Big Day mini reveal|Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Sparkle N Sprinkle is having a Mid-Month Mini Blog Hop so that we can showcase the new Big Day stamp set.

This is a planner/calendar stamp set that was included in this month's video technique kit club. This new set is 20% off until Sept 23. Once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping. 

Big Day 749

A WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the designers' blogs and will receive this new Big Day set along with the Basic Grey calendar kit also showcased in this month's video.

Please leave a comment with each designer in order to be eligible for this prize. You never know who the Mystery Designer will be that has the winning comment. The grand prize winner will be announced on Sept 23 on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog.

The Blog Hop order for our Mini Reveal is:

Jess
Chris
Shona
Eret
Anne
Marie
Diane
Ashley
Ani

We hope you enjoy this Mini Reveal as much as we have enjoyed creating new projects for it.  And hopefully, we have inspired you as well. Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the designers' blogs to be eligible for the grand prize.  (We love reading your comments as they inspire us as well.) The next stop on our blog hop is ANI.

Now for my project... I have always had a spiral bound paper planner and everything goes in it. Appointments, work schedule, pet appointments, mom's work schedule (because I help take care of her dog when she works), events and other things I have planned. I know some people put everything into their phone these days but I still like the good old fashioned paper planner. Just like I prefer good old fashioned books to e-readers ;)

Anyway. Here's what my planner normally looks like:

Lately the planner trend has gotten out of control. People are covering every square centimeter of space in their planners and to me, it's hard to read. When I look at these planner pages I wonder how the owner can tell whether that sticker means something important or if it's just for decoration. When Sparkle N Sprinkle released the Big Day stamp set I loved the small squares and the clean design of the stamps. These will easily fit into my calendar days and will draw a little bit of attention to something I have planned that day without overwhelming my whole planner. So I started stamping and playing.

row 1 Cappuccino Star EP 434; row 4 Skylight EP212S | Peacock EP301S; row 5 cherry EP228S | fiery brown EP369S

I stamped the images several times and then tried different techniques - heat embossing and coloring with Copics and Wink of Stella markers. Once I had a few Big Day images ready, I got my planner. Here's what I did:

masked and heat embossed the 'appointment' stamp

It's easy to mask of certain areas of the stamps so you can customize them for your needs. I just use washi tape and mask off the area I don't want stamped. Then I ink my image with Versamark ink, remove the washi tape, and stamp my image.

For these buildings pictured below, I masked off the 'no school'  because I'm not in school. Stamped alone, these buildings could be office buildings. So I used them on two days in November when my office will be closed.

masked and heat embossed the 'appointment' stamp

heat embossed with Peacock EP301S

As you've seen on this hop, this stamp set can actually be very versatile. If you're not into planning at all (maybe you're one of those who uses your phone), this stamp set can be really cool on cards and other projects. If you're new to planning and want to give it a try, this is a great basic stamp set to get you started. If you're old to planning and want to add some ammunition to your collection, this stamp set is for you. Pretty much I can't think of a reason NOT to go pick this stamp set up! :)

in the mood for...

The technique challenge at Scrapbook Circle is to use geometric shapes.I took inspiration from Gina's page and this is what I came up with.

I used the September scrapbook kit, Hello Hello.

totally happy.

This photo is from a few weekends ago... I wasn't even aware that my friend had taken the shot until he sent it to me later. I love sunsets on the water.

This page was made with sketch 131 at Let's Capture our Memories.

I used the Hip Kit Club September 2015 main scrapbook kit for this one + a couple of stamps.

supplies
stamps: Technique Tuesday (Bring on the Sun); Kelly Purkey (summer 2015 kit);
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Staz On (jet black)
decorative tape: Glitz

featured layout at Sketch N Scrap!

How fun! My page was selected as the Sketch N Scrap August featured layout! Thanks so much:)

smile.

I received my September scrapbook kit from Hip Kit Club yesterday and found this sketch from Stuck?! Sketches to make this page. These photos are from my mom's birthday dinner back in April.

I added some twin and ribbon from my stash and of course, used some stamps. No page is ever complete without stamps :) I adhered some of the ephemera pieces with pop dots for variety and I journaled on the tag.

I posted a haul video yesterday featuring this kit too:

supplies
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Tim Holtz distress ink (evergreen bough);
decorative tape: Bella Blvd
stamps, puffy stickers: Studio Calico
ribbon, twine: October Afternoon

always believe||Scrapping Turtle.

