Inspired by...Elizabeta

It is so exciting to share that this week's featured artist is a fellow crafter, stamping all the way in Croatia!  Isn't it amazing how this hobby brings us together from all over the world?  And what's even more impressive is Elizabeta's ability to create stunning cards using limited supplies and Croatian sentiments.  I know you will love her blog- you can check it out HERE.  Here's Elizabeta's first inspiration card:

I especially love Elizabeta's beautiful color choices and fun design on her card.  Here is my take:

I began by stamping Penny Black 3645K Modesty with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on to Copic X-Press It cardstock.  Next, I colored in this image using PITT Artist pens- soooo perfect for the tiny details on this stamp.  Once colored, I outlined the image with a Copic Marker (W1).  This adds a nice finishing touch/shadow. The punched scallop was punched from Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock.  Sentimenty by Penny Black, 4175F Flourish Thank You.  The cardstock containing the sentiment was distressed with Pumice Stone Distress Ink.  And the center to the bow is a Candi dot adhered using glossy accents.

Here's a peek at what's happening on the Mementos blog today:

http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

Thanks for popping by! See you tomorrow with another GORGEOUS card by Elizabeta!

Penny Black 3645K Modesty	Penny Black Flourish Thank You 4175F	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	PITT Artist Pens Red	PITT Artist Pens Green
PITT Artist Pens Yellow	Copic Sketch Markers

Inspired by...A GREAT cause!

I wanted to take a day to let you know about a great cause- my sweet friend, Kristina Proffitt's daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in March of this year and Caylin's Cure is Kristina's fundraiser to do her part in finding a cure! 

Kristina is hosting an auction on her blog HERE for 2 simply BEAUTIFUL and TOUCHING pieces of artwork by the talented Lori of Fresh Picked Whimsy.  

And today I have a card to share with you, inspired by Lori's print:

Betsy Bluebell, Penny Black 30-053, was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Copic X-Press It cardstock and was colored with Copic Markers.  The background was distressed with Broken China, Old Paper, and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  The leaves were die cut with a Sizzix die using Tiara White cardstock.  They were then colored using Peeled Paint Distress Stain.  Before adhering to the card, I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the edge of the leaves using the ink blending tool and foam applicator pad.
Now, be sure to head on over to Kristina's blog (CLICK HERE) to find out more info about her great auction and to see how you can help.  I'll be here tomorrow with our next featured artist- her cards are coming to us all the way from Croatia!

Oh, and don't forget to stop by the Mementos blog today:

http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

Winner!

Popping in to let you know that the winner of the Inspiration Showcase with Jennifer McGuire is Kris from Alaska.  I've emailed you.  Thanks to everyone who entered! :)

PB&J Video Tutorial

Hi everyone! Going to keep this post quick as I have been without internet all day (gasp!!) and am typing this up right before heading to bed.  I have a secret to share... (sshhhh- don't tell anyone.... LOL) but today's PB&J card is my very first Penny Black Mimi card. 
And.
I'm.
Hooked.
I had a ball coloring her and I'm sure you'll be seeing lots more Mimi's here on Inspired By... from now on! :)

To watch a video tutorial showing the creation of this card (including the fun fold card design), visit the Penny Black blog HERE or watch directly on YouTube HERE.

I'll be back a little later today with the winner of the spot in Jennifer McGuire's Inspiration Showcase class.

And BIG thanks to everyone who left such sweet comments on my nieces cards yesterday.  Your kindness continues to touch my heart!

Maddi and Emma

I am sooo honored today to bring you some GORGEOUS cards created by my nieces, Maddi (age 10) and Emma (age 9).  They are truly talented artists and are entering these cards in the Simon Says Children's Challenge.
Here are Maddi's stunning cards:

And this next card by Maddi was all hand drawn- a future stamp illustrator, perhaps? :)

 And here's an AWESOME creation by Emma. It definitely makes me smile!

Girls, you are so amazing!  And now you've inspired me!
I can't wait until next month when I get to come visit you so we can stamp together.

See you all tomorrow with a new PB&J video tutorial!

