Plate #3/8

WARM MITTEN WISHES

Here is my third plate! I am so pleased with the results on this one...what do you think?

This plate utilized Sunshine's Stamps "Warm Mitten Wishes" sentiment and the Believe and Snow Mittens (Images to be available in our store on Monday). All of the images were coloured with my Prismacolour Markers and highlighted with my Sakura Jellyroll glitter pen and my white gel pen. The snowflakes are actually stickers that I picked up at Walmart. The green in the background is tissue paper. As with the other plates in the series the design elements were adhered with Mod Podge and sealed with clear water based acrylic.

I am having a wonderful time creating these plates. I know my family is really going to enjoy them this Christmas Dinner. Here are the other two I have made so far. As you can see they are all different. I don't want the set to match, I want it to be totally eclectic and whimsical...just like me and my family! I am going to take a picture of our Christmas dinner table setting to show you how it all looks together.

THE PLATE THAT STARTED IT ALL

PLATE #2 - BLUE CHRISTMAS

Well, I am off to plot out the fourth plate. I will post it later tomorrow when its complete. Thanks for stopping by. Leave some comment or suggestions for plate idea's if you like.

Hugz,

PLATE 2/8

IN THE MEADOW WE CAN BUILD A SNOWMAN

Here is plate #2!~ I just love the way this one turned out. I used Sunshine's Stamps new image Snowman with Tree and our sentiment "In the Meadow" I coloured the images with my Prismacolour Markers and used my Sakura Jellyroll clear glitter pen on the eyes and buttons on the snowmen. The snowflakes have been touched up with white gel pen as well. Once the images were adhered to the back of the plate with Mod Podge I used Microfine blue glitter all over the back of the plate. I had to do a couple of glitter coats to get even coverage overall. I then used clear water based acrylic all over the back of the plate. I LOVE IT!!! It's so exciting to turn the plate over when its all dry to see what it looks like!!

Hope you like plate #2...I am off to make plate #3!!

Hugz and best wishes for a wonderful day!!

NOW FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

SUNSHINE'S AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS DINNERWARE

Hello all: So sorry I haven't posted in ages and ever so long! I have been busy with all manner of flotsam and would love to tell you that I have accomplished great and varied things...but alas I cannot. No matter how many things I begin...nary a one gets finished...what's up with that , I ask you?

I have, however, decided to make myself a set of Christmas dinnerware. I have long coveted those lovely Christmas and winter china patterns so plentiful in the stores this time of year. Sadly, my budget has never allowed for such extravagance. So....I am making myself a set of my very own with my very own images! Plate #1 is complete and ready to show you! Be gentle with me now....this is a new to me thingy and I am sure there are better ways to do it than I have done...but having said that...I am pleased with the end result...I should also mention...these are NOT going to be matching cookie cutter plates. They are going to be individual and original...just like my family members! So without further ado here is plate #1 featuring Sunshine's Stamps newest image - Poinsettia

This all began with a clear glass plate. I printed off the image and coloured them with my Prismacolour Markers and cut them all out. I then, very carefully, split the paper layers so that I was left with a very thin piece of paper to adhere to the glass. I used Mod Podge to position the images and then used gold damask napkins that I stripped down to the thinnest layer and Mod Podged several layers of the napkin to the back of the plate too. Finally I have covered the works with water proof acrylic enamel. While the plates will never be put in the dish washer they can be washed by hand with little soaking.

I am working on plate #2 right now...waiting for glue to dry as we speak. I am hoping to be able to share it with you tomorrow! Share your thoughts on this project with me and let me know if you have done similar things in the past and what little tips and tricks you may have to pass on to me and others.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugz

AND THE WINNER OF THE THREE'S A CHARM BLOG HOP IS................

Well, I must say I make a lot of work for myself! Stipulating that all of the blogs had to be commented on means I have to manually go and ensure that the randomly chosen winner has done just that! And I am happy to say that is the case!

The winner of all of our newly released Christmas Images is:

Cr8ive ME

Here is what you win hon!









Send me an e-mail at valleysunshine@hotmail.com and I will send them to you asap hon!

