Impression Obsession - CHA Brand New Releases!

Welcome to day two of Blog Hopping with the Impression Obsession team! We are hopping all week long and have a prize up for grabs every day! Check the IO Blog for all the details - see who has eye candy and details on how to WIN! We are all showing off BRAND NEW images for your viewing pleasure! 

 I stamped both of these images on ivory card stock. I airbrushed the orange and green colors, trying to match them to the DP I was using.

 You can see the Copics I used here. I pierced holes around the edges, using a template to keep them even.... well somewhat even, lol! I used this fun metallic thread to stitch, yes HAND STITCH around the edge. It does take a little longer and usually I'm always looking for a short cut when crafting. But most of the time I'm watching Netflix on my ipad when I'm in the craft room, so I don't mind it taking a little extra time if I am watching some TV.

All of the layers were made using Perfect Layer Rulers, no nesties.. just simple straight layers on this one. I tied a little bow with the copper thread and glued it in the corner. I used a Viva Copper pen to add tiny little copper pearl centers on the flowers in the image. A few glittery pearls in the lower left corner to finish it off.

• Stamps: by Impression Obsession - C8728 Happiness, E8723 Fun Friends
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by Authentique - 6x6 paper pad Gathering, Black, Ivory
• Other: Metallic Copper Embroidery Floss, Bow Easy Tool, Piercer and Piercing Template, Adhesive Copper Glitter Pearls, Viva Copper Pearl Pen, Perfect Layer Rulers

Impression Obsession - CHA Brand New Releases!

Welcome to the first day of Blog Hopping with the Impression Obsession team! We are hopping all week long and have a prize up for grabs every day! Check the IO Blog for all the details - see who has eye candy and details on how to WIN! We are all showing off BRAND NEW images for your viewing pleasure! 

If your looking for my Outlines post it is just below this post.

THIS is my most favorite image from the new release... OK, I have a lot of favorites in the release... but I do LOVE this DOGWOOD TRIO! We have several pink and white Dogwoods in my yard, they are so pretty when they bloom. 

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black on Neenah Classic Crest Natural White (a soft ivory color). I used the out of the box technique and a large circle nestie to frame the image. I used these two grey Copics to color the background. 

I layered the image using a second die cut circle and finished coloring the image. The only color on the petals is a tiny bit of G20. I added some Crackle Accents over the yellow centers adding a touch of shine and texture.

The finished card consists of layers created with Spellbinder's Grand Circle Nesties and Grand Large Scallop Circles. A few of the layers are popped up with foam tape. I used a dab of Ultimate Glue to adhere the bow along the top. A few large gold pearls in between each scallop finished the card off.

• Stamps: by Impression Obsession - H12004 Dogwood
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Dark Green, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, Printed paper from Lily Bee's Paper Pad "Head over Heels"
• Other: Copics, Adhesive Pearls, Spellbinder's Grand Circle Nesties, Spellbinder's Grand Big Scalloped Circles, Spellbinder's Standard Circles, Bow Easy Tool, Crackle Accents

Follow Your Heart

The Outlines DT is showing off cards with the theme of "Follow Your Heart" today! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a gift certificate, find all the details on the Outlines Blog. Check out what hearts everyone used and how...

Lisa Silver - Kecia Waters - Sue Kment -  Jeanne Strieff - Julie Warner

I made a little mini Valentine card for today... the card measures 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" an opens at the bottom, tent style. I found out that this little heart image paired up nicely with the shape of the Cheery Lynn Heart die. I added some quick color to the image with Copics R46 and C9. I cut it out and then hand cut a black layer before I popped it up with foam tape on the red die cut.

• Stamps by Outlines: F-693 Triple Heart, AA-845 Tiny Happy Love Day 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Dp by Echo Park "Yours Truly" 6x6 paper pad, Red, White, Black
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Ribbon by SU, Red and Twine, Copic R46 and C9, Piercing Tool, CB folder by SU, Tag die by MFT, Cheery Lynn Heart Die Cut

Be Mine Valentine

 The challenge at the Cheery Lynn Designs Blog this week is Challenge 12 - Dry Embossing...so I thought I would make a fun little Valentine with this Cheery Lynn Celtic Heart Die and play along this week. No Copics here today, just simple stamping, die cuts and a layers. I cut the heart die and then glued it to white paper, carefully trimming around the edges of the red heart. I used two layers of foam tape to adhere the heart, since the bow was larger, the heart needed a little extra to be at the same level.

