Tuesday Tutorial #7 - Inspiration Station

This week's tutorial comes to us from ESS Design Team member Angel Estes - learn how to use favorite images as inspiration for your paper projects!

Did you ever sit down at your craft table, finally with a few minutes to do what you love and……..  all you hear is crickets. Your creative mojo has taken a little hiatus. So – where do you turn? There are loads of ways to get your juices flowing again. One of my favorites is Pinterest. I pinned this picture about a year and a half ago, and I love it  - everything about the colors, design and textures. So, I decided I would use it as inspiration for a card! Let’s see how it goes. 

First, I got out my ink swatch books and set out to find the right colors for ink pads and markers.

Using eggshell colored cardstock I made my card base.

I love the ruffle on the navy sweater, so I recreated that look using a scallop punch, and Chipped Sapphire ink – direct to paper. I’ll use these strips to “frame” the white like the ruffled sweater frames the cream color of the dress. Next, I cut a panel of white paper and selected some stamps that reminded me of the flowers on the dress.

Using Distress Ink markers I inked up the stems and leaves, then using various ink pads inked up the flowers.  Spritz the inked up stamp with just a little water and stamped my images.

Add a sentiment, and adhere scallop strips to white flower panel. 

I really love that thin brown belt (around her teeny tiny waist), and I wanted to incorporate that as well, so with a piece of ribbon and a ribbon slider I added that very sweet element. I really think it ties the whole thing together.  Attach panel to card base with dimensional adhesive.

Here you can see the original photo inspiration and my interpretation. Now, go forth and be inspired! 

Wow - what an amazing interpretation!  Thanks so much to Angel for this awesome tutorial!