Happy Holidays!

Hello!  Time for another Great Impressions card for you.  And, alas, this is my last post as a design team member.  These past 6 months have been so fun!  I will miss you all!

I've made not one, not two, but THREE cards this round. First up, I had to have the H203 Magical Tree stamp the moment I saw it.  It's so gorgeous!  I had a bunch of ideas but settled on this one.Here I used designer paper that had the look of layered stamping without all the fuss and muss.  I then stamped the tree using a matching blue.  I decided to emboss the panel for textural interest before adding the Tim Holtz star.

For my second card, I used a stencil in the background, sort of like bokeh lights and another stencil with glitter paste for the tree.  I wish you could see the sparkle in real life.  I like the swirls in the F621 Holidays sentiment with the other rounded elements too.

For my final card, I went ultra simple and modern with a one layer card using F621 Holidays and G496 Evergreen Wreath.  You may recall I have used this stamp before.  Totally different effect, right?

Well, there you have it.  I've enjoyed my time with Great Impressions and with you!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!  

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Bewitched

Do you remember the show Bewitched?  I remember there were 2 Darwins or was that Darwood?  Derwent?  Her mom cracked me up.  Anyway, I colored this card in with Derwent watercolor pencils without water.  I love especially the blues on the kraft.  Yummy.

The Details:  Derwent watercolor pencils, Hero Arts Everything Flower Background, Altenew Birthday Greetings, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Versamark, VersaMagic Turquoise Gem, PTI kraft cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, Waltzingmouse stitched scalloped rectangle die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

I'm entering this in Seize the Birthday (without red and white topping), Mod Squad Anything Goes, A2Z Scrapbooking Dimension with Hero Arts

Another Poinsettia or Two

I'm definitely getting my money's worth out of the poinsettia stamp.  When I'm in the mood, I am sooooo in the mood.  The first card was watercolored with Kuretake.  I love the vibrancy of the color.   The second card was done with metallic Gelatos and gouache.  A totally different look, no?  You can barely see the shimmer in the poinsettia but in real life it's really quite striking.

Card 1 Details:  Kuretake watercolors, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Hero Arts Merry Christmas Messages, VersaFine Onyx Black, Ranger Archival Jet Black, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb cardstock base

Card 2 Details:  Metallic Gelatos, Strathmore 140lb mixed media paper, Recollections gold foil cardstock and 110lb white cardstock base, mystery shimmer silver cardstock, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Waltzing Mouse Stitched Scalloped rectangle dies, Paper Studio embossing folder

I'm entering Card 1 in Holly Jolly Anything Goes and Card 2 in  Simon Says Wednesday Die Crazy

CASEing Loll

I have been receiving the most amazing cards this season, including this one from Loll.  Super fantastic, right?  I CASEd it, going all mixed media shaker on it.  The trees are fabric dyes, glass bead gel and Dreamweaver embossing paste.  The vellum is spattered with pigment ink.  The background is sponged with distress ink.  Inside the shaker is a multi-crystal glitter mix.  The sentiment is chalk ink.  Thanks to Lenae for the diecut border--enabling me yet again. :)

The Details:  VersaMagic Turquoise Green, Jacquard Acid Dyes 624, 627, 602, Impression Obsession Small Bird Set and Evergreen Trees dies, Stampendous Multi-Crystal glitter mix, Distress Ink Tumbled Glass, Stampin' Up Wonderland sentiment, MFT border die, Dreamweaver embossing paste

I'm entering this in Mixed Media Card Challenge #18 Celebration, Shopping Our Stash #231 Let It Snow,  Color Throwdown #373 Anything Goes Christmas, Christmas Cards All Year 'Round CAS, Simon Says Wednesday Die Crazy,

Fair Isle

I wanted to try an experiment with a new crackle paste.  It turned out it was just a little bit runny for using with a stencil but I love the result.  It looks very organic on top of the Gelli plate print.  I mounted it on a pale pale gray (my favorite gray!!) and the lot of a white card base.  The diecut snowflake was cut from a crackled cardstock panel.  Love!

The Details:  Tim Holtz stencil and star, Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes die, Finnabair white crackle texture paste, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, Waltzing Mouse stitched scalloped rectangle dies, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, Hero Arts Merry Christmas Messages (interior)

I'm entering this in Happy Little Stampers Star, Shopping Our Stash #231 Snow, Simon Says Die Crazy

Silent Night, Holy Night

Photographing this card made me want to throw away my camera!  The blue you see here bleaches out the teal tones which is my favorite part of the background.  So put on your teal-colored glasses before reading on.

