For Your Inspiration #12

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Check out this fabulous fall photo...full of vivid colors! Steph has another For Your Inspiration photo challenge and we hope you will play along with us! This will end my 6 month term on the design team and I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know "the girls"...they've been a delight to work with and even though I won't continue on with the DT, I'll definitely be keeping in touch and playing along when time allows! While cleaning out my stamping area last week, I came across this stamped vellum panel and the light bulb went on! Perfect to use for this week's challenge! I layered it on some shaded paper with gold and orange shades, but it didn't show up well, so I got out my sponge daubers and sponged on some Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, and Wild Wasabi inks on the vellum. I wanted this to be a thank you card for Steph...the fearless leader of the FYI challenge blog! She's been a great coordinator and I really enjoyed my time on the team! ((Hugs))

What did I use?
STAMPS: Lovely as a Tree (SU), Tiny Tags (PTI)
PAPER: Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket, Vintage Cream, Black
ACCESSORIES: Border punch by MS, Baker's twine, Tiny tag die (PTI), Brads.

For Your Inspiration #11

Stephanie has another great photo to inspire your creative juices on the For Your Inspiration blog! I was inspired by the mirror images, so went with the horizontal, mirror imaged borders. I also took inspiration from the gorgeous colors in this photo. A CAS card with little explanation needed!

STAMPS: Small Phrases by Verve
PAPER: Tempting Turquoise, Kraft, White, Rainbow Sherbet DP by SU
ACCESSORIES: Prima, MS arched lattice border punch, Doily lace Die-namic by MFT, Oval dies by Verve.

For Your Inspiration #10

Steph has a hint of autumn for us with this country road scene and I love the vivid fall hues! This photo is for the For Your Inspiration challenge...hope you take the time to play along with us and give us your interpretation! I wanted to let the leaf design shine through, so stamped the sentiment on vellum and attached it with brads. Some embroidered trim, a die cut border and a large leafy flourish finish this off. What did I use?
STAMPS: New Mercies (Verve)
PAPER: Tim Coffey Falling Leaves DP by K&Co, Tim Coffey Fall Stripe DP by D&Co, Vellum, Vintage Cream (PTI), Chocolate Chip (SU)
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCESSORIES: Leafy Flourish die by Cheery Lynn Designs, Doily lace Die-namic, Embroidered trim, Brads.

For Your Inspiration #9

It's time for another inspiration photo on the For Your Inspiration challenge blog! I was immediately drawn to 2 elements: the curvy lines of the building and the multi-colored rectangles of the glass panels. I created a patchwork of multi-colored 1" x 2" rectangles for the card BG and then embossed it using the square lattice EF. The rickrack border imitates the curvy lines of the architecture. I'd love to see how you interpret the picture, so join in the fun and create something...doesn't have to be a card. It can be another craft medium if you choose.
Here's what I used:
STAMPS: Tiny Tags (PTI)
PAPER: Modern Homemaker (October Afternoon), Daffodil Delight, Real Red
INK: Versafine Onyx Black
ACCESSORIES: Square lattice EF, Foliage die (Spellbinders), Prima, Tiny tags die (PTI), Rickrack Die-namic (MFT), Brads.

For Your Inspiration #8

It's time again for another wonderful photo inspiration challenge over on the For Your Inspiration blog where Steph has a gorgeous waterfall scene to stir your creativity! I loved the earthy colors of browns, blues and a touch of green, so went with that color palette. In addition, I thought the rough, jagged surface of the mountainous rock could be represented by creating a rustic, wood grain BG using the direct to paper technique. I scored 1" lines then swiped Soft Suede ink across the vanilla paper. I smudged some white pigment ink then swiped a hint of Aegean Blue chalk ink on the paper. For a tutorial of this technique, check out Lydia's video in the Splitcoast resources section HERE. I used rickrack to represent the wavy flow of the water over the rocks. I love using my new arrow brads from my shopping trip last week and balanced out the card with a copper brad. The flower was colored with Copics (BGooo, BG53, BG72, Y13, G40, G82, G85). I'll wait to add a sentiment on the inside as the occasion arises. What else did I use?
STAMPS: Delightful Dahlia (PTI)
PAPER: DP by SU, Soft Suede, Vintage Cream
INK: Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo Black, ColorBox white pigment ink, VersaMagic Aegean Blue chalk ink
ACCESSORIES: Rickrack Die-namic (MFT), Lattice square EF, Chocolate baker's twine, Arrow brad by Paper Studio, Copics.