 I glued the white and red card stock to the printed paper and then stuck it halfway in the embossing folder... embossing the pattern up to the printed paper line. I added a black mat after I embossed the panel. Next, I used a band of 1/4" Scor Pal tape to wrap the twine around the panel. The panel is then popped up on to a white card base. I added the adhesive strip jewels around the heart border, easy to bend an entire strip in the heart shape. Glued a little floppy twine bow and topped it with a pearl to finish it off.

• Stamps: Be mine is from the set From the Heart by Flourishes
• Ink: Versamark Onyx Black
• Paper: DP is from Fancy Pants 6x6 pad " Love Collection", Red, White Black 
• Other: Cheery Lynn Celtic Heart Die, Bakers Twine from the Twinery, Bow Easy Tool, Foam Tape, 1/4" Scor Pal tape, Sizzix Embossing Folder

Valentine

The Serendipity Design Team is showing of Valentines cards today with a little twist. We could only use white and the card had to have dry embossing too. CHeck out what we all came up with for the challenge: 

Amy -  Kathie - Miriam - Jeanne - Sue

 We were to use all white and only white, the only color allowed was on the stamped images. AND it was a challenge for me! Good to challenge yourself every once in awhile. I tried to use dimension and texture to jazz it up a little bit. 

Here are the Copics I used to color the image. I used two circle nesties and popped the circles over the top edge of the card. Since it was all white and only white, I thought a different shape of a card would help make it more interesting. I also used a corner rounder on the four corners of the tent style card base.

• Stamps: all stamps by Serendipity - 421G Heart with Roses, 319D Happy Valentine
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Crimson Red
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: White 1/8" RIbbon by SU, Bow Easy Tool, Sizzix Embossing Folder, Copic Markers, Spellbinder's Circle Nesties

Wintery Blue

The Outlines DT is showing off cards with the color theme of "Feeling BLUE" today! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a gift certificate, find all the details on the Outlines Blog. Check out what BLUE creations the ladies came up with this week:

Lisa Silver - Kecia Waters - Sue Kment -  Jeanne Strieff - Julie Warner

 With the theme of BLUE for the challenge today, I went with a soft wintery blue. I thought this Flower Medallion image might make a fun faux snowflake. I stamped the "snowflake" twice on blue pattern paper from Bo Bunny's Welcome Home 6x6 paper pad. I cut the layers out and then hand cut a white on both of them. I used Spellbinder's Postage Nesties for one of the layers and also the Grand Scallop Squares for the card base.

I used my Japanese Screw Punch to add holes around the Postage Nestie. I used a large craft needle and threaded bakers twine around the layers. After layering the medallions with foam tape I added a sparkly button topped with a little twine bow in the center to of the card, under the button I added a little die cut white snowflake. It needed just a little more sparkle so a few Swarovski Clear Crystals around the snowflake points took care of that.

• Stamps: by Outlines - H-213 Flower Medallion 3
• Ink: Versamark and White Detail EP
• Paper: DP by BoBunny - Welcome Home 6x6 paper pad, Blue, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Spellbinder's Postage Nesties, Grand Scallop Squares, Caribbean Teal Twine, Swarovski CLear Crystals Size 7, Foam Tape, Japanese Screw Punch, Spellbinder's 2010 Snowflake Pendants, Misc. Button

From the heart....

New toys! Just got this new heart die cut set (Memory Box) and the new Flourishes Valentine Sentiments - Heartlines.... had to play with them right away. No Copics, just some die cuts and simple layers with a few little blingy crystals for a bit of sparkle. 

I used Perfect Layers Rulers to do all the straight line layers. I cut the lace heart and then a solid heart out of the polka dot papers using the Memory Box dies. I hand cut a small black layer around the hearts. I used foam tape to pop up both the heart and the sentiment. 