The background was created with a lot (oopsie) of powdered dye which left a nice texture.  It also meant the dye hadn't all soaked into the paper and would blue up everything it touched  so I coated the background with matte Mod Podge.  I next spattered white pigment ink as well as used a pigment pen for the larger dots.  Definitely a Milky Way effect.

I created the winter scene using Stampin' Up's Sleigh Ride dies with foam adhesive for the sleigh layer to pop it up more.  Next I embossed the layer behind with Stampin' Up/Sizzix Falling Snow folder then ran it through again to diecut the rectangle.  This made the snow dots more subtle.  On the inside the card has a lovely Simon Says Inside Holiday Greetings sentiment.

Can't you just imagine the chill in the air and being all wrapped up and cozy warm with your sweetie?  The closest I've ever come to a sleigh ride was a snowmobile.  Doesn't quite have the same romantic vibe, hey?

I'm entering this in AAA #54 Silent Night, Holy Night CAS, Paperminutes #413 Winter Greetings, Simon Says Wednesday Die Crazy, Daring Card Makers All Wrapped Up

Crazy Jolly Bird

I am late in jumping on the Bird Crazy bandwagon but here I am!  I thought they were ugly when I first saw them but next thing you know, I love them--like Smurfs when I was a kid.  I don't have the accessory stamps (hint, hint) so I paired it up with a hat from my stash.  Too cute!  I also used the Snow Pen.  Used Copics to color, of course.  I thought it looked a bit odd for the bird to be looking up at nothing so added the stars.  I feel better now.  :)

The Details:  Tim Holtz Bird Crazy and stars, Avery Elle North Pole, Memento Love Letter, Marvy Uchida Snow Pen, Simon Says stitched rectangle and Waltzing Mouse scalloped stitched rectangle dies, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, Copic 0, Y00, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y26, Y28, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18, C1, C3, C5

I'm entering this in Little Miss Muffet #127 Holiday Cheer, The Male Room #25 Christmas or Seasonal Greetings, City Crafter #292 The Heat is On (heat embossing), Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #49 X is for Xmas, Make My Monday Wings at Christmas

Magic Wand

Hello!   Time for another Great Impressions card for you.

This time I'm using C492 Stenciled Pine Cone and E738 More Beautiful.  I created the background behind the fab sentiment by stamping the pine cone in Ranger Perfect Medium then brushing over it with gold Perfect Pearls.  It has an amazing soft glow in real life.  I added the die cut pine branches in white to add further depth to the card.  I love how elegant this turned out in no small part to the stamps, right?!

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Warmest Wishes

Well, I have some exciting news for you today--I'm joining the inaugural Stamplorations CAS team!!  Yay!!!  We start in January so be sure to check back to see what mischief we get up to!

More great news!  I've made a second card for the 2015 Winter/Holiday Coffee Lover's Blog Hop!  The sentiment is Simon Says Inside Holiday Greetings but I don't know what the coffee cups are.  I think they're Amy's stamps???  Colored with Copics, of course.  I did play around with ombre given the hubabaloo about the Starbucks cups this season.  Good practice.

I was inspired by the December Curtain Call Milk and Cookies inspiration pic, Paperminutes #413 Winter Greetings,  Simon Says Wednesday Die Crazy  

Holiday Leftovers

I made a ton of prints from my Gelli plate when I was practicing and am now starting to use them.  This one is just brayered acrylic, probably 2, maybe 3, colors, every which way.  The card is based on one of the make n takes Kimberly brought along to our crafty gathering.  The card below uses the leftover stencil created when we made a stag card also designed by Kimberly.  Thanks, Kimberly! 

Card 1 Details:  Liquitex Basics Acrylics, VersaFine Onyx Black, Glossy Accents, Simon Says Stitched rectangle, Hero Arts ornament die, silver elastic cord (found in the beading section at Michael's), foam tape, Doodlebug sequins, Recollections 110lb cardstock base


Card 2 The Details:  Stampin' Up/Sizzix Woodland embossing folder and Xmas Greetings die, Bo Bunny Blueberry Glitter Paste, Fantast/x frost white all-purpose ink

I'm entering Card 1 in Shopping Our Stash #230 UFOs.  Darn!  I was too late!  Also entering A2Z Scrapbooking Hero Arts Dimension

I'm entering Card 2 in Virginia's View #21 All About Glitter, The Male Room #25 Christmas or Seasonal Greetings     

Bold Bluebirds

Another stamp I've had for ages and am not sure I've ever worked up.  Well, I love how it turned out.  I wanted bold and colorful and definitely achieved that--LOL.  I love the simple sentiment too.  If you look closely, you can see that I used a Marvy Uchida Snow Marker which puffs up with the application of heat.  Just as someone might go overboard bedazzling everything, I may start besnowing left and right!

