Homegrown Holly

    For this card I chose to use the beautiful Vintage Holly Branches stamps.  I think is is a wonderful Statement stamp.  It is also fun to color.  I used 4 different shades of green pencil on the leaves alone.

  I used some papers with a muted color to them to continue the vintage feel of the stamp and some buttons as simple embellishments.  I really want the image to be the focal point for this card.

You may be seeing this stamp one more time before Christmas used as a background pattern.  As I was writing this post I was inspired by the image and so I will not be able to stop myself.  Once a card idea comes to mind, it stays with me until I sit down and bring it to life.  So watch for it on upcoming Fridays.

Until then, lets get busy and make some Christmas cards.

Mary Anne

Frosted Images

It's Thanksgiving!  I hope you're having a wonderful day and that you are spending it with your family and loved ones. :)  I've got another video tutorial for you this week and the technique is called FROSTED IMAGES and is just perfect for a holiday tag!

Here are the supplies you need to gather for this week's tutorial:

• H171 Snowflake Wreath
• D397 Winter Wonderland
• Neutral cardstock (the slower ink dries on it, the better)
• White pigment ink
• Desired colored inks (I'm using dark blue)
• Baby wipes or wet paper towels
• Ribbon and other embellishments to finish your project

Here's a picture of the tag I made~

And here's the video tutorial~

I'll be back with another tutorial NEXT WEEK with another fun technique--PAPER PIECING!  I'm trying to keep it quick and simple for the holidays, but I think you'll agree that all of these simple techniques pack a huge WOW factor!

Here's a list of the supplies you'll need for our next tutorial:

• K40 Poinsettia & Berries
• Patterned papers
• Neutral cardstock
• Black or brown ink
• Adhesive
• Embellishments to finish your project

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy your holiday and that you find just a smidge of time to create, too!  HUGS and merry stamping, friends! :)

Great Impressions Inspiration Tuesday by Carolyn

Happy Tuesday!

It's my Inspiration day here at Great Impressions!

Today  my inspiration is a little Spring and a fond memory.

My son had a wagon that we used to take him for strolls

in after dinner during the years we lived in Oklahoma.

I love this stamp and thought it would be a perfect reminder

that when winter is over, Spring isn't that far off.

This fun stamp is: Flower Flyer G327 . You can stop by the Great Impressions Store for the stamp and browse the pages of stamps that are offered. I colored the image up using Prismacolor Pencils and a little blending with a turpenoid solution. Thanks for stopping by, check back every day here at the Great Impressions Blog for inspiration and don't forget to join in this months challenge.

Carolyn

Peace

Hello friends, Giovana here today with another Clean and Simple Christmas card. For this project I used Magical Deer image, I used the embossing resist technique. I stamped the image in Versamark ink, added Clear embossing powder and sponged the image with Distress Inks to reveal the image.
Added a gold snowflake and pearls. The sentiment is a sticker.

 

 

 

Hope you like it!
Have a fantastic day!

Popped Poinsettias

     My girls call my card style sparkly-pop and today's card is definitely a text book case for that style.  I knew that I wanted to pop the petals on the Poinsettias and Berries stamp the moment I saw it and boy does it look great popped.

The bottom Poinsettia three layers and the top has five.  I dry embossed the background and filled in some of the blank spots with adhesive gems.  I love the traditional green and red striped paper that I found in my stash and used a some dies to really make this a lavish card.  This is definitely a card that will have to either be mailed in a bubble envelope or hand delivered.

Mary Anne

Thanksgiving

It's just one week until Thanksgiving in the US and I think that we sometimes skip over this important holiday to get to Christmas.  But we NEED to give thanks, and so I've got a card today that pays homage to this much needed holiday.

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: C31 Pine Cone Sprig, C384 Abundant Blessings.

I'll be back again next week with another video tutorial utilizing the FROSTED IMAGE technique.  I'll be making another holiday tag, so you'll want to grab the supplies and get a head start on making one, too!

