BIG NEWS: I'VE MOVED!

It is with extreme excitement that I am thrilled to announce the beginning of a new artistic adventure!!  Yep, I've been packing up my stamps, inks, paints, and paper and am moving to a new corner of blogland.  You will now find my stamped art on a new collaborative site, Studio Sessions.  Yep, you've seen Studio Sessions here on the blog before, and now it has its very own dedicated space.  Collaborating with my talented friend and fellow designer, Elizabeth Allan, is like a dream come true.  This fun change in blogging format is a breath of fresh air and an extra dose of mojo for my creative soul.  I hope it will be the same for you.

Before making the final move to my new blogging home, I want to thank ALL of you for your support and encouragement here on "Inspired By..."  It's truly been an honor to share my work with you and your encouragement, visits, comments, and blog-love mean more to me than you will ever know!  (And don't worry, all posts will remain archived and live here on "Inspired By..." should you like to cruise down memory lane.) 

I'd be honored if you would continue to view my work and visit Studio Sessions by clicking HERE.  Once you arrive, you can sign up to receive updates via email so you don't miss a thing. (link provided in the Studio Sessions sidebar)  You can also continue to connect with me via FACEBOOK and EMAIL.

Now hop on over to Studio Sessions and let the next chapter of our creative story begin...

Note: Comments on this post have been disabled.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me via my Facebook and/or email accounts linked above.

Plenty of Poppies PB&J Video, 4 of 4

"Plenty of poppies" continues today over on the Penny Black blog with a new PB&J Video! I had a blast creating this video, sharing the mixed media techniques used in creating this card:

Here's a closer look...

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Oh, and be sure to Save the Date... all next week, Elizabeth Allan and I will be bringing you our next installment of Studio Sessions!!

Note: Blog comments have been disabled. I find it easiest to stay in touch via Facebook and/or email. I'd love to chat with you there if you have any questions or comments.  

Plenty of Poppies, 3 of 4

Lately I've been LOVING the combo of red and golden yellow, and that works perfectly when stamping poppies.

All Stamps and Creative Dies by Penny Black

Image colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers

Background created with Palette Ink applied through Creative Die Interlocking

See ya Friday with a new PB&J VIDEO and a fun announcement!

Note: Blog comments have been disabled. I find it easiest to stay in touch via Facebook and/or email. I'd love to chat with you there if you have any questions or comments.  

Plenty of Poppies, 2 of 4

The poppy-love continues...

I went with non-traditional color choices today.

All Stamps and Creative Dies by Penny Black
Image colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers
Background created using Antique Linen Distress Stain

Thanks for poppy-ing by! :)

Note: Blog comments have been disabled. I find it easiest to stay in touch via Facebook and/or email. I'd love to chat with you there if you have any questions or comments.  

Plenty of Poppies, 1 of 4

This week I'm sharing cards featuring one of my favorite flowers... poppies! (Sunflowers are still #1 on my list but I think poppies might be a close second these days.)

All stamps and Creative Dies by Penny Black

Image and dies colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin Markers

Background inked with Palette Ink and Distress Paints

Hope your day is filled with Happy Everything!
Note: Blog comments have been disabled. I find it easiest to stay in touch via Facebook and/or email. I'd love to chat with you there if you have any questions or comments.  

Exploring Mixed Media, 6 of 6

For my final mixed media post this week, I saved one of my favorite projects I created for Penny Black's Happy Everything release...

This 5 x 7 inch canvas features lots of layers of book text, watercolors, stamping, and acrylic paints.  I've also added one of the new Penny Black chalkboard stamps embellished with a few Creative Dies.

(40-322 Delightful, 40-309 Truly Great, 51-002 Leaves, 51-007 Tagged)

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend AND happy Valentine's day!!

Exploring Mixed Media, 5 of 6

Today I have for you a pair of mixed media tags featuring Penny Black's newest stencils (25-004 Sun Catcher and 25-002 Flower Dance) and coordinating stamps (40-323 Poppy Time).

