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

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)