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Etsy Inspired #99--7.31.10

Happy Saturday!!

  I hope you're all doing well this weekend! This week I've been busy working on submissions, organizing my ribbons onto a fabulous to new ribbon rack, moving cards around and working on projects for my design teams. I made a nice buy this week on a spinning card rack to put in the office I share with my hubby. A favorite boutique store of mine (one that my mother and I have spent years buying the most precious Christmas ornaments, jewelry and home items at) is finally closing. This was upsetting news as this store has been a staple for my mom and I as well as many others to shop at, meet at and be inspired. The most wonderful owner Natalie and her parrot, Jake will be moving to Florida to take care of her mom, so I wish her well. However, she was having a marvelous sale, and this spinning card rack was a perfect find in organizing my cards. Here's a picture of it. I am currently using it to hold cards for publication submissions, and cards that I plan to put on Esty to sell!

My NEW Card rack!

  My other fabulous purchase in helping to organize the office was a wall-mountable ribbon holder from Michael's for $11.99!! I love the way the ribbons hanging on it bring a splash of color to the wall. On top I have little containers holding specialty ribbons, buttons and Copic's. Here's that fabulous find.


My NEW Ribbon rack

  So, hopefully these two purchases will help keep my work area more organized. But, now for the yummy post for this week. I was excited to see the shop for this week's Etsy Inspired challenge. This week we are inspired by the work of Becky Kazana. Becky's shop specializes in wedding cake decor, party supplies, cards and gifts with motifs such as love birds and pipettes. Here are some yummy designs of her that I loved in particular and inspired me:






  So, the Glittery Love Birds and Love Birds with Rosehip and Russet with Violets are the two pieces in this shop that inspired me! Here are my two designs. The first card was inspired by the Glittery birds and the pearls and leaves used in the topper. The second card was inspired by the actual birds in the cake topper and it's woodland whimsical theme.




A close-up of the details




A close-up of the details

  For this challenge, I was lucky because the paper's and birds on the branch that I used were left over supplies from  my wedding centerpieces and the birds on my favors. Here's some pictures from the centerpieces and favors that resemble the work of this shop, which is probably why I love this shop so much.

 
The centerpieces were wrapped in various patterned paper that fit the brown and pink color scheme. Cherry blossom branches held handmade matted pictures on patterned paper that showcased my husband and I growing up. Additionally, "quilled" paper rolls surrounded the centerpiece, while Swarvoski crystals hung from the branches.

Close-up of the matted photos hanging from the cherry blossom branches, which were a main motif of the wedding in addition to the little birdies.


Favors that held little birds in love on a nest. Cherry Blossoms adorn the top before you open the box to find little chocolate eggs that wish you "Bon Ape-tweet!"

  Okay, so enough of that! I just couldn't help but share what else you could do with the precious birdies and nests that Becky Kazana uses in her designs. I hope the cards, and wedding extras will inspire you this week to create something fabulous. Remember to make sure and post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. This week's winner will have the opportunity to win three  fabulous cards from the shop, including this card titled "Waiting on You"one!


  
      This week's sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps. Bugaboo Stamp's is an online store of digistamps. Digital stamps are files that you download to your computer and from there you can color, paint or paper piece the stamp image. Her collections range from cutesy to her collection of ladies with attitude. Bugaboo Stamp's has a wide selection of stamps, so you're sure to find something fabulous that inspires you! Bugaboo Stamp's is generously awarding the winner with 7 digistamps of their choice! Wow!! So, get creating for your chance to win.

  And, don't forget that next week is our BIG 100th Challenge event! Lots of Sponsors and Lots of GOODIES for the winner! 

 Make sure to post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. And, make sure to also take a look at the beautiful, amazing work of the Etsy Design Team to help inspire you!


MATERIALS:

"Happy Anniversary" Glittery Bird Card
Cardstock: (Vintage white) Papertrey Ink.
Patterned Paper: (Lullaby Lane colleciton) Webster's Page's.
Fibers: (White satin ribbon) Offray.
Clear Stamp: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Chalk Ink: (Creamy Brown) Clearsnap.
Dye Ink: (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko.
Accents: (Bird chipboard die-cuts) American Crafts. (White pearls) Michael's.
Other: (Circle Punch) Fiskars. (Dies) Spellbinder's. (Twig). (Gold leaf, berries) Michael's.

