Happy Holidays!

Get a head start on Holiday cards this week and play along with the Outlines Challenge - Christmas in July is the theme.  You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to shop at Outlines! Check out all the details of how to play along with us on the The Outlines Blog! See what the ladies created this week:  Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart, Sue Kment and Kecia Waters.

This cute little kitty was pretty quick to color... actually I didn't color the kitty at all, opting to leave the kitty white. I did add shading around the kitty edges so the white would be a little more pronounced... but it does not show that very well in the picture. 

 Here are the Copic Markers I used. I used BG10 to add halo around the image, to help the white of the cat and the fish bones pop out. The image was trimmed out with an oval nestie... using a Copic to color the red border. I stamped a second image, cutting out the hat and scarf to use to pop over the original.

I used dimensional silicone to adhere the hat and scarf. A white gel pen around the edges for some faux stitching on the blue card stock. I Martha Border found it's way into the mix too. The finished card is oversized... slightly larger than 5x7. An Ice White Viva Pearl Pen adds an extra touch to the Christmas hat.

• Stamps: G-1125 Christmas Kitty, B-1138 Happiest Holidays
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: DP by SEI - Kris Kringle, Blue, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Red
• Other: Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, dimensional silicone, Ribbon by SU, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Copic Markers, Foam Tape, White Gel Pen

Impression Obsession - CHA More Sneak Peeks!

Another Sneak Peek for Impression Obsession today! New images are everywhere on the DT Blogs this week! Be sure and hop over to the Impression Obsession Blog to find out who is showing off the new goods and how you can WIN some $$ to get some of the new goods for you! 

 Another sweet holiday image from the new release... I think I had a sweet tooth when I was choosing my first round of images to work with.... a lot of them tended to be sugary in theme!!!

 Here are the Copics used for the cocoa image. I airbrushed using Y28 around the sentiment and the image. E70 and E74 seemed the perfect color for a warm cup of cocoa!

I added a bit of Glossy Accents over the holly berries around the greenery sprig and also the peppermint stick. A Martha Stewart Border punch is mixed in the layers and I topped everything with a little double bow. 

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - #E8612 Comfort Cocoa, #B8613 Comforting Cocoa - stamps soon to be released online. 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Kraft, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Green Dots by Bo Bunny, Red
• Other: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon by SU, Bow Easy Tool, Spellbinder's Labels 16, Spellbinder's Labels 12, Spellbinder's Classic Large Rectangles

Impression Obsession - More CHA Sneak Peeks!

 This entire week the IO Design Team is showing off all sorts of fantastic new images coming your way! Check out who is showcasing new images today and how you can win some $$ to get some new rubber in your hands! All the details are on the Impression Obsession Blog! Want to see even more? You can check out the entire new Fall and Winter Impression Obsession catalog ---> CLICK HERE! Lots of new samples and ideas in the catalog too! 

 My cards lately have been definitely a "less is more" theme. I seem to kind of be in a simpler mode when I sit to make something. This card definitely falls right along in that category. Image and sentiment stamped together on the same panel, with a few touches of color and few layers of card stock.

 Here are the Copics I used to add a few touches of color. 

After I colored the image I embossed it with a polka dot embossing folder. But then thought the embossing was too much, so I ran it though again with some flat layers of card stock to flatten it back out.  But it only flattened out some of it and I kinda liked the result of the more subtle embossing. After I assembled the card I went back and added a little holographic glitter glue to give some sparkle. I also used a Viva Decor Ice White Pearl Pen to top off Mr. Snowman's hat. 

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - #E8630 Snow Many Presents, #C8609 Celebrate Joyfully - stamps soon to be available online.
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Misc. Red and Green DP
• Other: White RIbbon by SU, Bow Easy Tool, Viva Decor Pearl Pen Ice White, Viva Decor Holographic Glitter Pen, Copics

Impression Obsession - CHA Sneak Peeks Continue!

This entire week the IO Design Team is showing off all sorts of fantastic new images coming your way! Check out who the show offs are for today and how you can win some $$ to get some new rubber in your hands! All the details are on the Impression Obsession Blog! Want to see even more? You can check out the entire new Fall and Winter Impression Obsession catalog ---> CLICK HERE!

 Of course this little black image called out to me right away. Love the silhouetted kitty with the scene in the background. A simple card layout and simple color scheme made for a quick card. I used just one layer of printed paper and pulled the colors from that to keep the same tone through the image.

 Very simple coloring here... a few Copics to add some soft color. 

A simple black bow and three little brads were all the embellishments that I added. 

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - H1852 Cat with Gourd (not yet available on line), B3578 You are in my thoughts 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, DP by Anna Griffin, Black
• Other: Copics, Bow Easy Tool, Brads, Black Ribbon by May Arts

Train on the Tracks....

It's challenge time from the Serendipity Design Team today... and we were challenged to make something with a monochromatic theme. Check out what the rest of the team came up with for the challenge:  Miriam, Amy,  Anya, Kathie and Lynda.

 Obviously, I went with a grey color scheme. I added a little pop of white. Even though its more of a manly image I still could not keep from adding a bow... but it is only a single bow and it is grey, not a girly pink!

