Fun with Stamps & Stencils!

Hi all! Today the Impression Obsession Design Team is whipping up some fun with the BRAND NEW IO Balzer Design Stamps! Hop around and you'll see the fun you can have when you use these stamps with  Crafter's Workshop Stencils/Templates!   Want to know what's fun about this concept? Each stamp works independently. Each stencil works independently. Each stencil has a matching stamp set and they can ALL work together. Think of all the fun possibilities!

For my creation, I used The Clear Stamp Butterflies Set along with the matching 6 by 6" stencil (you can see the bottom of this post for all the links!) When I saw the words Tell your Story and Journal and Create, I just knew I wanted to cover a journal with all of these pretties!

I started by covering my journal (just a $1 composition book I got at Target) with all kinds of aqua decorative papers. You can see in the top right corner, I used THIS Cover-A-Card Graph Paper background, stamping it in Memento's Teal Zeal. In the upper left corner, I just used the Layered Beads Template Stencil and some pearl acrylic paint that I sponged on. I have to tell you -- I love the glimmer this technique added. Photography really doesn't showcase it well enough. I think I will take an afternoon to make my own pearlized background papers thanks to these fun stencils!

For my focal piece on the journal, I used some of Impression Obsession's new dies. This one is meant to be used with the Shake It Pouches -- but I decided to be a rebel and use it for layering up this beautiful butterfly! This die is called the Circle Shaker Frame Die.  After I was done stamping my butterfly, I did accent the wings with a white gel pen.

Check out a few close ups!

On the butterfly above, you can see how I stenciled over the butterfly wing using the same pearlized acrylic paint!

And for the icing on top, I added these fun little butterflies to accent the ribbons I'll use to save different places in my journal. I just attached them to some seam binding ribbon thanks to a few glue dots. The butterflies are also a new die from Impression Obsession called Butterflies Die.
Want to see what the rest of the IODT whipped up using these fun new stamp and stencil combos? Hop on over and see.....

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer --- leave a comment here for a chance to WIN goodies!
Mitra Friant
Jeanne Streiff
Daniela Dobson
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett
Jenny Gropp
Dina Kowal

Where can you find these goodies? Click for the links below! Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you back here soon!

Clear Stamp Bird Set 6x6 Layered Bird Scene Clear Stamp Flowers Set 6x6 Layered Flowers Stencil Clear Stamp Circles Set 6x6 Layered Circles Stencil Clear Stamp Butterflies Set 6x6 Butterflies Stencil Clear Stamp Tickets 6x6 Layered Tickets 6x6 Rubber Stamp Circles 6x6 Layered Beads Template

InLinkz.com

Flourishes Sneak Peeks Day 1: Summer Blossoms!

Hi all and welcome to the very first day of Flourishes Sneak Peeks for JUNE! It's exciting because the sets being revealed this week aren't just unique for June -- they are part of an entire collection of stamp sets that will be released over the next year!

Introducing...

With the Blossom Collection, each set released under this name will be designed to coordinate with the other pieces for all types of occassions! Use one set on it's own or slowly add to the collection -- that's the beauty of it! Want to see today's set?

This beautiful array of blossoms illustrated by Marcella Hawley features a bouquet, corner stamps, and pieces to create your own borders or frames. Add in a trio of all occasion sentiments and you have the perfect set to create cards for every day correspondence. This set is the perfect companion to sister sets Happily Ever After SS199 (watch for it Friday) and Letters in Blossom SS198 (watch for it tomorrow). If you like what you see, this set is available for pre-order now, just click HERE! And, you can buy all three in the New Release Bundle HERE! Keep in mind though, the bundle will only be available through June 22nd!

On to my creation!

For my creation, I knew I wanted a circular centerpiece and so I did stamp using Memento Toffee Crunch ink (one of the new colors) and then colored with a mix of Copic markers. I honestly used way too many collections! I got a little crazy!

I'm sure you could get a similar look without so many colors. Like I said, I just went a little nuts! To mat up my creation, I used some Songbird Paper by Prima, some Champagne seam binding (Flourishes will soon be carrying seam binding so watch for it soon!), some leaf trinket pins, stitching and... ta da! You can't see it very well, but I did stamp the words "Thank You" in the lower right corner of my card. You can see it a lot better in person! I love the almost country charm this image has -- especially when paired with soft papers like this. One more note! After I cut out my image with a Spellbinders Classic Circle Die, I cut and embossed a shape using the Blossom die as well and then sanded to reveal the paper's white core. The white was a bit too much in my humble opinion, so I did go over the sanded area with the YG21 marker to tone it down a bit and match the color of my paper a little bit better to my image. See?

You can see, I also added some razzle dazzle with the help of some glitter glue and... that.. my friends is it!

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!

