Celebrating All The Things With Favorites from Impression Obsession

Balloon stamps and die cuts are the perfect image for all kinds of celebratory cards, from birthdays and anniversaries to graduation and congratulations. Today let's look at a birthday card, and an encouragement or graduation card that feature some adorable balloon dies from Impression Obsession. 

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

Impression Obsession has released so many fantastic birthday and celebration stamps and dies lately. I have been having the best time making birthday, graduation, and congratulation cards. Both of today's cards feature the Balloons dies - and I highly recommend die cutting a bunch of these cuties and then you have them handy to add onto allllll the cards! 

This next card covers a variety of occasions. . .want to encourage a student approaching finals? Or celebrate a recent graduate? The sentiments in Reach for the Stars will encourage and inspire. Plus the cute solid star stamps are a great detail on both of today's cards. 

Today is Team Favorites Day on the IO blog. We're celebrating some of our favorite products and projects from this month's release. Be sure to stop by and see what everyone has been creating!

Don't Miss a Stop on the Hop!

IO Blog

Robin Clendenning

Vicki Garrett

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams <<you are here!>>

Spellbinders Color Essentials Cardstock

Platinum 6 Die Cutting Machine

(affiliate link at scrapbook.com)

Pin it for later!

Happy Graduation: Make These Two Cards for Your Favorite Graduates!

It's Theme Day on the Impression Obsession blog today, and we're celebrating the graduates in our lives with graduation themed card ideas. We've got LOTS of ideas to share with you, to inspire your card making projects for your favorite grads! Whether its a preschool graduation, all the way up through an adult graduate - you'll find an idea just perfect to celebrate their accomplishments. 

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

Today's first card begins with a stencil set I've been sharing quite a lot lately. The A4 Windows Stencils from Impression Obsession includes 4 different stencils - today's card features the four-square stencil. After inking the squares, it creates the perfect landing spot for the stamped starry square images, plus a die-cut graduation cap. I finished up the card with a stamped sentiment, some white gel pen details, and a bit of patterned paper. 

Next up, another card with the cute die cut grad cap. For extra pizazz, consider cutting part or all of the cap from glitter cardstock - so festive and fun! HERE'S A TIP! Trying to find the perfect patterned paper for your grad card? Create your own by stamping graduation sentiments across a cardstock panel. The tiny stars in this stamp set are the perfect filler for any awkward blank spots. 

To make your grad cap stand out, consider adding a shadow layer underneath, in a contrasting color. I used a matte silver cardstock so that the dark cap on dark cardstock would still POP.

Don't forget, the IO designers all have lots of great graduation inspiration for you today! Be sure to check out all the ideas and then get crafting on your own grad projects. 

Don't Miss a Stop on the Hop!

IO Blog

Robin Clendenning

Angela Bode

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams <<you are here!>>

Shop the Supplies on Today's Cards

*Impression Obsession has closed. 

Graduation Sayings 4x4 Clear Stamp Set

Grad Hats die set

A4 Window Stencils

Graduation Squares stamp set from Impression Obsession

Looking for more graduation inspiration? 

Check out these other grad cards too!

5+ Graduation Card Ideas!

(recognize that star stamp!?)

Grad Cap Card Ideas

Circle Shaped Congrats Card

Pin it for later!

updated 9/30/25

Happy Graduation! Handmade Card Ideas to Celebrate Your Grad! {New from Impression Obsession}

Graduation season is almost upon us and it's so special to honor the grads in our life with handmade cards and gifts. It's a season filled with nostalgia and celebration and maybe a teensy bit of stress as we help our graduates cross the finish line. Make your graduates a card, gift card holder, or party decor that's customized just for them, using their school colors. They'll love the extra thought and time you put in to celebrate their accomplishments. Today I'll share some simple ideas you can start with, to knock out your graduation cards in no time!

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

All of today's cards begin with the adorable graduation cap die set, so let's start there. This new die set from Impression Obsession includes the pieces to make two caps, one slightly larger than the other. Each cap only has three pieces, so it's quite simple to assemble. You can mix and match with colors - I even used some glittered cardstock for added sparkle!

