.....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

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Coming Soon - SNS Winter Hop this Thursday

Just a real quick reminder that the Sparkle N Sprinkle Sparkling Winter Sensations Blog Hop is coming up in two days on Thursday Sept. 22nd.  We have such an interesting mix of styles on the SNS design team - it's always fun to see what everyone has come up with.  And while the leaves are still on the trees & fall hasn't even completely set in for most of us yet; it's already time to start planning those holiday cards that always seems to sneak up on us.  Plus, to get you ready, Sparkle N Sprinkle has most of their holiday stamps on sale this month!  So don't forget to check out the winter hop on Thursday & pick up some of your favorite holiday stamps while they're on sale!

In the meantime, I have a holiday tag to share with you to start getting you in the mood!

Click any photo for a larger view
This stamp on this tag comes from the Merry Crows - Set 385 and features one of my favorite fun products to play with - Sparkle N Soft.  Sparkle N Soft is so much fun to add to your cards - soft, fluffy, touchable flocking with just the right touch of sparkle to really make it "pop".  If you've never used it before; you really need to add this to your "to do" list!  Sparkle N Soft makes such a big impression on your projects.  On this card, I added it to the scarf & hat (after coloring them for extra color intensity) using brushable glue to make them warm & wooly.  I also added it to the edge of the card using Sparkle N Sprinkle's awesome Tear-ific Tape to make a beautiful coordinating fuzzy accent on the side of the card.  Doesn't it look so warm & sparkly?!  The holly strip was painstakingly handmade using a border punch and gluing tiny little strips of red & dark green paper behind each cut out.  Forgive me for dwelling on the "painstakingly" part; but it was quite time consuming to make.  And yes, I do realize I could have only put the red behind the berries and just let the green show through from the tag base.  But wanted a darker green, plus & more importantly, the strip would have been all "lumpy bumpy" if I only backed the red berries.  So....a few more pieces and a little bit more time & wel-lah!  A bit time consuming, but I was really happy with the result though!  Don't forget to click on the picture for a better view of the card & all it's sparkling softness!  I hope you enjoyed my holiday tag today & that it puts you in the mood for the Sparkling Winter Sensations hop coming up on Thursday!  Be sure to come back to see what I & the other designers have come up with for this Wintery hop!  Hope you'll join us then!!

And remember -
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"  John Lennon
Until next time,
Julie

Supplies used:
Stamp - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Sparkle N Soft - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Tag Die Cut - Sizzix
Border Punch - EK Success Holiday series
Pencils/Mineral Spirits

Here's a look at the whole Merry Crows set - lots of great snowman, holiday & wintery images to use and enjoy!