Thursday, June 18, 2015

IMPRESSION OBSESSION ~ CELEBRATING YOU

Join Impression Obsession's new challenge, Celebrating You! Create something in celebration using IO stamps and/or dies and join in the fun for a chance to win a $25 IO Gift Certificate. You can find all the details on the IO Blog.

Take a look at how the IO girls are celebrating

 Anna Wight 
Daniela Dobson
Dina Kowal
Ellen Taylor
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Karen Amidon...thats me!
Kittie Caracciolo
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett


The new stamp, Why be Ordinary, really caught my eye when thinking about "celebrating you". This stamp is so true! 
It's framed in black using one of the All-in-One Rectangles 2 Frames. 
I thought it would be fun to pair up the "extraordinary" Bathing Suit stamped image and retro bathing suit paper. 



Using 2 more die cuts from the All-in-One Frames, I made a free standing mirror! Here's to You has been stamped onto the mirror paper, to give the reflection of the fabulous, YOU! 
Of course I had to add a little beachy theme using the sandcastles from one of my favorites, the Mini Beach Set.


With the 4th of July coming soon and celebrating YOU, America, I made a shaker card.
 Kalani Allred, one of the many talented artist for IO, designed this Patriotic Collage stamp that was used for the backing of the shaker. I stamped it in Memento Nautical Blue and colored "America" in red with pencils.
I'm loving all the NEW Frame dies that have recently been released. The All-in-One Frames- Circle was used here...even the star is part of the die set!
The shaker was filled with micro beads and stars.

Thanks for looking...and here's to the wonderful you!



Wednesday, June 17, 2015

ART IMPRESSIONS~ CHALLENGE #161


The challenge going on over at Ai is just in time for Father's Day or a June birthday for one of your special "fellas"!
I'm joining in on the last day sharing this birthday card I made.
You can go here to the Ai Blog to see all the wonderful designs that have been entered in the challenge.


You gotta love these guys from Ai's Old Guys Rule Set. I can only guess what is going on in those delightful little heads of theirs!
A happy mistake happened while coloring one of the fellas pants. I was able to work it into a plaid that just happens to compliment the dp I was using!


I couldn't resist using the, "ole Geezer" on this one, it just seem to be the perfect fit!


Here are the Copics I used.
Thanks for looking

  • Stamps: Ai-Old Guys Rule Set 4474, Ole Geezer 1935
  • Papers: Neenah 110, Fancy Pants- Be Different, Bazzill
  • Dies: Impression Obsession-Buttons DIE067-C, MFT-Stitched Circles Stax, Vertical Stitched Stax, Nellie's-Circles, Spellbinders- A2 Matting Basics-A & B
  • Other: Copics, Mini Perfect Layers, foam tape, natural jute 




SERENDIPITY CHALLENGE #44 ~MY GUY

   
We are still focusing on the masculine theme for our June challenge. 
Join in and play along for a chance to win a $20 Serendipity Stamps Gift Certificate. The rules are simple, create something using Serendipity stamps and/or dies with the monthly theme, and enter. Remember, you don't have to have a blog to play! More info can be found on the SSCB.

The DT has added texture to the challenge
Take a look and see what they have created!

Karen Amidon...that's me!
Tracey McNeely...June Guest Designer


I Love the NEW Birdhouse with Sign image. The blank sign has been customer made using the small Miss You stamp. I have inked the image several times, fussy cut and added dimension by popping up the roof and the sign.


I started the card by stamping the beautiful Sweetgum and Acorns Cling Set image.
The stamped image was then die cut with the stitched square. A circle die was used to frame the image by dry embossing.
The Mahogany Sequins from Serendipity repeat the wood pattern on the bird house. 


The Birdhouse, acorns and a few leaves were fussy cut, curved and popped up onto Sweetgum branch.
Several different elements of texture were used to add interest. 
I have used faux suede, corrugated cardboard, natural jute and canvas to help pull together the masculine theme.

Looking forward to seeing your designs




Friday, June 12, 2015

SERENDIPITY~JUNE BLOG HOP


It's time to check out the new releases and do a little blog hopping! 
Serendipity is having their June Hop starting today, June 12th through Sunday June 14th. On Monday June 15th the winner will be announced on Mary's Blog.
Play along leaving some blog love for a chance to win a $20 Serendipity Gift Certificate.
The more blogs you comment on the greater your chances are!

