CASE Study Challenge

It's Thursday so that means it is time for another CASE Study Challenge blog card. This is my last week as the MUSE on the CASE Study blog and I just want to say that the whole experience has been so awesome! Thanks to Chupa and the entire CASE Study team for your kind words, fun inspiration, and for this awesome opportunity. If you want to play along with this week's challenge here is the newest inspiration card of mine: Details on the challenge are available HERE. I hope you can play along- I have loved checking out all of the entries so far! And here is my "CASE" of my own card. I decided to keep a bright bouquet of flowers on a center panel surrounded by an embossed background layered on a black notecard:Please note- items used in creating this card that are available for purchase from www.ilovemementos.com will be linked below.
I began by stamping Penny Black 4181K Words Like Flowers with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Neenah Tiara White Cardstock. Next I colored the flowers with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers and added a few highlights to the petals with a Prismacolor white colored pencil. To add the background to this piece I inked the outer edges of my acrylic block with Pumice Stone and Black Soot Distress Ink, spritzed the acrylic block with a Mini Mister filled with water, and then pressed the acrylic block over my stamped image. Sentiment from Penny Black, 30-032 Enjoy Life.

Now let's take a peek at the newest card over on the Mementos Tutorial blog. Today (available Thursday, June 29th), I have a step-by-step photo tutorial for you, demonstrating Stamper's Big Brush Markers used directly on one of my favorite Penny Black brushstroke stamps. Stop by and check it out HERE.

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

See you tomorrow with our next GORGEOUS inspiration card from Marion!

Marion *Day 2*

Welcome to day 2 of inspiration with the talented Marion: I love the soft subtle background of this card and all of that pristine white space. And Marion's partial stamping of the floral image is genius! It gives a whole new look to the stamp!
Here is my take, especially inspired by Marion's partial stamping and open expanse of white space:

Please note- items used in creating this card, which are available for purchase from www.ilovemementos.com, will be linked below. (just click on the item if you are interested in purchasing)
I began by stamping Penny Black 4159K Sundial with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Neenah Tiara White cardstock. The flowers were colored in using Faber-Castell Stamper's Big Brush Markers (see below for my FAV color combinations). To add the flicks of color, I used the same Stamper's Big Brush Markers used for the flowers and colored onto my acrylic block. I spritzed the block with a Mini Mister and then dipped my paint brush into the ink. Then I flicked the ink onto the background. Finally, I added pearls and mounted the stamped pieces onto a notecard cut from Penny Black Mix and Match cardstock. Sentiment by Penny Black, CL 30-023 Thinking of You.

Now, you know those Faber-Castell Stamper's Big Brush Markers I just can't get enough of? I have a special post on the Mementos blog today listing all of my favorite color combinations for blending. AND there is a VIDEO demonstrating my favorite blending technique. Here's a tiny peek at the project:

I hope you'll click HERE to watch the video and check it out! And remember, there is still time to win a Tim Holtz Vagabond just by shopping at http://www.ilovemementos.com/. Whoever wins... are you ready for me to come visit your craft room to use it?!? LOL - just kidding!

Inspired by...Marion

Hi everyone! Thanks sooo much for your support and excitement for my announcement yesterday. I've said this before, but I mean it every time, you are all the BEST! I am also so very excited to announce that this week's featured artist is Marion Vagg! I love Marian's stamping. Be sure to check out her BLOG, I know you'll love it! Here's our very first inspiration card by Marion: This card has the most lovely, rich, and vibrant background! The black sillouette of the tree looks beautiful. And that sentiment suits a beautiful sunset perfectly!
Here is my take:

PLEASE NOTE- items used in creating this card, which are available in the www.ilovemementos.com online store, will be linked to the store (just click on the item if you are interested in purchasing).
I began by distressing Neenah Tiara White cardstock with Spiced Marmalade, and Wild Honey Distress Ink. I flicked this background with water to create the spots. Next I stamped the tree, Penny Black 3977H Splendor, using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I masked the "hill" using scratch paper and then inked with Black Soot Distress Ink below the mask. The frame, cut from Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 16 was inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-072 Air Mail, and attached with Hemp Twine.

Now for a look at what is going on over on the Mementos Blog today. We've got 2 (yes TWO) video tutorials featuring Faber-Castell Gelatos and some awesome Penny Black stamps. Here's a peek at one of the cards. I sure hope you'll stop by to check it out- CLICK HERE. See you tomorrow with our next WONDERFUL card by Marion!

