Little Bethlehem

My powers are weak when it comes to resisting the whimsical Hannah Davies holiday images from Impression Obsession. This one is Little Bethlehem. Just like with the Stocking image from a few days ago, I opted for some fun, cheery, somewhat non-traditional colors. Coloring is with Copics, papers are from the My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas collection. Accents include Stardust Stickles, May Arts burlap string, different ribbons, baker's twine, a scalloped border and some turquoise rhinestones.

Michelle at Stamper's Dream is having a Summer Clearance Sale!

Use coupon code SummerClearance (no spaces) on the checkout page to save 20% off the lowest marked price in the Sales & Specials section.

While you're there, check out all the New Arrivals, too!

Happy Friday!




Stamps: Little Bethlehem (Impression Obsession)
Paper: My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas, Papertrey Kraft and Stamper's Select White card stock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers, Stardust Stickles, Spellbinders classic circle Nestabilities, May Arts burlap string, Offray white sheer scalloped border ribbon, Papertrey double-stitched green and white satin ribbons, American Crafts zigzag-print ribbon, The Twinery twine, Papertrey button, My Favorite Things scallop border Die-namics die, sewing machine, Pizzazz Aplenty turquoise rhinestones, foam tape
Size: 5 1/2" square

Enjoy the Moments

Eeeek, this may be my first Christmas card for the year! Eeek because it's already time to get going and eeek because I haven't started sooner! And then eeeek, how about this whimsical Impression Obsession Stocking image? Love it! I couldn't help but "see" this image in totally fun, bright colors, and My Mind's Eye's new 12 Days of Christmas was the perfect inspiration!

I colored with Copics, then die-cut the image with Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities and sponged the perimeter with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink. Accents include The Twinery's Marachino twine, machine stitching, Bubble Dots White Vintage crochet trim, a scalloped border (My Favorite Things), and a layered sentiment tag done with JustRite's Merry & Bright set, a scallop tag die (Verve), and a black library clip (Stampin' Up).

If you're in Irene's path, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay safe!




Stamps: Stocking (Impression Obsession), Merry & Bright (JustRite)
Paper: My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock, Papertrey Kraft card stock
s: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, My Favorite Things scallop border Die-namics, Verve Tiny Sweet Scallop Tag set, Stampin' Up 1 1/4" circle punch and library clip, dew drops, foam tape, sewing machine, The Twinery twine, Papertrey button, Maya Road Bubble Dots White Vintage crochet trim
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

You're In My Prayers

I have a thing for small country chapels, so Impression Obsession's Church cling stamp really speaks to me. Inspired by the muted tones of the Melissa Frances 5th Avenue paper pack, I stamped the image in a lighter color and opted to sponge on some light blue ink in lieu of more full-blown coloring. I like the soft look! The beautiful die-cut frame is the largest die from the Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Rectangle Nestabilities.

The sentiment, "You're in my Prayers," is from JustRite's new Just Because Mini Sentiments set. I can see getting lots and lots of mileage from the sentiments in this set! I stamped the sentiment in Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, then die-cut it with JustRite's Nested Frames Custom Dies by Spellbinders.

Let's talk about Kaisercraft's Paper Blooms -- love them! Why? They're available in 17 luscious colors, each pack has ten blooms of varying shapes and sizes, the packs (all but white) have some slight color variations among them, and they're reasonably priced. I also like that they're a more modest size and style - wonderful as accents without overpowering whatever else you've got going on with your card or project.

Other card details include: Maya Road trinket pins, lace trim, crinkled seam binding, Kaisercraft  adhesive pearls, and a layer of vellum to add to the soft feel. I also spritzed the whole card front with some Sparkle Psst Shimmer Spritz by Tsukineko.

Before I go, a word of thanks for the prayers and support last week when I posted about a loss within my extended family. Hugs and love to all!





