Don't Worry, Be Happy

The Impression Obsession challenge this week is "Words of Encouragement".  I love this stamp and I guess it is considered encouragement, lol.  I stamped my IO H1867 Don't Worry image onto Cryogen Metallic card stock and then colored the image with my Copic markers.  I used my IO CC036 Paisley Crystal Cover a Card background stamp to create the blue panel.  I used my IO Border Duo die along the edge of the magenta panel and then added some ribbon and pearls.  Finished size is 5.5 inches square. 

What's Up?

My work table is a disaster but I felt creative so I grabbed my Cryogen Metallic paper and Distress ink and created this card.  For the background I used my Impression Obsession Music Cover-a-Card stamp.   This stamp is a whoppin' 5.75 x 5.75 inches.  Next I added the new Cheery Lynn Designs Winter Neighborhood Border along the bottom and some Clouds in the sky.  Of course I distressed all these elements as well.

Next came this gorgeous new Hot Air Balloon from Cheery Lynn.  I cut the matching angel wing out of Cryogen Metallic and then colored it in with my Copic markers.  I popped the balloon up for some added dimension.  That last step was the sentiment from Impression Obsession's Anytime Sentiments clear stamp set.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches. 

You have two more days to enter my Cheery Lynn Designs Step Card die giveaway.  This is a fabulous die and who doesn't like to win free stuff?

Impression Obsession Pack Your Bags challenge

The challenge this week for Impression Obsession is Pack Your Bags.  Where would you travel to for vacation or whatever.  For me a vacation would be going back home to the Jersey Shore.  I grew up across the bay from Barnegat Lighthouse.  On a foggy day, you could smell the ocean at my house and we were about 3 miles inland.  I do miss that salty smell.  So I grabbed my Rowboat rubber stamp.  I forgot how much I enjoy coloring and this was no exception.  I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink and used my Copic markers.  I then masked the image with Eclipse tape and airbrushed the sky; also with Copics.  I used a seashell embossed background paper, added some twine and a chunky brad and I was done.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches. 

Happy Birthday

Today for Cheery Lynn Designs, I have created a Happy Birthday easel card using my Mega Sunflower Doily die as inspiration.   I cut the doily in half and using spray adhesive added it to the side of my card.  It is a perfect backdrop for this fabulous image from Impression Obsession.  Next I added the new Happy Birthday sentiment, which I trimmed to split the words and removed the gift from the end of the 'y'. 

 I added Anastasia border to the card base and this beautiful Sunflower (adding Flower Soft in the center of the flower)  The leaves are from the new Build a Flower 2 die set. 

Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.  Be sure to visit the Cheery Lynn Designs challenge blog for more inspiration and to join in on this week's Anything Goes challenge for a chance to win $20 to the store.

IO Sunflower with Butterfly

Here is a card I made using one of my new Impression Obsession rubber stamps called Sunflower with Butterflies. I believe this is one of Gary Robertson's images, his attention to detail is amazing. 

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Curious Cryogen paper.  Copics used:
Sunflower - YR20, YR21
Center - E07, E08
Leaves and Stems - YG93
Grass - YG91
Path - E41
Roofs - E19
Distant Trees - YG93
Butterfly - YR18, YR15, E33
Sky - B0000
Border - E44
Bell - YR15

The card stock is all from Stampin' Up, the ribbon is Martha Stewart.  Finished size is 4.25 X 5.5 inches.

The Voice of the Sea

The challenge over at Impression Obsession's blog is "Animals". The last few days I have been making Christmas cards and it has been in the 90's outside.  So I decided to switch back to the seashore.

I followed this weeks Mojo Monday sketch.  I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Cryogen white paper.  Copics used:
Sandpipers - W3
Lighthouse - W1
Beach - E51
Then I airbrushed BG02 into the water and B95 into the sky.


