Show Me A Snowman - Cardz 4 Galz - Sparkle N Sprinkle

Hello, Blogging Buddies! Wishing you a great day. Are you enjoying the holiday celebrations and preparations? Here in central Florida, we are enjoying gorgeous  blue skies, light fluffy clouds, and temperatures in the low 80s (in the shade!)

Maybe my card will cool things off.

Speaking of cards - I love playing with my supplies, getting messy, and experimenting. Do you?

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #61 is chosen by designer Caz - and the theme is:

  SHOW ME A SNOWMAN  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT FEATURES A SNOW PERSON!

Challenge ends on DECEMBER 21st.

Today's card is 5x7 (A7) and features this darling Bugaboo Image merged with  Sparkle N Sprinkle has become the Snow Couple Rubber Stamp Set (also available digitally). They are delighted, cuddling together to keep each other COLD, and singing you "we wish you a Merry Christmas".

I colored this image with Copic Markers, and this is the colored version you will receive with this stamp set if you buy the digital set.

Then I die cut the intriguing Tonic Layering Ribbon and Bow Frame Set in white, coated it with VersaMark and dredged with Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP (it contains glitter). I removed the center (detailed) portion of the die, leaving two plain pieces, and die cut the same frame out of fun foam.



Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine nozzle tip was applied to the back of the red embossed frame and adhered to the fun foam.
The back of the fun foam was coated with 1/4" Tear-ific Tape, and it was then placed on the die cut Snow Couple die cut piece.

The next step involves Super Adhesive Sheets - Double Sided, and Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter:

Cut red cardstock as desired, and then cut the Super Adhesive Sheet 1/4" smaller.
Carefully center the cut SAS to the red cardstock, leaving the protective layer on top. Adhere the red layer to the card base:

The sentiment was designed to be on one side, so I pulled back the SAS on the right side just enough to apply a little Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter, burnishing it in with my finger. (See how it will look when the protective layer is finally removed?



After wiping off the excess, I prepared the left side for the same treatment, leaving the center tacky for the Snow Couple Panel:



Leaving the protective layer in place, burnish the left side and brush off any loose glitter.
Place entire panel in the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform to arrange the flourish stamp (sorry about the glaring light bulb!):



To get the Blazing Red Staz-on ink to show up enough, I had to restamp 7 times (because the base cardstock is red, not white). After stamping, the protective layer was removed, the Snow Couple panel was applied, and then the top and bottom of the SAS was burnished with more glitter. (Below, see that the SAS holds the Snow Couple panel, and just above and below more glitter is needed:



The sentiment is heat embossed with White Detail EP. I put it back in the Stamp Platform and stamped again with Versamark, and heat set with Velvet Sparkle EP. This allows the white EP to show clearly, but gives a bit of a sparkly shadow to the words (hope you can see the sparkles):



To create my giant sized snowflakes I used Nuvo Glitter Accents Fresh Snowfall, and dredged with Diamond Dust Glitter. The same process was done on the ground, and on the snow couple's hats:



Tonic's Poinsettia Wreath Die 80e was cut up and embellished with more Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP to match the frame. The little heart brad was heat set with Velvet Sparkle EP. (Just heat the brad, dip into embossing powder, heat again, dip again, until you like the appearance).

Finished Sparkly card:

Products Used:

• Embossing Powders: Sparkle N Sprinkle Firecracker Red Detail Opaque EP (with Glitter), White Detail EP, Velvet Sparkle EP
• Stamps: Sparkle N Sprinkle Snow Couple Rubber Stamp Set, Flourishes 2 Rubber Stamp Set
• Glitters: Sparkle N Sprinkle Diamond Dust Glitter, Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine Glitter, Nuvo Glitter Accents Fresh Snowfall
• Adhesives: Sparkle N Sprinkle 1/4" Tear-ific Tape, Super Adhesive Sheets - Double Sided, Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine nozzle
• Cardstock: Neenah Solar White cardstock, Red
• Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
• Tonic 12" Wide Base Craft Guillotine
• VersaMark
• Dies: Tonic Layering Ribbon and Bow Frame Set 1461e, Tonic Poinsettia Wreath Die 80e
• Fun Foam (for frame), brad

Fun Challenges I'd like to play in:

1. Kerst/Christmas Challenges #12 Anything Goes Christmas 1/1/2018
2. Craftaholics R Us #48 Christmas 12/13
3. Always Fun Challenges #35 "Snowmen" 12/10
4. World Wide Open DT Challenge #28 Anything for a DT 12/15
5. Bugaboo Crafty Challenge #11 Anything Bugaboo Goes 12/15
6. Love to Scrap #104 Winter Wonderland 12/31 (sep post)
7. Crafty Calendar Challenges (December) "It's Christmas" 1/1 (sep post)

Thanks for coming by today,

Cardz 4 Galz - Cupcakes

Hello, dear Blogging Friends!
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. and I am very thankful for the kind, generous Beauty you each share with the rest of us - and especially, how I've grown just by knowing you. You never know whose life you are touching with your words and artwork!