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber -- you are here!
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Beate Johns

One quick note!! As you make your rounds today, you might notice some of the gals using some fun paper in shades of sage, blue and yellow! It’s all a part of Flourishes new 123 Create Kit that is being released TODAY… right HERE! Want a peek? Take a look. All this for just $20!

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES' ENTIRE JUNE RELEASE? Have you checked out the 10 Minute Creations Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in their Noon Time Challenges, which kick off today and continue noon tomorrow! The noon time challenges are fast-paced chances to win the full June release! 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!

See you back here tomorrow for more Flourishes FUN!

Gimme Ten & Celebrate Five!

Hi all! This time next week, Flourishes will be wrapping up its sneak peek week with three new beautiful sets being unveiled! So, to get ready for the big reveal….the DT is ushering in a fun-filled challenge to give you a chance to win each and every one of them! Mark your calendar — the fun starts NEXT WEDNESDAY!! AND....... there's more fun! Today, I kick off a 5th Blogoversary Celebration. If you scroll down, you'll find details on how to enter my challenge. I will have three HUGE prize packs to give away! So, don't miss out!

For Flourishes Challenge....all you need is ten minutes and a dash of creativity to play in our latest Release Week Challenge! It's one that gives you a chance to WIN our entire release for June!

HOW TO PLAY: Let your creativity shine AND don't take a long time to do it! This challenge is all about those 10-minute creations. Clean and simple layouts that can be done in a jiffy is what we are looking for here! Entries must be in by June 15th by 5PM EST in order to be in the running for the entire June Release! If you upload to Splitcoaststampers, please use the keyword FLLCJUN12! Winners will be chosen at random but one lucky person will be chosen to have their card featured here on the Flourishes blog! Just click HERE to find out more!

On to my creations! I actually did two!

I started really wanting to try out some of the brand new Memento inks that I just got!! These colors are truly yummy as you are about to see! I stamped the ferns from Ferns and Fiddles using Versamark Ink and then embossing with clear embossing powder. Afterward, I sponged on some Pistachio ink and then stamped one of the other fern leaves over top to create a kind of background and contrast. From there, add a few score lines, some embroidery thread a sentiment from the set and voila! Easy peasy lemon squeezey!!

Here's a close up!

 My second creation was actually a test drive of the first creation using Teal Zeal ink instead of the lighter green shade. After stamping and sponging, I thought it was too dark for a mostly white card.....so I cut out the image and sponged ink all over the panel. I had this sketch scribbled out on a nearby notebook -- so that took some of the thinking out of this one! Add a sentiment, some bling and.... ta da!

While you are out and about hopping around, take a minute to see what our fine designers have created!

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Danielle Kennedy

Julie Koerber

Sharon Doolittle

Stacy Morgan

Tammy Hershberger

So get those creative juices flowing — it could help you win some fantastic polymer! Wait... before you go. Do you want another challenge??

I honestly cannot believe it's been five years since I first posted a card here on Out to Impress! It's been a fun and wild ride and man oh man -- did it go FAST! I've been piling up some goodies for about six months to get ready and I will be giving away not one, not two but THREE prize packs to those that participate in my challenge! The good news is if you take on the Flourishes Challenge you will qualify for mine!

HOW TO PLAY! Choose one of the two challenges or create with both! 

• Create a ten minute creation
• Use a resist technique for your creation
• You can submit up to three cards -- give each portion of the challenge a try or try one of them three times -- makes no difference to me! 
• When you are done, link your creation up below using the Inlinkz widget!

I'll take entries through next Thursday at 5PM EST. I will draw three winners from the submissions and each of the prize packs has a value of roughly $100 each and will contain stamp sets, single stamps, alterables, mini embossing folders, decorative papers and embellishments! I will say one of the packs will be heavily focused on Christmas sets, papers and embellishments - if you would rather not be in the running for that one -- just leave me a comment and I will make sure that your name isn't in the running for that prize.

Thanks all for stopping by! I soooooo appreciate your visits and your comments! Happy Friday and Happy Stamping!

~Julie

By the Sea!

Hi all! Today the fun continues with Impression Obsession and today -- it's Gary Robertson's turn to unveil some new images that are perfect for summer! The DT is also ushering in a challenge called By The Sea and -- just like the name suggests -- the challenge is to include a little sand or surf or even a nautical feel to your card or creation! Just like in past challenges -- there is a gift certificate to the IO store on the line! So, click over HERE to find out more!

I have to say I love Gary Robertson's images. They all have a certain kind of charm to them that reminds me of a bit of yesteryear.. a time when life was slower. I did love this image that I used called Path to the Beach. Don't you just want to go there? I colored my image up with Copic markers, added some paper piercing, stitching and some fun Authentique Genuine papers. The little loopy brads are ones that I have had forever! I just wove some May Arts crushed mustard ribbon through for a little extra something. The sentiment called Live in the Sunshine was perfect (in my humble opinion) for this image.