Thanks to everyone who played along!

Hugz and best wishes,

Sunshine ; ^)

LEST WE FORGET

November 11th is just days away and I find myself thinking about my father and mother. My dad served his country for 32 years in the Canadian Military - Air Force. My mother was a military mom/wife. She supported her country by supporting my dads postings and work obligations, which sometimes took him away from us for periods of time.

When my mother was in school, as a little girl, they had to memorize "In Flanders Fields" and she encouraged my brother and I to memorize it as well. So, I did...my brother was a bit of a rebel....I think he had the first two lines down pat! LOL!! No matter, my brother followed in our father's footsteps and is serving his country in the Air Force right now...so what if he didn't memorize the poem...he has sadly seen some of the worlds strife first hand. I digress: the first card I have to show you today is in memory of my mama and her favourite poem: "In Flanders Fields'
"

This card was made using red cs and Sunshine's Stamps new sentiment "In Flanders Fields". The poppies are free hand drawings that I used black embossing powder in the centre of and the ribbon is from M's.

Here is an interesting little tidbit of information. Robbie and I met some veterans in the mall one day and we bought our poppies for the year. I asked why the centre of the poppy is black and not green and he told us that the symbolism of the poppy is that the red of the poppy stands for the blood that was shed in the field of battle and the black symbolizes that men and women who died for our country in war time and peace. He then told us that those people who put a poppy pin in the centre of the poppy to hold the poppy in place were actually covering the most symbolic portion of the poppy. Just something to think about this Remembrance and Memorial Day.

The second card I made is in honour of my daddy. As I told you he served his country for 32 years proudly. While we were considered to be at peace during his years of service and he was fortunate enough never to see war time (for that we were always grateful) he definitely served Canada proudly.

The colour of Soldier Bunny's cap is blue - signifying Air Force. This bunny is wearing desert CADPAT which is in honor of our men and women serving in Afghanistan...my daddy would have liked that. The card was made using shiny blue cs and dry embossed with the cuttlebug swiss dot folder. The blue ribbon is from Michael's and the Sentiment is one of Sunshine's Stamps new Remembrance Day sentiments.

Now for something a little different. For those of you, who have never heard of him - Terry Kelly is a Canadian Singer who is blind and incredibly talented. His voice is wonderful and of course I have long been a fan. This song that I have attached to this post always makes me cry. I think it's so easy, if you have never experienced war and sacrifice to country first hand, you easily lose track of the significance of this one day of the year. This video shows one man's realization. Get out a tissue...it will make you cry too.

A PITTANCE OF TIME - BY TERRY KELLY

Thank you for taking some time to read my posting. I do apologize for it not being it's usual upbeat Sunshiny happiness...but it needs to be said and to be honoured. I hope you all agree. Go to a veterans home today and take a vet for a walk. Take your dog for a visit to your local seniors home. Go and visit a family member who has served or is serving your country. Take a minute to honour those who are long gone. Sadly, my parents have been gone for a long time, having been taken from us way too early....but they will never be forgotten...I talk to my children about them and keep their legacy alive. LEST WE FORGET!!

Hugz and God Bless,

Sunshine:)

THREE'S A CHARM BLOG HOP

Welcome to the Three's A Charm Blog Hop to launch the Christmas Season for Sunshine's Stamps, Ildico and The Stamping Boutique. Here are the deets of the blog hop:

There will be mystery blog candy offered by all three businesses. The only way to entered in the draw is to comment on EVERY blog in the hop. What will you win? All of these images will be yours!! Ildico and The Stamping Boutique are all offering prizes too!!

• We are offering a free image with the purchase of any two or more images from our store!

Here is a card made with this image. When I drew this image I was thinking of a Christmas card my parents received when I was a little girl. My mother kept it and brought it out year after year at the holidays. We had it until I was in my late teens when it was destroyed by water damage in a basement flood. I think I did my memory justice with this one. Hope you like it.

