Holiday Shimmer!

All this week on the Flourishes Newsletter, the DT is cooking up fun by mixing up some of the company's designs--- with Shimmerz paints! If you missed any of the action, you need to head on over and see some of the beautiful creations that were unveiled Monday and Tuesday! Just click HERE!

Here's a peek at the card I have over on the blog today! Yes... it's Christmas in July!

For the details, all you need to do is head on over to the Flourishes Newsletter! Faith Hofrichter has a gorgeous sample today as well-- you don't want to miss it!

See you back here tomorrow!

Impression Obsession gets.... shimmery!

What happens when Impression Obsession stamps collide with Shimmerz Paints? Well, you're about to see! The IO gals are making Shimmerz shine this week with a peek at some newly released stamps and some old time favorites

For my card, I wanted to ink up these candy jars by Leigh Hannan. They just really remind me of those old fashioned candy shops that I used to go to as a kid! Remember rock candy? Gosh, you can hardly find it anywhere any more!

Here's a peek at my card!

I stamped with Brilliance Black ink on white card stock ,heat set and then started coloring with a mix of Copic markers and watercolor pencils. After that, I sponged on some Antique Paper distress ink (Ranger) and then.... the fun began!

I colored over the green sections with Key Lime Shimmerz. The lids of my jars were colored with Silver Bells Shimmerz. The rock candy was colored with spots of Opal Shimmerz. I wanted to add some chunky glitter on top of that, so I grabbed some Icicle Stickles just to add a bit of texture. This is one sparkly candy jar!

Here's a close up so you can see how the Shimmerz looks on the candy. I love how light weight this paint is. It just glides on and is transparent enough that it adds color without taking away from your image underneath!

You can also see I added some Crystal Lacquer to my gumballs to make them all shiny.

After you color it up, add a sentiment .. Every day with you... and mat it up with the help of some Nestabilities, Basic Grey Lemonade, and a fun button and.... done!

You'll have to head on over to the Impression Obsession blog to see what some of the other DT members cooked up with IO and Shimmerz!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Peas for a Sweetie!

Last weekend, SCS picked my bud Stacy Morgan as the Featured Stamper and I couldn't have been more excited for her! So... I quick-like searched her SCS Gallery and found a beauty to case! I just love her crisp and clean design. She does it so well!

So THIS is the card I picked. And below is my version!

For starters, I stamped my Sweet Peas (Flourishes) off the right side using Versamark ink and then embossing it with silver detail embossing powder. Then... let the fun begin! I started by coloring all the flowers with Shimmerz! Many times you will see folks color their image with markers, colored pencils or even Copics and then go over their image with a neutral color of Shimmerz. Well, I opted to paint directly with Shimmerz!

For starters, I used a base coat of Pink Poinsettia. While the paint was still wet, I dabbed on some Pink and Hotty Pink to add some depth to all my flowers. For my leaves, I painted the base in Celery and then added a splash of Sagebrush to add some depth. It you meld these colors while the base color is still wet, these paints blend beautifully!

The rest is pretty self explanatory - my dp is Stampin' Up, Silk ribbon tied in a knot, Scallop created by an SU edge punch, grommets (Mark Richards) and pearls (Kaiser Craft)

Now for a peek at the sparkle! It just looks so soft and feminine in real life!

I am convinced that there are hundreds of ways to use these paints!!But, when in doubt, a simple paintbrush and a lovely stamp to color works beautifully too!

For more details on the Featured Stamper -- click HERE. This is one of my favorite challenges so it was double the fun being able to case a friend!

Thanks for stopping by!

Just Smile!

Isn't this the most fun stamp?? Doesn't it make YOU smile? It does me! It's one of the fab new creations from Lori Renn. I've gotten to know Lori a bit since we're both on the Shimmerz DT and when I found out she had her own stamps -- Oooooo lala! Who could resist?

In honor of her stamps' recent release, I pulled out some bright and colorful paper, fun ribbon, a giant flower and some bling!

There's not a ton to this card! I wanted the "Smile" to take centerstage in a cheery way! I stamped using Orange Vivid! And then, using a fine tip brush, I painted over top the ink with Marigold Shimmerz. I wanted that baby to sparkle! And.... it does!

Check it out!