I have two questions below which I'm hopeful you can answer in your comments, but first, let's take care of "business" (giggle)

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #61 is chosen by designer Amy - and the theme is:

  CUPCAKES!  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT FEATURES A YUMMY CUPCAKE DELIGHT!

Challenge ends on DECEMBER 6th.

First I stamped this darling little flying lover of cupcakes with the Stamp Platform currently on sale.
I stamped 3 times until the gray ink was just dark enough:

This card is for my granddaughter, so My Copic Markers naturally gravitated to a more sophisticated color palette suitable to her age (giggle).
Isn't it amusing how we enjoy certain colors as children, outgrow those colors, and slowly gravitate back to those fun colors as we age?


Surrounded by glittery happiness,
the sentiment is left OH-SO-PLAIN, with a tad of yellow ink, and a gray Copic Marker on the edge.

The Balloons are stamped twice so that one could be colored, and dredged with Starfire Ultrafine Glitter. After the glue for the glitter dried, I fussy cut one balloon, distressed the glitter with Black Memento ink, and popped it up for some dimension.

Starfire Ultrafine Glitter is fantastic for "shading" after it has been applied - with alcohol-solvent markers, or water-based products.


TIP:


In fact,
speaking of "distressing" glitter,
(isn't that an oxymoron?),
all three of the die cut balloons have been colored with Copic Markers, then dredged with Sunny Daze Ultrafine Glitter  and Sassy Silver Ultrafine Glitter, and THEN colored again with darker Copic Markers, to add a little more depth to the balloons.
You can even "change" the shade or color of many glitters (both microfine and ultrafine) by coloring with inks and markers.

I created the border by using Abby's Birthday Party digital stamp set. The tiny cupcake was cropped, and then flipped and copy and pasted a number of times to create a fun border. Later it was colored with coordinating markers. I RESISTED THE URGE to glitterfy them by sparkling up the frame instead. It's popped up with a piece of fun foam and attached using SNS Tear-ific Tape 1". They look like they are dancing:



Cute card! Now, it's your turn to create some cupcake fun for the challenge!

QUESTION #1
Do you completely change your project 3 or 4 times during the creative process before finally seeing a possibility? Sometimes, as with this card, I have an idea, which morphs into another, which then morphs into yet another, and finally ends up being completely different from what I started with!


QUESTION #2

Recently, I learned that Windows users cannot "see" the "You might like" widget that is at the bottom of each post (just above where you write a comment). I have learned people with an Apple device (iPad, MacBook, iMac, etc) can see the 5 thumbnails, but apparently Windows users cannot. Will you please advise in your comment if you can see it, and which Platform (Windows or Apple) that you are using? Thank you! I'd like to contact the widget maker.

Products Used:

• Stamps from SNS: Flying Birthday Girl Rubber Stamp Set, Abby's Birthday Party digital stamp set
• Glitters from SNS: Sunny Daze Ultrafine Glitter , Sassy Silver Ultrafine Glitter, Starfire Ultrafine Glitter
• Paper: Pale Gray, Neenah Solar White
• Adhesives: SNS Tear-ific Tape 1", Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with Fine Tip, 
• Dies: Tonic English Picnic
• Embossing Folder: Tonic Layered Leaves
• Inks: Copic Markers, Distress Lemonade, Brilliance Platinum, Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Gray Flannel

Challenges I'd like to play in:

1. A Bit More Time to Craft #56 Anything Goes 11/29 (sep post 11/30)
2. Allsorts Challenge Blog #442 "Glitter" 11/25
3. Craftaholics R Us #46 "Girly" 11/28
4. Crafting with Friends #55 Anything Goes 11/29
5. Crafty Girls Creations #41 Anything Goes 12/1
6. Crafty Friends Challenge #71 Add A Sentiment 12/1
7. Cute as a Button Challenge #39 Anything Goes Cute! 12/1
8. Retro Rubber Stamps Challenge #76 "Anything Goes" (my flying girl rubber set with sentiment are circa 2013 by SNS - I love this stamp set!) (C10) 12/1 (sep post 12/4)
9. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (11-22) "Food Or Drink" 11/29
10. Sweet Stampin' (Nov 18) "It's Our 8th Birthday" 11/25 (Birthday Cards)

Thanks for dropping by today.
Sending you cupcake hugs,

Cardz 4 Galz - Thank You or Thanksgiving

Hello, Blogging Friends.
As we approach Thanksgiving in the US, I cannot begin to express my deep gratitude and thankfulness for you, my dear blogging friends.
Thank you for contributing to my little life.
(and if that sounds a little sappy to you, alas, that's how I truly am)

ONWARD WE GO!

