Inspiration/Satisfaction

My favorite cards don't emerge from my head like Athena from Zeus's noggin or Aphrodite on the half-shell from the ocean. They are inspired by other cards--or advertisements, or posters, or book covers or signs or whatever--and evolve from the inspiration piece into something that makes my heart sing.

Such a card as today's, inspired by this pin.

My version is a bit simpler than the original. First of all, my image is stamped rather than an adorable watercolor, although I did watercolor the stamped hummingbird with ink from Arteza real brush markers that I painted onto an acrylic block. There's also no die cut branch, although that wasn't for lack of trying. (My punch and die collection didn't yield anything satisfying.) My feather was stamped rather than real. I painted the Waltzingmouse feather stamp with the Arteza brush pens and spritzed it with water for a softer effect.

These changes take the original, gorgeous design to a simpler level, and the results make me so happy!

Honestly, this is my favorite way to create...it's so satisfying! I'd never have thought of this on my own, but with a fabulous inspiration piece, I get to make something that has my stamp on it (so to speak). The many design choices and changes I need to make (because of my supplies, lack of artistic ability, color choices, etc.) feel like a treasure hunt with a pretty card at the end!

Mia's blog has so much inspiration to offer! You'll no doubt be seeing more of this sort of thing from me. If you have some favorite sources of inspiration, please share them in the comments!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts Antique Engravings, Clearly Besotted sentiment set, Waltzingmouse Fine Feather
paper: Papertrey white, Tim Holtz watercolor paper
ink: Archival coffee
accessories: kraft twine, dimensionals, Arteza real brush markers, paint brush, water spritzer, 1/8" hole punch