söndag 28 juli 2013

Inspiration from Melissa Philips - Copy of her acorn jar


Yet another card, in the "Inspiration from Melissa Philips"- series. But this time it's not just inspiration! I tried to copy her card below, to understand how she layers her background papers, how she builds her focal point and how she uses embellishments. 


Melissa's original card. (http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/lilybeans_paperie/2011/08/counting-my-blessings.html)

What have I learned? 
I learned that she's a master at details and puts so much time into making them perfect. I can't handle her subtle colour scheme just yet - I make it all look dirty and shabby (without the "chique"), but I am working on it. 
I need the contrast very much, but I'd like to be able to use all those soft shades - I need to use those inks too, right? :)

I've never ever copied anything this close, but it's a really good lesson. You learn your weaknesses/strengths and it's super hard to try another person's style - especially when you're not used to it! 

I decided to try this approach to my favorite cardmakers last summer when attending the Papertrey Stamp-a-fair 2012 (a totally free online event even this year!) Melissa had a felt bow tutorial and I copied her card as close as I could - and it taught me lots of new stuff. Especially that she continues to improve her card, when I'd think that I'm done! :) I love her results!

This is what I want to do (sometimes) - copy the masters, learn new stuff about techniques, get new ideas - and incorporate them to my own stuff (or at least know what other options I have, that I'd never think about!)...

Though, I couldn't do it all the time. It takes my own creativity away, quite a bit! I see it as a fun tool to learn. I do love to think about how I learn stuff, but yes, I am a teacher myself.

Do you have your own approach to how to learn to handle a style you admire but don't really get the grip of? Please tell!

Have a lovely day!

fredag 26 juli 2013

Inspired by Melissa Philips - A Horse in Sunset


 


Third post today! (Just don't get used to it!)

I've been meaning to make a series of cards, inspired by Melissa Philips, one of the best cardmakers in the known universe. I'm going to choose one of the cards on her blog, link you to the real thing and then post my own take on it. I am of the firm belief: Copying the masters is how you learn!


The original by Melissa Philips.
http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/lilybeans_paperie/2012/05/on-the-farm.html

Summer Card Camp - A Nautical Card


This card is the second today from Summer Card Camp 2.
Who is NOT inspired by Melissa Philips? I wanted to make my own take on her interpretation of sketch 2, week 3. This is what I came up with!


Stuff I used:

Stamps: Paper Smooches - Smoocheroos, Starving Artistamps - Swedish sentiments.
Paper: Scraps from my stash, Panduro cardstock, PTI stamper's select white cardstock
Other: Bling stone, copic markers and washi tape, wood stars, PTI Limitless Layers Hearts die

Summer Card Camp - Picnic by the Pool




Yes, I am alive!
I've not made any cards in ages, because I've been super busy with wedding preparations, making fabric flowers, flowers in sugarpaste, painting white wooden horses and a million other things... Well, now we're married and yes, I am planning to make some mini albums about it all - you'll most likely see some pics in time!
This card is the first of my cards from Summer Card Camp 2 from Online Card Classes.


I used the sketches and the colour combo from day 1, week 1.


I'm also linking this card to this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Summer Food &/or Drink.


Stuff I used:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn - Make Lemonade, Starving Artistamps - Swedish sentiments.
Paper: Scraps from my stash, Panduro cardstock, PTI stamper's select white cardstock
Other: Bazzil vellum, Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder D'vine Swirl, bling stones, copic markers and La-la Land Wave border die.

Have a very nice day!