The Details:  Stampendous Winter Birds, Marvy Uchida Snow Marker, VersaFine Onyx Black, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, Neenah 140lb solar white cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, A Muse sentiment

Copics:  B21, B24, B26, E02, R21, R14, R17, R29, Y26, Y28 (bird); G21, G24, G29, E51, E53, E55 (scarf and hats); G28 (pine needles); E27, E29 (branch)

I'm entering this in Fusion (inspired by birds and greenery), Cupcake Inspirations #340 (inspired by colors and cuteness), Penny Black Anything Goes   
Update:  also entering Merry Monday Wings at Christmas

Bokeh Snowflakes

I had everything ready to go for this card since last Christmas but never got around to assembling it.  It was like having a card kit all ready to go in my stash--neat!  Very simple make of designer paper, two layers of vellum beneath the diecut frame and an embossed sentiment.  Tres elegant!

The Details: Hot off the Press Christmas Cheer sentiment, Spellbinders die I think, Paper Studio vellum, Versamark, Recollections silver detail embossing powder, 110lb black and 110lb white cardstock, Bo Bunny DP, glossy accents

I'm entering this in Fab 'n' Funky #285 Snowflakes, Tuesday Throwdown #273 Snowflakes, Shopping Our Stash #230 UFOs   

The Nice List

I have had this stamp since last year although I soon discovered it was beyond my then coloring abilities.  I wish I had saved some of those attempts to do a comparison to now.  I love how this turned out . . . finally.  I'm jumping for joy too!

The Details:  Whimsy Stamps Santa's Glee, Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up/Sizzix Snow embossing folder, Simon Says stitched rectangle die
Copics:  background B0000, B000, B00, B21, 0; fur C0, C00, 0; skin E0000, E00, E02; hair T0, T1, 0; mouth R14, R20, R22; list E50, E51; boots and belt C5, C7, C9; suit R22, R24, R27, R29, R39; buckle Y15, Y17, YR24

I'm entering this in Addicted to CAS #78 Joy,  Fantasy Stampers #51 CAS Christmas   

Cheers!

The 2015 Winter/Holiday Coffee Lover's Blog Hop has begun!  My creation is the cutest make 'n take that the fabulous Lenae brought for us last weekend at Amy's.  That girl is super genius at using designer paper and coming up with adorable cards, isn't she?  I did sort of make it my own by using the flip side of the paper.  Love the design either way!

Bright and Happy Penguins

Hello!   Time for another Great Impressions card for you.

I am so happy with this card.  I don't often use designer paper but I remembered I had some ornament paper that would be perfect.  It turned out so colorful and cute!  I used H273 Joyful Penguins, coloring the image based on the designer paper.  I finished it off with B229 Happy Hearts.   Cute cute cute!

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Mixed Media Happiness

Time for the second ever  Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge.  This month it's Anything Goes.  And we mean anything.  Objects, layouts, cards, ATCs, just anything your heart desires.  Why not share with us some of the holiday goodness you've been working on?

For my card I upcycled some fancy tissue paper I received in a gift last Christmas.  So hip and now.  Love it!  I applied it to mixed media paper with Mod Podge before die-cutting it with the stitched rectangle die.  I die cut the frame pieces out of scrap kraft cardstock and mounted it on foam after I painted it with Distress Stain.  That stuff dries really quickly which was a pleasant surprise.  Finally I die cut the remaining pieces out of scrap gold cardstock and finished off the card with a wooden snowflake.  Notice the peace die cut has dots?  The die comes like that and I guess the gold cardstock is thick enough to form an impression as it goes through.  For this card I like the effect lots--like rivets.

The Details:  Stampin' Up Peace die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, My Favorite Things Chalkboard Frame Builder die, Memory Box Deer Trio die, Impression Obsession Birch Tree die, Modge Podge, PTI kraft and 140lb cardstock base, Strathmore Mixed Media paper

Update:  I'm entering this in Virginia's View #21 All About Glitter

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

Today is the fabulous Lisa Lara's birthday!   She's a fun lady with seriously mad coloring skills.  She's like my sensei when it comes to coloring.  Love you, Lisa!  Hope your birthday is super fantastic!

Be sure to stop by the blogs of my comadres who are also helping Lisa celebrate:  Amy, Tonya, Laura, Lenae and Kimberly.

