Inspired by...Kristina Werner

I am so beyond honored to announce that this week's featured artist is none other than the FABULOUS Kristina Werner. I have to say that the first stamping video I ever watched was one of hers and even today her VIDEOS and BLOG leave me extremely inspired. Here's our first inspiration card by Kristina: I just ADORE the design of this card! The way the hill extends beyond the white background is subtle but oh-so-effective. And the bright colors make me think of summer.
Here is my take:

All stamps Penny Black: 30-064 Good Catch, 1999L Letter Background, 4161K Pin-Striped
And I sure hope you'll visit the Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft blog today (click HERE) to see a step-by-step photo tutorial demonstrating how I colored this flower using Stamper's Big Brush Markers and PITT Artist pens. And you could even leave a little comment love over there if you felt like it. *wink* :)
See you tomorrow with our next BEAUTIFUL card by Kristina!!

PB&J Video Tutorial

Hi everyone! Time for another PB&J Video Tutorial.

This week the challenge on the Penny Black blog is cards with frames so I decided to play along.
Go HERE to watch the tutorial on the Penny Black blog or HERE to watch in HD directly on YouTube.

See you tomorrow with a new featured artist. I LOVEEEE her work and am so thrilled to share a bit of it here this week. Hhhmmm...who could it be? Here's a hint--she makes great tutorial videos. And lots of them! :)

Penny Black Reader Inspiration

HAPPY FRIDAY everyone! I hope you've had a wonderful week. Any big plans for the 3 day weekend? My hubby and I are going to hang around home and I'm hoping to get caught up on some stamping projects. Today is our last day of inspiration from the Penny Circle flickr gallery. Our featured artist is Sarpreet Bhangra. Isn't the scene on her card just the CUTEST?

Here is my card. I just had to make an outdoor scene and some torn paper hills like Sarprett: All Stamps Penny Black

Remember, there is still time to participate in the weekly Penny Black challenge. It's a great sketch challenge this week. You can check out the sketch on the bottom of this post HERE.

Thanks again for visiting! BIG hugs!

Penny Black Reader Inspiration

It's time for another day of inspiration from Penny Circle uploads on flickr. Today's inspiring stamper is ScatteredStamper (Tanya)! [Visit her blog HERE.] I love her beautiful orange flower on that fresh green background:
Here's my take:

The floral image, Penny Black 4156K Star Inspired, was colored using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers, Pitt Artist Pens, and Pastel Pencils. It was then cut out and layered. The green background was created using Peeled Paint and Crushed Olive Distress Inks. Finally, the kraft background began as white cardstock and was then distressed using Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and stamped with Penny Black 40-048 Paisley Outline background stamp. Sentiment by Penny Black (30-053 Betsy Bluebell).

Thanks soooo much for visiting- you always make my day! HUGS!

Penny Black Reader Inspiration

Welcome to day 3 of my cards created for the Penny Black Blog. Today's inspiration comes from a lovely upload to the Penny Circle from Brenda U.! This monochromatic card is a BEAUTY! Here is my take:

I began by stamping Penny Black 4161 Pin-Striped onto white cardstock 2 times. On one piece of cardstock I colored the flowers and leaves using Copic markers. The other piece of cardstock was distressed using Spiced Marmalade, Crushed Olive, and Peeled Paint Distress Ink. Onto this piece I also stamped Penny Black 1999L Letter Background in Peeled Paint Distress Ink, removing some ink with a baby wipe before stamping. The Copic colored flowers and leaves were cut out and adhered to this panel using dimensional adhesive. The vertical banner was distressed with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Card base created from Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock.

Thanks SOOO much to Brenda for the beautiful inspiration. You can see more of Brenda's work on her BLOG and PHOTOSTREAM. I hope you'll stop by tomorrow to see who our next featured artist will be....