So, there you have it -- a clean and simple creation that I think would be a great "guy" card! You'll have to make the rounds to see what the rest of the DT whipped up using some of Gary's new stamps! And... while you are hopping, don't forget to check out the By The Sea Challenge HERE!

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

I'll be back with more fun tomorrow (kicking off my 5th Blogoversary with some fun candy and a challenge or two)... so be sure to tune back in!

~Julie

 

Introducing DKDesigns at Impression Obsession!

Hi all! If you stop by my place when I am doing my IO hops, there's one name you'll see on the link list.... Dina Kowal. Well, EXCITING NEWS!!! Dina is no longer just a designer creating beautiful cards and creations -- she's also Impression Obsession's newest artist/illustrator!

Today, in honor of her big reveal, the DT is joining forces to show off some of her first stamp designs with IO. So... on to my creation!

If you make the rounds, you'll notice that there's a theme with Dina's release and you'll see it's got a nautical and travel theme to it. I had to pick this frame -- Shell Frame Collage -- because I just thought it was too beautiful and I also thought it would be nice just stamped and not really colored. After I stamped it, I cut it out with a die cut (Labels Seven from Spellbinders) and then sponged around the image with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I also distressed the edges a wee bit. The center of this frame was PERFECT for a sentiment and so... I chose this one -- Precious Treasure. If you look close, you can also see that on the left panel, I stamped the Cover-A-Card Shells background because it was, well, perfect! Layer it up and add some crazy stitching and you're almost done! I also added some burlap twine and a fun little charm that has been in one of my embellishment drawers for FOREVER! See?

If you want to see all the new stamps being unveiled at Impression Obsession -- be sure to click HERE. And don't forget to head on over to see what the rest of the IODT whipped up using Dina's new designs! I know you won't be sorry! I've seen some sneak peeks and I mean to tell you -- inspiration abounds!

Daniela Dobson

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Jenny Gropp

Julie Koerber -- you are here!

Laura Fulcher

Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by! And... remember... Friday I'll be kicking off some fun to celebrate my 5th Blogoversary! I'll have a challenge or two and giveaways like crazy. So, be sure to check back!!

Happy Wednesday!

~Julie

More stuff for SALE!!!

Over the weekend, I did some more cleaning and realized, I have far too many dies that I haven't used and probably never will -- so if you click HERE onto my Stamps for Sale page, you'll see a whole bunch of additions (and price reductions) -- including more than a dozen dies for the taking. I made sure that these were all priced to sell! You should know that some (most) have never been used!! they need a good home! So, be sure to take a peek!!!

Also, this week marks an exciting anniversary -- on JUNE 8TH 2007 -- right here on this blog, I posted my very first card creation. It's five years of Out To Impress and I would love to CELEBRATE!!! Starting Friday, I'll be hosting all kinds of fun. Would you be up for a challenge for a prize (sketch, inspiration or color)? Let me know by leaving me a comment!  I'll have a few days of blog candy and trust me -- my blog candy box is literally bursting at the seams!!! So, each gift will be a doozy and I will have at least three prize packs worth more than $50 each!

So tune back in and give me your two cents if you would be up for a challenge and on Friday June 8th -- I'll start the fun!

Have a great week and I will see you back here soon!

~Julie

Berry-licious!

Not only is today Friday -- it's Flourishes Friday and today the design team is showing off some purely delish designs using an oldie but goodie -- STRAWBERRIES! If you haven't seen this lovely, check it out!

Doesn't it just make your mouth water? Well, wait until you see what the design team whipped up with this set. Some also used a cherished background called Basketweave...

And... as I move on to my creation, I took on an extra bit of a challege thanks to Flourishes' artist, die designer, author and all around great gal -- Becky Fleck and....

Today, Becky will load up a new round of CardMaps over at pagemaps.com and some of the Flourishes designers took part by taking on one of her ten new card sketches! Here was my sketch.

And..... here is my creation!

So, you can see I used the berries for my background, stamping them with one of Memento's newest colors -- Peanut Brittle. Then, I colored up my berries with Copic Markers and I used these collections....

After I colored it all up, I did add some dots to the berries with the help of a white gel pen.

You can see in the background, I did use the Basketweave stamp to add a little extra pop. The paper is from my scrap bin, May Arts ribbon, and the pennants were cut with my Grand Calibur using the Nested Pennants die from Spellbinders. I did add a little bit of paper piercing as well. And that... my friends... is it!

Be sure to click on pagemaps.com to check out the fun! While you are hopping, make sure to pay these fine ladies below a visit!

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful and creative weekend ahead. Until next time..... Happy Stamping!