" Birdies in Love" Card
Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Brown, pink, green, orange) Bazzil Paper
Patterned Paper: Assorted papers from Basic Grey and Anna Griffin.
Fibers: (Pink satin ribbon) Offray.
Clear Stamp: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Chalk Ink: (Creamy Brown) Clearsnap. (Pixie Petal) Tsukineko.
Dye Ink: (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko.
Accents: (White & pink pearls) Michael's. (Flowers) Prima. (Chipboard frame) Tattered Angels. (Birds) Create For Less
Other: (Border Edge Punch) Martha Stewart.




Etsy Inspired #98--7.24.10

Happy Saturday Everyone!

  Hey all! I hope you had a terrific week! I know I did!! Three of my cards were chosen for the Paper Crafts January/February 2011 issue! It's the first issue of the new year, so it's always fun to see what new features and columns that they've come up with. In addition, my new sewing machine arrived, it has yet to come out of the box because I have sworn to myself that I will not use it until I have read the instruction book in it's entirety! I will master the machine.
  Additionally, my birthday gift arrived--a Big Shot Die-cut machine and some dies. The only down part is that I can't use it until after August 4th! Hmmm....I may have to use it when my DH isn't looking. My mom  even took me with her to pick out my present--Four more Spellbinder's dies and an adorable chandelier die! I have a very fabulous family that supports my addiction. I have been waiting for a Die-cut machine since March!!
  So, onto the challenge for this week. Remember, there are only two more challenges until our 100th Challenge with fabulous sponsors and prizes!!
 This week's sponsor is EmenGee Designs. This stores makes the most precious hand-embroidered coin purses and accessories, including necklaces and earrings. Some fabulous products that you can find at EmenGee Designs are:














See!! Her creations are delectable!! I love the simplicity of the design mixed with the whimsical images, so I decided to work with a product of hers that really inspired me





Here's what I came up with:

"Chirp" Hello Card

A yummy mix of Kraft cardstock and a whimsical print on fabric paper from Dear Lizzie by American Crafts with a cute banner held up by glitter buttons!




  This week's sponsor is   Robyn's Fettish Digital Stamps . Robyn's Fettish Digital Stamps is proud to support this challenge. They offer images in a wide variety of styles and themes for all occasions. Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps is a division of I Did It Creations. Created and owned by Robyn Weinrib, I Did It Creations is a paper craft shop with it's own forum, designed for all paper addicts. The shop includes many talented designers of digital stamps, digital scrapbook products, custom made cards and cutting files. The mission of I Did It Creations is to bring all women together in order to showcase their talents and sell their creations. Robyn's Fettish Digital Stamps is pleased to offer this week's winner three digital stamps of their choice! So, make sure to submit your creation to Etsy Inspired Challenge by Friday for your chance to win!

  So, I was intrigued by the idea of a digital stamp. I chose this image from Robyn's Fettish Digital Stamps to create a fun card with! Boy, did I have fun. To use this digital stamp, I took the image and printed it out on different patterned paper and cardstock. I then cut out different parts of the digital stamp from the assorted papers and "pieced" it together into a final composition. I love how it came out!





Here's my project using the Digital Stamp from this week's sponsor




Here's a close-up of the layered digital stamp image


  That's just one way of using a digital stamp! What other ways can you think of?


Don't forget that in two weeks is our 100th Challenge event! Lots of Sponsors and Lots of GOODIES for the winner!

So, make sure to post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. For inspiration from our wonderful team of designers check out their blogs.




MATERIALS:

"Chirp" Hello Card
Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Yellow)
Patterned Paper: (Sunny Spot from Dear Lizzie collection) American Crafts.
Specialty Paper: (Fabric paper from Dear Lizzie collections) American Crafts
Fibers: (Pink floss) DMC.
Accents: (Sentiment rub-on, glitter buttons) American Crafts.
Chalk Ink: (Tea Leaves) Tsukineko
Other: (Circle Punch) Fiskars

"Loads of Love" Card

Cardstock: (White) Michael's. (Brown, pink, green, orange) Bazzil Paper
Patterned Paper: (Adorable & Wonderful from Enchanting collection) Pink Paislee.
Fibers: (Pink twill) Joann's
Digital element: (Image) Robyn's Fettish Digital Stamps
Other: (Corner rounder Punch) Fiskars












Etsy Inspired #97--7.17.10



Happy Saturday!


