Paper Smooches Sparks + Wplus9 Monday Mood Board + ColourQ

Hi there! I have three cards to share today for three different challenges: Paper Smooches Sparks, Wplus9 Monday Mood Board, and ColourQ.

First up is a card for this week's Paper Smooches Sparks challenge:

Let's talk about inspiration for a moment. Because at first glance I'm sure my card doesn't look like it was "inspired" by the above photo at. all.  I had an idea of what I wanted to create, but it was derailed when I didn't have the correct color Copic markers to color the blue flowers I stamped. Then I pulled out some old 6x6 pattern paper packs and found the *perfect* shade of blue for the background. I love this clipboard stamp and started creating my own clipboard using silver shimmer paper, brads, and textured cardstock bay Stampin' Up! The white paper is actually from a BasicGray 6x6 pad and I stamped the "thanks" sentiment with PTI's Aqua Mist ink. 

Then I was stuck. 

I wanted flowers or leaves or something that would match the patterned paper and sentiment... and I pulled out Zoo Crew and the giraffe fits perfectly. And I have Copic markers to color him in. And the paper pack with the teal/blue paper also has a yellow paper that matches the Copic markers. And this is my very long-winded way of saying that yes, I was initially inspired by the awesome inspiration photo... and I might have created my way out of not qualifying for this challenge! But I figured I would post my card anyway, because I like it. :)

(Supplies - Stamps: (Paper Smooches) Zoo Crew, Pretty Phrases, and Clipboard. Ink: (Papertrey Ink) Aqua mist. (Memento) Tuxedo Black. (Ranger) Archival Black. Cardstock: (Stampin' Up!) Crumb Cake textured cardstock. Patterned Paper: (BasicGray). Other: Brads, enamel dots, circle punch.)

Next up is a card for this week's Wplus9 Monday Mood Board:

No long winded explanation needed for this card! I was inspired by the lovely blues and greens, and the artsy "look" to the board (paint, paint brushes, painted cardstock). I worked with three colors: Papertrey Ink's Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, and Ocean Tides. I layered several flowers from Wplus9's Embroidered Bouquet with the three ink colors. The sentiment is also from Embroidered Bouquet, which I stamped on some BasicGray patterned paper. I adhered the doily and banner die cut (PTI's Sketched Shapes die) after stamping more flowers on them. I finished off the card with Enchanted Evening buttons, Hero Arts pearls, and Papertrey Ink Enchanted Evening twine. 
 

(Supplies - Stamps: (Wplus9) Embroidered Bouquet. Ink: (PTI) Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, Ocean Tides. (Ranger Archival) Black. Cardstock: (PTI) Ocean Tides, Spring Rain. Patterned Paper: (BasicGray). Doily: Stampin' Up!. Dies: (PTI) Scalloped border, Sketched Shapes. Buttons, twine: (PTI) Enchanted Evening. Pearls: (Hero Arts).)

And the last card is for this week's ColourQ challenge: 

I pulled out several new Papertrey Ink birthday sets for this card: Background Basics: Birthday Fun, Birthday Style, and Wonderful Words Birthday. The banners/streamers in Birthday Style are a lot of fun to layer (with both ink and dies + ink), and the presents from Background Basics: Birthday make a fun border on the bottom of the card. I stamped the presents separately with Lucky Limeade and Pumpkin Pie ink, then fussy cut the centers of three presents before adhering them to my card. I love the little pop of color it adds to the bottom of the card.

 (Supplies - Stamps: (Papertrey Ink) Background Basics: Birthday Fun, Birthday Style, and Wonderful Words Birthday. Ink: (Stampin' Up!) Melon Mambo Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Black. Cardstock: (PTI) White, Kraft. Dies: Wonderful Words Birthday, Birthday Style. Patterned Paper: (PTI) Hibiscus Burst Patterns Pack.)

Whew! I'm sorry for the excessively wordy post... I am v-e-r-y sleepy and tend to ramble when I'm tired. :)

On a final (very happy!) note... I received an e-mail from Paper Crafts Magazine today: I will have two cards published in an upcoming special issue! I was having lunch with some friends (hi Liz and Anna!) when I received the e-mail and I think I actually squealed when my phone dinged. Yes, I'm a spaz.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!