Add a little punched flower, paper pierce the edges and mat it all up! What fun it was to create with one of Lori's creations! I know this will be a great "go to" stamp when I just want to send a little sunshine in the mail or with a gift! Her entire collection can be found HERE! And for all things sparkly - of course - you can visit the Shimmerz Shop HERE!

Saluting the Sgt!

When I saw Jami Bova (sgtstamper on SCS) was the Featured Stamper this week over on SCS, I had to stand at attention! ;-) Then, I had to look through her gallery to find one to case for the challenge! There were so many fun things! But, when all was said and done, I chose THIS card.

I loved the shape of the card and the way the eyelet was off to the side. I also loved how the quote really took center stage.So, I grabbed one of my favorite Impression Obsession stamps and sentiments and went to town!




Isn't it fun? Don't mean to be an enabler about shoe shopping, but I tend to agree! I have actually designed outfits around fun shoes that I've picked up here and there!

So, to make my scalloped card - I, of course, used the ole Nesties to get my shapes. I stamped my sentiment and shoes in black and then stamped the shoes a second time on decorative paper and paper pieced it. Add some bling and a fun sheer ribbon off to the side and you're almost done! I used Cool Grey #1 Copic marker to shade underneath my shoe!

Since Jami and I are on the Shimmerz DT, I did add some sparkle to my shoe thanks to a bit of Candlelight Shimmerz!! Here's a close up!


If you haven't played along with the Featured Stamper challenge - there's no time like the present! Check it out HERE!

And, speaking of challenges, today is Tuesday-- which means another Timeless Tuesday over on the Flourishes Newsletter! It's a fun one!

See you back here soon!

a friend like you....

Hi all! Hope you have had a fabulous weekend! It's been lazy here again! Gosh, I see a trend - don't you?

Thought I'd share some of the fun I cooked up for Impression Obsession's booth at CHA. I love this new set from Sarah Phelps. It will be on sale soon I'm told! This card was super duper easy! I just really played off the dp for my punch (Basic Grey Eva).

I stamped the saying in black and added my swirl with Angel Pink Memento ink. The butterflies were stamped twice (once for the antenae and the second time so that I could pop it up.)

Mat it up, add some shimmery cording and some bling and you are pretty much done!

I wanted to show you a close up of the wing-- I added some Pixie Dust Shimmerz to give the wing just a little bit of pizazz! It's really sparkly in real life! That's it my friends! A simple card that is a perfect little pick me up for a friend! I'll see you all back here soon!


p.s. Anyone watching the Superbowl??? We have a fierce fight in our family. DH is cheering for the Cardinals. DS is talking smack about the Steelers. Should be entertaining in the Koerber house to say the very least!!! Good thing I am on the fence! :-)

Can you tell I need spring?

I have to be honest- I've joked with my friends who live in Florida that I might just pack a bag and head their way! January in Montana means a bit of this -- bitter cold and a bit of that -- not as cold. I think I am a snow bird at heart!

So, when the Impression Obsession gals said - let's do a "spring" challenge - I was all over it! In fact, I didn't just want a springy look, I thought little umbrella drinks in exotic places! LOL! These are some of the brand new Leigh Hannan images from Impression Obsession that were just released this week at CHA! I colored these babies with my Copic markers in a light pink, two shades of yellow, and two shades of green for the leaves and then I went back over the umbrella and drink with some Pixie Dust Shimmerz to give it a little pop of glitz! Add some bling to the "berries" and the top of the umbrella and... you're almost done! I did cut out and pop up one of the lemon hearts just for fun. Add some scalloped ribbon and grab a fun decorative paper from your scrap stash and you're fini! The tag was just done using the SU scalloped circle and 1-1/2" circle punches.

Here's a close up.... Want to see some other signs of spring here in blog land? Just check out what the other fab IO gals have cooked up!

Dina
Daniela
Kelli
Laura
Michelle

Thanks for stopping by! I'll see you back here tomorrow!

Shimmer & Shine in 09!

Hi all! Want a chance to work with some amazing products that will really give your cards some razzle dazzle??

Well, Shimmerz is looking for several talented designers to join their team! If you enjoy making projects that sparkle and can capture the sparkle in a photograph, please apply today! The applicants for this call will be considered not only for current openings the DT, but also for future openings and for guest spots throughout 2009. Shimmerz does not plan to have another call until 2010!

