My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Monday, May 17, 2021

On A Musical Note - Inspiration Station Challenge

Welcome, Friends! It's time for a new Inspiration Station Challenge! What fun to "interpret" this challenge's inspiration piece. 

The inspiration board this time: PSST! Remember! It's entirely YOUR take as to what inspires you - it could be emotional, thematic, color, texture. What ignites your imagination today?

I was inspired by the colors, the music theme, and the fun melodies always heard on the carousel. Remember that reaching for the brass ring was only part of the fun - it was seeing the joy on the faces of fellow passengers and the whiz-by smiles of watchers standing nearby!


So much fun because I was able to hold ink pads AND stamps! (giggle)

This delightful card is 5.25" x 6.5". The black background was stamped with VersaFine Clair Charming Pink (just in case the color showed through the white detail embossing powder after the EP was heat set). The carousel horse was colored with Zig Watercolor pens and Distress Inks. The distressing around the image was done with both pink and black inks:


To tear the mulberry paper, a paint brush with lots of water was used. Let the mulberry paper absorb the water, and it is very easy to tear. Then I "rolled" the edges inward while they were still wet to give a little dimension to the layer:



Hope you will drop by and play in the Inspiration Station Challenge!

Products - STAMPS: Hero Arts C2916 Wishing You a Happy Day, JudiKins 2104J Music Notes, Inkadinkado Carousel 6-00716 - DIES: Memory Box Meridian Border, IO DIE062-F Flourish, Taylored Exp Banner Stacklets #1,  SB Edgeabilities Classic Petal E8-006, SB Labels 22 S4-346,  - INKS: VF Charming Pink, VF Nocturne, Distress Black Soot, Distress Kitsch Flamingo, Distress Tattered Rose, - PAPER: Black, White, Pink, Mulberry - OTHER: Zig Watercolor Pens, White Detail EP, Clear Glitter, Pink Glitter

One of my huge pots of Coleus Plants. In about a month, they will grow long spikes of purple flowers, attracting all kinds of pollinators. Hummingbirds especially love their flowers! The cascading "smiles" of salmon flowers are Angel Wing Begonias, with a few dregs of jade plants and snapdragon flowers (whispering their last breath due to the heat).



I would like to play in the following Challenges please:

  1. Allsorts Challenge #624 Anything Goes 5/22 (sep post 5/21)
  2. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #5 AG for DT (sep post 6/12)
  3. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #50 Have A Critter 6/1 (sep post)
  4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2120 AG 5/24 (sep post)
  5. Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge (5/10 - 5/23) Use Dies (6/1) (used 5 dies)
  6. Here Is A Place to Start #5 Anything Goes (6-7 check tabs)
  7. AAA Birthday Challenges #25 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AAA! (5-30) sep post (6-7)

Stamping Hugs,



41 comments:

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna your card is gorgeous I love it. That garden pot is glorious. It must be so lovely when the humming birds come. Take care. Hugs Jackie

KarinsArtScrap said...

you have made a gorgeous card with a fab stamp Donna
Gr Karin

cuilliesocks said...

Oh Donna how beautiful, it's a gorgeous image and I love the colours you've used, beautifully designed too.
Your plant is so lovely, I'm afraid I kill plants, not one green finger in all of my 10, take care, Kate x

cotnob said...

A beautiful card Donna, a gorgeous image and lots of lovely details.
Your pot looks fabulous, everything is just starting to spring into life here, the countryside is so green.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Chris said...

A beautiful card featuring a stunning image Donna, love the simple palette and the wonderful texture from the mulberry paper- never think to use it now but the soft effect it gives is perfect with this design. The stamped and embossed panel with the music notes makes such a lovely background. Hoping the creation of this card means that you are feeling better- you have obviously regained more use of your fingers to be able to stamp so perfectly.
hugs
xxx

crafty-stamper said...

Gorgeous card and image which is so beautifully coloured and great use of mulberry paper.Love your coleus plant and my Dad always grew snapdragons in the borders when we were young.
Carol x

Lori m said...

Donna your card is stunning and so much more, along with the gorgeous pot of beautifully colored plants. Both are so pretty, hugs, Lori m

KraftyKoolKat said...

This creation is so beautiful Donna. Really pretty and very mystical. Your pot plant is gorgeous, I wish I could be there when the hummingbirds come.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Pia S said...

Oh my, this merrygoround inspired card is a beauty! Love the addition of the pink mulberry paper, the pink and the texture soften up the black and white color scheme so perfectly. A really special card.

Beebeebabs said...

Such a beautiful card - love the black, white and pink combo - great job as always. Thanks for sharing the lovely photo and have a great week my friend!!!

pam said...

Gorgeous card Donna, love your pretty flower pot.
Hugs Pam x

Verna Angerhofer said...

The card you created is so beautiful and has a dreamy look to it. You use of those dies really show off the focal design. And, I loved to see your Coleus. I used to have those too in my garden. Brings back memories of when I could still do a flower or a vegetable garden. I am glad my hubby likes to do the vegetable garden or we would not have anything at all. I think the fresh veggies is better then the flowers but I do enjoy the photos others share of theirs.

Mac Mable said...

