Inspiration / Emulation

My gran-girlies were over the other day, and we were watching... some chick show that I don't remember at the moment, but the girls surprised me when one of them piped up and said; "I get to be her!"

As a girl, my sisters and I did likewise while watching glamorous movie stars, Miss America, or just Disney Princesses... As if just saying those words could magically endow us with the qualities of the person we were admiring.
I was surprised to hear that they still do this! :-)

...To this day there are still beautiful, talented, amazing women who I look up to am inspired by, and try to emulate.

This first card was inspired by Miss Melissa Phillips - the first place I always go for inspiration...
(You may recognize this as the victim of the cutting phantom from the previous post - I gave it some paper 911 and saved it! :-)


Melissa's inspiration piece:


(via lilybeans paperie)

I also found this room that I love, and tried to incorporate the color scheme into my card. (I will probably use this scheme again and again - love it!)


(via Tiny White Daisies)

This card was also inspired by Miss Phillips - I changed out the colors and brightened it up a bit...



Sometimes the inspiration is so perfect as it is, that I can't bear
to change it - at all;

The inspiration for this card was by Viola Mahr, whose work is so tantalizingly yummy - love to just hang on her website and drool...
Her card;

(via Viola Mahr )
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Hello.

Spent a little time in the craft room this month.
Not much to show for it though. The weather has been so gloomy here, that it's knocked my creativity clear to Halifax.

This wee little card is almost a carbon copy of one I saw online;
(mine)

The Inspiration:

(via Lilybean's Paperie.) I love her art!

A couple of weeks ago, I had a craft day with the grand girls. We made squash books;


open book


Then, while we were visiting with their parents, the little one snuck into my room and tried her hand at creating...
She chopped up a few of the cards I've been working on. (Who knew she was paying attention when I showed the other girls how to use the cutter?)


She also had some fun with my camera - unfortunately, she left evidence behind of who-dunnit. (Silly girl!)



I've got some projects going for a little to-do we're having this weekend.
I've had some extra work hours this week, so I hope I'll be able to get them done.

Happy Easter Y'all! :-)
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Recovery Time

I've been on R&R for the last couple of weeks while recovering from surgery. Been spending lots of time at home trying to keep myself entertained...

I did a little Birdwatching...
(The Doves have returned to the back yard)



Reading...
(Love this series by Josi Kilpack. Fun cozy mysteries with the added bonus of a few yummy recipes thrown in - this is her newest one. Can't wait for the next one coming out this fall!)



Browsing magazines, such as Artful Blogging, looking for new ideas and inspirations...


...And this one:
(Don't laugh, I know it's a little out of character for me, but when I flipped through the pages, the beautiful horse photos reminded me of my dad and my childhood home, and I had to have it.)

The fact that all three of these books are color coordinated is purely coincidental.



Watching favorite DVD's and looking up fashions from the show...
(Ghost Whisperer and Polyvore)



One day, while browsing some favorite sites, I ran across a blog hop, and was led to Lizabits blog, and a fun color challenge. I was so taken by this photo. It was so bright and Springy, and reminded me of a hutch that my daughter in law gave my son for his birthday.


Brad's hutch - (I helped a little with the paint job)


I usually don't work much with Yellow, but I was inspired enough to try...

...And even a second one...

I found this great tutorial for tying the scrunched ribbon bows on Kimberly's Craft Spot, which made me really happy because I've always wanted to know how it's done!


I was hoping to get a lot more done than this during my off-time,
but I haven't had as much energy for it as I hoped.
Lots of new inspirations for the future though!

Hubby will be traveling for work again soon, and I don't start working until later next week, so hopefully there will be time to try a few more.

On a sadder note - I saw on the news today that the Scrapbook USA Expo is going on this weekend. It has been a traditional girls' day outing for the past several years, but I didn't see it coming around this time. Since Libby is living 3 states away now, I'm not keeping track of things very well...
(Not that I need any more supplies, but it was always a fun little excursion for me, my daughter in law, and her sister.)