Penny Black Reader Inspiration

Hi everyone! I'm thrilled to announce that this is my first full week of sharing my creations on the Penny Black blog--such an honor! I am featuring cards inspired by Penny Black readers who have uploaded to the Penny Circle Flickr Group. You guys ROCK. Today's inspiration comes from the uber-talented MelaniaDeasy. You can see more of her bright and fun work on her PHOTOSTREAM and BLOG. Check out her card:

Here's my take using her beautiful color palette: I began by stamping the butterfly, Penny Black 2943H Brush Butterfly, using VersaMark ink onto cream cardstock. I sprinkled this with clear embossing powder and heat set the images. Next I applied Spiced Marmalade and Walnut Stain Distress Ink directly over the images. I flicked the panel with water to create the water droplets. I stamped this panel with Penny Black 1999L Letter Background and Penny Black 4042K Daisy Fields using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. And to finish up this panel I used a papertowel to "buff" the embossed butterflies and remove any excess Distress Ink. The criss cross background was created by gluing down strips of white cardstock to the base and then piercing with a paper piercer. I inked this entire piece with Antique Linen and Pumice Stone Distress Ink. Finally, the card base was inked with Frayed Burlap and Pumice Stone Distress Ink and then stamped with Penny Black 40-049 Majestic Composition using Pumice Stone Distress Ink.

Thanks soooo much for stopping by! I wonder who will be the next inspiring artist featured tomorrow..... Oh, and in case you missed it yesterday, you can watch my PB&J Tutorial Video on YouTube HERE.

PB&J Video Tutorial #3

It's time for another PB&J, Penny Black and Jill, video tutorial over on the Penny Black blog. I'll be stamping away using these:And this:
Here's the card:

You can watch the video in HD directly on YouTube HERE or over on the Penny Black blog HERE. Thanks for watching! See you tomorrow with a Penny Circle inspired card. HUGS!

PS- I think we are officially over the canine sickness in the Foster family. Phew! Toffee has been running around the house with his food bowl in his mouth (LOL-he's such a nut) and Dafne is back to lounging on her back and begging to go on a walk with my hubby. Thanks again for your prayers and support!

Denise *Day 3*

Today is our last day of inspiration with the wonderful Denise. You can see lots more of her FAB cards on her BLOG and PHOTOSTREAM. I saved one of my ALL time favorite cards of hers for today: How stinkin' adorable is her card? Seriously! I love her coloring and of course I love her color scheme as well. The orange and light aqua are perfect together! Oh, and who could forget those cute embossed clouds?
Here is my take. I was especially inspired by her color choices and overall design/sketch (I turned it on it's side): The flowers, Penny Black 3633K Clusters, were stamped on white cardstock. I colored the flowers with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist pens. Next I applied a light layer of Glossy Accents on the flower petals and sprinkled with Sparkly Fluff (close up below). The background was distressed with Broken China and Crushed Olive Distress Ink. For the embossed panel on the left hand side of the background I used Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock. I love that this paper has a white core allowing me to emboss and sand it down for a little more texture. The orange background was created by distressing white cardstock with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. Again, here's a bit of a close up of the Sparkly Fluff:

Oh, you will also definitely want to check out the Penny Black blog today. Each designer has been playing with beautiful PB stickers. Shall I tease you with a peek at my card? :) Go HERE to see more!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I am going to be doing LOTS and LOTS of stamping. What do you have planned? I hope you will have some time to be crafty, and remember, if you do, please upload your Penny Black stamped projects on flickr to the Penny Circle...

I'm still looking for featured artists for my reader inspired blog week next week on the Penny Black Blog! HUGS!

Denise *Day 2*

This card by Denise has such a soft and simple elegance! I love the way she has stamped the floral image as if it is cascading down and across the background!
Here's my take: The background was stamped with Penny Black 3645K Modesty and colored with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist Pens. The sentiment, Penny Black 3852E, was stamped on a Spellbinders Die Cut. Both the background and die cut sentiment piece were inked with Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

And just a quick update on Toffee. He is feeling better with each day on meds, minus a few ups and downs. Unfortunately our St. Bernard, Dafne, is having the same symptoms so she is being treated as well. The vet still thinks they must have both eaten something that made them sick or they have a flu bug. We are hoping that in 2 days they will be better, if not we will be moving on to our next step which will include a full panel of bloodwork. Thanks so much for your continued prayers and positive thoughts. Both my husband and I TRULY appreciate your kindness! HUGS, HUGS, HUGS!

