A Sunflower Tribute for Jeanne

 

Hello friends,

This week at Splitcoaststampers, our Free 4 All Challenge theme is Flowers for Jeanne, a tribute to a talented creative rock star we lost this week, Jeanne S.

Jeanne was one of those people who made the creative community brighter simply by being part of it. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to see the funny side of things. Even when life threw several losses her way in a short amount of time, she remained upbeat and continued to bring her unique personality and creativity to everything she did.

Jeanne and I messaged back and forth a great deal as we worked on many deadlines together. We shared so many conversations along the way that I caught myself tonight, as I finished photographing my card, thinking, “Oh, I need to show Jeanne this.”

And then came the lump in my throat.

It is still hard to believe she won't be there to share the next card, the next deadline, or the next little bit of creative chatter.

A CAS Sunflower Card for Jeanne

Since it hasn't been easy to focus today, I decided to go with a lovely, clean and simple card design. Sometimes a simple card is just what is needed, allowing the flowers and the sentiment to do the talking.

I chose a beautiful piece of sunflower patterned paper from Brutus Monroe. This paper is now retired, but it was perfect for today's tribute. Sunflowers have such a cheerful, sunny personality, and they seemed like a wonderful way to celebrate Jeanne.

I cut the sunflower paper on a diagonal and added a black border to create a crisp, graphic look. The patterned paper does all the heavy lifting on this card, so I kept the rest of the design wonderfully simple.

For the sentiment, I stamped “always bring your own sunshine” directly onto the card base in the lower corner.

The sentiment is from one of Jeanne's very own stamp sets that she created for Impression Obsession.

I couldn't have chosen a more perfect sentiment.

Jeanne brought sunshine. She had a way of making people smile, and she wouldn't let anyone sit under a dark cloud for long. Even when things were difficult, she found a way to bring humor, encouragement, and a little light to the conversation.

That is something I will always remember about her.

I will be posting this card to the new tribute thread at Splitcoaststampers titled Those We Have Lost. It is a place to remember and celebrate the creative friends who have touched our lives.

I hope you will join us in this week's Flowers for Jeanne challenge. You can make a card with flowers, share a favorite memory, or simply take a moment to celebrate a talented friend who brought so much to our community.

Jeanne, I wish I could show you this card tonight.

I hope you know how much sunshine you brought into the lives of your creative friends. Your humor, your talent, and your friendship will be missed more than words can say.

If you enjoy making cards with a touch of humor, you can find more handmade card inspiration like this Little Stinker here on my blog. This card matches Jeanne's sense of humor, although it's a SweetMissDaisy Designs.  :)

Thank you so much for looking, and thank you for helping us celebrate Jeanne.

With love,

Angie

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Supplies

• Sunflower patterned paper — Brutus Monroe (retired)
• Black cardstock
• Card base
• Sentiment: “always bring your own sunshine” from Sunflower Season an Impression Obsession stamp set created by Jeanne S.

Thank You in Bloom - Handmade Card

 Hi friends!

Today I’m sharing a handmade thank-you card featuring the beautiful Daisy Bouquet stamp set from SweetMissDaisy Designs. Several creative challenges inspired this card, and I had so much fun letting each one guide a different part of the design.

I began by visiting this week’s Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper challenge. I browsed through Donna’s gorgeous gallery, focusing on her floral cards since I knew I wanted to use my Daisy Bouquet set. There were so many lovely designs to choose from—I changed my layout more than once (haha!)—but I ultimately landed on her Swap Card from September 2009 as my inspiration.

For my background, I chose a rich violet patterned paper from the Daisies paper pack and trimmed it to 2 1/4" x 5 1/2", layering it onto my card base. That deep color really sets the tone and makes the florals pop.

Next, I created the focal panel, cutting it to 3 1/4" x 4 3/4". I stamped the daisy bouquet and added a scalloped edge along the bottom for a soft, decorative touch. I colored the flowers in shades of violet to tie everything together with the background.

To add a playful detail, I stamped a small flying bee just about to land on a bloom. This helped me join in this month’s Instagram #SSSIGChallenge (Things with Wings), and I love how it adds a bit of movement to the design.

For the finishing touch, I stamped a “thank you” sentiment on a small scalloped circle and added a delicate golden bow. It’s simple, but it brings a little extra charm to the card.

This card also fits beautifully with this month’s Splitcoaststampers Theme and Word Game challenges, as well as the Art Nudge inspiration (#426D), which features a daisy with a lovely violet center—such a perfect match!

You can easily adapt this handmade card design using your favorite stamps, patterned papers, and coloring techniques. Card-making is such a meaningful way to share creativity and send a little kindness through the mail.

