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, September 06, 2021

Horsing Around in Nature - Inspiration Station Challenge

With a big smile, waving "Hello" to everyone! I hope you are doing well. 

It's time for a new challenge at:

Inspiration Station

This wonderful OLD Horse Image was stomping the shelves, begging to be used. It's at least 20 years old and never before used! This Magenta wood mount stamp is 4.25" by 5.5" so I placed it rubber side up, inked it thoroughly, and applied the card stock gently on top, rubbing it thoroughly with my fingers to create a complete image. Magenta's wood blocks are unusually thick, and I've found this is the best way to achieve a great inking the first time around.


The current inspiration board is:



I immediately accepted Mother Nature's invitation to ESCAPE into herself, and all that she has to offer. The path to embracing Nature (and all Creation) is to love all  her creatures and wilderness offerings. 

What does the photo inspire YOU to do?

After stamping with rich Acorn VFC ink, these horses were heat embossed with clear detail EP. Assorted DI inks (listed below) colored the image, with a few highlights done in watercolor pencils.

The edges were "distressed" with Versafine ink and heat set with a pretty, semi-transparent sage-mica powder. Up close, the edges are quite iridescent. 


Today's cameras are great, in that they capture the smallest of details, but they are also unforgiving because they can see colors, shades and intensities that our human eyes don't see in real life.

Copper Mirror CS was used in the frame with a strip of green vellum behind.



Thanks for popping by today!

Products: Stamps: Magenta 13116S horses, Hero Arts CL342 Just a Note, Papers: Pine, Green Vellum, Copper Mirror, River Rock, White, Inks: Distress in Old Paper, Rustic Wilderness, Crushed Olive, Stormy sky; Sentiment in Pinecone Brown VFC, Edges in Versamark for Sage Mica EP; image in Acorn Brown VersaFine Clair for detail clear EP; Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils; Memento Desert Sand Ink, Dies: SB Grand Labels Twenty-Three, IO Small Grass 178C

Challenges I would like to play in please!

  1. 2 Crafty Critter Crazies #54 AG with Animals 09/25 (sep post)
  2. NBUS #30 Anything never before used 10/1 (RW)

  3. World Wide Open DT Challenge #8 AG DT 09/15 (sep post)

  4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2135 AG 09/13 (sep post)

  5. Simon Says Stamp It (9/6) Must ink stamp 9/13 (sep post)

 

Stamping hugs,



29 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Donna, WOW! What a fab image and lovely card. I never really took to stamping and only have a handful of stamps left now.

Hope you have a good start to the week. Sue

brenda said...

That stamp certainly was overdue an inking Donna but isn't it a beauty and so striking in that colour EP.

I have some old Magenta stamps and yes, they do come with a hefty wood mount, this one is a real beauty and something tells me was never available in the UK as it's one I would have grabbed for sure.

Take care,

B x

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a gorgeous card. Those horses are magnificent and the frame sets them off beautifully. Have a good week. Take care. Hugs Jackie

KarinsArtScrap said...

this is gorgeous great stamp Donna
Gr Karin

Donna Walls said...

I love this image and your card is gorgeous. I love how the inspiration photo brings out the creativity in others. Thanks for another beautiful team project for the Inspiration Station! Donna

crafty-stamper said...

WOW sabsolutely stunning result love the fabulous image and all the embossing-brilliant
Carol x

Mac Mable said...

Well done you using this 20year old stamp Donna. Such a striking image, beautifully coloured and love the iridescent edging and the copper framing x.

Darnell said...

My goodness, Donna, you give new meaning to the words "brought to life!" Thank you for sharing all the details of how you did just that with this very patient and beautiful horse stamp. I love the treatment you gave the edges and can just imagine how much more beautiful and schparkly this card is in real life! Thank you for sharing with everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Leslie Miller said...

Wow wow wow! What a beautiful stamp! I swear, they don't make 'em like this anymore. The whole thing, including the frame around the horses is just fantastic. You are a woman after my own heart with these old stamps, Donna. You did a beautiful job with it -- only the copper embossing and the color in the background. I can see the photo inspiration in those colors. Speaking of the photo, it makes me want to drive down the road and explore all that natural beauty. I have some new/old stamps I need to use, plus some wonderful old stamps in the drawers. I could stop buying stamps right now and be set for life. It's good to see your card today!

Donna said...

How stunning Donna, I see why you bought this magnificent horse stamp, you may not have used it until now but no doubts that looking at it brought you joy!

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your beautiful card with the horses and the colors and embossing look fantastic! Thanks for the tip on how to work with the wood type stamps. I seldom use them as I don't often get as good an impression as I want. So next time I will try your method.

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Donna, what a stunning card with that gorgeous horse image, I just love it and your design is fabulous, the shape of the is just lovely and I love the copper mirror card, Kate x

Zoechaos said...

What a fabulous stamp, it is surprising what you can find this looks like forgotten treasure. Love how the image inspired this and what a fabulous creation it is. xx

Conniecrafter said...

Oh I am so glad that the horses were allowed to come out and play after such a long time, they were waiting for just this time to shine, beautiful card with them, love the coloring and the die makes a great frame for it too! I would love to be traveling down that road!
Hope you are getting stronger each and every day :)

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow wow wow and more wow, I just love what you have done with these horses, the heat embossing is magical. Nice work.
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/


Karenladd said...

I think we can all agree that finally inking up that lovely stamp was a wonderful idea. What a beautiful, artsy card design and gorgeous image. I love the copper embossing and hint of color so much.

cotnob said...

This is fabulous Donna, a super stamp, the horses are gorgeous and I love the frame - a beautiful card.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Donna Phelan said...

Just one more reason why you never throw anything out lol Beautiful images, love the embossing and how you hi-lighted them!

Anne Buckingham said...

An unusual card, I love it. Would be good for use with both genders. Like the colors you chose to use. Lovely card.

KraftyKoolKat said...

Shame on you leaving these poor horses tied up for 20 years. I will have to report you for cruelty to wildlife. lol!! This is absolutely fantastic Donna. I have lost my mojo at the moment!! I hope it comes back soon!
Hugs
Cathy
xxxxx

Joan said...

Wow, what a fabulous image, stunning card

Aimeslee Winans said...

Hi Donna, hope your new treatment's still working well. That's a very cool image and card. Fabulous ep results, I love the iridescent powders, even Perfect Pearls' micas. xoxo

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Monica C. said...

These horses are magnificent! What a great stamp and I love the whole card you made. There is a sort of "wildness" to it the transports one to the plains in thought. Really great job.
Hugs Monica

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh Donna, I love this unusual colorway for the horse image! It really looks fresh and beautiful. My dear friend from TX just sent me a rodeo horse card and I look at it daily. It says, "don't fence me in" and makes me laugh! Thanks for more horsey inspiration. Hugs, Autumn

Bonnie Lynn said...

Fabulous, yet stunning, card! Thanks for joining us over at Pammie's Inky Pinkies. Hope to see you again. Bonnie DT

Beebeebabs said...

Such beautiful work - love the stamp thanks for sharing!!!

Pia S said...

WOW. A 20 year old never befores used stamp. And such a beauty! A wonderful image and design, I like how you added green highlights, I think it makes the card looks like it's copper.

Granmargaret said...

Lovely work. Thank you for joining the challenge at 2 Crafty Critter Crazies.
Good news the challenge is not closing - Doris Klein has agreed to take over and keep the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies challenge running