Friday, August 27, 2021

Watercolor Apple Blossom Bouquet


Hello friends!  Welcome to the cafe, where we have all things paper, and there's always a pot of coffee brewing.

Today I have a card using stamps from Magenta.  I used artistic license with the apple blossom bouquet, and painted it in shades of pink.  
I used Altenew watercolor paints and watercolor brushes to paint the background.  I stamped the flowers using my Misti and antique linen distress ink, so that I could do no-line painting with watercolor.  I added touches of colored pencil to create depth in the shadows, and some highlights.
I attached it to a green A2 card front. 
 
On the inside, I stamped the image with pink distress ink, and used a bit of water with light pink and green to softly add color to the image.
INSIDE

And a shout-out to my helpers, Daisy and Bella......

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

Blessings,


Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Birthday Hugs Floral Card

Hello friends!  It has been a while since my last post.  Life.  Summer.  Family.  Yadda-yadda.  All of the above.  But, I'm back.  All of the other is still going on, but I am carving out more me-time.  For my health and sanity!  So I hope to be on here a little more often now. 

My card today is for the Altenew Ultimate Challenge Blog Hop.   Several blogs are participating, and it sounded like fun.  

I used one of Altenew's Watercolor Coloring Book pages.  I LOVE this book.  Each flower is beautifully drawn, and each design has two flowers, one in regular black line, and one in very light gray for no-line coloring.  

I used Altenew pan watercolor paints to paint my image and background.  These watercolors are very high quality, and I found them a delight to paint with!  The Altenew watercolor brushes are artist quality also.   I have been using them for a while, and they are my go-to brushes now.  And they are reasonably priced for a this quality brush.  I used Polychromos colored pencils to add highlights and shading.
With a micron pen, I drew lines for borders along the top and bottom of the image, and along both sides.  I like the way they frame in the flower. 

I used the same pen to write the Happy Birthday, and drew in some black dots for texture and interest.

I attached the painting to a white A2 card front.  Inside, I used an image from the Wonderland and mask stencil, with some distress ink.  The inside verse is from the Altenew Beautiful Day set.

INSIDE

That's it for today.  The hubs and I are quarantining for 14 days, as we were with a friend Thursday who wasn't feeling well.  She took the Covid test the next day and was positive.  Thankfully, we are both well, and have tested negative for Covid, but the state mandates 14 days quarantine because of our exposure.  We have both been vaccinated, but apparently can be carrying the virus.  We are on day six.  Not fun.

So, I am brushing up on my watercoloring, taking a course that I am really enjoying.  I will post some of my work as we get a little further along.

Stay well.  Stay positive.  Be kind.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings,

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Impression Obsession June 2021 Die Cut Obsession

 
We have set aside today to share some fun themed projects 

This month's theme is Birthday. 
Have fun checking out what our Designers have made today.  
Today's participants can be found on the Impression Obsession blog.
 
IO Stamps/Die links:
 
How I made my card:
  • From white card stock, I die cut the Birthday Words and Small Candle, and Pinked Stitched Sentiment Banner from the die cuts.
  • On a white A2 card front, I used a stencil to create the rectangle in the center, brushing distress ink through the stencil.
  • I used distress ink to brush color onto the candle flames and the Birthday Words.
  • I added the die cuts to the card front.  
I just love these candles, and the birthday words dies!
Don't forget to check out the other participating designer's projects HERE.
You can find the entire June Release stamps HERE.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  
 
Blessings,
 

 

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Impression Obsession June 2021 Release Team Favorites Hop

 Welcome to the Impression Obsession 
June 2021 Release Team Favorites Hop!
The Impression Obsession Designers are sharing their 
favorite projects from this month’s release today!
We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession Grab Bags, 
so the more you comment through our Favorites Hop,
the more chances to win! 
Comments will be open until June 21st at midnight CT. 
All winners will be announced on June 22nd on 
 
You can find the June Release stamps HERE.  

For today's card, I chose the adorable little pooch.
 
IO Stamps Links:
 
How I made my card:
INSIDE
 
I hope you are enjoying our cards for the June Release.  There are so many fun stamps to work with in this fabulous release.  
 