Inspired by...Denise

First of all, I want to thank you again for the kindness and prayers you sent my way yesterday for Toffee. I think we need a group hug!! :) I am still quite worried about him because he is just not himself yet, but am hoping that he will be getting into his usual trouble soon! I updated yesterday's post HERE.

Now onto some crafting! This week's featured artist is an incredible cardmaker with coloring skills that are to-die-for. Please join me in welcoming Denise Marzec to "Inspired by..." You can check out lots of her stamping on her BLOG and PHOTOSTREAM. Here is our first inspiration card by Denise:

Could Denise's card be any more elegant?! I love the soft colors. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (ummm.. did I say LOVE??) the overall design. That folded corner with the pearls is perfection! Here is my take: The main panel of this card began entirely as white cardstock. I began by adding Distress Ink (Tattered Rose, Broken China, and Wild Honey) to small areas around the edge of the card. Next I masked these areas with circles and removable adhesive. While masked, I applied Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick Distress Ink to the background. Next I lightly misted this background with Glimmer Mist. I removed the masks and stamped the flourish (Penny Black 3859H) with Fired Brick Distress Ink. I stamped the floral image (Penny Black 3949H) onto the background as well as another piece of white cardstock. The flowers were colored with Copic markers and then cut out and and glued to the main panel. Sentiment by Penny Black (30-032).

And before you go I just wanted to mention that next week will be my first week hosting at the Penny Black blog. I'm soooo excited! I will be sharing cards in the same format as I do here on this blog, only there will be a new artist each day AND I will be choosing my featured artists from the Penny Circle flickr group. I'm already starting to search for my inspiration cards.... Oh, did I mention the inspiration card and artist will be posted on both this blog AND the official Penny Black blog? And one may even sneak into a PB&J video.... So if you've been waiting to upload to Penny Circle card pool, why not jump in?? :) I'm on the hunt for some fresh inspiration!

Big hugs to you all and thanks again for your kindness and prayers for Toffee!!!! I feel like I just can't thank you enough!

My Pup

**EDITED TO ADD: I can't say to all of you enough thanks for all of your kind comments and prayers today. I am continually touched by the heartwarming thoughtfulness that each of you offer to me and eachother, my friends. Your positive words have helped me get through a rough day! Right now Toffee is really dehydrated and still quite lethargic. The vet believes that he may have ate something that upset his stomach. We need to give it 24-48 hrs to know for sure. I hope that our little family has dodged a bullet and I will keep you updated on how he's doing. Oh, and I'm pretty sure that my furry little friend said to tell you all "thanks" too! Ruff, ruff! :)
I'm sorry to say that I don't have a card for you today. I came home from work to find that my sweet dog Toffee had been sick all day and is now extremely lethargic and weak. It breaks my heart to watch him suffer and it is scary to me as he is 15 years old. Needless to say, I just couldn't leave his side last night to prepare my post. We are taking him to the vet this morning and I will keep you updated on what we find out. I hope it is just some fluke and nothing serious.... My husband and I are both HUGE animal lovers and our dogs are like members of our family so it has been a really rough night.

PB&J Video Tutorial #2

It's time for more peanut butter and jelly... hope you're hungry! (Did I mention that it is calorie free?)
It's Monday so that means it's time for a Penny Black and Jill, PB&J, video tutorial over on the Penny Black blog. So head on over to the Penny Black blog HERE or directly to YouTube HERE to watch the creation of this card from start to finish.

This card features stamps from the Penny Black set, Air Mail. And if you needed one more excuse to head over to the Penny Black blog--today all of the designers made cards featuring this fun and whimsical set!
See you tomorrow with our next featured artist- her work is AMAZING! I can't wait to share!!

