Cowgirls Rule

      Did you ever have a pair of boots that you just loved.  Did you wear them till then couldn't be worn anymore and then wear them some more.  That was my first pair of women's western boots.  My dad ordered them from a catalog for me when I was thirteen and I was so proud of those boots.  I polished them every night.  From wearing them all the time they became so soft and conformed to my own little tootsies.  I think they were resoled four times before there was nothing to attach a sole too.  I know your asking where am I going with this little reminisce, well Great Impressions has a great stamp #754 Western Boots that so reminds me of those first pair of cowgirl boots.

     I just had to have this Western Boot stamp and the sentiment that goes with it, #752 Old Boots.  I like the way things have changed and the world has learned that Cowgirls Rule and how to Cowgirl Up and get Cowgirl tough so I made these boots Pink, with a pink western background that a little distressed but wonderful because of it, kind a like a real down to earth cowgirl.

     I did a little decorating and distressing to the inside of this card too to high light the great #752 Old Boots sentiment.

     Now, isn't that sentiment just the gosh durn truth.  I know it is for me.

   I was tickled pink to find these pretty western papers that are feminine with out being frou-frou.  I knew as soon as I saw them that I had to have for my little sis.  She is still a rompin' stompin' cowgirl even if she is wrangling more kids than cows these days.  I know she's going to get a real kick out of E754 Western Boots and E752 Old Boots

     Well happy trails to you until we meet again next Friday,

Mary Anne

Krafty Valentine Tag

Well, January is just about over, friends!  In just a couple of weeks, we'll be celebrating Valentine's day!  So, I've got a quick paper pieced tag to share with you using some beautiful stamps from the Great Impressions store!

Here's the tag~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Products used: J110 Flower Bouquet, D342 Valentine with Hearts.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'll be back next Thursday with another creation and the list of supplies you'll need for my next tutorial!  HUGS and happy stamping friends!

Inspiration Tuesday with Carolyn

Happy Frigid Tuesday! Minnesota feels like a deep freeze, the state cancelled school Monday and I've been busy in my cozy studio having fun.

Today I have a little stamp to share with you!

This stamp is called Hummingbird c383 and can be found here.

I've never been a fan of small stamps. I love hummingbirds and decided to

try this one stamp out. I used embossing powder on a craft paper background. I tried white and the image just got lost. A darker background really helps the pastel colors pop. I can now say that lots of fun can be had with smaller stamps!

Thanks for stopping by, join in on our current challenge and shows us your creativity.

Carolyn

Furry (or not) Friends: Part II

It's the last Sunday of the month and the last week to join in our monthly challenge!  If you use a Great Impressions stamp, I hope you link it up in our CUSTOMER GALLERY because we'll be giving away free stamps later on this year to some lucky customers who do!!! :)

We've got a couple more cards to share with you today using the stamps from our last release.  These cards are made by the fabulously talented Stamp of the Month designers up in the Great Northwest!  You can find out more about our Stamp of the Month club HERE.  These cards show a few more animal friends...

First up, All Ears~

Products used: F569 Sparky, C459 All Ears

Isn't that puppy just the cutest?!  He looks like he'd definitely be my best friend--and he wants to be yours!  He's got a buddy that tags along with him, but you'll have to check out the store to see that little guy. :)

Next up, Holy Cow~

Products used: E818 Holy Cow, C458 It's Your Birthday

Come on.  You totally just smiled and/or laughed out loud!  Who doesn't love a good pun?!  And the STORE is full of these image/sentiment combos--we've got some fabulous Valentine themed ones!

Thanks for hopping over to check out these creations!  I hope you join us again this Saturday for another new release and then Sunday of an all new challenge!  HUGS and happy stamping friends!

Pretty in Pink

Hello again, friends!  I've got a pretty pink card to share with you this lovely winter's morning...I decided to go all monochrome! ;)  And, of course, this card uses stamps from the Great Impressions store! :)

Here's the card~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Products used: A109 For Someone Special, G320 Heart Dandelions.

Thank you for stopping by to take a peek!  I hope you take a bit of time to craft today because we've got a wonderful challenge going on and there is a prize up for grabs!!! Just click the challenge picture on the sidebar and link up today!!!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Duck Feet

     The minute I saw this F531 Duck Feet stamp and it's matching sentiment C437 Hope Your on Your Feet Soon I knew I had to have them.  These two stamps together just quack me up.  (Sorry, well not really, but I just couldn't resist.)