• Stamps: by Flourishes - Heartlines 
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by My Mind's Eye - Love Me 6x6 Paper Pad, Black, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White
• Other: Perfect Layers Rulers, Bow Easy Tool, Foam Tape, Polka Dot CB Folder, Adhesive Crystals, Heart Dies by Memory Box - LaRue Heart #98255 and Grand Heart #98254, Ribbon by SU

Heart Bee Hive

The Impression Obsession Team is showing off Oldies but Goodies today. Can't wait to see what everyone pulled from their stash to ink up for today. As always you can play along with a chance to win a gift certificate, check out all the details on the Impression Obsession Blog. Here are links to all the fun eye candy for today:

Dina, Julie, Jeanne, Laura, Vicki and Daniela

 I pulled out this fun beehive heart image and sat down to color. AND yes... needle and thread were used. The image was larger, so I wanted to do a little extra embellishing to dress it up. I pierced the holes and then hand stitched around the rectangle. 

 I airbrushed the background with RV34. I used the E 40's to color the hive and then added Y23 over it to give it a touch of yellow and brighten it up a little bit. 

I used Perfect Layers Rulers to add all the layers to my card. I added a little sparkle to the bee's wings. One the center of the flower and also the little red dots I added Viva Glass Effects Gel Pen to give it shine. 

• Stamps: by Impression Obsession - F2432 Heart Hive
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: DP by Lily Bee - Head over Heels 6x6 pad, Kraft, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Ribbon by SU, Viva Holo Glitter Pen, Viva Glass Effects Pen, Embroidery Floss, Piercing Tool and Template by SU, Copics

Monthly Calendars

Today the Serendipity Team is starting back up for the new year with our Design Team Challenges. Today we are all showing off different months and styles of calendars. 

Amy -  Kathie - Miriam - Jeanne

Jeanne Jachna is a new member to the Serendipity Team, make sure and stop by her blog for some eye candy! 

Welcome Jeanne, thrilled to have you with us!

Serendipity has several sets of the Calendar Months... all beautiful images! Makes it easy to create an entire year calendar. I added the little banner hanging down with "Santa's Coming" stamped in Versafine Crimson Red. I printed the calendars out on Neenah Classic Crest Natural White Paper, which is a soft ivory in color. The finished calendar measures 6x6. I used Dimensional SIlicone under the curved banner to keep it propped up. A few crystals, a little button and jute string bow to embellish. The paper is from Authentique's Wonder 6x6 paper pad, I cut it down to 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" and then added the two layered mats. To cut all the layers I used Perfect Layers Rulers.

 The calendar months measure 2.5" x 3" large enough to stand out but small enough to color quickly if you are doing sets. 
Above are the Copics I used.

 I went for a cool wintergreen color with a snowflake theme for January. 

You can see below I stamped two sizes of snowflakes on to the paper. You can find both snowflakes in the set Snowflake Flourishes. I used paper from Lily Bee's Memorandum paper pad to add the snowflakes to. I added die cut snowflakes popped up with foam tape; I used Spellbinder's 2010 Snowflake Pendants. I used a Viva Holographic Glitter pen to add sparkles!

You can see here I just used a few Copics to add color. I stamped the snowflakes with one of the newest Tim Holtz colors - Iced Spruce. I thought it was a great match to the paper colors and a great color overall! Again, the finished calendar for January also measures 6x6.

Love is in the Air...

The Outlines DT is showing off cards with the theme of "Love is in the Air" today! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a gift certificate, find all the details on the Outlines Blog. Check out what wintery treats the ladies came up with this week:

Lisa Silver - Kecia Waters - Sue Kment -  Jeanne Strieff - Julie Warner

 A fun and quick image to color for a whimsical Valentine card. Polka dot paper(s) always works for almost any card... in my opinion... and I thought the dots in the paper repeated the pattern of dots in the image too. Since the image was long and lean it left space for some ribbon extras! I use ScorPal tape to hold ribbon bands to cards.. holds it beautifully and I tuck the end in between a layer. The other little ribbon loops on this card are secured in the middle with a dab of Ultimate Glue.

 Above are the Copics I used for this card. You can see I stamped the image a second time and cut out a few elements to be popped up. I used Dimensional Silicone to pop them up. You can see the extra pieces added on to the card in the picture below.

