It's Christmas in July!

With Flourishes' Christmas in July sale well underway (you only have 4 more days!), the senior design team thought it would be fun to show off some Christmas looks to help spark inspiration and help you get those cards started, long before the snow starts to fly!

On to my creation! I don't know about you -- but I am a sucker for snowmen. I just love, love, love them! And, when it comes to snow guys - I also love those cool blue tones. So... ta da.. .I used both for my creation!

I stamped the snow guy from Warm Winter Wishes onto Flourishes Classic White using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it up with a mix of Copic markers. I used these collections!

After I colored up my snow guy, I cut it out, added some piercing, a mix of decorative paper with some pinked edges, a Seabreeze Sparklet, and a punched snowflake and border (Martha Stewart) and... done! I should mention, on the big circles on the decorative paper -- I did stamp the snowflake from this set using aqua ink. And that, my friends, is it!

Remember -- between now and the 31st of July -- all Christmas stamp sets are 25% off -- what a deal! No codes needed, prices have been marked down to keep it simple for you! Just click HERE to see all the good things that are on sale now!

Thanks for stopping by! I'll see you back here soon. Hope you have a fun weekend ahead! :-)

~Julie

IO DT Thursday!

Hi all! Happy Thursday - hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods! Today, I'm hosting IO DT Thursday and so, I wanted to show off one of the cards I made for Impression Obsession's booth at CHA but haven't shown here yet....

On to my creation! I decided on a black and white look with lost of pattern to add a wee bit of drama. I picked up a few of Dina Kowal's new stamps to create!

There really isn't a ton to explain on this card. I stamped all images on patterend paper using Versafine Black Onyx and stuck to the cream shades for my main image and my sentiment flag and then added a pop with two black and cream patterned looks for layering. I used Bird Collage 2 for my main image and the sentiment is called Let Your Soul. After layering it all up, I added a bow with ivory linen ribbon and a little Webster's Pages epoxy rose in a deep grey tone. I just love Dina's new line -- very classy! You can check out her designs HERE. And that, my friends, is it!

Hope your week is going well! I'll be back soon with some other fun & creative happenings. See you back here soon!

~Julie

I'm hosting... 10 Minute Thursday!

That's right -- if you need some 10 minute Christmas in July inspiration, just head on over to the Flourishes blog HERE to see what I have up my sleeve! This card is so easy it's shameful but I think we all need easy when it comes to Christmas creations, right? Here's a peek...

Don't forget - now through the 31st of July, Flourishes is having it's...

All Christmas stamp sets are 25% off -- what a deal! No codes needed, prices have been marked down to keep it simple for you! Just click HERE to see all the good things that are on sale now!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's a Free for All!

Hi all! Just as in release week’s past — the week after Flourishes' release the design team hosts a free for all — where they pick up their favorite sets of the release and play with any or all! So, get ready for a feast for the eyes today! Just in case you missed it — here are this month’s gorgeous sets! And, TODAY is the very last day to take advantage of the July New Release Bundle — when you can get all four sets for 10% off the retail price. Just click HERE to see the bundle in the store!

On to my creation!

I have no idea why but I really wanted to try this frame from the Flowers and Frames set on Kraft paper. I stamped using Tuxedo Memento Ink and then colored it up with Copic markers and used these collections...

After I was done stamping and coloring, I did cut out my main frame using the Spellbinders Floral Ovals. I stamped the smallest oval from the stamp set on kraft, added a sentiment and cut it out using the second smallest frame from the Spellbinders Classic Ovals LG set. The paper is from the Glitz Pretty in Pink pad (brown polka dot, which was embossed at the edges and sanded for a little distressed effect) and the red was just from my scrap bin. Add some red seam binding ribbon (coming to the Flourishes store SOON), add a little floral embellishment (Flourishes used to carry this -- it's from Webster's Pages), and..... ta da! I really liked the look on the darker paper!

Here's a close up....

And that, my friends, is it!  Now be sure to hop on over and see what the design team has in store!

• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Jan Marie Caruso
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks for stopping by! I’ll see you all back here soon! Hope you have fun plans. I plan to relax! We've been in the middle of a basement remodel and I mean to tell you -- that's tough work! So, I told my husband, I'm on strike. I'm taking a few days off! LOL! Hope you can relax in your neck of the woods as well!  :-)

~Julie

Just Smile!

Hi all! It's the final day of the Impression Obsession sneak peeks! The designers have been showing off all the new goodies being released this week at CHA. And... I should add -- all of the new stamps are live on the IO Store as we speak if you just click HERE! You're going to want to grab a cup of coffee -- because there are a lot of fun new images to look at!  

On to my creation! This one is really close to a 10-minute card and is perfect for those times when you really just need to send a little pick me up to a friend!

All I did was stamp THIS border called Smile Giggle along a strip of hot pink paper. The sentiment  -- called Light in the Window -- was stamped on a Spellbinders Labels Eight die cut shape (I cut twice - once out of white and a second out of decorative paper and then cut the dp die cut shape in half to create this two toned shape). Add some decorative paper, some black seam binding ribbon, flowers and a decorative button threaded with some pink and white twine, some paper piercing and.... ta da! It's a quick and easy card that's sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it!