Stamps: Church Cling Set (Impression Obsession); Just Because Mini Sentiments (JustRite)
Paper: Stampin' Up White Naturals card stock, Melissa Frances 5th Avenue, Papertrey vellum
Ink: Papertrey Smokey Shadow, Stampin' Up Soft Sky, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, VersaMagic Wheat
Accessories: Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Rectangle Nestabilities and Deckle Rectangle Nestabilities, Spellbinders Nested Frames Custom Dies for JustRite, Kaisercraft Coconut Paper Blooms and adhesive pearls, Maya Road trinket pins, crinkled seam binding, lace trim, vellum, paper piercer, needle, thread, foam tape, Tsukineko Sparkle Psst Shimmer Spritz
Size: 6" square

Live, Laugh, Love

There may be snow on the ground and a bitter cold wind, but this Impression Obsession image, Live, Laugh, Love Mailboxes Cling Stamp, has me almost fooled into thinking it's Spring! A girl can dream! I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black onto Copic's X-Press It white card stock and colored with Copics. The designer papers are from Pink Paislee's Old School Petite Paper Pad (6"x6"). For visual interest, I distressed and tore some edges and added zigzag stitching, burlap string, yellow-gold ribbon, a large scallop border done with My Favorite Things' Jumbo Scallop Border Die-namics die, and a postage border done with a Tim Holtz Plaque & Postage On the Edge Alterations Die.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend!




Stamps: Live, Laugh, Love Mailboxes Cling Stamp (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Stampin' Up Early Espresso, Copic X-Press It white card stock, Pink Paislee Old School Petite Paper Pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Old Paper, Brushed Corduroy, and Walnut Stain Distress inks
Accessories: Copic markers, distressing tool, SU paper clip and brads, Papertrey ribbon and button, May Arts burlap string, My Favorite Things Jumbo Scallops Die-namics, Tim Holtz Plaque & Postage On the Edge Alterations die, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2" square

The Beauty of Fall

Can you imagine a more "fall-ish" image than this one by Impression Obsession? It's called Pumpkins and is illustrated by Gary Robertson. Love his illustrations because they already include all the clues you need to color up a masterpiece. The areas of light and shadow are determined by the level of crosshatching (that may or may not be the proper technical term, but you know what I mean), so that's one {huge} less thing to think about!

I stamped this image a few times in several different brown inks before settling on Frayed Burlap Distress Ink (Tim Holtz/Ranger). Its nice shade of medium brown really warmed up the image and allowed the orange tones to show even in the most shadowed areas. I colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits using paper blending stumps. The combo of Frayed Burlap ink and the colored pencils gives such a nice, soft look. Here's a detail shot:

The embellishment cluster in the upper left is made from some hemp cord, gold organdy ribbon, and two leaves die-cut with the smallest Spellbinders Nested Maples Leaves die, topped, of course, with a button.

A few other details ... the sentiment is from JustRite's Nature's Nested Sentiments. The creamy yellowish paper with the diamond pattern is from the Blackbird collection by My Mind's Eye (not just for Halloween!). To help the organdy ribbon stand out a little more, I added a thin strip of designer paper underneath -- a striped pattern from Cosmo Cricket's Wanted collection. A third dp snuck in to the picture -- the top-most leaf is cut from the woodgrain pattern in Crate Paper's Restoration collection. It's rare for me to mix manufacturers like that - so liberating, though! The lattice border is done with a Martha Stewart punch, and the warm brown card base is Prsimatics Dark Tawny.


Thanks so much for stopping by today!




Stamps: Pumpkins Cling Stamp (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and Natural, Prismatics Dark Tawny card stock, My Mind's Eye Blackbird dp, Cosmo Cricket Wanted dp, Crate Paper Restoration Collection dp
Ink: Frayed Burlap, Old Paper, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain Distress Inks
Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol odorless mineral spirits, paper blending stumps, distressing tool, needle and thread, Martha Stewart lattice border punch, Spellbinders petite oval and nested maple leaf dies, Stampin' Up gold organdy ribbon, natural hemp twine, button, Robin's Nest Dew Drops
Size: 5 1/2" square

Wanted: Peace on Earth

Today's card features a new holiday image from Impression Obsession - Stockings. As soon as I saw this image, I knew I wanted to go with a rustic look. The monochromatic stockings are watercolored with various brown/neutral Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Antique Linen, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, and Walnut Stain), and the colorful fruit is done with Tombow markers. The fabric strip behind the image is something from my stash (once upon a long time ago, something, maybe a gift basket, was tied with yards and yards of this stuff - of course I saved it!). On top of that is a length of brown twill, and last is a button/burlap ribbon/twine accent. Love all the texture these materials add! The sage green woodgrain patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Wanted Mini-Deck. Vintage brads, zigzag stitching on the image panel, and lots of distressing complete the look. Stockings and tons of other Impression Obsession holiday images are available at Stamper's Dream.

