Image Map

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










































13 comments:

  1. Congrats on your publication in CARDS magazine! That is HUGE! Ad yay for NEW sewing machine (and your DH!!) ....your card is stunning! It's a gift itself!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love how you used beads on your card...what a great idea and the result is stunning! Congrats on the CARDS acceptance...hope your other submissions are accepted too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW! Your cards are gorgeous! I love them both! Your concepts are amazing!!

    Congrats on the CARDS acceptance! I'll be in that mag too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you everyone! It's my third time being accepted which is really exciting!! Can't wait to see your design in there too Ashley!

    Very much looking forward to the new sewing machine!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emily! What an amazing post! Sorry your sewing machine broke,but I hope your new one is better built!

    AND congrats on the "Cards" news! How exciting! Can't wait to see your name in print!

    And OMG, your cards... amazing! Breathtaking! The first one is simple, and so gorgeous! And the second... perfect for your inpsiration piece! Love the details, beads and metal. GORGEOUS!

    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on being published! These cards are gorgeous with the beading and gems! Fabulous work!

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW! Your cards are just over the top gorgeous. I just love your inspirational pieces. Thanks for this inspiring eye candy along this amazing hop. I just love your creative style.

    ReplyDelete
  8. EMILY!!! YOU are AMAZING! I really love love love your style and take on this inspiration store:) You are super clever to sew on the beads!! WOWOWOWOWOW! Stunning! LOVE it! And that second card--Just over the top! I can't believe I get to be on the same team as you!! HOOOOOOOOOORAY!!!

    #1: Congrats on your publication--that is AWESOME!! 3x!! Lucky you:)

    #2: New sewing machine--AWESOME:) Take pics! I love my new sewing machine--wish we lived closer so we could sew together:)

    #3: Sorry your husband has been gone--I totally know the feeling. Glad he is coming home soon!

    #4: I can't find your email to answer your question--shoot me an email and I can tell you more!! sbmmhoover {at} yahoo {dot} com

    LOOOOOOOVE your stuff, Emily!! I love that we are on the same team! LOVE it:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful cards! Very inspired by the pictures in such a unique way! Love that...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kudos on the publication into Cards Magazine. I have an aunt and uncle that live in Brighton,MI. Anywho fabulous card. I love the stitching on it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hubby likes the cards too. I'm proud of your work while I'm away. You do an awesome job Emily. I love you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Em, your cards are breathtaking.....I look forward to each and every new one you create......love you sweetie! The Eggman......

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats on being Published! Love the jewelry inspired cards. that metal clasp is a real eye popper. Fabulous. Look forward to the 100th challenge celebrations...sounds fun.

    ReplyDelete

 
Pin It button on image hover