One More for the Food Fun!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
Happy Monday and Happy June!

In my last post I shared a card I make with the fun Impression Obsession stamp set "Birthday Wishes". It was still on my craft table and I simply wasn't ready to put it away. So, here we go again with the current challenge "Play With Your Food"!

For this card I decided to try a technique that Jennifer McGuire shared on a recent blog post. She calls this the "Distress Stencil Technique "https://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2020/05/distress-stencils-new-distress-color-discount-code-giveaway.html. I actually used Distress Oxide Inks for my panel and it worked just fine.

The technique involves heavily inking a panel and running it through a die-cutting machine with a stencil and a baby wipe. There was a learning curve for me. My first stencil was too detailed - larger images seem to work best - and I had to adjust the pressure with paper shims. But I finally got it and I really like it!

I used this festive rainbow striped panel for my card. I colored the cake with Copics and cut it out. The banner on the cake is paper-pieced and lifted for added dimension. I had a portion of a glitzy doily from my previous post, so I used it to set off the image. In keeping with the colorful party theme I added some terrific reflective letters (they REALLY are - I had difficulty photographing this without getting my face on the letters!), Wink of Stella, Stickles and lots of dimension.

Talk about playful....don't you want to dance at this party?

Thanks so much for the visit - stay well and keep crafty.

More Impression Obsession Fun!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!
I have been having so much fun playing along with the Impression Obsession challenges. With this Shelter-In-Place I really needed something to kick-start my card-making momentum and this has been the answer. I love looking through my IO stamps and coming up with new and fun ways to use them.

The current challenge is "Play With Your Food!". How funny is that? Well, I don't have many food-themed stamps but I decided to stretch it a bit and play along.

I get such a kick out of this stamp set (CL826, "Birthday Wishes"). The flamingo makes my heart happy and the sentiment is hilarious. It looks like it is on sale, too.

I stamped the images and colored them with Copics. I don't mind "fussy cutting", so I did. I decided to make the flamingo look like he is hanging the "is just" sign onto the party banner. I used some fun patterned paper, a glitzy doily, Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella, Sickles and lots of dimension to put this together.

Thanks for the visit! You have until June 2nd to play along.

Mothers

Just a quick post today to share a simple, but heartfelt, card. Since I no longer have my dear Mom and I've never been one, I really don't have any "Mother's Day" themed stamps. But I have always loved this sentiment stamp ("Near to My Heart" C13453 by Dina Kowal) from Impression Obsession. I paired it up with some old Graphic 45 "Domestic Goddess" paper that I have been holding for years to create a sort of homage to Mom.

Although my Mom was a hard-working Registered Nurse, when I was young I loved the smell of my bed sheets if they were hung on the line to dry. So, even when she was probably too tired to do it, she almost always did that - and so much more - for me. I still miss her everyday even though she has been gone now for 30 years.

I am submitting this to the "Moms Rule" challenge at the Impression Obsession Blog. Check it out!

Thanks for the visit - and call your Mom and tell her you love her if you are lucky enough to be able to.

TICKLED (but not pink!)!

Good Morning!

As we begin our 8th week of "Shelter In Place" here in California, I have been busy making lots of cards of appreciation and support.

Today I needed a little extra happy and I see that one of my favorite stamp companies, Impression Obsession, is offering a challenge called "Tickled". So, even though I'm coming to the party late, I had to jump in.

I can't believe that I made this wack-o card! So many weird colors and patterns with no continuity. I'm glad that none of my old design professors will see it. But it was fun and it made my heart happy to be a little silly.

For this card I went very crazy with the "Baby Giraffe" stamp set (#WP771) by Dina Kowal. I have used this beloved set for so many special cards, but (sorry, Dina!) I took some serious liberties with it today. The neck scarf became a crazy hat and I added some google eyes and a fun sentiment (#D17212) by Yvonne Blair.

Thanks for the visit and for indulging my crazy (this sure isn't genius - ha!),

Beautiful in its Time

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I had more fun making this card! I wanted a super-soft background so that this stunning sentiment would be the star. I stamped the Impression Obsession "Shell Frame Collage" stamp (F13025) with Antique Distress Oxide Ink onto a watercolor paper panel. After it dried, I watercolored it with Distress Markers and water, adding soft layers of color. I then over-stamped it with Tea Dye Distress Ink to bring out the details. I love it!

