Welcome a Baby Boy with this Pretty Baby Carriage Card

I am finding it so relaxing and creative to decorate these new "Pontura" cards.  I start by surrounding myself with  these little piles of  flowers and leaves that I have punched out in all sorts of colors.  I then totally immerse myself into these miniature gardens with just my tweezers, stylus and glue and watch as the carpet of flowers grows.  I can't stop until all of the flowers are glued down and the pearls and glitter are added. 

 Again, I used the same punches as I did in the bridal card.  You can see a list of  them HERE. 

This is a close up of the fine detail of the design.

You really have to try these out..........they make such elegant cards!!!

Thanks for 'stamping" by,

         ~Anna

Stretch the Use of Your Dies

I love it when you can use your tools and stamps more than one way!  Here is a very creative example of how Dina Kowal, Impression Obsession's Design Team Member used the popular fence die from I/O in non traditional ways!

First, she turned the fence upside down.   This gives you a plain picket fence as opposed to the fancy one seen below:

 

Next she made the flowers for the tree by using the top pickets of the fence and rolled it around a small stylus.  Check out her tutorial HERE!

I also love how Dina used the negative of the tree die!  Simply gorgeous!!! 

Start looking at your dies differently. 
I just thought of something you can try ----- place the fence on it's side and weave ribbon through it.  It will make a great embellishment for you work.

Why not post a comment telling us your fabulous idea, or post a picture of your card on our Facebook page?  All of us would love to hear from you!

And just to let you know........the fence and tree dies are in stock!  Let me know if you want one!!!

Thanks for "stamping" by,
          ~Anna

Beautiful Bridal Card

Today I finally was able to finish this very pretty bridal card.  The card already comes pre-made with the bridal dress cut out, a pretty layer of netting inserted for the dress as well as a floral design dry embossed around the dress.

As you can see, the card is very pretty just left the way it comes out of the package.

I wanted to spiffy it up a bit, so I added a whole bunch of punched flowers and leaves.  I stayed with the creamy white color scheme and only added a bit of pink and pale green.  I used Nellie's Choice floral embossing & punch sets: FLP022 & FLP027, Nellie's leafy branch punch, FLP008 (I cut off the tiny leaves and used them separately), and tiny flower/butterfly twin punch, TMP001.

Here is the completed card with small pearls that were made with the Viva Decor Pearl pen and of course a bit of stickles.

I really like the way this came together; very elegant with just a taste of color.

I hope you can see the detail of all the flowers and pearls in this photograph.  Remember, if you click on the photo, a new window will open with a larger view of the photo!

These creamy white "Pontura" cards come in many designs.  You get 3 cards and envelopes in the package and you can decorate them to your liking.  The three tier wedding cake card would also look fabulous decorated with punched flowers in the wedding's color scheme.  These cards are in stock and the perfect way to personalize a wedding or bridal shower card.  There is also a great floppy hat that you can decorate to your heart's content. The possibilities are endless!

I have to say that punching out all these flowers and layering them was very relaxing and therapeutic! I felt as though a was lost in these beautiful flowers.  A truly stress free way to spend the afternoon!

Looking forward to sharing more of these with you,
                  ~Anna

Great 4th of July Cards!

Just wanted to share with you these wonderful cards I received in honor of our nation's independence day.

First, Judie Litteral sent me this unique spirelli card she made!  What a great way to use spirelli!  And I love the Spellbinders die (Labels 2) that she used and made it the card shape.  Way to go Judie!

Sue Speck sent me the following card where she reused those bulk mail stamps; what a creative use of junk mail stamps!  You can also check out Sue's BLOG and see more of her work.

Hope you have been enjoying our national holiday!  And if you need to get some reprieve from the heat, stop by the Creative Corner........it's nice and cool there!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday week!
           ~Anna

Limited Edition, Summer Distress Ink Pads Have Arrived!

Yes, you heard it here!!!  The Limited Edition, TIm Holtz Summer Distress ink pads are here!!!  The colors are so pretty and they go so well with the Spring colors.

The cool summer shades are:  Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean.








 



 And the yummy spring colors are:  Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade and Shaded Lilac. 







Look at these fabulous tags made by Dyan from Art from the Heart!

Dyan used both the spring and summer distress colors.   I can't get over how pretty these colors look together; a great color palette.  These tags are simply awesome!!!


Looking forward to see what you'll create! 
So stop by and pick up your pads today, before they are all gone!

Beautiful Hummingbirds!

Today I wanted to show you the great pictures I was able to snap a few days ago!

First off, I have to tell you about this wonderful hummingbird feeder I got when I was in Belleville, Ontario.  It was from this great little shop called, A Place to Perch.  The owner was so knowledgeable and friendly and she told us about this simple red feeder.  Soni and I both bought one, as well as the nectar and a "waspinator".  The hummingbirds find this feeder easy to use and even like to perch on the little rail.  There also is a moat in the center to prevent ants from getting into the nectar.

Sure enough, hummingbirds came to my feeder within a day of me hanging it up!  I've had a different feeder years ago, but I haven't seen as many hummingbirds as I do now!  Birds come to this feeder all day long.  It is so exciting to see these little colorful birds fly over and take a drink.  It just puts a big smile on my face.

I then became determined to snap a picture of these beautiful birds.  It's not as simple as you may think.  These birds are so fast.  You have to be ready with your camera at a moments notice.  I would sit out on my deck, but no birds in sight.   But I didn't give up.  I was determined and was hoping that by the end of the season, I would have a picture or two.

Last week when I was out on my deck taking pictures of the "round wall hanging", I turned around when I heard the humming.  And since I already had my camera in hand, I was able to snap a few pictures!!!

Aren't these birds just gorgeous!!!

Now remember, the hummingbird is very popular and so is the hummingbird die that is from Elizabeth Crafts.  It is perfect for your summer projects like for example this beautiful card Els Van de Burgt made.

She used the hummingbird and fern dies, shimmer sheetz and micro fine glitter; all of which are presently in stock!  Stop by today to get your supplies.

Oh yes, as for the "waspinator", it works great.  It's a large grey bag that is supposed to look like a wasp's nest.  Wasps are very territorial and when they see this "nest", they turn away not wanting to trespass on what they think is already claimed ground.  So far, it is working.  I don't see any new nests being built and I have always had wasps building nests on my house siding.  Thank you Tina and Susan for your expertise!

 Thanks for "flying in"
         ~Anna

A Visit from Maria & Gary

I so look forward to my visits with Maria and Gary.  Like I said in the previous post, it's hard when your loved ones live far away.  But at least they don't live too far away; Virginia is only 6 hours away by car.

We always have such a nice time together and this time was no exception, though this visit was a short one.  Oh well, we still were able to get in some retail therapy at the Galleria and meet up with some friends for a relaxing dinner out.

The following day we spent the afternoon at West Point and my friend Pete was even able to join us.  Here are some pictures from the day:

This picture may look like we were there for a parade, but it was really taken in front of a huge mural in the West Point Museum.  It would have been awesome if there really was a special event going on!   I guess we can dream.........or there's always next time.

 And don't Maria and Gary make such a cute couple?

Thanks for stopping by and hope you are having a wonderful day,
                                   ~Anna