Blog Hop! Bella Grown Up and Grace The Dancing - fairies {Sparkle N Sprinkle}

Hello, Stamping Friends!

Today is the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop, revealing new stamp sets.

Also today, Bella Grown-Up Fairy and Grace the Dancing Fairy are helping me out! I hope you enjoy what they have done for you.

But first, a little business to take care of:

Sparkle N Sprinkle's February New Stamps Blog Hop

The stamps are 20% off until the 20th of the month. A blog hop winner will be awarded a $20 gift certificate to the on line store, good for any merchandise. Winner is chosen from the comments left on the designers' blogs, so hop to each blog and leave a comment. Winner will be announced on the 20th on both the SNS Facebook page and the SNS blog.

The Blog Hop order this month includes our new designers:

  
Lisa
Irit
Diane
Chris
Donna
Sabrina
Jess
Eret
Anne
Shona

We are pleased to bring you:

Pretty Blooms 
Rubber Stamp Set
Digital Set including colored images

Happiness Greetings
for sentiments on your card front or inside.
Rubber Stamp Set
Digital Set  including colored images



Snowman with a Heart Digital Stamp set  including colored images



Whispers of Comfort - Hydrangea
Rubber Stamp set
Digital set  including colored images



Bonnet Birdie - Chirp!
Rubber Stamp Set
Digital Set  including colored images



Balloon Bunch 
Rubber Stamp set
Digital set  including colored images



Win a gift card to the SNS store by playing in our monthly ANYTHING GOES Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge group on Facebook. The challenge runs from the 1st through the 25th. 

Now for my cards!
(apologies for so many photos)

Today's card shares feature "Grace" the Dancing Fairy and "Bella" Grown-Up Fairy. I've never used an abstract sketchy images before, nor have I used a faceless image. It was far easier than I imagined, and I'm looking forward to playing with some of the other darling fairies in the Fairy Reflections line.

First I die cut butterfly wings from the packaging of the Wings and Things Monarch and Princess Wings die set:



This is my mask for creating the background. I dampened watercolor paper, and put the butterfly mask on the watercolor paper, then spritzed with watered down reinkers. I switched colors, moved the butterfly mask, and spritzed more. I also stamped and heat embossed a few small butterflies from the Swallowtail Butterflies Rubber Stamp Set with Pink Lady Cosmic EP.

After spritzing the background, and letting it dry, I created a white frame:



Next, I adhered the entire frame and background to a dry embossed pearlescent background...



...only to determine that I wanted to heat emboss a sentiment on the background. Not sure if the stamped image would "take" with so many layers under it, I was grateful for the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, that let me stamp a few times before applying the EP:



The sentiment came out great!



Some Dimensional Glue was applied and Fuchsia Glass Glitter GG16C was applied. It's much easier to use because it doesn't "fly around" from the static in the air. In the crevices of the glass glitter is Diamond Dust which is slightly chunky.
The Verdi's Waves Flourish is "glittered" with Mulberry Star EP427.

Bella Grown-Up fairy is colored with Copics after being stamped with Plum Memento ink.

The Fairy Reflections line includes stamps and dies. The dies are two-piece sets so the stamp can be cut out, or both dies can be used together for a detailed silhouette die cut.




Grace the Dancing Fairy includes assorted new products from the SNS:

After heat setting with Silver Detail Opaque embossing powder,
 Grace was colored with Tombow markers.
I lightly applied color,
and used a damp brush to move the color around.

This technique would work well with any color intensity or color combination.

I will use watercolor paper next time, though.

The Silhouette fairy is heat set with Morning Glory embossing powder (also glittery).

The other die cuts were heat set with Wisteria Opaque embossing powder. It has a bit of iridescence to it.

and a sentiment with Silver Detail Opaque EP to match the fairy:

Tonic's Handmade Embossed Paper - English Lace has an unexpected quality.
On one side, is a matte cottony paper embossed with daisies. Colors from any medium can be added to this side.

The "right" side has a lovely polished finish with what looks like real stitching in lace!

Before adhering the pretty white die cut to the pink base, I wanted to add a little Bubblegum glitter.

Thanks for popping by. For more design inspiration, please hop on over to the very talented Sabrina!