Here are the supplies you need to gather:

• H171 Snowflake Wreath
• D397 Winter Wonderland
• Neutral cardstock (the slower ink dries on it, the better)
• White pigment ink
• Desired colored inks (I'm using dark blue)
• Ribbon and other embellishments to finish your project

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my weekly creation!  I hope that you take some time to create a card that expresses thanks and that you make sure to give Thanksgiving a good part of your heart and life. HUGS and thankful stamping, friends!

A Frosty Thanksgiving

Happy Tuesday! Today my card project is all about the first frost of the season. We've already had over a dozen frosty mornings up here in Minnesota and I love to see everything encased in white and clear "ice"  Snow should be coming soon!

8812 - Mailboxes Rubber Stamp - Sku: G465

I love this mailbox stamp! I used distress inks on watercolor paper and Stickles in Crystal and

Ice Glitter Glue. I used dies from my stash as well as the numbered greeting journal card.  I added

silver dots on each of the corners then added sentiment stickers.  

Thanks for dropping in to see my card, I hope to see one of you projects for our

current challenge: "Holiday card or tag".

Rules:

~  You do not have to use a Great Impressions Stamp, but if you do, leave us a comment with your entry number and we will send you a coupon code good for 20% off any $25 or more order! 

Limit of one code per person each month.  Order must be $25 before the discount.

We love to see what you create with our stamps!

Jingle all the way

Hello friends! Giovana here with a new project, this time I made a Christmas card, very "Clean and Simple", no stitches, pretty flat, perfect for mailing :)

For this project I used "Christmas Bell Swag" image, the sentiment is part of Jingle image.
The main image was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on White Cardstock, colored it with Copic Markers, then I die-cut, embossed and stenciled with Labels Fourteen Nestabilities Dies. Then, I added StarDust Stickles to the ribbon and the bells. I added the image to my card base with Dimensionals.
For the sentiment, I covered the little jingle with a piece of Washi Tape and stamped only the sentiment in Love Letter Ink.
Finally I added pieces of Patterned Paper to the left side of the card, this paper is from "Twelve Days of Christmas" by Graphic 45.

Hope you like it!!
Have a fantastic day!

Someone Special

Happy late Sunday, friends!  It's Mynnette with a special post here at Great Impressions!  Today was a very special day--it's our DT Coordinator's birthday!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jenny!!!  I've been asked to post the cards that a couple of the DT has made to commemorate her special day. :)

From Mynnette~

Products used: J110 Flower Bouquet, A109 For Someone Special, Bundle of Joy Girl Paper.

From Giovana~

Products used: E527 Happy Birthday Paper Art

Happy birthday, Jenny!  We hope you had a wonderful day! THANK YOU for all you do to help us at here at Great Impressions!

Love,
The GI Design Team

Country Christmas

     Today I have a fun card for you using the Holly Winter Scene Stamp.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to use a bottle cap.  The little house is just the perfect size to fit inside of one.
 

The snowy scene  is even more dramatic with a capful of stickles.  They really make the snow sparkle.

This would be a wonderful stamp to add to envelope to give it some pizazz or to turn into jewelry and of course, you can see that it makes a fun card too

   

Collage Stamping

Hi, friends!  It's another Thursday and I've got a new video tutorial to share with you!!!  This week's technique is called COLLAGE STAMPING and I've decided to make a holiday tag to go along with this particular technique.

Here are the supplies you'll need for this week's technique:

• F249 Warmest Greetings
• G140 Pine Branch
• C31 Pine Cone Sprig
• D281 Berry Sprig
• White or cream cardstock
• Desired inks (I'll be using brown, green, red, and kraft.)
• Ribbon and embellishments to finish your project

Here's a photo of my finished tag~

And here's the video tutorial~

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at this week's video!  I hope you enjoy trying your hand at collage stamping and that you grab the supplies for the next technique we'll be learning--FROSTED IMAGE!

