Great Impressions DT - Getting Inked!

If you're stopping by because you think it's me that's getting inked...sorry...have to disappoint you, but if you're here to see what projects got inked this week...well, pull up a chair and visit!

Happy 'Day before Friday!' It's been a crazy week around here...spent the last couple of days under the weather...on my day off no less...and still recovering, so this post will be short & sweet.

I've always been fascinated by tattoo art (not that I've ever really wanted to get inked) and how people seem to choose their designs based on some life experience (okay...there are exceptions to this...yes, lots of exceptions, but we're not going there today...) anyhoo...this week's project was based on some older, simple designs...

The Great Impressions' Rose Banner reminds of those old fashioned valentines with the hearts and swags, so I couldn't resist (pun intended!) getting my heart inked up, dressed up...embossed, crackled and popped up! This is the perfect banner stamp...I'm going to get a lot of use out of this one!

Okay, after looking at this picture while I'm typing up the post, I realized this card still needs a little something...extra ribbon, pearls, bling...so you may find another version of this card in a few days (with a few close up shots)...just saying'...

Hope you're making some time to get messy this weekend...I know I will! Don't forget to stop by the Great Impressions' blog to see the rest of the Stamp of the Month's stamps for January and leave a little comment love.

Off to get some rest...

Inky hugs,

Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Rose Border (E744), Always Cherish Memories (E745), Rose Intertwined Hearts (G450)

Inks: Versamark Watermark

Tools: heat gun; Martha Stewart Doily Lace Punch; EK Success Heart Punch

Other: Ranger Distress Crackle Paint Rock Candy; American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder Wave, Silver; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo; Ranger Perfect Pearls Mist Pearl; Wild Orchid Crafts Mulberry Paper Roses

Great Impressions DT - If the Shoe Fits...

That paper clip is a DIY heart!

{edited to add: "Great Impressions - Beyond the Board" class Saturday, January 28 you'll make 3 cards using Great Impressions Stamp of the Month stamps and receive your very own flirty footwear to decorate! Call Simple Pleasures in Colorado Springs 719.528.1338 for more info!}

Welcome to another Thursday with Great Impressions! (Stop by the blog and see what else the Design Team has been up to!)

I've got a fun and flirty project using stamps from the January Stamp of the Month program...

You won't believe how easy this project is...

Start by printing out Ellen Hutson's High Heeled Shoe template onto white card stock; follow the directions to put it together.

Now make this baby a one-of-a-kind designed by you shoe!

The toe of the shoe is perfect for holding a little package of goodies...mints, chocolates, hard candies...etc. 

If you're doubting this project is as easy as I said...this is my second shoe. I made the first shoe out of printer paper just to see how it went together.

I didn't have any red roses, so out came the Glam and a little more glitter (couldn't get a good photo of the glitter!) The red and black tulle were leftovers from my Twilight project.

Thinking that I'm going to make some themed shoes in the next few weeks...stay tuned...I may have a new addiction to shoes!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Lace Background (K97), Changed My Life (D41)

Inks: Versamark Watermark, Memento Tuxedo Black

Tools: heat gun, Martha Stewart Doily Punch, Tim Holtz Tiny Tags and Tabs Sizzix Die, Tiny Attacher

Other: Ellen Hutson High Heeled Shoe Template, Scor-tape, Helmar 450 Quick Dry, paperclip, assortment of fibers and mulberry rose from my stash, Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam Big Apple, black and clear embossing powders, clear glitter

Great Impressions DT - I am a thousand winds

Warning...you may need a tissue...and some chocolate...and a little extra time...

(Don't forget to stop by the Great Impressions blog!)

There is an *Irish bereavement blessing that says, "...I am a thousand winds that blow...". I love this thought. If you've ever lost someone close to you - a pet, a friend, a family member...you know where ever you are there seem to be reminders all around you...the thousand winds that blow...

Creating handmade cards and projects means that you have to plan ahead, so as a Great Impressions Design Team member I've been thinking ahead to next month; February is always a bittersweet month for me. Although my birthday and Valentine's Day are in February, I experienced the loss of someone very important to me many years ago shortly after the holiday.


Over the years I have learned to focus my thoughts on the gifts of love in my life and to celebrate those wonderful people who take the time to let me know they care.


Recently, some friends of our's were waiting for what many would consider a tragedy to happen. While the loss seemed inevitable, families and friends, and even strangers chose to help the family share the beauty of the moment with pictures and heartfelt words.