The striped cards below are a great way to bring school colors into the design. Cut strips into assorted heights, and then layer them together onto a card base. I made both of these cards at the same time, so it was quick and easy. Plus, since I die cut the graduation caps at the same time, I had everything I needed all at once. A die cut landing spot, and a simple stamped sentiment finished off these cards in no time!

Lastly, a few die cut clouds and graduation caps were all I needed to assemble this festive grad card. Remember, graduation caps don't have to be black! It's another fun way to personalize your card especially for your graduate. 

Today is Day 2 of the Impression Obsession designers blog hop. We're celebrating all the great new stamps, dies, paper, and stencils in the April release. I hope you'll stop and see what all of my crafty peeps have created!

Catch Every Stop on the Blog Hop!

Impression Obsession blog

Vicki Garrett

Angela Bode

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams (you are here!)

Robin Clendenning

Pin it for later!

These Festive Graduation Cards Are Quick and Simple to Make!

Graduation season is upon us and these simple graduation cards check all the boxes: festive, fun, and simple to make! Plus, these square-shaped cards fit into a standard invitation sized envelope, so there's no extra fuss necessary to mail them. Let's take a quick look, so we can get right to celebrating all the grads in our lives! 

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

Both of today's cards center around the Grads Tossing die from Impression Obsession. This die is a must-have if you make a lot of graduation cards: it's festive and fun, it cuts beautifully, and it's simple to pair with an assortment of sentiments, patterned papers, or die cut shapes.  (Find more fun ideas with the Grads Tossing die on this blog post.)

Grads Tossing Die

Once again, as I have so many times recently, I've grabbed sentiments from one of my very favorite stamp sets, called Typewriter Slimline Shorts. It seems to always have just the sentiments I need, and I thought it was fun to use something other than "Congrats grad!" (Although there's nothing wrong with that either!)

Today is Theme Day on the Impression Obsession blog and the theme is. . . . SQUARE CARDS! Today's cards are 4.25x4.25, which means they still fit in the same envelopes that you probably use for your handmade cards. I purposely kept these cards fairly flat and smooth for easy mailing, so just pop them into an envelope and send them off (maybe stick some cash or a gift card in first!)

Stop by the Impression Obsession blog to see all the designers participating in Theme Day, and then hop around to see what they've created. I bet they have some hip-to-be-square ideas to share with you! I'm so glad you stopped by today!

Shop the Supplies for Today's Cards:

Grads Tossing Die

Typewriter Slimline Shorts Clear Stamp Set

Before you go:

• Are you looking for more graduation card ideas? Check out this post and also this one.
• Did you know that Impression Obsession has begun a new monthly limited edition red rubber stamp set? Check out the latest kit HERE!
• Let's connect again - subscribe so you don't miss a blog post! Plus, follow me on Pinterest where I'm sharing crafty projects every day!

These Two Colorful Cards Are Perfect for Encouragement or Graduation!

Welcome to Day 2 of the Impression Obsession February Release Blog Hop! Today I'm excited to features some beautiful silhouette style rubber stamps paired with inspiring sentiments that together create the perfect handmade card to celebrate all kinds of accomplishments, like graduation, a new job, weight loss, or meeting a hard-earned goal. 

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!

Silhouette images are really fun to play with because they just have so many inky possibilities. Stamped simply in black, they allow you to get creative with backgrounds, using stencils, sponges, ink blending and more. To create today's first idea, blend Distress Oxide Inks across a piece of watercolor paper. Then  stamp the Mountaintop Silhouette image onto white cardstock and fussy cut it to add on top of your colorful panel. Finish the card off with a simple sentiment like Step by Step. 

The next card also has a Distress Oxide inky background, but after inking the panel, lay a stencil on top and mist with water. Distress Oxide inks react with water and magically allow the stencil pattern to appear. Then, simply stamp the image and sentiment onto the panel once it's dry. (I splattered some Spellbinders Sparkle Silk at the end, because it's always my favorite finishing touch!)

I suggest using a MISTI or other stamping platform when using silhouette stamps, because it allows you to get a really rich, dark color on solid images. 
 

