Fat Snowmen Last Longer

Hello, dear friends! Just a moment to thank you for visiting and leaving encouragement. We're coming to terms with my "new" limitations. Your kindnesses help me more than you know... so THANK YOU!

Here is another fat snowman, reminding why sometimes being fat might be beneficial - LOL - we all know THAT'S not true, but it's a good story!

This happy little guy was stamped and snail mailed by a friend for me to color and assemble. Cute stenciling for the background.

He is colored with Copic Markers and Distress Inks. A stenciled background was done with Iced Spruce ink. The dies (listed below) and papers are all from my ancient stash (giggle).

To create the sparkling snow, I applied VersaMark ink and clear EP. After that was melted, a VersaMarker was applied atop the melted clear EP. I dumped a ton of clear glitter on it, and re-melted the EP from the underside of the image. After putting a little more glitter on top of the melted EP+Glitter combo, I reheated it from the under side again. It's really sparkly and the embossing powder holds the extra glitter so it won't rub off!

Products: Cute Snowman from a friend, Clear Glitter, Clear Embossing Powder, Copic Markers, Distress Inks, VersaMark Ink, VersaMarker, Stencil for background, K&Co designer paper, Marianne Creatables Anja's Large Ovals die, Spellbinders Labels 23 Grand die, MS Starlight Punch

I'd like to play in the following challenge please (and thank you to the DTs who make the challenges possible):

1. 52 Christmas Card Throwdown Technique Challenge 8-24 EMBOSSING (To create the sparkling snow, I applied VersaMark ink and clear EP. After that was melted, a VersaMarker was applied atop the melted clear EP. I dumped a ton of clear glitter on it, and re-melted the EP from the underside of the image. After putting a little more glitter on top of the melted EP+Glitter combo, I reheated it from the under side again. It's really sparkly and the embossing powder holds the extra glitter so it won't rub off!) 09-07

Stamping hugs,

A Little Christmas -

 Hello, my friends! I can't believe I've actually finished a card (5 months in the making) and that I'm posting it as well. 

Many thanks for all your cards of encouragement. Once Jack and I learned that I am at my Maximum Medical Improvement (meaning a continued "down hill" trend), and that symptoms will continue worsening, it became easier to accept. We have left "no stone unturned". With each layer of loss, I need to accept the new level. This is a neuro-immune disease that begins in the brain, filtering into all the body's functions and organs, thus causing one event after another. About 1/2 of a percent of the world's population contends with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Some have it mildly, others have it severely. I've dealt with this since early childhood, and have gratefully lived longer than anticipated. 

YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT in the form of Love, Support and Acceptance is the best of all gifts! Life is much easier to enjoy when friends are by your side, so that the sick person doesn't have to constantly fake that they are "better" or that they will get better. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART for your precious gift. 

Today I'm presenting a sweet snowman image stamped and snail-mailed to me by friend Brenda Smalle. (Thanks, Brenda!) Brenda and I used to work together at Sparkle N Sprinkle, and I learned so much from her!

Interior:

After coloring with Copics, I stenciled the background clouds with MFT stencil and masking a few "ski slopes" surrounding Mr. Snowman. The dark green layer was die cut then embossed with a dotted EF, and inked with Pink Pearlescent inks and Black Soot DI. It was fun playing with a wee bit of glitter, too - all done in non-traditional Christmas colors because pink is THIS snowman's color of preference.

Products: Cute Snowman Image from friend, sentiment from Heartfelt Creations, Copic Markers, Craftwell Delicate Dots EF, Marianne Creatables, Tonic & Spellbinders die cuts, INKS: Orchid Pearlescent, Spun Sugar DI, Salvaged Patina DI., Worn Lipstick DI, MFT stencils, silver and clear glitters, MS border punch.

Playing in the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Challenge #11 (11/15 - 12/15) AG 12/15
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2345 AG 11/21

Thanksgiving Hugs to you!

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Snow People

Hello, everyone!
Thank you for dropping by.
Today, I'm cooling off from our very hot and humid Florida temperatures with a fun-loving Snow Person who is making Snow Angels!
Ahhhh, cools me off just thinking about it.

Today begins a new challenge at 

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!

My brilliant teammates have fantastic samples to share! The challenge is ANYTHING GOES for ANY Christmas theme craft project. August's Challenge has an optional theme of Snow People!

My project features SheepSki Designs "Snow Happy" image!
This digi stamp makes me laugh! Can you picture it animated? I can!


