January 31, 2011

Faber-Castell, Day 1

Hi everyone! This week I am going to feature a few of my projects which are debuting at the Faber-Castell booth at CHA. I really LOVE the new Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft line because it is all about color.... juicy, bold, coordinating COLOR! All of the products in the line are made to work well together, making creating with many mediums on one project easy. The center panel on today's card began completely as white cardstock and features PITT Artist Pens which have a very fine tip, are quite blendable, and are filled with india ink (used to color in the poppy image) and Pastel Pencils (used to create the sky/ground background). All stamps Hero Arts.

Thanks so much for popping by! And I will see you tomorrow with another Faber-Castell creation! :) HUGS!

January 29, 2011

Time for Adventure

Well, early, early, EARLY tomorrow morning I will be headed off for my big adventure! I'm headed to CHA with two of my great friends, Lisa and Peggy. I am so excited for this opportunity (thanks Lisa!) and I will take as many pictures as I can! And never fear, there will still be lots of action here on the blog next week--I have some exciting posts scheduled for ya and will be returning home Wednesday. :)Oh, and did I mention I am going by train? This will definitely be a new experience for me! HUGS!

January 28, 2011

Tiffany Johnson Collaboration Week, Day 5

Oh, my friends, I am bummed to say that my collaboration week with Tiffany must come to a close today. It has been a BIG honor to work with Tiffany and to share a few of her creations on my blog. And I have to admit I am sooo thrilled to meet Tiffany in person very soon at CHA! :) Okay, now on to our final collaboration day.
COLLABORATION CHALLENGE: Use this oh-so-cute Tiffany Doodles digi image.
Here is my take:
I printed the image on Copic Express paper and colored using Copic markers. Next, I lightly distressed this panel using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Stickles were added to the hearts. The blue background was created by distressing white cardstock with Faded Jeans and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Stamps (Tiffany Doodles, Sentiment Hero Arts CL497)
Hope you all have a GREAT weekend and on that note I'll send you off to Tiffany's blog to check out her stellar creation using Umbrella Hearts.

January 27, 2011

Tiffany Johnson Collaboration Week, Day 4

Time for some more crafty collaboration with Tiffany! :)
INSPIRATION BY TIFFANY:
COLLABORATION CHALLENGE: Dust off those colored pencils!
And here's my take using my colored pencils and Tiffany's truly elegant piece of art.
I stamped the floral image using Tea Dye Distress Ink and colored over the stamped image using my Prismacolor colored pencils. Next, I distressed this using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and stamped the script using Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The kraft paper was stamped with Hero Arts' Envelope Pattern with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The edges were distressed using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. All Stamps Hero Arts K5344, S5507, CG170, CL140)

Now be sure to head over to Tiffany's blog to see what she's done with her colored pencils!

January 26, 2011

Tiffany Johnson Collaboration Week, Day 3

I sure hope you're enjoying my collaboration week with Tiffany Johnson so far! I am having a ball! :) Here we go---
INSPIRATION CARD BY TIFFANY:COLLABORATION CHALLENGE: Use the color combo featured on the cover of this great issue of PaperCrafts magazine.
And here is my take based on Tiffany's inspiration card and the fun color inspiration:
This card began entirely as white cardstock. The floral images on the tag were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Prismacolor colored pencils. This tag was then distressed lightly with Crushed Olive Distress Ink and the script was stamped with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. (I removed some portions of the ink by dabbing the stamp with a baby wipe before stamping.) The smaller tag was distressed with Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint Distress Ink. The blue background was colored with Faded Jeans and Broken China Distress Ink. The polka dot background was stamped with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. Each element of the card was distressed with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink around the edges. Butterfly punches by Martha Stewart and Fiskars. All Stamps Hero Arts (H5489, K5344, CL479, S5101. CL250)
Be sure to pop over to Tiffany's blog to see what she came up with this great color scheme! (BTW, did you see what she came up with yesterday using her great sketch? If you didn't, make sure you check it out!)