Here is a list of supplies you'll need for that technique:

• H171 Snowflake Wreath
• D397 Winter Wonderland
• Neutral cardstock (the slower ink dries on it, the better)
• White pigment ink
• Desired colored inks (I'm using dark blue)
• Ribbon and other embellishments to finish your project

Join me again next week for another project using these fabulous stamps--I'll have a Thanksgiving creation to share with you then!  In just two more weeks, another video tutorial!  HUGS and merry stamping to you all! :)

A Cornucopia of Colors

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all are having a great start to the week. Up here in Minnesota it's COLD!

What a fun week we have had with "Guess the Christmas Carol" contest, visit the Great Impressions website to check out the list of winners, maybe you are one of them!!

Today I have a Thanksgiving tag to share with you. I am loving all of what is left of the Fall foliage. I'm loving the intense orange, yellow, green and red hues that are out at the moment. I can't imagine a Fall without a "cornucopia" of colors and a brisk cold wind.

My tag features a super cute stamp: 

9074 - Harvest Wagon Rubber Stamp - Sku: J42

I colored this up using the Gamsol technique with Prismacolor Pencils and stamped the

background with the stamp 9070- Winter Pine Branch Rubber Stamps- Sku: J90.  I finished 

off the tag with a seambinding ribbon and the whole tag is backed with kraft paper.

I hope you liked my cornucopia of colors used for my project.

Don't forget to join in the current challenge over at the Great Impressions

blog and stop back daily for  new inspiration from our design team.

Carolyn

Happy Moments

Hello friends!! Hope you are starting a great week! What a fun week we have had with "Guess the Christmas Carol" contest, scroll down to check out the list of winners, maybe you are one of them!!

So today, I have a winter card for you. This card remind me my friend's house, she lives in a beautiful cabin in the mountains of WA State, I used to live close to her until I moved to another mountain location LOL, and during Winter time, it looks just like this image, isn't it pretty?

Card details: I stamped the image on White Cardstock in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers. I added White Opal Liquid Pearls to the trees and crushed glass to the ground to create a snow area.
The sentiment was stamped in Jet Black Archival, I added this pretty May Art ribbon and tinsel, few stitches around the panel. This card is pretty flat, mail friendly :)

Great Impressions stamps used:

• Sweet Happy Moments
• Winter Cabin

Hope you like it!
Have a fantastic day!
Giovana

"Guess the Christmas Carol" WINNERS!

Hello Dear Friends!

The Design Team and I would like to thank you for making Christmas Carol week such a blast!

We loved reading all your sweet and sometimes humorous comments!

We had a total of 269 comments that made us all smile from ear to ear!

Let's take another look at all the pretty cards AND the name of the carol that inspired each card.

Giovana - "Jingle Bells"

Carolyn - "Winter Wonderland"

Cheryl - "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Mynnette - "Oh, Christmas Tree"

Mary Anne - "I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day"

Guest Designer - Cindy Lawrence

"Sleigh Ride"

Now for our winners!

Each of our winners will win two stamps of their choice from our newest on-line Holiday collection!!

Just e-mail me (Jenny) at jjstucky@sbcglobal.net
with the names of your two choices and your home address.
I will get those out in plenty of time to start those holiday cards!

Ok...I've made you wait long enough. (lol!)
Here is our list of winners...

Donna Phelan
Janis W.
Denise B.
Gail from Lacey Lassy
Barbara from Happy as a Clam in White Wine Butter Sauce
Donna R.

Congratulations ladies!
We would love to see what you create
 by entering our monthly challenge
using your new stamps!

If you didn't win a prize...no worries, today is the last day of our
15% off everything sale!  Just add the code:  Merry
at the end of your order to stock up on whatever you want, 
umm...I mean need :)

Wishing you a very crafty week!

Hugs,

Jenny

Guess Cindy Lawrence's Christmas Carol

Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing...

