Nine sweet cupcakes - Smooched in Carrot, Kiwi and Taffy and glittered with Sweet Orange, Peridot and Cotton Candy - would be a nice dessert for a garden party this weekend.  Or any weekend!

Smooching and glittering the cupcakes in coordinating colors creates quite a sparkle because the two products enhance and highlight each other.  I used Glue Gloss to adhere the glitter - one color at a time. It was quick and easy...and dried within minutes, without those lumpy, sticky mounds of other adhesives that can surprise you when you think they're dry.

I used the new Memory Box Tiers of Cupcakes stamp here - it was the perfect excuse to use three shades of Smooch and three colors of glitter.  Here are the directions for this card:

Clearsnap Products

• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Dark Brown Inkpad
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Chestnut Road Inkpad
• Carrot Smooch Accent Ink
• Kiwi Smooch Accent Ink
• Taffy Smooch Accent Ink
• Sweet Orange Glitter
• Peridot Glitter
• Cotton Candy Glitter
• Glue Gloss

Stamps

• Memory Box Tiers of Cupcakes
• Memory Box Sweet Cupcake (you are so SWEET)

Other Supplies

• Paper Accents Muslin Pink Chiffon Cardstock (4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card)
• Bazzill Petunia Cardstock
• Bazzill Apricot Cardstock
• Bazzill Sour Apple Cardstock
• Heat Tool 
• 1/8" Foam Dots

Directions

• Stamp Tiers of Cupcakes on the smooth side of Petunia Cardstock with Dark Brown and heat-set the ink
• Trim the cardstock to 1-1/2" x 2-1/8"
• Smooch the cupcakes with Carrot, Kiwi and Taffy and briefly heat-set the inks
• Working with one color at a time, daub the cupcakes with Glue Gloss and quickly sprinkle the glitter over the wet glue
• Tap off the excess glitter
• Repeat with the other two colors of glitter
• Stamp the greeting on the smooth side of Sour Apple Cardstock with Chestnut Roan
• Trim the cardstock to 3-1/4" x 2-1/2"
• Cut a 2-1/4" x 1-3/4" piece of Apricot Cardstock
• Assemble the card
• Attach three foam dots below "SWEET"
• Press Cotton Candy Glitter into the adhesive

   
A simple wood frame - zinged and blinged with Crafter's Inks, Design Adhesives, Alvin Blue Hills Studio flowers and Clearsnap Glitter - makes a colorful desk accessory, or a sweet gift for a wonderful teacher.  You could even frame a desk-size calendar page - and make the Seek Joy Everyday message quite appropriate. 

Crafter's Acid-Free Pigment Inks come in a rainbow of beautiful colors - Lilac, Peony, Lime and Black are the featured colors here.  They coordinate perfectly with glitter in shades of Peridot, Sparkling  Amethyst and Charcoal. 

If you love glitter, embossing, flocking and metal leafing...Design Adhesives are the way to go!  Just burnish the adhesive patterns onto your project, remove the clear liner,  add your product and remove the excess.  No stringy glue streaks, air bubbles, set-up times or discoloration!  Instant-gratification at its best.

Here are the instructions and supply lists for this project:

Clearsnap Products

• Lilac Crafter's Ink
  
• Peony Crafter's Ink
  
• White Crafter's Ink (to undercoat the Lime flower)
  
• Lime Crafter's Ink
  
• Black Crafter's Ink
  
• ColorBox Stylus Handle and 4 White Leaf Tips
• Fancy Edges Design Adhesives
  
• Peridot Glitter
  
• Sparkling Amethyst Glitter
  
• Charcoal Glitter
  

Stamp 

• Hampton Art Life Defined Clear Set
  

Other Products

• Craft Store Wood Frame    
• Alvin Blue Hills Studio Bucket of Blooms
• Acrylic Stamp Block
• Green Buttons
• 1/2" Circle Punch
• 3/8" Circle Punch
• Bazzill Parakeet Cardstock
• Black Cardstock
• Crafter's Pick Ultimate Adhesive
• 1/4" Foam Dots