I hope this project inspires you to create your own handmade thank-you cards!

You might also enjoy:

 Blooming Thanks Card

Henny Penny Thank You Card

For all the available SweetMissDaisy Designs products shop: sweetmissdaisy.etsy.com

Let Your Friendship Bloom – Handmade Floral Card

Hello friends!

Today I’m playing along with the Splitcoaststampers Spring Flowers Free 4 All Challenge to make a handmade floral friendship card. It felt like the perfect excuse to pull out some of my favorite patterned papers and create a soft, cheerful spring card.

Nothing says spring quite like florals, so I started with a lovely sheet from the Ditsy Floral patterned paper collection by SweetMissDaisy Designs. The coral and indigo flowers have such a fresh, happy feel. I trimmed a 4¼ inch strip of the floral paper to anchor the design.

To add a bit of contrast and structure, I layered a 1¼-inch strip of coordinating Spring Mini Gingham paper along the bottom edge. These two patterns complement each other beautifully while still letting the floral design shine.

To create a seamless background panel, I glued the patterned papers onto a piece of thin typing paper and then die cut the entire piece with a stitched rectangle die. This simple trick keeps the layers perfectly aligned and gives the card front a clean, polished look.

For the focal point, I chose a sweet sentiment from the Chippy stamp set from SweetMissDaisy Designs. To add a bit of whimsy, I stamped a butterfly beside the sentiment.

If you saw my earlier Chippy card featuring the Penelope’s Garden text stamp, you may remember that butterfly making an appearance there as well. I love how a tiny butterfly can bring a little movement and life to a design.

To make the sentiment feel a little more special, I used an oval die with the partial die-cutting technique. After stamping the butterfly, I carefully trimmed around the upper wing and slid the die underneath that section so the wing sits just outside the oval frame. The result is a floating butterfly wing that adds dimension and a playful detail to the card.

Little touches like that are such a fun way to make a simple card design feel unique.

If you love working with patterned papers, you might also enjoy the spring cards I shared in my earlier SweetMissDaisy release post, where I used several other beautiful floral patterns. Also! The SweetMissDaisy March Release goes live tomorrow, Saturday, March 7th, so stop back by or visit Instagram!

Shop SweetMissDaisy Designs at the Etsy Shop.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this card inspires you to pull out your favorite floral papers and create something bright and cheerful.

Beautiful Stamps Still in Stock!

This week, it's Designer's Choice. I chose this sweet Lovingly Wrapped For You stamp set. The set includes eight images that can be combined in various ways.  

You can still find stunning stamp sets like this and more at Impression Obsession, all at a 50% discount!

This set is Lovingly Wrapped For You!  

Stop by the Impression Obsession Blog for a look at all the Designer's Choice projects! 

Bring Your Own Sunshine - Designer's Choice

Hello! It's Designer's Choice day at Impression Obsession and I have chosen the lovely Sunflower Season stamp set.

In my early childhood, we lived in Kansas. I fondly remember walking to and from school and seeing all the pretty sunflowers peeping over fences. My sister recently moved closer to our childhood state and now grows sunflowers! I didn't realize that we both shared a love of sunflowers.

Here is what I used to show off my love for sunflowers.

Sunflower Season

Sunflower (paper pack)

Shop the entire store (except the September Release) at 40% off!!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Smell the Wildflowers on My Sweet Petunia

 Hi, I am on the My Sweet Petunia blog today sharing how I used the Creative Corners on this project.  The full reveal of the card is shown at My Sweet Petunia!

I used the Impression Obsession stamps, Alphabet Sayings - Spring, and Cover-a-Card Flower Garden. 

I am also playing this week's F4All Challenge; make a Mother's Day card.  

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Posies & More - Day 2 of IO March Release & Hop

Today is day two of the March Impression Obsession Release & Hop. First, I am featuring these pretty Layered Posies. This set is fun because you can layer different colors for the petals on one flower. The die includes full flowers and partial flowers. The partial flowers can be used with two colors and glued together to make one multi-colored flower. I chose to color them all the same for this project but it's a super fun option to layer multiple colors on one flower head! I used the Gnome Sayings stamp set to add a heart to the Garden Pot and the sentiment. A piece of Basics 12 Limes paper was used in the background. 

Next, I made a cute little birthday card featuring the Birthday Bunnies stamp set.  I stenciled the Birthday Confetti background from this month's Birthday Hugs Bundle to create a celebratory background. I cut the images and sentiment with the Birthday Bunnies Die set and placed them on a Rounded Corner Stitched Square.  