Today I've got something a little different to share, using Autumn colors that were popular as plaids in my Connecticut high school days: Mustard and Mulberry.

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #60 is chosen by designer Tammy - and the theme is:

  Thank you or Thanksgiving  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT CONVEYS GRATITUDE!

Challenge ends on NOVEMBER 22nd.

Today's card share is relatively flat for postage reasons.
Wouldn't it be beautiful with sparkly dimensional flowers or leaves? (giggle)
(click to make photos larger if desired - should work for my email followers as well)

To make the fancy frame:

Tonic Twisting Veranda Layering Die Set 

(currently 50% off sale in SNS store)

The unassembled frame is now two pieces:

1. The solid portion of the frame was cut, smooshed with VersaMark Ink, and coated with Sparkle N Sprinkle Cappuccino Star EP.
2. The ornate frame has been smooshed with creamy Nuvo Fresh Copper Embellishment Mousse.
3. Both pieces look great with old "Brilliance Ink" masked portion.
4. Adhere the two pieces together.

To finish the card:

• Die cut a shape for your card. Distress with ink around the edges.

• Ink embossing folder, and dry emboss to reveal texture. In this case, I also lightly distressed with Nuvo Royal Aubergine Embellishment Mousse. It's a gorgeous purple.

• Trace around the die frame, and fussy cut a layer to smoosh more Royal Aubergine Embellishment Mousse. It makes the frame more noticeable from the background (and looks pretty, too!)

• Heat Emboss the sentiment on vellum with SNS Cappuccino Star EP.
• Adhere vellum strip under the frame.
• Adhere frame to stamped project.
• Pop up the framed panel with dimensionals, adhering to card base.
• Blend Concord Star EP and Mulberry Star EP to obtain a purply mulberry color that matches the mousse. Heat Emboss a section of scrap paper. Let cool.
• From that scrap paper, cut delicate flourishes from Tonic's Verdi's Waves Flourish Die Set (love this set!) Cut them apart or leave as is, and arrange on your creation. These were adhered with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive, an easy-to-hold-and-squeeze bottle with a VERY thin nozzle.
• Lastly, Nuvo Glitter Drops in GOLDEN SUNSET and HONEY GOLD were splattered on the finished piece.

Interior of Card:



Leaving you with a Hug:
(courtesy of Linda's Peaceful Place)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Yn8w_ybs0

Products Used:

• Image: Wreath and main layer - An unfinished project from my box
• Sentiment - Hero Arts Gratitude Sentiment Set (over 10 years old)
• Sparkle N Sprinkle Cappuccino Star EP (sentiment and behind die cut frame), Concord Star EP, Mulberry Star EP (blended for purple-mulberry die cuts)
• Nuvo Fresh Copper Embellishment Mousse and Royal Aubergine Embellishment Mousse (detail frame and layer behind the frame)
• Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with thin applicator
• Nuvo Glitter Drops in GOLDEN SUNSET and HONEY GOLD
• Tonic Twisting Veranda Layering Die Set (currently 50% off sale in SNS store)
• Tonic Esssentials Verdi's Waves Flourish Die Set
• Other Dies: SB Grand Labels One, SB Grand Decorative Labels One
• Paper: Vellum, White, Mustard
• Inks: Distress Walnut and Straw, Galaxy Gold Brilliance, Platinum Planet Brilliance, Cosmic Copper Brilliance
• Embossing Folder: Craft Essentials Basket Weave

Please? May I play in the following challenges? Thanks!