One small detail: I hand-stitched around the patches on the stockings with some ivory heavyweight thread.

Thanks for visiting!



Stamps: Stockings (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Prismatics Ivory Simply Smooth card stock, Strathmore Series 400 watercolor paper, Cosmo Cricket Wanted Mini-Deck
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger
Accessories: clear embossing powder, Tombow markers, water brush, distressing tool, needle and thread, SU vintage brads, fabric strip, Offray brown twill, SEI burlap ribbon, Papertrey button, May Arts burlap string, foam adhesive
Size: 5 1/2" square

Cheers Throughout the Years SFYTT

Today's Sketch For You To Try is one that I can see myself coming back to again and again - hope you'll play along! My sample uses Winter View by Impression Obsession. I stamped the focal image in Forest Moss Distress Ink, then added a hint of blue color to the ornament using Copic Markers (BG0000 and BG000). (And I learned something new in the process ... I was able to color over the distress ink with the Copics without any bleeding. Didn't realize that about the distress inks - wonder if all of them hold up to Copics?) See the pine garland peeking out from under the ribbon/label treatment? It's part of the Winter View set, too. I stamped it in Ranger Forest Moss Distress ink, fussy cut around the branches, and sponged the edges.

The papers are from the new Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather designer paper. Loving the wintry colors included in this collection, but I will say, I had a beastly time photographing this one. It really looks quite different in real life. Have another look in different lighting:

Still doesn't do it justice, but hopefully you'll get the idea :)

Here's the sketch for the week:

And here's the gang of sample-makers:

Jen del Muro with a brand-new guest designer, Tori Wild (welcome, Tori!!)
Amber Hight
Amy Rohl
Carole Burrage
Jenn Diercks
Jodi Collins
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Megan Lock
Sonja Christoph
Susan Liles

To play along, just link up your sketch creation to Jen's blog using the linky widget. Remember to use keyword SFYTT in online galleries, too - makes it easier to find each other!

Hope you have a great weekend!



Stamps: Winter View by Impression Obsession
Paper: Prismatics Island Mist Light card stock, Neenah Classic Crest Natural White card stock, Papertrey Rustic Cream card stock, Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather designer paper
Ink: Ranger Forest Moss, Old Paper, Pumice Stone Distress Inks
Accessories: Copic markers; Spellbinders lacey circle Nestabilities, classic circle Nestabilities, and label die; Kaisercraft pearls (Bliss Blue); foam adhesive; May Arts ivory burlap string; natural 5/8" twill
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2)

Pickled Funk

This whimsical coffee image is so fun!! It's from Impression Obsession's Coffee With a Friend stamp set. I'm not at all sure what sort of look I was going for, nor what sort of look I ended up with. Kind of funky for me, but I like it!

I started by stamping the image onto Kraft card stock, then colored a bit with Copics and finished with Prismacolor pencils. The patterned papers are a mixture of Jillibean Soup Lentil Soup (green), Cosmo Cricket DeLovely (turquoise), and Basic Grey Basics Kraft. The decorative border along the left was done with Tim Holtz's Ornate Alterations die. The white zigzag is a Martha Stewart Lattice border punched strip just barely peeking out, so that you only see a small bit. I accented the steam swirls with some Kaiser white adhesive pearls.

While I was working on this, my occasional midnight craft room muse (my 6yo dd) popped in with a lost tooth. She was wide awake with excitement and eager to check out what I was working on. Her verdict? Boring. Brutal, eh? ;) I had to agree with her and fiddled with the main image some more. I deepened some of the shadows to help the browns pop off the Kraft base. That's also when the eerie green glow made its way onto the scene. It *does* help the main image pop, but kind of makes you wonder what exactly is in that coffee pot. Kryptonite?