Hey, everyone!  It's Cindy Lawrence here, and I'm excited to be guest designing for Great Impressions Stamps today.  A little bit about me for those who may not know who I am...  I live in southern NH with my incredibly supportive husband, Jim.  We have four children, three awesome boys (ages 24, 22, & 16) and our sweet baby girl.  (Okay, she's 13...I'm in denial.)  I've worked in the crafty/artsy industry for about 18 years.  In the early days, I was a very successful Stampin' Up demonstrator, and made the transition into the "rest of the big ol' crafty world" when I was a part of the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen back in 2008.  Since then, I have been blessed to be a part of many design teams, and currently have the best job in the entire world as a Copic Certification Instructor.  I get to color and travel for a living, and have met some of the most amazing, sweet people on the planet.  What a privilege and an honor!  I think crafty people are the nicest people, don't you?

I am totally impressed with the variety and selection of stamps in the Great Impressions store.  I had such fun playing with the stamps I was sent!

This week, Great Impressions is hosting a fun Guess the Christmas Carol challenge each day, complete with fun prizes for the winner!  Can you guess what my carol is?  All you need to do is comment here on this post with your guess, and we'll choose a random winner from the correct guesses.  Be sure to hop on over to my blog, The Creative Closet, to leave a comment there as well to increase your chances of winning.

The stamps I chose to work with are Stickable Stamps, which are precision-cut, cling rubber stamps.  I love that they have the image printed right on them; so you can see exactly where you're stamping.  They are really fabulous!

My card was made with the gorgeous Sleigh Ride stamp, as well as the Magic in the Air sentiment.  Aren't they just beautiful?  I had such fun coloring that sleigh image!  I stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on X-Press It Blending Card, and colored it with Copic markers.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Olive Grove ink.

The card base is is a smooth white, and the pretty patterned papers are from an oldie-but-goodie, Basic Grey's Jovial 6x6 paper pad.  I added a row of pom pom trim, red velvet trim, and a trio of red enamel dots to finish off the details.



Inside, I added a strip of patterned paper, and stamped the image in Memento Pistachio ink.  I do so love that Sleigh Ride image!

Remember, there is a great sale going on right now through tomorrow!  Just enter the code Merry on the shopping cart page to save 15% storewide.  How's that for a sweet deal?!

Thanks so much for visiting today, friends!

Have a blessed day!

~Cindy

Friday Carol Challenge

     Today is Friday and time for a new carol. If today is the first day you are stopping by, we are having a guess the carol challenge.  Simply leave your guess for the Christmas Carol represented by the card in the comments and we will pull a random winner from everyone who guesses correctly for a great stamping prize.  Just to give you even more chances to win, stop by the blogs of the design team members to leave a guess as to each carol in the comments of their blogs as well.  You will find them all on the side bar of the blog or you can look up each card in this week's posts.

     After all that build up, are you ready to see my card?  Well, you almost didn't.  I forgot today was Friday and almost missed my post.  I have had this card ready for two weeks and have been looking at it everyday on my desk.  What a ditz!  OK, OK, here's the big reveal

   
     I used Snow Fun to create today's card.  This is an unusual card for me.  I very seldom make long cards, in fact, I can only think of three including this one.  I knew I wanted to use the snowman squares as stamps and I really like how they lined up.   So I went with the long and narrow look.  The Snow Fun is a versatile stamp.  You can use it as is, as a block with 3 images and a sentiment, or you can cut it apart of a myriad of looks.  In fact, if you check the challenge for this month, you will see how I used this same stamp for a different look on a tag.  For this card, I embossed a snowflake background then added some snowy design paper before adding my snowman images.  I layered the images on top of snowflake die cuts and then a postage stamp die cut.  I added more smaller snowflake die cuts, snowflake bling, and brads as well as some adhesive jewels to really create a winter wonderland look (just a hint, that is not my carol).

     Don't forget to stop by my blog for another chance to win.

Guess Mynnette's Christmas Carol!

As you are all aware of now, this week  we're playing a little game.  We want you to guess the Christmas carol our creations are supposed to represent!!!  So, can you guess what mine is?!  There is a prize involved, so I hope you decide to play along!  Take a peek at my carol inspired creation...

Here's the card~

Detail~

Products used: F249 Warmest Greetings, G140 Pine Branch.

