Mel *Day 2*

You gotta love this creation by Mel (I know I sure do!):

Mel is the QUEEN of these beautiful inked sunset backgrounds- be sure to check out her blog for more!

And here's my take:

I began by stamping Penny Black Berry Red Snow White with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Tiara White cardstock. Next I used a fine tipped PITT Artist Pen to color over the fence and darken it to match the branches and berries.  Using scratch paper I masked the background and inked with the following colors of Distress Ink: Brushed Corduroy, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss, Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick.  I added Walnut Stain Distress Ink to the outside of this piece as well as the pierced background (inked with Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick Distress Ink).  Finally, the sentiment was cut using Spellbinders Shabeablitlies #55-071 Twisted Metal Tags and Accents and then inked with Forest Moss Distress Ink.  The sentiment is from SRM Stickers #51012.

Oh, and if you are looking for a great deal on three of my favorite Penny Black floral stamps, be sure to visit the Mementos blog today.

See you tomorrow, my friends!

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Inspired by... Mel

I am excited to announce that this week's featured artist is a gal whose cards always catch my eye in the Penny Circle flickr gallery.... it's Mel G!  Just take a look at her inspiration card for today and you'll see exactly what I mean:

Gorgeous; right?  That background is absolutely 100% breathtaking! I can't get enough of the rich colors and layers. 

Here's my take:

I began by repeatedly stamping Penny Black 40-012 Irises with VersaFine black ink and embossing with clear powder on watercolor paper.  Next I pressed Distress Ink (Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, and Black Soot) pads directly onto the paper.  I spritzed heavily with water to blend the colors.  Once dry, I inked all edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink using the ink blending tool and a foam pad and also stamped Penny Black 1999L Letter Background with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  To create the card base, I inked Tiara White cardstock (pressing the ink pad directly to the paper and swiping it across multiple times) with Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick Distress Ink.  Then I added pierced holes using the Tim Holtz Ruler, a thumb tack, and the Sew Easy Piercing Mat.  After piercing I inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, highlighting the pierced holes.  The teal accents and butterflies were punched from Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock.  Finally, I embossed Tiara White cardstock with the Sizzix Gridlock embossing folder and inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Gems and a Candi dot were added to the butterflies.

Thanks so much for popping by!
Be sure to stop by the Mementos blog today for a fun project from Lisa to use up all paper scraps.
Here's a peek:

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

See ya tomorrow with another FAB card from Mel!

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Winner

Just popping in to let you know that the random winner of the spot in the Holiday Card Boot Camp was Stephanie.  I've emailed you. Thanks to all who entered to win and wrote such lovely comments.  You all made me smile BIG!

PB&J Video Tutorial, Christmas Tags

Be sure to head over to the Penny Black blog today for a video tutorial showing the creation of a couple of these tags using Penny Black brushstroke stamps, Distress Stains, and Distress Inks.

And here's a peek at each individual tag:

**EDITED TO ADD: Tag size: 5 1/4 x 2 5/8.**

See ya tomorrow with our next featured artist- she's as talented as she is sweet!

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Sketch and Stamp Collab Week *Day 4*

I have to admit I'm pretty bummed to see this collaboration week with Iwona coming to an end.  I truly LOVED working with her sketches and of course seeing what she has come up with each day.  I think my favorite part of this collaboration has been seeing how each of us has come up with such different cards even though we started with the exact same stamps and sketch.  Thanks, Iwona, for sharing your sketches and creations with me all week! It's been an honor! 
Today Iwona and I are both using this cutie-pa-tootie stamp by Penny Black, Flowers for Mimi:

And our sketch for the day:

I began by stamping Penny Black Flowers for Mimi onto Copic X-Press It blending cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and coloring with Copic Markers.  I then distressed this with Old Paper Distress Ink.  The green background was cut with Sizzix Top Note die by Stampin' Up and then inked with Forest Moss Distress Ink.  The purple notecard was cut from Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock.

Don't forget to pop over to Iwona's blog to see what she created with this stamp and sketch!

Thanks again for visiting- see ya next week with a new featured artist.

Hope you have a wonderful and creative weekend. :)

And if you're looking for a little more inspiration, head on over to the Mementos blog where I have new video tutorial posted today...

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

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