I hope you are doing well this week! My week has been so busy! I have been working on tons of designs for a submission call, and I will finally be getting the designs in on Monday. Some of my hard work paid off, as one of my designs was accepted by Cards magazine for their December 2010 issue, so yay!


My husband has been gone all week on a business trip to his company's corporate office located in Brighton, Michigan. The upside is I have uninterrupted time to create, but the down side is that I have uninterrupted time to create. A girl can't win. It's nice to have a husband around to share my work with, share my day with and talk to. As much as I love Mr. Green, our parrot, it's just not the same. So, I am looking forward to next thursday when he comes home.


This week was an exciting week for me. Three things happened, two good and one bad, we'll start with the bad news. On Sunday my second sewing machine broke! I was so frustrated! Singer's quality has really gone down. For two weeks my Pixie Plus worked perfectly! Then on Sunday it jammed, and never could pick up the bobbin thread. So, after reading it's terrible reviews thinking, "why did I buy this?" The good news is that my dear husband felt so bad that he helped me research, and buy a new machine. I don't need something advanced, as I am not a serious sewer, but I read a lot of terrific reviews on the Brother xl3750 , so I got that one! I hope I don't break it!


The other good news is that I finally was able to order my birthday gift!! I have been dying for a Die Cut machine, so that I could make die cut and emboss not only paper, but chipboard, fabric and felt so that I can make my own embellies! Well, I looked around and got a Big Shot by Sizzix on sale for 40% off from Joann's, the cutting mats were also on sale and I got three dies on sale too! I got the Spellbinder's Labels two and Labels three and the Large Classic Squares Dies. I will of course act super surprised, and even better--I got free shipping!


Well, now we get to the main fabulousness of this post! This week's inspiration is
Mermaid's Tears. This shop sells handmade Sea glass or Mermaid's Tears as it is also known. Sea glass is a wonderful natural creation filled with magic, legends and an air of mystery. Designs are all creative and original and include beautiful materials such as Swarovski starfish, sterling silver, sea glass in rare lavenders, blues, greens and other colors. This shop can provide many paths of inspiration for you! As an added bonus, Mermaid's tears may be able to give you your inspiration piece (a $25 value!)


Some beautiful images I really enjoyed and were inspired by were the


Obviously, I can't exactly replicate these beautiful works of art verbatim, but I did come up with my own adaptations!

For the card above I sewed Jolee's Jewels onto a card in vertical lines. The jewels are actually crystallized with Swarovski crystal elements so the jewels really sparkle! The grouped in little clusters to create fun points of interest. I was inspired by the jewels used in the Frosty White Sea Glass  Sea Goddess pendant to create the "Life's Simple Pleasures" card



For second card above, I was inspired by the dangling Sea Glass earrings. I like the metal scroll work of the earrings. I cannot make that beautiful scrollwork, however I used metal clasps that I found at Joann's Fabrics as one of the main elements in my card. I also love the sea glass used in Mermaid's Tears shop, so I found some beads that look like sea glass and placed them between the clasps. The kraft cardstock resembles the sandy beach, and makes for a nice contrast.  

This week our sponsor is  Denami Design.  Denami makes fun, whimsical stamps and sells quality ink, stamping supplies and other paper craft products. For ideas, tips and techniques visit Denami's blog. Denami is offering this week's winner a $30 gift certificate to use in their store!! You can get whatever fabulous product your heart desires!

Oooh! Were getting close to Etsy's 100th Challenge Event

As you've probably already noticed our Etsy challenges are getting closer to the #100! To celebrate our 100th Etsy challenge we will have the opportunity to not only win the Sponsor's prize, but also to win a prize from each of the design team's blogs. Here's how it works: submit your design to the Etsy for a chance to win the spnsor's prize (100 goodies!), but you can also win by leaving a comment on each design team's blog for a chance to win the prize  that they're giving away. I hope you'll join us for this fabulous event

So, make sure to post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. For inspiration from our wonderful team of designers check out their blogs.