I have a challenge posted on the Scrapping Turtle forum: Turtle Soup. The Friday Inspiration piece is to use this page from the member gallery as inspiration:

via pwalrath

I love a pink and black color scheme so that was my inspiration. Here's my card:

To make my design, I used skinny washi tape to create triangles of all sizes on my card base. The base of my card is actually watercolor paper. Then I chose four shades of pink distress ink and colored each triangle. I've never used watercolor paper with distress inks and it creates a totally different effect - you have to try it!

Then I peeled the washi tape up and added some decorative tape, sequins, and my sentiment.This was really fun and I think it's something I'll try again in the future.

Head on over the the forums and link up your project! Can't wait to see what you guys  make! Also, Scrapping Turtle has their September specials going on now - check it out!

supplies
watercolor paper: Strathmore 140 lb.
inks: Tim Holtz distress ink (Spun Sugar; Worn Lipstick; Victorian Velvet; Picked Raspberry); Memento (Tuxedo Black)
embossing powder: Ranger silver super fine detail embossing powder
stamp set: Mama Elephant (Wanderlust)
sequins: Teresa Collins
decorative tape: Kate Spade

Paper Wings Productions: the song.

Hi everyone! Today I'm on the Paper Wings Productions blog sharing a card I made. I stamped one of the musical images from the Text Melange stamp set all over my background with Versamark ink and heat embossed it. Then I grabbed one of the distressed stamps from the Art Textures stamp set, inked it with Faber Castell big brush pens and spritzed it with water before stamping my images.

Next I used distress inks to blend worn lipstick and spiced marmalade on a scrap sheet of white paper. I ran this through my Spellbinder's Grand Calibur to die cut the medallion. For my sentiment, which is from the Kind Words stamp set, I stamped it on vellum with Staz On ink and then attached it with twine.

 Here's my finished card:

If you're looking for more stamping ideas, make sure you check out Carrie's Crafty's class. For a chance to win the class for free, enter our giveaway on the PWP blog.

supplies

ink: Tim Holtz distress ink (Spiced Marmalade; Worn Lipstick); Faber Castell PITT artist pen big brush (magenta 133; pink madder lake 129); Staz On (claret);
die: Die-Namites (elegant medallion)
embossing powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle (Bahama Mama EP439)

Paper Wings Productions red rubber sneak peaks...

Guys! Carrie posted some sneaks on the PWP blog, The Aviary, of some red rubber stamp sets coming soon. Christmas is coming! Go check them out.

Also,we're giving away a FREE Craftsy class! PWP's owner Carrie Avery has a new class called "40 Techniques Every Stamper Should Know"

Click here for your chance to win.  Offer ends 9/11/15 at 11:59pm CST.

Stitch Fix Review #4.

Yes, I just had a Fix like two weeks ago but I liked everything so much I wanted to sign up for another one immediately! I cannot believe how lucky I got but they sent me a size small in the Gilli Brynlee Dress - fits like a dream! Yayyy :)

Gilli Brynlee Dress $78

Obviously kept it this time.

Octavia Emily Lightweight Chevron Infinity Scarf $28

$28 is a lot for an infinity scarf but I like the print and it's a great neutral so I'm keeping it.

Skies are Blue Galla Mesh Detail Sweater $48

I thought I was going to hate this one but after I tried it on, I kind of like it. I'm going to try it on again but I think I may keep it. I like black in the fall/winter months and it's different from anything I already have.

Brixon Ivy Dona Lace Sleeve Knit Top $48

I loved this top! Loved the color. Loved the lace. Didn't like the cut. Notice how its cut really high on the sides? I didn't like that if I lifted my arms my muffin top would show. Lovelovelovely top though. So pretty! 

Kut from the Kloth Denna Skinny Jean size 6 $78

These are navy/dark wash skinny jeans which fit like a glove. Seriously. I loved the fit, the rise, the style. But the length was too long. They looked kind of dumpy when I tried them on with shoes. 

So there you have it!  My fourth Fix in a few years and I have to say it gets better each time. I am going to try to stick to the same stylist for the next time (I signed up for bi-monthly Fixes) and see if having one person really get to know my style will help. If you're thinking about trying Stitch Fix - please use my referral link!

wild night.

Tonight I had time to put together this layout using THIS sketch over at ScrapMuch?