If you are following the hop from the start you should be arriving here from very talented


Serendipity has a wonderful selection of Garden images.
This sweet Birdbath has been colored with Prismacolors. 


Stamping a portion of the image is a wonderful way to finish the inside of a card.


For my second card I have paired The Earth is the Lord's and the Daisy. I used two different colored inks for my stamping. After adding the Copics I went back and heat embossed over the stamped area with clear ep.
The die cut along the bottom is from the Heart Scroll Valance and Scalloped Border.  

Your next stop is another talented DT member

While you are hopping why not take advantage of Mary's Special and do a little shopping!
She is offering a 40% OFF coupon on the highest price item in cart.
"40fromhigh615"
Stock up on $1 Stamps, Wood Mount clearance, and don't forget...
The stamp of the month is the Grill
50% OFF all month
Thanks for looking and enjoy the hop!
Here is the full list

Karen Amidon...that's me!




Monday, June 8, 2015

WHIRLERS~ TWIRLERS and 4TH of JULY FUN!!



Time to kick off summer with the BBQ's, pool parties and some 4th of July fun!
Taylored Expressions has the cutest line of, "little bits"! These dies are truly "little bits" of wonderful!
For the card I've used the pinwheel and block party die, super easy to make.
 The pinwheel holders are a rounded toothpick that has been wrapped with a natural bakers twine. I used star shaped sequins for the center. 
 The festive paper is from the 6x6 paper pack, Summer Nights, also from TE.


The inside has been stamped with TE, freedom fireworks.

Thanks for looking, have a great week!



Thursday, June 4, 2015

IMPRESSION OBSESSION - BOAT PARTY CUPCAKE!

A new impression Obsession challenge starts today and the theme is Party Time! Design something with IO stamps or dies and play along for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate. All the details can be found on the IO Blog.

Party time with the IO girls! 


Impression Obsession has several different yummy cupcake images to color. For this party I am using the new Boat Party Cupcake! Everyone is On Deck for the party! Check out the new All-in-One Frames. To frame the image I have used the Square 2 dies. The star is from the All-in One Circles. I love all the different options you have from the dies! The wheel and anchor from the Mini Nautical Set were die cut 3 times then glued together to give dimension.


The cupcake was stamped twice and one of the images was fussy cut. I curved the fussy cut image and applied a silicone for it to hold it's shape.


 The More Basic Greetings cling set has so many great everyday sayings!
For the inside of the card I have chosen, Birthday Wishes.
Thanks for looking!




Wednesday, June 3, 2015

SERENDIPITY STAMPS CHALLENGE # 44~ MY GUY

It's the start of a new month which means...a new challenge at Serendipity!
 Last month we had "My Girl" so it's only fair that June would be, "My Guy"!
We love seeing your designs and hope that you will play along. One entry will be chosen randomly and as always there is a $20 Serendipity Gift Certificate up for grabs. 
All challenge details can be found here on the SSCB.

The DT is adding texture to our designs along with My Guy as our theme. Before we take a look at what the girls have come up with, we have a guest designer to welcome
Tracey McNeely

Karen Amidon...that's me!
Tracey McNeely...June Guest Designer


Just look at the beautiful etchings on the Triton Shell stamp. It was stamped in Moonlight White and heat embossed. Serendipity has beautiful letters from the Circle Alphabet and Scrolls Cling Set that I though paired nicely with the shell.
The texture on the white layer is hard to see but It is a deep embossed  woven pattern. Natural jute, enamel dots and paper washi tape adds more texture to my card.


The Bokeh technique was applied on the front as well as the inside. I ran the same woven  embossing folder and then smoothed it by running it through the Vagabond. It still shows the design, but its smooth enough to write on. Speaking of writing...Just a Quick Note is a great, "go to" stamp for touching base with someone!

Here's what Mary picked for the stamp of the month
Perfect timing to kick off those summer BBQ's!


This stamp will be 50% OFF all month long

Thanks for looking!




Tuesday, June 2, 2015

MORE HAPPY FROGS!



A quick post sharing these happy frogs again by Penny Black. They have been colored with Prismacolors and fussy cut.


With this birds eye view you can see how the stamped images are used on the inserts. I have added some grass using the Small Grass die cuts from Impression Obsession. 


Isn't she adorable? 
The back of the box is where your message would go.

Thanks for looking! 

  • Stamps: Penny Black-Toadily
  • Dies: Impression Obsession- DIE178-C Small Grass
  • Papers: Neenah 110, Penny Black 6x6 Painted Blooms