Friday, April 30, 2021

Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop

Hello stampers! I am very happy to take part in the Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle blog hop, to celebrate the new collection. If you follow along in the hop, you should have come here from the very creative Heather Hoffman.

Please note: this post has affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.



The Born To Sparkle release is full of versatile stamps, dies, stencils, sequins and paper products. If you use the code CRUSH428 Island Crush Ink Cube set for free (with purchase).This promotion will expire 5/2 at 11:59 pm EDT or while supplies last.


I just love the name of this release. We are all born to sparkle.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I made a tag and a card, with some fun and easy technique. I'll show you two of the many ways in which you can use the Open Grid Background stamp (which is one of the stamps from Born To Sparkle that I designed). As always, the techniques work for many types of projects.
 
Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Let's start with the congrats card, which could be a birthday card or a graduation card, or something else. Congrats is one of the sentiments that work for many themes. The background was watercolored stamped, which is a favorite technique of mine. 

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Stamp the Open Grid Background.

I had fun and made a bunch of backgrounds using the Open Grid Background, using slightly different combinations of Distress Inks. The four inks shown here are the ones I used in the panel that ended up on the card. Ink the stamp starting with the lightest ink first. Mist 4-5 times with water and then stamp. I just love the unpredictable results of this technique and the way in which the inks blend. Watercolor paper works best for this technique.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

When dry, cut out and distress the edges. Mist in a just a few places with Antique Linen Distress Oxide spray, and add some splatters too.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Stamp the Party Balloons on watercolor paper, with Jet Black Archival Ink.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Smear Distress Inks on a non-stick craft sheet, mist with water and pick up with a paint brush. Watercolor the balloons that aren't partly covered by other balloons. Leave some of the paper showing through for highlights.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

There are two sizes in the Congrats On A Line set. Die cut the larger from heavystock paper.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Ink in an ombre fashion and mist lightly with water.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Open Grid Background stamp.

No square will look exactly like the other. My favorites are the ones that end up being more than one color.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

This technique works great with the Solid Grid Background stamp too.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Cut out the balloons and add twine strings. Most of them were adhered with foam dots and two are glued directly to the background.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I folded the ends of the sentiment strip around the edges of the card. The smaller sentiment was stamped with Dark Chocolate ink and comes from the very versatile Family Headlines set.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

For the tag, I used almost an opposite technique as for the card, with the squares being cream and the background colored. And I used a very warm color combo with touches of gold.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Start by embossing the Open Grid Background on a heavystock tag, using the Simon Says Stamp Cream embossing powder.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Ink with distress ink.

Ink the tag with yellow, orange and brown Distress Ink, using an ink-blending tool.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Smear a little Mustard Seed Distress Oxide ink on a non-stick craft sheet. Mist with water and dip the tag into the ink, just here and there.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

When dry, splatter with a brown Scribble Stick. Dip the stick in water and flick a paint brush against it. This is the least messy way of adding splatters that I know of.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Congrats Card by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Die cut the You Shine die from brown and gold papers.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Using cream instead of white embossing powder gives an even warmer look to the background. Don't worry about stray powder, it just adds texture.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The only thing that I used which wasn't from the Born To Sparkle release was the Leafy Branch die, die cut from gold and orange cardstock.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The sentiment comes from the Family Headlines set. My youngest loves to say 'my favorite' about lots of things, so I was happy to find this sentiment on the set. It is meant to be followed by one of the other sentiment stamps on the set (mom, dad, son, etc.), but I like it on its own too.

Layers of ink - Simon Says Stamp Born To Sparkle Blog Hop Open Grid Tag Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The You Shine sentiment is so gorgeous. And you can use the 'shine' letters on their own too. I will be using this sentiment a lot.

Don't miss all the inspiration along the hop. There are of course prizes to be won too, and at each stop on the hop SSS is giving away a $25 coupon, randomly drawn from those who leave a comment. The winners will be posted post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday, the 5th of May.

Your next stop on the hop is my wonderful Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog team mate Emma Williams and she will show you one of her gorgeous projects.

Here are all the stops along the hop:









Anna-Karin Evaldsson (you are here)









For more Born To Sparkle inspiration, remember to check out the Born To Sparkle gallery at Simon Says Stamp, and if you make something with products from the range, it is fun if you post it in the gallery too. There are galleries for all releases, and for the card kits, full of inspiration. Part one of the blog hop was yesterday, so don't miss all the inspiration there.



Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by here today! I will see you again tomorrow.

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.

