Joy *Day 4*

Happy Friday! One quick note before we begin, keep your eyes peeled on the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog today- they will be announcing the winner of the Faber-Castell Mixed Media Starter Kit giveaway! And don't worry if you miss it, I will post the winner here tomorrow, too. :)
Today is our last day of inspiration by Joy and I've saved one of my FAVORITE pieces of Joy's stamped art for today. Check it out:

Isn't this art journal piece by Joy breathtaking? I love the soft colors and layering. And the distressed look in pastels couldn't be sweeter!
Here is my take. I was especially inspired by Joy's color scheme:

All Stamps Hero Arts. The pale blue background was created by distressing white cardstock (Neenah Tiara White) with Broken China Distress ink (very lightly) and then stamping with Hero Arts background stamp inked in Hero Hues Soft Leaf ink. The tan center panel was distressed with Antique Linen Distress ink and I also swiped the Antique Linen ink pad directly on the paper--this really adds a great "texture" to the distressing. The butterflies were inked lightly with Worn Lipstick and Antique Linen Distress Ink. The sentiment was stamped using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

Thanks soooooo much to Joy and all of you for making this week so fun for me! See you on Sunday when I get out my Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft goodies and play in my sketchbook! HUGS!

Joy *Day 3*

*NOTE: If you have just arrived here from the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog, go HERE (or scroll down) to leave a comment for the giveaway!
Here is our next great card by Joy:

Joy's card is just too lovely! The oval with the scallop is the perfect centerpiece. And the plaid background suits the chair stamp beautifully. Finally, once again I can't get enough of this color scheme!
Here is my take: I began this card by stamping the sillouette stamp by Hero Arts on tan cardstock using VersaMark ink. Next, I heat embossed this image with clear embossing powder. I colored the leaves and branches with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stampers Big Brush Markers, wiping the excess where I colored outside of the lines with a baby wipe. Then I went over the entire oval panel with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The red background was distressed with Brushed Corduroy and Fired Brick Distress Ink. Finally, I stamped the Envelope Pattern stamp from Hero Arts using Fired Brick Distress Ink.

Thanks again for visiting and making my day with all of your support, visits, and comments! And happy St. Patricks Day!! HUGS!

Inspired by...Joy, Day 2

*NOTE: If you have just arrived here from the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog, go HERE (or scroll down) to leave a comment for the giveaway!
Now for our next card from this week's featured artist, Joy: Joy's card is so pretty! I love the soft blues, teals, and greys together. So soothing and easy on the eye! Joy's overall card design- using Labels 8 with a rectangle panel in the center and bow on top- is definitely one I can see myself turning to often!
Here is my take:

All Stamps Hero Arts. I began by stamping the flower image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I colored the flowers using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stampers Big Brush Markers and PITT Artist Pens. The background was distressed using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Hero Arts Envelope Pattern was also stamped with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Before I go, I just wanted to say that all of your comments yesterday were truly overwhelming (in a good way!) and touched my heart. Thank you all for taking the time to comment and visit-- you're the GREATEST!

Inspired by...Joy

Okay, soooo many of you have been calling me a BIG tease because of my post last Friday. And you are going to REALLY think I am a tease after this---I had my dates wrong and I can't make my little announcement until tomorrow! I am so SORRY! Will you forgive me if I give you another sneak?? :)

Now onto our next featured artist--Joy of dustypenny designs!! Joy is one talented lady and I can't wait to share her work this week. Check out our first inspiration card by Joy:

As soon as I saw this card that Joy created in a Jennifer McGuire class I was inspired. Don't you just love those cards that you see that make you want to RUN to your craft room and start stamping? The colors on this card are so springy and happy and of course I can't get enough of the overall design! And I just love that Joy shares what she learns in her classes on her blog and flickr photostream- you'll have to check it out!

And here's my take:

The floral panel on this card was created by coloring the beautiful Penny Black stamp, Flower Amongst Flowers (4155L), with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. I then stamped it on white cardstock. After stamping, I added shading to the flowers using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist Pens. The background was distressed with Broken China and Crushed Olive Distress Ink. Sentiment by Hero Arts (CL487).

Thanks so much for popping by and I sure hope you believe me when I say I will have a little announcement for you tomorrow! ;) HUGS!