This stunning sentiment, "He Made Everything" (D19107), was heat-embossed with Mermaid pigment ink and clear embossing powder. I added some pearls and sequins and mounted the image on some coordinating colors.

I can't wait to keep playing with these two terrific stamps! Just as before, I will enter this in the current Impression Obsession blog challenge, "Pop Up Your Words!".

Thanks for the visit,

Jumping the Rope

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Gate-Fold Card

My card making marathon continues. Today I elected to make a gate-fold card, something I haven't done in a very long time. I went for a brilliant color pop, using bright fascia cardstock and some Distress Inks with a stencil. The silly sentiment seems a perfect and fun match. It is "Genius is Crazy" by Impression Obsession.

Inside of card

I added some color droplets and a fun stripe on the inside panel to complete the look.


Because this is another card that features the sentiment, I will submit it to the current Impression Obsession Challenge, "Pop Up Your Words!"

Thanks for the visit and have a terrific week,

Near To My Heart

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy weekend! I have been behind on my card making lately, so I'm having somewhat of a marathon. Today's card is for my dear 98-year Aunt who lives in Upstate New York. She has a special place in my heart.

I created a background by "smooching" Distress Oxide Inks onto a watercolor paper panel. Love those rich tones! I heat-embossed this wonderful Impression Obsession sentiment (Near to My Heart, C13453) with coffee pigment ink and added a two-piece dimensional butterfly (IO DIE-255Y) and some sequins to complete the card.

I love the autumn feel of the card and that this sentiment is in the spotlight. Since it is, I will submit it to the current challenge at the IO blog, "Pop Up Your Words".

Then I need to get this in Tuesday's mail, as I am going to be visiting my Aunt soon and I want it to arrive before I do!

Thanks for the sweet visit and have a great Sunday,

Advice from a Mountain

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies:

Easel Card - Closed

We are members of a Hiking Club and go on lots of adventures with them. When someone leads a special excursion, I like to make them a special card to thank them for doing it. This stamp from Impression Obsession is just perfect.

Easel Card - Open

For this easel card I made a background panel using metallic Mica Gloss inks (JudiKins) on a black panel. I cut a portion of the stamped image as a "stopper" for the easel portion of the card. This was a bit of a struggle, and it is difficult to effectively photograph, but I do like the result. I used the IO Hollyhocks die (DIE 169-R) as an embellishment.

I plan to submit this to the current Impression Obsession Challenge - "Pop Up Your Words!". You have until September 4th to submit your masterpieces.

For my American friends, I hope you are having a great Labor Day weekend. We are finally enjoying some cooler temperatures and skies free of some from California fires. Take care and thanks for the visit,

Oh, Hollyhocks!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I'm using one of my all-time favorite dies today (and I'm not even a "flower person" - but I was in the 1960's - ha!). It is the Hollyhocks Die DIE1690-R from Impression Obsession. I cut it out twice, once in light purple and one is a deep green - one of my happiest color combos! These look great on the background I made with Distress Oxide Inks. I used a stencil and the "smooching" technique on watercolor paper, again in my happy color combination! I paired this with a lovely sentiment called "Near to My Heart" by Kowal for Impression Obsession.

Yes, these are happy colors for me. So, this is appropriately headed to the current Impression Obsession challenge, "Happy Colors!".

Actually most colors make me happy, how about you?

Thanks for the visit and have a great week!

"Shell" - fie

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I couldn't help myself! I had such fun creating this card with some great Impression Obsession products.

I hope you can see the lovely textural photo-quality sky that is provided by the "Clouds Cover-A-Card" cling stamp. It's very cool. IO has a big variety of these "Cover-A-Card" stamps. Their size, square shape and terrific designs make them so versatile.

I also used the "Instant Photo Frame" dies (which include the frame, the cute photo corners and the "smile" die!) on some glittery DCWV paper and the "Ocean Border" dies. Mr Crab is cut with the "Crab" Die from a scrap of paper I inked with Alcohol Inks .

This guy is headed to the Impression Obsession's current challenge, "All that Glitters".

Summer's on the way - wishing you sand between your toes! Thanks for the visit,

Glitter and Alcohol Do Mix!

HI, Bloggin' Buddies!