 I used Spellbinder's Labels 18 to frame the image. Before removing it from the die, I outlined the inside edge of the die with a black Micron pen.  I used W5 to airbrush the edges around the images. In keeping with the mono chromatic theme, I used only grey Copics to add some shading to the scene.

A large CB Folder was used in the background. The train panel is popped up with foam tape and I used two small strips of the dark grey to border the sentiment.

• Stamps by Serendipity Stamps: #1239G Train on Track, #307D Remember when...
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Grey, Dark Grey and Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Spellbinder's Labels 18, Bow Easy Tool, Grey RIbbon, CB Folder, Copics

Impression Obsession - CHA Sneak Peeks!

 Time for the new rubber to roll on out... This week the IO Design Team is showing off all sorts of sweet new images coming your way! Check out who the show offs are for today and how you can win some $$ to get some new rubber in your hands! All the details are on the Impression Obsession Blog! Want to see even more? You can check out the entire new Fall and Winter Impression Obsession catalog ---> CLICK HERE!

The Holiday stamps were some of my favorites among the new release and I started making Christmas cards right away after seeing some of the new images!This sweet little cupcake was a quickie to color, using Spellbinders Dies to frame it made for a quickie card too! 

You can see here the Copic Markers used to bring the cupcake to life. 

Trust me when I say this is the only cupcake you'd ever want me to make, lol. I baked my hubby a birthday cake the first year we were married.... nine years ago. It was the first and only cake I have ever made... cupcakes... never gonna happen. The microwave.... best invention ever! That's my kind of cooking! 

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession #E8636 Starry Treat, #C8638 Sweet Wishes
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Green DP by ANna Griffin, Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Spellbinder's Parisian Motifs, Spellbinder's Classic Standard Circles Set, Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags Trio Two, Copic Markers, Misc. Ribbon

Outlines - Sweet Tooth

Time for an Outlines Challenge.. and we all have a sweet tooth this week. That is the challenge, just incorporate something sweet and sugary on your card! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to shop at Outlines! Check out all the details of how to play along with us on the The Outlines Blog! 

See what sweet treats the ladies created this week:  Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart, Sue Kment and Kecia Waters.

 I kept it sweet and simple for this card. A little bit of October Afternoon Paper and a loopy Martha Stewart border punch make up the card. I embellished with baker's twine from The Twinery, love that stuff! I used a band of 1/8" Scor Pal tape to hold the twine in place as I wrapped it around the card base.

 After stamping the image, I cut out just the cupcake part for my card. Here are the colors that I used to color up the cupcake. I'm not sure I know what flavor orange frosting would be... but I was matching colors in my paper! 

I used the Viva Glass Effects Gel Pen to add a glaze over the cherry and also the flame on the candle. The wooden alphabet is from Pink Paisley and is slim and light enough to go into an envelope with out adding too much bulk. Sweet and simple card. Finished size is an A2.

• Stamps: H-1016 Sketchy Cupcake by Outlines
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, Red, DP by October Afternoon
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Baker's Twine from The Twinery, Viva Glass Effects Gel Pen, Pink Paisley Wooden Alphabet Letters, Martha Stewart Border Punch

Just for you....

Today I'm sharing this little mouse and kitty card. I guess it could go for any occasion with the "Just for You" sentiment. Since the little mouse had a little heart he was offering up, I thought it worked. This is image done by Gary Robertson... one of my favorite artists for Impression Obsession since he often works a little black cat in to his images. 

I used several colors on the mushrooms, going over colors, changing them, darkening, lightening them... I'm sure I could never color these exactly the same again. LOL! I stamped the image on Neenah Classic Natural White paper, which is a light ivory color. I used a flicking motion with E81 outward from the moon and put no color at all inside the moon. I tried to give the illusion of stripes on the kitty fur. 

After coloring the image completely, I used Versafine Onyx Black ink to add the sentiment in the top corner. To finish the card, I added a little dot of black enamel to give the mouse his beady little eye. I tiny dab of Glossy Accents over the small red heart. I used a Viva Bronze Pearl Pen in the center of the flowers. Finished card is an A2. 

• Stamps by Impression Obsession: A3562 - Just for You,  F1768 Cat and Mouse
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Natural WHite, Misc. DP, Brown
• Other: CB FOlder, Viva Bronze Pearl Pen, Bow Easy Tool, Marta Stewart Border Punch, Glossy Accents, Ranger's Black Enamel, Copics

Outlines - Polka Dots!

Time for an Outlines Challenge.. and we are seeing spots... more specifically... Polka Dots. That is the challenge, just incorporate Polka Dots on your card! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to shop at Outlines! Check out all the details of how to play along with us on the The Outlines Blog! 

See what the ladies created this week:  Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart, Sue Kment and Kecia Waters.