I used my mystery Christmas paper and some red cs for this card. The image was coloured using my Bics and Sharpies. I used Ranger Embossing Tinsel on the ribbon and Diamond Glaze on the berries. I used my Martha Stewart Branch Punch for added detail to the corner flowers that I picked up at the Dollar Store ages ago. The ribbon is from Michael's.

Now for something a little different. I saw this picture frame at our local Dollar Store (Yup! I love that store!) I just knew I had to use it for our Waving Snowman image.

I used some more of my mystery Christmas dp to double mat the frame and used a spacer between the layers to create space. I coloured the image with my Prismacolour Markers and used some Snow Effects on the image. I added ribbon at the top and bottom of the image and then added some plastic ice crystals picked up at....you guessed it...The Dollar Store!!! I added a white poinsettia, ribbon and snowflakes to the corner of the frame. This little cutey will be front and center this holiday season!

The next project I want to show you, uses our new Christmas Stocking image. The project is actually a mini - album that I will be happy to put candid shots we will be taking over the holidays this year.

I used my Martha Stewart lace punch on the red cs at the bottom of the album and prima flowers on the upper corner and a prima star on the lower corner. In the centre of the flower and on the punched border I used some adhesive red pearls I picked up at the Dollar Store (I think you are seeing the trend here). Now, this dp is actually not a mystery! Shocking huh?!! The paper is from Flair Designs - Merry Little Christmas line - called Candy Twist. The image was colored using my Prismacolour markers.

Next up we have our new Candle and Ornament Arrangement image. I used my Versamark Pen on the lines of the candle and used my Stampendous Pearl Lustre Embossing Powder. I wanted to make the candle look waxy - I think it worked. What do you think? I also wanted to demonstrate how a digital image can be embossed.

It's difficult to see but the ornaments have been glazed using Diamond Glaze and the berries in the main holly are actual berries from a cluster on a branch I picked up at the Dollar Store tonight. (I know...my secret is out...I {HEART} the Dollar Store!! LOL!! The ribbon is from Michaels and the dp is another piece from Flair Designs, Merry Little Christmas Collection - called Merry Berries. The leaves are from the same holly branch I scavenged the berries from.

The final project I had time to create is a calendar using our Snacks for Santa image.

I used red cs and more mystery dp on this one. The image and calendar are propped up on a base I made using the red cs.

The calendar is super stable and will definitely not fall over. I used prima flowers in the corner with red adhesive pearls. to accent. The ribbon is from Micheal's and the clip in the corner is from...you guessed it...the Dollar Store! Maybe I need a Dollar Store intervention! What do you think??!!

OK - I hope I have given you something to look at that you enjoyed and possibly inspired you a smidgen along the way. Here are the blog addresses to hop on over to.

Don't forget to leave a comment on my blog and each blog in the hop to be entered to win my blog candy and the blog candy being offered by Ildico and The Stamping Boutique. There is also a chance to win a set of 12 Copic Markers!! So hop on your way and have a good time!

Sunshine START HERE!!!
Kym GO HERE NEXT!!
Ellen
Jerusha
Kylie
Tracey
Jenny
Jacquie

Deanne

Melanie

Erin

Alica

Tracey M.
Christy
Rhonda

Maria
Vicki
Mary
Patricia
Stef

Thanks for stopping by and joining our blog hop today! Head on through the talented ladies blogs and get inspired, and have some fun! Remember to leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win!

Hugz,

Sunshine ; ^)

CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGINS

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING BEGINS!!

Here is an oldie but a goodie for you all to look at while I prepare all of the awesome new cards and projects for the Three's a Charm Blog Hop this weekend!

This is Angus Argus all decked out for Christmas! This is to show how completely versatile digital images are!

Angus has been tricked out in red and green for the holidays! He has a wreath on his tail and he is working for Elf Airlines! Isn't he the cutest?

The sentiment is computer generated. I used my cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss the red cs behind Angus. The dp is from a block my hubby bought me for Christmas last year. I didn't think to keep the block together back then, so I can't tell you who created the adorable paper, but I still like it a lot!

Well, this is it for now...just a little teaser to keep you interested in the new images that are coming for the blog hop this weekend!! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugz and best wishes

Sunshine: ^)