79 comments:

  1. Great ways to use that background stamp. Love the distress look of the balloon card and the bright colors in the tag.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the card and tag. Ink smooshing is my all time favorite technique. Never know what beauty you may create!

    ReplyDelete
  3. OOOOO those distress backgrounds are awesome! that tag is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fun cards! Love the colors you chose.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just moved the grid stamp to the top of my must have list! Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely cards. I love seeing the many interpretations for these products!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful cards! Love how you used the background stamp! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How fun! I love the background stamps in this release.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great for a male graduation card! Love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The 2 squares background stamps caught my attention but I didn’t have a lot of ideas for using them. Your cards are stunning! Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are gorgeous -- and the first use of the cream embossing powder that makes it worth buying (for me anyway)! I loved this background stamp when I saw it for it's graphic-ness, but now seeing it used in a grunge/distressed style makes it even more attractive to me!! What a great stamp~!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your backgrounds are so cool. I like the colors too!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such an awesome card and tag! Love the backgrounds...
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very cool use of the grid background stamps. Thanks for sharing your talents.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love what you did with the graphic background stamp. Cannot decide which color combo I like best but I think perhaps the golden yellows.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful pieces. Really like the tag and love to see the extensive close up photos.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the way you used the background stamp. When looking at the release it really didn’t catch my eye but it does now.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm loving that grid background! Such a versatile stamp, it's on it's way to me now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I love the results of the watercolor stamping technique! Wonderful creations and I'm loving your open grid background stamp.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Open grid is a great distressed background option. This looks really cool.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very beautiful projects. The tag looks just amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  22. WOW! Love all if your backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wonderful, fun projects. I love the sentiment dies in this release and I think the "You Shine" die is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fantastic cards Anna. I got a boat load of inspiration from your cards! ❤️

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your inking and card s are terrific

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your inking and card s are terrific

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful cards! I didn't think I could use the Open Grid background for anything but you've convinced me that it needs to go on my wish list!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your cards and tag are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great technique! Love the imperfect appearance outcome of the watercolored stamping with such an otherwise perfect background image!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great cards and tag. Your grid stamp adds a nice design element.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow!!! Your card and tag are Amazing!! Love all the Distress goodness!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yesss the open grid is perfect for that mixed media feel that I am learning. The tags are sweet and the tag tie is perfect. I love the organic look of everything here, everything... even your balloons are interesting! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Very nice card and tags made from this new release. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your inky backgrounds are soooo cool!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love the backgrounds and the balloons

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow - i am definitely going to try the splatter stick and the cream embossing powder. thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Such great texture you got with your technique with the open grid background stamp.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The background adds so much. Great projects!

    Cheri
    John 3:16

    ReplyDelete
  39. Such gorgeous projects, love all the texture and layers!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the backgrounds and the color combinations are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love the cards and tag, Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Awesome style and colors! Love these pretty designs!

    ReplyDelete
  43. The yellow/gold “You Shine” tag is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  44. The Shine does make the tag stand out. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  45. stunning!! love those backgrounds

    ReplyDelete
  46. Love the open grid background stamp!😳❤️

    ReplyDelete
  47. super cool designs, love the textures!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Wonderful backgrounds. Great shares. I'd like to do more with a mixed media feel.

    ReplyDelete
  49. What a gorgeous card and tag! I love your watercolor stamped grid backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Love your card & tag!! This is an awesome background stamp that you designed!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love the way you used the Grid background stamp on both of your projects! They're gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  52. love the distressed look of these projects

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love the texture the squares gave the card/tag. Great designs.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love your tag!!!! Such a small thing with do so much interest!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love the open grid background stamp.
    A unique design that can look
    industrial or soft. The card and
    tag are fantastic. thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Love, love, love all the textures and layers, many of which you've beautifully shown us can be added with just ink and not bulk! Brilliant stamp design, too-- I see this as becoming a staple in peoples' craft rooms-- so many ways to use this-- Well done! Thanks for sharing your talents on this hop!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Your work is always so innovative and edgy. I like this background stamp and your use of inks.
    Lori S in PA

    ReplyDelete
  58. These are wonderful, I am in love with that tag!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Fab technique for creating the card and tag backgrounds with this versatile set.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Great cards! Could be used for the men in your life. Thanks for sharing your art.

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love how you used the backgrounds

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love your style and both of your samples do wonderful justice to the stamps! One of my favorite techniques. Great color choices on these, too! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  63. So pretty and how fun - I'm inspired to get all inky now!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Love the distress - Yellow tag

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!