One particular act of love caught my attention: one family released balloons with their children. What a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of life and love, no matter how brief!


(This would be a really good time to hug or call and let someone know you care...no worries...I'll wait...)


Okay...ready?


So, when I was thinking about this project of love and my project for this week, it all came together.


Well, in my head it all came together...not so much (at first) with my project...


For those of you new to the crafty bloggy world...don't be dismayed when the idea you had doesn't quite work out the first time...

or the second time...

or the third time...seriously!

Art for me is really about the process and this card literally took all day to make and I'm so glad I had the time to finish it!

I absolutely love the Great Impressions' Water Swirl Border (H200) stamp! I've used it as water, as billowing snow and now as the gusty wind...it's a great 'go to' stamp when I need 'something' to fill space, too.

For the sentiment, I chose to use just the 'Memories' portion of Always Cherish Memories (E745 - it's part of the January SOTM collection) 

Whew! I think I'll have that piece of chocolate now...


Happy Thursday! Hug the ones you love...

Inky hugs,
Angi

Stamps:  Great Impressions Stamps Water Swirl Border (H200), Patterned Balloons (F514), Always Cherish Memories (E745)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Versamark Watermark; Tim Holtz Distress Stain Picket Fence

Patterned Paper:  Scraps from my Stash

Tools: Sizzix eclipse and eCAL; heat gun; needle; Tim Holtz Blending Tool; heart punch

Embellishments: brown twine, Flowersoft Polar White

Other: foam tape, tacky glue, Diamond Glaze

*To read all of the blessing visit Irish Blessings

Great Impressions DT - Hello, Cupcake!

Today is the day...my first Design Team post is up on Great Impressions' blog! I'm excited to be a part of the team and showcase their designs along with the other team members. Every Thursday I will have something new for you!

The December Stamp of the Month stamps were birthday themed and since I love to bake it was no surprise these cupcakes called to me!

How long has it been since you used liquid appliqué? I think the last time I used it was Christmas last year! Originally I was going to just glitter the cupcake tops, but as I was rummaging through my glitter drawer I found a couple of tubes of white liquid appliqué and I knew right away these bits of cake were going to need a little bit of 'frosting' and glitter to dress them up...

First I stamped the cupcakes with Memento Tuxedo Black - my most used black ink - and then I die cut the panel with Spellbinder's Scalloped Ovals (I have both sets and I'm not sure which set this particular oval came from...) Then I 'water' colored the liners using a water brush and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I colored the heart and cherry using Spica pens, so they would have a little shimmer, too!

Lately, I have really liked the soft gently used look I get after inking the edges of my panels, so each cardstock panel has been distressed using Vintage Photo and a blending tool with foam.

Now comes the fun part...I have the older squeeze tubes, but if you have the new 'paint' pens this should work just the same...paint on the frosting, making sure to leave the lines and dots untouched (see photo) and then immediately sprinkle the wet liquid appliqué with glitter.

Yes, while it's wet! Time to get out your heat gun and tweezers. Heating from the bottom, heat until the liquid appliqué begins to puff. Be careful not to burn your paper (or your fingers!)

Let the panel cool before adhering to the card. The 'frosting' will be soft, so be careful not to squash it!

As for the rest of the card, cut the panels. Using the lovely Flourish Frame stamp and emboss the image in white onto the bottom panel. Ink all the edges of the panels.

Cut, wrap and adhere a strip of ribbon to the Kitchen Medley panel. Make and trim a bow out of the same ribbon.

Layer and adhere embossed cardstock, Kitchen Medley panel with ribbon and then using foam tape adhere the scallop panel. A glue dot works perfectly for the bow.

That's it! This card is easily made assembly style...just in case you need to make a few! Here's the finished card:

Haven't decided who's going to get this card, yet...but it won't be laying around for long...I've got a lot of birthdays coming up!

Hope your Thursday includes some creative time!

Inky hugs,
Angi

{Note: Great Impressions' Stamp of the Month program is available in stores. To see if there's a store near you, click HERE.}

Supplies:

Stamps:   Great Impressions Stamps Cupcake Border (E743), Flourish Frame (K96)

Ink:   Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo; Versamark Watermark

Patterned Paper:   Little Yellow Bicycle "Savor" Kitchen Medley

Tools:   Spellbinders Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, heat gun

Embellishments:   ribbon,

Other:   foam tape; white liquid appliqué; American Craft Zing Embossing Powder White; Tim Holtz Blending Tool; Glue Dots; Atyou Spica Lipstick; Bow Easy