Stamps: Coffee With a Friend (Impression Obsession)

Paper: Prismatics Black card stock, Papertrey Kraft card stock, Neenah Natural White card stock, Jillibean Soup Lentil Soup dp, Cosmo Cricket DeLovely dp, Basic Grey Kraft Basics dp

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Papertrey Fresh Snow, Ranger Frayed Burlap Distress

Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Mega Curved Rectangle and Classic Circle Nestabilities, Tim Holtz On the Edge Ornate Alterations, Martha Stewart lattice border punch, Stampin' Up ribbon, Papertrey button, Kaiser adhesive pearls, kryptonite

Size: 5 1/2" square

What Color Is Your Coffee Cup?

Happy Saturday! Assuming all goes according to plan, by the time this posts, I'll be well on my way to enjoying my Saturday with nine giggly 6-year-old girls at our region's Girl Scout Encampment. (That's not counting the other 350 adults and girls that we'll join once we get there.) Among other things, the girls will get to do a letterboxing trail, a trailblazing/orienteering try-it, a flowerbed beautification service project, games, and a swap (I know all about swapping - teehehe). Should be fun!

And the good thing is I won't have much access to email or my blog, so I won't get to hear you beg mercy after today's card permanently sears your eyeballs! It's bright, I know (and the nighttime photo is horrid), but I am *really* loving Cosmo Cricket's DeLovely collection (maybe precisely because it is so not my typical color palette?) and wasn't ready to put it away after Thursday's card.

I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try ...

I knew if I rotated the sketch, those three circles would move to the bottom and become perfect places for some hanging coffee cups from Impression Obsession's Coffee With a Friend set. For the focal point rectangle, I chose to frame a Coffee with A Friend sentiment with one of Pink Paislee's Artisan Elements Frames. Once again, I left the frame white. Next time I promise you I'm going to alter one with ink or mists - so many neat things you can do with these! The embellishment (heart) rotated to the upper left, where I was glad to place a bow/flower/button/leaf trinket pin stack. The crinkly bow is made with some white seam binding that I sprayed with Lime Metallic Maya Mist. The coffee cups are paper pieced with various DeLovely patterns.

Be sure to visit the rest of the SFYTT gang for a heavy dose of sketch inspiration:

Jen del Muro with guest designer Iwona Palamountain
Amber Hight
Amy Rohl
Jenn Diercks
Jodi Collins
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Megan Lock
Sonja Christoph
Susan Liles

To play along, upload your creation to the slideshow on Jen's blog that corresponds to the sketch you've used. Remember, future guest designers are chosen from sketch participants!

That's it for me today. Tomorrow, I'm heading to my local stamp store for a guaranteed injection of high-octane mojo - I'm taking a class with the Claudine Hellmuth. Can't wait!

One housekeeping item before I go - I've had to turn word verification back on due to increasing amounts of spam. So sorry for the inconvenience!

Have a great weekend, friends!

You Light Up My Day

Playing around with some current favorites ... October Afternoon's Thrift Shop paper pack and Impression Obsession's Love Chandelier cling stamp. I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black, colored with Copics, and sponged with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink. The sentiment, Light up My Day, also by Impression Obsession, is stamped, cut apart, individually matted, then tucked under one of the panels. I love Joanne's sentiment treatment on this card (second one down) and wanted to give it a try. Thanks, Jo! I embellished with a Martha Stewart Deco Shells punched border, some Kaiser pearls, Hero Arts clear gems, red burlap string, an ivory button, and some machine stitching. I also added some clear glitter to portions of the stamped image. Finished size is 5 1/2" square.

Check out all the New Arrivals at Stamper's Dream ... Martha Stewart punches, tons of stamps, papers, and dies. Also, coming soon ... new Flourishes and new JustRite!

Busy evening, so I better scoot. Thanks so much for visiting!