Shimmerz seeks:

* Active, enthusiastic team members who enjoy using and talking about our products
* A nice mix of seasoned designers and talented rookies
* A variety of artists represented on the team: rubber stampers, scrapbookers, altered artists, painters, etc.

Deadline for submissions is February 15, 2009. Details available on the blog HERE!

Good luck!

Bring on the BLINGZ!

What do Flashee Fuchsia, Hottie Pink, Hi-Ho Silver and Pixie Dust all have in common? They are the new Valentine inspired Blingz from Shimmerz! And.... they are being released-- today!

To get ready for the release, I picked up one of my new favorite images - the large rose from Flourishes I Love Roses set and went to town with Flashee Fuchsia and Hottie Pink.

I started with pink and then used the fuchsia to shade in the rose. I can't tell you just much this baby sparkles! Many have asked - how much different are the Blingz from Shimmerz? Well, for starters it is a slightly thicker paint with a whole range of iridescent color packed inside the sparkle!

Take a look! Here's a close up!
To make the card, I used my Labels Two Nesties by Spellbinders to cut the shapes. I added some Antique Linen distress ink around the edge on the main ivory piece and then cut out and layered my rose on top. The leaves were painted with Key Lime, Olive and Sagebrush Shimmerz.

And... voila, a perfect card for your honey this Valentine's Day that is sure to sing.... with the Blingz! Want more inspiration? Head on over to the Shimmerz Blog!

I have so much brewing for my blog this week...so stay tuned! Flourishes will start the sneak peeks on their three new sets on Wednesday and YOU will have a chance to win the entire release!!! Click HERE for those details. I'll also have the winner of Regina Easter's Valentine's Printables soon! And... don't forget the rest of my blog candy HERE!

See you back here soon!

Stamp Simply -- it's still winter!

Hi all! How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Are you having to snuggle in a bit? It was slushy and 50 today! I am trying not to get too excited for warmer weather-- yet!

The weather is what today's Stamp Simply challenge ---courtesy of the fabulous Sharon Johnson --- is all about! That's why it's called - It's Still Winter! (keyword ssnotime69 on Splitcoast). Here's the gist - Let's pull out those snowflake and snowman stamps now that they've had a little rest since Christmas. Make any type of card that says WINTER -- and if you can do that without using a snowman or snowflake, all the better!

Well, I didn't pull out a stamp. I pulled out a stencil and some bleach! Because this is such a fun technique, I decided to break it down for you in a tutorial. EDITED TO ADD: When I posted this, I didn't stress that this technique is not one I came up with. I saw it at my local stamp store! Turns out, it is a technique from Dreamweaver's owner Lynell Harlow herself. So, I really have to give credit where credit is due. She has some AMAZING cards on the Dreamweaver gallery. Click HERE to check them all out!

Here's a peek at the card...
I wanted to create the look of a gently falling snow at night with the moon shining through. Here is how I did it! I started with a trees Dreamweaver brass stencil....

Then, I cut a piece of navy cardstock to measure the same as my stencil - roughly 4 by 5-1/2". Punch a hole in a post-it for my "moon" and create the snow line with a torn post-it down below. Mask it, so it looks like this...

Now, it's time to lay the stencil over top, gently taping it at the top. Fill a small spray bottle with bleach and spritz! You'll want to do this one rather heavy because you want the snow and moon to be pronounced. This is what you want to do....

Once you heat set the bleach, peel off the Post-Its and lift up the template, this is what your "scene" will look like so far!

Now, you want to rest the brass stencil back down trying to make sure it is aligned the same way and gently spritz again. Like this...

This time when you spray with the bleach, you want to make sure you spray from higher up so that your spray is a little more spotty. This is where you get your snowfall look! When you are done, lift up the template and heat set with your heat tool. This is what it will hopefully look like!

After I was done, I brushed on some Angel Wings Shimmerz so that not only did it look like snowfall, the paper glistened kind of like Stardream metallic paper! I love the way it looks in real life! You kind of get a picture of it here...

And, here again is my final product! Mat up the snow scene on some copper paper leaving a small edge mat. Add a tag and string some sheer navy ribbon through. Add a saying (I used the Thinking of you saying from a Flourishes sympathy set), add a little bit of bling and you are done!

Now, before I go-- don't forget to check out the challenge over at Sharon's place! That's where you'll find all the official details! And, be sure to check out the cards from the rest of the Stamp Simply team!

Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Dee, Becky, AJ, and Deb.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone! I have a ton of fun things brewing!!! Details on a great challenge, a new release from Shimmerz with brand new Blingz that are perfect for Valentine's Day and.... a fun project! So stay tuned!

Don't forget my blog candy HERE! I decided I'll close the Ultimate Valentine's Challenge on January 25th! So, there's still time! Regina's candy is only for a couple more days-- January 11th! So check that out HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

I can't believe I forgot!!!!

I'm going to blame this one on "holiday brain!" My bud, Barb Schram was last week's Featured Stamper over on Splitcoast. First of all -- what a huge honor! And, second - Barb deserves it big time! She is an amazing stamper! Just look at her gallery HERE! I tell her all the time how her creativity just blows me away!

So, a week ago when the news broke - I didn't walk- I ran down to my stamp room and pulled out some stamps with hopes of CASE-ing THIS beauty! That is the one that popped off the web page for me!

I dug through my flower stamps and picked a Penny Black stamp and a small Impression Obsession saying to create this.....

I grabbed some scraps of fun pinks and purple paper. Grabbed some markers and then colored and stamped my image on a piece of white cardstock. Sponge some pink ink around the edges, mat it up and follow the layout of Barb's card and you're almost done--- The saying was created by stamping on a 1-1/4" circle and matting it on a pink 1-1/2" circle. Add a loopy brad and some sheer polka dot ribbon and you are pretty much good to go!

I did want to make my flowers shimmer so.... I added some Shimmerz! I painted on some pink onto the small pink flowers and some Iced Lavendar onto the purple flowers!


Here is a close up.... It's kind of hard to see in my photo-- but it's there!

And voila.... done!

Hope you are all having a fabulous start to your week! I'll see ya back here soon!

Stamp Simply - Say It With Ribbon!

Hi all and happy Friday! Time for another Stamp Simply challenge! This week it's all about saying it with ribbon! Your ribbon should literally speak! The challenge is to stamp a saying on ribbon, make faux ribbon with a message or use a ribbon that has a pre-printed sentiment on it! I have to admit - I have never stamped on ribbon before! I actually had to ask the other gals how they do it without the ink bleeding. Thankfully, I followed in Becky's advice and used Staz-on ink on satin ribbon and, it worked like a charm!

So, here's my card!

This card actually couldn't get any easier! I used my new nesties - Curved Rectangles along with the new "You Are Invited" from Flourishes. Stamp it in black ink - color it with Opal Shimmerz, add some bling (Kaiser rhinestones) and Crystal Stickles for the champagne bubbles. Mat it on some decorative paper, add a blingy ribbon slide and .... done! The ribbon is May Arts. This is seriously a 10 minute card!

I wanted to show you a close up of the Shimmerz! In real life it has a light pink cast to it and really matches my paper!

So, that's it my friends! If you want all the details on the challenge, be sure to click HERE. Or, make the rounds and see what all the SS gals did this week!

Sharon
Becky
Tammy
AJ
Janine
Dee
Jennifer
Cat

Hope you make time for play time and join us! Have a fabulous weekend!

Blingz And Thingz!

ENABLER ALERT!

If you've seen me use Shimmerz here on my blog, well, watch out-- there's a whole new limited edition product line called Blingz that amps up the sparkle that you can apply to all your stamped creations! The range of sparkle in these little jars is off the charts. You might need sunglasses when you open the jar! LOL! I chose to dip into the new color Pink Poinsettia. And, I even had the perfect poinsettia stamp to use! (Poinsettia and Boxwood by Flourishes)

I started by stamping my image with Versamark and embossing it with gold detail embossing powder. After that - I let my paintbrush go to town! I painted the entire flower with Pink Poinsettia. While the flower was still wet, I added a touch of Pink Shimmerz on parts of the flower to add some shading. I love the way these paints blend, especially when they are still wet. It created the softest look with tons of bling! It's the perfect effect for holiday cards!

Here's a close up of the flower so you can see the shimmer of these new Blingz! The shimmer factor is amped and the sparkle seems to be more iridescent. It is just stunning!

Now when you look at the larger photo, you might have seen some shimmer on the mat. That was done by stamping my Damask backgrounder from Flourishes on my pink paper and then brushing some Pure Mica Powder over top in Luster Pearl. You just use as soft brush to apply and then wipe off the excess with a Swiffer Duster!

