Dream It - FYI #38

Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying the week.   It keeps getting colder here... minus 25 Celsius this morning... brrrrrr.... but we did see some sunshine ! 

I created this card for Designs by Ryn.    When I was working on the background, the photo from the For Your Inspiration Challenge Site came to my mind.    The photo for this challenge (see bottom of post) is beautiful and features vibrant oranges so I'm joining in !    The Design Team had been on a hiatus for a while, but they started back this month with their wonderful designs inspired by gorgeous photos.  

I love Ryn's Starfish Set, the texture on the design is awesome.   I also used her popular Water Droplets and the wonderful quote is from Chocolate Baroque's Words of Inspiration set.   

The background & Starfish were sprayed with Dylusions Ink.   I inked over the background using Distress Inks & stencils.   I used Black Stazon Ink for the stamping with the exception of the gold embossing under the starfish.  I used a white Gel Pen for the highlight on the water droplets and added Star Dust Stickles to the starfish.

And below is the beautiful Inspiration Photo.

If you have a chance, please drop by Miranda's and Eileen's Blogs, both with lots of inspiration,  who are also on Ryn's Design Team.   Also Ryn's Facebook page is full of ideas using her stamps.

Thanks for your visit and have a great day !
Shirley

Bold Blooms For Your Inspiration - FYI #36

Hello everyone !   I hope you are having a fabulous week.   We are enjoying wonderful late summer weather, lots of sunshine !   

I was inspired to create a card for the FYI #36 Challenge at For Your Inspiration when I saw their gorgeous inspiration photo (see bottom of post).   They are taking a break until January, so this is the last challenge for a while. 

I'm also entering my card into Simon Says Stamp and Show as their current challenge is "No Rules", so anything goes !    

This is my interpretation of the photo.  I had a lot of fun trying to re-create the texture & colours.   It also gave me the chance to use my new Chocolate Baroque, Textured Fragments Set (which my sweet Sis kindly gave me) along with their Bold & Fresh Blooms Sets:



To create the background I started with Tombow markers, then sprayed with water & salt.   After it was dry I sprayed with Dylusions Inks, used a bit of white acrylic paint along with a couple of Crafters Market templates (TWC 278S & 239S).   I also used a couple of the great images from the Textured Fragment set and stamped using Chipped Sapphire Distress Marker.    

I embossed the flower & leaves with Eggplant EP (deep purple), then coloured with Tombow markers & water.   I added holograph glitter (hard to see in photo) in the little circles.  I thought about adding a sentiment to the top RH corner, but I didn't want to cover up anymore of the background.

And below is the gorgeous inspirational photo...love it !

Thanks for your visit & have a great day !

Shirley

Life is Beautiful

Hello everyone !

My sister is out visiting today, and it's raining so I had unexpected time for crafting.     I decided to work on a card to enter into the For Your Inspiration  Challenge Blog (FYI #35)  before it closes in 4 days.   I always find the photos and creations from the DT inspiring.  See bottom of this post for this challenge's photo, it's a beauty !

I was going through all my stamps with my Sister yesterday and when I saw this one I had the desire to create something with it.   I've always been 'in love' with this design, but haven't used it for at least a year & half.    How does the time go by so fast ?    Too many stamps and not enough time :)

Since I've used a 'forgotten' stamp, this also qualifies for Judiths' Forgotten Friday as well.  If you have a chance to visit Judith's blog you won't be disappointed, she creates beautiful work !

Stamps:   Hero Art - S5356 Etched Medallion
               Impression Obsession - CC027 Cover a Card - Flourishes
               Rubber Stamped - A1102E Fern
               "Life is Beautiful" sentiment stamp was included in the gift package at the Art Specially show in Zeist, The Netherlands in April.   I wasn't there, but my sweet Sis kindly gave me hers  :)

Dies used:   Marianne Design LR0150 (blue leafy branch)
                  Crealies CL CS 11 - green leaves

The background for this card was created by using a sheet of paper from the Basic Grey Kioshi Collection (6x6 pad).   I stamped over this sheet using the CAC - Flourishes with Brilliance Galaxy Gold Ink. 

