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December 2013

Mini Valentine Cards by Jenny Gropp

Jenny Gropp shares some fun mini cards today!

Jenny used CL538 Clear Set-Valentine HeartsDIE125-M Cupids, Die131-K Love You Heart, DIE132-D Double Heart Edger Die & DIE134-D Mini Heart Row Die

 Valentine papers, dies and stamps are covering my desk right now...so in the craft room Christmas is DEFINITELY over! Impression Obsession had a fantastic release of Valentines dies and stamps... as always! So I thought I'd give you a little sneak peek of what new stuff has been released! I did two little mini cards, each featuring the different cupid in the die set.

This little Cupid comes in a die set with two Cupids plus little die cut arrows! Way cute! I took the three hearts from the Heart Edger Die and added to my ribbon to embellish. The Love you is only a part of yet another die! You can see I die cut most things twice, in red and black. I glued the black behind the red layer giving it a little bit of a drop shadow. It really helped things stand out from the printed paper.
 
 
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wP7Ayyskzos/UsG4rwY1CFI/AAAAAAAALgk/0GpD_cnkorA/s1600/io+cupid+2+val+jg+1.jpg
 
 
 
Here's the up close. The cupid is popped up with Foam Tape for dimension. The Love You die cut is a portion of another new die, the Love You Heart. I used 1/8" silk ribbon to create a small but fluffy little bow embellishment.
 
 
The sentiment and heart stamp are both from the new clear set Valentine Hearts. Along the bottom edge I used the Mini Heart Row Die, which leaves the negative cut out hearts. The two red panels are glued together at the top, with a scored hinge on the back panel that allows it to open. I cut the white insert to fit right at the hinge... not adding bulk to the hinged top.
 
Stamps by Impression Obsession: CL538 Clear Set-Valentine Hearts,
Dies by Impression Obsession: DIE125-M Cupids, Die131-K Love You Heart, DIE132-D Double Heart Edger Die,  DIE134-D Mini Heart Row DieInk: Versafine Crimson Red, Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Authentique's 6x6 Collection - Smitten, Red Bazzill Peppermint Heavy Weight, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
Other: Bow Easy Tool, 1/8" SIlk Ribbon by May Arts, Nellies DIes #MFD048 Rectangles 3, Foam Tape, Cheery Lynn E168 Expandable Quilling Strip DIe Cut
 
Have a great day!

Framed Wheat Card by Jenny Gropp

Love how Jenny framed the wheat die cuts!

Jenny used DIE038-J GrassDIE085-X Wheat & DIE001-Z Circle Shaker Frame Die

It's always a different approach for me when I try to focus on dies. My first love is coloring with Copics and so I'm usually looking for the image and then building my card off of that. It's a push outside of the box for me to use die cuts as the focus rather than the accents and embellishments. It's good to step outside of the box. While I know I will mostly keep coloring my main focus and keep integrating dies with that.... I've really enjoyed changing it up a bit the past few days! 
 
So, I went with the Wheat Die  and Grass Die today! I think this would make a great Thanksgiving or fall card. Especially if you were making multiples... it goes pretty quickly when you don't spend an hour coloring!! I must remember that!!
I cut the wheat out of two brown papers. I added a little brown edging using a Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye ink pad. Behind the wheat I added some pieces from the long Grass die. The circle frame I popped up with a bit of foam tape for dimension. 
 
 Here's the inside... I added my leftovers! The card is an A2 and opens at the bottom, tent style.
 

Stamps by Impression Obsession: CL286 Count Your Blessings
Dies by Impression Obsession: DIE038-J GrassDIE085-X Wheat, DIE001-Z Circle Shaker Frame Die
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia BrownPaper: Kraft, Light Brown, Neenah CLassic Crest Natural White (ivory), DP by AuthentiqueOther: Seam Binding Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Foam Tape, Perfect Layer Rulers, Chestnut Roan Cat's Eye Ink Pad, Button  

Have a great day!


Snowy Frame Tutorial by Ellen Taylor

We have a gorgeous snow flake frame tutorial to share today from Ellen Taylor.

Ellen uses Delicate Snowflakes F6602,Brush Tree Line E7 & DIE - DIE108-F.

I found an old photo from a Christmas gone by and decided to turn it into a little gift for my daughter. Here is how to create this project....

Ink Impression Obsession's Brush Tree Line E7724 and Delicate Snowflakes F6602 with StazOn Opaque Cotton White and stamp the Delicate Snowflakes  randomly on the glass from the picture frame.

Using the same Ink stamp the Brush Tree Line on the bottom of the glass.  You can see I laid the matting under the glass to get a feel for how much to stamp.

Dab a Fantastix into the StazOn Opaque Cotton White Pad and dot over glass. to give the appearance of snowy weather randomly over the glass.

Die cut Impression Obsession's Sled Die DIE108F and using an Ink Blusher dab Clear Creative Medium over it.

  Pour some glitter over top.  I have a piece of copy paper under it so I can easily pour the excess glitter back into the bottle.

  This dries very quickly and is ready to adhere to the front of the glass.

  Adhere your photo to a piece of patterned paper and assemble your frame back together~EASY PEASY PROJECT!!

Have a great day!


Snowflake Card by Kittie Caraccioli

Kittie Caraccioli shares a beautiful die cut card today.

Kittie uses the DIE193-X Large Snowflake Die, DIE100-F Small Snowflake Set, DIE117- C Small Deer and DIE086-L Fir Tree Border.

KC Impression Obsession Small Deer 4 left

I started by creating the fir tree background and snowy ground layers and attached them with ATG adhesive to the designer paper card base.  I die cut the large snowflake and created a frame using the negative and attached it over the scenery. I used a double layer of mounting tape all the way around the frame to make it stand away from the scene for dimension.

http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ed958f38833019b021ea3bf970d-pi

Have a great day!


