Inspiring Stand-Outs for Challenge #59

Thank you all so much for joining us this week for the Inspired by Challenge #59!  
We loved seeing how you were inspired in all of your creative projects. 

These are the submissions that have earned a special Inspiring Stand Out badge this week. 

Please go ahead and display the badge on your blog!

A special thank you to Amy Sheffer for being our Creative Guest this week!

Amy selected this card as her favourite this week...

#21 Ashwini

  

Amy loved Ashwini's beautiful stamped background!  

And I chose:

#14 Ardyth

I think Ardyth's card is beautiful!
I love how she coloured the single bloom with different colours -- very inspiring!

Congratulations ladies and make sure you grab your badge.

Thank you so much Amy for joining me as my guest this challenge. 

Join us again in about thirty minutes for challenge #60!

Inspired By #59 featuring Amy Sheffer

Hello and welcome to Inspired By All The Little Things! 
This is a weekly inspiration challenge blog and each week 
we feature a wonderful designer who inspires us as an artist!

This week I have invited my friend

Amy Sheffer of Pickled Paper Designs.

I first discovered Amy's blog and her incredible work when

she was added to the Papertrey Ink design team.

I remember visiting her blog for the first time and being so thrilled that

she would be designing for PTI -- I just adore her style!

And, I've been pretty lucky to get to design with Amy together for

Reverse Confetti -- we've become friends and she is awesome!

I asked Amy to share a bit about herself...

1. What is the name of your blog? When and why did you start it?

I started my blog in 2007, and like so many others, was trying to think of a catchy, unique name for it. I settled on Pickled Paper Designs for two reasons. First, I had long gone by PickleTree online (that has its own story!), so I wanted something with the word "pickle." Second, at the time, I was more interested in scrapbooking than card making, so the word "pickle" with it's meaning "to preserve" totally worked. My tag line was even going to be "preserving memories, one page at a time." The scrapbooking thing never really happened, but the blog name stuck!

2. What is your style of card making?

Slow?! hahaha! Actually, I like a little of everything, so I'd say my style is kind of eclectic. That said, I definitely feel like my designs have drastically simplified over the years. Sometimes my cards can even go through the mail now, like in an envelope, not a box ;)

3. Who inspires you as a designer?

There is so much talent in the card making world, and I am constantly inspired by other crafters. One of my biggest stamp crushes right now, though, is Yoonsun Hur. Her designs are just so unique and artsy and out-of-the-box! 

4. What sort of things inspire you as a card maker? 
Photos? Sketches? Other designers?

Other designers; browsing Pinterest or Instagram for eye-catching home decor, textiles, package design, art, and more; and of course, the product itself.

  

5. Share something about yourself that we may not know?

I am completely Hamilton-obsessed. The soundtrack is {still} on non-stop and I'm constantly singing and rapping along. 
My favorite parts are Lafayette's, especially Guns and Ships.

Here is Amy's card using this week's inspiration:

The challenge designers have also created a card for this week's inspiration! 

These ladies just inspire me SO much!!! 

I hope you will play along with us this week! 

We would love to have you join us!

Kimberly Lackenbach

Kim's Cards & Crafts

LauraJane 

After Hours Ink & Flowers

Marcie Sharp
 Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

 Paper Crafty's Creations

Silke Ledlow

 My Life

Wanda Cullen

  Cullen-ary Creations

And here is my card -- Leigh Penner -- To The Full: 

  

(I love how Amy & I used the same stamp set and created very similar cards!

What are the odds?)

We hope you will play along with us!

The linky will close on Friday, June 9th at 11:55am. (PST)

Some simple rules to keep things organized and enjoyable:

• Please use the graphic for your post and link back to this post.
• Any posts that are offensive will be removed.
• Please comment on the submissions of others...we all love the support!
• Yes you can combine with other challenges but NOT other inspiration challenges please.
• Have fun and challenge yourself!

Inspiring Stand Outs for Challenge #58

Thank you all so much for joining us this week for the Inspired by Challenge #58.  We loved seeing how you were inspired in all of your creative projects. These are the submissions that have earned a special Inspiring Stand Out this week. Please go ahead and display the badge on your blog.

