Impression Obsession Challenge - Summer Fun!

It's August, and time for a new Impression Obsession challenge!  The theme for this month's challenge is Summer Fun.  Let's grab the last bit of summer and live it up!

You can find details about the challenge on the IO blog post HERE.

I went with a water theme for my summer fun card.  I thought these little fishies looked like they were having fun!

IO Stamp Links:

Fishies Set CL958

Vitamin Sea Set CL1026

Currents Stencil (A Colorful Life Designs)

On bristol card stock, I created the waves background with blues and greens  distress inks.

I colored the fishies from the Fishies Set with Arteza Everblend alcohol markers.  I fussy-cut the fish images, and added them to the waves panel. 

I added some white dots and markings with a white gel pen.

I stamped the verse from the Vitamin Sea Set and bordered it with blue cardstock, then added it to the panel with foam tape. 

I added the panel to a blue A2 card, and stamped some of the bubbles and seaweed.

Inside, I kept it simple with some stamped images...

And that's it!  I hope you enjoyed this fun, easy card!

Check out the other designer's blogs for more inspiration.  You can find their post links HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate your visits and your comments.

Blessings,

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Focus On The Verse

Happy Saturday.  It's the first Saturday of the month, so it's time for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  The optional theme this month is 'Focus on the verse.' 

I wanted to use this vertically long verse, so I went with a slimline card.

Penny Black stamp links:

Magnolia Rhapsody 40-535

Gifts From Above 30-429

Special Thoughts 30-338

I started with a 7 1/2 x 7 1/2" panel of pale pink card stock, and folded it it half to create a slimline card.  I placed the card in my Misti, along with the Magnolia Rhapsody stamp.  To 'ink' the stamp, I used Tombow dual brush markers.  I added color to the petals first, adding different shades as I colored.  I misted with fine mist of water between color applications.  Not too much water, as this is just card stock, not watercolor paper.

I moved on to the green for the leaves, then the branches, adding different shades and misting as above.

I inked the verse from the Gifts From Above set with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink, and stamped it along the top left of the card.

Some ink spatters and tiny sequins finish the card front.

Inside, I stamped portions of the flowers along the top and right edge, and a verse from the Special Thoughts set.

I hope you enjoyed my card.  Won't you join us in this challenge?  You just might be our lucky winner of a lovely gift voucher to our sponsor, 1,2,3 Stitch!  I'll be looking for your card on the PB Saturday Challenge blog!

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches - Slimline card

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge  - Anything goes

Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes Outdoors

Tuesday Throwdown - Favorite embellishment

Watercooler Wednesday - Anything goes

Thanks so much for visiting.  Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Blessings,

Magnolia Rhapsody 40-535

Gifts From Above 30-429

Special Thoughts 30-338

Impression Obsession Birthday Card And SALE!

Hi!  Just stopping in with a quick post today.  Today is the last day to get a great discount on the birthday category featured stamps at Impression Obsession.  You can read about this sale on the IO blog HERE.

I made this quick card using a couple of the stamps that are included in this sale.

Birthday Martini E2282

Birthday Queen Set WP1034

I also used a die.  Loopy Border DIE979-G

I used the Loopy Border DIE  for the white panel.  I stamped the images onto the die cut panel,  and

colored them with Arteza Everblend markers.  Some layering and  sequin embellishments finish the front of the card.

Inside, I created a rectangular block by cutting a rectangle from the inside of a piece of paper, the

INSIDE

n used my iBrush ink applicators to apply distress ink.  Then I stamped the verse from the set inside.

That's it....easy-peasy.  And the stamps are 25% off through the end of today at Impression Obsession.

Check out these and the other stamps in this sale category HERE.

Thanks for visiting today.

Blessings,

Summer Leaves Card from Fall Stamp

Happy Tuesday!  My card today uses one of the new fall/winter release stamps.  I am not ready for either fall or winter just yet, so I decided to use this fabulous leaf stamp with summer coloring instead.  Don't get me wrong, fall is my absolute favorite season, and this image will get plenty of fall ink action, a bit later.  For now, I'm enjoying my summer garden, in full bloom and lush!

I know I am not alone when I get anxious and stressed with the way things are going in the world.  Our lives are turned upside-down.  Normal seems a fond memory.  I miss my family and friends.  And hugs, and shared meals, and, well, you know, of course.  So, I decided I will NOT wallow in what I do not have, rather, enjoy what I do have, Now!  

I will begin by being more gentle with myself, as this stamps says.  I realize I have been putting pressure on myself to act a certain way, to do more, to be more, to hide my fears.  This phrase reminds me that it's ok to have these feelings now and then.  It's normal.  These negative feelings are like persistent children.  They persevere until you acknowledge them, then they move on.  So, I will acknowledge my anxiety, stress and fears.  I will allow them, feel them and deal with them, then I will send them on their way.  And I will be gentle with myself.  I hope you will be gentle with yourself, also.