1. 4 Crafty Chicks #376 Give Thanks 11/16
2. Dragonfly Journeys #140 "Attitude of Gratitude" 11-11
3. Crafting with Friends #54 Anything Goes 11/17
4. Crafty Calendar Challenge (Nov 4) Autumn Colors 12/3 (sep post)
5. Hiding in my Craft Room #325 Fall Colors 11/10 (sep post 2 wks aft)
6. Pile It On Challenge #136 Large Sentiments 12/3 (sep post 12/10)
7. Scrapy Land #77 Anything with a die that SL Sells (Tonic, Spellbinders listed above in products) 11/11 (sep post 11/15)
8. Sisterhood of Crafters (Nov 8) "Let the Sparkle fly!" (lots of sparkle and shine as listed in products above) 11/20 sep post
9. Sparkles Monthly Challenge #97 Autumn Colors 11/15
10. Stinkin' Inkers Challenge  "Thankful" 12/5 (sep post)

Stamping Hugs,

Cardz 4 Galz - Your Favorite Flower and Why

Hello, Friends! Here in Florida we are delighted that our typical Autumn weather has arrived yesterday FINALLY! Lower humidity, cooler nights, and even cooler in the daytime! Even the weather man said, "It's been years since we have experienced our typical Fall in the Tampa Bay Area".
SIGH - Happiness is Autumn in Florida.

There's a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #59 is chosen by designer INA G - and the theme is:

  Your Favorite Flower and Why  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT USES YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER!

Challenge ends on NOVEMBER 8th.

Because Roses do not grow in Florida, I treasure them with their velvety petals and soft scents. They are available in so many colors, so today's card honors the pale orange roses available in other parts of the country.

The wood mount stamps in my craft room are enjoying themselves these days because I am paying attention and using them. It's been fun because I can stamp the images repeatedly and have a great final image by using my trusty OLD, OLD, OLD Stamp-o-Graph. Have you ever heard of it? It's a hinged platform like the Tonic Stamp Platform, with 2 open-ended sides. This image was repeatedly stamped 3 times to achieve a vibrant color:

In fact, everything on this card is at least several years old with the exception of the distressing done with Burnished Bronze Embellishment Mousse.



Oldies but Goodies:  the old Peddler's Pack stamp from 2002, and the pretty vellums from 2003, embellishments which are years old, and the MS daisy punch which is likely 8-10 years old.



Dry embossed and distressed, the frame is popped up. The dark brown Coordinations Paper has been dry embossed and sanded.

A few Autumn colored rhinestones adorn the card and cover a few boo-boos.



The vellum has a metallic pearlescent sheen (banners) with a computer generated sentiment "Come and meet my roses...":



Thanks for popping by today! I hope you enjoyed my Autumn colored roses!

And be sure to add your pretty flower project to the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge.

Products Used:

• Images: Peddler's Pack Roses (bought in 2002 and still virginal) YIKES!, computer-generated sentiment
• Dies: Grand Nestabilities Large Labels, Sue Wilson Pierced Flags, Memory Box Chloe Stems
• Punches: MS Daisy Edge
• Embossing Folder: Craftwell Love Triangles, Craftwell Delicate Dots
• Inks: Memento Cantaloupe, Tea Dye Distress Ink, Old Paper Distress Ink
• Paper: Gold Pearl Vellum, White Pearl Vellum, Tan, Neenah Ivory, Coordinations Brown
• MISC: Copic Markers, Burnished Bronze Embellishment Mousse, Flowers, Grosgrain Ribbon, Jewels, Leaves

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Paradise of Stamps #59 Autumn 10/31
2. Sparkles Monthly Challenges #97 Autumn Colors 11/15
3. Sweet Stampers Challenges #12 Autumn 11/10
4. The Rubber Buggy #4 Autumn 11/1
5. Classic Design Team Open Challenge #17 Anything Goes for a DT 11/1
6. Crafty Addicts #41 Anything Goes with Autumn Colors 11/1
7. Crafty Creations #353 Anything Goes 11/7 
8. Crafty Gals Corner #146 Anything Goes 11/1
9. Inspiration Destination Challenge #136 Anything Goes  11/1 (sep post)
10. Simon Says (Oct 25) Anything Goes 11/1 (sep post)

Leaving you with TWO Smiles:

and from Linda's Peaceful Place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Wtoe3tcgI&feature=youtu.be

Florida Hugs,

Dragonfly Magic! Tonic Studios - Sparkle N Sprinkle - Cardz 4 Galz

Hi, Everyone! I'm back!
Sorta....
Slowly picking up speed from recent Florida events - I especially am thinking of those who have lost loved ones, their homes, and businesses throughout the Caribbean, Texas, Florida and Mexico, and wishing you all a brighter tomorrow.

The new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #57 is chosen by guest designer Sian - and the theme is:

  DRAGONFLY  

show us your Paper Crafting projects using any technique and medium, 

AS LONG AS IT INCLUDES DRAGONFLIES!