My last card for today made me smile. The Chicken In image is so cute and the Chicken In Dies made it easy to create a fun scene. I die-cut a panel with a Rounded Rectangle 2. Then I used the Cloud Grass Scene and Edgers stencils to set the stage! Chicken Wire paper is the last detail to mention but it was the first piece on the cardbase!

March 15th–17th The Impression Obsession Team will share projects with new March release products! You can find a daily list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog during the event.

Prizes: Two lucky customers who place an Impression Obsession order during the March Release Week (March 15th–22nd) will receive a special Impression Obsession prize package added to their orders!

Impression Obsession Blog

Angela Bode

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams

Robin Clendenning

Vicki Garrett

Spring Flowers - IO Theme Day - Floral Delights

Hello!  

Spring is popping out here with lovely weather. I hope you are enjoying some nice weather too! This week the IO theme is Floral Delights. I find this gorgeous floral paper an absolute delight! See below for the products used!  

***Affiliate links are used when possible at no charge to you!***

Here is what I used.

Spring Scenes

Spring Things

Crazy Stitched Set

Rounded Corner Sentiments

Check out Impression Obsession Blog for a complete list of Floral Delight projects!  

Thanks for stopping by!  

 

Happy Spring

Hello!

It's my turn to host the Free 4 All Challenge at SCS.  We have chosen New Beginnings as our theme.  

My card fits the theme with a brand-new strawberry plant! 

**Affiliate links are used when possible at NO charge to you!**

The cute die set is Berry & Blooms

The paper is from the Welcome Spring paper pack

The sentiment is from the Spring Things set

and it was stamped on a Rounded Rectangle Layer

Has spring reached your part of the world yet?  If so, what "spring" activity are you enjoying?  We just put up our hummingbird feeder!  One visited us today and looked around the window, wondering where his food was.  Oops, I was late!  

 

Spring in the Air - IO March Release Hop & Giveaway

Hello and welcome to the Impression Obsession March Release Hop!

When I laid out all my Impression Obsession March cards in prep for photographing, I was struck by how cheerful they all looked! I so enjoyed using all of the March products to make happy cards!  I hope you are inspired and enjoy the hop.

First up, this is my favorite!  This floral paper in the Tiny Flowers paper pack made a great Umbrella! The umbrella is easy to use and has pretty stitched details that can't be seen easily in the photo.  The background is Postage Cuts, and the sentiment is from the sweet sentiment set, Spring Things.   

**affiliate links are used when possible at no charge to you!**

Tiny Flowers

Umbrella

Spring Things

Postage Cuts

I love Coneflowers IRL, so making paper Coneflowers with the new die set was a delight.  To make the background, I sponged ink randomly on water-friendly cardstock and then splattered it with water. 

Coneflower Die

Garden Sayings 

For a look at all that is new, click HERE.  (scroll down to see this month's new items or click NEWEST Items on the Featured Tab

March 15th & 16th The IO Team will share projects with the NEW clear stamps, dies, and papers! You can find a daily list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog through the event.

We will be giving away THREE Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event, so the more you comment through our Release Celebration, the more chances to win!

All comments for each event day will be open until Tuesday, March 21st, at 8pm CT.

All winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 22nd, on the Impression Obsession Blog.

 IO Stamps Blog

Anna Wight

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams

Vicki Garrett

Angela Bode

Thank You - IO Product Focus - Stencils

Hello! The IO Product Focus this week is Stencils! Stencils are a fun way to add a new look to projects. The sentiment is from the cute Thank you sentiment set. It also includes a couple of smiley faces!  

***Affiliate links are used when possible at no charge to you! ***

Rose Outline Stencil

Many Thanks 

The IO Shop

Stop by the Impression Obsession Blog to review the Team's Stencil projects! Also, if you still need to hop the March Red Rubber KIT Hop & Giveaway, you have until Tuesday at 8 PM CT to comment for a chance to win!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Celebrating!

Hello, it's an exciting week here as we prepare for the wedding of our firstborn!  One thing I love about the art of cardmaking is that I can tailor my card to the recipient.  My future daughter-in-law loves daisies so I created a unique card for her.  

For a look at the full card and all the details head on over to the My Sweet Petunia Blog!  

  

 *** Affiliate links used in this post.  When you shop through my links I receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you so very much!***

The Black Original MISTI is in my house and at the store! You can find it HERE!

Also used in the making of this card:

Mini MISTI (sentiment stamping)

Cut-Align

Double Dip Notes

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look!

 

Stencil Joy - Impression Obsession Product Focus

***Affiliate links used when possible at no charge to you!***

This month's Product Focus is Stencils!  Stencils can add a lovely background to a project or take center stage.  Stencils are THE focus of my projects today!

