Guest Designer: Patti Gilliam

Well, friends, we've had so much fun having Patti Gilliam as our guest this month!  She's here with her final installment and we LOVE what she has made for us!  Take a peek...

Happy Sunday!

I'm not sure where August went, but suddenly September is upon us!

Today is my last post as Guest Designer for Great Impressions Stamps.

Thank you Deone, Mynn, and the wonderful Design Team for the warm welcome that I received. Everyone has been so thoughtful and kind.  I've SEW enjoyed working with you all.

Today's card uses the Great Impressions stamps, 'What's New?', and 'Spool Trio'.

I really had some fun with this one!

Here's how it all happened...

I actually separated the Spool Trio into individual spools.

Each spool was stamped and colored on the card front.  I stamped in from the right edge just a bit, and made sure that each spool was 'touching' another.

The next step was to cut around the right edge of the spools.

I used some A Muse Ginghmam cardstock, and had turned it inside out, in order to stamp on the white side.

I cut a scrap of the yellow gingham for the front, and added a button and some twine.

I did not have the color cardstock that I wanted for the sentiment, so I colored the piece with

one of my copic markers, before adhering with pop dots.

As you can see, there's about a half-inch border on the right, after cutting out the spools, where that sweet yellow cardstock shows through.  There was one small huge problem that I didn't think about.  When I actually

opened the card, I gasped in surprise as I realized that the Copics had bled through!  What to do, what to do?  Well, I restamped the spools on white, cut them out, and glued them over the ink spots!

You'll be thrilled to know that these stamps are very nearly 100% symmetrical - it worked!

Hope you've enjoyed my rambling!  I love the way this turned out, and can't wait to mail it to someone special!  Thanks for stopping by today. Stop over at the website and pick out some fun new Great Impressions Stamps!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Thank you SO much, Patti!  We've loved seeing all your creations with our stamps and we hate to see you go!  Come by tomorrow for more inspiration and next Sunday for a brand new monthly challenge!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

You are Toadally Awesome!

Hello to all of my Great Impressions friends! Welcome back for more inspiration from the Great Impressions store!

Time again for NO CARD and NO TAG week!  I love to quill so I decided to quill a project to share with you: (Warning: Lots of photos coming)

This is a used Yankee Candle jar that I cleaned out and repurposed for my little garden.

I thought I would give you a close up of my toady. This is the first time I have done 3D quilling and I think he is just adorable!

This is the back of the garden and you can barely see my little 3D lady bug so here is a close up below.

(A2: Stamps: Great Impressions Stamps (Toadally Awesome Set –OWH101)

Wow, that was a lot of pictures! Do you want to learn more about how I did this? Please stop by my blog for all of the details!

Thanks so much for stopping by for a bit of inspiration from Great Impressions. Be sure to check out the current monthly challenge and don’t forget to link your GI creations at our CUSTOMER GALLERY!

One last thing, be sure to “Like” Great Impressions on FACEBOOK and I’ll see you again next Saturday!
Happy crafting everyone!

My blog: In a World of Craft

Labor Day Sale!

Hi, friends!  Just a quick post to tell you that there is a SALE going on at the Great Impressions store!  If you use code Laborday at check out, you will receive 15% off your order!  HURRY--this only lasts until Sunday! HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Friday Fun-A Teacher Gift

Hello Everybody!

Katy here, and I am sharing with you a teacher gift today.  No apples here-a home made box filled with goodies! :)

I used my Cricut to cut out the box and the drawer.  I used many Great Impressions Stamps to decorate the box and for the sentiment also.  For the outside of the box I used E492 Twirly Background.  For the tag I used B193 So Thankful For You.

Here is the front of the drawer.  I used F427 Lace Border and a button. :)

For the sides I used F387 Wild Flowers.  I used distress markers to paint the stems green and the flowers pink.

For the flower I used the following stamps on a piece of cardstock: J106 The Rose, E645 Retro Spirals, K94 Distressed Background.  Then I cut the cardstock into flowers using a die cut.

So what's inside the drawer?  Post-It notes, paper clips, and candy-yay! :)  To see more on this project stop by here.  

