SNS EXTRAVAGANZA KICKING OFF 2017!

Hi! I hope your holiday celebrations were deeply memorable, and that 2017 is full of promise for new beginnings. Thanks for joining me today.

I am kicking off the New Year as a guest designer for the SNS Extravaganza 2017 with TEN new, fantastically-eclectic rubber and digital stamp sets PLUS a brand new artist joining the SNS team!

My projects use a combination of the digital and rubber images:

IT IS ALL ABOUT FUN AS YOU HAVE NEVER ENJOYED IT!
It's Demo Donna on the SNS YouTube Channel!

Subscribe today to REVEL IN all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques! But even more - PREPARE TO BE ENTERTAINED!  Each week a new technique is shared, and each month, a new video kit is revealed!

BEGINNING TODAY: The easy-peasy Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge. 

There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  We would love for you to be a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's

 January 1, 2017 New Reveal Blog Hop!

We're starting the New Year off with a BANG! 

We have a huge reveal to share with you - our largest ever!

 There are TEN new stamp sets (one is a digi-only set) being released this month!  These new sets are 20% off until January 3, 2017.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  

This month's sets include: 

    friendship, 

        Valentine's, 

            encouragement, 

                Easter, 

    birthday, 

        St. Patrick's Day, 

            Spring, 

                and celebrations. 

We hope you like the assortment! 

Our newest artist is Heather Valentin of Lacy Sunshine Stamps!

Emily Showers of Love 831   (digi version DIGI831)

Right Beside You 812  (digi version DIGI812)

Milton Friendly Giraffe 817  (digi version DIGI817)

Cattleya Orchid Friendship 818  (digi version DIGI818)

Easter Chicky 820  (digi version DIGI820)

Party #1 821  (digi version DIGI821)

Party #2 822  (digi version DIGI822)

Eggs-traordinary Kindness 825  (digi version DIGI825)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #1 828   (digi version DIGI828)

Edward Elephant - St. Patrick's Day #2   DIGI3129  (DIGI ONLY)

On Jan 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  It's always a mystery which Designer will have the winning comment.

The Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).

The Blog Hop order this month is:

Jess

Diane

Chris

Eret

Donna (that's me!)

Anne

Belinda

Shona

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

My projects use a combination of both digital and rubber sets from Bugaboo's famous Edward Elephant - with the cutest sentiments and accessories!

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #1

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1, (shamrocks)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (embossed background)

Embossing Powder: White Detail EP298,

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (clover), Spirited Green G1070 (hearts)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

The lucky clovers were printed at a very large size, painted with SNS Brushable glue, and coated with Meadow Spark G1014 ultrafine glitter. The clover in the square is layered.

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green center each leaf cluster for visual pleasure and texture.

The Drop make perfect centers every time and never leave a peak or stringy appearance.

The patterned paper was randomly stamped with VersaMark and heat set with White Detail EP298.

_______________________________________

Business Size Card #2

Images: 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover)

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment),

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Glitter: Spirited Green G1070 (bow)

The digital 3-leaf clovers were printed in large scale format, colored with Copics, with a little Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green painted on and dropped in the center. It gives a little bit of shine to the clover.

_______________________________________

Standard Shape card 6" x 7.5" flat for mailing

Jackpot! Edward and his friends win!

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (enlarged Edward scene), 

Rubber Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (sentiment), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (clover border)

Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy (sentiment)

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green (on clover leaves)

Stitching accompanies the clover border which has been fussy-cut on the right side. The clover again has been painted and embellished with Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green after being colored with Copics.

Edward is darling and unabashed in all his "pink and green" glory!

_______________________________________

Last, but not least - the easel card

Images:

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #1 (Edward circled, 4-leaf clover border), 

Digital Set Edward Elephant St. Patrick's Day #2, (3-leaf clover leaves, sentiment)

Glitter: Meadow Spark G1014 (glittered circle),

Embossing Powder: Silver Pearl  EP391 (brad),

Sticker Paper (glittered circle), 1/4" Tear-ific Tape,

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green

Here is my creative process, complete with boo-boos, of course!

Print border of four-leaf clovers, color with Copics and Nuvo Crystal Drops - Woodland Green. Trim and distress with ink on edges. This is the "Stop" for the card front.

Die cut SB Teardrop Circles from Sticker Paper. Place the die cut Edward image in the middle of the sticker paper, pressing firmly. Then burnish in the Meadow Spark G1014 glitter around the edges of the teardrops. The glitter is now firmly adhered with the image.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products shown under each card above.

