It's The Last Day of the Blog Hop

It's the last day of the IO Blog Hop, and if you missed the first three, you can visit the sites of the DT participants by day by clicking on their names below:

• Monday - Daniela Dobson and Julie Koerber
• Tuesday - Laura Fulcher, Julie Koerber, and Deborah March **TODAY'S HOP**
• Wednesday - Jeanne Streiff
•  Thursday - Christmas in July Challenge - Here With Links To All DT Members
•  Friday - Friday - Dina Kowal

Hop on over and check out Dina's blog and while you are there sign up for her Blog Candy drawing once a week all month long. And if you haven't seen Mitra's new Mega Mount™ and Cover-a-Card™ stamps check them out HERE!

And if you missed out of the IO Christmas In July Challenge, you can check it out Here and you can still join in by following the steps below:

• Remember to use IO stamps and then send them to me by either using my Email Me in the upper left-hand side-bar here or the Email Shirley in the upper right-hand corner of the IO Blog.
  
• You have until Saturday Midnight. Last challenge we had 4 participants and wonderful beautiful cards. You can see them on the IO blog

under IO Customer Album. So here was my card for the Christmas In July if you missed it:
Image: The image is part of the New Fall-Christmas CHA release being done at the end of the month. The name is Park Fence J2350 by Leigh Hannan. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink and painted with Twinkling H20's. The little trees were stamp separately again, cut out and mounted with 3D Pop Dots. Shimmerz Pixie Dust was used to highlight parts of the sky, snow between the fence slats, and the snow swirl with the gold snowflakes. The moon was highlighted with Shimmerz Sunny. Random dots were highlighted with Stickles Gold Glitter Glue and the stars on the trees were done with Stickles Yellow.

• TIPS - Another plus for working with unmounted stamps: I loved the shape of this one on the cling, so when I was done stamping the image, I cleaned it and put the cling guard back in place (if you don't keep it on I have found that the cling loses it's "cling". No kidding.) Anyway, I placed the stamp back over the stamped image and traced around it. Then I cut it out. I love the shape.

Background: The Dark Green background with the Gold Polka Dots is one of the New Mega Stamps, called Cover A Card Dots CC003. It was stamped with Brilliance Gold Galaxy. Stickles Gold was used here and there to highlight.
The Merry is from current Clear Stamp Set Swirl Tree CL196. It was stamped on the smallest Spellbinder die cut from the Nestabilities Large Ovals set.
Assembly: The image was mounted on the Green and Gold Polka Dot background with 3D Pop Dots and so was the Merry. That was mounted on White cardstock. The ribbon is Pink Grosgrain and the bow was done with the Bow-Easy. (I could never make a bow look good with Grosgrain ribbon and so I have tons and never used it.) I love my Bow-Easy.
Because the Background stamp is 5.75X5.75, I had plenty of background left over to do the inside of the card and an envelope.

Check out our DT members blogs for some great artistic Christmas creations. And if you haven't seen Mitra's new Mega Mount™ and Cover-a-Card™ stamps check them out HERE! You can catch up on all of the DT's cards for the Hop by going HERE.
Thanks for stopping by to look and see our fun filled week of creativity.

 

 Shirley

 

Cover-a-Card™

The Cover-a-Card™ stamps and the Mega Mount™ are being announced at CHA for vendors and as soon as they are available at the online store it will be posted here.
I was going to do a card using one of my new Cover-a-Card™ stamps, but thought what you might like best is to get to know more about the stamp and what you can do with the results. The Cover-a-Card™ stamp used for all of the techniques is CC024 Tapestry.
I did four backgrounds using 4 quick different quick techniques and here they are:

A.  VersaMark Resist -

1. The stamp was inked with VersaMark on Glossy White cardstock.
2. A sponge brayer was inked with a Pink Dye ink and rolled across the card. You can let it dry on its own.
3. I stamp on a stack of used computer paper, so I turned it over to blot it just in case it wasn't all dry.  Dye ink dries very quickly, but my pad was inked well and I wanted the ink area even. (Clicking on the photo gives you a much better idea of the coverage and image.

 B.  Embossed Resist -

1. White cardstock was stamped with the VersaMarked Cover-a-Card™. 
2. It was embossed with White Pearl Embossing Powder.  I like this for a Wedding or Engagement card.  It looks lovely on Vanilla or Ivory cardstock for Anniversaries too.  Again, you need to click on it to appreciate how really elegant it can be.

