inspiration adventures

I found Cathy's card on Pinterest earlier this week - isn't it gorgeous?  I was inspired to recreate it, especially the background, which she explained in her post.  I made several attempts, and have some interesting pieces of inky paper set aside on my desk, but I wasn't liking anything. Finally, I realized I could use the Smackin' Acetate technique I just learned at Technique Time Tuesday!  I used an acrylic block this time to get a larger work surface.  Because it took me so many tries, I slept in the middle of it and at some point took a break to eat and surf the internet again, where I discovered the Mojo Monday sketch that Cathy used - I don't know how I missed it the first time.  During the pre-sleep time in the middle of working on the background, I decided  that it would be a great card for my husband's RC plane buddy who had an 80th birthday party this weekend.  He said he has a party every 10 years; I think he organized this one, and he did the grilling - I'm inspired to be like him when I "grow up"!

stamp sets - Off the Grid, Itty Bitty Banners, Gorgeous Grunge, Plane & Simple (retired); ink - Crumb Cake, Island Indigo (classic pad and refill), Versamark; Stampin' Emboss powder - Early Espresso, Gold; card stock - Crumb Cake, Naturals Vanilla, Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Pool Party Core'dinations; Big Shot with Coudy Day (retired) and Pretty Print embossing folder and Bitty Banners framelits; Naturals designer button; 7/16" natural trim; 1/2" seam binding - Very Vanilla, Pool Party; accessories - Stampin' sanding system,  Stampin' Dimensionals, hemp twine (retired)

 

I'm also inspired by some of my kiting friends.  One is a breast cancer survivor, and another decided to join the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk.  We sponsored her, and when the survivor friend joined her in a later year, we were able to double our donation.  This year, the survivor's 16-year old daughter and her son's girlfriend also joined the team!  Unfortunately we weren't able to double our donation again, we kept it the previous level and divided it four ways.  When one of them posted instructions for sending encouragement cards to the walkers while they were at camp, I was instantly inspired to do that!  I had some left over card kits from Valentine's day, just the pre-cut pink card stock and designer series paper, which seemed perfect.  This was another two-day project, and since I wanted each card to be as unique as the four women, I spent some time surfing the internet for ideas.  When I found Brian King's card about halfway down on Mary Fish's blog post, I recognized immediately that it just needed a little more pink to fit right in:

I won't attempt to list all the supplies for all four cards here (several items are retired) but if you're interested, feel free to ask.  

 

I hope that someone in your life inspires you!