Photo Inspiration Challenge

So over at StampNation we have all kinds of Challenges to keep us inspired and creating. This particular challenge caught my eye for two reasons: (1) Check out the awesome photo that served as the inspiration for our cards:

(2) Check out the awesome prize courtesy of Imagine Crafts:

Everyone who participated got their name thrown into a hat and one winner was chosen. I'm happy to say it was ME!

And just what did I make using the photo above as my starting point?  I made this:

and the simple inside:

Obviously I was inspired by the bright pinks and yellows and the touches of blue and gold, but do you see what else?

The print on the yellow wall gave me the idea to run my card front through the Big Shot with an embossing folder. And the gold mirror is echoed in my gilded gold frame made using Delicata Gold Glitz ink (very yummy stuff)! And the flower in the focal piece is from the floral print in the chair.

So how the heck did I make that wild background? I'm just beginning to play with Tim Holtz distress inks and distress watercolor paper. I smeared a bit of color from three inkpads onto my teflon craft sheet, spritzed with water, and then placed the paper into the puddles. I repeated this process several times, drying between layers. I was satisfied with the overall color, but I wanted to mix the colors up a bit without making things muddy... and suddenly I was hit with the idea to splatter some ink by gently tapping a paintbrush with diluted ink against my finger. Perfect! (I got it all over my worktable, my computer screen, my phone, my paperwork... pretty much everything. Not so perfect, but oh well.)

I had to trim down the background for it to fit with a white border on my card base, so I used one of the strips on the inside to jazz things up a bit. A few iridescent sequins on the front, and Voila'! 

I don't say this often, but I just love this card! I hope you like it, too.

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I have a bit of catching up to do with posting, so looking ahead I'll be showing you Christmas cards and a card I made for a special swap with some of my StampNation Sistahs. Stay tuned!

Bright, cheery Smiles,
Joyce Spear / StamperJoyce