Sparkle N Sprinkle "Sparkling Wintry Sensations" Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle "Sparkling Wintry Sensations” blog hop! The very best way to Beat the Heat this July!!  If you hopped here by way of Judy's great blog, then you're in the right spot. If you'd like to start from the beginning and become eligible for SIX great prizes, then click here.

Most of Sparkle N Sprinkle's stamps are available in great coordinated sets.  But for this holiday hop I chose two of our "stand alone" stamps that I just love & I used them to create two completely different looks in the cards I have to share with you today.  **Click on any highlighted words for links to products, instructions, or further information**

Click any photo for larger vie

This first one is my personal favorite - a very rich and elegant card using the gorgeous Nestle In for Christmas stamp.  This stamp is so beautiful it can be the entire main focus of a card.  I stamped it twice & colored up one "whole copy" & then the bird only (with two holly leaves) with Copic markers - you get such rich tones & highlights with the Copics.  Cut out the the main image with a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Oval (I used the great new Grand Caliber machine!), pop dotted the bird for some dimension, and layered it all onto a beautifully embossed piece of Stardream cardstock & black Mirrorcard.  Attached all the layers to a white card base and added some red & white rhinestones for just the right amount of accents.  When it all comes together; you can see how this stamp makes such a beautiful card just by itself.  For all the details on how to make this card; please click my gallery to see the full instructions.
 
For my second card, I wanted to do something completely different - something warm, rustic, and "home-y".  And I wanted to include a different technique too.  And that's where my "Warm Wishes Bleached Snowman" came about.

Yes, it's completely different from the first card, but that's what I was shooting for.  The Heart Snowman were stamped & embossed onto a rustic blue cardstock with cream speckles that has a beautiful subtle shimmer to it.  Then the snowmen were bleached out before having accent colors added with Copic markers.  The matching saying was done with one of my favorite embossing powders -  Dark Night.  While it is dark in color; it has such a beautiful blue sheen that reflects in the light.  The perfect accent for the blue background paper.  A snowflake background was embossed onto the cream card base and the snowmen & accent piece were both cut out with Spellbinders.  All the directions for this warm & rustic card can be found on this page of my gallery, Warm Wishes Bleached Snowman.

Well, there you have it - two completely different looks for the holidays.  I hope you enjoyed them & that one (or both) of them speaks to you! Don't forget.... Maybe I'm one of “The Five” with a secondary prize, so be sure to leave a comment to become eligible for the Grand Prize and one of the 5 secondary prizes, then hop on over to Karin's awesome blog.  

Thanks so much for stopping by & do come back often!  (This blog is brand new & I have lots of great things on the backburner to share with you)  Why not become a follower & see what I have in store!

Have lots of fun on the rest of the hop!  And don't forget to .....

Enjoy the Simple Things in Life!

Until next time -

**Julie**

Here is the blog hop order for this hop in case you've gotten lost anywhere along the way:

Sparkle N Sprinkle Home Blog / Blog Hop Details -  SNS Blog
Sandy - Simply Sandy Lee
Dawn - Belladonna's Garden
Shona - Shona's Stamping Stage
Eleanor - Stamping in Virginia
Julie W - The Write Stuff
Joan - Stamp in Slippers
Judy  - Joy In a Jar
Julie Zippel - (that's me you're here!)
Karin  - With an "i" for Paper
Linda - Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens...
Marie - CraftEMarie
Barbara Bruder - Art and Soul Creations
Patti - I Live for Glitter
Donna Ellis - Creative Smiles