Directions

• Use the Stylus Handle, Tip and White ink to color one of the flowers to create a lighter surface for the Lime ink  
• Heat-set the ink 
• Ink the flowers with Lilac, Peony and Lime inks and heat-set the inks
• Attach the words to the stamp block and stamp them onto the frame with Black
• Heat-set the ink
• Cut narrow strips of Parakeet Cardstock and attach them under each line of words
• Cut two sets of the flourish pattterns from the Design Adhesives (use two strips to get the entire pattern twice)
• Carefully remove the opaque liners and save them for later use
• Use your finger to gently burnish the adhesive patterns onto the frame
• Carefully remove the clear liners and sprinkle Peridot Glitter over the patterns
• Tap off the excess glitter
• Place the saved opaque liners over the glittered patterns and press gently to secure any loose grains of glitter
• Glue the buttons onto the frame
• Glue the Lilac and Peony flowers onto the frame
• Attach the Lime flower by gluing the petals that overlap the Lilac and Peony flowers - and using foam dots under the petals near the corner of the frame
• Punch three black 1/2" circles and three Parakeet 3/8" circles and attach them to the flowers
• Attach foam dots to the circles and press Charcoal and Sparkling Amethyst Glitters into the adhesive

Spritz, spritz and more spritz...here's a design that combines an array of Smooch Spritzes and the Spellbinders Nested Bird dies.   I've chosen the blues, greens and purples this time - Sea Kiss, Electric Blue, Emerald Sprinkle, Frosted Grape and Grape Burst.

Instead of spritzing on white cardstock - I spritzed on Light Awesome Aqua for the bird and tree's background, and on Brown Bag for the "wing."  The wing is actually the smallest of the three bird dies, with the beak portion snipped off.   

Here are the supply lists and instructions for this card, designed to fit into a #9 envelope.  It's fun to spritz several sheets of cardstock, then mix and match the different color combinations to create a whole family of birds.

Clearsnap Products

• Frosted Grape Smooch Spritz    
• Grape Burst Smooch Spritz
• Sea Kiss Smooch Spritz
• Electric Blue Smooch Spritz
• Emerald Sprinkle Smooch Spritz
• Vivid! Purple Inkpad
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Lavender Inkpad
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Blackbird Inkpad
• Smooch Carrot
• Say What Rollagraph Wheel
• Jumbo Inking Handle
• Stylus Handle
• White Leaf Tips (2)
• Grape Fizz glitter

Stamp

• Memory Box Brilliant Tree

Other Products

• Paper Accents ColorMates Light Awesome Aqua Cardstock
• Paper Accents Brown Bag Cardstock
• Paper Accents Muslin Aloha Cardstock (3-3/4" x 8-1/2" card)
• Diecut System
• Spellbinders Nested Bird Dies
• Corner Rounder
• 1/8" Foam Dots
• Buttons
• May Arts Cord

Directions

• Spritz Light Awesome Aqua and Brown Bag Cardstock with the Smooch Spritzes (in the order listed), using short, quick spritzes
• Allow the inks to dry
• Diecut the medium bird from the spritzed Light Awesome Aqua cardstock
• Diecut the medium bird again from scrap cardstock and layer it behind the spritzed bird for dimension
• Use the Stylus Handle and Leaf Tip to ink the edges of the medium bird with Purple
• Smooch the beak with Carrot and blur the inner edge into the adjoining area
• Stamp Say What onto the spritzed Brown Bag cardstock using the Rollagraph, Handle and Blackbird 
• Diecut the small bird from the spritzed and stamped brown cardstock
• Cut the beak off the small bird, then ink the edges with Lavender
• Stamp Brilliant Tree onto the spritzed aqua cardstock and dry the ink
• Cut the cardstock to 3-1/2" x 3" and round the edges with the punch
• Cut a 2-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of Brown Bag and round the top corners
• Attach the pieces to the card, using foam dots for the bird
• Separate a strand of the copper cord, thread it through the buttons and tie knots
• Glue the buttons to the Brown Bag Cardstock
• Attach three 1/8" foam dots above the bird ad press Grape Fizz litter into the adhesive

Have fun with the Smooch Spritzes - you'll love the colors (individually) and layered over each other.

Here's a resist-ink technique featuring ColorBox Fluid Chalk Popcorn and Lime Pastel inks.   It's an easy way to stamp a subtle background for the Dill Print. The glossy cardstock creates a slippery surface for the dill sprig - and produces a shadowy, variegated look on the stems as the ink air-dries.

