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

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Flower Child Blog Hop Winners & Another Project

Hi Everybody!  Sure hope you were able to join us for the Flower Child Blog Hop.  And I wanted to post the list of winners here just in case you haven't had a chance to see them yet.  But first, I wanted to personally thank everyone who stopped by and left a comment.  I'm not sure I can really convey how very much I appreciate and am inspired by the kind gesture of your comments.  Perhaps even more so on this hop because I took on a project that was very new to me.  I was so very touched by all the heartfelt comments.  I do hope you all know how very much your visits are appreciated!

Ok, on to our winners!  (Winners, please see details on how to claim your prize on the SNS Blog) Congratulations to the following hoppers who have won a prize:

Grand Prize #1 – Stamp Set on cling  -   Carrie
Grand Prize #2 – Stampette Set on cling  -  A French Accent
1st Place – 2 Glitter Tinsels  -  Katy  (from Julie Zippel’s Blog - yeah, we have a winner from here!)
2nd Place – 3 Embossing Powders – Sherry Murphy (from Brenda Smalle's Blog)
3rd Place – 3 Glitters – Susannah (from Charlene Driggs Blog)

Now, for an extra project (as promised!).  Using the same Sweet Briar Frame as I used on the scrapbook page, this time I created a really sweet home decor project.

For this project, I was inspired by some floral metal picture frames I already had in my house.  So, I thought, why not try to recreate that same look with the Sweet Briar Frame stamp?  Not only did it turn out great, but it was the perfect size for (full sized) wallet photos.  Perfect!

To create the look I was going for, I did in fact stamp on actual metal.  I love working with this medium and stamping.  The look is so unique, the material so versatile, and to top it all off; it takes heat embossing so very well.  Lots of fun to work with.  If you'd like to see a couple more projects I've done with metal (completely different styles too); check out these samples of Embossing on Metal in the Tips & Techniques section of the SNS website. 

For this project, I used basic craft metal that you can buy in most craft stores.  You'll find that different stores sell different variations of this and you'll find it in different parts of the store.  The metal I used came in squares, but you can also find it in larger sheets or rolls.  Normally, I don't "back" the metal to work with it.  But for this project (after a lot of experimenting!), I found that backing it before stamping, embossing, & cutting out gave a much smoother look (& more substantial) to the finished piece.  This metal is fairly flexible so it can get "kinks" and mark fairly easily.  For some projects this wouldn't matter.  But to retain the smooth look on this project, adding a backing helped resolve this problem.  (Another option would be to use a heavier gauge metal - I just happened to have this metal to work with.)
Click pictures for best view

Here's a close up of one of the frames so you can see the embossing better.  I experimented with both detail and regular silver embossing powders to see which gave me the best overall look and decided to use the regular.  Detail powder does exactly that, show details really well.  But I wanted a little bit more dimension (thickness) for this than detail powder gives.  (Side note: Super thick embossing powder would give even more dimension than the regular silver powder, but you'd lose most of the details on an image like this).

Full instructions for this project can be found on the SNS Art Gallery here.  This turned out to be such a cute project.  Plus you can "customize" it - match the ribbon to your decor or the picture backgrounds and of course.....add as many photos as you'd like!  Make one for Grandma with all the kids photos hanging from it.  Or how about a family one with a picture of each family member.  Pictures don't even have to be professional.  Snap photos with a simple background & have them printed up in wallet size - almost every photo dept is able to do that nowadays - most even in an hour!

I Hope you've enjoyed this project & perhaps will make one for yourself or someone you love!  I'd love it if you could take a second and leave a comment or two  - I do love to know you were here & read your feedback.  Hope you'll stop back again soon!

Until next time,
***Julie***
Supplies Used:
Stamp - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Embossing Powder - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Craft Metal - Walnut Hollow
Wall Hanger - Scrap Essentials/Joann Fabrics
Ribbon - ? (Hobby Lobby)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

SNS Flower Child Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Sparkle N Sprinkle Flower Child Blog Hop! Hope you're having lots of fun and have arrived here from Shona's delightful blog!  If not, you may want to go back to the beginning on the SNS Blog so you don't miss any great projects or details about the prizes being given away!