Impression Obsession Week: Day Three

I'm back today with an artsy canvas tag project to share for Impression Obsession Week at Stamper's Dream. The canvas tag (oh my gosh, I'm in love!) is from Maya Road. First I inked up Impression Obsession's large Music Cover-A-Card Background Stamp in Ranger's new Pumice Stone Distress Ink and stamped the whole tag. It's a very light effect, so you may not see it in the photo. Next I added a Prima crystal and pearl flourish, followed by some May Arts Ivory Loose Braid Wired Ribbon topped with some gray twill Pink Paislee Ribbon Pleats. Another oh my gosh, I'm in love - this twill comes already pleated and stitched! The ribbon border is topped by a loopy bow made from some Offray skinny ribbon and a Prima flower. Last comes the three Impression Obsession Mannequins, which I stamped onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock and colored using Prismacolor pencils. I trimmed each one out before adhering to the tag, partly so the crystals could show from behind and partly so I could nudge them a little closer together. To replace the rod portion of the stamped image, which I wasn't able to successful trim around, so therefore cut off altogether, I simply hot glued the tops and bottoms onto straight pins. Worked beautifully!

Be sure to check out Dream Teammates Cammie, Michelle, Silke, and Tosh, who are also posting Impression Obsession lovelies today.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Impression Obsession Week: Day Two

Hi friends! It's Impression Obsession Week at Stamper's Dream! Be sure to check in with the Dream Team each day this week for oodles of Impression Obsession loveliness. Also posting today are Cindy, Dawn, Denise and Michelle. If you missed out on Day One, visit Laurie, Becca and the newest Dream Team member, Leslie Miller, to catch up. (Welcome to the team, Leslie! We are SO lucky to have you!).

And here's the schedule for the rest of the week:

Tomorrow (Wednesday): Cammie, Michelle, Silke, Tosh, and me again

Thursday: Cindy, Dawn, Denise, Leslie, and Michelle

Friday: Laurie, Michelle, Silke, and Tosh

For today's project, I've created a framed bath decor piece using an image called Sanctuary. Here's the full view:



I figure if I can't be in a tub like that, sipping wine and eating cake, then at least I can color one instead! Speaking of being in a tub like that, my first idea was to make a "do not disturb" door hanger. Totally useless in my house - I can't do anything without company - but I love the idea! I did all of my coloring with Prismacolor pencils, blending with Gamsol. I like the softer look of the pencils with this particular image.

I chose soothing shades of blues, greens, and grays, along with a touch of warm brown, for my color combo. The patterns in Memory Box's Spearmint collection worked perfectly as a backdrop. The word "relax" is done with Maya Road chipboard letters. I first painted them with white acrylic paint, then coated them with Ranger's Picket Fence crackle paint. Hopefully you can see the detail in this next shot:



The image is die-cut with the largest of the Labels 10 Nestabilities. I finished off with some ribbon pleating along the bottom and a ribbon and button combo at the top.

This was a tricky project to photograph, so here's one more shot. Hopefully, between the lot, you'll get a good feel for this! And remember, you can always click on any image for a larger view.





Thanks so much for stopping by!



Stamps: Sanctuary (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Prismatics Island Mist Medium card stock, Papertrey Aqua Mist, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Memory Box Spearmint
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps, Spellbinders Labels 10 Nestabiltiies, Offray white satin ribbon, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery twill, Papertrey white button, May Arts natural burlap string, Maya Road chipboard letters, Making Memories white acrylic paint, Ranger Picket Fence crackle paint, shadow box

Live the Sweet Life

I've had Impression Obsession's yummy Candy Jars stamp on my desk for months and have been too intimidated to ink it up. Why?? Now that I've colored it, I have no idea. Oh my gosh, was this a fun one! The image + the colors = pure joy.

I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on Neenah solar white card stock, colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, then trimmed out the image and added some clear glitter to the rock candy swizzle sticks. I was playing around with some different layouts and combos of patterned papers when yesterday's Splitcoast sketch challenge (#271) popped into my inbox. I took a look at the large focal image panel and decided to make it work. I also scrapped all the dp in favor of the fresh all-white design. The sentiment is from a Flourishes set, Cherries and Peaches, and is cut with a Labels 1 Nestie and tucked in between the two large rectangle panels. Fun!

Hope you're having a great week!