Merry Wishes by Daniela Dobson

Daniela Dobson shares a sweet Christmas card using CC095 Cover-a-Card Dotty Circles, DIE111-U Cutout Christmas Tree,  and DIE100-F Sm. Snowflake Set

Merry wishes by Daniela Dobson

 I had so much fun making this card and it didn’t take me that long at all. I stamped my background with a Cover-a-card Dotty Circles, my older CAC, and heat embossed with white embossing powder. There is a Cover-a-card Snowflakes stamp and I linked it in my supplies, but I wanted something different.

 I die cut the Cutout Christmas Tree die four times in different color cardstock. The little ornaments are easy to fill in. For the garland I added some gold glitter.  I die cut the Sm. Snowflakes from white cardstock and added a gold pearl to the centers.

Merry wishes close by Daniela Dobson

 Have a great day!


New IO Challenge! Quick & Simple Cards

Welcome to  our "Quick & Simples Cards" Challenge!

Get inspired by the wonderful Impression Obsession  Team (listed below). 

When you've finished checking out our DT creations, please join us by posting your own challenge project at the bottom of this post!

IO Blog – You are Here
Anna Wight
Dina Kowal
Ellen Taylor
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Kittie Caracciolo

Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett

Follow the guidelines below to enter challenge and have a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate for use in our online store. Good luck!

Challenge Guidelines

Use all IO dies/stamps (please list stamp ordie names and/or item numbers on your blog or gallery entry with a  link to Impression Obsession). Other nesting dies may be used for card shapes & mats.

Your entries have to be new (no back dating older projects). 

You may use this entry with multiple challenges but this challenge must be listed first.

You may enter more than once but each entry needs to be be in a separate post.

Use a direct link to your project (no general links ) to enter at the bottom of this post.

Challenge will be open until Tuesday December 31st at 7 p.m. CT.

Winner announced  January 1st. Winner must respond within one week of the day the challenge ends to collect prize.

Have a great day and good luck! If you have questions please email Jeanne (see sidebar).


Gold Wreath Card Tutorial by Kittie Caraccioli

Love this gorgeous wreath card by using the DIE097 -M Pine Sprig Cluster from Kittie Caraccioli.

KC Impression Obsession Pine Sprig Cluster 2 right

I punched out a 1 3/4” circle, cut in to the center, cut out the center to create my wreath ring and attached the ends together with glossy accents.

image image

I attached the pine sprigs around the ring, alternating them by attaching the center sprig, then the left and then right all the way around. Alternating the sprigs helps create a balanced and pretty wreath.

KC Impression Obsession Pine Sprig Cluster 2 close center

I cut two strips of foil for the ribbon streamers and hand cut the ends with my snips.  I attached them to the back of the wreath with glue dots.

KC Impression Obsession Pine Sprig Cluster 2 close

Have a great day!

I attached the pine sprigs around the ring, alternating them by attaching the center sprig, then the left and then right all the way around. Alternating the sprigs helps create a balanced and pretty wreath. - See more at: http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/kittiekraft/impression-obsession/page/2/#sthash.BqjdAmnE.dpuf

Beautiful Snow by Jenny Gropp

Jenny Gropp share a stunning die cut snowflake card using DIE024-X Snowflake Die Set, DIE100-F small Snowflake Set, DIE093-X Large Snowflake, Border Duo 2 Set and CL495 Snow Clear Set

I just love the Snowflake Dies from IO! The new largest snowflake IO released cuts all sorts of beautiful and intricate layers. BUT today I just embossed it on the main panel. I used a thicker paper to prevent it from cutting all the way through.

 

 You can see the impression after embossing the large snowflake. The other two die cut snowflakes will get stacked on top and secured with a brad. 

 

 I added more snow flake pieces on the inside of the card.  The sentiment I used is from the NEW Snow Clear Set.
 

Have a great day!


Holly Jolly Card by Ellen Taylor

Check out this pretty card from Ellen Taylor! Love the candy striped sentiment!

Ellen used Holly Jolly D14121, Holly Wreath DIE109-Y, Twig Wreath Die Set DIE023-X and Sm Snowflake Set DIE100-F for her card.

I colored Holly Jolly D14121 directly with Memento Cottage Ivy and Lady Bug Red Markers, leaving uninked strips.  Once stamped on my card stock, the blank strips were glittered up using a Zig 2 way glue pen and some glitter, giving it a sweet candy cane look.

 

 


The frame for Holly Jolly D14121 was created by die cutting the Holly Wreath DIE109-Y twice, cutting it and adhering it in an oval around the sentiment.  I used the berries from the Twig Wreath Die Set DIE023-X  and sponged the birds with Memento Rich Cocoa.  To finish it off I added a blinged snowflake  from the Sm Snowflake Set DIE100-F to top the  red bow.

Have a great day!


Blue & White Winter by Kittie Caraccioli

I can feel a chill in the air looking at this lovely card from Kittie Caraccioli!

Kittie used the DIE108-F Sled, DIEo84- V Fir Trees and DIE100-F Small Snowflake set dies for her card.

http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ed958f38833019b0261840e970c-pi

I try to stick with the design rule of using odd numbers of images in my design.  I usually makes things lots more interesting.  Note three snowflakes, five fir trees  and one sled. small snowflake set.  The crimped ground snow was the first thing attached to the base.  Next I arranged the trees, attaching with mounting tape and leaving a nice blue space between for the head of the sledder to show up well.

http://kittiekraft.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ed958f38833019b02618442970c-pi

Have a great day!