A new journey....

I have to start today be telling you that I've LOVED reading all of your ideas about my hints I've been giving you this past week about my big announcement! Well, the wait is over, my friends. I can finally spill the beans...the jillybeans! :)

I am so thrilled to announce that I have teamed up with my local scrapbook store, Mementos, to offer you a tutorial blog (http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/) featuring all of our favorite stamps and related products. Yes, we're talking DAILY tutorials by myself full of techniques and fun ways to use your stamps, markers, gelatos, distress inks, etc. Not only will these items be shown to you on the tutorial blog, but Lisa Joy (Mementos owner) and I are also opening an online store (http://www.ilovemementos.com), making shopping for the products used in each tutorial simple and easy. What makes our online store different than others that are out there? It's in our philosophy:

Our philosophy is to make things easy, educational, inspiring and rewarding as you meet with us everyday. That is why you will see us focus on specific products a little at a time, rather than overwhelming you with a myriad of choices. If you are a beginner crafter, this is the perfect process for you to educate yourself and begin your collection of fabulous products. If you are a seasoned pro, we hope to inspire your creativity with products you may already own so that you see things in a fresh, new and fun way!

Our first product focus is close to my heart--Penny Black and Faber-Castell!! We're calling it MIX and MATCH MANIA and it begins tomorrow!

Mementos LOVES their customers!
From the minute I began shopping at Mementos here in Arizona, I was welcomed by the most loving and kind folks around. It is such a warm community that offers their customers the very best. I am pleased to say that this value remains at the top of the list with our online store. Lisa Joy and I (aka JillyJoy) are proud to offer our valued customers an awesome customer rewards program (read more HERE) and great shipping options (more info HERE). Check out this short video with a few peeks at what is to come:
(watch directly on YouTube by clicking HERE)

Okay, the good news doesn't stop there!!! I am also UBER excited to announce that I will be offering classes by DVD sent right to your home (remember that DVD and shipping box in my hints?)!! You can find all of the information about my DVD classes HERE. And they can be purchased HERE.

If you read my personal post a couple of weeks ago (you can find it HERE), you will know that this is a new journey for me as I have left my "comfort zone" teaching elementary school to follow my dream and improve my health. Without your support and encouragement here on this blog, I don't know that I would be standing where I am today. And I can't thank you enough for your support of this new venture.

Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

And please, do not worry, nothing is changing over here on "Inspired by..." Each week I am soooo honored to feature other artists on this blog and that will always remain. :)

Now you know I just can't leave you without a card for today, so here is today's PB&J card:

You can watch a video of the creation of this card from start to finish on the Penny Black Blog HERE or watch directly in HD on YouTube HERE.

Thanks again, my friends, for allowing me to share this passion of mine with you each day!! See you here tomorrow with our next featured artist for the week (she ROCKS!) and I also hope to see you over at http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/ with another video tutorial. Wait, I will have TWO videos for you over on the Mementos blog tomorrow! :)

Card Camp Giveaway Winners

Hi everyone! WOW! Thanks for the awesome response to the Card Camp Giveaway. And welcome to any new followers- I'm so glad to have you! Now it's time to announce the 3 lucky winners:
Peggy H
Karen James
Maria Fernanda McClure
I've emailed you all! BIG thanks to Kristina and Jennifer for making this givewaway possible.

Be sure to click HERE or scroll down for today's post featuring a stunning creation from Joanne (and another hint)! HUGS!

Joanne Sharpe *Day 3*

Here is our last inspiration piece from Joanne. Such a lovely sketch just brimming with all of her charm and style: art © joanne sharpe 2011
I love her doodles, border, color choices.... yep, I love it ALL!
Here is my take:

The flower, Penny Black 4183K Sparkle, was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. I stamped the image twice, once on the Spellbinders Die Cut Labels 16 and once onto another piece of white paper. The flower was then cut out and mounted with dimensional adhesive onto the die cut piece. After coloring, the die cut piece was distressed with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Background distressed with Dusty Concord and Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Finally, I flicked the purple background using ink from black and purple Stamper's Big Brush Markers which were colored onto an acrylic block, spritzed with water, and then picked up with a paintbrush for the flicking. (hhmmm... is "flick" the technical term for making a big mess? LOL) Flower center is a Candi Dot.

