The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Inspired Sympathy

I've mentioned before on my blog how much my friend Colleen of Dietrich Designs has inspired me to look for card inspiration in everyday places. I love seeing how she translates an eye-catching ad or catalog photo into one of her beautiful card creations! So I've consciously been keeping an eye open for inspiration for my own creations all around me.

I subscribe to an array of magazines that are perfect for keeping me distracted during my early morning stationary cycle workouts. I love reading the articles and seeing the photo layouts and ads, but I'm never quite ready to recycle them when I'm done. So they pile up. Well, I'm happy to report that in the past few weeks I've been making a point of picking up a magazine from my "finished" pile to flip through and rip pages from to keep. Then the issues are sent off to the recycling bin. I'm keeping an eye open for interesting recipes, hot tips, useful information, and most importantly--card inspiration. (Next up: organizing all of these clippings.) And I am so thrilled to say that I'm already putting my inspiration file to good use! I spotted this pendant lamp from Room&Board in the September 2010 issue of Better Homes & Gardens. The orange botanical print reminded me of my new EK rock fern punch, and I knew that I could work up a card from there. Here it is:
Challenges:
In other news, my 12YO daughter has been invited to a birthday slumber party next weekend, so I was in search of a birthday present for DD to give her friend. DD requested that I look for something crafty as the gift, so I headed out to Michael's. I found a fantastic K&Company create-your-own monthly wall calendar with tons of embellishments and papers. It was marked down with the Christmas clearance items to 90% off, so I got it for $1.69. I couldn't believe it!! DD is sure her friend will flip for it. I found a small K&Company Valentine scrap kit (also marked down but not to 90% off. Darn.) and some packs of red and purple Studio G blank cards to give the birthday girl as well. She can make her own Valentines or do some scrapbooking, whatever. I'm so psyched that we have assembled a super birthday gift for not a lot of money at all. I'd love to drop the hint that if she doesn't like it, I'll take it!!

I must admit that while at Michael's I did a good deal of browsing in the 90% off clearance bins for myself as well. Found loads of awesome stuff for $0.10!! Love it. :) I also had to bring home this Martha Stewart French Scroll punch-around-the-page set that was on (regular) clearance. It needed a home!! Now to figure out where to store it . . .

Thanks for dropping by!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: {ippity} Burlap
Paper: SU old olive CS, SU tangerine tango CS
Ink: Palette charcoal
Accessories: EK rock fern punch, 2" and 2.25" circle punches, sewing machine, foam tape, string

Techniques: machine stitching

28 comments:

Benzi said...

Yes, I think Colleen has encouraged us all to look for things to stimulate us in our card creating. You've used the colors so well for the PDCC and I really like that burlap image you used.
I have that punch and was holding my breath just knowing you got it for a dime. LOL Well, not that cheap, but really cheap. I did use a 40% off coupon to get mine. Now, I forget to use it. Go figure.

Fiona said...

Hi Emily - great to see you getting inspiration from such a variety of sources (and can I say, I WISH we had a Michael's in Australia - sounds pretty awesome) I love your use of matching the burlap on the background and on the circular punch out. Thanks for playing at the PDCC this week!

Pam said...

Great inspiration from the magazines! Lovely card! Don't you just love getting super bargains on craft supplies?! Makes me feel super happy!
Pam

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Emily! i just love this card! :)

Marisa said...

So glad you are the adoptive mother for punches at your local Mike's LOL! Well done! Even better deal on the B-Day gift! You go girl!!

Love how you used the inspiration picture with sketch for this card. It's wonderfully done :)

Vicki said...

Wow, that punch is a perfect match with the papers! Great card! Thanks for playing along on our CropStop Challenge Blog.

Jinny Newlin said...

Emily! LOVE that subtle stamping and stitching, wrapped up in twine! So perfect for this week's color story! Thanks so much for playing along with us in the Cafe!

Tracey said...

PERFECT sympathy card Emily!! Fantastic take on the PDCC colours and fern inspiration!!! Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe :)

Harriet Skelly said...

Emily this sympathy card is so elegant and understated! I love these colors. Thanks for playing with Speedy's Friends!

Michele Gross said...

I'm so glad those Martha punches found a good home! ;) Such fabby deals you found!! Another great card from you :) I love the inspiration for it and you translated that soooo well! Thanks for playing with us again at The Play Date Cafe! :)

Becky said...

This is elegant Emily, wonderful colors. Thank you for playing with Speedy's Friends.

Unknown said...

What a lovely card.. I love how you got your inspiration to make it.. Hummm maybe I should pull out my old magazines. Hope you have a wonderful day!!! Hugs, Linda

Colleen Dietrich said...

Oooh, I was so excited reading this post for several reasons:
- you mentioned ME!
- you are playing again (!) at PDCC!
- you managed to combine more challenges
- you got enviable deals at Michael's!

Go, Emily, go Emily! Whoo whoo!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Addendum: "Thank you for joining us at The Play Date Cafe."

Joanne (jojot) said...

wonderful inspired card.....fun way to get inspired.....AND quite a bargain shopper as well....and thanks for playing with Speedy's Friends

Vicki Dutcher said...

Great sketch love the twine you did! Thanks for playing with Speedy's Friends~ Thanks for playing with Speedy's Friends~

Sue Lelli said...

It is amazing how PERFECT that punch is for your inspiration! LOVE the burlap stamp, too! FAB card!

Veronica said...

Beautiful card.

Jaclyn Miller said...

I love that Colleen inspired you. Your card is just perfect. I love that you used that burlap texture. So glad to see you back at the Play Date Cafe again. Thanks for playing along.

Mary Marsh said...

your inspired sympathy card is great-I have to take your tip and get rid of my cooking magazines. the birthday gift sounds awesome and what a price

Bonnie said...

Love, love, love this punched branch and the background stamp! Glad you found some good bargains!

~Tammy~ said...

Colleen Rocks! Great inspiration choice! What a cool punch! and I love the burlap texture stamp!

Ruby said...

Yet another lovely card Emily! I have only recently started looking for inspiration elsewhere, it opens up a whole new world. What a great translation here too, fabulous idea! Thanks for playing along with us over at the Play Date Cafe this week!

Virgo5 said...

Love the simplicity of your sympathy card!

Sounds like a great shopping trip, Michaels never has stuff that cheap here in Canada!

TuKara said...

Magnifique!!!super carte!

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Great card and I'm impressed you made it work for all those challenges.

Andrea Ewen said...

Isn't it fabulous when someone can shine light on things that were already there in front of us? i.e. Colleen's wonderful ability to simply look around for inspiration. Who knew that it could be that easy? Glad that that's working for you! You are certainly turning out some awesome cards! You go, girl! Thanks for joining us over at the Play Date Cafe!

Gloria Stengel said...

This is wonderful. Nice job. Thanks for joining us at CropStop this week!