"Happy" was colored with Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils and Gamsol, and then he was die cut:


I wanted to distress the interior of the panel without any of the embossed detail around the edges have blue on it. So Post-It Tape came to the rescue:


Double Sided Tape was placed on the under side of the frame, and dredged with clear glitter from the top:


The panel behind was dry embossed and distressed with the same two distress ink colors. An old Martha Stewart Starlight edge punch was used on one side. Again, on the underside, double stick tape was applied to the star edge, and dredged with navy glitter.


He is so cute!

Some Products Used:

• Stamps: Andrea Norris SheepSki Designs "Snow Happy", Hero Arts Seasonal Sentiments CL722
• Dies: Sue Wilson Ornate Pierced Design CED5507, MS Starlight Punch
• Colored: Distress Inks (BluePrint and Mermaid Lagoon) and Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils with Gamsol (in blues and turquoise blends)
• Clear Glitter (for border), Blue Glitter for stars

Challenges I'm submitting this card to:

1. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #54 AG Christmas 8/25
2. Cute N Crafty Christmas #16 Anything Christmas Goes 8/25
3. ScrapyLand Challenges #119 AG SL Dies (Sue Wilson) 8/17
4. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #13 Anything Christmas Goes 9/1 (check 9/5)
5. SheepSki Designs Facebook Challenge #38 Fave Embellishments - (my favorite embellishments are to put glitter or embossing powder on die cuts, creating dimension on a flat card using that glitter and/or embossing powder) 8/19
6. 52 Christmas Card Throwdown color challenge 8/17 (sep post)
7. Dream Valley Challenges #207 Hand Coloured Image 8/25 (sep post)
8. Sparkles Christmas Challenge #103 "It's Snowtime!" 9/1

Stamping Hugs,

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - A Little Sunshine

Hello, Christmas Lovers!
If it snowed in Florida, would we still be called The Sunshine State?
I hope so, and so do my little characters today.

Today begins a new challenge at 

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!

My brilliant teammates have fantastic samples to share! The challenge is ANYTHING GOES for ANY Christmas theme craft project. July's Challenge is open until August 10 and has an optional theme of Sunshine!

This cute Snow Couple was colored with Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils and Gamsol.  Such a loving couple, I cannot help but be attracted to them. 



The sunshine is stenciled, contrary to our Florida Sunshine, which is vibrant all year!

• Bugaboo Snowmen Couple
• Dies: SB Scallop Labels One, SB Grand Scallop Squares
• Inks: Adirondack Stonewashed Denim and Pool, Distress Lemonade and Straw, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Colored with: Caran d'Ache Luminance 6901 Color Pencils and Gamsol

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #12 Anything Christmas Goes 8/1
2. Cute N Crafty Challenge #29 Christmas in July 7/28 (sep post)
3. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #52 Anything Goes Christmas 7/28
4. Kerst Christmas FB Challenge #7 AG Christmas 8/2
5. Crafty Calendar Challenge (July) Christmas in July 8/3
6. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge #445 Christmas 7/14
7. CCC Digi Creations #105 Christmas in July 8/3
8. Jingle Belles Rock (July 5) Tie-Tac-Toe (diagonal Snowman, Red or Green, Diecuts) 7/18

Wishing you a great day!

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,

Cards For Little Hearts Blog Hop Winners

Hi, Blogging Friends!

We are into our 6th week of the CARDS FOR LITTLE HEARTS card drive.
Thanks to everyone who has been making cards, and sending them to Christina Hor.

Today's post is to announce blog hop winners. OH BOY!

Winners for the blog hop can be seen on Christina Hor's blog here.

My blog candy was this darling Snowman Set by Bugaboo Designs:

My BLOG CANDY WINNER is:

KraftyKoolKat (Cathy Tanner)

THERE IS STILL TIME TO DONATE CARDS,
but hurry as the deadline is August 25,
and become eligible for prizes from the following kind sponsors:

If you were not able to do the blog hop, but still want to contribute to the cause,

all the details are found here for card guidelines and fabulous prizes.

EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATES WILL RECEIVE TWO DIGITAL SETS.

Please be sure to read all the guidelines before sweetly creating for little children!

Below are two cards I sent, just to give you an idea of how simple these thoughtful gestures can be. Precolored snowman with additional shading and coloring with pastel chalks.

