Sparkly Nature's Peace

For the Merry Monday challenge this week, we are to have a creation with shimmer and sparkle.  I've been enjoying using up paper that I've had for a number of years and pulling out stamps and other supplies that I haven't even used yet.  This week, the stamp set was Nature's Peace from Stampin' Up!.  I also had iridescent ice embossing powder from Stampin' Up! that I hadn't opened yet.  For some reason, I was thinking the embossing powder was white with glitter mixed in, so my first creation came out like this:

Not exactly what I was hoping for.  I wanted the shimmer from the powder, but something that was easier to read, so I decided to try using a white pigment ink pad to stamp the image and then top it with the iridescent ice embossing powder.  I also decided to change the cardstock color, attempt number 2 came out looking like this:

I liked the changes on take #2 better.  However, once I got that far, it occurred to me that I should try silver embossing powder (and of course a darker blue cardstock).  So here's take #3:

After playing around with all 3 takes, I decided to cut them out using a Spellbinders die, and to add bitty sparkles to the centers of the snowflakes for some added sparkle.  Which one is your favorite?

Supplies Used:
Stampset:  Nature's Peace - Stampin' Up!
Inks:  White Daisy Pigment - Close to My Heart, Versamark
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler - Stampin' Up!, Twilight Blue, Outdoor Denim - Close to My Heart
Embossing Powder - Iridescent Ice - Stampin' Up!, Silver - Close to My Heart
Embellishments - Bitty Sparkles - Close to My Heart
Paper - Good Cheer paper pad - October Afternoon
Diecut - Spellbinders

Merry Monday Challenge #12

I had this stampset sitting on my work space from last week's Merry Monday Challenge.  I decided not to use it last week, and when I saw this week's sketch, I just had to use the snowmen along the bottom.  I made two cards, one I colored the hats with water color pencils, the other I used stickles on the hats.  The stickles won, they added that little something extra.  Here's this week's Merry Monday sketch:

Supplies Used: 
Glitter Paper - DCWV
Cardstock - White Daisy, Outdoor Denim - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Ink - Outdoor Denim - CTMH, Memento Tuxedo Black
Stampsets - Peace on Earth, Snow Friends - CTMH
Stickles - Waterfall, Platinum, Xmas Red, Lime Green, Diamond - Ranger
Blue Sparkles - CTMH
Deep Double Edge Punch, Snowflake - Martha Stewart
Orange Watercolor Pencil - CTMH

Merry Monday Challenge #11

I took the liberty of changing this week's Merry Monday challenge sketch by replacing the oval with a circle.  I really wanted to use this cute image. 

Sorry this is so short.  It's such a nice day out that my sister and I are taking our kids to the park for a picnic lunch.  I really wanted to get this posted before I left.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock:  Heavenly Blue, Pacifica, White Daisy - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamp:  Gift Givers - Stampin' Up!
Diamond Stickles - Ranger
Scallop Circle Punch - Stampin' Up!
Snowflakes Embossing Folder - Provo Craft
Snowflakes - CTMH
Skyland Snowflake Punch - Martha Stewart
Felt Ricrac - Multicraft Imports
Circle Punch - Marvy Uchida
Copic Markers - E00, E02, R27, R29, B24, B45, E33, E35, E37, B00

Merry Monday #10

I just sorted through my pile of completed cards to separate out my Christmas cards and put them into a different box.  Because of the Merry Monday challenge, I now have 4 finished cards just waiting to be sent out next Christmas.  If I keep it up, by next fall I will have a great head start on my Christmas cards.  Here is this week's addition to my box:

I wanted the image to stand out more, so I double layered the frame and used foam tape to separate them.  Here's a close up:

I love the simplicity of this weeks sketch,  I've had a lot going on lately, so I was relieved that I could take this one a little easier.  I also love that I could dress this sketch up more if I wanted to (or had the time to).

Supplies Used:
Paper:  Holly - Making Memories
Cardstock - Cocoa, Garden Green, Colonial White - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Ink:  Cocoa - CTMH
Stampset:  No Greater Love - CTMH
Sparkles - CTMH
Fleur de Lis Squares - Spellbinders

Merry Monday #9

Here's my card for this weeks Merry Monday challenge:

I wanted to play with some shimmer paint that I bought one year ago, so I decided to stamp the sentiment in Versamark and emboss it with clear embossing powder.  Then, using the emboss resist technique, I sponged the shimmer paint over it.  Unfortunately, there wasn't enough contrast for the sentiment to really pop out.  So I ended up sponging on some Sweet Leaf ink, that did the trick, and the shimmer paint still shows.

Supplies Used:
Paper:  Believe - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Ink:  Sweet Leaf - CTMH, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Stampset:  Share the Magic - CTMH
Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Sparkles - CTMH
Scallop Trim punch, Champagne Mist shimmer paint - Stampin' Up!
Ribbon - Target
Stickles:  Waterfall, Xmas Red, Gold, Lime Green - Ranger

Merry Monday Challenge #8

Here's my creation for this weeks Merry Monday challenge:

I tried to add as much detail as I could and still be able to mail it.  To give the sentiment some shine, I opted to heat emboss it with silver embossing powder.  I couldn't resist adding a few sparkles, both clear and red.

Supply List:
Paper, sparkles - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Stampset: All the Best, Holiday Commentary - CTMH
Inks:  Olive, Cocoa, Cranberry - CTMH
Silver Embossing Powder, Sparkles - CTMH
Ovals and Scalloped Ovals - Spellbinders
Scalloped Border Punch - Stampin' Up!
Velvet Ribbon - Flair Designs

Merry Monday Challenge #7

I discovered the Merry Monday challenge while I was cruising some blogs that I follow.  I love the idea of starting next Decembers Christmas cards early, so here goes.

The stampset I used is called Merry Pursuits from Close to My Heart.  I haven't used it very much, so I thought it would be fun to use this little guy making a snowman.  The snowman was just begging for a touch of prisma glitter. 

Supplies Used:
Stampset:  Merry Pursuits, A Timber - Close to My Heart (CTMH)
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper:  Believe - CTMH
Green Tinsel Ribbon - May Arts
Button, Red Sparkles, Prisma Glitter - CTMH
Copic Markers:  RV11, E00, E02, R29, B02, G24, Y21