WOW what a stunning card. The carousal image is amazing and I am loving the pinks and black. The mulberry paper looks so delicate and pretty and thank you for the tip x. So glad you where able to make this beautiful card Donna x. Wow to your pot plants too x.

Anne Buckingham said...

The card is beautiful with me thinking about horses hooves beating out a musical at they gallop. I was interested in the mulberry paper!?! I thought it looked like fabric. Made a lovely effect. Wonderful card.

Bunny said...

Oh your coleus plant looks beautiful. What a great picture.

Your card is lovely. I haven't seen anyone use mulberry paper in a long time. It looks great. [Bunny]

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Donna this does bring back the memories of the carousel, and the smiles of those riding the horses :) Like the music notes in the background, pretty pink coloring and love your choice of the mulberry on the background, there must be something in the air I just used some with a bird stamp :) Beautiful layering of it all!
Glad you were able to stamp well, you need to get a Misti to aid in your stamping :)

Granmargaret said...

Lovely card. Thank you for joining the challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies. Hope to see you again next time.

Pip Lewer said...

Lovely card. Mulberry paper gives lovely texture and interest to your card. So glad you joined us in celebrating our birthday at AAA Birthday.

Sue said...

Hi Donna, Fab card.

Lovely plants in your pot.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

brenda said...

This is such a pretty card Donna, the soft pinks and tulle give such a dreamy feel, thanks so much for sharing and joining in at Allsorts challenge this week.

B x

kel Acopan said...

Gorgeous! Great job teamie!

=o) kel

Donna Phelan said...

Beautiful creation! Oooh I have many packages of Mulberry Paper...bought it about 10 years ago for a project--guess I better get on it lol Gorgeous Coleus! I just got a Bee House and Penny and I are going to paint several Butterfly Houses for our gardens. Glad you were able to hold stamps and ink...YAY You! Be well!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Zoechaos said...

Looking at the wonderful image I can hear the music playing as it goes round, I feel transported to a Judy Garland film. Your card is a show stopper the pinks against the black are so smart and striking. I love it! You always make something special and this is no exception xx

coldwaters2 said...

Wow this is a stunning creation Donna that image and the design looks amazing and so nostalgic
hugs
lorraine x

Donna said...

Your card is stunning, as always Donna, like all your lovely layers and the colors! Your plant is beautiful!

Chrissy said...

What a fabulous stamp Donna and a gorgeous card with fabulous design and texture, love it, your flower pot is beautiful..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Aimeslee Winans said...

Hi Donna! Hope you are having good days! Thank you for sponsoring the challenge and what a gorgeous and inspiring card. I have so many sheets of handmade paper and I really need to use it more. Love the effect of the mulberry and the musical background is stunning. XOX

Jane said...

Stunning card. Love its uniqueness and beautiful creativity. Thanks for playing at AAA Birthday, hope to see you join in with future challenges too. Stay safe and keep crafting!

Linby said...

Absolutely beautiful, I love the soft colours you used, it's just magical. Thanks for joining us at Allsorts challenge this week.

Leslie Miller said...

This is the most glorious card, Donna! A lovely old Inkadinkado stamp, probably wood block, I'll bet. They made the most beautiful stamps. I have that HA sentiment and use it probably more than any other sentiment in my stash. There couldn't be a more perfect background for your carousel horse. I mean, what would a merry-go-round be without music? Gorgeous in pink and black with the mulberry paper. Great tip about wetting before tearing. Gosh, it's pretty!

Sam I Am said...

I hear the music playing at the carousel...beautiful interpretation! Thank you for sharing your creation at A Place to Start Challenge blog :) Samantha, DT member

kReN said...

Love this! Thanks for joining us at the PIP Challenge this week. kReN@afourthlife

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow, so beautiful. Love it. Great design.
Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Annette DT / Admin / Registered Owner for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/

AnaRaposo@ToadilyHandmade said...

Love your beautiful card, I absolutely like the pink with black it looks very nice.
Your coleas are beautiful. I miss seeing all those beautiful butterflies at your house.

Sue said...

Fabulous card. Brought back such sweet memories. The colors are oh so pretty the combo of the pink black and white are perfect for this magical carousel horse. Lots of memories for me, as Hershell-Spellman Carousels were made in my city up until around the late 50's. The round house were they built them has been opened as a museum now and a Carousel is included. Also, Wurlitzer organs were made here which were used for the music we all loved when we were children. See what a card can do for you! Thanks for the memories.....

Hugs
Sue

Shell Shearer Swinscoe said...

I just love this make, the mulberry paper finishes it off perfectly!

Thank you for sharing with us at 'A Place To Start' this month
Hugs Shell xx

Gale said...

Wow! Gorgeous card Donna! Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Gale DT for  http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/

Pam Tiedtke, or Pammie Lou said...

Oh Donna!! This is truly stunning! Your colors and special touches make this creation simply elegant! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at PIP Challenges!!
Hugs

Sladjana Perisic said...

Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing with us over here at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Donna DT Member for https://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com/

Pam Tiedtke, or Pammie Lou said...

Hey sweet lady...I don't normally let our WINNERS know they've won the Random pick at PIP Challenges but I just didn't want you to miss out on your win from last week. Hugs!
Pam