Impression Obsession's Blog

Design Team Techniques

I have really enjoyed traveling to Design Team members blogs and looking around.  I often see tutorials they have created or tips they offer that are wonderful.  When I see them in the future, I will be posting a link here with a sample of what they create, that hasn't been seen in challenges, so you don't miss out on more of their wonderful art and how they do it.

Recently I noticed a wonderful tutorial, by Kathy Menzies, using a Cover-a-Card™ stamp and her Mega Mount™, to create a beautiful background for her card.  Below is her card.

Isn't it wonderful.  I could imagine using pastel colors for a background for a baby card, or red, pinks, and browns or blacks for a Valentine's Day card.  Bold colors for Spring, etc.  This current one is so great for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Fall too.  If you would like to see how she did that great background and the rest too, go HERE.  Thank you Kathy for sharing your wonderful technique with us.

If you want to see how Kathy has used other IO stamps to create beautiful cards, you can click on her photo album on the right.  If you would like to see how she created them, you can visit her blog, look in the left-hand sidebar under Labels for Impression Obsession, and have a wonderful trip.

Hope your Christmas was Merry and safe.  Don't forget our next Challenge is coming January 7.  The theme is listed below with the other challenges to follow:

• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21 -- SHAPED Card (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us for the next CHALLENGE.  If you would like to prepare early for the challenge, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery in the very next sidebar over.
• The drawing will be on that following Sunday for a $25 Gift Certificate, chosen by Random.org for use at our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!

Mitra, the Design Team, all of her crew at IO and I are hoping your Holiday has been Happy and Safe and that you have:

A Very Healthy Happy New Year too!!!

By the way, New Stamps are on the way.  You can check some of them out by following our challenges.

Thanks for stopping by all!

 

 Shirley

 

New Designs Are On Their Way

I am sure you noticed that some of the Design Team were using new images for their designs during our last challenge.  For your convenience we now have a Sneak Peak Album at the top of the next column over.  All of the new stamps used by the DT until their release will be kept there. Once they have been released the cards will be moved to the DT member album.

Thanks for stopping by to say hi and Happy and Safe Holidays everyone.

 

 Shirley

 

The Winner For The Love-Valentine Challenge

I am so glad random.org is there.  I wouldn't know how to do this otherwise.  Your cards are too too pretty.  The winner is Sandy Hulsart at Creative Moments With Sandy.  Congratulations, Sandy, happy shopping and you are in time for the sale too!

If you missed their posts with their cards you can catch them in the posts before this on or look inCustomer Gallery.  The next challenge is coming January 7.  The theme is listed below with the other challenges to follow:

• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21> -- SHAPED Card  (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us for the next Challenge.  If you would like to be prepared  for the challenges, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery in the very next sidebar over.
• The drawing will be for a $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org for use at our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  Don't forget IO's Once A Year Website Sale is still going strong HERE (20% off ALL Clear and Rubber Stamps, 60% off all Clearance Stamps and FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $30).  So spread the word.  It ends tonight at MIDNIGHT.

I want to thank all of you who have been stopping by to read and share this year.  I know that Mitra, the Design Team, all of her crew at IO,and me too are wishing you all:  

A Very Safe Happy Holiday

and

A Very Healthy Happy New Year!!!

Filled with stamps, of course. Just kidding......kind of!  There I go rhyming again!  Drive safe and have fun with whatever you are doing.....and see you back here for more....what else, but stamping!!

 

 Shirley

 

Love-Valentine Challenge Participants

The first card was from Jodie Heuser at Cool Crafting.  She chose Valentini.  The words are computer generated.  The card is just beautiful, Julie.  Thank you so much for sharing your art with us this close to the Christmas holidays.

Our second entry is from Melisa Waldorf at Art From My Heart.  She chose Bashful Cherub, How Do I Love Thee, and Loving Thoughts to create her wonderful romantic card.  Melisa thank you too for taking time from your busy holiday preparation to participate in our challenge.