Want to check out what some of the other IO gals created today? Just hop on over and see....

Daniela Dobson

Dina Kowal

Jenny Groop

Julie Koerber

Laura Fulcher

I should mention that if you comment on their blogs, you have a shot at winning a $25 gift certificate to the IO store! Check out the Impression Obsession Blog HERE for all the official details! I hope you had fun this week seeing some of the new IO offerings -- I know I had fun sharing and will continue to have fun creating!  See you back here soon!

~Julie

Fly Away!

Hi all! Time for another Impression Obsession sneak peek! Some of the designs I've been showing off this week are fresh off the presses and are being shown at the CHA trade show in Chicago! So, the design team is kicking off the fun by showing you some of the ways you can use these new stamps! And.. if you comment on the designer's blogs, you could be one of the lucky winners of a $25 gift certificate to the IO store! Just click HERE for all the details!

On to my creation, which is part of a challenge too -- the theme is Fly Away! I feel a little like superman -- but is it a bird, is it a plane? You be the judge -- just use something on your card or creation that flies!

These stamps were a blast to use just knowing they were created by fellow designer Dina Kowal -- these are some of her beauties! Don't you love them? I stamped the word "SOAR" and the Birds on Music stamps in black and then stamped the birds a second time using red -- cutting out just one and laying it over top my main image. I love that pop of color! Add in some fun black and white patterned paper and some rhinestone swirls and -- that's all it takes to create this one! Easy peasy!

Do you want to see what some of the other IO designers whipped up with this Fly Away challenge? Soar on over and see....

Daniela Dobson

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Jenny Groop

Julie Koerber -- you are here!

Laura Fulcher

Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by! I'll have one final peek for you tomorrow and this one will have you smiling for sure! Yep, that was a hint! ;-) See you back here then!

~Julie

Are you ready for some more IO Sneaks?

Hi all! It's day three of the Impression Obsession Sneak Peek week -- showcasing some of the brand spankin' new stamps that are hot off the presses and ready for stamping fun! These stamps are a part of IO's fall and winter line up and are being showcased this week at CHA! And... you could win a $25 gift certificate if you comment on the designers' blogs each day! Fun!

On to my creation!

I have to admit... this stamp is actually two stamps -- the berry was stamped and masked and the leaves were stamped over top to make it look like a holly branch. The stamps are called Berry Sprig and the leaves are called Holly Branch. I loved coloring this up and think it looks so elegant together! I used a mix of Copic markers, shading and then sponging on some Antique Linen Distress ink around the die cut image (with the die still on). Add some decorative paper with stitched accents, lace trim, some seam binding ribbon and a vintage brad and... ta da! I love the classic look! 

Daniela Dobson

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Jenny Gropp

Julie Koerber.... you are here!

Laura Fulcher

Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back again tomorrow with some more IO fun, so be sure to stop back -- you could win a $25 gift certificate! For all the details, just hop on over to the IO Blog for the official rules of how to win! Have a fabulous and creative day!

IO Sneaks... Day 2!

If you tuned in here at Out to Impress yesterday, you know that this week Impression Obsession is kicking off a week of sneak peeks to unveil their Fall and Winter designs that are a part of CHA this week! Each day, different team members will be showing off these new designs and there will be a $25 gift certificate drawing every day. On Friday, there will be an additional $25 gift certificate to those folks who participated all week!  

On to my creation! It's hard to think of using winter stamps when the temperature outside is nearly 100 degrees -- but hey -- that's the way the stamping world is! :-) So.... here goes!

This little guy is a new one from Claudia Tenorio-Pearl. Isn't he the cutest thing ever? This stamp is called Twinkles (E11044). I colored him up with a mix of Copic markers, added some Stickles Diamond glitter glue. The rest is just matting it all up! The sentiment, stamped on a 1-1/4" punched circle is a stamp, is called Friends are Flakes (A11074).   Add a ribbon and some fun bling! Easy peasy!

Want to see what some of the other IO designers whipped up today? Make sure to hop on over and see....

Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with more fun. And... don't forget to visit the  Impression Obsession blog daily for more details!

Flourishes is having a SALE!

This week folks are crowing in as CHA Summer kicks off in the windy city of Chicago!!! To get ready for all the new goodies that are unveiled this time of year - Flourishes needs to.....

So, for this week only ... through SATURDAY.. you can cash up on some serious savings and stock up on some goodies that you might need in your craft room! Here's a peek at the categories that will be on sale for 25% off!

ALTERABLES
EMBELLISHMENTS
FLOWER SOFT
PAPER & CARDSTOCK
PENS
RIBBON
LACE
SPELLBINDERS & EMBOSSING FOLDERS
TOOLS OF THE TRADE

So act now because once some of these items are gone, they will be gone forever! To take advantage simply use the code CHASALE in the coupon code box at the time of checkout. Make sure to hit Apply and Recalculate in order for your discount to take effect. There will be no rain checks! Click HERE to start shopping!