I know you have lots of hopping to do, but if you'll indulge me just a bit I have some thoughts & SNS info for you to start with today.  Are you a card maker? into scrapbooking? a paper crafter? Did you know that Sparkle N Sprinkle stamps & products are great for all of these types of projects (and More!)  And did you also know that Sparkle N Sprinkle will be expanding it's exposure this year by attending lots of the big scrapbooking shows?  If you're a scrapbooker - SNS is looking forward to meeting you!  If you're not into scrapping, these shows have so many products that are great to use in any type of paper crafting; you'll definitely want to check one out!  So if SNS isn't coming to your local stamping show this year, be sure to check them out at one of the many scrapbooking shows they'll be at this year.  A list of all the shows SNS will be attending can always be found on the Convention Calendar on the website.  Check it out - will SNS be near you soon?  Come see us!  (Remember you can click on any bold word to be taken directly to more info!)

So with that in mind, I thought I try a floral scrapbook page for this month.  I have to tell you, I'm not a scrapbooker.  But I love how this turned out!

Now for any of you "non-scrappers"...  I know SNS has a big following of card makers out there, but I'd like you to consider something.  If you're anything like me, you put lots and lots of time & yourself into your beautiful creations.  Why not put some of that same time into making something that will be saved and treasured for many years to come!  When you think about it, kinda beats wondering if the person you give your card to keeps it and enjoys it more than "once".  Why not give it a try?!


As I mentioned, this is my first major scrapbook endeavor. It's a 12 x 12 layout done with the beautiful Sweet Briar Frame from the popular Floral Set 270.  I chose lovely subtle peaches & aqua and the wonderful coordinated sayings from the Hummingbird & Flowers set 451 (I love these inspirational sayings).  They're highlighted in gorgeous Jamaican Dream embossing powder.  And that great title saying was done in sparkling Sangria Star embossing powder from the new Tuscany powder line for the perfect "attention getter".


 
 Gorgeous Spellbinders lace pieces frame the whole page and delicate little pearls accent the edge of the designer paper.  I'll admit, it did take me quite a while to put this together, but remember, it's a first attempt on my part.  And more importantly, I'm slow.....I fuss ALOT lol!  But I'm really pleased with how this turned out and am really glad that I put the effort into something that I know is going to be looked at over and over for many years to come!



Full instructions for this layout can be found in the SNS Art Gallery here. Don't forget to leave some comments before you hop along!  Then it's time to hop on over to the Charlene's lovely blog to see what she has in store for you on her blog.  Stop back late Saturday and I'll have the winners of the hop posted with another project using this same pretty frame for a great home decor project.  Hope to see you then!
Until next time,
***Julie***

Guys & Glitter - Part 2

I'm back today with "Part 2" of Guys & Glitter as promised!  (If you didn't get a chance to see the first card, scroll down to the previous post to see the previous Guys & Glitter card!)

Sometimes we find it hard to come up with "Guy cards"; so ideas for them are always handy.  And what card doesn't look even better with a bit of glitter on it!  But for guys?  Sparkly things? really?  Ab-so-lutely!  Glitter always gives any card that extra something that really makes it extra special and stand out.  And that's no exception when making a "guy card".  There's lots of different ways to incorporate glitter into guy cards without being too sparkly or "girly".  While there's not enough time to discuss all of them, I thought I'd share a couple different ways to incorporate it (one yesterday & one today).

Today's card uses the same fun saying as yesterday's post in a great "over the hill" type card.  Why give the same old silly or boring "over the hill" cards when you can make something really fun & personal.  Keep the typical black & white color scheme, but add this great saying and some rich & sparkly glittered numbers in the age of the birthday boy.  What a great way to recognize a special guy for any landmark birthday - 50 yrs, 60 yrs, 65, 75 - whatever!


And the glitter isn't too overpowering or "girly" because it's done in a nice deep, rich color tone (black in this case).  So keep that tip in mind  - dark, rich colors of glitter are frequently a good choice for Guy cards!

I love the look of this card with it's bright & bold contrasting colors and pattern.  And the glitter accent makes it extra special (and really personal too!)  Click on any photo for a better view.

The scalloped die cuts used on this card were another "older" Spellbinders that I recently picked up.  And they were lots of fun to work with.  I think I'd like to play with a lot more ideas using this set of dies yet.  So many possibilities with different color combinations alone, not to mention playing around with the spacing between the layers of the card.  This one is going to be a really neat one to have in my collection.  I'm betting you can expect to see more cards using this die set in the future!

In the meantime, thanks so much for stopping by to see this second installment of "Guys & Glitter".  Hope you enjoyed this card as much as I enjoyed creating it.  Full instructions for this card, including how to create the glittered numbers, can be found in the Sparkle N Sprinkle gallery here.