 C.  Dye Brayered and/or Sponged -

1. I brayered White cardstock with a Caramel colored Dye Ink.
2. Sponged with an Orange dye ink here and there.
3. Stamped with Tapestry stamp inked with VersaMark.
4. Embossed with Ivory Pearl Embossing Powder.

Take a look at those Fall colors and the leaves and hearts that show up.  Great for a touch of Fall or a male card really.  Click on it and you will see all of the details.

D.  Sponged Dy Ink and Glitzy Emboss -

1. Sponged White cardstock with a light, medium, and dark Olive dye ink. 
2. Inked stamp with VersaMark.
3. Embossed with Egyptian Gold Embossing Powder. 

The embossing powder has sparkle so it is a little hard to see.....and right, clicking on it will help.  The leaf you have been seeing at the bottom is in the middle on the left-hand side.  I think this looks good for a any season but Winter.  It can be used with anything where nature is involved (leaves, flowers, wild life, etc.). Now, about the backgrounds.  You say what am I going to do with the extra paper.  Well you won't have any if you stamp on an A2 (4.25X5.5).  Otherwise I do several things.

It can be used:

• inside the card and on the lower left side of the envelope.
• to punch leaves, etc. for the same purpose.
• with other pieces to create interest on the background of your card.
• to make a Bargello card similar to this one HERE.
• to weave a decorative mat for your card like HERE. 

And the list goes on.  We will probably be seeing some of them here too, now that we have these wonderful Cover-a-Card™ stamps!!!

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

There's A Big Surprise At IO Blog

Remember I said Mitra had some surprises. Well 2 of them are on display on the IO blog. I just got my new stamps and some of what is on the blog. Don't miss out. Get on over there by clicking on the link above and then click on your back button and tell me what you think!!!! I hope to get back here later today with a card from the new stamps and what you see there. Gong to bed now. I've stayed up way too late. LOLOLOL

See you this afternoon I hope.

 

 Shirley

 

A Really Grateful Surprise

I have been so busy posting here, there, and everywhere, that I was just thrilled to find these two pieces of mail in my mailbox.

The first one comes from Yogi Grunwald, whose blog I found while looking for some foiling ideas. Her blog is HERE. She is into all kinds of different beautiful art and she teaches and sells her art too. I was really interested in how she got the pattern for this gold leaf card and this gold leaf card. I was also looking at her cards she created with napkins. I knew how to do that, but the ones she had were unlike any I had seen. Wow~!

For the gold gilding she dry embosses her paper and then uses a Xyron, etc. depending on the size and then attaches the gold leaf. I think that's what she said. Anyway I received the most beautiful collection of napkins from her in the gorgeous envelope below. I won't part with it:

I wasn't sure you would be able to see the design she put in the S so here it is close-up.

Now for the second piece of wonderful mail from my friend, Jackie Kalchert. She created this beautiful Shaker card and I love it to pieces:

It was not easy getting a good picture of this with the acetate. Ha! See the net in the upper right-hand corner. Some of the little iridescent beads caught up there and it looks like of like bubbles! :-) The background was painted with Twinks and the bottom sand is cork. I wanted you to get a closer look.

A really awesome card! Thanks so much Jackie. You too made my week end with a Wow!

Thanks for stopping by everyone. Hope to see you back here sooner!!!

 

 Shirley

 

'Today on HSN 11 Newest Cuttlebug Folders

For just $29.95 plus Shipping! Hurry on over there if you dare!!! HSN I have no idea how long it will last. It is an event special.

 

 Shirley

 

Day 2 of the Great I-O Shimmerz Swap

Today's two IO Swapers are Daniela Dobson and me. Wasn't yesterday just pure eye candy. If you just saw this today you can catch up by going on over the the IO blog and pick up the first day HERE.

Below is my card for today's swap and the details. If you would like to see Daniels card you will find her card and blog HERE. My card is done with **Halloween Window and will be in Mitra's new FALL-WINTER supplement coming out in the next couple of weeks. When it is released and the stamps are on the site both will be announced on the IO blog. I am quite sure I will mention it here too. Ha!

And definitely don't forget to check out the Shimmerz Blog for their DT creations with Shimmerz and IO stamps for today!!! Check out the Shimmerz blog tomorrow for the next two brand new DT cards using IO and Shimmerz.

On another note, don't forget that DT member, Dina Kowal, has IO BLOG CANDY through Thursday HERE.


I painted the whole image with Twinks and Shimmerz. The Shimmerz I used are:

Sunny on the left hand side of the windows to show the light shadow and on the pumpkin eyes and mouth; Apricot to highlight the right side of the pumpkin; Orange Sherbet to highlight the berries, and Key Lime for the light half of the leaves, with a very thin coat over the dark half.