New Stamps from IO!

As we speak, Impression Obsession is unveiling some of the latest designs with a fall and winter theme at CHA! So, while Mitra and the IO gang mans the booth and shows off these new stamps, the IODT is showing you what you can create with these new goodies! And guess what? If you join us this week and leave some comments on the designer's blogs, you could win a $25 gift certificate to the Impression Obsession store! What fun!

On to my creation!

When it comes to some of my favorites from Impression Obsession - I love the sentiments, the Cover-A-Card backgrounds and now.... some of the new stamps that have coordinating dies! This card above is almost a 10 minute card and I love just how fresh and fun it is! I used one of Kalani Allred's new sentiments called Be Thankful (B3815). After stamping the words using Memento Teal Zeal, I used some light blue paper and then stamped the Cover-A-Card background called Circle Fusion 1 (using the same Teal Zeal ink). After I layered it all up, added a button, twine and bow. I stamped the Large Solid Leaf Stem using Pistachio Memento ink and then used the coordinating die cut called Branch Die and then matted it with some glue dots so that it would be sticking up out of the bow. And that, my friends is it! A little old... a little new -- just for you!

Here's the DT line-up for today! Be sure to stop by and see what they whipped up for this fun-filled CHA Sneak Peek week!

Daniela Dobson
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett

Want to know how you can win? Just click HERE and head on over to the IO Blog for all the fun details! I'll be back tomorrow with some more IO fun, so be sure to tune back in!

~Julie

The Flourishes Sneaks Wrap Up!

Hi all and welcome to the final day of Flourishes’ July Release Week! And, guess what? If you like what you’ve seen on the designers’ blogs this week, I’m happy to report that all of  the new sets for July are in the Flourishes store!! Just click HERE to see for yourself! Don't forget Flourishes' New Release Bundle -- 10% off if you buy all four sets! Are you ready to see our last set being revealed today? Today's set is all about grabbing life by the handlebars!

This darling set called Bike Ride illustrated by Lauren Pope offers a classic bicycle built for a lazy ride down a country road. Customize your creation with five different items to stuff inside the bike's charming basket - everything from a delicious bagette fresh from the farmer's market to your favorite furry friend! This set comes with 5 whimsical all occasion sentiments as well. Set measures 4 by 6".

On to my creation!

When I first set eyes on this set, I just smiled - what a happy set, don't you think? I just LOVE that little pup too and there are so many other items you can put in the basket! I used some Picadilly paper by BasicGrey, THIS fun trim, a strip of red rhinestones and that is pretty much the card basics! I used my Copic markers to color up my image after stamping with Tuxedo Black Memento on Flourishes Classic White.

Here's a peek at the collections I used!

I also added, as you can see in some of the close ups, some Stardust Gelly Roll pen for a little extra sparkle on some of the metallic areas like the wheel spokes and gears! The sentiment is also in the set and was stamped on some decorative paper that I later notched out for a little pizazz!

 
Would you like to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! What are you waiting for? Time to hop along and see what these fabulous designers created!

• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Jan Marie Caruso
• Julie Koerber -- you are here!
• Sharon Doolittle
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JULY RELEASE? Have you checked out the IT’S SKETCHY CHALLENGE? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in the Noon Time Challenges. There is the Bold & Beautiful Challenge HERE. How about the Triple Play Challenge? All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM ESTand winners will be announced Saturday in the Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

Sneak Peeks Day 3: Flowers & Frames

Hi all and welcome to day 3 of Flourishes and today's release is all about beautiful floral frames in all shapes and sizes! Want a peek?

This beautiful set pairs anemone florals designed in a swag-like design with sweet hand drawn frames that coordinate perfectly to provide a handful of different layering options. Use the large swag on a card base and build up using Spellbinders Classic Ovals LG. as your guide. Also features four all occasion sentiments designed to nest inside. The best news? If you like what you see on the designer's blogs today, you can pre-order this set -- right HERE! You can also take advantage of Flourishes' New Release Bundle -- 10% off all four sets when you order them in a bundle. Check it out HERE!

On to my creation!

I wanted to try using a lot of white space on my creaiton. So, I started with some good old fashioned Flourishes Classic White Card Stock! I stamped the frames using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto different size ovals from the Classic Ovals LG Spellbinders die set and then colored with Copic Markers. You can see that I used my Scor-Buddy to create the diagonal lines on my card front. The lines on my middle layer were made thanks to a diamond shaped embossing folder!

I used these Copic Collections to color up these florals!

Here's a close up! I just love the way these florals frame the different ovals! Don't you?

Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! So what are you waiting for? Head on over and see…..

• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Jan Marie Caruso
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JULY RELEASE? Have you checked out our IT’S SKETCHY CHALLENGE? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in the Noon Time Challenges. There is the Bold & Beautiful Challenge HERE. And, there's a second challenge that will be unveiled today at noon over HERE on the Flourishes Blog!

All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!