Inspired by...Sharon *Day 4*

Happy Friday!  Before we begin today, I want to send a HUGE thanks to Sharon for allowing me to share her incredible and oh-so-inspiring cards this week.  Her work always leaves me itching to play with my stamps.  Here's our last inspiration card by Sharon:

The distressing on this card by Sharon just glows!  I love her overall design - the main focal image bordered by the light and kraft strips on each side.  It's just so balanced and pleasing to the eye.  Finally, her color scheme is so rich and beautiful, too!

Here is my take.  I was especially inspired by her overall design (I used it horizontally) and her yummy inking!

The background was stamped and distressed using the following Distress Inks: Old Paper, Walnut Stain, and Brushed Corduroy.  The car image was colored using Copic Markers. All stamps Penny Black.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Remember, you can still enter my giveaway HERE.

Inspired by...Sharon D. *Day 3*

Ya gotta love this card by Sharon:

And here's my take.  I kept with the monochromatic look, switching out a butterfly for the flower and green and blue for the colors:

I began by stamping Penny Black Paisley Outline using Deep Lagoon Colorbox Chalk ink onto Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock.  The sentiment, Penny Black 4176H Friendship, was stamped onto the same color of cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  The butterfly was cut using Spellbinders Butterflies 2 die cut from Tiara White cardstock and was then colored by pressing the Deep Lagoon ink pad directly onto the paper.  The pearls began white and were colored with a Copic Marker to match the strips of brown cardstock that create the small border around the sentiment.

And today we've got a little photo tutorial on the Memento's blog.  Here's a peek:

http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting! See you tomorrow with our last lovely card by Sharon!

Penny Black 4176H Friendship	Penny Black Paisley Outline 40-048	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Self Adhesive Pearls	Copic Sketch Markers
Spellbinders Butterflies Two

Inspired by...Sharon D. *Day 2*

This next card by Sharon is simply stunning. S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.  I LOVEEE the colors she has used against the fresh white background.  And the small punched butterflies make my heart sing!

Here is my take.  I was especially inspired by that bright bouquet against the white background, along with those little red butterflies.

The flowers, Penny Black 3947K Day-Dreams, were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Copic X-Press It cardstock and were colored with Copic Markers.  This paper, along with the stamped text (Penny Black 1999L Letter Background) was inked with Old Paper Distress Ink.  The butterflies were cut using Spellbinders Butterflies 2 die and were then inked with Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Sentiment by Penny Black, Air Mail clear set. And the butterfly centers were covered with a Candi Dot.

Here's a peek at what's flying by on the Mementos blog:

http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for visiting!

Don't forget to enter for my giveaway of Jennifer McGuire's newest online class- details on THIS post.

Penny Black Letter Background	Penny Black Air Mail	Copic X-Press Paper	Copic Sketch Markers	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Distress Inks	Tim Holtz Paper Distresser	Spellbinders Butterflies Two	Candi-Regal Ruby	Candi Fix Foam Pads
Inkssentials Blending Foam Tool	Neenah Tiara White Cardstock

Inspired by...Sharon D.

I'm so thrilled to share the work of the talented and very sweet Sharon D. this week.  You can check out lots of her awesome cards by visiting her flickr photostream HERE.  Here's today's inspiration card by Sharon:

I just adore these soft colors and the overall design of Sharon's card.  The dimension she's given to her flowers is FAB as is the touch of lace beneath her sentiment.

Here's my take:

The bird, Penny Black 4157K Nature's Day, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Tiara White Cardstock (my favorite cardstock for colored pencils) was colored using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Art Grip Colored Pencils.  Next, I cut out the bird image and mounted onto white cardstock inked very lightly with Old Paper Distress Ink.  The script background, Penny Black 1999L Letter Background, was stamped using Old Paper Distress Ink.  Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-024 Enjoy, and blue and yellow cardstock by Penny Black (Mix and Match Cardstock).

Oh- and if you stop by the Faber Castell blog after 9:15 EST, you can check out a photo tutorial on how I colored the bird image.  Click HERE to check it out.

Now for a look at what's happening on the Mementos blog today:

http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

And there is still time to enter my giveaway for a spot to Jennifer McGuire's newest online class, Inspiration Showcase.  Go HERE to enter. :)

Have a wonderful day- see you tomorrow!

Penny Black Letter Background

Penny Black Nature's Day

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Distress Inks

Neenah Tiara White Cardstock