I hope you're all doing well this weekend! This week I've been busy working on submissions, organizing my ribbons onto a fabulous to new ribbon rack, moving cards around and working on projects for my design teams. I made a nice buy this week on a spinning card rack to put in the office I share with my hubby. A favorite boutique store of mine (one that my mother and I have spent years buying the most precious Christmas ornaments, jewelry and home items at) is finally closing. This was upsetting news as this store has been a staple for my mom and I as well as many others to shop at, meet at and be inspired. The most wonderful owner Natalie and her parrot, Jake will be moving to Florida to take care of her mom, so I wish her well. However, she was having a marvelous sale, and this spinning card rack was a perfect find in organizing my cards. Here's a picture of it. I am currently using it to hold cards for publication submissions, and cards that I plan to put on Esty to sell!
My NEW Card rack!
My other fabulous purchase in helping to organize the office was a wall-mountable ribbon holder from Michael's for $11.99!! I love the way the ribbons hanging on it bring a splash of color to the wall. On top I have little containers holding specialty ribbons, buttons and Copic's. Here's that fabulous find.
My NEW Ribbon rack
So, hopefully these two purchases will help keep my work area more organized. But, now for the yummy post for this week. I was excited to see the shop for this week's Etsy Inspired challenge. This week we are inspired by the work of Becky Kazana. Becky's shop specializes in wedding cake decor, party supplies, cards and gifts with motifs such as love birds and pipettes. Here are some yummy designs of her that I loved in particular and inspired me:
So, the Glittery Love Birds and Love Birds with Rosehip and Russet with Violets are the two pieces in this shop that inspired me! Here are my two designs. The first card was inspired by the Glittery birds and the pearls and leaves used in the topper. The second card was inspired by the actual birds in the cake topper and it's woodland whimsical theme.
A close-up of the details
A close-up of the details
For this challenge, I was lucky because the paper's and birds on the branch that I used were left over supplies from my wedding centerpieces and the birds on my favors. Here's some pictures from the centerpieces and favors that resemble the work of this shop, which is probably why I love this shop so much.
The centerpieces were wrapped in various patterned paper that fit the brown and pink color scheme. Cherry blossom branches held handmade matted pictures on patterned paper that showcased my husband and I growing up. Additionally, "quilled" paper rolls surrounded the centerpiece, while Swarvoski crystals hung from the branches.
Close-up of the matted photos hanging from the cherry blossom branches, which were a main motif of the wedding in addition to the little birdies.
Favors that held little birds in love on a nest. Cherry Blossoms adorn the top before you open the box to find little chocolate eggs that wish you "Bon Ape-tweet!"
Okay, so enough of that! I just couldn't help but share what else you could do with the precious birdies and nests that Becky Kazana uses in her designs. I hope the cards, and wedding extras will inspire you this week to create something fabulous. Remember to make sure and post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. This week's winner will have the opportunity to win three fabulous cards from the shop, including this card titled "Waiting on You"one!
This week's sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps. Bugaboo Stamp's is an online store of digistamps. Digital stamps are files that you download to your computer and from there you can color, paint or paper piece the stamp image. Her collections range from cutesy to her collection of ladies with attitude. Bugaboo Stamp's has a wide selection of stamps, so you're sure to find something fabulous that inspires you! Bugaboo Stamp's is generously awarding the winner with 7 digistamps of their choice! Wow!! So, get creating for your chance to win. And, don't forget that next week is our BIG 100th Challenge event! Lots of Sponsors and Lots of GOODIES for the winner!
Make sure to post your design by friday to Etsy Inspired Challenge for your chance to win. And, make sure to also take a look at the beautiful, amazing work of the Etsy Design Team to help inspire you!
MATERIALS:
"Happy Anniversary" Glittery Bird Card
Cardstock: (Vintage white) Papertrey Ink.
Patterned Paper: (Lullaby Lane colleciton) Webster's Page's.
Fibers: (White satin ribbon) Offray.
Clear Stamp: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Chalk Ink: (Creamy Brown) Clearsnap.
Dye Ink: (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko.
Accents: (Bird chipboard die-cuts) American Crafts. (White pearls) Michael's.
Other: (Circle Punch) Fiskars. (Dies) Spellbinder's. (Twig). (Gold leaf, berries) Michael's.
" Birdies in Love" Card
Cardstock: (Kraft) Papertrey Ink. (Brown, pink, green, orange) Bazzil Paper
Patterned Paper: Assorted papers from Basic Grey and Anna Griffin.
Fibers: (Pink satin ribbon) Offray.
Clear Stamp: (Sentiment from Mixed Messages set) Papertrey Ink.
Chalk Ink: (Creamy Brown) Clearsnap. (Pixie Petal) Tsukineko.
Dye Ink: (Rich Cocoa) Tsukineko.
Accents: (White & pink pearls) Michael's. (Flowers) Prima. (Chipboard frame) Tattered Angels. (Birds) Create For Less
Other: (Border Edge Punch) Martha Stewart.
