Wednesday, October 19, 2011

IO Purple Challenge

The latest IO challenge is all about making purple cards. For me, it was a double challenge because I wanted to make a card that fit the theme as well as one that would serve as a sympathy card. Unfortunately, I needed to make one.

For my card, I stamped the Tapestry Cover a Card (CC024) onto a purple card using Wisteria Colorbox Chalk ink. I then stamped the same background onto purple cardstock using Colorbox Chalk Lavender ink (it was a lighter purple color than the Wisteria). I then cut out the lighter purple pattern with the Nestabilities Labels 20 die. To finish the card, I stamped the the Silhouette 11 image (G5561) on top with purple Versafine ink and added a twine bow that I colored with a purple Copic marker.

Feeling the need for more purple inspiration? Check out what Deborah, Dina, Jeanne, Jenny, Julie, and Vicki created. Want to play along? You can find all of the information here, and you could even win a $25 Impression Obsession gift certificate!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Stamping with Zia

This weekend I was lucky enough to take three classes at Angela's Happy Stamper with guest artist Zana Clark (the owner of Stamp Zia.) I can't tell you how much I loved her classes! As you can see from the picture above, Zana's style tends to incorporate a lot of bright watercolors. I have used a lot of sprays from a bunch of different companies, but her sprays were the definitely the most vibrant I have ever used.

The picture of the nude is from a class I took called "Hot Bodies." It incorporated fluorescent crayons, color sprays, salt, and one of Zana's images. I plan to show you samples from the other two classes soon. If you ever have a chance to take one of Zana's classes, I hope you jump on it! She really knows how to encourage you with each piece you create.

I also have to thank Angela for bringing Zana to her store. Angela knew how much I wanted to take classes from Zana, and she made it happen. I know it is expensive to fly out a guest artist and provide them with room and board. Soooo....thank you, thank you, thank you! I am finishing this week feeling very lucky and happy. :)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

IO Challenge- Halloween/Favorite Costume

I feel like such a lucky blogger in that I was able to make Halloween cards for the last two IO Challenges. Halloween really is my favorite stamping subject matter! For today's challenge, we were supposed to make a card dedicated to Halloween or our favorite costume. My favorite past costumes were dressing as a Christmas tree with lights, going with three other friends as the four seasons (I was winter), or the year I went as a mouse caught in a trap. I figured the first two costumes would make cards that looked like Christmas rather than Halloween, and well, the mouse was kind of gruesome. I decided to stick with just making a Halloween card.

For the background of my card, I started with a sage notecard and first stamped it with the Canvas Cover a Card background (CC073) in Colorbox chalk Ice Jade ink. I still maintain that the Canvas stamp is the most versatile background you can use on cards. It adds just a little texture to a plain notecard. Next, I stamped the Damask Cover a Card background (CC081) on top with black VersaFine ink. What is it about damask that works so well with Halloween cards?

For the center of the card, I cut out a light yellow oval and black lacy oval using my Nestability dies. I stamped the Bat Silhouette (D2405) on the yellow cardstock using black Memento ink and then sponged Tea Dye, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, and Black Soot Distress inks around the image.

Need more challenge inspiration? Check out what Daniela, Dina, Jeanne, Jenny, Julie, and Vicki created. Also, there has been a change to the IO Design Team. Kathy Menzies has stepped down and Vicki Garrett has joined the team. Be sure to check out Vicki's blog and welcome her to the team. She is one talented lady!

Want to play along? You can find all of the information here, and you could even win a $25 Impression Obsession gift certificate!