The supplies and instructions for this card are listed here:

Clearsnap Products

• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Popcorn Inkpad
  
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Lime Pastel Inkpad
  
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Olive Pastel Inkpad
  
• Top Boss Watermark Inkpad
  
• Asparagus Embossing Powder
  
• WordWords Rollagraph Design Wheel
  
• Memory Essentials Jumbo Inking Handle
  
•  Replacement Wheel Drive (plain wheel)

Stamps

• Memory Box Dill Print 
  
• Memory Box Happiest Birthday
  

Other Products

• Paper Accents Glossy White Cardstock
  
• Bazzill Hillary Cardstock (4-5/8" x 6-1/4" card)
  
• Bazzill Parakeet Cardstock
  
• Bazzill Sour Apple Cardstock
  
• Facial Tissue
• 1/16" Hole Punch
  
• 3 Gold Mini-brads
• Carl Rotary Cutter and Wave Blade
  
• Foam Dots
  
• Detail Clear Embossing Powder
  

Instructions

• Snap the WordWords wheel into the handle and ink it with Popcorn
  
• Roll the design onto the glossy cardstock and dry the ink
  
• Remove the WordWords wheel and replace it with the plain wheel
  
• Roll a layer of Lime Pastel over the words using the plain wheel
  
• Buff the excess ink off with a tissue
  
• Stamp Dill Print over the words with Olive Pastel and allow the ink to air-dry
  
• Cut the glossy cardstock to 3-1/4" wide x 3-1/8" high
  
• Rotary-cut a wavy edge on a 4" strip of Parakeet Cardstock
  
• Trim it to 1-1/2" x 4" and attach the mini-brads
  
• Stamp Happiest Birthday on the smoother side of Sour Apple Cardstock with Watermark Ink
  
• Emboss it with Asparagus Embossing Powder
  
• Stamp the butterfly (attached to the side of the Happiest Birthday stamp) with Watermark Ink
  
• Emboss it with Detail Clear Embossing Powder
  
• Cut it into a strip
  
• Attach the pieces to the card, using foam dots for the greeting
  

 
Opposites attract right?  The cold, blustery afternoon and tonight's sudden downpour convinced me to design a bright, sunny, sparkly card to share with you.  It features splashy colors, Peridot Glitter and six Smooches - Luscious Lime, Ocean Soul, Kiwi, Molasses, Sundance and Carrot. 

Here are the instructions:

Clearsnap Products

• ColorBox Black Inkpad    
• ColorBox Fluid Chalk Blackbird Inkpad
• Ocean Soul Smooch
• Molasses Smooch
• Luscious Lime Smooch
• Sundance Smooch
• Kiwi Smooch
• Carrot Smooch
• ColorBox Stylus Handle
• ColorBox White Leaf Tip
• Fancy Edges Design Adhesives
• Peridot Glitter 

Stamps

Here's a brightly-Smooched birthday card for gals of all ages - young, in-between, and young-heart...

I think you'll love painting with our Smooch Accent Inks - 24 beautiful colors, in cool see-through bottles with a pointy built-in brush.  It's perfectly formulated and ready-to-use - no diluting, formulas, brushes or plastic palettes to mess with.  Just paint, dry and go!

Follow these instructions for a cool, colorful birthday greeting:

CLEARSNAP PRODUCTS

• ColorBox Black Inkpad
• Fluid Chalk Blackbird Inkpad    
• Taffy Smooch
• Carrot Smooch
• Luscious Lime Smooch
• Molasses Smooch
• Sundance Smooch
• ColorBox Stylus Handle
• ColorBox White Leaf Tip 
• Root Beer Sparkle Fibers

STAMPS

• American Art Stamp Small Party Cake
• American Art Stamp Cling Things Sentiments

OTHER PRODUCTS

• Memory Box Kraft Cardstock
• Paper Accents Muslin Pickled Tink Cardstock
• Paper Accents Muslin French Roast Cardstock
• Bazzill Parakeet Cardstock
• Detail Clear Embossing Powder 
• Heat Tool
• Cotton Swabs
• Fine-Mist Spray Bottle and Water
• Acrylic Stamping Block (for the greeting)
• Mini Foam Dots