Vicky *Day 4*

Thanks everyone for waiting for this post. Between blogger and a couple of migraine headaches this week I am a bit behind! BIG thanks also to the wonderfully talented Vicky for allowing me to share a bit of her work this week. Remember you can also check out more of her stunners on her blog HERE. Here's our last inspiration card by Vicky: I love her bright colors and the white embossing REALLY pops! Here is my take:

Flower stamp by Penny Black, 3865K Gossamer. I began by stamping this with VersaMark Ink and heat embossing with white embossing powder on white cardstock. Next, I cut out the flowers and leaves and distressed them with Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, and Crushed Olive Distress Ink. The background behind the flower was distressed with Broken China, Crushed Olive, and Peeled Paint Distress Ink. The embossed background, Sizzix Texture Fade, was lightly inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Card base Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

See you on Monday with a new PB&J tutorial video--I can't wait to share! :)

Vicky *Day 3*

This next card by Vicky is adorable: I love how Vicky pairs kraft cardstock with bright colors. It definitely is a recipe for beautiful cards! The background on her card is also so playful, with the subtle tone on tone stamping.
Here is my take:

I began by inking the floral stamp, Penny Black 3071J, with Distress Ink (Faded Jeans, Wild Honey, and Fired Brick). I colored the stems with a Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Marker. Next, I spritzed the stamp with water and stamped onto white cardstock. I then distressed this piece with Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen Distress Ink as well as stamping it with the script background, Penny Black 1999L, removing some ink from the stamp with a baby wipe before stamping. The brown background was created from white cardstock by inking it with Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. This was stamped with Penny Black Paisley Outline 40-048 using Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-032.

Thanks so much to everyone for your visits and sweet comments. You ALWAYS make my day! See you tomorrow for our last day of inspiration with Vicky! HUGS!

Vicky *Day 2*

This card by Vicky is distressing at its best: I love her warm color choices. The script background adds an elegant touch. And finally, that bit of string provides a textural and handmade touch!
Here is my take:

I began by stamping the feather image, Penny Black 4171K, with Versamark ink on white cardstock. Next, I embossed the image using white embossing powder. Once heat set, I applied Distress Ink directly over the embossed image (Broken China, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade). I stamped the script, Penny Black 1999L, using Walnut Stain Distress Ink and removing some of the ink from the stamp with a baby wipe before stamping. I gently rubbed the feather image with a dry paper towel to remove excess ink. The card base also began as a white piece of cardstock which was distressed with Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. I stamped over this using Walnut Stain Distress Ink and a Penny Black background stamp, 40-049. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-072.

Thanks so much for popping by! See you tomorrow with a really fun card by Vicky!

Inspired by...Vicky!

First of all, thanks to all of you for your AWESOME response to my PB&J video yesterday. In case you missed it, you can still catch up on the Penny Black blog HERE.

Now onto this week's featured artist...drumroll.......Vicky Papaioannou. You can see her awesome work and videos lots of places: her BLOG, PHOTOSTREAM, and over at LilyPad cards. Here's our first inspiration card by Vicky:

Vicky's card is sooo cheery! The bright yellow is like warm sunshine on a summer's day! I love that yellow ribbon, too! Here is my take:
I began by stamping the flower image, Penny Black 4160K, with black ink on Nestabilities Labels 11 and also onto white paper. I inked the background of the die cut piece with Peeled Paint and Forest Moss Distress Ink. Next, I stamped the script, Penny Black 1999L, in Forest Moss Distress Ink. The flower was colored using Copics and the leaves were colored with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. I cut out the leaves and flower and mounted them to the die cut piece using dimensional adhesive. The card base began as white cardstock and was distressed using Wild Honey and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. The background stamp, Penny Black 40-046, was stamped in Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

Thanks so much for looking! See you tomorrow with our next PRETTY card by Vicky! HUGS!