And last but definitely not least is Sandy Hulsart at Creative Moments With Sandy.  She chose Spring Blooms Clear stamp to create her lovely heart card.  I love how you used the solid stamps and all of your textures too.

I want to thank all three of your for taking time from your holiday planning to participate in the fun and share your talent with us.  Good luck in the drawing for the gift certificate.

The drawing will be on Sunday for another $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org for use at our ONLINE STORE.

If you haven't already checked out what the DT did for this challenge, their links are below:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher
• Rosemary Marino

When you are done taking in all of the eye candy above, don't forget you still have time to take in the sale at our online store:

You can go HERE for the SALE and thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

New Challenge Widget

We have a new challenge Widget to be posted soon.  Don't forget the IO online store SALE HERE (20% off ALL Clear and Rubber Stamps, 60% off all Clearance Stamps, and FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $30).  So spread the word.

But before you check out the sale, check out the beautiful cards by the Design Team.  You will find some sneak peeks of NEW STAMPS available at CHA.  Their blogs and galleries are listed below:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher
• Rosemary Marino

I hope you will join us for the SALE and the current Love or Valentine Challenge.  Here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of sidebar.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery.

The drawing will be on Sunday for a $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org, for use in our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Love Or Valentine Challenge Time

Is here, and the IO's Once A Year Website Sale is still going strong HERE (20% off ALL Clear and Rubber Stamps, 60% off all Clearance Stamps, and FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $30).  So spread the word.

But before you check out the sale, check out the beautiful cards by the Design Team.  You will find some sneak peeks of NEW STAMPS available at CHA.  Their blogs and galleries are listed below:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher
• Rosemary Marino

I hope you will join us for the SALE and the Love or Valentine Challenge.  Here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and also permanently in our IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.

The drawing will be on Sunday for a $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org., for use at our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

Annual Internet Sale - NOW until Sunday

Greetings! Believe it or not it's that time of year...our once-a-year internet sale! This year there is NO COUPON CODE. The site has the sale prices built in so you should be able to just shop normally and the sale prices will be reflected in your cart.

  

I just restocked the clearance stamps with over 250 mostly overstock stamps so the deals are great on these stamps!  There are limited quantities so don't hesitate. 

Because of the volume of this sale and the fact that our computer system does not have these sale prices entered, NO PHONE ORDERS will be accepted for this sale.  All orders must be placed on the website. Thanks so everyone for yet another great year at I.O.  

 

Click here to go to our Online Store

 

Thanks to everyone for being patient with the site. During the first couple of days of the sale our site gets slammed and it will probably run really slowly. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience, I have alerted my host about the sale and hopefully they can keep it running smoothly. If you experience trouble, try a little later when hopefully the traffic will die down.

 

Why only once a year?

 

I've gotten some questions about why we run this sale once a year only. The fact is that our business is mostly wholesale to retailers. We would not exist without the stores who sell our products and teach classes with them. We have many individual customers who don't have local stores so we do sell direct but we love it when people are able to go to their local stores and see the products in person and buy locally. 

 

Our annual website sale is a thank you to all of the many customers on our mailing lists who have been buying IO stamps for years. It is also a way for us to clear out some discontinued or overstock stamps so that we can bring in new items for the upcoming year.

 

It is a once-a-year occurrence out of respect for our wholesale customers and I encourage everyone to support their local retailers as much as possible. So many of them are more than happy to special order stamps for you if they don't have them in stock and they can also educate you about our innovative products and stamps in a way that is so much more personal than a website can deliver.

 

Thanks to EVERYONE who has purchased I.O. stamps, we truly appreciate your business!

 

Sincerely,  

 

Mitra Friant
Impression Obsession

I Think The Ad Below Says It All

So there you have it IO followers. Spread the word an IO Super Sale is here.  Go HERE, have fun, and don't forget......