BIG thanks to Joanne for allowing me to share her artwork here on "Inspired by..." this week. She has LOADS of talent and it has been an honor. Thanks to all of you, too, for your visits and comments. Before I leave ya for the weekend, here are all of the hints I've given you so far this week about my big announcement: And when, you ask, will I reveal my BIG secret?? On Monday... can you wait that long?? :) Oh, okay, I'll give you one more little hint....this just might be something you can WIN.... Hope you have an awesome, creative weekend. Happy stamping! HUGS!
Be back soon with the winner of the Summer Card Camp Giveaway!

CASE Study Challenge Blog

I'm up again as the muse at the CASE Study Challenge blog! And can I tell you that your entries last week were so jaw dropping, I think I may need a jaw readjustment... can chiropractors do that? LOL
Here's the inspiration card for this week's challenge, created by me: And here's my take:

The rose, Penny Black4184K Rosa, was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers and the white Pastel Pencil. Card base is a Stampin' Up Top Note Die Cut, cut using black paper. The bottom portion of the card was distressed with Broken China, Brushed Corduroy, and Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink and then flicked with water. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-064 Good Catch. Sentiment and rose adhered with dimensional adhesive.

The overall layout for this card was inspired by the awesome Teneale Williams- you can visit her blog HERE.
Be sure to pop over to the CASE Study Challenge Blog to see the other designer's take on my card and for details on how to play along. I have been checking out all of the cards and want to give everyone a BIG thank you for participating and for your kind words!

Oh, and there is still time to enter my giveaway- details HERE. (Thursday is the last day...ending at 11:59 PM Pacific Time)
I'll be back tomorrow with our last GORGEOUS inspiration piece by Joanne.
And I can't go without leaving you another hint about my big upcoming announcement:

Some of you are pretty close in guessing what all of these hints are about... so fun! :)

Joanne Sharpe *Day 2*

Just wait 'til you see this beautiful painting by Joanne: art © joanne sharpe 2011
And here's my take: I just love this skyline stamp by Penny Black, 3883K Cityscape! I stamped it twice and colored with Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. These markers really give a fun painted look to regular marker coloring-easy and quick. :) I cut out 3 of the buildings and mounted them onto the original image using dimensional adhesive. The blue background (sky) began as white cardstock which was distressed with Broken China, Faded Jeans, and Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink and then flicked with water. The tan background was distressed with Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Finally, the entire card was layered on a blue note card cut from Penny Black Mix and Match Cardstock. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-014 Salutations. See you tomorrow with my next card as the MUSE over at the CASE Study Challenge Blog.
And if you are looking to enter my giveaway, there is still time. Details available HERE.
Before I go let's recap the hints I have given so far this week about my big upcoming announcement: And how 'bout one more?

Inspired by...Joanne Sharpe

I am thrilled to announce that this week's featured artist is the uber-talented Joanne Sharpe. All of Joanne's work which I will be sharing this week is hand-drawn by herself. So, so, SOOO IMPRESSIVE. Take a look at this masterpiece: art © joanne sharpe 2011

I love Joanne's use of bright colors. Her whimsical drawings and hand-lettering just make me smile! And what a great quote, too. Very touching for me personally with my new change in career. Be sure to pop over to her blog so you can take in more of her awesome artwork, my friends!
Here is my take: The background and flowers on this card were colored using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. So that I could have a watercolor look, I colored with the markers on an acrylic block, spritzed with water, and then painted the color on using a paint brush. I also added just a bit of white with a white gel pen on the tips of the petals of the flowers.I drew the border, grass, and some extra doodles on the flower image using a extra-fine tipped Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist Pen. All stamps Penny Black: 3388K Unfold,30-032 Enjoy Life.

Remember, you still have time to sign up for my giveaway- details HERE.
Oh, and shall I give you another hint about my BIG announcement coming soon. Let's see, how about this? Thanks for visiting! HUGS!

PB&J Video Tutorial and GIVEAWAY!!

Here's a look at this week's PB&J card. You can watch the video directly on YouTube in HD HERE or on the Penny Black Blog HERE. And now time for an exciting giveaway. I have 3 spots to giveaway in Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner's awesome upcoming Summer Card Camp online class! Here's a little more info about the class:

Get ready for a summer full of colorful cardmaking fun with Summer Card Camp 2011. Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner have teamed up to bring you a 4-week workshop loaded with fresh color combos, cutting edge techniques, and versatile sketches that will leave you feeling inspired to create! Summer Card Camp is your all-access pass to 48 new card ideas, daily PDFs, twice weekly videos, guest designers (including me!), huge prizes and access to a private blog where you can share your own creations. For more information and to register, visit http://onlinecardclasses.com/summercardcamp2011/classinfo.html.