That's it for today my friends! If you want to check out some of the other creations and new colors of Bligz... click HERE!

Knit Happens!

Hi all! Hope you are enjoying your week! I just finished teaching a class at my local knit shop (my other craft addiction) and so, I wrapped up the class with this little gift! I found some little notebooks at Mikes' for a buck and I thought they would be fun to alter! It's a perfect size to stick in your knitting bag to make pattern notes. I LOVED how the pen is attached! No more digging around to find a pen! HA!
The paper is The Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby. All of the stamps are from Amuse. The ribbon I found at Mikes too. Putting it together was just layering paper! The center circle punch is a 1" punch, the layer is 1-1/4" and the base is a scalloped circle punch from Stampin' Up.

Here's a close up!
So, that's it my friends! The paper has been flying in my craft room and my mother and I's hands are officially inky! So.... stay tuned! We'll have more to come!

EXCITING NEWS!

We're only days away from the launch of a BRAND NEW product line for Shimmerz! Wait til you see these FIVE new colors! I can't tell you too much about them--- but I will say the shimmer on these colors is off the charts! They will be perfect to add that special glitz and glimmer to your holiday cards! Want to win the set? Click HERE and leave a comment -- be sure to tell them I sent ya!! :-) You have until 11:59 PM on October 31st. So click on over and sign up!!

Impression Obsession -- Tag, You're It!

This month, challenge master Kelli decided our Impression Obsession challenge should be tags! So, I thought and thought and came up with this little number!I used the Tree Flourish stamp all along the side of my tag and the saying is called Peaceful Holiday. Now, the mat behind is a tag that is about 1/4" larger all the way around. I attached it actually - with the ribbon that is strung through! Why? Well, I wanted a tag that I could use to write a note inside.... or.... use some double stick tape to adhere a gift card. This tag is the perfect size to completely conceal the card underneath!

This is what it looks like when it swings open... Now to the coloring! I used watercolor pencils to color my trees with two shades of green. I colored the berries with a red marker and then used my Quickie Glue Pen to make dots on the trees and added some 2mm rhinestones. I found these teeny tiny rhinestones in a package in the jewelry aisle at Michaels. You need tweezers to attach these babies! I'll tell you that! Here's a close up.... See that sparkle on parts of my tree and berries? I added Royal Red Shimmerz to the berries and Cande Light Shimmerz to the stars.
That's it my friends! Want to see what some of the other IO gals cooked up? Click away!

Dina Kowal- Guest Designer
Daniela Dobson
Deborah March
Kelli Richardson
Laura Fulcher

Thanks for stopping by!

Edited to Add: Dina asked how big this tag was -- well, the outer mat is roughly 3-1/4" by 4-1/4". Hope that helps! I didn't use a tag template, I just made my own with some simple cuts.

Santa loves a little shimmer(z)!!

Gosh, I can't believe we are getting really close to crunch time for Christmas cards! I know some of you out there are probably saying -- HUH? Well, normally I make my Christmas cards in the summer so that I can sit back and not worry. I mean, don't we already have enough on our plates during the holiday season?

So, this weekend I got some holiday creating done! Today's card is one that uses images that I think are just too stinkin' cute!!! I didn't have any Lizzie Anne Designs stamps and now I really think I need more! They are nicely etched rubber and stamp wonderfully!

So, I made this little number using the Rockin' Holiday set! I wanted a kind of spunky layout - something off center and just whimsical. I love how the set includes a little cookie and milk plate! I popped it off to the side so that it was "waiting" for Santa! I used a circle cutter, a 1/14" punch and my scalloped circle punch from SU. One thing you can't see in the main photo is just how much Santa sparkles! I colored him with Shimmerz paint!
Here's a close up! I used Royal Red on his suit, Angel Wings on his beard, Coal to his boots, candlelight to color the milk, and added some Mocha to the chocolate chips! I also added some white Liquid Applique to his hat and jacket to give it that fuzzy feel. Before the applique was heat set, I did sprinkle some prisma glitter on it so that Santa's hat would sparkle too!
The rest is decorative paper, some fun Christmas ribbon and some red bling!

How are you all doing on your Christmas/holiday cards? In the envelope ready to be addressed? Or, scraps of paper not even close to being created? I'd love to hear!! Happy Monday! Hope you had a fabulous weekend!