A special thank you to Donna Mikasa for being our Creative Guest this week! 

These are the submissions that have earned a special Inspiring Stand Out badge this week. Please go ahead and display the badge on your blog!

Donna's choice as Inspiring Stand Out is #8 - Eliz Stewart.

I think Eliz's ink blending and touches of gold capture the essence of the vases in the photo.

Tracey chose #15 Aileen Ryan

Aileen captured the inspiration perfectly with the elegant gold detail embossing and her beautiful ombre watercolouring. Not one but two fabulous cards!

Congratulations ladies and make sure you grab your badge.

Thank you so much Donna for joining me as my guest this challenge. 

Join us again in one hour for challenge #59!

Inspired By #58 featuring Donna Mikasa

Hello Tracey here and welcome to Inspired By All The Little Things! This is a weekly inspiration challenge blog and each week we feature a wonderful designer who inspires us as an artist!

I am so excited to share that I have invited Donna Mikasa this week to be my guest!
I have known Donna for quite a while now she is among some of my early designer crushes. When it comes to ink blending and watercolouring her designs are always gorgeous!

Donna Mikasa

I asked Donna to share a bit about herself...

1. What is the name of your blog? When and why did you start it?

My blog is “three umbrellas” a literal English translation of my last name, which is Japanese. Mi = three, kasa = umbrella. 

I started my blog back in July 2009 because I so wanted to be a part of a Hero Arts blog hop. Little did I know I’d still be blogging eight years later!

2. What is your style of card making?

I’m basically a clean and simple card maker, and I try to keep as much white space as I can, depending on the project.

3. Who inspires you as a designer?

That’s a tough one. There are so many designers who inspire, but I’d have to pick Jennifer McGuire because of all the techniques that she shares, and I always want to get inky after watching her videos. Also, back in 2008 she chose me to spend a Day on the Hero Arts blog with her—an honor that I cherish till today.

4. What sort of things inspire you as a card maker? Photos? Sketches? Other designers?

I love working with sketches as a starting point. I’ve been on the CAS(E) this Sketch design team for 4 years(!) and I often find myself using older sketches when I need a little jump start.
 

5. Share something about yourself that we may not know?

I’m a pineapple lover. I can cut up a pineapple in a few minutes and polish it off in a couple of days.

Here is Donna's card using this week's inspiration!

The challenge designers have also created a card for this week's inspiration! These ladies just inspire me SO much!!! I hope you will play along with us this week! We would love to have you join us!

Kimberly Lackenbach

Kim's Cards & Crafts

LauraJane 

After Hours Ink & Flowers

Laurel Seabrook (Guest Designer)

Seabrook Designs

Leigh Penner 

To The Full  

Marcie Sharp
 Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

 Paper Crafty's Creations

Silke Ledlow

 My Life

Wanda Cullen

  Cullen-ary Creations

 

...and of course one from me too.

Tracey McNeely

In My Creative Opinion

We hope you will play along with us!

The linky will close on Friday, June 2nd at 11:55am. (PST)

Some simple rules to keep things organized and enjoyable:

• Please use the graphic for your post and link back to this post.
• Any posts that are offensive will be removed.
• Please comment on the submissions of others...we all love the support!
• Yes you can combine with other challenges but NOT other inspiration challenges please.
• Have fun and challenge yourself!

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspiring Stand Outs for Challenge #57

Oh my goodness, it's been a week filled with the prettiest colours & flowers!  Thanks to everyone who played along with our challenge - it was wonderful to visit all of your blogs and see how you were inspired.

Thank you to Shari MacLaughlin for being our fabulous Guest Designer this week!

Shari & I have chosen our Inspiring Stand Outs, and it wasn't easy! - winners feel free to grab our badge and post it on your blog!  For her choice, Shari has chosen:

#6 Hannelie!

"I love the CAS feel to Hannelie's card, and she has really captured the gorgeous spring colours of the photo."

Karen has chosen: #17 Anita in France!

"Just look at those bright tulips!  Such gorgeous colours, and so beautifully painted.  I love how Anita stamped them in the diagonal pattern down the panel."

