Inspirations

Inspirations
The color you see is the color you get!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Shimmery Red Tulip

Good morning! It's Holly posting today, and I've got a shimmery red tulip to share with you today:


I used watercolor pencils and Creative Inspirations Paint to color in this image, and then I cut it out with an oval die. The paper was too white and I wanted it to blend in with the cream tones in the background paper, so I sponged some Antique Linen distress ink all around the flower and the sentiment.

Here is a close-up so you can see the gorgeous shimmer:


Stamps: Lovely Tulip (Heart Song Designs), Birthday Basics (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Antique Linen distress
CS: Chocolate, White, Stella Rose patterned paper (My Mind's Eye)
Creative Inspirations Paint: Rustic Red, Green Olive
Other: oval dies (Spellbinders), watercolor pencils, water brush, sponge, May Arts ribbon and lace, pearls (Kaiser)
TJ Techniques: Pencilled Twinks, Wisped Frames

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

vintage spring cards - Kianel

Hello there!
Kianel here with you today, presenting some vintage spring cards created with a monthly kit i've made here in France. I used my "fairy dust" paint from Creative Inspirations paints in many different ways there so here are the cards:
This first one is a birthday card with hidden tag. I coloured my image with a blending of Ci paint + water + adirondack paint. So shimmery!!! I also applied the paint directly to the paper to enhance the details of the label. I also added a mix of Ci paint and water onto my flowers to make them shine and covered the chipboard key with it too.


On the 2nd card, the diecuts are covered with a mix of brown distress ink and CI paint. I used the same colors to cover my white lace so that it matches with my lattice frame. My little Magnolia girl is painted with CI paint + water + distress ink. The butterfly is covered with CI paint and the flowers with Ci paint + water.

List of material : dies are from Cheery Lynn Designs + Magnolia + Quickutz, papers are from Graphic 45 + Canson + Bazzill, inks are versafine + distress + adirondack, stamps are from Magnolia. Flowers and pearls are from Wild Orchids Crafts, butterfly punch is from Martha Stewart
As you can see it, the possibilities of that terrific paint are just endless! Just try with different mediums and have fun! And don't forget to join our weekly challenge every sunday!
That's it for me for today, have a nice time, lots of love from France, Kianel.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Saying farewell!

This is my last post as a designer for Creative Inspirations and I have had a great time over the last six months! This a great team of talented and sweet ladies and I will miss being a part of that. I love Creative Inspirations paints, so while I may no longer be posting them here, you will still see me using them on my projects if you follow my blog or scrapbook.com gallery. A special thank you to Kassi and Molly, you are amazing leaders with large hearts. I wish you continued success for Creative Inspirations and on your next adventure!

I do want to leave you with one last project, loaded with texture and paint. Hey, that's what I'm all about right? When you use Creative Inspirations paints, don't be afraid to mix them with other color mediums. On this page, I created the background with color mists and acrylic paints. I used Chocolate (YUMMY!) CI paint on the giant star. The shimmer makes the star stand out on this project.



Thank you everyone for all the sweet comments. I hope I've inspired you to get in there and just get messy. Paint is supposed to be fun! I'll see you around!

~Rebecca Price

Monday, March 28, 2011

ARTSY TULIPS

Hello Everyone - Today is my last post for Creative Inspiration Paints here on the Inspiration Blog. I will continue to be using these fabulous paints, but I am stepping down from the team to make room for more talent to come in to inspire you!


I want to thank everyone here for the opportunity! The paints and this experience has been AMAZING! Best wishes to all of the new Design Team, they are going to have a blast!



On my project, I used the fabulous shimmery paints from Creative Inspiration Paints. I used Core'dinations cardstock and painted over the entire piece with Winter Frost.

Image: Artsy Tulips
Cardstock: Core'dinations, White, 
Accessories: Ribbon White Satin from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Floral Brads from SU, Martha Stewart Punch, Silver Pen

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

CI Paints Inspired By: Flowers

Thanks to everyone who joined in our "Easter" challenge last week!  What some amazing creations!!  So much talent!

Make sure to check the post below to see our random.org Top 3!!

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Each week you will be given a challenge to find inspiration in/from what ever the challenge theme is... you can be as literal or abstract in your inspiration as you want... Just make sure you can tie it back to the theme! Challenge closes at 4:00pm Eastern on Saturday.

You will always be able to jump back to the current challenge by clicking the "Current Challenge" link in our sidebar. The rules can always be found by clicking the tab "Challenge Rules" at the top of the page.

You do not need to use the Creative Inspirations Paints in your project, however, if you do, tell us which colors you used, and your name will go in the drawing twice! Each month, one person will win 5 jars of paint in the colors of their choice. The winner will be randomly drawn from all the people who have played that month, so make sure to join in on our challenges each week!