Stamps: Candy Jars (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, white gel pen, clear glitter, glue pen, Papertrey ribbon, Cuttlebig D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, Scor-Pal, EK Success scallop border punch, Spellbinders Labels 1 Nestabilities, foam adhesive

Overflowing With Love

[This is my second post for today. If you're looking for my MFTeaser, scroll down to the previous post. Thanks!]

I'm so happy to have spent some time Thursday and Friday coloring up this lovely Impression Obsession image - Valentine Fountain. Right before I left for CHA, I was in a huge no-coloring mood. Just looking at line art images was enough to give me hives. Kind of scary for a girl who loooooooves to color! Fortunately, my time at CHA included a visit to the Impression Obsession booth. Talk about inspiration!

I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black onto watercolor paper and colored up this baby using mostly Tombow markers (I did a teeny bit of coloring with Prismacolor pencils to enhance the grass, but even that was mostly Tombows). The main panel is cut with one of the dies from the Spellbinders curved rectangle mega Nestabilities set. To make the thin gray mat around it, I followed these steps that Michelle posted to her blog a while back. Thanks Michelle! The patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Sugar Rush collection.

My favorite part is the companion sentiment, Overflowing With Love, which you can see on the inside:

Isn't that just the sweetest image and sentiment combo? Love it!! Stamper's Dream carries a fantastic selection of Impression Obsession stamps. You can find them all HERE.

Snow has been falling all day here in Northern Virginia, so we've got a pretty good accumulation by now. I was so glad my oldest son got his basketball game in before the county canceled the rest of today's activities. After two back-to-back losses last weekend and the weekend before, it was great to see them pull off an impressive win today. Go Rebels!

Stamps: Valentine Fountain, Overflowing With Love (Impression Obsession)

Paper: Canson 140-lb cold-press watercolor paper, Papertrey Smoky Shadow and Vintage Cream card stock. Basic Grey Sugar Rush designer paper

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, white craft

Accessories: Tombow markers, Prismacolor pencils, Spellbinders curved rectangle mega Nestabilities, Labels 4 Nestabilities, and Flourish Accents, Martha Stewart scalloped border punch, sewing machine, Stampin' Up gray taffeta ribbon, Papertrey pink button, May Arts ivory string, foam adhesive, paper piercer, corner rounder

Impression Obsession Week - Day Five

Today wraps up Impression Obsession week at Stamper's Dream. Also sharing projects today are Tosha, Silke, and Michelle. And while you're visiting Michelle, be sure to check out her blog candy! Yummy, yummy!!

I've used one of the images from Impression Obsession's Tree & Poinsettias Clear Set for today's card. I colored with Copcis, did some paper tole on the poinsettia, and added some glitter. The dry embossed white panel was done with the Cuttlebug Fleur De Lis embossing folder, and the die-cut shapes and tag were done with Spellbinders dies. Had to add the requisite bling and ribbon, too!

Hope you've enjoyed Impression Obsession week, and thanks, as always, for visiting!

Relax & Enjoy

It's Impression Obsession week at Stamper's Dream! Each day this week, some of the Dream Team will be sharing projects using new holiday images from Impression Obsession. I love the variety of IO images - everything from cute to whimsical to elegant - be sure to check out what Denise, Charmaine, and Michelle are sharing today. And if you didn't catch yesterday's posts, you can get all caught up at these links: Cammie, Charmaine, and Michelle.

I was so excited to play with the Spa Day image. This comical witch makes me giggle every time I look at her - must be some good stuff she's soaking in :) I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White card stock and colored with a combination of Copics and Prismacolor Pencils. I die-cut the image using Spellbinders Labels 1 Nestabilities, then popped her up on a card base made from patterns from My Mind's Eye's Boo To You collection and Prism card stock. I embellished with some clear ultrafine glitter, Kaiser Craft black adhesive pearls, machine stitching, scoring, and paper piercing. The sentiment, Relax & Enjoy, is also from Impression Obsession.

Hope you'll tune in with the Dream Team the rest of the week for more Impression Obsession goodies!