Firstly is the Ornament Branch stencil which includes three ornaments. I carefully covered all the cut-outs not needed.  Then I ink blended each element to create my scene.     

Next is the lovely Layered Dahlia Stencil.  I really enjoyed using this one.  It was a lot of fun adding dimension to a single-layered card with just stencils!  To finish off the card I used the Colorful Sayings stamp and Rounded Rectangle Layers die.

Stop by the Impression Obsession Blog to see all the Product Focus projects!  

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look!

Winter Floral Wishes - August Kit Hop & Giveaway Day 2 -

Hello and welcome to the August Kit Hop & Giveaway!

I love Christmas and Christmas card making, so I was excited to see the beautiful images in the August Limited Edition Kit.  

For the first card, I searched online for a photo of a blue poinsettia.  I found a photo of a blue poinsettia plant with soft green leaves at the top, and I colored my poinsettia in a similar fashion.  I also added Country Snowflakes behind the Poinsettia.  

For the next card, I created a black and white background featuring some of the smaller images in the kit with a focus on the Mistletoe.  

August 1st & 2nd the Impression Obsession Team will be sharing new projects with the NEW August Limited Edition Red Rubber Kit. You can find a list of participants on the Impression Obsession Blog each day through the event.

We will be giving away TWO Impression Obsession $25 gift certificates for the event so the more you comment through our August Kit Hop the more chances to win!

All comments for each of the event days will be open until Tuesday, August 9th at 8pm CT

All winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 10th on the Impression Obsession Blog.

Hop List!

Impression Obsession Blog

Laura Fulcher

Laura Williams

Angela Bode

Dina Kowal

Giovana Smith

Jeanne Streiff

A Note

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for Watercolor Wednesday!  This week we are painting loose flowers and adding dark lines with pencils.  I definitely stretch myself when drawing instead of using a stamp but I cut myself slack and use stamps for the greetings!  This is from the More Basic Greetings stamp set from IO.  

 

Poppies and a Fancy Paint Brush Holder

Hello!

It's Watercolor Wednesday and a DTGD Challenge combined!  

Our watercolor challenge is Tips to Paint Light.  As usual, I want more practice but I did enjoy painting.  I used the stamp, Wish Flower from Chocolate Baroque that my sweet friend Janine gave me!   I masked off the words because they were not going to work on the watercolor paper.  Then I worked with the goal in mind to keep as much light in my painting as possible. Definitely need some practice.  :)  

I am also playing along with Janine's DTGD Challenge to use poppies.   This year is a fun year for DTGD as it's the 15th Anniversary.  As a gift to the paper craft community, the challenges are open to all and that means a chance for a prize is also open to all!  We hope you will join us!

The cute little paintbrush holder in the staging of the photo is a gift from my dear friend Ceal.  

I am truly blessed with beautiful friends.  

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look.  I treasure your visits!  

 

Clean Edged Watercolor

Hello! This week, I have chosen Lydia's Clean Edge Masking tutorial for Watercolor Wednesday at SCS.  This is such a quick and fun watercolor project!  I can imagine sitting and just creating a bunch of note cards in an afternoon!  The sentiment is from a collection of More Basic Greetings.  

I couldn't stop with just one card!  Next, I used the Clean Edge technique, but this time I went with a horizontal border.  Before the paint was completely dry, I used a rag and dabbed a few places for a fun textured look.  Then using stamps, I created a whimsical take on the Whale & Boat art.  Lucky for me the Take Me To The Sea stamp set also has a Die Set!  I stamped the boat and watercolored it directly on the paper but I didn't like the colors I chose so I simply stamped another boat, watercolored it in red and die cut it! 

We would love for you to join us for this week's Free Watercolor Wednesday Challenge at SCS!

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look!  

 

Flowers for IO Square Card Theme Day

 ***Affiliate links used when possible at no charge to you.  When you buy from my link it allows me to purchase more supplies for additional blog content!  Thanks so much!***

Hello! It's Theme Day at Impression Obsession and this month we are creating square cards!  My cards are sized 4.25 x 4.25 inches.  I think they would make sweet cards to pass out while I am in town running errands.  

The chalk or sketchy look appeals to me so I had a lot of fun with this set.  I used dioxide inks for both cards which I think really works well with the chalk-like images. 

Best of all, Chalk Florals and Chalk Florals 2 (Chalk Florals 2 featured in the cards below) are on sale for half off!

Click HERE for a look at all of the clear stamp sets on sale!

I thought this set would be perfect for a chalkboard-type card.  I kept the same general layout.  Just slightly different positioning so the leaves are different.

Make sure to stop by the Impression Obsession Blog for a full list of designers participating in Theme Day!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!