Now, finally, onto my card for today....

IO stamp links:

Fall Foliage H20888

Be Gentle B13934

I stamped the Fall Foliage image a few times with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink onto a Bristol vellum panel.  I used Arteza Everblend alcohol markers to 'paint' the leaves.  I love these alcohol markers.  I use them with my Copics, to help round out my color palette.  I love the way these blend, and they also play well with the Copics.

I added some shading with a very light gray Everblend marker.  The Be Gentle verse is offset with a scrap of striped pp, and some black pearl accents added for embellishment.                                I kept the inside simple with the images stamped lightly, leaving room for a personal note.

Inside

I love to make and send these types of cards, especially now.  There are so many people who can use a little encouragement, don't you think?

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  I appreciate your comments.

Blessings,

Never Stop Making Wishes Card - Week 4 of #WWDB Challenge at Technique Junkies

We are heading into the final week of the #WWDB What We Do Best Challenge at Technique Junkies.  If you haven't participated, get inky and join us.  You just might win a $50 gift certificate to the TJ store!

This week the theme is pretty general.  Make a card that is uplifing and encouraging.  It can be any of the last three weeks topics.  I decided to play with my Arteza markers today....

Never Stop Making Wishes 
Anything Is Possible 

I created the background with #Arteza real brush markers.  I rubbed the markers onto an acrylic stamp block, spritzed it generously with water, then tapped it onto watercolor paper.  I repeated with three colors, drying between, until I had the background the way I wanted it.  I have also done this technique in the past with dye ink pads.

I inked the Never Stop Making Wishes  stamp with VersaFine Claire Nocturne ink, and stamped it onto the dried background.  I drew a narrow frame around it with a .03 Micron pen.  I use these pens for fine line work, particularly when I do Zentangle patterns.  Oh, I also drew a few of the dandelion 'wings' for more of a flurry!  Must have been a windy day. 
I mounted this onto an ivory A2 card front.

Inside, I stamped the Anything Is Possible verse with the same black ink, and added more 'fuzzies.' 

That is it.  An easy card, using a fun technique and just one stamp!  Well, one stamp for the front.  But I usually try to do an inside to carry the theme over.  And an envelope design.  Just makes the whole experience more fun, I think, for the recipient.

Thanks so much for visiting.  I do hope you will join us in this challenge.   You can read all about it, along with rules and prizes, on Pat's Technique Junkies blog post WWDB Challenge HERE. 

Don't forget to use my code, TJ10Lynda, for your extra 10% off your entire purchase from the TJ store.  

And today is the last day for the 25% off the May release stamps!  

Thank you for stopping by.  I will be back tomorrow with more inspiration.

Blessings,

Celebrating Mom Card

Welcome to the 'Moms Rule' Challenge at Impression Obsession!  Today, it's all about mom on our blogs. 

I hope you will join us and play along in this challenge to honor our moms, or friends/daughters who are moms.  You can enter HERE.   Each entry gives you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the IO store!  

IO Stamp links:
Sweet Step C20852
Humble and Kind CL1031 (verse on front)
Celebrate The Day E20844 (inside)

I love this adorable little Sweet Step stamp image.  I stamped her onto white bristol smooth card stock, and painted her with Arteza real brush markers with a water brush.  
Instead of coloring directly from the marker, I rubbed some of the color from the marker onto a ceramic tile, then picked up the color with my water brush to paint the image.  This allowed me to get the much softer look I desired.

I die cut the image panel and a green panel from circle dies, and added them to a pp panel, which, I then adhered to an A2 card front.

I stamped the 'Celebrating You' from the Humble and Kind clear stamp set, colored it with colored pencils, and added it with foam tape for extra dimension.

INSIDE, I stamped the Celebrate The Day verse.

Be sure to stop at the IO blog HERE for more inspiration from our design team.  We would love to see what you create, so do join us please!

Thanks so much for visiting.  Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Blessings,
 

Impression Obsession Challenge - Tickled!

Welcome to the Impression Obsession

'Tickled' Challenge

I hope you will join us in this fun challenge.

Just make a card/s and enter HERE.

Each card you enter gets you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the IO store!

Here is my card.  I hope it inspires you to join us!

 IO stamps: CL886 Monster Mash
                  CL1030 Mondays  (inside)

I had so much fun making this card with these cute little monster critters.  What a fun set!

I used pp for my card and background panel.  I colored the 'monster' with Arteza Real Brush Markers.  I love these for their vivid colors and fine points.  And they blend beautifully.  

I fussy-cut my little monster, and added it to my card front.

Inside: 

INSIDE

That's all there is to it!  Easy-peasy.  Badda-bing!

For more inspiration for this fun challenge, check out the other designer's posts HERE.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I appreciate your visits and comments.  Hope to see you in the challenge!

Blessings,
 
CL886 Monster Mash

 

CL1030 Mondays