NEW 2011 - 2012 Catalog available and the NEW Stickablestamps!

We have our new 2011 - 2012 catalog available.  Catalogs are $8.00 plus shipping costs.  All the stamps in the catalog are available as wood mounted or in our new Stickablestamps on cling foam. 

Stamp of the month stamps are available in wood mount only until they are added as our open stock product line.

If you have any questions or would like to order a catalog please contact us at (800)373-5908 or email greatstamps@localaccess.com

May Stamp of the Month Program

Mays program is now out in stores.  Visit our store locator at http://www.greatimpressionsstamps.com/ for a store participating in the program that is close to you.

April Stamp of the Month

Here are the brand new designs for Aprils program.

Cat and Dog board remade

These cards were made by Sharon Jones of Horseshoe Crafts in the UK.

Great cards Sharon!

A new look at our 2009 Elongated Flower Flourish Board

Sharon Jones from Horseshoe Crafts in the UK has sent us a photo of a remake of the 2009 Elongated Flower Flourish Board.

Great job Sharon!!!  Love the cards! 

Happy Valentines Day!

Just wanted to share another card that Jody created.  This one is for Valentines.

More Cards From Jody

Here are a couple more cards that Jody has created.

A Card by Jody

We have been extremely busy here getting a new catalog organized and ready for the printer, now we get to tackle the new website!!!  I have to say that you will love the new website and it will have a search engine so you can find your favorite GI stamps faster.

In the mean time, I thought I would put a card on here that one of the GI employees has created.  Jody works in the shop making the rubber stamps.  We think she is a very talented card maker, dont you agree?

Stay tuned as I have a few more of her cards that I will share with you tomorrow.

Important Challenge information and possible exciting opportunites.

November will be our last challenge for awhile.  We have a few things in the "works" and we feel that in order to focus more on these new projects we should put the challenge on hold until we can get our "to do" list a little smaller.  We are excited to bring you a brand new website and catalog to name just a couple projects.

There is more exciting stuff in the works that I think you guys are going to LOVE...but we will keep that a secret for now.   

Keep checking back, I will continue to post each stamp of the month and will bring you updates on our progress.

Also........ 

We are looking at bringing more artists to work with Great Impressions on our projects!!!!!

So......

If you like to draw and think that you would like to be part of our talented art team.....we would love for you to send us an email telling us a little about yourself and some samples of your drawings or portfolio to greatstamps@localaccess.com  please put artist submission in the subject of your email.

We appreciate your patience while we are under construction, and we hope that you enjoy our new website and catalog when it comes out shortly. 

Novembers Winner!!!!

The winner for Novembers challenge is Kendra Sand she get the stamps from our December program.   Congratulations Kendra!!!! 

Card Details:


Card Size: 6.5” x 5”

Stamps: Great Impressions “Holly Branch” (G390),“Country Snowman” (G392) and “Magical Holiday Season” (E692) - Inside, “Merry Christmas” Recollections Merry Merry Set


Ink: Memories Dye Ink Pad, VersaMark, Dew Drop Brilliance “Pearlescent Ivy”, VersaMagic “Hint of Pesto”


Paper: the Paper Studio “Red Country Crackle, My Mind’s Eye Antique Dots Stack,


Creative Inspiration Paints: Blue Ice


ProMarkers: Burgumdy, Apricot, Cool Grey 3, Marsh Green, Pastel Blue, Pale Pink, Sandstone


Misc: Circuit George and Basic Shapes (Ovals) and Storybook (Scalloped Oval), Ranger Glossy Accents, the Robert Stanley Collection Green and Red Shear Ribbon, iRock Clear Gems, Hero Arts Snowflakes, Needle

Octobers Challenge winner!!! and...... Novembers Challenge

Sorry I am late in posting this.  Things have been a little crazy with Christmas coming upon us.

OK... on to the winner... The winner this month is Kassi Hulet!!!!!  She wins one of each of the stamps for Novembers program.  Congrats Kassi!

supplies:

Paper: Georgia Pacific white cardstok

Ink: Archival Ink (black), Distress Ink (Peeled Paint, Pumice Stone, Weathered Wood, Black Soot, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Chipped Sapphire, Spiced Marmalade, Stormy Sky, Vintage Photo), VersaMark

Stamps: Great Impressions "Snow Friends", "Dotted Snowflake Border"

Creative Inspirations paint: Winter Frost, Tutu Pink

Other: Distress Crackle paint "Rock Candy", Ranger "Frosted Glass" embossing powder, ribbon, rhinestone, feather, Ranger Glossy Accents, flocking

We would like to thank everyone who submitted their cards.  All the cards were wonderful and it was a very difficult decision!!!  One of the reasons why we were late this month in posting the winner.

Are you ready for Novembers Challenge????

We have one more month with the Christmas theme so use the Stamp of the month G390 and any one of the coordinating stamps to make a card and submit it for a chance to win Novembers Challenge.