Our next challengeis coming this Thursday.   The theme is listed below with the other challenges to follow:

• Dec. 17 -- VALENTINES/LOVE
• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21 -- SHAPED card (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us for the SALE and the CHALLENGE.  If you would like to prepare early for the challenge, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the right-hand sidebar.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery.

All of the red and green and two exciting occasions for this week really does make it feel a lot like Christmas!! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

You Should Get Ready

For IO's Once A Year Online Store Sale.  Mitra is getting the store ready right now.  If you try the site it will say, "Sorry, Impression Obsession Rubber Stamps is closed for maintenance. We will be back online shortly with our once-a-year website sale!"  So get ready for some real fun.

Also don't forget our next challenge is coming this Thursday. The theme is listed below with the other challenges to follow:

• Dec. 17 -- VALENTINES/LOVE
• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21 -- SHAPED card (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us for the SALE and the CHALLENGE.  If you would like to prepare early for the challenge, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery.

All of the red and green and two exciting occasions for this week really does make it feel a lot like Christmas!! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

It's Better To Be Late Than Never!

Well I finally finished my white card.  Also, I have a "partner in crime" so to speak.  Fellow blogger and past Challenge drawing winner, Carol Cabezas at Scrap Just 4 Fun, had a family emergency come up and couldn't send her card on time.  I told her not to worry and we could post together.  It's great for me to have some company.  Thank you Carol.

Carol chose to use an ornament from Fancy Ornaments.  It can also be purchased separately as Ribbon Ornament 2.  Your card is so pretty, Carol.  Carol said this challenge was a real challenge all right and I agree with her on that.  Several people said so.  I wished I had done more of the other challenges in times gone by that were to use just one color.  Carol's background is white and so are the snowflakes.  It just didn't want to look white. Carol, thank you for posting your beautiful card so mine wouldn't be alone and so others could see your beautiful design.  :-)

Fancy Ornaments CL201 or Ribbon Ornament - E2230

My card started out as a 6" square card and by the time I was done it was 5".  I used Clear Stamp Set Swirl Tree.  The images can also be purchased as separate red rubber stamps.  The background on the bottom was done using Cover-A-Card Dots.  I actually used the clear stamps to outline their images on my dotted swiss paper.  The words are also from the same set and can also be purchased separately.  Both of these cards will be in the albums in the next column over with direct links to the stamps in our online store.  If you want more details about other supplies I used on my card you can see them HERE.

Swirl Tree CL196 - and Dots - CC003

So that's the way it is and we are a little over a week from our next challenge.  We will continue to offer a drawing at the end of each challenge for a $25 Gift Certificate, so tell your friends and join us in the fun.  A list of the remaining Challenges for December and January are listed below:

• Dec. 17 -- VALENTINES/LOVE
• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21 -- SHAPED card (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us in the next challenge.  If you would like to prepare early here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

 

 

 

Our Winner For This Challenge

I normally do the drawing on Monday, but I don't have a commitment for Sundays this month so I am going to do it on Sunday.  I hope that is okay with all of you.  We are getting more players all of the time and I hope you will all be back with more of your beautiful cards!!!

Our winner in this drawing is Suzanne Czosek at Suzanne's Stamping Spot.  Congratulations, Suze.  You will be getting an email today with your gift certificate.  Happy shopping.

A list of the remaining Challenges for December and January are listed below:

• Dec. 17 -- VALENTINES/LOVE
• Jan. 7 -- SPRING
• Jan. 21 -- SHAPED card (anything but rectangle)

I hope you will join us in the next challenge.  If you would like to prepare early here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• Entries will be accepted until the following Saturday at midnight, EST.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards will be posted here and in our IO Customer allery in the right-hand sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

I normally do the drawing on Monday, but I don't have a commitment for Sundays this month so I am going to do it on Sunday.  I hope that is okay with all of you.  We are getting more players all of the time and I hope you will all be back with more of your beautiful cards!!!