All of the stamps are from IO's Clingables Lighthouse set 3017-XL.  There are 6 stamps, trimmed, mounted on cling and packaged in a great acrylic storage container.  I used a Spellbinders Circle die around the sentiment and a square punch for the images.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.

Lazy Days of Summer

The challenge over at Impression Obsession is to make a summer card.  Nothing speaks of summer to me like a lighthouse!  I grew up across the bay from Barnegat Light.  So I whipped up this card, waiting of course until the last minute, lol.

I began by stamping New England Lighthouse G1286 onto watercolor paper with Versafine black ink.   Then using Lyra Aquacolor Crayons and a wet brush, I colored the image.  I love the soft look of the colors, especially in the blue around the image.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5 inches.

Stamping with my ladies

Yesterday I got together with my monthly stamping class (Hi, girls!) and here are two of the cards we made.

This scene began with this great frog from Stamps 'N More.  Using Marvy Matchables black ink we stamped the frog image onto glossy card stock, then masked it off with Eclipse tape.   Next came Maple Brook and the Mountain both from Stampscapes.  We stamped the Mountain with Memento London Fog to give some added distance to the scene.  The wonderful dock with boats is a discontinued stamp from Inkadinkado/PSX.  We added the Stampscapes water pattern then added color with a Colorbox Stylus as well as markers.  The final step was to add the branches and reeds.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches. 

I posted this on my other blog but just in case you don't subscribe to both, I am adding it here as well.

We stamped the lighthouse image with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Cryogen white paper.  Copics used:
Beach - E50, E51, G40
Boat - B23, C0
Water - B000
Lighthouse - C0, C4, E09, W1

The lighthouse and the sentiment are from Impression Obsession's Clingables Lighthouse set 3017-XL.  There are 6 stamps, trimmed, mounted on cling and packaged in a great acrylic storage container.  I used my largest Spellbinders Labels Eight die and before removing it from the die, I stippled clouds into the sky.  Finished size is 4.5 x 6.25 inches.

IO Let's go to the Beach challenge

The challenge over at Impression Obsession's blog is "Let's go to the Beach". I like this challenge as I was raised in New Jersey on the mainland across the bay from a lighthouse. So here is my card....

I stamped the lighthouse image with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Cryogen white paper.  Copics used:
Beach - E50, E51, G40
Boat - B23, C0
Water - B000
Lighthouse - C0, C4, E09, W1

The lighthouse and the sentiment are from IO's Clingables Lighthouse set 3017-XL.  There are 6 stamps, trimmed, mounted on cling and packaged in a great acrylic storage container.  I used my largest Spellbinders Labels Eight die and before removing it from the die, I stippled clouds into the sky.  Finished size is 4.5 x 6.25 inches.

Moth visitor

This morning Zeke, my basset hound was outside bellowing (which usually means he has found a critter!)  Fortunately my handsome hound is a chicken with a capital "C".  So I go outside to see what he had found, expecting a snake; he is very afraid of snakes.  He was looking at the ground and backed up when I came out as if it was really scary.  I looked and looked and could not find anything.  Then my gaze moved up and landed on this which made me back up as well............

Some research online revealed this is a Cecropia silk moth and he had just emerged from his cocoon.  His wings were constantly in motion so the pics are a little blurry.  I took him over to my deck to take a picture to show you just how large he is.  He is perched on a pine cone here, I was very careful not to touch him, I did not want to hurt his wings, plus I must admit he is quite intimidating.  I set a quarter next to him so you can see the size of him.  They can get up to 7.5 inches across. 

Here is a pic of his body, he is without a doubt the most beautiful thing I have seen.  Sadly he will only live about 7 days during which time his sole purpose is to mate.  The adults have no mouth so they cannot eat.  How sad is that?  I read that they are rarely seen during the day, they are nocturnal so I feel blessed to have seen this amazing creature.  He was originally hanging on a blade of grass but after investigating him, I returned him to the cocoon in the first picture. Oh, and yes, he is a male, you can tell by his fuzzy antenna.  I checked on him a bit later and he had flown away.