INSTRUCTIONS

• Stamp Small Party Cake on the smoother side of Kraft Cardstock with Black and emboss it   
• Stamp and emboss the dress portion again on a scrap of Kraft Cardstock   
• Color the entire dress (on the second image) with Taffy 
• Buff the excess ink off the image with a lightly-misted cotton swab  
• Dot some Carrot Smooch on the bottom tier of the dress and quickly spread it over the bottom tier with the swab,  then buff the excess off 
• Cut the dress out and attach it to the larger image   
• Color her hat and sleeve with Taffy, her shoes with Luscious Lime and her cake with Molasses   
• Paint dots of Sundance over the candle flame and color the candles with Carrot  
• Briefly heat-set the inks   
• Cut the Kraft Cardstock to 1-7/8" x 3-1/8" and cut a piece of French Roast Cardstock to the same size   
• Stamp the greeting on the smooth side of Parakeet Cardstock with Blackbird and cut it into a strip   
• Use the Stylus Handle and Tip to ink the edges of the Kraft and Parakeet pieces with Blackbird   
• Cut and fold Pickled Tink Cardstock into an A2 card (4-1/4" x 5-1/2")  
• Attach the pieces to the card, using foam dots for the greeting  
• Attach three foam dots above the greeting and press Root Beer Sparkle Fibers into the adhesive 

Have fun with this card - make several versions of it, mixing and matching the wonderful Smooch Inks!

Jean

(PS - yes, that's the name printed on the swatch of Pickled Tink!)

Welcome to my new Clearsnap blog.  This card says it all...we'll Explore, Create, and Discover the colorful world of Clearsnap inks, embellishments, tools and accessories. Mix, match, layer and brayer colors, textures, mattes, metallics, stamps and stencils - on paper, chipboard, transparencies and just about any surface we can adorn.

As an introduction...my name is Jean Okimoto.  I  work, design, teach and play in Washington - where I live with a husband, two cocker spaniels, wonderful Clearsnap products, a rainbow of papers, and a huge stash of great supplies.  My classes - at three Impress stores, Stampin' in the Rain, and the Bellevue Paperzone -  include a variety of techniques and styles, from quick and simple to advanced and artsy.

Let's start with a collagey butterfly card...

CLEARSNAP PRODUCTS

• Top Boss Watermark Inkpad     
• Memory Essentials Jumbo Inking Handle
• 2 Replacement Wheel Drives (plain rollers)
• Ancient Page Leaf Green Jumbo Ink Cartridge
• Ancient Page Turquoise Jumbo Ink Cartridge
• Vivid! Purple Inkpad
• Stylus Handle
• White Leaf Tip
• Flourish Design Adhesives
• Twinkling Turquoise Glitter
• Peridot Glitter

STAMPS

• Memory Box Create Art
• Memory Box Damask Butterfly

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Paper Accents Glossy White Cardstock
• Paper Accents Muslin Aloha Cardstock
• Bazzill Parakeet Cardstock
• Mini Foam Dots

DIRECTIONS

Dry each application of ink before proceeding to the next step.  Stamp Create Art on Glossy White Cardstock with Top Boss Watermark Ink. Use the Stylus Handle, Replacement Wheel and Leaf Green Cartridge to ink the "explore," "create" and "discover" sections - and adjacent areas - of the collage.

Ink the entire collage using the Stylus Handle, another Replacement Wheel and Turquoise Cartridge.  Trim the cardstock to 2-7/8" x 4-3/8".  

Cover a scrap of Glossy White Cardstock with Turquoise ink.  Stamp Damask Butterfly over the Turquoise with Purple.   Cut the butterfly out without the antennae. Stamp the butterfly again over the collage with Purple. Use the Stylus Handle and Leaf Tip to shade the edges of the collage and butterfly cutout with Purple. Shade the center the butterfly with Purple.  

Cut a 2" x 4-1/2" strip of Parakeet Cardstock. Cut and fold an A-6 card (6-1/4" x 4-5/8") of Aloha Cardstock.  Attach the strip and collage to the card.  

Cut the swirl from the Design Adhesives, carefully remove the opaque liner (save it for later use).  Place the swirl on the collage and gently burnish the design onto the collage with your finger. Carefully remove the clear liner.  Sprinkle the adhesive pattern with Twinkling Turquoise Glitter and tap off the excess.  Place the saved opaque liner over the glittered pattern and press gently to secure any loose grains of glitter.  Attach the butterfly cutout with foam dots.

Attach three foam dots to the card.  Press Peridot Glitter onto the adhesive. 

There it is - hope you like it!

Jean