Thanks for stopping by!

supplies
stamps: Kelly Purkey (No Comment); Kelly Purkey (Out in the Sunshine/summer 2015 kit); Mama Elephant (Wanderlust); Technique Tuesday (It's OK)
ink: StazOn (Jet Black); Memento (Tuxedo Black); Hero Arts Ombre (butter to orange);
flair, label stickers, 'wild night' project life card: Studio Calico
acetate stars, washi tape: Freckled Fawn

Paper Wings Productions: masterpiece of nature.

I'm on the Paper Wings Productions blog today, The Aviary, sharing a card I made recently. The sentiment is from the stamp set Kind Words. Did you know that many of the PWP stamp sets come in different sizes? This is helpful if you're on a tight budget or if you don't necessarily like all the stamps in the bigger stamp set. The Kind Words stamp set has a smaller version available - Friend cling stamp set.

I die cut the flowering branch and colored it with Wink of Stella so it's pretty and sparkley. I stamped my sentiment with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Sparkle N Sprinkle moss embossing powder.

This is a really clean and simple card but the heat embossed sentiment + the Wink of Stella add a nice touch. Thanks for looking!

supplies
stamp set: PWP 914 Kind Words
die: Die-Namites (Flowering Branch)
patterned paper: Lily Bee; Studio Calico;
embossing powder: SNS EP418 Moss

memories.

I finished this page up a couple of nights ago with this sketch from Sketch N Scrap.

These are my "little" cousins on their first day of school last week. The twins are the babies in the family and the last high schoolers we have left. Funny, it wasn't that long ago I was doing a layout about their first day at high school.

I used the die cut package from Bella Blvd's Hello Autumn collection. Loved these colors and all the little pieces in this package. I converted the photo to sepia so that the fun colors in my die cuts didn't clash with my photo. I layered the die cuts up and added other bits and pieces around them.

supplies
label sticker: Lily Bee (Destination)
die cut shapes: October Afternoon (Apple Cider); Bella Blvd (Hello Autumn);
puffy stickers: Freckled Fawn 
enamel dot: Prima Sugardot (Anna Marie)
stamps: Studio Calico (Aloha add on kit); Kelly Purkey (Out in the Sunshine)
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black) 
decorative tape: Kate Spade

 

Stitch Fix review #3.

Gilli Brynlee Dress 

Ahh I loved this dress! I just needed it in a smaller size. It was too baggy on the top and it puckered when I added a belt. It's so cute - but I do have a ton of black dresses already. I loved this style and it was a little heavier so it would've been great for fall/winter. I so badly wanted to keep this.

41Hawthorn Sherwood Faux Leather Detailed Cardigan

The fit was perfect, I loved the style. The faux leather detail was awesome. But I already have several cardigans similar to this so I just couldn't justify keeping it.

Market & Spruce Corinna Striped Dolman Top

I was on the fence about this, but the longer I wore it and the more angles I saw myself in it, the more I loved it. I kept it.

Kensie Thea Printed Dress

I asked for a casual dress and this was spot on. I loved the colors. I mostly have black dresses in my closet so this was a good change. It's lightweight and I loved the style. I really really wanted to keep it, but ultimately I sent it back because it was a size medium and a little too loose for me. I'm a size 4 top and a size 6 bottom so in dresses I normally buy a 4 or a small. This is the sad part about Stitch Fix; you can't just exchange it for a small.

Mavi Ruxin Boyfriend Jean

I was surprised these fit so well! Because good fitting jeans are hard to come by, I had to keep them, obviously.

 I think you've probably heard about Stitch Fix by now and if you're ready to try it yourself, please use my referral link!

good dog.

Bella and Bentley completed obedience class in April. I have their certificates but I'm just going to slide those in page protectors and put them in the album. Our instructor took this photo of us on our graduation night for her Facebook website. If you're local and looking for obedience training, Marie was great.

On to my page. I found this challenge at Scrap Our Stash and I've never done one of these type of challenges but it was fun. Here's what I used:

P - paper clip

A - acetate stars, arrows

P - Paper Smooches stamp 

E - expoy heart stickers

R - Rover collection from Bella Blvd

Here's my page:

good dog

supplies
patterned paper: Bella Blvd (Rover collection)
paper clip: Maya Road
acetate stars: Freckled Fawn
label stickers: Chickaniddy Crafts (Scrumptious); Lily Bee (Destination collection);
stamp: Paper Smooches (Lucky Dog); 
"woof" words: Studio Calico (Calypso Add On kit)
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)

winner! at Stuck? Sketches

I just realized my Falls page won at Stuck? Sketches in July. Thanks so much!