Oh well, there's always this fall...
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Gothic Romance

Valentines is an opportunity to to continue an ongoing love affair - with Black & White. Yum, my favorite combination. Add a pop of red for drama, and I am in love!

...Just being silly, but truly, it is my favorite.

Just a couple of Valentines today - I found a sketch online that inspired this one. I wish I could remember where... But it reminded me of a tuxedo, so that's how I used it.

This one was for my darling daughter. You'd have to know her - trust me, it's perfect. :-)

That's all this week - taking time off to read...
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Groundhog Day

I can see the sun today, and I understand ole Punxatawny Phil saw it too. Casting shadows all over the place.
Here's hoping his prediction of an early Spring comes true - I could sure use it!

Been playing with some sketches this week, while also playing with the notion of applying for Lucy's design team again.
(My Sketch World)

Sometimes it takes having deadlines and responsibilities to get things done regular-like...

Spring on the brain

I like how this turned out - would be a nice wedding card

Just a couple more and I'll be done...

One extra - just fooling those new dies again.
(I always think of my daughter in law when I do cherries ^.^)

Take Two

Me again...

I've done a little more playing this week, more images to share.

I'm so taken with anything Vintage these days, trying to reflect that in my cards.
Most of these papers etc. have been in my stash forever - time to use it or lose it, I say.
Thanks to inspirations & sketches from some of my favorite websites.
Biblios.
I think this tag is My Mind's Eye, the papers are Basic Grey.

Birdsong. BG papers again

Bloom Where you're planted.
K&Co. and DCWV papers - seed packets are also K&Co.

Grow.
Another seed packet experiment (I love these!) K&Co. and Stampinup papers

and just for fun - another painting that I finished recently. It's meant to go with an earlier one as a pair...

Sometimes you just gotta try....

*Brushing back cobwebs* Achooo! it's a mess in here...

Someone left a little device on my computer desk, so I thought I'd give it a try - what have I got to loose after all? Don't know what this thing's called, but you insert camera card and plug it in - instant download.

Amazingly, it worked. And just in time - I had lots of time off this week, so I've been playing with some Christmas gifts that had yet to be opened.

Just a few little cards to share with you...

Firstly, some Valentines I made with my gran's in mind.

This one is for my little gremlin Ellie (She's unique and not conventional in any way.)

This one is for Millie-Moo.
She was over one day (a couple of years ago,) when I told her I was going to leave for a bit to go to a Quickutz warehouse sale.
She pleaded to come with me, so we loaded up and went - just the 2 of us.
We had a fun day. She enjoyed looking at all the fun shapes (and was very patient with grandma as she made the rounds more than once.)
I rewarded her patience by treating her to lunch at one of my favorite teenage hangouts.
She still remembers the stories I told her as we sat there.
(Hey, somebody's got to document granny's life...)
She picked out this dress die that day. This is the first occasion I've had to use it.
I'm hoping she'll view the card not only as a sign of grandma's love, but also as a reminder of a fun day we spent together.

This one is for Miss Jane (Arilie)

I made these two to try out the Martha Stewart doilies I recently got in the mail.
I've been looking for them forever, and finally found some on ebay...



I've had these cute owls (K&Company) in my stash forever, time to do something with them or give them away...

My oldest daughter hates Valentines. I was thinking of her when I put this one together... (Looking for some rhinestone hearts to add some bling.)

That's the sum total of my creating to date - that should do me for another 6 months... right? (LOL)
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*All papers excepting the butterfly card and the Red Queen card are Basic Grey - butterfly dimensional sticker and paper: K&Co.) Red floral paper and oval tag on the dress card are from SEI.
The Red Queen cut-out is Graphic 45, the candelabra sticker, Martha Stewart, papers Die Cuts With a View. The felt heart stickers are from JoAnn's Fabrics.
Ribbons from my stash.
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