Today, I also have one more sneak peek at a new release by Tiffany Doodles (different Tiffany... ). This floral stamp is called Nicotiana and will be available on Friday, January 28th. Here's a look at the entire set together:
Hope you're having a great day... I'm starting the countdown to my departure for CHA! Still can't believe I get to go!!! :)

January 25, 2011

Tiffany Johnson Collaboration Week, Day 2

It's day 2 of my fun collaboration with theeeee Tiffany Johnson. I mean, seriously, how lucky am I to collaborate with Tiffany!
INSPIRATION CARD BY TIFFANY:
COLLABORATION CHALLENGE: Follow Tiffany's great sketch! Yep, not only does Tiffany make fun, trendy cards but you can turn to her blog for lots of great card sketches. And if you upload your card to an online card gallery, be sure to tag it with the sketch title so we can check it out! :)
Here's my take using Tiffany's beautiful inspiration card and her great sketch: The flowers were stamped with Tuxedo Black Ink and colored using Distress Ink (Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge). The subtle outline around the flowers was done using Copic Marker W1 Warm Gray No. 1. I then distressed the squares using Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The yellow background (small border) was distressed using Wild Honey Distress Ink and then flicked with water. All Stamps Hero Arts (F5429, CL487)
Now, be sure to visit Tiffany's blog to see what she came up with her sketch.
And again, before I go, here's a card I made for Tiffany Doodles (different Tiffany...LOL) release countdown. The new stamp is the pretty floral stamp called Daphne, available Friday, Jan. 28.
Thanks for popping by! See you tomorrow!

January 24, 2011

Tiffany Johnson Collaboration Week

Good morning, my friends! Did you spy this little badge on my blog last Friday?

I am so excited to announce that this week will be a special version of "Inspired by..." The SUPER talented and ultra kind Tiffany Johnson and I will be putting our crafting heads together for a collaboration week. So lets get started; shall we? Here are the details for today.

INSPIRATION CARD BY TIFFANY:
COLLABORATION CHALLENGE: use Hero Arts Envelope Pattern PLUS Lawn Fawn Petite Florals
Here is my take using these awesome stamps and Tiff's inspiration card seen above:The flowers were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers. The background was first distressed using Wild Honey Distress Ink. I then stamped the Envelope Pattern stamp using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Stamps (Hero Arts S5507, Lawn Fawn Petite Florals, Sentiment Papertrey Ink)
Be sure to pop over to Tiffany's blog to see what marvelous creation she came up with featuring these exact stamps. I know it will be incredible!!!Before I go I also wanted to share that there are lots of fun things happening over on the Tiffany Doodles blog this week, including a release countdown to some new beautiful images. Here's a peek at a card I made using the new stamp Angel Trumpet. It will be available for download on Friday, January 28. Thanks for visiting today! We'll see you tomorrow with Day 2 of my collaboration week with Tiffany Johnson!

January 22, 2011

Inspired by...Jennifer Holmes (POD)

I just LOVE this card by the talented Jennifer Holmes: And here's my take using this cute set by Purple Onion Designs:
The coffee images were stamped on Copic Express Paper and colored with Copic markers. After coloring, the center panel was distressed with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. The background was embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder. Once embossed, I distressed this further using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.Thanks again for visiting this week! Hope you have a creative weekend!! :) HUGS!

January 21, 2011

Dina *Day 5*

Wow! It has been such fun sharing Dina's art this week! Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and BIG thanks to Dina who has allowed me to share her work in my neck of the woods. I hope someday I will be able to take one of Dina's classes and perhaps soak up just a little bit of her genius! :) Here's our last creation by Dina. It is one of my favs and it was the inspiration for one of my blog hop cards. (Yep, that's right, the card from me today is going to be a rerun...)
I love that Dina has done a scrapbook page about herself and her idea to use a page of prompts makes for a great starting off point. (It also helps that Dina's handwriting is to-die-for cute!). Dina's circles at the top of her page are filled with juicy blended color. And I love her stitching, too! Finally, I love the contrast of the bright circles with the nuetral of the kraft and black text.
Here is my take, first shared on the HA blog hop last week:
Details on how this was created from white cardstock are available HERE.
Thanks again for visiting, my friends. I'll be back tomorrow with a brand new Purple Onion Designs card. Oh and I'll leave you a little teaser about something I am sooo excited about for next week--->

January 20, 2011

Dina *Day 4*

Thanks everyone for the get well wishes. I think I am finally on the mend! :) Here's our next genius piece of artwork by Dina: Talk about color! The first thing that caught my attention was the bright pink on these tags. I love the bits of text and cut out pictures, too! And finally, it wouldn't be a true Dina creation if it wasn't loaded with lots and lots of that fabulous texture! The dots, torn edges, and distressing make these such wonderful keepsakes!
Here is my take. I just had to make something with that lovely pink (not a color I usually turn to) and orange.
This card began entirely as white cardstock. I die cut the shape from Labels 8 Nestabilities die cut. I then stamped the Hero Arts foliage images using light Tea Dye Distress Ink. I colored over these stamped images with pink, orange, green, purple, and brown colored pencils. I then added Broken China Distress Ink and flicked it with water to create the water spots. The bottom portion of the card was inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and the Hero Arts grid background was stamped using Pumice Stone Distress Ink. Finally, I added Distress Stickles in Antique Linen to the foliage images.
Thanks for looking!
All Stamps Hero Arts