All cracked up and shimmery

Hey everyone! I'm Kassi, and I'm the DT leader for Creative Inspirations paints. I was asked to jump on over here, to share a tutorial using the fabulous CI paints... Which Great Impressions carries! Fabulous, huh! For those of you not familiar with Creative Inspirations Paint, it is a water based shimmer paint that is very versatile. It is a great way to add that little extra something to your stamped images!

I'm using two of the GI stamps for October (Snow Friends, and Christmas Globe). Christmas and snow just calls out for sparkle, don't ya think?

for the main image, I used:

Water Color paper

Great Impressions stamps (#K92, #G384)

Creative Inspirations Paint (Garnet, Coal, Winter Frost, Mango, Tutu Pink, Denium, Tanzanite, )

VersaMark clear embossing ink

Black Embossing powder

Distress Ink (Walnut Stain, Pumice Stone)

Glitter (white)

Ranger Glossy Accents

Ranger Crackle Accents

Fantastix

Mist Bottle (with water)

Sticky Note

Q-tip

Toothpick

Waterbrush

Step 1: Stamp the Christmas Globe in VersaMark on watercolor paper.

Step 2: Heat emboss with black embossing powder

Step 3: Create a mask by stamping the Globe onto a sticky note, and cutting out the globe part

Step 4: cover Christmas Globe with the mask

Step 5: mask off all but one snowman on the Snow Friends stamp.

Step 6: Ink with VersaMark ink

Step 7: remove the masks on the snowmen

Step 8: stamp snowman in the globe, and heat emboss with black embossing powder.

You can now discard the globe mask (or keep it and reuse it, like I do....)

Step 9: Let Fantastix sit in a cup of water for a few minutes to get nice and wet

Step 10: Lightly mist the snowman with water

Step 11: Using the wet Fantastix, paint in the snowman with a nice coat of Winter Frost CI paint.

*You can wash out your Fantastix, and use them over again... Love that!*

Step 12: Dip just the tip of a clean wet Fantastix into a little bit of Tanzanite CI paint.

Step 13: Using the side of the Fantastix, paint in your shadows. Keep the tip of your Fantastix against the edge of the image. Because the CI paints are water based, they blend fabulously! I've never had shading be so easy to achieve great looks! The color will be darkest at the tip and fade beautifully towards the center of the image.

Because of the light nature of the colors I am using, it is hard to see in photographs... You can build as many shades as you want. Just remember to go light to dark.

*If you find you have an area that is too dark, use a clean wet Fantastix, or a water paintbrush to wipe a little off. It is a very forgiving medium!*

Step 14: Paint in the hat and scarf with Garnet CI paint

Step 15: shade the hat and scarf with Coal CI paint (this is a dark color, and a little goes a long way....)

Step 16: Add a little bit of blush to the cheeks with Tutu Pink CI paint. This is a very light color, and you may want to use a little more paint than you had to for the darker colors.

Step 17: Small areas like the carrot nose can be hard to paint... So, grab a toothpick!

Step 18: While all the paints are drying, watercolor the base using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I like to swipe the pad on an acrylic block, and pick up a little ink at a time on a water brush. You could paint the base with CI paint, but I wanted to have more of a contrast between the wood and the glass.

Step 19: Add a little shading to your base using Pumice Stone Distress Ink. This gives it so much more dimension.

Step 20: While the base is drying, go back to your now dry snowman. Add Glossy Accents (or your favorite liquid adhesive) to the fuzzy parts of the hat.

Step 21: Dump on the glitter!

Step 22: While that is drying, paint the snowflakes on the base with Denium CI paint. I like to use a lining brush for the fine detail work, but you can also use the Fantastix, or a toothpick.

Step 23: (this is why you emboss the image to begin with!!!) Take a damp q-tip and gently rub across the embossed areas. This will take off any paint that went onto the lines. (keeps everything looking so much neater!)

You can stop here if you want, but..... I wasn't ready to stop playing yet. =)

Step 24: Cover the globe portion of the Christmas Globe with Ranger Crackle Accents. Start by outlining the circle, then fill it in.

Step 25: (the hardest by far!) Set it aside to dry. This can take a LONG time, so I suggest letting it sit overnight and coming back to it in the morning. =)

Isn't he cute all cracked up! And the shimmer from the paint still shows through amazingly well!

Here is a finished card using this main image

I painted the ribbon and the button with Winter Frost CI paint to make them match the snowman. I also added a layer of Ranger Glossy Accent over the button to give it a nice glossy finish.

Don't forget to enter the GI Challenge for October! It is a fabulous time to get started on those Christmas cards, if you haven't done so yet.

Have a wonderful day!