FYI #7

It's time for another For Your Inspiration photo challenge! Here is the photo...
and below is my card. The predominantly orange sky led to my DP choice and the illuminated building on the water made me think of JustRite's By the Sea set. I colored the image with Copics and die cut it using an oval Nestie. A punched scallop border, some baker's twine and a button finished it off. There is such a peaceful, serene feeling to the picture...like the end of a harried day...and now it's time to be still and know that He is God!Here's what I used...
STAMPS: By the Sea (JustRite), Plain Jane Psalm 46:10 (Verve)
PAPER: Stella & Rose "Mabel" papers by MME, Vintage Cream by PTI
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Baker's twine, Button, Large scallop punch by EK Success, Kaiser silver pearls, Oval Nesties

For Your Inspiration #6

It's time for another For Your Inspiration challenge! Join us and show us how this photo, filled with every color of the rainbow, inspires you! We have 3 new designers on our team and you'll want to see what Keva, Sara & Debby have created! Welcome, ladies...your talent is amazing!
There is blog candy being offered with this challenge - thanks to our Lovely Lotus DT member, Valerie!
I interpreted it very literally this time and paper-pieced a Verve balloon image. I cut out a couple of clouds from the DP and popped them on foam dots to add dimension. This is really fun paper from Echo Park's Summer Days pad. I added a MFT Die-namic border in yellow and accented it with a hand-crocheted flower, brad and die cut leaves with sentiment tag. The layout is for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge - a great elongated version for a card!

STAMPS: Up, Up & Away (Verve), Faithful Phrases (Verve)

There are several shut-ins in our church who could use a cheerful greeting, so this will go out to one of these fine ladies! I'm trying to send out more of my cards rather than let them accumulate in my stamp room. Have a great day!

For Your inspiration

It's time for another picture inspiration on the For Your Inspiration blog and this time, Steph has chosen a gorgeous castle with a dramatic sky. The grayish clouds reminded me of large scallops in the sky, so that's what inspired me to layer the 3 rows of scallops using a Die-namic border die. I could only imagine some classical music wafting from the windows of this majestic building, so that's how I came to use a music BG. The weathered stone of the building led me to distress my card with sponging as well as roughing up the edges. Not sure what inspired me to use the dark pink, except I needed a pop of color besides the touch of green - lol! I'm anxious to see how you would interpret this picture, so join in on the fun and post your creation HERE.
What did I use?
STAMPS: Music BG by Me & Carrie Lou, Hope Blooms by Verve - flowers, Bloom & Grow by Verve - leaves.
PAPER: Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, True Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, scraps of DP for scalloped borders - ? source.
INK: Versafine Onyx Black.
ACCESSORIES: Leaves die from Verve, Satin Ribbon (PTI), Button, Baker's twine, Lace trim, Large scallop Die-Namic (MFT), Wonky Rectangle Nesties, Rhinestone, Distressing tool, Sponge.

I have to give credit to my good friend, Teresa Kline, for also inspiring this card. I CASED one of her beautiful shabby chic creations that I fell in love with...unfortunately, I don't have a link to her card, but I will link you to her blog if you want to see an endless parade of beautiful cards!

To the Moon & Back

Steph has another amazing photo to inspire us on the For Your Inspiration blog! I totally went with the subject matter as well as the round shape of the moon for my inspiration (round Nesties, round brads, polka-dotted DP). I wanted to use this sentiment from Verve's To the Moon set - stamped in Versamark, then Chocolate Chip ink, then embossed with clear EP. The aqua DP was embossed with Cuttlebug's 5x7" plaid EF. The layout is for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. Thanks for stopping by...enjoy your day!
PAPER: BoBunny, Chocolate Chip, White
ACCESSORIES: Blossom & Circle Nesties, Star punch (SU), Chocolate baker's twine, Brads, Corner chomper, Plaid EF by CB.