No hints because I hope it's pretty obvious what my carol is!  For another chance to win, leave a comment HERE on my personal blog as well!!!  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you join me again next Thursday for another video tutorial!  The technique will be COLLAGE STAMPING!

Here are the supplies you'll need for that technique:

• F249 Warmest Greetings
• G140 Pine Branch
• C31 Pine Cone Sprig
• D281 Berry Sprig
• White or cream cardstock
• Desired inks (I'll be using brown, green, red, and kraft.)
• Ribbon and embellishments to finish your project

I'll be making a holiday tag this time! :)  I hope that you all take some time to craft today--and don't forget to use your Great Impressions Stamps!  HUGS and merry stamping to you all! :)

Guess the Christmas Carol and Win!

It's Christmas Carol week  at Great Impressions Stamps!

Read all about the details here.

Did I mention that prizes will be involved?!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is Cheryl from Shestamps and I’m here to share my Christmas carol inspired card (and an extra project)!   I think you will be able to figure this one out.  I left a couple of clues.

 

For both of my projects I used Saint Nicholas (E659) from Great Impressions Stamps.  I just love this image.   He looks  great colored but you can also leave him uncolored for another great look. 

Here’s a closer look at St. Nick.  I just want to pinch his cheek. 

Using the same image, I also created a Christmas themed wine bottle tag.  I like having a few of these tags around during to holidays to put on hostess gifts.  (They work great on all types of bottles, even fun, holiday scented hand soap.)

Here is a final peek at both my projects.

Don’t forget to leave your guess as to which Christmas carol inspired my card.  You can leave your guess on this post and on my blog for two chances to win!   Check out all the great Christmas carol inspired projects by the DT at the Great Impressions Stamps blog all week.

 

Thank you for looking!  Have a great day!

 

Supplies:

Card

• Stamps: Saint Nicholas (E659) from Great Impressions Stamps
• Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Papers:  Neenah Classic Crest solar white CS,  Papertrey Kraft & Ripe Avocado CS, Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas 6x6 paper pad
• Tools:  Sewing machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey edgers die, Copic markers
• Embellishments:  Misc. ribbon, twine, button, doily

Bottle Tag

• Stamps: Saint Nicholas (E659) from Great Impressions Stamps
• Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Papers:  Neenah Classic Crest solar white CS,  Papertrey Kraft & Ripe Avocado CS, Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas 6x6 paper pad
• Tools:  Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey wine bottle tag & tiny tag dies, Copic markers
• Embellishments:  Misc. ribbon, button, doily, American Crafts gold metallic marker

Guess the Christmas Carol and win!

It's Christmas Carol week here at Great Impressions Stamps!

Read all about the details here.

Did I mention that prizes will be involved?!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carolyn here with my holiday card inspired by a Christmas Carol.

I really hope you can guess this one. It is not too difficult to figure it out, but I won't say more :)

You can add your guess on my blog as well. I would love to see you there too.

 I hope you find time to participate this week!!! We have so many fun creations for you. 

So for my carol card I decided to use the stamp

Merry Kiss Moose

I altered the stamp a little to fit my card theme. Hope you like it!

Don't forget to leave your guess for today in the comment section and on my blog as well.

We've got some fun prizes!

Carolyn 

Guess the Christmas Carol!! and your chance to win.

It's Christmas Carol week here at Great Impressions Stamps!

Read all about the details here.

Did I mention that prizes will be involved?!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giovana here with my holiday card inspired by a Christmas Carol.

Don't let the Merry Christmas sentiment fool you, I really hope you can guess this one. It is not too difficult to figure it out, but I won't say more :)

You can add your guess on my blog as well. I would love to see you there too.

 I hope you find time to participate this week!!! We have so many fun creations for you. 

So for my carol card I decided to use the stamps 

Elegant Merry Christmas

Christmas Bell Swag

Hope you like it!

Don't forget to leave your guess for today in the comment section and on my blog as well.

Have a great day!

Giovana

November Challenge and More!

Hi my crafty friends!

Yikes!  I can't believe it is November already!

For some reason the holidays always sneak up on me.

