Inspiration Journal

Good Afternoon, and Happy Easter!

I'm sharing something fun with you today, and hopefully for many more days to come.

When I was at the MPLS Regional Seminar last weekend, I was able to watch some really fabulous demonstrations by other Demos, and by representatives from Stampin Up!. One of which was Jaron Winder, from the SU! headquarters. Jaron has got to be one of the funniest guys ever!! Anyhow, he shared with us this idea of an Art Journal, as he called it. I've chosen to call mine an Inspiration Journal. It's a collection of photos, magazine and catalog adds and such, that have captured my attention because of the textures, patterns and/or colors. How much fun will it be to let those pages inspire the design of a card?! I am so excited for this! I hope you enjoy this idea, as well as card # 1...

This is the first page of my inspiration journal. I have already filled the left side of every page layout with magazine and catalog clippings and SU! color swatches!!! Now I'm to the fun part of making the cards!!

Below is a closeup of the front of the card. I used the Textures Plates in the Bigshot to make the Chocolate Chip paper (5 1/4 x 5 1/4) textured, like the wicker chair in the photo. The flowers from the Upsy Daisy stamp set are stamped in Whisper White Craft Ink onto Wild Wasabi paper. I know, it's retired, but it the color matched the picture so well! Wild Wasabi was one of my favorite green's and I just can't let it go!! I mixed Crystal Effects with Really Rust Re-inker, and then painted a Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware frame and brads (the ones down in the lower right hand corner). I attached the frame with More Mustard brads. Now, I have incorporated all of my chosen colors into my card. I poked holes around the edges, using the piercing tool and the Mat Pack to line them up, and then tied the (retired Wild Wasabi) ribbon around.

Here is the inside of the card. I just reversed the colors, white paper, and Wild Wasabi ink (stamped off once)...