The Details:  Mama Elephant Photo Bomb, Copics, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, Waltzing Mouse Stitched Scalloped rectangle die, Neenah 110lb cardstock, PTI white and blue cardstock, Wink of Stella

I'm entering this in Seize the Birthday without Holiday Stamp Topping and Allsorts #340 CAS

Holiday Hats!

Hello!  Time for another Great Impressions challenge--anything goes!   I'm not sure about you but anything goes means Christmas/holidays for me this time of year.  It always seems like the holidays creep up on you, right?!

I adore the F504 Winter Hats stamp--use the hats as a background, place them on animals, all sorts of fun possibilities.  I chose to create a colorful background of cheery hats with a bold F621 Holidays sentiment across them (to be honest, it hides a boo boo--total butter fingers--oops!).  The hats were randomly stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black then colored with Copics.  The sentiment was stamped with Versamark then heat-embossed with Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder.  The holly is a Memory Box die that I believe is my first time using.  Glossy Accents on the berries make those pop out a bit.

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

I'm entering this in Penny Black Anything Goes with a Stamp and Holly Jolly Embossing

Poinsettia Cards

My poinsettia stamp arrived today--can't believe I didn't already have one, can you?  Thank goodness for Amazon.  With the first card, I used my Zigs.  I had a tough time with the water brush I used to spread the paint around until I realized I didn't need a death grip to get the water to flow.  Some colors seemed to spread more easily than others (dark green, e.g.).

For the second card, I had a gelli plate printing that I wanted to fussy cut for the poinsettia but it lacked shading.  I didn't want to use my Copics, assuming that the acrylic paint would be bad for the tips, but would the Zigs work on regular cardstock?  Yes!

I shaded the poinsettia before fussy cutting it then decided to use the one layer paper tole technique to give it dimension.  So cool; I wish you could feel it!  For the greenery I stamped the image using Versamark so I could see the outline and used that as a guide for adding the gouache.  I love that you can layer that stuff without the color beneath showing through.  As I prepared to stamp the sentiment, I decided to leave the errant gold specks of embossing powder for some glam factor.  For the border I did an inlaid diecut of the gold trim around the green.  Love!

The Details (both cards):  Stampendous Create a Poinsettia, Waltzingmouse stitched scalloped rectangle die, Zig markers, Smooch, Recollections 110lb cardstock base; card 1: Stazon, VersaFine Onyx Black,  Hero Arts Merry Christmas Messages, PTI linen impression plate; Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Distress Ink Tumbled Glass; card 2: Versamark, Ranger gold embossing powder, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, gelli plate, foam dots, Glossy Accents, Holbein Acryla Gouache, Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas

Card 1 Challenges:  I'm entering this in Fantasy Stampers #51 CAS Christmas, Just Add Ink #291 Just Add C (Christmas), Addicted to Stamps and More #173 Holiday

Card 2 Challenges:  I'm entering this one in 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown Pick a Previous 2015 Challenge (#39 Technique Mixed Media), Mod Squad 3 Ingredients (embossing, rubber stamping, diecut), Mixed Media Card Challenge #18 Celebration

Shake it up

We're having a super fun event over at Great Impressions this week.  You have a chance to win a prize if you can guess the carol correctly by leaving a comment on the main blog.  Be sure to stop by each day because each of us has chosen a different carol to test your holiday knowledge.

For my card I used J100 Christmas Town.  Don't you love this stamp?  It was great fun to color.  I added touches of sparkle throughout.  I love shaking a shaker so having blingy elements inside makes it even better.
 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.

Merry

This month at Happy Little Stampers CAS we have a Favorite Technique challenge.  For me, it's coloring hands down.  What about you?  Die cutting?  Texture?  Mixed Media?  As long as you can incorporate your favorite technique into a CAS card, please share it with us!  The more the merrier as they say.

For my card I had a very large Penny Black stamp (my guess is by Mo Manning) that would dominate the front of an A2 card.  To make it more CAS I offset the image to look like she's swinging off the card.  Lots of fun movement, fun to color and lots of open space.  The merry diecut took care of the ornament hook dangling in midair.  It's quite a clever solution imo. 

The Details:  Penny Black Little Elf Finn, Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Merry die, Simon Says Stitched Rectangle die, Copic R24, 27, 39 (berries), YR21, 27, Y38 (hair), R22, 24, 27, 29, 39 (ornament), 0, N0, T1 (fur), G21, 24, 28 (holly), R02, 22 (lips), E00, 02, 53 (skin), B21, 24, 26, 39 (clothing)

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More #173 Holiday,  Crafter's Cafe #138 Diecuts or Punches, Penny Black Saturday Dies or Punches,

Hello, Hello!