Here are the important details on this week's blog hop:

• We're giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for our two-day blog hop - the more you comment, the more chances to win, so be sure to visit all the designers! (This is day 2 - find day 1 HERE)
• All comments for both days will be open until February 8th at 8pm CT. All winners will be announced on February 9th on the Impression Obsession Blog.
• Find all of Impression Obsession's newest releases HERE
•  Check out the awesome sale section on the IO website. In particular, their assortment of discontinued clear stamp sets has some amazing deals on THE cutest stamps!

Here's the lineup of today's hop!

Impression Obsession Blog

Susan Wymer

Angela Bode

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams <<you are here>>

Supplies on Today's Cards:

Mountaintop Silhouette

Step by Step

Trails

Rappel Silhouette

Distress Oxide Inks: Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Salvaged Patina, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire

I get these inks from Spellbinders, because the shades are color-matched to Spellbinders cardstock. You can also find Distress Oxide Inks at scrapbook.com and Simon Says Stamp. 

Mini MISTI 

at Simon Says Stamp

at scrapbook.com 

or at Spellbinders Paper Arts

How To Make a Super Cool Graduation Card With an Exploding Envelope

Graduation season has officially arrived and it's not too soon to think about special ways to celebrate our graduates! This handmade graduation card idea is fun to make, and equally fun to receive. Your grad will love the pockets and surprises inside this exploding envelope card! Let's take a look and I'll show you just how to make one yourself. 

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

The main idea of this card, is that the envelope is actually the card. When it's opened, it can be filled with tiny pockets, notes, embellishments, and even a gift card. The envelope is held closed with a belly band, (a cardstock or paper strip wrapped around it.) 

Getting Started - How To Make An Envelope

Have you ever made your own envelopes using a scoring board? I'm a big fan of my FSJ Scoring Board but you can use any brand of scoring board you have. Each one is a little different, but if you need a refresher/want to learn more about the Journey Scoring Board from Spellbinders, click here for my simple tutorial.

To begin this project, make an envelope in any size you'd like. (TIP: Don't have a scoring board? Gently disassemble any envelope you have and use it as a stencil to make your own from scratch!) This one is a standard envelope for a 4.25x5.5" card. It's fun to play with different sizes though! Once you score and fold your envelope - don't seal it up. Why? Because it's time to add the surprise inside....

Let's Look Inside 

The envelope IS the card on this fun handmade project and there are so many surfaces to create with. Does this feel overwhelming? Let's think about it - the main rectangle of your envelope is the same size as a card. So tackle the layout as if you're creating a card. As you're creating, think about the flaps and how to incorporate them into your design. Your exploding envelope can be packed with embellishments, die cut shapes, stamped images, pockets and more - or you can keep it pretty clean and simple.

I love to add mini envelopes and pockets to add a gift card, notes or even photos. These exploding envelopes are really fun to theme for birthdays too. After you're done decorating the inside of the envelope, fold it up and then decide how to handle the front. I like to wrap a strip of patterned paper around it like a belly band or maybe some fabulous ribbon with a big bow. The recipient can just slide the band off and open the envelope.

Customize your exploding envelope with your graduates favorite colors, or school colors. Think about ways you can make it unique just for them. If you keep a little bin or basket of embellishments or stamped bits that haven't made it onto other cards, dig through there and see what might be perfect to add into your project! At the end of this post you'll find a supply list with all the items I used in case you see something that would be perfect for your exploding envelopes!

Supplies on Today's Graduation Card

Scoring Board

Hat's Off Die Set

Bravo Grad Stamp Set

Note Pocket Die

Grown Up Stuff Stamp Set

Baby Envelope Die

Vagabond Chips - clearance!

Fam Bam Paperclip Elements - clearance!

Need some more exploding envelope inspiration? You're in luck! I have two springtime exploding envelopes that I'd love to share with you. 

Click here to see this plus a floral exploding envelope idea, and even a video tutorial for this project!

Was this your first time here? Let's connect again - subscribe so you don't miss a blog post! You'll also find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.