You can find more of the team's favorites on the Impression Obsession blog HERE.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,
   



 

 

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Impression Obsession June 2021 Release Blog Hop Celebration - Day Two

Welcome to Day Two of the Impression Obsession June 2021 Release Celebration!
The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.
If you came from Impression Obsession blog, you are in the correct place. 
  
We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!
 
All comments for each of the event days will be open until June 14th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on June 15th, on the Impression Obsession blog.
  
Ruff Day
 
 
 
IO Stamps Links:
 
How I made it:
  • In an ivory card stock panel, I stamped the Dog Face and Ruff Day.
  • I colored the images with Tombow markers.
  • A strip of dotted washi tape along the top of the panel.
  • Some pink spatters, and a pink die cut heart in the background.
  • I attached the panel to a gray A2 card front.

So, there you have my card for Day Two.  I will be back throughout the month with more cards from this fabulous release.

Next on the hop is  Vicky Garrett's blog Be sure to check out the hop's participants' inspiration:
Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO Store!

Blessings, 

 



Monday, June 7, 2021

Impression Obsession June 2021 New Release Blog Hop Celebration - Day One

 
Welcome to Day One of the Impression Obsession June 2021 Release Celebration!
The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.
  
We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!
 
All comments for each of the event days will be open until June 14th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on June 15th, on the Impression Obsession blog.
  
I have two cards for your inspiration today. 

Card One: Be Blessed

 
IO Stamps Links:
Small Bloom 1  D20938

How I made it:
  • On a white A2 card front, I distressed the edges with distress ink, and added some spatters.

  • I stamped the be Blessed and Small Bloom 1 and 2 onto bristol card, painted the flowers with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor paints.  I also painted the inside of the be Blessed.
  • I cut a panel from the be Blessed, distressed the edges, and added it to the card front.
  • I added a green die cut from the Mid-Size Frame Die, and added it, weaving one end of the verse panel under it.
  • Added the flowers.
  • INSIDE:  I used a stencil to create a distressed edge, and added a fussy-cut flower.
INSIDE


Card Two:
IO Stamps Links:
  • On a white A2 card front, I stamped the Greeting Card, using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink for the card, and pink marker for the bow.
  • I used blending brushes to add pink distress ink to the card, masking off the edges with washi tape.
  • Finally, I stamped the Love Is Patient stamp inside the card front.

So, there you have my Day One cards.  I will be back tomorrow with two more cards for Day Two.  
Next on the hop is Vicky Garrett's blog.    Be sure to check out the team's inspiration:
 
Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO Store!

Blessings, 



Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Impression Obsession Die Cut Obsession With May Release Stamps & Dies

 


Hello friends,  Today we are using our Impression Obsession dies on our cards.  I am also using a couple of the new dies and stamps from the June Release.

IO Stamps/Dies Links: 

This is how I made my card:
  •  On an eggplant A2 card front, I attached some gold shimmer paper.
  • I created a panel with distress inks, and stamped the Stars with gold pigment ink, and added it to the card front.
  • I stamped the Coffee Under Stars verse onto some of the gold paper, and attached that.
  • I gold embossed the Compass, added some color, fussy-cut and attached it.
  • I cut the pieces from the Thermos & Mugs die, colored them with distress inks, added some gold pen lines, and attached them.
  • INSIDE:  I added a piece of the front background and some gold paper strips, and gold embossed the Adventure Awaits verse.
INSIDE


I hope you get a chance to play with some of your dies and/or stamps this week. 
 
Thanks for stopping by today.
 
You can find other participating designer's project links on the IO blog HERE.  

Blessings,

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Impression Obsession May 2021 Release Theme Day - Adventures


 
We have set aside today to share some fun themed projects 
This month's theme is Adventures
Have fun checking out what our Designers have made today.  
Today's participants can be found on the Impression Obsession blog.
 