The narrow strip across the background is a piece of left-over watercolour paper that I dipped into Peacock Feathers DI that was rubbed onto my craft mat and sprayed with water.  I then stamped it with the Fern stamp & Mowed Grass DI. 

The flower was stamped and embossed with Gold EP three times.  The powder has a bit of glitter in it, which gives an uneven texture and a bit of sparkle.    I coloured the flower with my Tom Bow markers and cut out them out in sections to layer as shown. 

"Life is Beautiful" was stamped with Colorbox Harbor Pigment Ink.   I also added rhinestones. 

And below is the Inspiration Photo:

By the way, some of my blogland friends have been asking about my knee.  I'm happy to report that I'm doing great.  Not a 100% (yet) but I'm thrilled to be back to most of my regular activities !

Thanks for your visit & have a great day !     
Shirley

Flowers Feed the Soul - FYI #33

Hello everyone,  I hope you had a great weekend.

The gorgeous photo (at the bottom of this post) from the For Your Inspiration Challenge Blog inspired me to create this card for their Challenge- FYI #33.    Visit their blog to be inspired by the DT creations !  

I used stamps from both Bold Bloom and Fresh Bloom Sets from Chocolate Baroque to create this card.  I've been in love with these designs since I first saw them last Fall at Miranda's Blog: Miracle 'art' Inspirations.   I bought them recently & was excited to use them for this challenge as I could 'see' the shapes matching the inspiration photo.   However this card was also inspired by Miranda :)  

I embossed all the images with Silver and coloured with Tombow markers:  245, 249, 452, 493.     I stamped the large flower 3 times to decoupage the center pieces.   I used Mowed Lawn Distress Ink around the die cut (Spellbinder S4-143).  I  stamped the small flower at random on the blue card stock with Wisper Grey Colorbox Pigment ink.  The finishing touches includes silver border stickers & a few rhinestones.

And below is the gorgeous photo inspiration, wouldn't it be a wonderful place to visit ?   I've used the photo colours in my card, including the grey from the walkway in the silver embossing.   I see the curve of the cedars in the leaves and the same shape at the top of the structure openings on the points of flower petals.    

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the week !

Shirley

Paisley Pinwheel - FYI #31

Hello again Crafters !

It's very unusual for me to post two days in a row, never mind twice in one day, but here I am again, this time with a card for the For Your Inspiration Challenge #31.       The photo for this challenge is at the end of this post.    If you have a chance, visit FYI's blog to see all the DT & participants creations, they are beautiful !

This card is pretty much the opposite of the clean & simple style from this morning's post :)      I was inspired to get my Kaleidacolor Creole Spice Ink out for this challenge by Sylvia at Poppys Papercraft Patch as she used it for her Creation as a DT member.  Thank you Sylvia, your creation reminded me that I have Kaleidacolor inks waiting to come out again.

 I posted a similar card last fall for an IO challenge, but it had a completely different background and different colours.  I also taught a workshop in April 2011 with a similar design.  If you were there this will look familiar.   

I used my brayer to ink up IO's Cover A Card Large Paisley CC039 with the Creole Spice Kaleidacolor Ink.   I use the Mega Mount with CAC stamps.   

The Paisleys are from IO's Paisleys set 3061-MD and the center circle is from another IO set Butterflies & Blossoms CL119.   All were embossed with gold and coloured by blending Distress Inks and then adding a little accent with Distress Markers.  Next I painted over top with Mica Color Interference paints which gives it quite a shine !    I also added some holograph glitter after is was all put together.

Also used:  Spellbinder S4143 & CB Paisley Embossing folder for the center strip.

And below is the Inspiration Photo.......

Well that is ALL for today !
Thanks for your visits & kind comments, they are appreciated.  Have a great week,
Shirley

Life's Truest Happiness

Hello Crafters !