To create this tag, I first stamped my image using Ranger Archival Ink.  Then I layed my stencil over the stamped image and applied Distress Paint through the stencil to color in my image.  Once dry, I added Distress Ink to the background using an ink blending tool and foam applicator.  The coloring on the flower was not affected because the paint acts as a resist.  I flicked Picket Fence Distress Stain combined with water onto the background.  Finally, I roughed up the edges, embellished, and added my sentiment. (All stamps and Creative Dies by Penny Black.)

For this next tag I first applied Picket Fence Distress Paint through my stencil and onto my tag.  Once dry, I added Distress Ink using an ink blending tool and foam applicator.  The paint acts as a resist.  I also splattered this tag with Picket Fence Distress Stain. (All stamps and Creative Dies by Penny Black.)

Thanks so much for your visit today!!

Exploring Mixed Media, 4 of 6

Remember this large-scale stamp, Penny Black 40-321 Wondrous, that I used on yesterday's canvas?

Well today I'm using it on a mixed media-style card.  I love that these BIG stamps can be used on larger pieces AND regular sized cards, too!

To create this card I stamped my large image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers.  I added Distress Ink (Evergreen Bough) for additional shading on the background.  The die cut leaves (Penny Black) were colored with Touch Twin Markers, as was the butterfly, and then Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink was added to "tone down" the color just a bit.  Black paint splatters were added and then all embellishments and die cuts (Penny Black Triple Banner, Tagged, Leaves, 4381L Gathering Together) were added using dimensional adhesive.

Have a great day!

Exploring Mixed Media, 3 of 6

Happy weekend, my friends!

For my next mixed media post, I have a 9 x 12 canvas to share with you.

Again, lots of layers of paint and stamping make up this creation.  For the "vines" I stamped Penny Black's new large-scale stamp, 410-321 Wondrous, onto tissue paper several times. I then adhered it to my canvas using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gel Medium.  Once it was dry, I painted the leaves with acrylic paint. I love this method for transferring stamped designs onto a canvas.

And you know, nothing of mine is complete without a butterfly (PB Soft Wings)...

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!

Exploring Mixed Media, 2 of 6

It's time for a peek at another mixed media creation I've been anxious to share.  It is part of Penny Black's newest release, Happy Everything. (BTW, I heard through the grapevine that Penny Black has giveaways every day this week for the new collection... you can check it out HERE.)

Again, I've used the new large-scale stamps (40-320 Charming) to work on a canvas.
This one measures 8 inches by 8 inches.

I've also incorporated a new Creative Die, Pennant, in addition to the sentiment and bird from the T for Transparent set 30-156 Tweet, Tweet.

Wish I had more time to write, my friends, but I'm off to the gym...HUGS!

Exploring Mixed Media, 1 of 6

I know things have been a bit sparse around here lately, but that's definitely not due to a lack of creating! I just haven't been able to show you until now as today is the day that Penny Black is releasing their newest collection, Happy Everything.

Part of this release includes a new range of product that has me giddy--> large scale stamps and coordinating stencils.  This is music to my ears as I continue to explore mixed media techniques.  Here's a peek at my first mixed media creation using this new line of products...

This 5 x 7 inch canvas features lots of layers of ink, watercolors, paper, markers, stamping, and acrylic paints, as well as the  new large poppy stamp, 40-323 Poppy Time.

I hope to be creating some video tutorials featuring these techniques very soon, especially if someone could please let me know how to add more hours to the day. :)

See you very soon with another mixed media creation and until then...

thanks for poppying by! 

Inchie Arts LOVE

Whenever I'm ready to play with a mixed media look on a card, the first product I love to reach for is an Inchie Arts Art Square.

Today I'm using a white 3 x 3 inch Art Square on my card.