IO Stamps/Die links:
Compass E5751
Adventure Coffee A5753
 
How I made my card:
  • On kraft card stock, I stamped the compass image. I also stamped it onto teal card stock.  I stamped the Adventure from the Adventure Coffee image.
  •  I printed a computer image of world globes, fussy cut them, layered them with teal, and attached them to a kraft A2 card front.
  • I added some banner cuts of black, kraft, and teal.
  • I fussy cut the Compass images, layering the teal onto the kraft, then added them to the card front with foam tape.
  • Some punched circles added for embellishment.
  • INSIDE:  I stamped the Compass and Adventure Awaits images. 
INSIDE
 
And that is it for my Adventure Theme card today.  Don't forget to check out the other participating designer's projects HERE.
You can find the entire May Release stamps HERE.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by today!  
 
Blessings,

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Impression Obsession May 2021 Release Team Favorites

   Welcome to the Impression Obsession 
May 2021 Release Team Favorites Hop!
The Impression Obsession Designers are sharing their 
favorite projects from this month’s release today!
We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession Grab Bags, 
so the more you comment through our Favorites Hop,
the more chances to win! 
Comments will be open until May  at midnight CT. 
All winners will be announced on   at
 
You can find the May Release stamps HERE.


IO Stamps/Die Links:
Pack Your Bags E21375
Tag With Reinforcements Die 1064Y
 
How I made my card:
  • On a kraft card stock panel, I stamped the various words, and attached the panel to a blue pp A2 card. 
  • I added the Tag With Reinforcements die cut with foam tape to the card front.
  • I stamped the Baxter and Pack Your Bags images.  I watercolored Baxter.  I fussy-cut both images and added them to the Tag With Reinforcements.  Added to the tag with some ribbon through the hole. I curved the Have a safe trip verse from the Life Stuff Sentiments set on an acrylic block and stamped it.
  • INSIDE:  I added a strip of pp, and stamped the Pack Your Bags image on another, fussy-cut, and added it.
Inside

I hope you are enjoying our cards for the May release.  There are so many fun stamps to work with in this fabulous release.  
 
You can find more of the team's favorites on the Impression Obsession blog.  Next on the hop is the talented Vicki Garrett.
 
Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,
   



Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Impression Obsession May Release Blog Hop Celebration - Day Two

Welcome to Day Two of the Impression Obsession May 2021 Release Celebration! 
The new stamps are available NOW! You can find them all HERE.
  
If you came from Impression Obsession blog, you are in the correct place. 
  
 
We will be giving away THREE Impression
Obsession $25 gift certificates 
for the event - so the more you comment through our Release Celebration the more chances you have to win!
 
All comments for each of the event days will be open until May 10th, at midnight CT. All winners will be announced on May 11th, on the Impression Obsession blog.
  
I have two cards for your inspiration today. 
 
Card One: Just Retired
 
IO Stamps Links:
 
 How I made it:
  • On a gray A2 card, I attached a panel of a US map.
  • I added a gray Wacky Stitched Circle die cut with foam tape.
  • Stamping the Just Retired image on bristol card stock, I colored it with Inktense pencils.  I love the vibrancy of these pencils when you add water.  They are my favorite go-to watercolor pencils.  They are permanent after water is added, so they layer color very well.
  • I fussy-cut the painted image, and added it to the gray circle.
  • INSIDE:  I stamped the Pack Your Bags image in gray, and the Congrats!

Inside


 Card Two:  Pack Your Bags
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IO stamps links:
 
How I made it:
  • On an ivory A2 card front, I stamped the Pack Your Bags suitcase image.  I used Tombow markers to color the suitcases, and add the gray underneath.
  • I added some spatters, and let it dry.
  • I stamped the Adventure Awaits onto pale card stock, and colored the letters with the Tombow markers.  I cut it apart, and added them both to an orange scrap.  I added the Adventure word to the front with foam tape.
  • INSIDE:  I attached the 'awaits' word to the inside, and colored and fussy-cut one of the suitcases from Pack Your Bags, and added that. 
Inside

 

So, there you have my Day Two cards.

Next on the hop is  Vicky Garrett's blog.  You can find a list of all the participants for Day Two HERE.  Be sure to check out their inspiration.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Don't forget to comment on each blog for your chances to win one of three $25 gift certificates to the IO store!

Blessings,