No copics. Whaaaat. I know... it's rare, but it happens. Simple stamping today for this card. Versafine Black ink only... I stamped the Funky Flower three times, cutting out two of the flowers to use to pop up over the fist stamping on the nestie. I gently curled the flower petals before adhering them together gluing them only in the center. I then went back and used dimensional silicone under each petal to keep the curl and keep it raised. The banner is one long strip that I hand cut, I bent the ends back and used a piece of foam tape under the center strip. Polka dots are in the image, the background paper and on the top I used a polka dot CB folder.

Before I added the center button, I added a fairly large black liquid pearl with my Viva Decor Black Pearl Pen, I pushed the button in to it so that the black pearly stuff came up through the button holes. I didn't use any glue, letting the pearl pen dry and act as the adhesive to hold the button in place.

• Stamps: E-224 Funky Flower 2, B-1009 You're Fabulous 
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Ivory, Black, Graphic 45 
• Other: Viva Black Pearl Pen, Misc. Button, Dimensional Silicone, Spellbinder's Labels Sixteen

IO Challenge - A cutesy hello card....

An Impression Obsession Challenge... We are making "hello" cards today. As always you can play along with us and have a chance to collect an Impression Obsession Gift Certificate for $25. Check out all the details of how to win and also find links to the Design Team cards for today on the Impression Obsession Blog!

 As always... my interpretation of challenges gets fuzzy sometimes... "hello" turned in to "What's Cookin" with this cute little chicken image! I used Spellbinder's Grand Big Scalloped Ovals to create the card base. I stamped the yellow card front with Versafine Crimson Red and the Cover-a-Card Background Gingham. 

 I stamped this little chicken chef and used an oval nestie to frame it, tracing the oval from the inside of the die with a Micron Black Pen. I carefully cut around the chicken when I cut it out. You can see the Copics that I used to color it. I also airbrushed Y13 around the edges.

Here is a close up of the card, the finished size card will fit in to an A2 sized envelope.

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - CAC #CC006 Gingham, #E7594 Chicken 1, #A5437 What's Cookin?
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Red, Yellow
• Other: Spellbinder's Petite Scalloped Ovals, Spellbinder's Grand Big Scalloped Ovals, Black Micron Pen, Copics/ABS, Bow Easy Tool, White Ribbon by May Arts, Large Adhesive Pearls

Daffodils

It's challenge time from the Serendipity Design Team today... and it's all using about BIG and SMALL coordinating images. Check out what the rest of the team came up with for the paired designs:  Miriam, Amy,  Anya, Kathie and Lynda.

So many of the floral images from Serendipity Stamps are so beautiful and I find myself always doing simpler cards with them... hopefully allowing the image to be the main focus without cluttering up the card. I created a simple background embossing criss cross lines in a diamond pattern using my Scor-Pal. 

 You can see the two images here. I stamped them in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, coloring with Copics. I used Oval Nesties to trace the inside of the die framing the flowers. I then hand cut the ovals out, carefully trimming around the flower edges. 

 Here is a close up --- images like this just beg to be colored! I used Spellbinder's Labels 18 to create the green layer and then I hand cut a second yellow layer around that.

I know you were starting to wonder where the smaller image was.... I used it on the inside of the card! It would also be great on the envelope to create a matching set.

• Stamps by Serendipity Stamps: 340L Daffodil Large, 368E Daffodil Small
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Yellow, Green
• Other: Scor Pal Board, Misc. Yellow Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Copic Markers, Spellbinder's Labels 18, Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Black Micron Pen

Outlines Monday Challenge - Red Hot

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Today's challenge for Outlines is RED HOT -- we were to make the color RED prominent in our design. Easy Peasy! I love red! Play along with Outlines for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate, find all the details on the Outlines Blog! 

Saying Goodbye to Bev Gerard and Vicki Garrett on the Outlines Team, as their term is up... We'll miss you!!! Check out the really red designs the team came up with this week and welcome to our two newest members Sue and Kecia:  Jeanne Streiff, Lisa Silver, Robin Kirkpatrick, Sandy Hulsart, Sue Kment and Kecia Waters.

 I just got my hands on the new Jillybean paper pad Watermelon Gazpacho and had to break it right open! I thought this colorful paper would pair up nicely with the Floral Bouquet image, using red as another main ingredient too! I anticipate using this entire paper pad down to the last bits of scraps!

 Here is the image cut out and colored with Copics. I loved that the image had this fun border to cut around. A different alternative to using nesties and it looked so unique.

Of course the flowers needed a little extra dressing up after coloring! So I added bling around the edges and in some of the flowers. Swarovski Crystals used are: Aquamarine Size 12, Light Siam (red) in sizes: 16, 12 and 9. But they still needed something more and you know whenever I have a chance.... I pull out my Pearls Pens... and that's just what I did! I added some pearly centers and also used the Glass Effects Gel Pen over a few of the flowers too. I added a little red bow with a dab of Ultimate Glue to finish off this summery card.

• Stamps - J-824 Sparkle Bouquet
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Neenah Ivory, Red, Jillybean Soup 6x6 pad - Gazpacho Soup
• Other: Polka Dot CB FOlder, Red Ribbon by May Arts, Bow Easy Tool, Swarovski Crystals, Viva Decor Pearl Pens, Picksey Pick Ups, Ultimate Glue