St. Patty's Day Sparkle

Mr. Leprechaun is dancing because it's nearly St. Patty's Day! It's time to drink green beer or green tea! Whatever makes you want to do a little jig, like this lil' fellow! I say, "Giddy up!"

As we get to know one another better, I won't have to throw out all these disclaimers... But since love is new, I would like to share with you that I am a lover of the stamps! That's right. Stamps, stamps and more stamps! There is just something about applying ink to a little piece of rubber and then "Boom!... goes the dynamite!" a card or tag or scrapbook embellishment is born! Fabulous! With that little factoid out in the open, let's begin.

Here is a list of supplies used to make this happy little piece-o-March maddness:

All supplies used are from Stampin'Up! (If you are curious, I am a demonstrator and PLEASE don't be shy about contacting me via e-mail, mamacow@comcast.net, if you have any questions about their products, etc.

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Garden Green, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery & Very Vanilla

Ink: (Classic/Dye based) Sahara Sand, Garden Green & Pacific Point
(Craft/Pigment based) Whisper White and Black

Tools: Eyelet Border Punch

Other materials: Flower - from "Pretties" kit, Green Ice Rhinestone Brad, Fine Cosmo Green Glitter adhered with Crystal Effects Glue, Summer Sun Ink Pen

Stamps: "Pinch Proof" stamp set & "Pinch Me" Stampin' around wheel...

Whew! Just a few comments about my "journey" with this card, and then I'll close.... ahhhhh.

I fell in love with this set the first time Mr. Leprechaun beamed at me from the pages of my S/U! catty! Had to have this set AND the wheel: great fun! I love an image that goes down bold and really lets the ink do the talking! I stamped Mr. "L" on Very Vanilla cardstock and then just swiped my Certainly Celery pad direct to paper to create some perspective for his dancing and give him a happy place to roam... I can't apply glitter without thinking of my favorite glitter queen who first inspired me to create a blog after SHE did one so fearlessly! Check out Dana at PaperDaydream: she's my glitter guru! Anywhoo, I digress, I applied Crystal Effects to the lapels, cuffs and shamrock TWICE! Once to adhere glitter and then to secure it! Great tip, by the way, for you glitter phobes. Everything else is pretty self explanatory, me thinks, except that I just have to give a nod to this notion for the background of this card... YOU can use your stamping wheels without a cartridge! YES, folks: WITHOUT! It takes a little practice, but I find that I use my wheels so much more with that knowledge, than I did when I thought the only way was to load an ink cartridge FIRST... That's great for mass production, especially if you're working large, otherwise.. fogettaboutit! Free yourself from the cartridge: cardmaking projects are perfect for going it direct to pad! Try it: live a little!

I hope you've enjoyed this pre-spring output! Have a great day!