Happiness is a heartfelt hug and a hot mug of holiday cheer:

Since we are using A2 size cards (that was my biggest challenge) with very little embellishing, I found it a perfect time to use paper scraps in my layering.

Thanks for doing what you can, and remember, even if you cannot send a card, I hope you have enjoyed the little snowman Winter Cards of Encouragement.

In case you missed it on my previous posts:

Here are some freebies for your cards. Just click on the Heart(s) you want, then right click to save to your computer. Resize on your word processor to whatever size you like. These are PNGs and are transparent outside of the heart area. Ink them up and play! Please, no commercial use, and no reproduction for selling.

Enjoy!

Playing in the following fun challenges:

1. Christmas Cards All Year Round "Must Use Yellow" 9/1
2. Die Cut Divas (Aug) Anything Goes using die cuts 9/1
3. Kerst-Christmas Challenges (Aug) Anything Christmas 9/1

on a personal note:

https://youtu.be/VVPl1lAguzk

(for my email followers, link is above)

Heartfelt Snowman Hugs,

Cards For Little Hearts Card Drive Blog Hop

Hello, blogging friends!

We are now one month into the CARDS FOR LITTLE HEARTS card drive.

Thanks to everyone who has been making cards, and sending them to Christina Hor.

Today begins our "thank you" blog hop.
(there is a little freebie at the bottom for you.)

The card drive's purpose is to cheer the pediatric cardiac in-patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital. They suffer from a variety of congenital heart disease issues, and it is hard for them to be in the hospital during a time when others are enjoying parties and celebrations. 

The cards lift the children's spirits, inspire them to fight the good fight, and to know they are not alone. Several prizes are being offered for those who donate cards to the card drive:

As a big thank you to everyone, today we have the CARDS FOR LITTLE HEARTS blog hop.

There are prizes from generous sponsors for winners who hop along with us. A few of us also have blog candy we'll be offering. We hope you will spread the word of this worthy cause, because the drive continues until August 25.

Randomly-discovered Blog Hop Prizes for those leaving comments on each blog:

$15 Simon Says Stamp gift card

$15 Ellen Hutson gift certificate

My blog candy is this darling Snowman Set by 

Bugaboo Designs (thank you, Jodie):

(My blog hop prize has one extra sentiment with the snowflake on it.)

To purchase this adorable set, please visit Bugaboo's Snowman-Snowflake.

Winners will be announced on Christina Hor's Blog at 8AM on August 8.

Winners of individuals' Blog Candy will be announced on our personal blogs.

My winner will be announced on my blog at 8AM on August 8.

My little snowman has been printed for an A2 size card (4.25" x 5.5").
He is darling in his lavender cap and scarf.
He has been colored with Copic Markers, and a little ink distressing here and there.

Tip:
To make your digital stamp collection go a lot further, try changing the size of the image, where it is die cut, and flip horizontally:

Here is the enlarged version of the snowman where he is facing the opposite direction:

He is also colored in the same color Copics, but the cap is green, rather than lavender.

Be sure to put a white piece of paper on the inside if using dark cardstock:

Blog Hop Order:

Christina Hor

Jo's Scrap Shack

Edwina Brown

Cara Malmrose

Andrea Norris

Sybrina K

Sandra Blaricum

Lori Kobular

Donna Ellis (hey! that's ME!) giggle


Here are some freebies for your cards. Just click on the Heart(s) you want, then right click to save to your computer. Resize on your word processor to whatever size you like. These are PNGs and are transparent outside of the heart area. Ink them up and play! Please, no commercial use, and no reproduction for selling.




Enjoy!

On a personal note:

My Hoya Rope Plant has vines approaching 10 feet (over 3 meters) long. The leaves are curled and very waxy. They do not require big pots for their roots. This one has begun blooming. The blooms are both waxy with honey, and velvety soft:

Here's a shot using Apple's new "portrait" mode shot on an iPhone. (giggling more)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Challenges I'd like to play in Please:

1. Crafty Friends Challenges #63 "Christmas in July" 8/10
2. Christmas Card Challenges #18 Snowman Inspiration 8/7
3. Dream Valley #160 Anything Goes (C10) 8/12
4. Kerst/Christmas Facebook Challenge - (Aug) Anything Christmas 9/1
5. Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenges "Summer Link Up" (comment 3 - 37, 107, 77) ends 8/31
6. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1731 "Circles" 8/6
7. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #11 Anything Christmas Goes 8/5

hugs,