PB&J Video Tutorials

Announcing PB&J Video Tutorials

Hi everyone! I am sooooooooo excited to announce a new weekly feature for you, my friends and readers. Every Monday, over on the Penny Black Blog I will be sharing a new video tutorial and full PDF instructions for 3 cards! Yep, we're calling it PB&J, Penny Black and Jill, and I would love, love, LOVE if you popped over to check it out and leave a little love. :) Click HERE. I will still be continuing with my regular "Inspired by..." blog posts so don't forget to come back here tomorrow to see who our next featured artist will be. Trust me, her Copic coloring is going to knock your socks off! :)

Before I go, here's a peek at the cards in today's PB&J video. See you tomorrow with our newest featured artist. HUGS!

Monochromatic Card Set

Hi everyone! Happy National Scrapbooking Day! Here is a monochromatic card set I created using all Penny Black stamps and Mix and Match paper from the Grand Canyon Collection.

Be sure to pop over to the Penny Black blog today to see more monochromatic creations from the PB design team as well as an awesome challenge with a chance to win a generous prize including a transparent stamp set, a pack of Mix and Match cardstock, an assortment of stickers, and a slapstick cling stamp from PB! Details available HERE.

Oh, and be sure to come back here on Monday. I'm bursting to share a new weekly feature that I hope you will love. Here's a hint.... anyone hungry for some PB&J??? :)

Peet *Day 5*

Well, today is our last day of inspiration with Peet so I saved one of my all-time favorite cards of hers for you. Take a look: The script, the flower, the gingham, the circular element, the stitching... this card is a testament to what makes Peet sooooo great!
Here is my take. I went with different colors but a similar design:

And isn't this bird stamp, Penny Black 4157K Nature's Day, so fun?!
Wanna see some incredible stamping with this image?? visit Elizabeth's blog HERE!

For my card, I began by stamping Penny Black 4157K Nature's Day with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white cardstock. I colored the image using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers and Copic markers. After coloring, I cut out the image. The card base was distressed with Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. I stamped Penny Black 1999L Letter Background with Antique Linen Distress Ink, removing some ink with a baby wipe before stamping. The multi-colored strip of paper behind the circle was colored using Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, and Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

Thanks soooo much for visiting this week. I have been truly honored to share Peet's cards!!! And I hope you'll stop by tomorrow, I have a set of 3 monochromatic cards to share with ya. Happy Friday!

Peet *Day 4*

Here is today's card by Peet: I love all of her elegant layers on this card! The beautiful floral papers look amazing! And the overall design of this card is FAB, too! I just can't get enough of those big scallops and pretty sentiment tag.
Here is my take:

I began by stamping the floral image (Penny Black 3388K Unfold) with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. The flowers were colored with PrismaColor colored pencils and then cut and and adhered to another pre-stamped piece of white cardstock. I created the background on this cardstock by inking my acrylic block with Broken China, Crushed Olive, and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, spritzing the block with water and then pressing it onto my cardstock. The background of the card base also began as white cardstock. Next, it was inked with Broken China and Crushed Olive Distress Ink. The script (Penny Black 1999L Letter Background) was stamped with Broken China Distress Ink, removing some ink with a baby wipe before stamping. The Sentiment banner was lightly distressed with Broken China Distress Ink. Sentiment by Penny Black 30-009 Clearly In Love.

Thanks again for stopping by and for all of your lovely comments! See you tomorrow... it's almost Friday! :)

Peet *Day 3*

Are you ready for cuteness OVERLOAD today?? Check out this adorable card by Peet:

And here's my take. I was especially inspired by Peet's overall design with the images in the center of the card, a white border below, and a bow between the two: I began by stamping Penny Black Posy Petals 4151K with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic Express paper. I stamped this image two times so I could cut and adhere the flower and leaf portions to the original with dimensional adhesive. The image was colored with Copic markers. Next, I added Distress Ink to the background (Pumice Stone, Wild Honey, Broken China, and Brushed Corduroy). The card base was created using Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock which was also stamped with Penny Black 30-068 using Fired Brick Distress Ink.
Thanks for looking! I'll be back tomorrow with a VERY elegant card by Peet! :)