Thank you for stopping by today! :)

Looking for more inspiration?  Check out our Pinterest Boards and Facebook Page!  And if you use your Great Impressions Stamps you can link up to our Customer Gallery!

Bubbling Over With Happiness

Hi, friends!  It's time for another post using stamps from the Great Impressions online store!  Today I have a gift idea for our "Teacher Appreciation Gifts" week!  Come and take a peek!

Here's my card~

Products used: E767 Bubble Over

I decided to make a gift that could go along with this super fun sentiment, and so body wash just seemed to fit the bill!  Who doesn't like some yummy smelling body products?!  What do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at this card!  Hop over to the Great Impressions blog for more inspiration and come play along with our monthly challenge, too!  If you use stamps from Great Impressions, you'll be able to link up your creation in our Customer Gallery, too!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Wonderful Wednesday with Joni

This week's project is to make a teacher gift.

I thought I would make a cute and simple gift, a post it holder.

I will post a tutorial on this in September.

It would also make an adorable stocking stuffer!

So stay tuned!

After cutting and scoring some heavy duty card stock I die cut a heart and added the You're Special stamp from the G483 Tags.

Here is a picture of the inside:

 

Sticky Note Holder

Hi there stamping friends, Leah joining you today! This week at the Great Impressions blog we are creating non-card or tag projects that you could use to thank a teacher. I wanted to give something that would be useful but not cliche teacher...I'm not so sure most teachers appreciate all things apples and school buses ;) I am fairly sure though that a pretty place to have handy post-it notes and a pen would be appreciated, even by an apple loving teacher.

I started by using my Silhouette Cameo to cut the super cute post-it note easel holder with room to house a pen. After cutting all my pieces I knew I wanted to pretty it up with some stamps (of course!) on the front flap. So I pulled out the pretty little Rose Bud (A146) and colored them with Copics. I trimmed them all out along with stamping and trimming out a couple of Flag Banner images (E846). 

My sentiment is flanked by a couple of butterflies from Flitting Butterflies (A32) and my sentiment is from the Tags (G483) set. I think these would make great gifts not only for teacher but for friends and family...and I think I'll be making myself one as well. 

Be sure to join us in this month's challenge (click!) and if you use any GI stamps be sure to link up to the customer gallery (click!). Be sure to stop by the Great Impressions store (click!) and maybe treat yourself to a few new images...did you know shipping is free over $25?! 

Have a beautiful day!

Happy Day

Happy Monday Great Impressions Stamp Friends!

Kendra from Luv 2 Scrap 'n Make Cards here today to share a fun project with you!

We have a bunch of great eye candy for you this week!

With a new school year right around the corner this week is all about:
Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

With that in mind I decided to create a pillow box with some yummy chocolate inside!!

I used the fun new Happy Day (E842) sentiment.
A great sentiment for cards, but also fun to use for candy packages!!

More details on my personal blog here.

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Thank you for stopping by to see my project today!

Be sure to stop back for more wonderful inspiration!

Join in our monthly challenge as well!  

We'd love to see what you create!

Check out the Great Impressions shop for more wonderful stamps!!

Have a wonderful week!

Guest Designer: Patti Gilliam

Hi, friends!  Our guest designer, Patti Gilliam, is back today to start off our NO CARD/NO TAG week!  This week our theme is Teacher Gifts!  Let's get to it...

Happy Sunday!

This entire week at Great Impressions, the DT will be featuring a 'No Cards, No Tags' week, with a focus on Teacher Appreciation gift ideas.  

Be sure to visit us each day, as the inspiration will be endless!

Now, grab that cup of coffee, sit a spell, and let me show you what I created, using two of my favorite stamps from Great Impressions, 'One in a Million', and 'Teddy with Flowers'.

I have been purchasing this size of tissue container for my car. It fits nicely in the little cubby where my drink holders are, leaving ample room on either side for phone, snacks, etc.

I figured out that if one is very persistent and careful, one can pop this top off of an empty tissue box, carefully trim the cardboard oval, and glue the lid right back into the box!  Before gluing this lid back in,

I measured up a few inches from the bottom, trimming my box to be shorter.

The entire box was then wrapped, by gluing crayons around the outside.