We enjoyed our long weekend, the weather has been so beautiful.   It seems like late June with tempatures in the high 20's & sunny.     Our perennials are 3 weeks ahead of 'schedule'.

I'm posting another card that I created using a texture stamp from Designs by Ryn .   These texture stamps are great for creating backgrounds.   I used Design by Ryn's Circle Cluster Set CM-T7.

I'm entering this card into For Your Inspiration Photo Challege #30.   The DT & participants create wonderful designs if you have a chance to visit their blog.    The Inspiration photo is at the bottom of this post.

The background was created using the Acrylic Block technique with Distress Inks.  (Wild Honey & Crushed Olive).  The colour in the photo is a little off from the original, it doesn't have 'muddy' colours.      I stamped the large Cluster Image with Memento Cocoa Dye Ink and a few of the single circles with Gold Pigment Ink (hard to see in the photo).    The sentiment is from a great set by Fiskers - Friends Forever Quotes also stamped with the Cocoa Ink.   I added a little sheer brown/gold ribbon along with a circle charm I had in my stash.   An easy card !

Design by Ryn- Circle Cluster set CM-T7

FYI # 30 Inspiration Photo

The above sunset photo is gorgeous & reminds me of being at the Naples Pier in Florida.   We've enjoyed watching sunsets there.    I thought the colours on the card reflected a sunset.   I don't own any palm tree stamps but with a little imagination maybe the circles can be tops of palm trees !

Thanks for stopping by & have a great week!  
Shirley

Fairy at Sunrise

Hello Crafters !   

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I had fun today with wonderful ladies in a class over at Crop Circles teaching the background technique with Tom Bows, Water & Salt .   Wow, what a mess we can make when 'playing', but the ladies created beautiful work !    Helen (owner of Crop Circles) will send me photos and I'll get them posted soon.   

Last night I worked on another card using this technique to show the ladies today.  I was inspired by the photo (see bottom of this post) from For Your Inspiration's Blog and this is my second entry into their current (FYI #28) challenge.

I'm also entering this card into Craft a Scene Challenge #4, as the theme is to use a Silhouette this month.

It's worth taking time to check out both Challenge Blogs as they feature awesome creations from both the DT and participants ! 

The background was created using Tom Bow markers, water & salt.    The 'grass' was created by using a stamp from the Hero Art CL428 Set which was stamped several times (partly off the page) & embossed with gold.  The little fairy silhouette is from Class Act Inc. ANGF316C (sm butterfly pixie) stamped with ColorBox Boysenberry Pigment Ink and embossed with Clear.  

The picture below is from For Your Inspiration's Blog.    I can't stopping look at this, it's such a gorgeous photo !

That's all for this evening.  Thanks for all your visits, they are appreciated ! 

Shirley 

A Fiesta Flower For Your Inspiration

Good Evening Crafters !

I hope you are having a great week.   It was warm & sunny here today in Ontario.  We are enjoying an early Spring with lots of flowers blooming... wonderful !

I'm entering this card into two challenges today.   Impression Obsessions challenge this Thursday is "Flower Power" - all the details & creations are here at Impression Obsession's Blog .

I planned to use IO's  "Fiesta Flower" and when I saw the "For Your Inspiration" photo challenge for this week (see  photo at the bottom of this post) I thought the colours suited a 'Fiesta Flower' !    All the details & creations for FYI Challenge #28 are here at For Your Inspiration Blog.

IO Stamps used:  CC0159 CAC Spatter, H2330 Fiesta Flower & B3552 "Just a Note".

The background is a sheet from Basic Grey's Lime Rickey collection which I stamped using 'Spatter Cover a Card' with Dusty Concord Distress Ink and then blended a little more around the outer edges.

I embossed the Fiesta Flower with black on the background and five more times on white smooth cardstock.    I coloured the flowers & leaves with either Dusty Concord or Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks and cut out various sections as shown.   I popped up a couple of the layers.   I added further color with Prisma Pencils including a little green which I see in the photo. 