Products Used in Grace Dancing Fairy:

Sparkle N Sprinkle:

• Stamps: SNS Dream Catcher Maiden Rubber Stamp Set #865 (also available digitally here), Tonic Studio's "Grace" Reflections (Dancing Fairy) STAMP 1304E (presently on clearance!)
• Tonic Dies: "Grace" Reflections (Dancing Fairy) Die Set 1204E, Mozart's Blossom Flourish die set #1757E, Perfect Harmony (musical score) die set #1176E
• Tonic Handmade Embossed Paper - English Lace 9801E
• Embossing Powders: Morning Glory EP390 (Cosmic Opaque with a touch of sparkle), Silver Detail Opaque, Wisteria Opaque (has a bit of iridescence), Anti Static Bag (prevents errant powder)
• Glitters: Bubblegum G1088
• Dry Adhesive: Tear-ific Tape (for Layers), Dimensional Tape (dancer)
• Wet Adhesive: Nuvo Glue Pen Large Tip, Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (with fine tip)
• Inks: Spun Sugar Distress, VersaMark  (need a refill?)
• Other dies: Spellbinders Oval Regalia S4-492 (sentiment), Spellbinders Diamondessence S4-491 (circle), Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles Set B
• Other Papers: Mixed Media Paper, Pale Pink, White, Purple
• Tombow Markers, paint brush

Products Used in Bella Grown Up Fairy:

Sparkle N Sprinkle:

• Stamps: Embossed Butterflies from SNS Swallowtail Butterflies Rubber Stamp Set, Sentiment from SNS Happiness Greeting Rubber Stamp Set 886,  Tonic Fairy Reflections Bella rubber stamp #1303E  (presently on clearance!)
• Tonic Dies: Verdi's Waves Flourish Die Set 1760E, Fairy Reflections Bella die set #1203E, Wings and Things Monarch and Princess Wings die set 1933E
• Embossing Powders: Opaline Cosmic EP359 (creamy, iridescent, transparent), Pink Lady Cosmic EP337 (creamy, slightly iridescent, perfect for detail embossing), White Detail EP298, Mulberry Star EP427, Anti Static Bag (to prevent unwanted EP)
• Dry Adhesives: Tear-ific Tape in 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" (double sided, tears easily). I also used the 2.5" tape for the backing because the pearlescent paper does not play well with wet adhesives.
• Wet Adhesives: Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (with fine tip), SNS Dimensional Glue
• Glitters: Diamond Dust (slightly chunky) G1116, Fuchsia Glass Glitter GG16C, Starfire Ultrafine G1017
• Neenah Classic Solar White for Copics
• Inks: Memento Plum, VersaMark 
• Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
• Papers: Lavender Pearlescent, Purple fun foam, white, watercolor, plastic from the butterfly die packaging, Neenah Classic Solar White for Copics,
• Other Dies: Spellbinders 5x7 Cardmaker Rectangles A and B, Martha Stewart Daisy Edge
• Embossing Folder: Love Triangles by Craftwell
• Copic Markers
• Watercolor Sprays (for background)
• Fun Foam (backing for frame and fairy).
• Feather (behind feather in her head gear)

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. International Art and Soul #26 TEXTURE 2/19 (Bella Card)
2. Pile It On Challenge #139 3D Embellishments 3/4 (Bella Card)
3. The Fairy and the Unicorn Challenge (Feb) Anything Goes Fantasy 3/3
4. 
   

Always Stamping Hugs,

You're My Favorite {House Mouse Challenge}

Hello, House Mouse lovers!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Today's sweet little Valentine is done in unconventional colors for my hubby, and being submitted to House Mouse Anything Goes with optional theme of "Sweets or Hearts". Perfect for this stamp!

I saw the image on Bunny's Blog, and had to have it.

(thanks, Bunny!)

Colored with Copic Markers and die base inks, this little mousie is happily reading all about his fabulous characteristics. One of my great joys throughout the day is reminding Jacky of the various qualities I enjoy about him, or expressing my appreciation for all those drudgery things he does. Every Day. Hearing appreciation really does brighten our days, doesn't it?

My wonky frame was made from white paper, smooshed with VersaMark and heat set with sparkly Sienna Star embossing powder.

Jacky always says, "You are my Favor-ITE" with emphasis on the long "I" sound.