Don't forget to come back Thursday for Sparkle N Sprinkle's next great blog hop - Flower Child .  As always, great prizes will be awarded; so be sure to join in!
Until next time,
***Julie***

Supplies used:
Stamp - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Glitter - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Embossing Powder - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Background Dies - Spellbinders Paper Arts
Number Dies - Sizzix

Monday, March 19, 2012

Creating & Blogging - Guys & Glitter

Whew! this has been a busy week!  Yep, we all have them - "when it rains, it pours weeks"!  You've had some too haven't you?! Fortunately for me, we've also had the most beautiful string of days in quite awhile; so it made taking on all the tasks and activities I had going on that much easier to tackle!  It's been such a nice break from our usually cool and dreary spring weather.  Isn't it amazing how much nice weather can affect your outlook on things?!!

So anyway, I've been thinking a lot about about creating and blogging because I've been spending LOTS of time creating over the last couple months, but have been doing very little blogging.  I find that when I'm busy creating, I usually don't have time to blog and when I'm busy blogging, I don't have time to create.  It can be quite frustrating.  I know lots of ladies that create & blog on a daily basis and I wonder HOW do they do it?!  But then again I also know lots who just post every couple weeks or so too and I try to remind myself that everyone has different lives & different commitments.  I guess that it's just that I have started to accumulate quite a back log of projects that I would like to share and would love to find the balance that it takes to be able to do so.  In the scheme of things, my blog is still relatively new, just a little over 6 months old; so I guess I still have lots to learn.  Hopefully, I'll find that balance yet as I go along in life and blogland.

Well, with that in mind - here's a card I've been looking forward to sharing for awhile now.  This is such a fun card!  I was working with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Surfin' Woody set and I abolutely love to create designs that are different from the general "theme" of set.  In this case, it's a Beachy/ Surfin' theme; so I wanted to do something that wasn't either.  And I just fell in love with this saying!  Isn't it so fun?!  So many ideas came to mind when I saw it!  And I just had to do a card with the glittered crown - it fit so perfectly!  Yes, glitter can be for guys!  What a great birthday or father's day card this would make!


Don't forget to click on the photos to get the best view!
The label was done with an older Spellbinders that I recently picked up and have really enjoyed playing with.  Sometimes we all get trapped into needing to have all the "newest things" - never discount all the great "old" stuff out there.  There's so many great older products out there that are so fun to add to your collection - and often at great prices too!

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's card and I appreciate your stopping by!  I did another card with this same fun saying and hope to have it posted tomorrow or very soon afterward.  Hopefully I'll be able to make that happen this time - lol! Take care!

                                         Until next time,
                                     ***Julie***

Supplies used:
Stamp - Sparkle N Sprinkle
Embossing Powder & Glitter-  Sparkle N Sprinkle
Frame - Spellbinders Paper Arts / Cherry Pickin'
Crown die cut - Cuttlebug (Cuttlekids)
Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug / Tiffany

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Welcome March - We're Feeling Green

Welcome March! Can you believe it? Where does the time go?! 

February always goes by so fast and it went even faster for me because I got really sick near the end (thus, no posts at the end of the month - sorry!)  I've managed to avoid the stomach flu for many years, but came down with a really bad bout which took me out for almost 5 days.  And as a mom, when mom's down, everything snowballs.  So I spent most of last week catching up - almost there now. 

So, I 'm pretty glad to see March here - a new month and spring is soon on it's way too!! YEAH!! So in celebration of March & Spring; a handful of us at Sparkle N Sprinkle decided to share some fun projects for the very first Spring Holiday coming up - St. Patrick's Day!  Even if you're not Irish, St. Paddy's Day sure brings on the feeling of spring and the card I have for you does too!

I LOVE rainbows & couldn't resist putting one together in a bunch of the sumptuous glittery colors from Sparkle N Sprinkle!  I used the transparent glitters to give it the same transparent look as a real rainbow.  Colorful & sparkly; this rainbow is the perfect accent for this fun St. Paddy's Day card.

 Don't forget to click on the pictures to see the sparkling goodness even better!






Be sure to stop by the SNS Blog to check out the other "green" projects on the SNS Blog & links to the other designers blogs that are featuring St. Patrick's Day designs!

Hope you've been inspired to create some fun & colorful St. Patrick's Day or spring cards yourself!  And I hope you've enjoyed today's card.  Be sure to stop by again soon! Thanks for spending some of your day with me!!



Until next time,
***Julie***

PS - Stamps & Glitter are both Sparkle N Sprinkle.  Full instructions & supplies for this card can be found in the SNS Art Gallery here.