January 19, 2011

Dina *Day 3*

I am still fighting off being sick (gotta get well before CHA!) so unfortunately I don't have much energy to type. Sorry! Here's Dina's incredible work of art:And here's my take. I was especially inspired by Dina's bold colors and green splatters on her background.

More info on how this was created coming soon- I'm hoping to do a video for this technique. :) HUGS and see you tomorrow!

January 18, 2011

Dina Wakley *Day 2*

Here's our next GORGEOUS inspiration by Dina:The first thing that caught my eye on Dina's journal entry are the colors! I would never thing of combining aqua, orange, and purple but it is SOOOO yummy! I love Dina's signature splatters and black text. And those hearts are just so happy.
Here is my take. I was especially inspired by Dina's colors:
Yep, here's another card that started entirely as white cardstock. The center panel was stamped on Copic Express paper with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored in with Copic markers. Three of the flowers were also stamped seperately, colored, cut out, and glued on top of the main panel for extra dimension. (Sorry the photo doesn't show this very well...). The textured background was first colored using Broken China Distress Ink then embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder. After embossing I lightly sanded the paper to remove some of the ink. I've had several questions about what white cardstock I use---I use Neenah Tiara White cardstock- pretty heavy and smooth. It takes Distress Ink perfectly!
Thanks so much for popping by and thanks for all of you who have been leaving me such encouraging and sweet comments. You keep me enthused and inspired! HUGS!
All Stamps Hero Arts: CL272, CL482

January 17, 2011

Inspired by...Dina Wakley

I am over-the-moon excited to announce that this week's featured artist is none other than the incredibly talented Dina Wakley. Dina has amazing style and incredible color in all of her charming and artsy scrapbook pages and art journal creations. Be sure to check out her fun style on her blog, Ponderings. Here's our first inspiration piece by Dina: Don't you just want to frame this and hang it up in your home?? Oh man, I do!! I love the rich texture and gooey paint layers. And the colors- DIVINE! Finally, the touches of black script just finish off this stunning piece of art.
Here is my take:

This card started entirely as white cardstock. The Hero Arts Friends Background was stamped with black ink on white cardstock and then colored using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. This background was then splattered (yep- such fun to make a mess!) with watered down acrylic paint. The teal background was created by distressing white cardstock with Broken China and Peeled Paint Distress Ink. Next, I stamped this with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and the new Hero Arts Envelope Pattern. Finally, the red and orange panel was covered with Rusty Hinge and Fired Brick Distress Ink then flicked with water to create the water spots.
Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow with another stunning piece of art by Dina. :)
All Stamps Hero Arts: CL153, CG125, S5507

January 16, 2011

Inspired by... Darien (POD)

Attention: If you are here for the Hero Arts blog hop, you can see my post HERE or by scrolling down. :)
It's time for "Inspired by..." Purple Onion Designs style! :) I love, love, LOVE this elegant card by Darien (in fact everything she does makes my jaw drop- you must check out her BLOG)!
And here's my take:

All Stamps Purple Onion Designs (Early 1900's Music Background, Vintage Butterfly Set, and Doodle Flower Sentiment Set)

January 15, 2011

Jana *Day 5*

Attention: If you are here for the Hero Arts blog hop, you can see my post HERE (or by scrolling down).
Well, sadly it is our last day of inspiration with Jana. You will definitely want to add HER BLOG to your favorites so you can continue to check out her simply magnificent cards. And thanks soooo much Jana for allowing me to share your work this week!! I can't get enough of this one:
HHHmmm...where to begin?! I think this card can be summed up in 3 words--- CUTE, CHARMING, and PLAYFUL. And I LOVE it!
Here is my take: Thanks again for visiting this week--I'm sending each and every one of you BIG hugs! Oh, and I'll see you tomorrow with another card featuring my favorite Purple Onion Butterflies!
All Stamps Hero Arts (CL272, S5507, S5506)

