Inspired by All the Little Things: Inspiration challenge

LauraJane

Leigh Penner

To The Full

Marcie Sharp
Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

Silke Ledlow

Wanda Cullen

And one from me - Karen Day

Karen's Creations

We hope you will play along with us!

The linky will close on Friday, June 23rd 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!

Saturday, June 3, 2017

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

LauraJane

Marcie Sharp
Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

Silke Ledlow

Wanda Cullen

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!

Saturday, May 20, 2017

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

LauraJane

Laurel Seabrook (Guest Designer)

Seabrook Designs

Leigh Penner

To The Full

Marcie Sharp
Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

Silke Ledlow

Wanda Cullen

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!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Inspired By #55 with Heidi Shafer

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

Heidi Shafer of Mapleberry Musings.

I met Heidi online through the Papertrey Ink forum and challenges.

Then last year, we started doing a challenge together that encouraged us

to use our stamps that we'd purchased but hadn't inked up yet.

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

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

Mapleberry Musings is the name of my blog. I began on Jan 1, 2011 although I had it for two years before I made my first post. Thankfully, I finally pushed through the fear and paralyzing perfectionism to just start! Our previous home had three huge maple trees and we grew blackberries and strawberries out front. We called it Mapleberry so I wanted to use that in my blog name. I liked how the word "musings" implied thoughts, contemplation, or reflection. It worked perfectly for leaving the possibilities open of what I could share. Plus, the muses in classical mythology are goddesses of the arts! I started my blog to share my creations with like-minded souls, keep a record with photos and details, and participate in challenges and blog hops.

2. What is your style of card making?

Clean lines, simple layering, and color probably defines my style best. I love a bit of sparkle too! I enjoy cute and elegant images alike. I often use embossing folders and dies on my cards, but I'll break out the scissors for fussy cutting anytime. It's very therapeutic.

3. Who inspires you as a designer?

Tough question. I follow over a thousand stamping blogs in Feedly, because I love to see what other people make, so it's hard to narrow that down. Jennifer McGuire is always an inspiration because of her techniques, tutorials, and simple designs. You can see a card I made that was directly inspired by her. I adore the creations of Betsy Veldman and would own all of her stamp set designs if I could. I love her vintage vibe! I also admire the shabby romantic style of Melissa Phillips and grungy/mixed-media style of Julee Tilman.

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

Sketches usually. Sometimes it's a photo or the creation of another stamper. Often I just pull out things I want to use and start playing. My design process is slow, so I'm glad I have a studio where I can leave works in progress on my desk. When I get stuck, I go do something else for a while. Then I come back, work on it, get stuck, leave again, return and tweak it some more...whatever it takes. I love to listen to music when I create. It always flows easier when I do!

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

I love to perform in musical theatre whenever it fits into my family's schedule. There's nothing else quite like being on stage. I performed professionally in an Andrews Sisters tribute group for three years (2010-2013). It was a lot of fun! I also sing in my city's Symphony Chorale doing classical works. Music is in my blood and I can't imagine a world without singing!

Here is Heidi'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

LauraJane

Laurel Seabrook (Guest Designer)

Seabrook Designs

Marcie Sharp
Sharp Designs

Sheri Gilson

Silke Ledlow

Wanda Cullen