So Excited To Say

I have 2 more entries.  The first is from Shelly Powell at Life On Altadena Avenue!  She chose Tall Trees to create her beautiful card!  Thank you so much for entering your beautiful card, Shelly, and good luck for the drawing too!

Tall Trees - F2343

Our next entry is from Cammy Wall.  She chose Winter Wonderland Tree.  A really beautiful card with a wonderful bow treatment!  Thank you for your entry too, Cammy.  Good luck in the drawing and I hope you both are having a great weekend. 

Winter Wonderland Tree - F2268

As you can see, we are having a really great time here with all of the wonderful cards coming our way.  And all of you out there, don't forget to check out the Design Team member blogs below for some more inspiration:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

The drawing on Monday will be for another $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org, for use in our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  We have received some beautiful cards.

You can still email me with your card by tonight, midnight, EST. The word is spreading, so invite your friends.  The guidelines are below:

• Impression-Obsession stamps only please
• The challenge is the color WHITE.
• Entries accepted until tonight at midnight, EST.
• Email using the >Email Shirley link at the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards are posted here and added to our IO Customer Gallery in the very next sidebar over.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Two More Wonderful Creations

Wonderful surprises were waiting for me this morning.  The first is from Jodie Heuser at Cool Crafting.  Isn't it just beautiful?  She chose  Winter Wonderland Tree too!  How gorgeous, Jodie, and thank you so much for joining in the fun with your great card.

Winter Wonderland Tree - F2268

The next wonderful card is from Kathy Archer at Kathy's Kard Korner and she used House.  How creative to use it this way for a really pretty Winter card!  Thank you for your additional entry, Kathy.

Winter Wonderland Tree - F2268

Thank you both for joining in our fun and good luck in the $25 Gift Certificate drawing to be held on Monday.  And all of you out there, don't forget to check out the Design Team member blogs below for some more inspiration:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

The drawing on Monday will be for another $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org, and for use at our Online Store.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  We have received some beautiful cards.  You can still email me with your card by tonight, midnight, EST. The word is spreading, so invite your friends.  The guidelines are below:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• The challenge is the color WHITE.
• Entries accepted until December 5, midnight, EST.
• Email using the Email Shirley link at the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards are posted here and in our IO Customer Gallery.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Three More Beautiful Cards

Wow, the first one I received after the last post is from Sandy Hulsart at Creative Moments With Sandy.  Sandy chose Jingle Chickadee for her creation.  Isn't it Christmas time gorgeous.  Thank you so much for playing Sandy.

Jingle Chickadee - F7020

And not long after that beautiful card, I received this gorgeous card too from Melisa Waldorf at Art From My Heart.  She selected Winter Wonderland Tree.  I can tell this beauty also sparkles.  Thank you for playing again too, Melisa!

Winter Wonderland Tree - F2268

And just as I was about to post I received this very pretty card from Kathy Archer at Kathy's Kard Korner.  This is Kathy's first post, so we give her a big welcome to our challenges.  She used beautiful Hydrangea Ribbon to create her lovely masterpiece.!  Thank you for playing and I hope to see you again too.

Hydrangea - E6006

I want to wish of you and your predecessors good luck for the drawing to be held on this coming Monday.  And don't forget, the rest of you, to check out the Design Team member blogs below for some more inspiration:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

The drawing on Monday will again have a WINNER, of another $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen by Random.org.  It is for use at our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  We have received some beautiful cards.  You can still email me with your card by December 5, midnight, EST. The word is speading, so invite your friends.  The guidelines are below:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• The color WHITE Challenge.
• Entries accepted until December 5, midnight, EST.
• Email using the Email Shirley link at the top of the second sidebar to the right.
• All participants' cards are posted here and added permanently in our IO Customer Gallelry in the very next sidebar over.

