.....come enjoy some handmade creations and heartfelt experiences. I'm glad you're here & hope you'll come back often.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Sparkle N Sprinkle Magical Winter Moments

Hi Everybody! Welcome to my stop on Sparkle N Sprinkle's "Magical Winter Moments" hop!  It may not be winter just yet, but if you're anything like me; those holidays sneak right up on you!  So now's the time to start preparing & we have just what you need - some great card samples to get your winter mojo going so you won't have to make cards at the last minute this year.  And better yet, most of the stamps featured are on sale for the rest of the month; so buy now & save a bunch too!  If you hopped here by way of Barbara's great blog ; then you're in the right place.  If not, you might want to jump back to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Home Blog & start from the beginning so you don't miss any of the great ideas.  Plus all the details  for how to qualify for some great prizes are there too - you definitely don't want to miss out on those either!

click any image for a larger view
For my stop on the hop I have two cards for you featuring the Tiny Tree stamp from the new Tis the Season - Set 439.  Going along with the theme, my first card brings back some Magical memories & really captures the sparkle!  When I saw the Tiny Tree in this stamp set, one of the things that immediately came to mind was those great Aluminum Christmas trees from our past  So I set out to recreate that look and feel.  What do you think - did I capture the feel of the Aluminum trees from years ago?  Or are you too embarrassed to admit you've been around long enough to know when these were all the rage - LOL!  There's so much sparkle on this card that the photo couldn't pick it all up, but the tree itself was done in Tinsel embossing powder (of course) and the frame around it was done with Tearific Tape and Sassy Silver glitter.  The final & crowning touch is the Silver Leaf Glitter Tinsel border which really reminds me of the aluminum branches on those trees.  I love how all those silvers look together and the whole look really takes me back to those old time trees.  And yes, I do admit to being old enough to remember them well!  Full instructions for this card can be found in the Sparkle N Sprinkle Art Gallery here.

For my second card, I went for the complete opposite look with the same stamp.  This time I went for a "Country Christmas".  With all the sparkle at Sparkle N Sprinkle; we don't do as many "non-sparkly" designs, but it's nice to do that look every once in awhile.  And for an added surprise, this card actually does use a sparkling embossing powder.  But the Log Cabin embossing powder I used has just enough to add a little spark yet still blend in perfectly with the country design.  

For an extra natural touch, instead of backing the tree with a paper layer; the tree was backed with a piece of burlap.  I love the look, texture, and dimension that the burlap adds.  And the gingham ribbon & buttons make the perfect accents to complete that country feel.  I really enjoyed creating this country style for something a little different and I like how it shows that you can create completely different looks with the same stamp.  Full directions for this Country Christmas card can be found  in the Gallery here.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my cards today.  Don't forget to leave a comment before you hop on to qualify for prizes.  I read and appreciate every comment.  Now hop on over to Karin's fun blog & enjoy the rest of the hop! 

"You see things and say, "Why?", but I dream things and say, "Why not?"  
                                                                                                                                                  George Bernard Shaw
Until next time,
***Julie***

Supplies Used:
Stamp - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Embossing Powders, Glitter, Glitter Tinsel - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Embossing Folders - Cuttlebug
Frame Die Cut - Spellbinders
Tag Die Cut - Cricut

47 comments:

Donna Ellis said...

Gosh, Julie! Two identical images, two incredibly different cards! Such a great feel for "Tinsel Town" and the warmth of Country Decor. Love your stories and the stroll down memory lane. Thank you for the beautiful cards, Julie.

Linda said...

Julie how creative. Love the tinsel in your first card and the country feel of your second card.

creativearts said...

Both of your cards are beautiful, Julie. The country one is my favorite. I love how you stamped on the canvas and colored the tree. I love using canvas and don't do it nearly enough.

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Isn't it amazing how you can make totally different cards using the same image? You totally rocked it!
Cheesy

Barbara Bruder said...

Julie, great job on those two different looks from the same stamp. My fav is the silver tree. We had one when I was a kid.Love your use of the burlap on the second card.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Wow - isn't it amazing that you can get such different results using the same little stamp? I love them both - but the country one is my favorite.

NanaConnie said...

Both cards are great but I especially like the surprise of the white stamped on black -- not something one expects on a Christmas card. So effective! Love the dry embossed background, too. I bet that would also work with silver EP instead of white!

Anonymous said...

I'd say you most DEFINITELY captured the memories of the silver tinsel tree era... Great job. love that border....I really like the country card as well...the simplicity of it makes a beautiful sstatement. Pam Beeson

Linda Rapacki said...

Really like the country Christmas card and what you did with the fringed burlap...very creative!

Kristyn C. said...

I love, love, love the country christmas card. I'm so going to have to CASE your card! I will admit when I was a kid we had one of those silver trees, it totally brought me back. Awesome Job!!

