January 10, 2011

Inspired by...Jana!

Today is an extra special day because I get to announce that our featured artist this week is none other than the talented Jana Millen AND today is my birthday!! :) Our first card by Jana is just perfect:
Sympathy cards are so difficult to make and Jana has really outdone herself here. I love the beautiful blue of her background with the flower stamped to the left. The text adds another stunning layer of stamping and the ribbon finshes this beauty off perfectly!
Here is my take: To create the background on this card, I inked up my acrylic block with Distress Ink (Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Brushed Corduroy), spritz the acrylic block and pressed it onto white cardstock. Next, I stamped the text using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink (removing some ink from the stamp with a baby whip before stamping) and the plant with Forest Moss Distress Ink.
Thank you so much for visiting today! I will be back tomorrow as I am one of the lucky bloggers participating in the Hero Arts 2011 Hostess Blog Hop featuring new stamps from the 2011 Hero Arts catalog. Can't wait to share--I'll have 2 cards for you tomorrow. And I'll be back on Wednesday with our next card by the lovely Jana.
All Stamps Hero Arts (CL497, CL477, K5344)

42 comments :

shalvi said...

Happy Birthday! Always an inspiration!

Barb said...

Happy Birthday, Jill! Hope you have a wonderful day! Love Jana's beautiful card! Your take, with those gorgeous colors, is wonderful! Can't wait to start the hop! :)

Anonymous said...

A HUGE happy birthday to yo Jill! I hope you have an amazing day filled with all the things you love :) your card is jaw droppingly beautiful! Love the colours :)

Victoria Freze said...

Happy Birthday!!!
And thank you for your inspiration!!!

Nathalie said...

Happy Birthday Jill! I love your cards, such a cool concept and what incredible dedication! You never miss a day. I love the crushed corduroy on this one.

judy said...

Happy Birthday, Jill! Hope you have
a wonderful day. Beautiful cards
from both of you ladies!! Thanks for
the inspiration.

Sharon Margiotta said...

Happy birthday to you!!

Unknown said...

A big Happy Birthday, Jill!! And as usual, your card is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Jill.
Beautiful cards and nice colors.
Hope you have a great day.
Greetje

Karina Beck said...

Gorgeous Cards!!
Happy Birthday.

Sandi said...

Jana...I just love this card. You always have a way with color and design. You also have a wonderful selection of cards here www.mmsis.etsy.com all proceeds go charity. I will be looking for your classes in 2011. Your Ranger/Hero Arts classes have taught me so many techniques.

Sharon D from Canada said...

Happy Birthday, Jill! I hope you have a terrific day and that the coming year is filled with happiness!

Jana's card is so very beautiful! And I love your gorgeous take on it, Jill!

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Happy birthday, Jill! Wishing you all the very best. Fabulous takes on Jana's card.

Suzana said...

Dear Jill! Happy Birthday, and may all the wishes and dreams you dream today turn to reality!
And of course both cards are incredible!

pcm said...

Happy Birthday!

Brenda said...

Happy Birthday Jill! I hope it is awesome! Just like your card!

Anne said...

Beautiful cards by both of you and a very BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Jill! I hope your day is full of smiles and lots of sweet treats :)

Tiff said...

Oh my! This is gorgeous! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL! Jana, your card is gorgeous! Just the kind of card I like to make myself! Jill, your take on her card is phenomenal!

Mendi Yoshikawa said...

Hope you have a fabulous brithday! Your card is wonderful! :)

Libby Hickson said...

Wowza, these are both gorgeous! I love what you did, and Jana's inspiration card is simply perfect. Did I see that it's your birthday?? A very happy birthday to you!!

shirley henry said...

Both cards are beautiful!
I`ve always wanted to try the inking on a acrylic block.
Happy Birthday Jill...have a fabulous day!

Tiffany Ervin said...

Beautiful! Love Jana's work, so inspiring and love your take on her card! Can't wait to see more!

jaemom said...

What a lovely card by Jana, and a wonderful interpretation by you! And huge Happy birthday wishes and hugs to you, friend!

Tami H said...

Happy birthday to you, Jill! Hope your day's been wonderful so far! I ate a piece of cake at lunch in your honor. :)

I adore Jana's work and your interpretation today is simply gorgeous!! Such a fabulous combination of colors. There's that Brushed Corduroy again...! Definitely sold. ;)

Can't wait to see what you cooked up for tomorrow's hop!

Conniecrafter said...

Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Love your take on this card, love the colors and stamping, Beautiful!!!

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday, Jill! Love your inspired card, as usual!

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy! Hope you have a lovely birthday! Thanks for sharing the "recipe" for your beautiful card!
Donna
So Cal

Joy said...

Big Happy Birthday wishes my sweet friend, I hope you had the most fantastic day and that you have been spoilt rotten like you should.

Amazing card, where does your talent end, love it.

Big Hugs!

Kelly said...

today is your birthday, happy birthday to you. i love your cards and i am so happy that you are now including little notes about your method.
thanks and have a stupendous day!
kelly

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...

Beautiful cards! Happy Birthday!

DustyPenny (Joy Ott) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jana said...

Happy, happy birthday Jill! I feel like it's MY birthday! Not only being chosen as your artist this week but seeing this incredible card you made. Wow! The colors are gorgeous as usual. Thank you so much!

donna mikasa said...

A very Happy Birthday, Jill! Love the cards by you and Jana--always inspiring!

Bridget said...

It's your birthday, AND Jana is the featured artist?! It is a HAPPY day! Gorgeous cards from both of you - thanks for sharing :)

Bridget N

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Happy Birthday - Warm wishes from Mauritius. Love your cards - so inpsiring.

Dawn T said...

Happy Birthday Jill, to start and then what a stunning card you produced... the background is amazing. And thanks for sharing how it is done... perfect.

Christiana said...

Wow! Both of these cards are stunningly gorgeous! I love them so much!

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest crafters out there -- YOU!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

These are gorgeous.

Kathy (krolski) said...

Happy Birthday Jill! I know I'm a day late! Hope your day was special. Your card and Jana's card are beautiful!

Heather Ruwe said...

Happy Birthday Jill! So happy when I saw that Jana was on your blog. I'm lucky enough to call her a friend of mine. Her cards are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

P.S. LOVE your blog! :)

Cindy Strickland said...

Sorry I missed your Birthday. Just so happens that the 10th is my Birthday too. Good day. Love and admire your work.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card as always!