I added a piece of pretty ribbon, Teddy with Flowers, and the sentiment, which was tricky!

Since we weren't using cards or tags, what to do?  WELL!  Every teacher needs magnets,

right?  Ta da!

Here is a shot of my 'non tag'.  

Gluing it to the paper clip made it look all 'teachery', and adding the magnet made it all useful - I think it turned out pretty well. 

What do you think?

Thanks for dropping by today!

Be sure to check back here for each day's inspiration - it's going to be a very fun week!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Other Supplies Used:

Copic Markers

Dimensional Foam (to pop up the top flower on focal image)

White Hammermill 110# cardstock

Black Cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

Spellbinders Dies

Paper Clips

"Shreds"

Candy Bars

Thank you, Patti!  We LOVE this super fun project!  Come back next week to see Patti's last project for us--we know she'll leave another GREAT IMPRESSION!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Inspiration Saturday with Ellen

Hello to all of my Great Impressions friends! Welcome back for more inspiration from the Great Impressions store! It is the fourth Saturday, and our challenge is still open! This month we are having a BIRTHDAY BASH challenge and I have another birthday card for you.  Hopefully it will inspire you to enter your own creation in our challenge!

(A2: Stamps: Great Impressions Stamps (Birthday C428 and Potted Puppy - F582); DSP: SN@P; Copics)

The birthday sentiment is from the August release and the cute  puppy is from an earlier release.  Please do stop by my blog to see all of the details!
Thanks so much for stopping by for a bit of inspiration from Great Impressions.

Here is the link to the current monthly challenge: Birthday Bash!

ARE YOU PLAYING?

If you use a Great Impressions on your project, please link it in our CUSTOMER GALLERY!

One last thing, be sure to “Like” Great Impressions on FACEBOOK and I’ll see you again next Saturday with something special!

Happy crafting everyone!

My Blog: In a World of Craft

Friday Fun with a Mixed Media Layout

Hello!  I have been in a mixed media mood.  So I got out my Great Impressions stamps, some ink, and stencils and went to town!

For this layout I used these awesome stamps: K94 Distressed Background, E645 Retro Spirals, E492 Twirly Background, and C313 Retro Happy Birthday.

I love how versatile these stamps are!  The Retro Happy Birthday stamps helps the title go from just Photo Booth to Happy Birthday Photo Booth.  So fun!  For more details on this layout you can stop by here.

For more inspiration check out our Facebook page!  We are also on Pinterest! 

There is still time to join our challenge!  Also, if you use Great Impressions Stamps, you can link up your project to our Customer Gallery. :)

Bamboo Wishes

Hi, friends!  It's time for another post using stamps from the Great Impressions online store!  Today I have a card with a CAS feel and a powerful message.  Just a few small accents and a bright color scheme found here!  Take a look!

Here's my card~

This card is also on my personal blog HERE!

Products used: G361 Solid Bamboo, A145 Never Give Up

Did you notice the "shading" on the bamboo?  I used two colors of green ink to create this fun effect!  This card is actually a motivational speech for myself.  We all need this reminder--NEVER GIVE UP.  It's very easy to do and so anytime we can remind ourselves and those around us to keep going, we should.

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek at this card!  Hop over to the Great Impressions blog for more inspiration and come play along with our monthly challenge, too!  If you use stamps from Great Impressions, you'll be able to link up your creation in our Customer Gallery, too!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Wonderful Wednesday with Joni

I am not ready to go back to school tomorrow!

If fact I have not really felt that sand between my toes at the beach!

However, I do love this darling image F552 Beachy Penguins.

I paired it with the E800 Happiness Is...

I used some dies to made a notched card.

Birthday Bicycle

Hello! Leah here and I have a fun birthday card to share with you today that is girly but with a bit of a different twist using a bicycle image.

Isn't this a fun image?! I inked up and colored the Birthday Bicycle (G504) using Copics and to the same round focal mat added the sweet Flag Banner (E846).  The pretty pink background is stamped using the Twirly Background Sm. (E845) and my sentiment comes from the Tags (G483) set. Some stitching and sequins finish my card. I hope you like it! 