Challenge ends on OCTOBER 11th.

My project uses fantastic Sparkle N Sprinkle Products which have been listed at the bottom.

TIP:

Fantastically sparkle-full, the Celestial Ultrafine Glitter on the leaves is a combination of transparent and opaque glitters. Why tell you this? The leaf die cuts are cut from the same color yellow cardstock as the sentiment. Some of that yellow shows through the transparent glitter colors, so that it blends beautifully and looks well coordinated.

TIP:

The "green" is actually an embossing powder! They are equally sparkle-full, aren't they?
I blended a Hybrid Embossing Powder SNS Military Green EP288 mixed with Green Nugget Ultrafine Glitter G1065. Both are opaque. Again, why have a mentioned this? The green cardstock was not quite the color I needed to match the designer paper, but covering it with embossing powder did the trick! ALSO, with opaque products, you can even cover white cardstock with any color to customize your papers.

The dragonfly is cut from gold glossy cardstock, and adhered to a black shadow using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive. I am still in love with the Nuvo Large Glue Pen which was used to adhere the glitter to the leaves, and the designer paper to the cardstock. HOWEVER, the Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive has an ultra thin applicator and applies creamy smooth directly to the thinnest portions of the dragonfly and leaves! While I am grateful to have been gifted with the adhesives, I will definitely purchase them on my own in the future. That's saying a lot since I had used the same wonderful glue for more than 10 years. I'm HOOKED! 

As you can see below, there are now glue smudges from my fumble fingers on the glossy cardstock:

Tonic's Autumnal Oak Die Set contains pretty leaves (above), a two-piece acorn to be used as shown or as a solid silhouette, a two-piece oak leaf, and this delicate twig. Very versatile and easy to cut. The acorn above had a piece of sticky-note-tape to hold the tiny pieces in place. Then I flipped the acorn and taped them in place permanently. 

Love the Tonic Thinking of You miniature die
 

On the inside, a sneak peek at an upcoming SNS sentiment, inspired by a dear friend:





We would love seeing your dragonfly projects at the

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge!

On a personal note:


I'm still having trouble getting up to speed, but at least my brain is semi-functioning again (giggle).

This is  what is happening in our area due to the Withalacoochee River. Although we are up high and don't suffer from the flooding which is about 6-7 miles to the east, the mosquitoes and humidity travel everywhere nearby.




Flooding shown in green - our area has still not crested, so the photos reflect flooding a week ago, where the areas have not reached their maximum flooding yet:


 THIS IS DEDICATION:



our home has these "shutters"
which are put in place before an event, and then removed.

The photos were taken 24 hours after Hurricane Irma passed overhead - we were SO FORTUNATE as only a few tornados passed through the area, and the winds were deflected by large trees. Irma downgraded to a Cat 1 by the time it hit our home.


We were VERY GRATEFUL to have the shutters.
(see the shutter bottom left which has been removed from the door):

       

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products:

• Embossing Ink for large areas: Stampendous Embossing Ink with "felt stopper".
• Hybrid Embossing Powder: SNS Military Green EP288 mixed with Green Nugget Ultrafine Glitter G1065
• Celestial Ultrafine Glitter G1031
• Tonic English Picnic Die Set (inside)
• Tonic Thinking of You miniature die
• Tonic Dragonfly Broach
• Tonic Autumnal Oak Die Set (Leaves, twig, acorn)
• Nuvo Large Glue Pen (to adhere glitter to leaves, and designer paper to cardstock)
• Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (wonderful ultra fine tip!)
• Sentiment - sneak peek of upcoming stamp set

Other Products:

• EKSuccess Border Punch
• Rust, Pale Gold, Black, Gold Glossy, Avocado Green, White cardstock and stash designer paper.
• Recollections Jewel

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Crafty Cardmakers #196 Autumn 10/1
2. Make My Monday #55 Autumn Colors 10/1
3. Use Your Stuff #281 Something Old - Something New 10/1 (Designer Paper, border punches, EP and G all very old - the die cuts are brand new)
4. Fab N Funky Challenge #364 Fall Colors 10/5
5. ScrapyLand Challenges #74 (Anything Goes using Die SL sells) (4 different Tonic Studios Die Sets listed above)
6. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge (Anything Goes for a DT) 10/15
7. Sisterhood of Crafters (Sept 27) Use Your Dies 10/15 (4 different Tonic Studios Die Sets listed above) (sep post prior to new challenge)

Miss You Hugs,