Well, I've been bitten by the alcohol ink bug! Once I started, I couldn't stop. Isn't it funny how what was old can be new again? I almost got rid of my alcohol inks because I didn't think I'd ever use them again.  Now I wish I'd saved my white "GO-Go" boots and and stirrup stretch pants from the 1960's!

I inked three pages of 5" x 7" Yupo paper and I managed to get 11 cards made from them! I'll be sharing some of rest of them soon.

Todays card was inspired by the current challenge, "All that Glitters!", at the Impression Obsession Blog. and the "Simon Says: Sparkle and Shine" Challenge on the Wednesday Challenge Blog.

I've said before what a big fan I am of Impression Obsession. I've been using their products since the late 1990's and, while their designs keep pace with current trends, there are so many that are timeless.

This card uses a piece of my alcohol inked paper and a glittery (sorry - after several attempts, I just wasn't able to capture all the glittery goodness in my photo) copper card stock from DCWV.  The die is the "Good Wishes Word Block" and is perfect for layering over fun backgrounds. I don't know the origin of the flower - I found it in my stash, probably stamped years ago at some crop. It is colored with Copics and dusted with Wink of Stella.

Please some and play along, and I urge you to. Challenges, especially sparkly ones, are good for the dull soul - ha!

Thanks for the visit and have a great week!

Flip-Flop Time?

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I am so ready for some real warm weather! How about you? My mind is always headed to the ocean, so I made this card to get in the mood. And, I had to use these cool new flip-flop dies. Love 'em!

This card showcases supplies by Impression Obsession, a company I have been using for years. Their products tend to be timeless - no matter what the "current trends" are, I continue to reach for many of their great designs.

I heat-embossed the "Shells Cling Background" onto watercolor paper and ink blended with Distress Inks. The dies I've used are 175-W ("smile"), 183-L (flip-flops) and 007-W (shells).

I will be submitting this to the current IO Challenge on the IO Blog. It is "Pink & Green", something I never would have used had it not been for this challenge. That is what I love - challenges that stretch my limits.

Wishing you sand between your toes and thanks for the visit,

Clean and Simple with Impression Obsession

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have a card I prepared using some of my favorite Impression Obsession products - one "oldie" and one more recent - to make a card for the current challenge, "Clean and Simple" over at their blog.

I have been using IO products for years. My oldie today is their terrific butterfly die set, DIE255-Y. It is so sweet and so versatile. The new one (to me, anyway) is a stamp that I got in most recent haul. It is #C13453 by Dina Kowal. Isn't it perfect? It sure works for me, as I have so many loved ones far away.

I used one of my hand-made alcohol ink backgrounds which provided enough interest for this clean and simple design. It is a little difficult to photograph because there is quite a shine, since I used some metallic mixatives. Are sequins considered clean and simple? I simply had to throw caution to the wind and add some!

Thanks for the visit and have a wonderful week,

Dogwood

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

My Aunt loves Dogwoods and it will soon be her 97th birthday, so I made her a card using the Impression Obsession's Dogwood Cling stamp (Aislinn Adams, F12003) and my Gansai Tambi watercolors. I heat-embossed the image using Memento Luxe ink. I don't think this process did this lovely image justice, so the next time I think I'll try a different watercolor medium. I also got a bit carried away with my splatters! I have never been a fan of yellow - I hardly ever use it - but it is her favorite color, so.......Ah, well.

The sentiment is also from Impression Obsession (MC657 Wishes).

I will submit this to the Impression Obsession Blog current challenge "Birthday Wishes"). There is still time for you to play along!

Thanks for the visit and for being patient as I work through trials with watercoloring!

I'm Obsessed!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, I am - with Impression Obsession products and (as you know) mermaids! I love some of the new products that have from Impression Obsession, especially some of the sentiments, and will use some on future projects. Today I decided to combine some of my favorites for an ocean-inspired birthday card to submit for the current challenge at  the IO Blog.

I'm not sure what the name of this type of card is (half gate-fold?) but I haven't made one in a long time and thought it would be perfect to highlight this delightful mermaid.

Impression Obsession products I used are the mermaid by Lindsay Ostrom D19179 which I colored with Copic Pens, Wishes stamp set MC657, and my all-time favorite shell die set, DIE 077-W. I added an embossing folder by Darice and an older heart punch from Stampin Up and lots of Wink of Stella for sparkle.