     I did something very unusual for me with this card, I kept it simple.  I wanted to be able to use it for any age or gender.  I will probably make a few more just to have on hand as they are perfect for that friend who's under the weather or maybe your coworker or even someone at church.

     The only real embellishment on this card is some stickles I added to the feet and water.  I also added a couple dewdrops to the corners to look like water.

      Thanks for stopping by for my Friday card.  See you next week.

Mary Anne

Elegant Anniversary

Hi, friends!  Just a quick post today showing an elegant anniversary card made with a beautiful sentiment stamp from the Great Impressions store!  I went for just a pop of color, I hope you like it!

Here's the card~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Products used: E42 Happy Anniversary.

That's it for me today!  I hope you make sure to join in our monthly challenge--we've got a prize up for grabs!  Just click the challenge link on the sidebar! ;)  HUGS and happy stamping!

Great Impressions Inspiration Day with Carolyn

Hey GI peep! It's my turn for giving you some inspiration.

I'm kind of done with enjoying the winter weather and

thought I'd bring a little greenery into the mix.

I absolutely LOVE this stamp. It is called Herbs Rubber Stamp G307.

I love the variety of textures you can create with this and I like how graphic the pots are.

I hope you like my little garden and maybe you are as anxious for Spring as I am.

Carolyn

Furry (or not ) Friends: Part I

Happy Sunday, friends!  I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  I've got a few more cards to share with you today that use some more of our most recent release.  Again, these are both made by the talented Stamp of the Month designers that live in the great state of Washington!  You can find out more about the Stamp of the Month club HERE. :)  For the next two weeks, you're going to see some creations made with images of some furry (and non-furry) friends!

First up, Teddy Bearing Flowers~

Products used: F570 Teddy Bearing Flowers, G497 Fun Flower Corner

This little bear is just a doll, isn't he?!  And the floral corner really works well with this image--perfect fit!

Next up, Birthday Turtle~

Products used: E822 Birthday Turtle, C457 So Slow

Isn't he darling?!  I LOVE the way the shell is colored--so bright and happy!  He'd make it totally ok that you missed your special someone's day! ;)

That's all for this week!  We've got Furry (or not) Friends: Part II coming up next week, so stay tuned!  And while you're waiting, make sure to hop over to the STORE for these images and more!  HUGS and happy stamping! :)

One Layer Birthday

Happy Saturday, friends!  I've got another card to share today using some fabulous stamps from the Great Impressions store!  This one is a one layer card--and birthday is the theme!

Here's the card~

Products used: K47 Water Iris, E367 Swirly Happy Birthday.

Thanks for taking a bit of time to stop by and take a peek!  I hope you grab these fabulous images and don't forget to join in our monthly challenge, too!  HUGS and happy stamping!

Eyelet Lace Flowing Teapot

Good Friday to you.  Mary Anne here with my weekly post.  Today, I am bringing you a card using F360 Flowing Teapot.  I think this stamp is just darling and I like the way it's shaped.  It could be used as a focal image on a card as I have done today or it can be used on a bookmark because of it's long narrow design.

 
I stamped F360 Flowing Teapot on white card stock using Stazon ink and then colored it with colored pencils using the Gamsol technique.  After that I cut it out using an oval die and added Stickles to the cups, teapot, and  around the edges of the oval.

I used a border punch to create the eyelet mat for the ovals and used the same punch to create the border around the card.

The flowers are also from a punch and were made to match the shape of the flowers on the trim of the teapot and teacups.

Enjoy your weekend and happy stamping,

Mary Anne

That moose!!!

Hello again, friends!  I've got another Valentine for you this week--made with fabulous stamps from the Great Impressions store!  It's the moose again, friends.  That moose!!!

Here's the card~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Product used: H237 Elliot in Love, C442 Moose Be Love.

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek!  Remember, I'll just be doing one tutorial per month now, so you won't get one next month, but stay tuned for a supply list soon for the next one! :)  HUGS and happy stamping friends!

Inspiration Tuesday with Carolyn

 It's Tuesday and that means another inspiration day from me for

Great Impressions!

I've been crafting like a mad woman the last day or so. I love

the stamp that I am going to show you, it's so cute!

Don't you just LOVE this cute balloon stamp?

 It's called Hot Air Balloon and it can be found here. I colored up the image with Copics and made several copies so I could layer the image to get that 3D effect. I also cut out some twine for the ropes to finish off the look. I added some ribbon and a sentiment and this was the result. What do you think? 

Don't forget to stop back to check out other DT members inspirations and join in on current challenge.

Have a fab day!