The sentiment was stamped & embossed with black on Spellbinders S4-322 Grommet Tag with Spiced Marmalade & a little Shabby Shutters Distress Inks blended over the lettering.

The final touches are a piece of hand dyed silk ribbon, green & purple stickles and a few green rhinestones.

And below is the  photo for the FYI Challenge #28.   Now that these photos are together, I see that my purple is showing blue tone.    It really is more purple - honest  !  I always have trouble getting purples to look the right shade in photos.  

Isn't this scene gorgeous ?   I have another idea that I hope to get onto paper and enter into the challenge as well.

Well that's it for this evening !   Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate your visits & kind comments ! 
Have a great weekend !
Shirley

Dream in Black & White

Hello Crafters !   I hope you are having a good week.    I had fun today with a few wonderful crafty friends that were here for a "Card Play Day".      We taught each other techniques while chatting, drinking tea and enjoying lots of goodies :)   It was such a relaxing & fun day !

We also 'played' with our inks, trying out different colours etc.   I remembered the 'For your Inspiration Challenge'  photo that featured a stormy sky.   I tried creating a similar effect with Smooch Inks.    These are very different colours for me with interesting results and this evening I created a card with the background I created.   

I'm entering this card into the FYI #27 Challenge.    You will find the wonderful creations by the Design Team and details here at For Your Inspiration Blog.

The background was created by blending Black & Silver Smooch Inks and then adding more silver on top with an acrylic block.  I also sprayed it with Silver Glimmermist.   I wish you could see the glimmer & sheen, but as usual you can't see it in the photo. 

I created the flower with a clear stamp set from Impression Obsession - CL119 Butterflies & Blossoms.   You can create butterflies or flowers with the individual pieces.   I embossed the petals & centre with black and arranged them on the background with the centre popped up.     I added the sentiment "Dream" from the Life Sentiments set from Kaisercraft, also embossed in black.     I also added a border of rhinestones.

Below is the Photo Inspiration for this Challenge.    That sky is pretty mysterious ! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend !

Shirley    

A Faerie Poppet - FYI #26

Hello Crafters,  I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

During our recent vacation in Scotland I was able to visit a lovely Craft Store with one of Jim's (my DH) cousins.    I ended buying a Faerie Poppet stamp set by Creative Expressions.   A nice souvenir of  the UK!  There are 3 sweet Fairies and a couple of sentiments in the set.   These are quite different than any of the stamps in my collection and I was able to get them out this weekend to give them a try.    

While it's close to the April 4th deadline, I'm entering this card into the For your Inspiration Challenge  (FYI Challenge #26).   Visit their Blog to see the beautiful work posted by the Design Team.   This is my first time joining in, but I've been admiring Sylvia's creations, who is a member of their Design Team, for several months.  You can find her designs at her Blog -  Poppy's Papercraft Patch.   

I stamped one of the Faeries from the Fairy 2 set by Creative Expressions onto watercolor paper with Black Stazon ink and colored her with my Tombow markers using water & brushes.   I used the "FYI" photo (see bottom of this post) as inspiration for coloring my Fairy.  The image has a lot of detail, I think she is sweet.   I added lots of holograph glitter to highlight areas and had fun creating flowers with my new Crealie dies.  (I love the Crealies, can't wait to build the collection!) 

Dies used:  Crealie Flowers CL CF 17, Crealie Shapes CL CS 11 and Spellbinder Nestability Label Eight S5-019.   

The green DP is from a 2008 Basic Grey mini pad - 'Boxer'.  Wow it's been here that long ?  At least I only have 1/2 of the pad left.  The burgundy DP is from a K&C Company mini pad - Christmas Cheer. 

Below is the gorgeous photo inspiration for this challenge.   What a beautiful place !  My reds, especially in crealie flowers, are not as orange/red as I would like them to be to match this photo.   However I painted a little orange into a few of the flowers, the wood branches that my fairy is sitting on matches the tree branches below and the greens blend in.   I think this Fairy could be sitting somewhere in this forest :) 

Well that's all for now.   Thanks for visiting and enjoy your day !
Shirley