Monday, March 20, 2023

Impression Obsession Theme Day - In the Garden

There's always room in one's crafty collection for a few fresh floral stamps and sentiments, don't you agree? The sweet simplicity of the Garden Sayings clear stamp set, from Impression Obsession, makes this a great addition for friendship and springtime card making. Ready to take a peek at two simple floral cards?

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart! 

The beautiful daisy stamp included in this set is just the right size for a focal point, or for a background. I've given you an idea of both. For today's first card, I stamped the daisy in black ink onto a die cut yellow oval. Then I added some details using a white gel pen. 

Next, I stamped the daisy all over a panel of white cardstock, using yellow ink. Stamping in yellow makes it a little more subtle and helps the background not to become too busy,  keeping the focus on the sentiment and layered paper strips. 

Today is Theme Day on the Impression Obsession blog, and our theme today is. . . . In the Garden! I hope you'll stop by the IO blog to see a list of everyone participating in today's theme. Go check out their garden-themed card making inspiration!

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Thursday, March 16, 2023

How to Paper-Piece Like a Lazy Crafter - {Cut & Paste Style Flowers}

Do you love the look of paper-piecing, but you hate the effort and fussy cutting? Today's cards are just for you! It's a simple way of not-fussy cutting those stamped shapes to add color and personality to your handmade cards. If you're feeling lazy, or if you struggle with perfect cuts, read on for my solution . . .plus a blog hop that you don't want to miss! 

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!
Do you love the look of paper-piecing, but you hate the effort and fussy cutting? Today's cards are just for you! It's a simple way of not-fussy cutting those stamped shapes to add color and personality to your handmade cards. If you're feeling lazy, or if you struggle with perfect cuts, read on for my solution . . .plus a blog hop that you don't want to miss!

What Is Fussy-Cutting?

Traditional fussy cutting simply means stamping an image and cutting it out, generally right along the lines. To get really fancy, stamp the image onto multiple colors of cardstock, and then cut each piece, layering them together and adhering them onto the card base - it's like coloring an image, but with pieces of paper, hence the term paper-piecing.

Want to Try Lazy Paper-Piecing?

Today's cards are technically still fussy cutting or paper-piecing. . . but I just got a little loosey goosey with it. Sticking to the stamped lines? Eh, not too closely. Leaving a big border around the edges? Definitely. It's often HARD to cut really tiny pieces, thanks to fading eyesight, arthritis, lack of patience or perfectionism. This style handles most of those issues! Just ROLL with it. Don't sweat the details, and be loose enough that it's OBVIOUS that's the style you're going for, sort of a Matisse or child-like cut & paste style.  
What Is Fussy-Cutting? Traditional fussy cutting simply means stamping an image and cutting it out, generally right along the lines. To get really fancy, stamp the image onto multiple colors of cardstock, and then cut each piece, layering them together and adhering them onto the card base - it's like coloring an image, but with pieces of paper, hence the term paper-piecing. Want to Try Lazy Paper-Piecing? Today's cards are technically still fussy cutting or paper-piecing. . . but I just got a little loosey goosey with it. Sticking to the stamped lines? Eh, not too closely. Leaving a big border around the edges? Definitely. It's often HARD to cut really tiny pieces, thanks to fading eyesight, arthritis, lack of patience or perfectionism. This style handles most of those issues! Just ROLL with it. Don't sweat the details, and be loose enough that it's OBVIOUS that's the style you're going for, sort of a Matisse or child-like cut & paste style.
For both of today's cards I stamped the flower image onto white cardstock (for the first card, on a diecut oval, and the second one, all over a panel.) Then I stamped the image repeatedly onto few shades of pink and green cardstocks and then LOOSELY cut around the edges. Remember, we're easy breezy with this technique, and we set our perfectionism aside and just have FUN. 
What Is Fussy-Cutting? Traditional fussy cutting simply means stamping an image and cutting it out, generally right along the lines. To get really fancy, stamp the image onto multiple colors of cardstock, and then cut each piece, layering them together and adhering them onto the card base - it's like coloring an image, but with pieces of paper, hence the term paper-piecing. Want to Try Lazy Paper-Piecing? Today's cards are technically still fussy cutting or paper-piecing. . . but I just got a little loosey goosey with it. Sticking to the stamped lines? Eh, not too closely. Leaving a big border around the edges? Definitely. It's often HARD to cut really tiny pieces, thanks to fading eyesight, arthritis, lack of patience or perfectionism. This style handles most of those issues! Just ROLL with it. Don't sweat the details, and be loose enough that it's OBVIOUS that's the style you're going for, sort of a Matisse or child-like cut & paste style.
Do you know what else is easy breezy and fun? The March release blog hop at Impression Obsession! The designers are sharing springtime inspiration from the new stamps, stencils, dies, and more! 