Isn't that pumpkin and window just the greatest. I love that berry stuff too! Here how I did it. I painted everything in twinks and then used Shimmerz to highlight. And here's the kicker.
I had Shimmerz from a while back and forgot I had them. Now I used the Niji Waterbrush, so I tried using it with the Shimmerz and it turned out even more lovely than before. Look below to see how that happens. It's really hard to see it in a photo, but IRL, it just radiates a really rich shine giving it a silky look. This still doesn't do it justice. It takes on a radiance that is just pure loveliness. I think I'm in love with these as a combo with Twinks too. I've heard they are marvelous with Copics too.
Well that's it for today and I hope to see you either here on on the IO blog. Thanks for stopping by to look and share. I don't know if I will have time to visit blogs this week, but I am really missing that.

 

 Shirley

 

Greetings For The Guys In Our Life Challenge

Today's challenge is open to all of you who would like to play and:

1. Use Impression-Obsession stamps to create your cards.

2. Send them to me by Sunday evening.

3. You email them to me using the Email Me posted at the top of the left-hand sidebar or go to the I/O blog and under Email Me at the top of the furthest right-hand sidebar it says Email Shirley.

4. Be sure to include your name and blog, if you have one. I will email you back to let you know it's been posted.

I will also add them to the Photo Album for IO Customer's Cards. I hope to have an IO Challenge Widget you can post on your blog, if you would like, by the next challenge.

So far most challenges have been on Thursdays, but next week, starting July 6, the IO Design Team is having a daily joint challenge with the Shimmerz Design Team. Monday through Friday. The stamps used will be from the NEW I-O FALL/WINTER CATALOG to be released at CHA the last week in July.

That should be great fun. Just think 2 to 4 new cards for 5 days and new stamps coming to your online and local stores soon. I will be posting sneak peaks for our DT on the I/O blog, and here too when it's my turn. So come on and join the fun. Now down to "Male" business. Ha!

If you would like to see the rest of the card above go HERE. And thanks for stopping by the blog to look and share. Back soon.

 Shirley

Impression Obsession BLOG CANDY ALERT AND A RED WHITE AND BLUE CHALLENGE

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS!!!

IMPRESSION-OBSESSION is offering a $25 gift certificate
as blog candy this month on my blog!

1. To enter leave a comment on this post and if you don't have a blog, check back to see if you won so you can tell me how to reach you. :-)
2. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and link back to this blog.
3. Follow me - If you are already a follower that counts too. Let me know if you are new and that you have linked in your comment.
4. Only one comment per person please. :-) If you need to correct something or ask a question you can EMAIL ME by click on those words in my left sidebar.

***WINNER will be announced on July 1st!***
RANDOM.ORG will be used to select the winner

You may want to stop by "The Store" to check out what you would like when you win!

Thanks for stopping by to look and share and good luck on the CANDY!!

 

 Shirley

 

THE WINNER OF THE GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR JUNE IS

The selection was made by Random.org and these are the results:

Min: 1 Max: 74 Result: 27

Number 27 is :

Chris Olsen, Glowbug who said...
Gorgeous and so elegant Shirley!! Love the red and white and the textures!I have linked your candy on my blog. Thanks for a chance to win. I am already a follower.
June 5, 2009 3:47 AM

Congratulations, Chris! I am on my way to your blog with this post to get the information needed so you can collect your gift certificate.

Thanks so much to all of you for playing. Dina Kowal's has the Impression-Obsession give aways for the month of July. Her blog is HERE. She will post the first one tomorrow, the day of our Greetings for the Guys in our Life Challenge.

You are all invited to enter your creations for the Greetings for Guys in Our Live Challenge tomorrow and any future challenges we have too. Below is how to enter your card so it can be posted on the Impression-Obsession blog and in the gallery located there there just for I/O customers:

1. Use Impression-Obsession stamps for your card
2. Email them to me at the address at the top of my left-hand side bar
OR
3. Email them to me at the address at the top right-hand side bar on the I/O blog.

They will be posted in tomorrow's post on the I/O blog and in it's Customer Gallery there too. This challenge will be open until Sunday, July 5. Have fun everyone.

The next challenge after that takes place on July 16 and the theme is Christmas In July.

Hope you all have fun with the challenges. I hope to have a Sidebar widget for future ones soon....... And don't forget to check out Dina's blog tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by 'the blog' to look and share.

 

 Shirley