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!

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?