Be sure to join us in this month's challenge (click!) and if you use any GI stamps be sure to link up to the customer gallery (click!). Be sure to stop by the Great Impressions store (click!) and maybe treat yourself to a few new images...did you know shipping is free over $25?! 

Have a wonderful day!

A Little Hello

Happy Monday Great Impressions Stamp Friends!

Kendra from Luv 2 Scrap 'n Make Cards here today to share a card with you!

It is so hard to believe summer is coming to an end!

With that in mind, I decided to use some fun summery images for my card today!!

I love flowers and butterflies, so that is the theme for this card:

For my main image I used Growing Tall Flowers (F358)!

I used the partial A Little Hello (B151) sentiment on my die cut banner. 

I also added the sweet Flitting Butterflies (A32) above my sentiment on the card base!!

More details on my personal blog here.

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Thank you for stopping by to see my project today!

Be sure to stop back for more wonderful inspiration!

Join in our monthly challenge as well!  

We'd love to see what you create!

Check out the Great Impressions shop for more wonderful stamps!!

Have a wonderful week!

Guest Designer: Patti Gilliam

Hi, friends!  It is my pleasure to tell you that we have a post today from our guest designer, Patti Gilliam!  Take a look at her beautiful work--she's made more than one card for us!  Take it away, Patti!

Hello - Happy Sunday!

It' my day to post here on the Great Impressions Blog!

It is so much fun guest designing with such a great, friendly, and talented group of ladies!

Today, I'm going to share a stamp that I will forever keep in my 'go-to' stash. 

It is just so incredibly versatile - and I'm eager to show you just HOW versatile!

The stamp I used, 'Someone Like You' can be purchased HERE!

For this first card, I used a piece of pretty patterned paper, and stamped directly onto the paper. I then added half of a small doily, three pearls, and a twine bow.  7 minute card, start to finish!  Love it, right?  Well scroll down to the next card!

The chalkboard technique is so popular right now, that I couldn't pass up a chance to use it with this stamp.

I had seen these easel type cards all over, and decided to try my own.   (The woodgrain makes my sides look uneven, but I've measured, and they really are identical)  The black card stock was stamped with white pigment ink.  My personal fave is still to come!

Last, but not least, I had some fun, vibrant cardstock, and matching ink that I used here.

The sentiment was stamped with black ink, then shadow stamped again with this pretty colored ink.

LOVE this one!  It's really my fave of the three.

Thanks for stopping by, and for being patient with so many photos!

Hope you will hurry right over to the Great Impressions Website and order this stamp - it's great

for any age, any gender, and can be dressed up or down!  It stamps beautifully, too!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Other supplies used:

Our Daily Bread Designs 6 x 6 Patterned Paper Pack 'Blushing Rose' Collection

Black Cardstock (Hobby Lobby)

White Hammermill 110# Cardstock

Echo Park Cardstock (This & That by Lori Whitlock 'Ornaments' Collection)

A Muse Cardstock and Ink (orange card)

Black ribbon from my stash

Perfect Paper Crafting - Mini Rulers (See my sidebar for details!)

Tombow Adhesive Runner

Thank you, Patti, for showing us how versatile one stamp can be!  A fabulous showcase of how Great Impressions stamps can be used in different ways!  Come back next week for more of Patti's fabulous work!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

Inspiration Saturday with Ellen

Hello to all of my Great Impressions friends! Welcome back for more inspiration from the Great Impressions store! It is the third Saturday, and our challenge is still open! This month we are having a BIRTHDAY BASH challenge. Here is my card, and it could be a birthday card or be used for any celebration. Hopefully it will inspire you to enter your own creation in our challenge!

(A2: Stamps: Great Impressions Stamps (Udderly C469 and Party Cow F585); DSP: SN@P; Copics)

Both of these stamps are from the August release. Aren’t they adorable? Please do stop by my blog to see all of the details!

Thanks so much for stopping by for a bit of inspiration from Great Impressions.

Here is the link to the current monthly challenge: Birthday Bash!

ARE YOU PLAYING?

If you use a Great Impressions on your project, please link it in our CUSTOMER GALLERY!

One last thing, be sure to “Like” Great Impressions on FACEBOOK and I’ll see you again next Saturday!

Happy crafting everyone!

My Blog: In a World of Craft