Carolyn

Large Candles & Harry Makes a Wish

Hi, friends!  We shared our newest designs with you at the beginning of the month, and we've got a few cards to share with you using these images!  These cards are made by the super talented Stamp of the Month designers from Great Impressions in Washington state!  Read more about the Stamp of the Month program HERE.

First up, Large Candles~

Products used: J111 Large Candles

Isn't this just darling?!  I LOVE the fun CAS feel and the bright colors--this would definitely make the birthday boy or girl feel special!

Next up, Harry Makes a Wish~

Products used: E820 Harry Makes a Wish, D473 Come True

Another fun and bright card for a birthday boy or girl!  Don't you just love that fun sentiment?!  It's absolutely perfect for anyone celebrating their special day!

Thanks for stopping by today to take a peek at these fun creations!  Hop over to the STORE to grab these images and stay tuned for more inspiration cards later this month! HUGS and happy stamping friends!

Black & White Sympathy

Hi, friends!  Well, 2014 is well underway now and I hope your new year is turning out to be fabulous!  I've got a card to show you using stamps from the Great Impressions store.  It's for a sad reason, but I have found it is good to keep a few of these on hand just in case.

Here's the card~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Products used: D281 Berry Sprig, B178 With Sympathy.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you join in the fun of our monthly challenge and that you come back again soon for more beautiful samples using these stamps!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Tea Garden

     Today I'm bringing you a card that I really am happy with.  I learned a new technique for crating paper flowers and added them to this card.  I think they really enhance F389 Elegant Teacups.  I have to admit that this is one of my all time favorite stamps.

      I stamped F389 Elegant Teacups with a lighter colored ink this time.  I think that the dark brown is just a little softer than black and that really gives these tea cups that vintage feel. I have also only lightly colored the image bringing the color in from the sides of the teacups and letting it fade out to the cream paper behind.

Now I'm off for a nice cuppa while I plan next weeks card.  See you next Friday.

Mary Anne

Folded Paper Valentine Tutorial

Hi, friends!  Happy Thursday!  It's a tutorial week for me at the Great Impressions blog and this week I've got another quick and easy Valentine treat idea!  This one could be made for you child's entire class--it literally takes just seconds to make!

The supplies you'll need for the this tutorial are:

• D342 Valentine with Hearts
• 6" x 6" piece of double sided patterned paper
• Stapler
• Eyelet setter and eyelet (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)
• Other papers and inks to finish your project

Here's the finished product~

More details on my personal blog HERE.

Products used: Echo Park Bundle of Joy Dots & Stripes Girl paper, D342 Valentine with Hearts.

And here is the tutorial:

Just an FYI, if you didn't watch the tutorial yet, I'll only be doing one tutorial per month from here on out.  Having the opportunity to be the DT Coordinator here is a fabulous blessing and one that takes just a bit more time out of my day, so it's a necessity.  But I really want to keep sharing new ideas with you, so I'll be back in a month with another video! :)

That's all for me today!  I'll be back soon for another creation using stamps from the Great Impressions store!  Until later, HUGS and happy stamping, friends!

Inspiration Tuesday with Carolyn

Happy January!

Hope you are recovering from the Holidays! Up here in Minnesota we

went from holidays to way below freezing temps. Recover from one

thing then try to recover from the next. The best way to do that is...

Get your Great Impressions Crafty on!

For my first inspiration post of the year I 

choose to create a simple "black & white" card.

The stamp I used is called Queen Ann Lace E807S. I love this stamp

because it is so graphic but it also has a softer quality to the image

with all the "lace" flowers and stems.

I used black pearl paper and white ink. I then added two lavender pearls and

then dotted all the buds with  Liquid Pearls in white and taupe. I also

edged the papers in the white ink for a framed effect.

Thank you for stopping to see my project, don't forget to 

stop back at the Great Impressions blog for more inspiration and

join us in our monthly challenge!

You can find also Great Impressions on Facebook!

Stay warm!

Carolyn

January Challenge: Use Something NEW!

Happy New Year!!!  

We are so excited to welcome you to the 

first ever monthly challenge for 2014 

here at Great Impressions!  

If you've taken a look at the online store lately, then you must have seen that we are now selling 
Besties stamps!!!  Click HERE to find all these darling images!

One more thing--we've got something else NEW going on here at Great Impressions!  We've added a link on our sidebar to a CUSTOMER GALLERY.  This is the place to link up any and all creations made with Great Impressions Stamps throughout this year!  If you do, we will visit you and leave you some love!  Check the Customer Gallery out HERE and don't forget, you can always find the link to it on the sidebar as well!