The Stamp may be new, but everything else is old, old, old. 

Thanks for stopping by, and best wishes from a sweet day!

Products Used:

Stamps: "Dearest One" HMCR81, Computer sentiment

Sparkle N Sprinkle House Mouse Category

Dies: Sue Wilson Essential Sized Pierced Rectangles, SB Rectangles, Darice hearts, Nesting hearts

Punches: MS scallop heart, triple chevron

Embossing Powder: SNS Sienna Star (very sparkly)

Embossing Folders: We R Memory Keepers Dotted Hearts 2, Craftwell Modern Stripe

Valentine's Day Hugs,

Bunnies, SheepSki Designs, and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Hello, Critter Loving Friends!
Can you believe it is already February?
Here in subtropical Florida, we have intermittently thawed out of our series of "deep freezes." Still, it is nothing compared to what Canada and the upper US have been experiencing. So grateful to live where we do!

It is my pleasure is to Design for the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge Blog today!

If you love critters - ANY kind of critter - this is a fun challenge made for you.
The ABCs: From Ants to Anteaters, Butterflies to Buffalos, Crocodiles to Cardinals
you get the picture.

SheepSki Designs is sponsoring February's challenge, so get hopping and show us your projects using critters!

Any style, any theme, any technique - just be sure to have a critter on it!

I'm featuring this dramatic, multi-purpose Rocket and Rosie image; great for just about any theme, but I am especially focusing on "love":

Colored with Copic Markers, and distressed with both water-based and pigment inks, my card uses LOTS AND LOTS of oldies from my stash! Sigh... I love using my hoarded goodies.

(like brads, ribbons, dies, papers, inks)

Do you find a certain SPECIAL ENJOYMENT using your older products? 

It's like running into an old friend, and reliving good times.

Like this amazing Spellbinders die. It's been crying out forever to be used, and it surely is an amazing die! I love all the possibilities with this set.

To make the intricate pop up, cut 4 frames, inking one of them:

Adhere the four frames. A bead of glue using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine tip around the very thin edge of this frame and the innermost part of the frame produces this look:

A little Brushable Glue on the Foliage and dredged with Beach Ultrafine Glitter gives a bit of texture and visual interest to the floral spray.

Thanks for popping by and don't forget to let us seeing your critter creations!

On A Personal Note:

Did you see the Super Blue Blood Moon the past few nights?
Amazing - it looks like dawn all night long with all the trees, grass, shrubs, etc.  illuminated brightly!

We keep our thermostat rather "cold", but thought you might like to look at the outdoor temperature:

Inside:

Outside:

Ice everywhere! On the roof, wherever trees did not protect the grass and pasture, from the downspout onto the driveway:

The deer don't have much grazing area:

Ice everywhere - I was unable to capture the glistening whiteness with the camera - the Crepe Myrtle trees are covered with icy limbs:

Does not look very subtropical, does it?

Thanks for visiting our little homestead.

Products Used:

• Rocket and Rosie from Sheepski Designs
• Spellbinders Lovin' Diamonds S6-019 die set, and Foliage Leaf set
• Memory Box Chloe Dies, and Flourish Vine
• Copic Markers, Distress Inks, Pigment Inks
• DLArt Rose colored crinkle ribbon
• Craftwell Modern Stripes Embossing Folder
• Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine tip
• Brushable Glue
• Beach Ultrafine Glitter G1111
• White, pink, tan, brown cardstock
• Flowers

Challenges I'd like to support with this pretty card:

1. Cardz 4 Galz #64 Think Pink 2/15
2. Craft Rocket Challenges #45 "Love" 3/1
3. Crafty Creations #359 Anything Goes 2/14
4. DLArt Thankful Thursday #221 "Love" 2/8
5. Moving Along With the Times #64 "love" 2/15
6. Scrapy Land #82 Use Dies SL Sells (2 SB, 2MB listed above) 2/2
7. Sheepski Blog Challenge #11 Love 2/15
8. Sheepski FB Challenges #20 ends 2/20
9. The Crazy Challenge #267 "Love" 2/12
10. Tic Tac Toe Challenge #33 Diagonally - heart.die cut.ribbon (lots of hearts throughout my frame)

hugs,