Just Add Ink 53 - an Inspiration Challenge

I have to say a HUGE thank you to the girls over at Just Add Ink this week, for giving us an inspiration challenge - it has been the funnest challenge I have done so far (and that's saying a lot!  They've all been great!).

The directive was: "Take a look at our beautiful picture, take inspiration from it (e.g. from this photo you could take the colours, or flowers, or just something that makes you happy!) and we'd love you to tell us in your link how the picture inspired you."

Here's the picture:

I decided to do a scrapbook page for this challenge - something I have been putting off as I found it a very daunting prospect!  However, once I got started, it just evolved.  So - take heart!  If the thought of filling up a whole 12 x 12 page scares you, it's a lot easier than you think.  :)

There is a story behind this project.  The pictures were taken 14 years ago - the child is my (now) 15-year-old daughter.  I knew one day I would want to do something very special with the pictures and as soon as I saw the Just Add Ink inspiration picture, I knew instantly I wanted to use these particular photos.

The main colour collection I used was the Stampin' Up! Subtles collections - perfect for a light, summery layout.  I deliberately went crazy with the layout of the flowers - I wanted to create the illusion of a wild flowery garden.

I'm not listing every product I used, as it would take forever to list!  However, please feel free to contact me if you would like to know anything about a specific product or technique I have used here.

Enjoy!

More inspiration!

I found another colour combination in the Stampin' Up! Ideas catalogue that I was keen to try out:

Early Espresso / Cherry Cobbler / Crumb Cake / Very Vanilla

The "With Love" flower was made with the Scallop Circle punch.  I had to cut the circle out by hand, as I don't have that size Circle punch (yet!).  I stamped the heart in Rose Red and the words in Soft Suede.

Enjoy.  :)

A little early for Valentine's Day...

But I couldn't wait any longer!  I just LOVE doing blingy, pink girly cards, so I didn't really need any prompting.  It also makes me look ultra-organised.  :)

Lots of brads, Blushing Bride ribbon and my Eyelet Border punch teamed up with Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride and Elegant Eggplant card stock, Cherry Cobbler DSP and the "Delight in Life" stamp set made this such a fun project!

 

Doing a tidy-up... a sneak peek

I thought you might like a behind-the-scenes look at my (constantly evolving!) stamping area!

I find, as  I collect more and more stamping goodies, I need to revamp my storage systems.  I've gone from everything in a 60 litre trundle container to a little desk with some trays to my current load.

My dream is to have a whole ROOM custom-made for stamping... I've seen some absolutely amazing set-ups!  Lucky, lucky ladies!

DESK version 1:

DESK version 2 (as it is now):
FYI - the adorable blue card on my desk is one my 11-year-old daughter just made for me, bless her.  The addiction is contagious!

What you can't see, off to the right of the picture, is the HUGE crate filled with stamp sets!
 

 I'm having a thing about plastic A4 drawer sets at the moment - can you tell???

Just Add Ink 52

The girls over at Just Add Ink have thrown us a neat sketch challenge this week!  Make sure you head over and have a look at the awesome entries - there are some talented ladies out there!!

I haven't done a 3D project for a little while, so I decided to make the Carry It project from Lauren Meader's fantastic My Time Made Easy website - amazing 3D templates for a really affordable price.

I incorporated the sketch challenge into the roof of the house/box:

Ingredients:

Card stock - Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Elegant Eggplant pattern stack.
Ink: Basic Grey, Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Versamark
Stamps: Delight in Life, Too Terrific Tags, Yummy
Misc: silver brad, Top Note die, Eyelet border punch, Extra Large Tag punch.

When you're short on inspiration...

The Stampin' Up! Ideas catalogue is such an amazing resource!  I've been having trouble getting the creative juices flowing lately, so I went to the catalogue (again!!).  There are so many ideas to get you started, whether it's colour combinations, layouts, just name it!

Here's a colour combination I'm loving at the moment: Garden Green & Elegant Eggplant.  They just look yummy together!

Pop on some silver brads and some gorgeous buttons from the Stampin' Up! button die cut and voila!

Just Add Ink 51 - entry two

...and here is my "simple" entry for the Just Add Ink challenge 51:

Ingredients:

Card stock: Basic Black, Basic Grey and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Grey
Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Delight in Life
Miscellaneous: Eyelet Border Punch, silver brads .

Just Add Ink 51 - entry one

I've been a busy girl today!  

The lovely ladies over at Just Add Ink have given us a great THEME challenge this week:

Just Add MONOCHROME!

I managed to get TWO entries completed this week - one busy and one simple.  Here is my "busy" entry:

  

Ingredients:

Card stock & Ink:  Basic Black, Basic Grey and Whisper White

Stamps:  Wings & Things (I think!!) standard roller, Delight in Life, Loving Hearts, Heavenly Days

Miscellaneous:  Beautiful Butterflies die

My first CASE.

A friend asked me make a birthday card for her mum and being seriously short of inspiration, I called upon the talents of Paula Dobson.  Her post about stamping on multiple layers was just what I needed!  Thank you, Paula!

Here's mine:

Wow, cool!

I just received a FAB award from the wonderful Paula Dobson - check out her site if you haven't already.  Thank you so much, Paula!