Here are the important details on the new release blog hop:

 Don't Miss a Stop on the Blog Hop!
Laura Williams <<you are here!>>

Shop The Supplies on Today's Cards

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Come and Meet Berry & Blooms, Just In Time for Spring Card Making

What's the weather like where you live? Whether it's snowy and cold, or whether pollen is blowing and the trees are blooming, you definitely need today's springtime cheer, new from Impression Obsession. If you're dreaming of spring or living in it, you'll love crafting with the new Berry & Blossoms die set, that's part of the March release at IO. 

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!
What's the weather like where you live? Whether it's snowy and cold, or whether pollen is blowing and the trees are blooming, you definitely need today's springtime cheer, new from Impression Obsession. If you're dreaming of spring or living in it, you'll love crafting with the new Berry & Blossoms die set, that's part of the March release at Impression Obsession
Both of today's cards feature the Berry & Blossoms die set with the Garden Sayings clear stamp set. This power pair packs springtime cheer into your handmade cards. These floral and berry dies are so simple to use, and as IO dies always do . . .they cut beautifully! I chose some bold, bright colors (because bright colors are my FAVORITE colors) and created some simple floral scenes to brighten a friend's day. I am absolutely LOVING IO's new 6x6 Basics Paper Packs. Each pack features a particular color, in assorted shades - grab your favorite pattern, or mix and match them for really fun backgrounds, sized perfectly for cards! 
Both of today's cards feature the Berry & Blossoms die set with the Garden Sayings clear stamp set. This power pair packs springtime cheer into your handmade cards. These floral and berry dies are so simple to use, and as IO dies always do . . .they cut beautifully! I chose some bold, bright colors (because bright colors are my FAVORITE colors) and created some simple floral scenes to brighten a friend's day. I am absolutely LOVING IO's new 6x6 Basics Paper Packs. Each pack features a particular color, in assorted shades - grab your favorite pattern, or mix and match them for really fun backgrounds, sized perfectly for cards!

To celebrate all things SPRING, the Impression Obsession designers are hosting a new release blog hop, packed with stamping and die-cutting goodness just for YOU to enjoy! 

Here are the important details on the new release blog hop:

 Don't Miss a Stop on the Blog Hop!
Laura Williams <<you are here!>>

Shop The Supplies on Today's Cards

I'm so glad you stopped by today! 
Let's connect again - subscribe so you don't miss a blog post! xoxo

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Beautiful Butterflies in the Newest Limited Edition Set from Impression Obsession

A new month means it's time for a new limited edition stamp set from Impression ObsessionThis month's set is lovely for spring and summer, featuring sweet butterfly and floral images. Today, I have a simple inked and heat embossed card idea featuring the stamps from this pretty new stamp set.

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart.   

To create this card, start with simple heat embossing with the image of your choice. I wanted to add an inky ombre background to the cluster of butterflies I stamped, so I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. Distress Oxide Inks interact with water, so after blending colors, I splattered just a bit of water across the card to create some water spots. A little bit of matting on a bright colored card base finished off this simple card idea. Any of the images in this stamp set would look lovely like this - and for my "I-hate-to-color" peeps. . . .there's no coloring required with this idea! ;)

Here are the important details on the Stamp Release Blog Hop:

  • On March 1st & 2nd the Impression Obsession Team is sharing projects with the NEW Limited Edition Red Rubber Stamp Set! You can find a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog each day through the event.
  • We are giving away TWO Impression Obsession Grab Bags for the event -the more you comment through our Stamp Release Celebration the more chances to win!
  • All comments for each of the event days will be open until March 7th at 8pm CT and winners will be announced the next day on the IO blog.
Don't Miss a Stop on Today's Hop!
Laura Williams <<you are here!>>
Vicki Garrett

Shop the Supplies on Today's Blog Post:
Distress Oxide Inks:

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