A Dirty Tag and some Great Stamps

I have a craft mat. Love it. Easy to use and easy to clean! Spritz the mat with water when I'm done... and use a tag to clean up the mess! That's how the background of this tag was started. 

Then when I was through 'picking up color,'  I added it to my ring of tags to be used another day...not a bit of ink goes to waste; love my craft mat!

Now when I need a little something I pick up my ring of tags and choose one to start from. It's especially great when I need to use up some bits in my stash or need a little creative help getting out of a rut.

Watercolored the darling Skunk using Distress Inks and Viva Pearl Pens to add dimension to the flower centers and the Skunk's curly top. There's texture via the stamped and clear glitter heat embossed and dry embossed background. Lots of texture! Stop by my blog to see more about this clean up technique.

Just wanted to say, "Wow!" at the number of fabulous entries for this month's challenge...74 at the time of this post. Is one of the entries your's?

There's still a few days left to enter...don't be shy! Link up your project for an entry to win...a Great Impressions stamp is not necessary, but if you do use a Great Impressions stamp, you'll get two entries for the drawing for one project!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Stamps Lace Background (K97), Distressed Background (K94), Skunk (E751), My Friends (D444)

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick, Seedless Preserves (Limited Edition Fall 2011), Versamark Watermark, Adirondack Color Wash Cranberry

Paper: manilla tags, kraft card stock, My Mind's Eye Lost & Found - Market Street

Other: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Stylized Flowers, clear glitter embossing powder, Martha Stewart punch Doily, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Elegant Teacups Collage

Every day is a happy day on the Great Impressions' blog! Today is no exception, so Happy Thursday! 

These stacked teacups remind me of quiet early mornings...something I rarely experience with school-age kids in the house. But don't worry, I'm enjoying every. noisy. minute of it!

The shimmer & shine on this card is amazing IRL!

When April's Stamp of the Month boards were revealed, I knew I needed the Patience (D445) stamp; it would go perfectly with the Elegant Teacups (F389) and the design I had in mind. I wanted this card to have shine and shimmer like those gilded, porcelain tea vessels. 

Do you see the Lace Background (K97) behind the cups?

Glitter, embossing enamel and powder, paint and inks were all played with to pull this card collage together. If you're interested in the techniques I used on this card, stop by my blog for more info.

April's Great Impressions' Monthly Challenge is open and the theme is "Lots of Flowers." Check out that post for the details and to enter your project. Remember - a Great Impressions stamp is *not* required, but if you do use one you'll get 2 entries!

Inky hugs,

Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Elegant Teacups (F389), **Patience (D445), Lace Background (K97)

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters; Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black; Versamark Watermark; Copics

Paper: Manilla Tag, Stampin' Up! card stocks, Bo Bunny Double Dots Coral

Other: Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch; Sizzix On The Edge Plaque & Postage; Spellbinders Labels Two; clear glitter; Stampendous Fran-Tage Aged Embossing Enamel Powders Shabby White; gold paint; linen twine; Perfect Pearls Mist Pearl; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Tiny Tabs & Tags

**Stamp of the Month Stamp

A Bird in Hand...or Fancy Rose Frame!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Did you know there is an official website dedicated to the celebration of this momentous event in Punxsutawney, PA, where Phil, The Groundhog, will check out his shadow and predict whether Spring is on its way or another 6 weeks of winter? (www.groundhog.org)

Me, I'm hoping good ol' Phil's calling for Spring! And just to help him along, I've got a card showcasing the lovely Bird in Roses (F517) stamp - another of January's Stamp of the Month stamps. 

I wanted a simple color scheme with the focus on the bird, so I went with black and white with a touch of red and blue. The border is made using Rose Intertwined Hearts (G450). Ink up just the top edge of the design and stamp around the card.

Hope you've been inspired to get out your Great Impressions stamps or pick up a few new ones (locate a store near you!) Psst! The Great Impressions online store will be up and running very soon...and when it does there will be some challenge fun going on here! Just thought you might like to know...

(Update: Nope, I didn't stay up to watch the webcast, but I did just check to see what Phil had to say...according to our furry friend - Six more weeks of winter! Which I suppose I can attest to as we are expecting a snow storm this weekend. Better get out the hot chocolate!)

Have a Great Thursday and stop by tomorrow to see what April's been up to...

Inky hugs,

Angi

Stamps: Great Impressions Lace Background (K97), Rose Intertwined Hearts (G450), Bird in Roses (F517), Fancy Rose Frame (H223)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Archival Ink Jet Black; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Vintage Photo; Copics (R24, 29, 46; B02, 04)

Tools: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, heat gun

Other: Vellum, glue pen, glitter; American Craft Zing Black; Tim Holtz Perfect Pearls Powder Pearl

If the Shoe Fits...

If the shoe fits...get one in every color!

And you can with the Lace Background (K97) and embossing powder in your favorite color...

The stamped tag reads:

One pair of

Shoes changed

My life

Cinderella

{Changed My Life (D441) }

This project was so easy to do...cut out your template, stamp and emboss each piece, put it together and decorate (visit my blog for more pictures and details.) All those bits and pieces of ribbon and embellishments you have hoarded hidden ...ahem... saved may just be what you need to make an adorable pair of pretty pumps...and quite affordable, too!

The Rose Intertwined Hearts (G450) would also make a beautiful lace-type pattern...hmmm...and wouldn't the Bird in Roses (F517) make a sweet vintage design?

I think I'm just getting warmed up!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Inky hugs,
Angi


Stamps: Great Impressions Lace Background (K97), Changed My Life (D41)
Inks: Versamark Watermark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: heat gun, Martha Stewart Doily Punch, Tim Holtz Tiny Tags and Tabs Sizzix Die, Tiny Attacher
Other: Ellen Hutson High Heeled Shoe Template, Scor-tape, Helmar 450 Quick Dry, paperclip, assortment of fibers and mulberry rose from my stash, Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam Big Apple