Congratulations, ladies!

We will have a brand new challenge up for you in an hour - hope you can join us!

Inspired By #57 with Shari MacLaughlin

Hello and welcome to Inspired By All The Little Things! This is a weekly inspiration challenge blog and each week we feature a wonderful designer who inspires us as an artist!

For my Guest Designer this week, I have invited...

Shari MacLaughlin!  A former teammate of mine, a gifted crafter, who can colour like nobody's business!  We also share a love of my home town :o)

I asked Shari to share a bit about herself...

1. What is the name of your blog? When and why did you start it?

My blog name is Pickled Memories - when I started scrapbooking I was looking for a name that represented preserving memories, and pickling seemed to be a perfect match, so when it came time to start my blog, it was easy to just keep using the name.  I started my blog back in 2010 as a way to learn more about using computers and as a means of therapy during a difficult divorce.  Little did I know that my little self taught computer lessons would lead to me being on several design teams, and let me share my love of card making.

2. What is your style of card making?

I don't really have a style, as I can do simple one layer cards to the more layered look.  I always choose my paper first and then color my image with matching colors.  Coloring is usually fast and easy, but then the hard part starts - the actual design of the card.  I can spend hours just getting the perfect look!!

3. Who inspires you as a designer?

 Wow, that's a tough question as I don't really follow any one designer.  Everyone is so unique and choosing just one would be difficult.

4. What sort of things inspire you as a card maker? Photos? Sketches? Other designers?

I love searching pinterest, and I also follow several different stamp companies and facebook groups on line.  So many people design differently, so I guess I take inspiration from them all and then create what I love!!

  

5. Share something about yourself that we may not know?

I studied photography at the Alberta College of Art after high school, and my love of colors have inspired me throughout my life.  I love painting murals in rooms, staging homes, and people tell me that I have a natural ability to make a home seem just right.  I think this love of design has helped me in my card and scrapbooking layouts.  When reading or watching tv I notice the little details that most people would not even see, and then translate that into my own designs.  I also adore working with children, which is why I am now loving the two newest additions to my life - my grandsons Eli and Reuben!!

Here is Shari's card using this week's inspiration!

The challenge designers have also created a card for this week's inspiration!  I hope you will play along with us this week! We would love to have you join us!

Kimberly Lackenbach

Kim's Cards & Crafts

LauraJane 

After Hours Ink & Flowers

Laurel Seabrook (Guest Designer)

Seabrook Designs

Leigh Penner 

To The Full  

Marcie Sharp
 Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

 Paper Crafty's Creations

Silke Ledlow

 My Life

Wanda Cullen

  Cullen-ary Creations

And one from me - Karen Day

Karen's Creations

We hope you will play along with us!

The linky will close on Friday, May 26th at 11:55am. (PST)

Some simple rules to keep things organized and enjoyable:

• Please use the graphic for your post and link back to this post.
• Any posts that are offensive will be removed.
• Please comment on the submissions of others...we all love the support!
• Yes you can combine with other challenges but NOT other inspiration challenges please.
• Have fun and challenge yourself!

Inspiring Stand Outs for Challenge #56

Thank you all so much for joining us this week for the Inspired by Challenge #56.  We loved seeing how you were inspired in all of your creative projects. These are the submissions that have earned a special Inspiring Stand Out this week. Please go ahead and display the badge on your blog.

A special thank you to Michele Henderson for being our Creative Guest this week! 

Both Michele and I have chosen our stand outs!

Michele's Choice:

Cindy Major

All of the cards this week are so colorful and cheerful! It was hard to pick a favorite, but I went with #6, by Cindy Major. I loved how sweet the little French boy on the bicycle looked, and it captured the feeling of traveling to someplace wonderful and seeing something delightful, like the inspiration photo. Beautiful look, Cindy!

Karren's Choice:

Amy Rohl

Amy's crisp and clean card really stood out to me.  The colors are bright and cheerful and the basket of flowers are a fabulous touch.  

Congratulations ladies and thank you to everyone who played along with us this week! We will be back in one hour with a brand new challenge!  

The next challenge goes live at 5:00 am PST.