Merry Christmas!

A little photo of our tree, but big wishes for you this Christmas. Our Christmas wish to you is:

Wishing you all the timeless treasures of Christmas ~

The Comfort and Warmth of Home,

The Support and Love of Family,

And the Dear Company of Good Friends.

May the New Year bring Incredible Opportunities,

Serenity and Blissful Peace of Mind,

Good Health,

and

The Knowledge that You are 

Thought of Fondly.

In The Pink - with Impression Obsession and Lace

Here in Florida, 4 days before Christmas, all my flowers are in full bloom - mostly in pinks and purples, but also bright magenta and reds. It's only fitting that I put away my "winter stamps" like the ever green pines (which don't grow down here). With unseasonably warm weather (no complaints here), I was crying out for a break from snowflake and snowmen images.

Perfect Timing! Impression Obsession's "We are in the Pink Challenge" was just what I needed.

IO's gorgeous 3.25" Square Rose (F1343) stamp is so versatile in its uses, with wonderful detailing. This time Prisma Color pencils were used, with the Vintage Floral Punch from Martha Stewart and Walrus & Carpenter Embossing Folder by Couture Creations. I enjoyed shading the foliage with blues and pinks as well.

Wishes for a Merry Christmas to all my stamping friends. Thanks for stopping by!

Sparkling Blues

Hi! Hope you are enjoying the holidays, and the preparations for your special times. Today I've got some new products to share, and two "virigin" stamps (you know, those images in your stash which have yet to see ink?)

 Impression Obsession creates such marvelous images and backgrounds. Originally this card was for their recent challenge to create a card without using designer papers. It didn't quite get done in a timely manner.

IO Cover-a-Card "Snowflakes" stamp was used in this background. Stamped with VersaMark Ink, it was embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle's Americana and By the Lake embossing powders. Both have glitter in them, as well as the creamy richness of the Cosmic line.

Here is a closeup of the background image - the fine detail of the stamp shows up beautifully even without detail embossing powders!

The coverage is great with these stamps and the easy-to-use Mega Mount acrylic "block". Even hands like mine can achieve beautiful and complete coverage with only one try!

Also used was the IO Tree Collage image, stamped with Majestic Blue Versafine, and colored with the SNS's new Waterscape glitter.

Spellbinders Heritage ornament die cut the Tree Collage. The next larger die is covered with Navy ultra fine glitter from SNS.

The "Leaves and Vine" border punch is from Martha Stewart.

You know what they say... "Better late than never" with this card share!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamping hugs,

Getting It Going Again

What a pleasure it has been learning how to use many of my "new" unused tools, and relearning techniques which have long been neglected.  :-)

At this time, may I especially thank Shirley, Marie and Connie for suggesting challenges? The challenges are enjoyable, and my puzzle-loving self is having fun combining the them.

Long-time stampers may remember this PSX botanical image. I stamped it with VersaMark on dark brown cardstock, heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder and set aside to cool.

Galaxy Gold Brilliance ink was smooshed over the embossed image.

Next Cosmic Copper and Crimson Copper Brilliance inks were smooshed to highlight certain areas. Finally, Twinkling H2Os highlight the remaining areas.

The technique is fast, easy, fun, and beautiful in real life.

TIP: distressing the edges of the cardstock with Brilliance inks carries the shiny look all the way.

This card is really as blingy-shiny and brilliant as the close-ups show. The vine-leaf die cut is from gold glossy cardstock, and it isn't nearly as showy as the Brilliance inks.

More details about the card can be seen in the challenges listed below:

Party Time Tuesdays #42 - Sketch
Mark's Finest Papers - Favorite Technique (embossing)
The Pink Elephant - embossing (dry and EP)
My Time To Craft - Take Two Challenge (leaves)
Heartsong Inspirations (gold)
Hooked on Craft Challenges (die cuts)

Thanks for visiting!
hugs,
Donna