~Kassi

Materials used in this card:

Paper: Bazzill, DCWV, watercolor paper, white cardstock

Stamp: Great Impressions "Snow Friends", "Christmas Globe"

Ink: VersaMark, Distress Ink

Creative Inspirations Paint: Garnet, Onyx, Winter Frost, Mango, Tutu Pink, Denium, Tanzanite, Beige, Mocca Latte

Die Cut: Spellbinders "Label 6"

Other: Glitter, Ranger Crackle Accents, Ranger Glossy Accents, rhinestones, ribbon, button, thread, Crop-a-dile Corner Chomper

Challenge October 2010

Here are the current cards for the Octobers challenge!!!

Are they cute or what???

You have until the 20th to enter!!!

Did you know......

Great Impressions has more than just stamps in their line of products!!  Great impressions has their own line of glitter!  Sparkling Ice is a dry fine glitter and comes in a 1 oz jar. It is used on almost all of our art boards.  We also have some chunky glitter as well as Jazzy sparkles Crystal and Gold glitters. 

We have cloud stencils.  This has been around for a long time.  So long, in fact, some people forget that we have them.  They crop up on our boards occasionally but they are always available. 

We have started something new and it is taking off... for each stamp of the month, we put together a ribbon package (18" of each ribbon used on the board).  Some months we do run out of packages but we still have some packages available from previous stamp of the months. 

We also carry lines from other companies.....

We have the complete line of Inspirations paints.  If you want to add some color and sparkle to your creations, Inspirations is the way to go!  This paint has 55 colors that are vibrant and versatile.  Inspirations has so many different ways to be used, it is a must have for everyone!!  You can watercolor with them, stamp with them or turn them into your favorite spritz.  That is just to name a few!

Do you like to add pearls to your projects?   We are a distributor for Viva Decor and have the complete line of Pearl Pens!  This is a brand new product for us and it is so much fun to play with. 

Keep your eyes open, these products are regularly on our boards for the Stamp of the Month Program.  Any of the stores that carry our stamps can order them.  Some items like prior embellishments, card stocks, and ribbons related to a particular Stamp of the Month program, we still have too.  If your store takes special orders they can still order them or some of the online stores keep everything in stock too.  To find a store near you click here.

In the future we will start putting up some tutorials using our stamps and some of the products we carry so keep checking back!

Octobers Challenge

Are you ready for another challenge?  Here is the stamps for Octobers challenge.  Use the stamp of the month and at least one of any of the coordinating stamps on a card/scrapbook page and you could win Novembers stamps from the stamp of the month program. 

We cant wait to see your creations!!!!

The September 2010 Challenge winner is.....

Vicky from Faribault, MN won this months challenge.  She will receive the entire set of Octobers Stamps from the Stamp of the Month Program. 

Here is the supplies that she used to make this card.

Great Impressions Stamps

# F455

# G379

# C406

# H201

# C405

# AA23

Supplies used:

Purple card stock
Misc. scrap paper
Pop Up Dots
White Tulle inked black
Silver elastic cord
Tim Holz Brushed Corduroy distress ink
Stampin’ up inks Barely Banana and Yoyo Yellow
Sundance Smooch
Black Zing emboss powder
Pewter Zing emboss powder
Stampin’ Up markers Yoyo Yellow, Only Orange, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore
Doodle Bug Beetle Black Glitter

Tools:

12” Cutter

Scissors

Ink dauber

Exacto knife

Versa mark emboss pad

Craft mat

Congrats Vicky!!!

Do you like to add sparkle to your projects? Check it out!

We used the light blue pearl pen on one of our boards a few months ago and we have not stopped hearing about this wonderful product since.  So.... we will now have the entire pearl pen line to sell to our stores that carry our stamps.  Isnt this exciting?????? They are on their way here right now!

September 2010 Stamp of the Month Challege!!!

Here are the stamps for Septembers challenge.  Use the stamp of the month plus any one of the coordinating stamps in a project and enter for the drawing for Octobers stamps.  We just cant wait to see your projects!!

AND THE WINNER IS!!!!!!

Cheryl Penner with her beautiful card. It was a very hard decision for everyone this month, there were some great cards and scrapbook pages submitted.

Supplies are:
Bazzil cardstock


Little Yellow bicycle Free spirit stripe

watercolor paper

black stazon

Ranger distress reinkers

spellbinders fancy tags

sewing machine

foam pop dots

tombo multi




We have decided that starting next month we are going to have to revise our rules. You will only be able to win once every 6 months.

Make sure you play in September because everyone should already know you will win Octobers stamps and guess what those are!!!!!!!! CHRISTMAS and October Christmas is always cute cute cute!!!

Hurry and submit your cards for a chance to win Septembers set of stamps from the Stamp of the Month Program

The 20th is right around the corner and that is the last day that you can submit your cards for the August SOM Challenge. Septembers stamps are Halloween themed and boy are they cute cute cute! This could be your opportunity to win the ENTIRE set for FREE!!!

The winner will be announced on August 31st.