Impression Obsession Old Is New - Seeds of Kindness

 

Today's card is for the Impression Obsession Old Is New day.  You can find more inspiration using our older stamps from more of the IO design team HERE.  These are the stamps I used:

Charming Gardeners 3049-XL set

Swirl Mat stencil

 

 How I made my card:

• On bristol card stock, I stamped the flower vase image from the Charming Gardeners 3049-XL set with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink.  I added the seeds of kindness verse from the WP1000 Large Pocket Set.
• Using Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paint, I watercolored the image.
• I used the Swirl Mat stencil from A Colorful Life Designs to create the background, with tumbled glass distress ink.

That's it!  I kept it very simple.

I hope you are enjoying our Old Is New feature, and we have inspired you to use some of your older, well-loved stamps.  We love to give some of our older stamps some love now and then.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Impression Obsession Die Cut Obsession - Thankful

It's Die Cut Obsession time at Impression Obsession, and I have a card using this fabulous leaf die set from IO for your inspiration.  You can find more inspiration from my fellow team members HERE.

I used these dies and stamps on my card today:

Autumn Leaves DIE1003-R 

Thankful Banner D12278 

Thank You Clear Set CL948 

Here's how I made my card:

• Using distress inks and ink applicator brushes, I applied various colors of ink to a watercolor paper panel.  I spattered some water onto the
  
  background, and some die inks with a waterbrush to create spatter spots.  I attached the panel to a white A2 card front.

• From another piece of watercolor paper, I used the Autumn Leaves die to cut the leaves.  I used a waterbrush with distress inks to watercolor the leaves.  I also added some spatters to the leaves.  

• I stamped the 'From the bottom of my heart' phrase from the Thank You Clear Set  to the card with Ranger Archival ink.

• On green card stock, I white embossed the Thankful Banner and fussy-cut it, adding it to the card.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to check out the other designer's blogs for more die cut inspiration 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,