Impression Obsession "Me Day" challenge

The challenge over at Impression Obsession this week is "Me Day" That means any Impression Obsession stamps used to show how you would spend a day just for you.

Well, I live in the country and I like nothing better than being outside in my flower gardens. So I chose this image, H-1157 Sunflower Barn.  I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Cryogen paper.  Copics used:
Barn - E95, E97, E99, E43
Sunflower - Y17, E93, E95
Leaves - G40, G21, Y15
Fence posts - E43
Barnyard - G40, E50, E51

The great thing about the Gary Robertson stamps that Impression Obsession carries, is all the shading is part of the stamp.  All you really have to do is color the stamp, it does all the work for you.  I started to look for fancy paper and card stock to dress up my card but I decided the image is perfect all on it's own.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches.

Impression Obsession Just Ducky

I made this card for the Impression Obsession Easter challenge, just squeaked it in, I was not the winner, but no matter, this is a cute card.

I used this adorable image from Impression Obsession called Just Ducky.   I love baby ducks and chicks.  I stamped him with Memento Rich Cocoa and then used Copics - Y00, Y11, Y21, Y35, W1, W3.

Finished size is 5x7 inches.  The DP is from Pebbles Inc and Paper Salon, Karen Neuburger collection.  I followed this weeks sketch over at SplitCoast Stampers, sketch SC270.

Thanks for stopping by and to those of you who leave a comment, thank you so much, it is truly appreciated.

Impression Obsession Cover A Card challenge

Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps has these great Cover-A-Card background stamps. They are a whopping 5.75 inches square. And they have the fabulous Mega Mount which makes using them a breeze. So the challenge this week is to use a Cover A Card stamp on your card. Hey, I got that "covered", I used three of them, lol.

I picked out 3 shades of purple card stock and a coordinating green.  I used C-A-C Thick and Thin for the stripes, C-A-C Small Dots on the lighter purple panel and C-A-C Greenery for the green panel.  The sentiment, "Thinking of You" is from Impression Obsession Clear Anytime Sentiments set.  I added some black rhinestones and some dots on the plain green panel and I was done.  Check out the challenge and enter to win a $25 shopping spree with Impression Obsession stamps.  Finished size is 5.5 inches square.

Shades of Green challenge

This is my entry into this weekends challenge over at Impression Obsession, which is "shades of green".  Be sure to stop by and check out all the other fabulous entries.  The winner gets a $25 shopping spree at the Impression Obsession store. 

I began by brayering a background using 3 shades of green and then stamping CC018 Cover a Card Greenery background twice.  I mounted this to a medium green panel, then using a Southwest corner punch, added the thread to frame the panel.  This was then mounted on a darker green panel.

I stamped the three butterfly blocks and the saying from CL70 Clear Stamp set Butterfly Wishes onto Cryogen white paper and punched them out with a 1 3/8" square punch.  Using the same, medium then dark green matting, I mounted them onto the card, added the embossed panel and the bow and I was done.

Finished size is 4 x 9 inches.  And look, no DP, no Copics just ink, cardstock and wonderful stamps.

Another French Door card

I taught a class recently where they wanted to learn to make a card with the french doors that open to a scene like my Carolers card.  So here is what I came up with. 

The card is 4.25 x 5.5 inches.  I used a 1 3/8" punch for the windows.  The corner pieces are a Sizzix die (I think), the door knobs are Peel-Off stickers.  So when you open the doors, this is the scene you see.

This stamp is from Impression Obsession, G1286 New England Lightouse  I love this image, it colors up so nice, excellent shading.  I have lost my note with the colors I used but will update this post if I find it. 

Impression Obsession Shaped Card Challenge

This weeks challenge over at the Impression Obsession blog is to make a shaped card. I chose to use the largest die from Spellbinders Scalloped Paisley set. 