Other Products:

Dies: SW Pierced Circles, SB Teardrop Circles, SB Grand Big Scallops, SB Grand Circles, SB Oval Regalia, MBox Beloved Hearts,
Punch: MS lacy hearts border

On the Home Front:

My white Christmas cactus finished blooming.
They will be severely trimmed then rooted in March for new plants to give to friends:

Fabulous Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 4 Crafty Chicks #331 Anything Goes! 1/6
2. All Sorts Challenge #396 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-6 
3. Crafty Gals Corner #103 Blogaversary and Anything Goes! 1/5
4. Crafting with an Attitude #22 Anything Goes  1/5
5. My Time to Craft Challenges #337 "Something New" (new stamp sets, new techniques with rosette and Nuvo Crystal Drops), 1-26 
6. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #17 Anything Goes 1/15

stamping hugs,

de

Think Green! {Scrapy Land} {Christina Hor}

Green Greetings to all my Sweet Crafty Friends!

Welcome to Scrapy Land Challenge #38
and
a special introduction to a VERY special digital talent AND free gift-for-you from
Christina Hor's Digi Arts for Healing!

Today, I'm wishing you all things beautifully green...

(psst! that means full of Abundant Life - your own personal internal SPRING!) 

May everything within your sights, sounds and smells remind you of the preciousness, loveliness and incredible-ness of YOU!

Theme: Think Green! (St. Patrick's Day) + Using Die Cut brands sold by Scrapy Land. 

Up for grabs is a $15 gift card to the Scrapy Land Store, and several badge opportunities, as well. 

We love being inspired by your pretty cards submitted to our challenges.

You have until April 3 to submit your pretties!

My cards use the following Scrapy Land Products:

• QuicKutz Nesting Lace Ovals
• Die-namites Birdhouse Branch DN-1144
• Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic, Scallop Grand Squares, 
• Spellbinders Labels 5, Foliage shapes, 
• Spellbinders Decocrative Imperial Gold Labels 4, Elegant Labels 4 (5x7) 
• Dee's Distinctively Dies mini circles

My first card uses:

Sketchy Colors #267 - Use Sketch

Instead of a single layer, I used the scallop squares. Brushable Glue was applied to the outside of the golden squares so SNS Starfire glitter could be applied before adhering the green scallops. The glitter provides a sparkly contrast that looks great in person! Even the oval frame has been brushed with glue and more glitter on it, too.

Here's a close up of Christina's darling digitals.  The little girl is one digital image, and the fenced tree scene is a separate digital. These are a freebies!  They are available on her blog Memories Crafter.

Christina Hor's Digi Arts of Healing
Don't you love the sweet Die-namites die cut bird house and bird?
It is part of a larger border. Cuts BEAUTIFULLY!

This card is 5x7

I really love the Spellbinders Card Creator dies for 5x7 cards.
The pale green die cut is one of the Imperial Gold dies.

Hanging my head in shame -
all this printed paper (DCWV) is over 10 years old!

The card interiors have the same sentiment:

Now it's your turn!

We always look forward to seeing your beautiful projects at:

Scrapy Land Challenge #38

Scrapy Land Products Used:

• QuicKutz Nesting Lace Ovals
• Die-namites Birdhouse Branch DN-1144
• Spellbinders Scallop Squares Classic, Scallop Grand Squares, Labels 5, Foliage shapes, Decocrative Imperial Gold Labels 4, Elegant Labels 4 (5x7) 
• Dee's Distinctively Dies mini circles

Other Products Used:

• Christina Hor's Digi Arts of Healing -  "Sending Hugs" and "Fenced Tree"
• Sparkle N Sprinkle Starfire Glitter G1017, Brushable Glue, stitched pleated ribbon, lace
• Copic Markers, dyed tulle, several dye-based inks
• DCWV virginal papers - very old - like TEN YEARS PLUS! LOL (hanging head in shame). They were purchased at Joanns before we had papercrafting stores in the area.

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

1. Clear It Out Challenge - (Mar 8-22) Anything Goes using paper over a year old 3/22 (All the patterned paper is at least 10 years old, and the gold paper is over a year old) Thanks for this challenge!
2. Shopping Our Stash #243 "Use mostly Green/St. Patrick's Day" 3/22
3. Sketchy Colors #267 - Use Sketch shown above - 3/19
4. Open Minded Challenges - (March/April #3) Luck - St. Patrick's Day 4/12 (winners post 4/20)
5. The Sisterhood of Crafters - (Mar 9) Use Your Dies and/or Punches! 3/20 (winners announced Tues Mar 22)
6. Dragonfly Journeys  #48 Go Green! 3/20
7. Glitter N Sparkle - #179 Use Some Green 3/20
8. Crafty Cardmakers Challenges - #159 "Go Green!" 3/19
9. A Bit More Time to Craft - #16 Anything Goes 4/1 (sep post)

Stamping hugs,

Ragamuffin Bestie Celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Please sign up for

My Fabulous March Blog Candy!