Wednesday: Silke , Becca, and Michelle

Thursday: Becca, Denise , Laurie, and Michelle

Friday: Tosha , Silke , Michelle, and me again

Psssst ... rumor has it that Michelle is celebrating 200K hits with some blog candy sometime this week!

Thanks for visiting :)

O Christmas Tree

I've been in the mood to color lately, and this Impression Obsession Christmas tree from the Tree & Poinsettias Clear Stamp Set was calling my name. I cut my Top Note white piece first, then stamped the image and used my Prismacolor pencils, a little Gamsol, and blending stumps to color it. The snowflake centers are topped with Kaiser Craft rhinestones. The patterned papers are from K&Co mat pads (the red is from Christmas Cheer and the blue is from Peppermint Twist). The sentiment is also from the Tree & Poinsettias set. I'm really liking this sweet, simple card. No distressing, no sponging, no stitching, no ribbon ... and I'm feeling just fine :)

I'm keeping this post sweet and simple today, too. I was already up to my eyeballs in tomatoes and green beans even before I picked up a bushel of apples at the market yesterday. I'll be the happy little homemaker the rest of the week canning the green beans and tomatoes (maybe some salsa, too) and making sauce from all the apples. Can't wait for that first fresh, steaming hot spoonful - YUM!

So glad you stopped by!



Stamps: Tree & Poinsettias (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Neenah Solar White, K&Co Christmas Cheer and Peppermint Twist Mat Pads
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prismacolors, Gamsol, blending stumps, SU Top Note die, scalloped border punch, and small oval punch, paper piercer, Kaiser self-adhesive rhinestones

A Very, Very, Very Fine House

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
Crosby, Stills & Nash - "Our House"

I'm smitten with the new Impression Obsession images illustrated by Gary Robertson. Doesn't this house look like a place where everything would be easy? The details are incredible -- the beautiful flowers in the window boxes, the letter box by the front door, the wrought-iron gate, the working shutters (oh, how I'd love to have a home with those). There's even a cat - can you find it?

I did my coloring mostly with Copic markers, then added some extra shading and a bit of blue sky using Prismacolors and Gamsol. The papers are from the My Mind's Eye Bella Bella French Flea Market collection. I embellished with some May Arts Ivory Crochet Ribbon, Kaiser Craft black pearls, Offray black satin ribbon, and some machine stitching. The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's Mini Messages set.

You'll find a selection of Impression Obsession images, including the house stamp I used today, in the Stamper's Dream store.

Thanks for visiting!

Filigree Heart

Be nice to me today, friends. I think I left my mojo with Julee last week ;) So what's a girl to do in the middle of a creative drought? Keep on makin' stuff. Here we go ...

The large, lacy heart stamp is called Filigree Heart and is made by Impression Obsession. Fancy little image, yes? I picked it up last week when I had the occasion to re-visit an art store where I once worked many moons ago. The store used to be what I call a "real" art store, with fine arts supplies from wall to wall. Let me tell you working there was glorious. (Except for the pay!) It's definitely changed over the years ... almost half the store is now rubber stamping supplies. Woo hoo!

Speaking of glorious, the most wonderful thing happened to me last night -- my baby slept through the night! Well, he woke up once, but went back to sleep with just a pacifier. While he slept soundly, my middle one was up twice with a stuffy nose and a cough. One step forward, two steps back ;)

Stamps: Filigree Heart (Impression Obsession), Noteworthy (retired Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Purely Pomegranate, VersaMark, River Rock
Paper: Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, River Rock
Accessories: clear embossing powder, circle nestabilities, liquid pearls, aqua painter, rectangle nestabilities, pomegranate satin ribbon, liquid pearls, dimensionals
Notes: The main image is stamped in pomegranate ink, stamped again in versamark (using a stamp positioner), then clear embossed. I also used an aqua painter to add a very pale wash of river rock ink on all but the outer edge of the ivory circle. Circles are cut with nestabilities (regular and scallop). The scallops are dotted with liquid pearls. I also used the rectangle nestabilities to emboss the river rock background. Nichole Heady has great instructions (including pictures) for this trick here.

[Edited to Add: The frilly border and sentiment are done with stamps from Noteworthy, which was a Sell-A-Bration set a few years ago.]