I love these HLS elephants with their cute blankets!  They called out to be bright and cheery and fun.  Who am I to argue with an elephant?  The polka dots of the washi is like icing on the cake.  Mmm, cake.  Double mmm, elephant size cake.

The Details:  Happy Little Stampers Whimsical Friends, Copics, washi tape, Sakura white pigment pen, Memento Tuxedo Black, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, PTI 140lb white cardstock base

I'm entering this in AAA Cards  #53 Anything Goes, Tuesday Throwdown 272 Cute and Cuddly

Snowman Shaker

Hello!   We've having an ultra fun and inspirational holiday House of Cards blog hop with some really great sponsors for our December picture inspiration challenge.  I'm the last stop so if  you haven't already checked out Tammy's blog before mine, please do so.  If you've missed any of the other fab designers, you can head on back to HOC for a full list of participants!

For my card I'm using the cutest image from Great Impressions. I knew I wanted to use F251 Build a Snowman but wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it.  When that happens with a Christmas card, I search through my box of crafty holiday goodness.  This paper was perfect--a little snow, lots of sentiments, and happy colors.  I colored up the image pulling in the reds, greens and blues from the DP.

I had also run across these instant shaker majiggers in my stash.  You just sprinkle a bit of glitter on the image, peel the backing off the instashaker and plop it right down on top of the image and pile of glitter.  So easy.  You then cut a circle in your top paper and pop it over.  I had cut the wrong size circle initially but no worries since that gave me the idea to turn it into a wreath.

Faux Brusho Holiday Card

Since I had the Misti all fired-up with the Mama Elephant sentiment, I embossed another card.  I used by Jacquard Acid Dyes misted with water to create the background.  You can't see it at all in the main pic but I stenciled over the panel with pearlescent ink.  Love the effect up close!

The Details:  Mama Elephant Peace on Earth, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Versamark, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Memory Box Star stencil, Fantast/x all-purpose frost white ink

I'm entering this in Penny Black Anything Christmas, Simon Says Anything Goes, Daring Cardmakers Something Stencilled   

Folk Christmas

I recently saw Kristina Werner's gouache on black card and worked up my own.  I compared two different gouache manufacturers--what a difference.

The first card (red border) uses a student grade gouache by Reeves.  I hate these paints.  They are very thick and gloppy which made getting fine details a struggle. They also weren't as opaque as I thought they would be.  Everything was freehand except for the Mama Elephant sentiment.

The second card uses Holbein Acryla Gouache.  Wow.  What a difference.  Much thinner yet very opaque.  Same sentiment but with penciled in elements.

I love this style of Christmas deco--folksy, crafty, DIY.  I wish you could feel the card--even the gouache has a bit of texture to it.  For the Card Concept I would place this in the mixed media category with a touch of elegant.

The Details:  Mama Elephant Peace on Earth, Reeves Gouache paints, Holbein Acryla Gouache paints (green card), Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Versamark, Waltzing Mouse scalloped stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps and More #172 Make Your Mark, Holly Jolly Embossing, The Card Concept #44 Festive Glory (mixed media elegant)

Black and Purple Holiday Wishes

Another Gelli plate creation.  This one uses the second pull.  I love the shades of purple, don't you?  Can't believe I almost tossed this away.  I went with black for the other elements to really make them pop.  Love!

The Details:  Gelli plate, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, Memory Box Deer Trio die, Stampin' Up Wonderland sentiment, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Crafters Workshop Aspen Trees, Lawn Fawn Deck the Halls snowflake

Only Flamingos at My Thanksgiving

Hello!  Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers!  I don't have a Great Impressions turkey stamp but I do have this fab G446 Holiday Flamingos one that I thought would be fun to work up for today's inspiration post.  A bit of coloring, diecutting and punching (my fav Martha Stewart greenery punch) is what we've got here.  It's really hard to tell in the photo but the designer paper has glittery stripes and the "merry" is foil cardstock.  It's so blingy!

I've actually used the G446 Holiday Flamingos stamp a few times before.  The first I never got around to posting; just some DP and a digital sentiment.  I love the sunglasses.  The second is about as shabby chic as you're likely to see me get.  In all honesty this is one of my fav Christmas cards.

See you next week with another GI design!  Toni 

Don't forget about the GI monthly challenge!

You don't have to use GI stamps but it'd be totally awesome if you did!

Also, if you do use GI stamps, be sure to link up to the customer gallery to show us your fabulous work and for a chance to get a little year-end prize.