I added some (not very even) piercing around the edge of the image and popped the panel up using foam tape. You can certainly dress this image up with crystals and pearls too, my coloring was pretty dark and I thought it had enough going on with the ribbon and bow along the side. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps by Outlines Rubber Stamps:  F-811 Tall Be Mine
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: B&W Polka dots from Bo Bunny's 6x6 pad Enchanted, Red Polka Dots from Echo Park 6x6 pad Yours Truly, Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Charcoal Metallic Card Stock
• Other: Dimensional Silicone, Perfect Layers Rulers, Piercing Tool, Bow Easy, Maraschino Red Twine, Copic Markers

Sweet and Simple

 A sweet and simple little Valentine's card today. I used Spellbinder's Labels 1 to frame the sentiment and then hand cut the pink and black layer.

 You can see the Copics I used to color the roses. I colored each rose completely with the lighter pink, then I went back and did the detail coloring with the darker pink. I airbrushed the sentiment panel with R85.

 I added a band around the center of the card, after embossing with a CB folder. I used a Clear Viva Pearl Pen to add random swirls over each rose. The Viva pen dries clear and glossy and keeps the raised dimension. After it is dried the glossy shine definitely catches the eye.

You can see in this pic that the Clear Viva Pearl Pen dried clear, but it does not show off the shine or dimension very well. I added layers to the card using Perfect Layers Rulers - 1/16" and 1/18" edges. Christmas is over and it's time to make some Valentines! Be sure and check out the Valentine's Day Section from Impression Obsession!

• Stamps: by Impression Obsession Make Life Rosy L8671, Love Always D8675 (Stamps available soon on line)
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Pink, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Viva Pearl Pen Clear, Perfect Layers Rulers, Polka Dot CB Folder, Copics, Spellbinder's Labels One

Snowman Scene

The Outlines DT is showing off cards with the theme of Winter Wonderland today! You can play along with us each week for a chance to win a gift certificate, find all the details on the Outlines Blog. Check out what wintery treats the ladies came up with this week:

Lisa Silver - Kecia Waters - Sue Kment -  Jeanne Strieff - Julie Warner

 I used the Snowman Scene image to cut out a small square featuring the snowman.

 I stamped the image in Memento London Fog Grey ink. I did outline some of the image with a black fine tip marker, adding a little more definition. Above you can see the Copics I used to color the image.

Lots of layers made quickly with the Perfect Layer Rulers. I hand cut the little banner and attached a little button and jute string bow. I added some white stitch marks along the outside edge using a White Signo Gel Pen.

• Stamps: all stamp by Outlines - I-651 Snowman Scene, AA-858 Tiny Thinking of You
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento London Fog
• Paper: Kraft, Blue, Misc. Blue DP
• Other: Jute String, Bow Easy Tool, Perfect Layer Rulers, Button, Spellbinder's Lacey Squares, White Signo Gel Pen, CB folder by SU

Be Mine

 I had a chance to ink up some new images from Impression Obsession. They will be available in the online store this week. Over at Our Creative Corner the challenge for this week is to create a shaped card.... so I thought I would make a fun little Valentine with my new rubber. Spellbinder's Fleur de Lis Rectangles made easy work of creating a shaped base for this little Valentine.

No Copics on this, just good old fashioned stamping and cutting! I used paper from Echo Park's 6x6 pad Yours Truly.... cute and fun Valentine's prints! I hand cut the charcoal mat around the heart and popped the heart up with foam tape. The other layers I used Perfect Layers Rulers to add a 1/16th edge with the charcoal paper.

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - B8660 Thin Stripe Heart, C8695 Be Mine (I'll add links in here as soon as they are available on line)
• Ink: Versafine Crimson Red, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Echo Park Yours Truly 6x6 Pad, Red, Charcoal Metallic Paper
• Other: Ribbon by SU, Bow Easy Tool, Perfect Layers Rulers, Spellbinder's Fleur de Lis Rectangles, White Embroidery Floss, Adhesive Pearls, Foam Tape, Button by Basic Grey 

Hearts and Flowers

The Impression Obsession team is all about Hearts and Flowers today. That's the challenge... hearts and or flowers somewhere on your card. I got 'em both... plus a cute cat! As always you can play along and WIN, check out the Impression Obsession Blog for all the details. See what the team created today: Dina, Julie, Jeanne, Laura, Vicki, Daniela 

I used the out of the box technique to frame the kitty. You can see the Copics I used to color the image. It is a quick and easy image to color because there is already so much shading in the stamp itself. I did use a black Micron pen to outline the little heart frame glasses... I wanted them to stand out a little more and outlining them helped that.