Isn't she swimingly adorable? Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for the visit,

Longing for You!

Howdy, Bloggin' Buddies!

It's that time of year - love is in the air! I am a huge fan of hearts (but only one fella has mine!), so I use them throughout the year. Needless to say, I have a hefty stash.

One of my best pals is nuts about giraffes, so when I saw this adorable Impression Obsession stamp set, I knew it had to be mine. I've used this company's products for decades and I've always thought that their artists are terrific!

I colored this guy (aren't the eyes wonderful?) with Copic markers and added a small heart that I die-cut from some fun foam and some sequins from my stash. The sentiment is cut from a Tim Holtz/ Sizzix label die.

I'll be submitting this to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, "It must be love". Check it out and play along!

Thanks for the visit and wishing you lots of love,

A New Year filled with Creative Potential!

Happy New Year, Bloggin' Buddies!

I hope that all of your holidays were filled with loving memories and that you are once again ready to get inky! I thrive on my "normal" routine, so I am READY.

Here is a little gem to start the year with a sparkle. I made this card for a dear friend who shares my love of mermaids. The sentiment is from Reverse Confetti's "Shine from Within" set. Love it!

The mermaid is an older stamp from Unity designed by Suzi Blu called "Elena Seaside". I watercolored her in an ombre style with Zig Clear Color Markers and a water brush and I added lots of Wink of Stella and Stickles for extra sparkle. Super-artsy, eh? She is mounted on a panel that was watercolored using an emboss-resist technique for which the Impression Obsession "Shells" background stamp was used. Cold press watercolor paper was used for stamping both pieces.

I think this card represents a perfect tone for my New Year - I plan to try to keep it in mind every single day.

Thanks for the visit and welcome to 2018,

Pretty?!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Judi of Judikins at Paper Garden Boutique

We are safe from the California fires, but know many who are in harm's way. It is so sad - so much devastation in so many places! Praying for all who are suffering.

I was recently lucky enough to take a couple of classes at Paper Garden Boutique from the amazing Judikins. Judi and her husband Rob have an amazing array of products and stamps which they sell on their websites, at conventions and at "pop-up" shops. What a fun day.

We made some wonderful backgrounds using their unique Mica Gloss inks. Such shine (which unfortunately isn't done justice in my photo)! I used one for today's card.

I wanted to use my new stamp set called "You're Pretty" from Neat and Tangled which I believe was designed just for me.

Why do I say that? Because, for those of you who know me, the way someone looks is the LAST thing on earth I think about. So I love the idea of sending someone a card that says "You're Pretty" on the front. It will cause some second thoughts. But the sentiment  on the inside is the sentiment that "all me"! There are several in the set and I love them ALL!

I was inspired by the sketch on the current Little Tangles Challenge Blog with which I ended taking some liberties, but I plan to enter it anyway.

I also used an old (and dear) Hero Arts set (CL383) to stamp a butterfly on the inside and the envelope and some butterfly dies by Impression Obsession (DIE255-Y).



I love this card which is headed to one of my dearest fitness instructors.

Remember that we are ALL pretty! Stay safe and, as always, for the visit.

Sparkle on!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I have made some progress on my Halloween cards but I don't want to post them until they reach their recipients. Maybe late next week.

I have a wonderful young friend who shares my love of mermaids. She is super-creative and has an Etsy shop where she sells her sparkly and Disney-inspired creations. This is the special card I made for her.

The mermaid is an older Unity stamp by Suzi Blu called "Elena Seaside". I love her unique style. I used Zig clear color markers to watercolor her and added sparkle with Wink of Stella and Stickels.

The sentiment ("Shine from Within") is one I finding myself reaching for more and more (the world needs all the sparkle possible!) by Reverse Confetti (I used it recently here).

The background is Distress Ink watercolored onto a panel I heat-embossed with the "Shells" background stamp by Impression Obsession layered on top of some DCWV glitter paper.

Thanks for the visit and have a weekend full of sparkle and joy,

Hooray for Hollyhocks

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Another card today using Brushos. These backgrounds are such fun and so versatile. On this one I added some hollyhocks with a slight off-set back shadow. Die is from Obsession Impression - an old favorite.

The  sentiment is "Block Out" by Little B, such a great set for a fun look.

Keeping it short today - a busy and fun weekend ahead. Have a great one and thanks for the visit,