 

 Shirley

 

 

 

Welcome Back

To two more wonderful entries in our WHITE Challenge.  The fifth entry comes from Suzanne Czosek at Suzanne's Stamping Spot.  She chose Winter House as her image!  What a really beautiful card.  Thank you for participating, Suze, and good luck in our drawing too!

Winter House - H1745

Our next entry is from Mary Anneat Lakeside Stamping.  She chose 'thanks just for being you' as her stamp! A very pretty Winter card, Mary Anne, and thank you for participating in the challenge too!  Good luck in the drawing to be announced on Monday.

thanks for just being you - C6984

Hey, the rest of you, aren't these cards great. Email your card to me and play in the challenge.  Don't forget to check out the Design Team member blogs below for some more inspiration:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

On this coming Monday we will again have a WINNER of a $25 Gift Certificateto be chosen by Random.org.  It is for use at our ONLINE STORE.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  We have received some beautiful cards.  You can still email me with your card by December 5, midnight, EST. The guidelines are below:

• Impression Obsession stamps only.
• The challenge is the color WHITE.
• Entries accepted until December 5, midnight.
• Email using the Email Shirley link at the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards are posted here and added to our IO Customer Gallery in the right-hand sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

Another Beautiful Entry

For the WHITE Challenge.  This time it comes from JenMarie Taylor at Taylor Made By JenMarie!  She chose to use Truffle Tree.  Isn't it beautiful!  Thanks so much for joining us in the fun.

Truffle Tree - G2084

And don't forget the rest of you to check out the Design Team member blogs below for some more inspiration:

Daniela Dobson

Deborah March

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Jenny Gropp

Julie Koerber

Kathy Menzies

Laura Fulcher

And don't forget we will be drawing for a WINNER of another $25 Gift Certificate to be used in our Online Store and chosen by Random.org..

 

 Shirley

 

 

It's White Challenge Day

The first thing I would recommend is check out the IO Design Team's creations. Talk about inspiring...You will find their blogs below:

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

Not only that, we already have 3 Customer designed cards to share with you too!  The first one I received is from Jennifer Burnham at Just Jennifer's Stamping.  As you can see, she used Layer Cake to create her beautiful card!  Thanks for participating, Jennifer.  Your cake is so yummy and the ribbon treatment is wonderful too!

 

Layer Cake - E2077

 

Here is the next one I received from Terri Dodd at Paper Scissors Stamps...Rock.  She also used Holiday Margarita, or as a part of a Clear Stamp Set, Holidays.  Talk about ready for the season.  Very Margarita beautiful, Terri.  Thank you so much for your wonderful entry too.

 

Holiday Margarita - F2011, Leigh Hannan Holidays - CL157

 

And last, but definitely not least is the next entry from Patti Olson at Creations In Paper.  Her stamp choices were Park Fence and the Clear Stamp Set Christmas Sentiments for the Happy Holidays.  A very beautiful card, Patti, and thank you for participating in the fun too.  A real Winter wonderland.

Park Fence - J2350, Christmas Sentiments - CL44

We are off to a great start today. You can still email me with your card by December 5, midnight, EST

• Impression Obsession stamps only
• The challenge is the color WHITE.
• Entries accepted until December 5, midnight, EST.
• Email using the Email Shirley link at the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards are posted here and added permanently in our Customer Gallery.

And last but not least, we will again have a WINNER of a $25 Gift Certificatefor use at our ONLINE STORE to be chosen using Random.org.

I can't wait to see who plays next!!  Don't forget to check out the DT member's blogs above for some great eye candy too.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

 

A Reminder For You

You all still have time to get those cards ready for our "WHITE" Challenge"!!!  The guidelines are below:

• Impression Obsession stamps only please.
• Entries accepted until December 5, midnight, EST.
• Email to me using the Email Shirley link at the top of the sidebar to the right.
• All participant cards are posted here and added in our IO Customer Gallery in the very next sidebar over.

We will again have a WINNER of another $25 Gift Certificate to be chosen using Random.org.

I can't wait to see who plays!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley