third llama blog hop adventure

We're hopping again!  I've been seeing llamas hopping on two feet in my imagination for days now - sometimes they're on two hind feet, sometimes two alternate feet - it makes me smile   :)
This blog hop showcases gorgeous spring images from the Stampin’ Up!® 2012 Occasions Mini and the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.   Most of the projects will also feature the In Colors that will retire at the end of May:  Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride and Peach Parfait.   Once you see what my talented friends have created, you'll be wanting these colors for yourself!  Best to order them now before they become "While Supplies Last" so you don't miss out!

If you've arrived here from Diane Oliver's Rubber 'n Rafters blog, you're in the right spot! There are button-links that will take you back if you missed her Colors of Spring cards or forward to Stef's awesome work.  You can keep going in any direction and loop around to see all the awesome entries - I promise it will be worth it!

For my cards, I used a few pieces from the designer series paper stack and a stamp set that is available only to hostesses - Happiest Birthday Wishes - which will also retire at the end of May.

Here's a fun children's card that I CASEd* from Angela McKay:

stamp set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess); ink - Peach Parfait; card stock - Peach Parfait, So Saffron; designer series paper - Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz; Big Shot with Tasteful Trim; mini brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, flat toothpicks

And here's one I CASEd* from Karen Menghini that I think would be lovely for a woman of any age:

 stamp set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess); ink - Pear Pizzazz; card stock - Pear Pizzazz; designer series paper - Blush Blossom, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz; punches - Cupcake Builder (I used the sprinkles for the flower centers), Boho Blossoms; Big Shot with Little Leaves sizzlit; Stampin' Dimensionals

And, finally, here's a card that I didn't CASE*, although it was inspired by many cards I've seen recently:

 stamp set - Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess); ink - Poppy Parade; card stock - Naturals White, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait; designer series paper - Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait; Big Shot with Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folders and Stars #2 die; Stampin' Dimensionals

I think this card would be great for men and teens.  You can see that I've found this stamp set and these InColors to be wonderfully versatile!  Hop on to see more inspiring cards and other projects:

        

 *CASE = Copy And Share Everything

inspiration adventures

The Lucky Dip (5th week) challenge at Less is More is a photo inspiration - this beautiful photo from Design Seeds:

I was uninspired, for days.  Probably my intense dislike of pink.  Finally I decided to take it quite literally:

stamp sets - Upsy Daisy, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess); Stampin' Write Markers - Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Old Olive; card stock - Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink; Basic Rhinestones, stamp-a-majig

I used the lighter colored Stampin' Write Markers on the stamp, first the stems then the flowers (I just left the stamp-a-majig in place).  I used the darker colors afterwards, where I thought they were needed.  I was too lazy to get out an ink pad for the sentiment and used the marker to color that stamp, too, which is the real reason the color is uneven.  After I looked at it a bit, I felt it echoed the watercolor feel of the image, so I'm saying "I meant to do that" instead of covering it with a sentiment on a tag or banner.  I added the rhinestones at the last minute because I hadn't picked up the gray or silver from the inspiration photo, and I really like them.

While I was mulling over the challenge, I made this card for a coworker who lost a family member last week:

 stamp sets - Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Elementary Elegance (Sale-a-Bration); ink - Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue; card stock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White; Stampin' Sponges

It was directly inspired by a card I found on Pinterest by Lynn of The Mango Boys and Me.  Well, I think it was correctly credited, but it was incorrectly linked to just her blog and not to the specific post where her card can be seen.  I scrolled backward through several months of older posts, but couldn't find it to share with you.  <sigh>

Last month  I found this card on Pinterest:

I was inspired to make this:

stamp set - Curly Cute; ink - Peach Parfait; Stampin' Write marker - Peach Parfait; card stock - Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait; punches - Itty Bitty Shapes, Scallop Trim Border; Simply Scored, Stampin' Dimensionals

 I simplified Sharon's design a little so I could use it for a workshop card.  I think it would be nearly as sumptuous as hers if I put Basic Pearls in the center of each flower  the way she did those sweet butterflies.

Although Pinterest is yet another way I can lose all track of time at the computer, there is a lot of inspiration available there!  What's inspired you recently?