January 14, 2011

Jana *Day 4*

Attention: If you are here for the Hero Arts blog hop, you can see my post HERE (or by scrolling down).
Happy Friday! Here's our next card by Jana:
This big blue flower just couldn't be prettier! It's vibrant coloring really pops against the kraft background. The polka dot stem and leaves add to the happiness this card evokes. Finally, Jana's use of the flourish background stamp adds a fun sense of movement and texture to the background of this card.
Here is my take. I just had to make some big blue flowers against a brown background!
To create the brown background of this card, I actually started with a very light layer of Rusty Hinge Distress Ink on white cardstock. I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink directly over this and stamped the ledger using Walnut Stain Distress Ink as well. The flowers were colored in using Rusty Hinge Distress Ink and Broken China. After the ink dried, I used a white gel pen to add the white details.
I hope you have all had a wonderful week! I know I have really enjoyed visiting all the blogs on the Hero Hostess Blog Hop this week. Tomorrow is Saturday (gotta love weekends!) and I am looking forward to teaching class at my LSS with a fun group of stampers. AND I will have one more gorgeous card by Jana tomorrow!
All Stamps Hero Arts (CL490, CG138, CG194)

January 13, 2011

Jana *Day 3*

Attention: If you are here for the Hero Arts blog hop, you can view my post HERE (or scroll down). Thanks!

This next card by Jana has such a unique design:
Don't you love the way she has used a portion of the die cut? The leaves look so pretty layered with the text. And that cute flower? It just makes me smile!!
Here is my take:



This card was created entirely using white cardstock (except the green banner strip). The top portion of the die cut was distressed with Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain Distress Ink, then stamped with Mementos Tuxedo Black Ink. The bottom portion of the die cut was distressed and stamped with Crushed Olve Distress Ink. After stamping this portion, I flicked it with water to create the splotches. The flower was stamped with Tuxedo Black Ink and colored using Warm Honey and Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. The dots and center were added with a white gel pen.
Thanks for visiting- see you tomorrow!

All Stamps Hero Arts (CG125, H5481, S5507)

January 12, 2011

Jana *Day 2*

Attention----If you are here for the Hero Arts blog hop, you can see my post by clicking HERE (or scrolling down).
Woweeeeeee! Thanks to everyone who visited and commented yesterday for the Hero Arts blog hop! What a thrill! :)

Here is our next card by Jana:
This is just the sweetest card! Jana's coloring and shading is so smooth! I love the red of the flowers with the blue of the vase. And the dimension on the flowers is such a wonderful detail! Finally, that little bit of twine is a textural and charming finishing touch.
Here is my take:
The flower image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic Express paper. The flowers were colored with Copics and then this portion of the card was lightly distressed with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The green background was created by applying Forest Moss and Peeled Paint Distress Ink on white cardstock.
I also wanted to share a video for a simple card that I did for my LSS, Mementos. You can see the video HERE.
All Stamps Hero Arts (CL487, H5489)

January 11, 2011

2011 Hero Arts Blog Hop

Hello, my blog hoppin' friends! Welcome to the next stop on the Hero Arts 2011 blog hop- sure hope you're having fun! :) I have two cards to share with you.
Note: If you find a broken link, you can always go back to the Hero Arts blog for the master list of blog links. Also, please email tami@heroarts.com and provide the blog address that has the bad link so we can fix it. Thanks!
My first card features one of my new favorite cling stamps, CG248 Large Solid Flower: This card began entirely as white paper. I inked the brown background using Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The flower was inked with various colors of Distress Ink, spritzed lightly with water and then stamped. Once dry, I used a black colored pencil to add a little shading to the center of the petals. Finally, I added the script using Hero Arts La Letter (K5344) by inking it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and removing portions of the ink with a baby wipe before stamping. The sentiment is from the charming Hero Arts clear set (CL389 Mi Casa).
My second card uses this new clear set full of dotty-goodness, CL482 Dots N Flowers:
And also everyone's new fav, Envelope Pattern S5507:
And who can forget this incredible sentiment set, Sending Smiles CL490:
I began by coloring the floral image using Copic Markers. I created the multicolor background using Distress Inks (Fired Brick, Crushed Olive, and Wild Honey). Then I stamped the Envelope Pattern directly over this background using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.
Thanks again for visiting---please leave a comment because every comment left along the hop gives you a chance to win new 2011 Hero Arts stamps! :)
Now, your next hop along the way is the blog of the talented Judy Jung--click
HERE to visit her blog and see what she's created using some of her favorite new 2011 Hero Arts stamps!