all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques! But even more - PREPARE TO BE ENTERTAINED! I usually giggle and laugh at Donna's comments throughout her demonstrations - 

She is...

     The Informative, 

          The Talented,

               The Fully Entertaining...

DEMO DONNA!

Now, let's get down to business (giggling)

Today's cards use:

      the same image, 

          the same border punch and

                    the same Sue Wilson oval die. 

However, they look completely different!

I love the cute, silly images from Bugaboo. Jodie (the artist) captures emotions so beautifully in her delightful drawings. I can't help but smile at these three crazy ewes!

TIP:

On both cards, the sentiments have been cut apart to mix and match the words:

If you are thinking they look a little "fuzzy" in the photo, you would be correct! Each ewe has been hand painted with Brushable Glue. Around the outer edges Swanky Gray Sparkle N Soft was applied.  It contains a little glitter. The interior portions are covered with Snow White Flocking.

My ewes LONG to show off their soft wool, hoping someone will simply pet them!

It makes for a fun card!

Here's a close-up of their cuddly softness:

This set comes with lots of sentiments. I cut them up to mix and match the words from "a Wonderful day" and "Wishing ewe".
It's cute to say "Wonderful ewe".

(right?)

I've also used a little Nuvo Mother Of Pearl Embellishment Mousse on the embossed back panel to bring out the flowers from the embossing folder:

BOO BOO TIME!

This was my first application of the Embellishment Mousse. It's wonderful to work with.
AND GUESS WHAT? You can distress with ink on top of the mousse! BUT BUT BUT,
if you do use dye-base inks for distressing on top of the mousse, clean off the applicator because some of the creamy mousse ends up on the applicator, making the ink rather smooshie and dark the next time you use the applicator (see the blue coloring around the sentiment? It's suppose to be like the distressed blue in the ewe panel).

Just sayin'...
😄😄😄
The grass began as a piece of Sticker Paper. Peeling off the protective layer, I burnished Parisian Mist Ultrafine Glitter G1037 into it. Then cut the blades of grass. Finally, with the help of Brushable Glue, I added more grassy detail to highlight the greens with Spirited Green Ultrafine Glitter G1070.

You can see the lighter color green glitter atop the darker color below:

Happiness is... WONDERFUL EWE!

Tip:

Create the illusion that there are more layers on your card by carefully using glitter or unheated embossing powder. Apply double-sided Tear-ific Tape around the back side of your punched or die cut shape. Leave the protective coating in place on the backside. Turn the panel face up, so your tape is sticky-side up. Burnish the glitter (Misty Blue Ultrafine Glitter) into the small openings as shown in the frame below:

My next card:

(Wahhhhh! my dry embossed hearts don't show on the bottom part!)

TIP:

Make a single layer look like two:

The new background paper gives a little glitter pizzazz to the lacy front.
The glitter trick from the first card was used again; and burnished Misty Blue Ultrafine Glitter is around the interior edges of the lacy frame:

Burgundy Glitz Ultrafine Glitter G1047 was burnished into a piece of Sticker Paper, and then die cut using the SW Oval die, and the SB wavy border die. Before adhering the silly ewes panel, I die cut the SW leaves from the glittered section. There are a few punched hearts as well from the left over areas of the glittered shape. Again, the sentiment has been cut apart to mix and match:

Lots of sparkle in the custom background panel, the lacy edge, the middle panels, the extra tiny hearts and the leaves:

IT IS FLAT FOR MAILING!

Thanks for dropping by today, and for hopping in SNS's December Release!
Be sure to check back to see who won the grand prize!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products:

• Images: "Will Ewe Be Mine" available in rubber or digitally, SNS Wonky Lines Background
• Glitter: Parisian Mist Ultrafine Glitter G1037, Spirited Green Ultrafine Glitter G1070, Burgundy Glitz Ultrafine Glitter G1047, Misty Blue Ultrafine Glitter G1021, Cyclamen Ultrafine Glitter G1090
• Adhesives: Brushable Glue, Sticker Paper, 1/4" Tear-ific Tape (behind the lacy edges to hold glitter), Sakura Glue Pen (to hold pink glitter around oval sentiment)
• Embossing Powders: Sangria Star embossing powder EP424, Mediterranean Star embossing powder EP429 
• Flocking: Swanky Gray Sparkle N Soft, Snow White Flocking
• Nuvo Mother Of Pearl Embellishment Mousse

Other Products:

• Dies: SB A2 Curved Borders One, SB Mega Scallop Long Rectangles, SB Petite Scallop Ovals, SW Double Pierced Ovals, SW Faux Quilled Leaves
• Punches: MS Lacy Heart Border (for the glittered hearts), and the Vintage Floral PATP, EKSuccess Rounded Scallop Corners
• Embossing Folders: We R Memory Keepers Dotted 2 hearts, Embossalicious Crafter's Comp Floral Wonder
• assorted inks, papers

Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 613 Avenue Create #191 ANYTHING GOES! 12/4
2. Aud Sentiments Challenges #169 ANYTHING GOES + A SENTIMENT 12/5 (both cards contain sentiments where the rubber has been cut apart and pieced together)
3. Craft Your Passion #340 Anything Goes 12/5
4. Crafting by Designs (11-30) Anything Goes 12/7 
5. Crafting from the Heart #138 Anything Goes 12/5
6. Crafty Gals Corner #100 Anything Goes 12/7
7. Creative Fingers Challenge Blog #121 12/9
8. Creative Moments Challenges #107 Anything Goes 12/7
9. Die Cuttin' Divas #294 Make It Sparkle (the EP has glitter in it for background, the layers around the frame are glitter, the leaves are glitter, the gray flocking has sparkle and glitter, hearts are glittered, the grass is die cut with scallop rectangle and glittered, the embossing has shiny embellishment mousse) 12/4
10. Get Creative Challenges #53 Birthday (my easel card) 12/12
11. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #46 ANYTHING GOES! 12/4
12. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #16 ANYTHING GOES! 12/15

December hugs,