I stamped E-1261 Small Lighthouse from Impression Obsession on Cryogen white paper and then die cut it out.  Before removing the die, I airbrushed B21 around the edges.  Copics used:
Lighthouse - E09
Sand - E50, E51
Grass - G40
Water - B000
Boat - E21, E33

The saying is from the Impression Obsession clear stamp set CL43 - Anytime Sentiments.  I made the four loop bow with my Bow Easy.  Be sure to check out the Impression Obsession blog for more inspiration and a chance to win a $25 shopping spree in their store. 

Impression Obsession Spring Challenge

The challenge over at the Impression Obsession blog is Spring.  I think of flowers in bloom when I think of Spring so I used this wonderful Hummingbird stamp for my card.

I began by stamping the Swirl Background onto a white piece of card stock with Kiwi ink.  I colored the little buds with Copic R21.  Next I stamped the hummingbird image with Memento black ink and colored it with my Copics.
Trumpet blooms - R20, R21, R24
Leaves - YG03
Branch - E41
Hummingbird - YG03, R20, E000, E00

Then I created the red panel with my new Sizzix embossing folder.  I stamped the Thinking of You from the Anytime Sentiments Clear set with Versafine black, I wanted it nice and crsip.  I airbrushed the gems to match with R27.  Finished size is 6" square.

So get out your Impression Obsession stamps and play along.  You could win a $25 shopping spree at their shop.

Impression Obsession Love/Valentine challenge

The challenge over at Impression Obsession's blog is Love/Valentines.  Well, I don't really have any IO stamps that fit that bill but I do have the Clear Stamp Set, Spring Blooms.  And it has this lovely saying....If Friends were Flowers, I'd Pick You.  Well I think that is definitely love so here is my creation.

I stamped all 3 squares with red ink onto glossy paper.  I wanted high shine to this card.  I also used glossy for the two Cuttlebugged pieces.  I stamped a few random flowers from the set onto some of the embossed hearts as well.  Very simple and quick card, I am pleased with how it turned out.

And no Copics, no DP, just lots of texture and shine.  The heart punches are from McGill, the flower is Prima and the branches are Martha Stewart.  Finished size is 4.25 x 5.5 inches.



Be sure to check out the Impression Obsession DT for more inspiration.
Daniela Dobson 
Deborah March
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Kathy Menzies
Laura Fulcher
Rosemary Marino

How exciting, my name was randomly drawn to win the challenge so I have $25 to spend in the Impression Obsession store.  They have a fabulous sale going on, it ends today so hurry over and place an order.  Happy Holidays.

Impression Obsession White challenge

The challenge over at the Impression Obsession blog is "white".  Now that leaves a lot to interpretation.  I tried to use more white but it kind of evolved as I was working on it. 

I began by stamping Jingle Bell Chickadee F7020 onto Cryogen white paper and coloring it with my Copics:
Chickadee - E33, E40, R01, YR16
Bow - R24
Bell - YR21

I used a Cuttlebug Holly Ribbon embossing folder on the white panel.  I was originally going to make it all white but it was so plain, not as elegant as it looked in my mind.  So I added the red panels and then the red ribbon and then the gold pearls, lol.  But at least it is mostly white.  Finished size is 5.5 x 4.25 inches.  This is another of the cards we made in class today and my girls liked it, so that is what truly matters. 

So check out the Impression Obsession blog and all the great cards by their design team.  And enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the store. 

Impression Obsession Meow'y Christmas

Here is a card we made in class today (hi, girls!)  This is my first easel card, they certainly are fun and make a statement. 

I began with this wonderful Cat with Santa Hat F7025 from Impression Obsession, stamping it with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Cryogen white paper from Cutcardstock.com.  Copics used:
Hat - E19
Hat trim - C0, B0000
Cat - E40, E41, R01
I airbrushed E43 around the image before removing it from my square Nestabilities die. 

The DP is from the Basic Grey Wassail collection.  I used Meow'y Christmas B5251, also from Impression Obsession.  Finished size is 5.5 x 4.25 inches.