Before we get started, let's take a look at the winners from last month's challenge!  Our theme was "Glitter and/or Sequins".

These caught our eye~

#1 Donna Phelan


#66 Cynthia O.

Congratulations to you all!  

Please grab your badge from the page link up at the top of the blog! :)

And our Top Pick is~

#48 Lee Ann Barrett

Congrats, Lee Ann!!!  Please email Mynn at onastampage@yahoo.com 

to claim your prize and don't forget to grab you badge

from the page link up at the top of the blog, too! :)

And now, let's get to our challenge for this month!  Our theme is USE ANYTHING NEW FROM YOUR STASH!  That's right, get out those holiday gifts and get to crafting!  And if you use something NEW from Great Impressions, that would be even better!!!

We are offering a fabulous prize this month for one random winner!
IF YOU USE GREAT IMPRESSIONS STAMPS, 
YOU'LL GET 2 ENTRIES INTO THE DRAWING!!!

Here is the prize package you could win~

And here is some inspiration from our DT members~

Mynn

Products used: H237 Elliot in Love, C442 It Moose Be Love.

Products used: G28 Winter Chickadee, F249 Warmest Greetings.

Carolyn

Products used: F536 Travel Trailer.

Mary Anne

Products used: G465 Mailboxes.

Our DT would love to hear what you think.
Give them a visit and leave a little comment love.

If you don't have a blog, you may post your entry in the gallery at Splitcoaststampers using keyword GISMC13 in the title and then link it up below so we can find you and leave a little comment love. If you don't have a blog OR a Splitcoaststampers gallery, send your creation to Mynn at onastampage@yahoo.com and she will enter it for you!

As a bonus, if you use our stamps leave us a comment 

on this post telling us and we will give you a double 
entry in the chance to win our prize package!

To view all of our challenge rules just click on the "Challenge Rules & Badges" tab above.  HUGS and happy stamping to all of you out there! :)

*****************************************************************************

Fairy Tale Mushrooms

      Happy Friday, Welcome to the Great Impressions Blog.  Today, I want to share a card using a very fun  stamp,  Lacey Mushrooms F399.  This stamp is so much fun to color and can be colored so many different ways.  Today, I colored it using a pastel palette, but I'm wanting to color it with some traditional red mushroom caps as well.

     For this card, I colored the mushrooms twice and popped the mushroom in the forground as well as the two lady bugs.  I added an extra ladybug I cut out to the bottom of the card just for fun.  I also used a fun border punch with ladybugs to echo the buglets in the image.  All the mushrooms have been covered with sparkling glitter as have the edges of the different layers.  I used some green glitter for the grass and a little pink for the tiny flowers growing around the mushrooms.

     Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll see you again next Friday, but do not wait that long to take a peek back at the blog.  We have lots of talented card artists waiting to share some wonderful inspiration with you.

Mary Anne

CAS Valentine

***THERE ARE JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT 

TO GET YOUR EMAILS IN FOR OUR DT CALL!!!***

Hi, friends!  It's the first Thursday of January and I am so happy to wish you all a Very Happy New Year!!!  I hope your holidays were wonderful!  I've got a beautiful clean and simple card to share with you for the next holiday we have coming up--Valentine's Day!  And of course if uses some fabulous stamps from Great Impressions!!!

Here's the card~

More details can be found on my personal blog HERE,

Products used: G320 Heart Dandelions, D342 Valentine with Hearts.

Thanks for stopping by today to take a peek!  Next week is a tutorial week, so I hope you join me again then!  I'll be showing you how to make another quick and easy Valentine treat holder!

The supplies you'll need for the next tutorial are:

• D342 Valentine with Hearts
• 6" x 6" piece of double sided patterned paper
• Stapler
• Eyelet setter and eyelet (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)
• Other papers and inks to finish your project

HUGS and happy stamping to you all! :)

DT Call Update + New Stamps!!!

Well, our DT call here at Great Impressions is winding down--you've got until the 6th of January to get your email applications into me!  Click HERE for more information about this call! :)

Unfortunately, my email was compromised yesterday morning.  I have taken care of this issue, but if any of you emailed your applications to onastampage@yahoo.com in the last 24-36 hours, you will need to resend it.  I am SO sorry for any inconvenience! :(

On a happier note, we have new stamps in the STORE today!!!  Hooray!  Hop over to grab some of these darling images!

Here they are~

All of us here at Great Impressions wish you and yours a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year! Here's to a great year filled with lots of HUGS and Happy Stamping! :)