Our November challenge will get your holiday Mojo on, but more about that later.  
First, let's give some kudos to our October challenge winners!  The challenge was 
to use a button and a bow in your project.  As I looked through the entries I have to say you all gave me some great ideas for my ribbons and buttons.  I love when that happens :)

Our grand prize winner who will receive a $20 Coupon Code to use in our store is...

#6 Mary C.

Congrats to you Mary!

Please e-mail me at:  jjstucky@sbcglobal.net 

to claim your prize!

We have two runners up to announce in no particular order.

#31 Pauline

#15 Gail

Mary, Pauline, and Gail thank you for 
sharing your amazing work with us!

Click on "Challenge Rules and Badges" on top and grab your badge for your sidebar!

We would love it if you linked it right back here to us.

Our November Challenge starts today!
Show off your style with a 

"Holiday card or tag".
Think Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years.

We have made it even easier to enter our challenges.
If you prefer, you may post your entry in the gallery at Splitcoaststampers
Using keyword - GISMC11 in the title so we can find you and leave a little comment love.
As a bonus, if you use our stamps leave us a comment on this post telling us 
and we will send you a coupon code for 20% off a $25 order!!!  
What a deal!
To view all of our challenge rules just click on the "Challenge Rules & Badges" tab above.

Our wonderful Design Team got into the holiday spirit

with their take on the challenge.

Take a peek!

First we have our newest designer on the team...

Carolyn

Welcome Carolyn!  We are so happy you are here!

B201 Magic and Wonder

G440 Chickadee on Winter Branch

Mary Anne

H159 Snow Fun

Giovana

F462 Dove of Peace

Mynnette

D281 Berry Sprig
F249 Warmest Greetings

Looking for a deal on some holiday stamps?
Look no further!
From now through November 9th you may
shop at our on-line store and receive 15% off your order!
Just enter the Coupon Code:  Merry
on the Shopping Cart page.

Here is a peek at our newest Holiday stamps, ready and waiting to jump in your cart. (grin)

For more holiday inspiration, come back tomorrow and play day one of our 
"Guess the Christmas Carol"  game with Giovana for prizes!!  
You can find all the details here.

Have a wonderful week!

Hugs,


Jenny

News to Share!

Good Morning Friends,

I'm popping in today with plenty of news to share!

First, our brand spankin' new holiday release is hot off the presses.

It's time to get thinking about those holiday cards!

You are sure to find something that tickles your fancy

 with these precious stamps!

Am I right?

From now through November 9th you can save 15% 

store wide!  Just enter the code:  Merry

on the shopping cart page.

Today is also a day of changes.  

DT members Erin and Monica have completed their terms with us.

  It was a joy to work with them and we wish them all the best in their new endeavors!

This coming week you will meet our newest design team member Carolyn!  

Just wait till you see the mad coloring skills this girl has!

To get you in a holiday mood, beginning Monday and all week long we will be playing our "Guess the Christmas Carol" game for stamping prizes!!  Each day one of the Design Team members will show you a holiday card and you can guess which Christmas Carol inspired their card.  You may leave a comment each day here and/or on the Design Team members blog with your guess.   

Winners will be chosen from all the correct answers. 

Oops!  

Did I forget to mention that we have a very special guest playing along with us next Saturday?  

I am so honored and thrilled to have the super talented, and very sweet  

Cindy Lawrence designing for us!!

For Cindy to take the time out of her impossibly busy schedule to design for us 

tells me just what a wonderful lady she is!  

I will be back tomorrow with our October challenge winners and a new challenge!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Jenny

Dawn Celebration

    After a month of Halloween cards I am ready for something a little different so today I thought I would bring you a shabby chic sentiment card.  The New Day sentiment is wonderful for Thanksgiving or anytime of the year.

     Since I didn't have lots of detail in my stamp I used an extra bit of color and patterns in my design papers as well as lots of layers.

     Here is a close up of the lovely New Day sentiment stamped in aqua to match the design paper.

     Blessings to all of you on this day and everyday until I meet with you again.

Mary Anne