And, yep, you heard me right, I have 3 spots to giveaway! If you are picked as a winner and have already signed up, you will be given a refund. Here's how to enter the giveaway:
1. Sign up to follow my blog, if you haven't already.
2. Leave a comment on this post.
I will announce the winners on Friday, so be sure to enter!
See you tomorrow with our newest featured artist- I just LOVE her work!
And remember I said I would have some BIG announcements this week... well, I'm going to give you some more hints, just to keep you in suspense a little bit longer. Last Friday we had this:And today I leave you with this:
**6/24/11--GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**

Inspired by...Maddi

I'm so excited to announce a very special guest here on "Inspired by..." It's my sweet niece, Maddi! Maddi is 10 years old and quite the budding artist. She has recently won a couple of coloring contests in her hometown and I just had to share one of her masterepieces here! Take a look: WOW! I love how Maddi colored in this entire picture using tiny, tiny dots. She has chosen a great color scheme, too. And I also can't get over her idea to mix up some of the colors of dots, like on the bear's hat and jacket, to get an even more unique look. Maddi- YOU ROCK!
Here's my take using Maddi's awesome technique:

I began by coloring in the flowers, Penny Black 3865K Gossamer, with a light Copic marker. Next, I added dots using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Artist pens. The background of the flower panel was inked using Peeled Paint and Broken China Distress Ink. The card base was inked with Walnut Stain (bottom) and Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy (top) Distress Ink. Sentiment by Penny Black 30-064 Good Catch.

Thanks soooo much to Maddi for the incredible inspiration. Sending BIG hugs to you and Emma from your Auntie Jill!! :)

Oh, and before I go I just had to share this CUTE picture Maddi drew on the inside of a handmade card she sent me. I am thinking that you, my stamping friends, might relate to this scenario, i.e. stamping away with the hubby knocking on the craft room door! *wink*

Anika *Day 4*

I'm sorry to say that this is our last day of inspiration with Anika. :( But you can always check out more of her fun cards on her BLOG and PHOTOSTREAM. Isn't today's card by Anika great? I love those fun coffee cups and her bold paper choices for her paper piecing. This would make the perfect card to hold a Starbucks gift card for its recipient!
Here is my take:

The floral pieces, Penny Black 30-041 Flowers & Wishes, were stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then distressed with Brushed Corduroy, Broken China, and Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The flowers were colored using Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Stamper's Big Brush Markers. Card base scored using Martha Stewart Score Board and then inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-032 Enjoy Life.

Thanks so much to Anika for allowing me to share her work this week! And thanks to all of you for visiting and for your sweet comments. See you tomorrow with a fun inspiration piece from my beautiful niece and next week with a new featured artist, a giveaway, and some BIG, BIG, BIG announcements! :) Hhhmmm... should I give you a little teaser to think about this weekend? Okay, here it is:

See ya tomorrow! :)

Anika *Day 3* {2nd Post for Today}

I promised lots of cards yesterday so here is my second post for today. :) If you didn't see this morning's earlier post, I hope you'll scroll down and check it out. Here's our next inspiration card by Anika:I have to say that Anika's use of this floral stamp by Penny Black is one of the most unique ways I've seen it stamped. I love how she cut out the flowers and extended them beyond the background. The color scheme is so striking, too!
Here is my take. I kept Anika's overall layout but switched up the colors:
This card was created using a faux watercolor technique which I am sharing over on the FABER-CASTELL DESIGN MEMORY CRAFT blog today. I hope you can pop over and visit. :) If you do, you will see another card featuring this technique and step by step directions on how to achieve the look. Here's a little peek at that other card:

Thanks again for all of your visits! See you tomorrow with another lovely card by Anika!

CASE Study {1st post for today}

It's Thursday so that means it's time for another CASE Study Challenge. I'm having a ball as the muse this month. (Does it ever have to end? LOL) It is such an honor to view all of the entries!

Here is this week's inspiration card by moi:

And here's my take:
The backgrounds on both of these cards were by inking white cardstock with Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick Distress Ink. Next, I flicked the paper with water to create the water spots. The flower, Penny Black 4160K Cheerful, was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic markers. Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-064 Good Catch.

Be sure to visit the CASE STUDY CHALLENGE BLOG for more details, to play along, and to see the beautiful cards by the design team--these ladies are superb stampers! See you a little later this morning with my next post of the day- featuring Anika's inspiration card and a new technique. Stay tuned.... :)