Anonymous said...

Just love the idea of the "tinsel tree" card. Brings back lots of memories. Brenda

Kathyk said...

Love your Country Christmas card - such a fab combo of colours and textures

Kathyk

Dianne Potter said...

What a fantastic use of black, red and silver to create a super Christmas card. It's unique and fun. A card to remember. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

love the bold colors!so cute!
dilnazheckman @ hotmail . com

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha ~ your first card says "Charlie Brown Christmas" to me . . . remember when they went to the XMas tree lot? All that wonderful sparkle and glitter! And your second card just screams country, homemade and cozy. You did a great job with both and I think you really hit the nail on the head with the looks you were going for! ~ Beth White

Kristin said...

Love the modern look to the first card!

Anonymous said...

Love the deep rich colors. Excellent.
Karalee Ingram

Sharon Hiller said...

Love all the techniques. Nice job.

Anonymous said...

I love the folk art look to your cards! Great idea stamping in burlap.

NancyA
Booknplays@aol.com

Joni said...

Great Job, Julie. I love the country one.

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love both of your cards but the last one reminds me of an old fashioned homespun family Christmas with it's button and fabric decor. But the first one indeed does remind me of the silver tinsel trees...we never had one but I always at that time period admired those who did. Now I prefer the real green live variety.

Marian Knode said...

I love the textures. Great cards!

McStamper said...

Cute cards. Love the little tree.

Candy Meyers said...

I love the ideas you used with those stamps. I make over a 100 cards at Christmas and so the simple but elegant ones are my preference. You gave me a great idea.
Thanks loads,
Candy Meyers

Anonymous said...

What a great way to highlight tags. I love working with black and I see I found another affectionato who is so far ahead of me. I love the card. (I am not old, but lived through the aluminum tree phase)

It took me a minute to grasp the burlap was actual burlap, not plain paper cut a lot. Great card.

Amanda R said...

I love both cards and how one stamp can make such different looks. And yes, I think you nailed the aluminum tree!

Unknown said...

Love the 2 takes of this tree...IRL they are even prettier with all the sparkle on the first one! The second one makes me think of a Charlie Brown tree:)

Lynne Platt said...

I love the country Christmas card - so Christmasy (sp) and warm. The little tree is perfect and you pulled them together. Makes me want a cup of hot chocolate with a pepperment stick. Thank you for working so hard and sharing what you design.

Anonymous said...

Julie, as soon as I saw your tinsel tree, I thought of the aluminum trees of long ago! I couldn't help but laugh when I read your comments. How fun! It brings all kinds of nostalgia. Thanks!
Jan Hobbs

Denise Bryant said...

Sweet cards! Lots of great details!
DeniseB

Anonymous said...

love the rustic cards! My fav style!
kasot@aol.com

E. Marie said...

Julie, I love how you used this sweet little tree to make two completely different but wonderful cards. Today at school one of the children told me her mom was looking for a silver Christmas tree. How funny!! Great cards.

Gerlinde said...

I'm not usually one that gets drawn to the country look, but I LOVE that country look card! The design is perfect! Of course, I've always loved everything tinsel, so I think that first card is very striking! Great job!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful example of how two totally different looks can be done with one stamp. It's a challenge to say which one I like the best as I also remember trees we've had that were similar to both! judystolz@hotmail.com

NWFlamingo said...

You will be happy to know the aluminum tree lives at my house! I have a little three foot one because I never had one when they were popular and I really wanted one. I should put mine in a black and white pot. It looks great!

Karenladd said...

Thank you for showing us how versatile one stamp set can be! Love the different looks, and the burlap backing is just wonderful for a sweet country feel!

Anonymous said...

I likethe tiny tree cards

Sand rustydoc1@yahoo.com

Nikki said...

Those are kewl had to do a double take to realize you used the same stamp love the Black Xmas Card

SHartl said...

Ha ha..that is so funny about the aluminum Christmas tree...and yes, our family actually had one (blue spotlight anyone??). Love the two very different looks in your cards!

Pat K said...

So great love your work

Kathy Vogel said...

I do remember the aluminum trees from days gone by. I agree with Beth White that your first card reminds me of Charlie Brown. I really like your second card with the nice homey feeling & the burlap background.

April said...

Both cards are great! I love seeing the different looks using one stamp. Very well done!

Anita Braddock said...

Bueatiful cards love the little tree and love the colors. thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.
abbraddock@msn.com

Dawn said...

Julie - It is amazing how you were able to change the style by changing the colors. Great cards.

Karin said...

Fab cards Julie :) I love them both...the great glittery first and the country homespun second!

0900Lee said...

Love how you use embossing folders and die cuts thank you for sharing cheers Lee G.(0900Lee)

Kimberlylvzl said...

I love both cards and how one stamp can make such different looks. And yes, I think you nailed the aluminum tree!