For Your Inspiration #3

It's time for another photo reveal on the For Your Inspiration blog, so get those creative juices flowing and join in this fun challenge! Now, I'll have to admit this one had me stumped for awhile. I kept looking at the picture and then I had a light bulb moment...the pale yellow buildings are nestled in a grove of greenery, so I went with using a group of rolled roses nestled in green leaves. The BG papers are from the Stella & Rose Hazel pad by My Mind's Eye - some of my fave new DP! The roses were die cut from Lemon Tart CS (PTI) using 3 different rolled roses dies by
MFT. A row of bling by Recollections was added along the top (thanks to Michaels for adding a huge new display of bling...bling...and more bling)! The sentiment is from Verve's Just For You set. The leaves were punched using Martha Stewart's frond punch. The layout is this Fall To Layout Challenge turned upside down.

FYI Challenge #2

It's time for another inspiration picture and challenge on the For Your Inspiration blog! If you didn't get to play the first round, join us this time...we'd love to see how Steph's beautiful seascape/sunset picture inspires you! You have 2 weeks to create something and be in the running for a Lovely Lotus award for the top entry. My card is a pretty literal interpretation of the picture. I used the wave Die-namic from MFT and layered 5 rows of waves using 2 different colors of CS. The ship was paper pieced and glued on a Martha Stewart doily tag. I represented the break in the sky's horizon with the yarn tied in a sailor's knot - taking the liberty to make it vertical instead of horizontal. If you're interested in how to make this knot...go to the tips/tutorials header at the top of my blog and click on Barbara Ander's tutorial. Be sure to visit the FYI blog and check out the creations made by the rest of the design team!

STAMPS: Text Objects (Verve)
PAPER: Enchanted Evening (PTI), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Citronella mat pad (K&Co)
INK: Blue Bayou, Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Circle and Labels Sixteen Nesties, MS doily tag, Kaiser silver pearls, White yarn, Wave Die-namic (MFT)

For Your Inspiration Challenge - IT"S NEW!

Welcome to the 1st challenge on the For Your Inspiration blog!

My first love in crafting is making handstamped cards, so that is primarily what you'll be seeing from my DT entries. I was inspired by the diamond grid on the unusual architecture (isn't that just the coolest building ever?!) and knew I wanted to create a recessed diamond BG by scoring at 1/2" intervals, then rubbing Marina Mist ink over Marina Mist CS. The gently curved buildings reminded me of the long leaves that shoot up when my irises are blooming. I also took the sky colors to inspire my colors - the dark blue with a hint of lavender in the sunset. This challenge is supposed to be fun and that's exactly what I had - fun! I'm anxious to see what you might be inspired to create with this lovely scene as your starting point!

STAMPS: Siberian Iris (Flourishes), Happy Hello (Verve)
PAPER: Marina Mist, Bazzil textured white (large diamond panel), Neenah Solar White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Marina Mist
ACCESSORIES: Diamond Nestabilities, CB, Scor-Pal, Circle Nestabilities, New Leaf ribbon (PTI), Lace trim, Square lattice EF, Copic sketch markers (YG11, YG13,YG17, BV00, BV01, B91, B93, B95)

Big News!

I have a BIG announcement! At least it's big to me! There's a new challenge on board for all you crafty people...AND there's a new design team and I'M SO HAPPY TO BE ON THE FIRST TEAM for the next 6 months! Click on the blinkie in my sidebar to be taken to the FYI challenge blog. Here are the other talented team members that I'm so happy to be working with:

Steph (our coordinator) "Where'd All My Money Go"

Brenda "Rose Blossom Legacies"

Corina "Stampin With a Java Junkie"

Debbie "Live, Life, Loud"

Valerie "Paper & Cookies {creative pursuits of a crafty suburban mom} "

This challenge is meant to be fun and is a chance for you to explore different mediums (papercrafting, sewing, baking, jewelry making, etc.) to interpret an inspiration picture chosen by our fearless leader, Steph. The lotus flower is known as a symbol of creativity and the winner of each bi-weekly challenge will be able to proudly display the Lovely Lotus award on their blog. If you want more details, check out the For Your Inspiration blog. I'll be looking for all my blogger friends to join in with this new bi-weekly venture starting this Thursday!