 The layers are all popped up with foam tape. After I added everything to the card, I used Copic Opaque White and a small paintbrush to add some white hairs back in to the cat fur. I used a Viva White Pearl Pen to add a pearl center to each flower. On the sunglasses I added a little Glossy Accents to add a little shine.

I used a piece of pattern paper and stamped the sentiment on the inside panel of the card. I used a marker to color the heart red. Finished card is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - Tuxedo #F7533, Greeting Card Sentiments CL342
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by Echo Park - 6x6 Yours Truly, Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Ribbon by SU, Copics, Spellbinder's Heart Circles, Spellbinder's Circles, Glossy Accents, Copic Opaque White, Perfect Layer Rulers

Happy New Year!

 Honestly, I have no idea what color the blossoms on pear trees are, but I wanted a little pink on my card.... inspired by the little pink spot on the DP in the bottom right corner. So for me, the blossoms are pink today to match that tiny pink spot. I did google it just now and pear blossoms are only WHITE. The Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful Challenge is "The Beauty of Bling"... requiring pearls or crystals to embellish. Easy Peasy! You can see the green pearls that are around the frame's edges. I had yet to play with the pear set and I have been itching to color these pears since they arrived! I pulled out an older Spellbinder's set S5-011 Scalloped Edge Frames to layer with my image.

 Here are the Copics I used. I used the greys to add a shadow around the edges. I'm not entirely sure I am pleased with my pear colors. I think they turned out more Granny Smith Apple Green than the color of a pear. I did add some YG91 in the pears, and it does not show up in the pic very well, but I think I need more brown in the mix. I usually google images to kind of get a sense of what colors to pull, but I thought I could do a pear on my own! Hmmm. 

I hand cut the little New Year Banner and added DImensional Silicone to pop it up. I used pale ivory embroidery floss for my bow, adding color by dragging a Copic R22 over before I tied it. A few 1/16" edge layers to the image, created with Perfect Layer Rulers. I did use a little foam tape to lift up the frame and pears, finish things off.

• Stamps: all stamps by FLourishes - Pears, Holiday Greetings
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Misc. Peach DP, Misc. Green DP, Metallic Charcoal card stock, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Embroidery Floss, Copics, Perfect Layer Rulers, Foam Tape, Dimensional Silicone, Button by Basic Grey, Adhesive Grey Pearls

a sweet start to the new year.......

Happy New Year! 

I'm back after taking a little blog break for the Holidays! Today starts off the New Year with a Sketch Challenge from Outlines. As always, you are invited to play along with us for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate. Find all the details of how to play at the Outlines Blog.

Check out what the team created with this sketch:

Lisa Silver - Kecia Waters - Sue Kment -  Jeanne Strieff 

AND today we welcome Julie Warner to the team!

Love having a sketch to spark the first idea! I covered the entire card front with the DP and then started adding the layers. The Sketchy Cupcake image actually has some balloons and confetti too, but I only inked up the cupcake and sentiment for this one.

Above are the Copic Markers I used to color the sweet treat. I used BG10 to add a little glow around the outside of the image.

After coloring the image I used an embossing folder to add texture to the entire image panel. I dabbed a little glitter on the candle flame using the Viva Glitter Pen. Along the scallops I added a few Swarovski Crystals to brighten things up with a bit of sparkle! Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Outlines: H-1016 Sketchy Cupcake
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
• Paper: Neenah Classic Natural White, DP by My Mind's Eye "Vanity Fair" 6x6 paper pad
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Border Punch by SU, Ribbon by SU, Swarovski Crystals - Light Rose (size 12), Copics, Holographic Glitter Pen, Embossing Folder by Sizzix