MATERIALS:


Life's Simple Pleasure's Card:
CARDSTOCK: (White) Papertrey Ink
ACCENTS: (Crystals) Jolee's Jewels
CLEAR STAMP: (Sentiment from Shapes by Design) Papertrey Ink
CHALK INK: (Tea Leaves) Tsukineko

Make a Wish Card:
CARDSTOCK: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink
ACCENTS: (Beads) Blue Moon (Clasp) Joann's
CLEAR STAMP: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages) Papertrey Ink
CHALK INK: (Creamy Brown) Clearsnap
OTHER: (Circle Punch) Fiskars










































EIC #96 July 10 2010

Happy Saturday!!
This week's challenge was inspired by the beautiful antique china of Depression Glass and Milk Glass and other wonderful vintage finds which can be found at a
Octavia Brown I am very fond of vintage ware such as Bauer Pottery, Bakelite and my personal favorite, Fiestaware which is our everyday china. So, I was thrilled to create for this week's challenge!!


For my design, I was inspired by the ruffly texture of milk glass, the beautiful green of depression glass and a pewter bird that I found on the site. I decided to make this card simple, and clean as the inspiration pieces were generally simple in design, with very few froo-froo details.


Well, do we have a treat for you! One lucky winner will win a
set of 7 Vintage etched depression glass plates from Octavia Brown, so make sure to link up your design to Etsy Inspired #96 by Friday for your chance to win!





This week's sponsor is Charleston Scrapbooking and they are providing a generous prize Surprise pack full of Cosmo Cricket paper pack, dew drops, chipboard album and more! OOhhh! I love Cosmo Cricket---so make sure to link up at Etsy Inspired #96 by Friday for your chance to win!

Check out the Designer's for inspiration, and play along

Ashley

De

Emily N

Joy

Kerry

Savannah

Stephanie

Virginia



Heather (July Guest)

EIC #95 July 3 2010






Good morning everyone! This week's EtsyInspired shop is Kimmieprout. This shop specializes in making polymer clay embellishments. The minute I saw her creations I was in love. The bright colors, simple patterns and designs worked together to instantly juice up my creativity! I think that her little button embellishments are one of the most adorable things that I've ever seen! Check out her studio Almost as much fun as drooling over her adorable designs, is using them as inspiration for designing. But just as fabulous is the fact that this week, Kimmieprout is giving one lucky challenge participant a $15 gift certificate and free shipping. (Gee, I would love that to be me, but hopefully it'll be you!

To play along:
~Go to the Kimmieprout shop and find an item to be inspired by
~Make any creation you'd like and link it on the Inlinkz below, please give credit to where you got your inspiration
~Please make sure your project is linked by Friday July 9, noon Pacific time here
~If you upload to an online gallery please use keyword EIC95

This week, we have an awesome sponsor, Pink Cat Studio. They are giving away 5 digi stamps!! Check them out here

Pink Cat Studio is all about offering fun and whimsical stamps to inspire your creativity. They have a huge selection of super cute digi and rubber stamps to choose from and they add more each week. Owner and artist Melissa started PCS in 2005 and over the years nothing has excited and inspired her more than to see your creations with her stamps. Melissa’s goal is to continue to delight & surprise you with her designs. Stop by the studio today and get in on the fun!

Now, on to my creation! I used one of her button assortments and paired it with paper from the Paper Crafts Go-To-Gals "Go To Sketches" Card making from Doodlebug Design. When I first saw the embellishments I was attracted by their bright colors, whimsical designs and fun patterns. I then looked to find paper that I had that embodied the original embellishments, and this kit was perfect. The hearts worked perfectly, and I created solid-colored embellies by applying a white Galaxy pen to the cardstock. I hope you enjoy!! The first image is Kimmiprout's Embellies that inspired me, and the next is mine!!

Now, go and take a look at the other designer's work and get inspired yourself!

Ashley
De
Emily N
Joy
Kerry
Savannah
Stephanie
Virginia
Heather
 
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