I began by stamping Penny Black 30-205 Enchanted Garden using Ranger Archival Black Ink.  I choose this particular ink because I was planning on adding several "wet" layers and it will not smear.  Next I painted my image using Dr. Ph Martin's Hydrus watercolors. The background around the heart was painted with a combination of Dr. Ph Martin's Hydrus watercolors and Ranger Distress Paints.  The flourishes were stamped using a Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Pen.  I also used a black Stamper's Big Brush Pen to outline the heart, blending with my finger before the ink dried.  Finally, to give this an artsy feel, I flicked Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Gesso onto the piece.  You can see than even with tons of layers, the Art Square has not warped one bit... wahoo!

For more Inchie Arts inspiration visit their BLOG and FACEBOOK page.

A Definite Fave

This just may be my all-time favorite Mimi stamp...

She and Miles look so cute!!

To create my card, I began by stamping Penny Black 30-209 Jumbo Love and coloring with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers.  I created my background by repeatedly stamping Penny Black 30-209 Rose Edging.  I embellished using Penny Black Creative Die Leaves and punched hearts (Fiskars). Ribbon by Ribbons Unlimited and twine by May Arts.

Thanks for visiting... hugs!!!

Whooo loves ya?!

Sometimes I just really enjoying getting out my cute stamps to play...

I stamped Penny Black 4369H Owl Always Love You onto a Spellbinders die cut using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers.  I then added Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink using an ink blending tool with a foam pad.  To create my background, I stamped Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock with Penny Black 30-204 Heart Swatches, one heart for each corner.  Ribbons Unlimited ribbon, May Arts jute, and a couple of extra punched hearts mounted on dimensional adhesive finish things off. Sentiment is by Penny Black, 30-207 From the Heart.

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start, my friends! HUGS!

Die-ing to Share: Day 4

Today I've combined an older Creative Die (51-002 Leaves) with a newer one (51-025 Love Expressions)...

I began by stamping and heat embossing 30-204 Heart Swatches and then coloring with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Pens. I removed any coloring on the embossed area with a baby wipe before it dried. The dies were colored with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers and all elements were layered onto the cardbase using dimensional adhesive.

Sending you extra HUGS with today's card!! 

Thanks so much for your visit.

Die-ing to Share: Day 3

Today's card features Penny Black Creative Die 51-024 Love Buds:

Once again, I colored my die cuts using my ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers. I layered them together onto a background that has been inked and stamped with Distress Ink.  The sentiment is from 40-275 Valentine Dance. A few pearls and die cut butterflies (51-007 Tagged) finish things off.

See you again tomorrow, my friends!

Die-ing to Share: Day 2

Here's another creation featuring a new Penny Black Creative Die, 51-022 Heart String:

I began by inking my background card stock strip with Distress Inks (Festive Berries, Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Crushed Olive, and Evergreen Bough).  Next, I colored my die cuts using my ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers in coordinating colors. I layered them onto the background with dimensional adhesive and added my sentiment (30-207 From the Heart) stamped on a circle punch. To finish things off, I cut a few single hearts from the die and colored them black. I added them to the card in a pleasing visual triangle with small pearls.

Hope you're having a great week so far!

See ya tomorrow!!

Die-ing to Share: Day 1

Hi, my friends, and happy new year! I love the freshness of a new year and am so glad to be back here sharing with you.  Speaking of sharing... I have been DIE-ing to share a few samples I created with the Creative Dies from Penny Black's newest release.  So without further ado, here we go!

Here I've used  the Creative Die 51-023 Rose. After die cutting, I colored it with ShinHan Art Touch Twin markers. I also colored the die cut butterflies (51-006 Flutters) with my Touch Twin markers. The faux washi tape was created by stamping 30-161 Embellishments with Memento Inks and coloring with markers as well.  And the background, 30-206 Rose Edging, was stamped with Memento Luxe ink in the color of Toffee Crunch. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-207 From the Heart.

See you tomorrow with another creation.

Thanks for your visit!