Top o' the Mornin', me dear lads and lassies
LOL - corny I know.

for those using the translate button:
That's Irish for "Good Morning, dear blogging friends!"

A special welcome to new followers: 
Beatrice, Tina Teasdale, Steff, Chrissy

Hi! Is this adorable little Ragamuffin Bestie celebrating St. Patrick's Day or is she performing in a circus on a flying trapeze?

Maybe both?

Today she is swinging in an easel card.

Or MAYBE her "normal self" is to dress up and swing in the front yard!

TIP:

There is a lot of extra confetti around this little darling. I cropped part of Sherri Baldy's image (the little squiggly frills) and then pasted them all over the image and even in my sentiment below!

Playing with the My Besties images is enjoyable:
        It allows the little girl in me to come out and not be inhibited about how 
            gaudy, 
                or frilly, 
                     or silly, 
                          or wonderful 
                                my card can be. 

AND AND AND I am reminded to be "My own Bestie" 
             and 
                      to even DO my own best, without being concerned 
                                if it is "good enough" for anyone else. (Thank you, Sherri!)

MORE CONFETTI! -- The glittery line around the designer paper is actually Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel 

Because the tinsel still has lots of space between each piece of tinsel, I "mooshed" in some Luau Green Velvet Glitter. It changed the color from clear white to an iridescent two-glitter look!

The greeting is actually a freebie "coloring book page" found by googling "St. Patrick's Day Words Color Book Page".

It's very tiny now! LOL

The oval behind it is also covered with Luau Green Velvet Glitter.

Don't forget to Sign up for My Fabulous March Blog Candy! It is a gift certificate!

Wonderful Challenges to which this card is entered:

1. Scrapbook Stamp Society #36 - Anything Goes w/Distressing 3/16
2. Besties Challenge Blog (Mar 3) - Anything Goes 3/15
3. Artistic Inspirations Challenges - #82 Anything Goes w/green/St. Patrick's 3/16
4. Crafting from the Heart - #9 - Anything Goes with Favorite Colors (my favorite color combo is green and pink) 3/14
5. Crafters Cafe Challenge - #54 Use Flowers 3/18
6. Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenge -  St. Patrick's Day #14-10, (3/17)
7. Die Cuttin' Divas - #156 Luck of the Irish (3-17) (Dies Used are listed below, different sizes were used in each die set)
8. Digi Choosday Challenge - #10 "It's All About The Girl" (3/17)
9. Sweet Stamps - #160 "good luck" (3-16) (my sentiment does not specifically say "luck" but it wishes the best in every way for St. Patrick's Day) Used my new Sweet Cuts die!
10. My Besties UK Challenge - (Mar 10) "Flower Power" 3/16  Lots of Flowers!

Products Used:

My Besties Ragamuffin on Swing IMG256
Computer-Generated Sentiments
Sparkle N Sprinkle Luau Green Velvet Glitter GM2004
Sparkle N Sprinkle Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel GT3002
Sparkle N Sprinkle Diamond Dust Glitter G1116

MS Floral Crochet PAP Deed Edge Punch

Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large S4-110
Spellbinders Decorative Floral Ovals S4-356
Spellbinders Grand Ovals LF110
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Ovals LF11
Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Spellbinders Petite Scallop Oval S4-141
Sweet Cuts - Elegant Leaves SC023
White flowers from Lavish Laces
Copics E00, E70, E35, R02, G20, G21, G43, G07, G28, YG91 and others for shading

A little something from my front door - 

we have NEVER had petunias grow during the winter,

they can't stand the cold weather.

BUT THIS YEAR:

The sun was too bright yesterday.
It reflected off the white petunias.

So I took photos on either side.

I now know that petunais cannot handle hot weather at all, and enjoy above freezing temperatures, but definitely below 70F.

During our freezes, the begonias and petunias were covered with old tee-shirts and covered again with layers of sheets.

the other side is below.

This winter we pulled out all the landscaping in the front yard, and replanted (I'll bore you with some photos another time).

Happy St. Patrick's Day a few days early!

hugs,