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This week's challenge is:

Inspired By: Flowers

Here's two cards for some inspiration:

 I used "Pink Highlights" to add to the umbrella and "Light Purple" to the wavy line on the top of the flower cart.

And...
I used "Buttercup" on this card on the chipboard swirl.

Have a great week!  Remember this is the last Sunday of the month, so we will be drawing a random winner from all the entries this month to win 5 jars of paint of your choice!!

Kendra

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Inspired By: Easter Top 3

Random.org Top 3 from our "Easter" Challenge:
You can grab this badge for your blog:
Congrats! And thanks for playing along with us!!

You each will receive an extra entry into our monthly drawing!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

bubble painting...


Hey everyone! Guess what... It's the weekend!
YAY!

But even more exciting... I get to share another technique today!

Random things have lately been inspiring my creativity...
Remember on Wednesday when I talked about extending your "wet time" with your Creative Inspirations paint?  Well, here is one of the ways I love to use that extra "wet time".

What you need:
Creative Inspirations Paint
Clear Glaze Base
Toothpick
Bubble Wrap
Scissors
Double-sided Tape
Acrylic block
Brayer

 Step 1: To start out, cut a piece of bubble wrap to your desired size. I like mine just a little bigger than I want the finished stamped area to be.

 Step 2: cut out random individual bubbles. Be careful not to cut into any of the bubbles around where you are cutting!

 Step 3: Apply double sided tape to an acrylic block big enough to fit your bubble wrap.  I use my ATG gun for this, and have always been able to get the adhesive off after.

 Step 4: Press your bubble wrap onto your taped block.

Step 5: Using a toothpick (or any other tool you want)  scoop out a small glob of Creative Inspirations Paint. Here I'm using Tanzanite.

Step 6: Add a drop or two of my (not-so) secret "wet time" extender... clear glaze base.

 Step 7: Using your toothpick, stir the paint and glaze base together.

 Step 8: Using a brayer apply your "extra time" CI paint mix to your bubble wrap.

 Step 9: Press your painted bubble stamp onto your paper as you would a regular stamp.

At this point, you are probably thinking... "And why did you have me cut all those random bubbles out?"
Well... for fun, of course! =)
Step 10: Cut a single un-popped bubble out, and adhere to a small block just as you did with the larger piece.

Step 11: Using a contrasting color CI paint or ink pad, stamp in your missing bubbles.

(see, it is fun adding a splash of color, huh!)

This is a fun way to achieve anything from a modern to vintage, playful to grungy look... Have fun with it!


Enjoy!
~Kassi


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Picture Frame

Hello ladies (and gentlemen)! I hope the week is treating you all well! I've had a busy couple of weeks, but right now I'm relaxing in my hometown and visiting with family. It doesn't get much better than that. :)

This week, I'm sharing with you a picture frame that I made using CI paints. I saw this technique on a Prima live show using a mini album and thought that it would be perfect for a glass picture frame.


I used mango, buttercup, and sky blue. I know that it looks a little messy, but I like it. Afterall, it's art, right? All I did was take a Sharpie and doodle on the front of the frame, and then I painted the back. That way you don't have to worry about trying to stay in the lines because you'll be painting behind them. :)

I hope everyone enjoys their upcoming weekend! Thanks for looking!
-Dani

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

quick tip: extra time...

Hey everyone!

We don't have any company info or news for this week, so I thought I would share a quick tip!

Creative Inspirations Paints dry quickly. Now, this is usually a good thing... after all, who likes to sit around and watch paint dry? LOL! However, there are times when you just need a little more "wet time" (time when the paint is still wet).  

Quick tip: Extending Drying Time

Scoop out desired amount of Creative Inspirations paint onto a non-porous surface (acrylic blocks, or old clam shell packaging works fabulously!).  Now, add a few drops of Clear Glaze Base, and stir. Technically, this product is made for faux finishing with acrylic paints, but it will work for this too.  It won't change the color or shimmer of the CI paints, it just extends the drying time so you have time to work.   This is especially helpful when you want to achieve smooth blending. 

There will be an upcoming Saturday Tutorial, where I will share with you a fun way to use this extra "wet time". It is a technique I really love using!

In the meantime, if you are interested in trying this out, Glaze Base can usually be found in craft stores right by the acrylic paints. 

Have fun!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Spring Background

Spring has officially arrived. The weather reached 60 degrees on Monday; I saw my first robins; and we're having spring showers.Today it's supposed to reach a high of 40 -- oops. Well, hopefully my card will at least bring a feeling of spring. I love to create my own backgrounds with large background stamps and my favorite medium to use for color is, of course, Creative Inspirations paints. I just love the finished shimmer that the paints create. The stamp I used is from Stamp Camp. I used various shades of pink and green for the flowers and foliage. The butterfly is a die cut I created using a Sizzix die and paper from a Tim Holtz paper stack. I dry embossed it using a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I covered the butterfly with fairy dust for the shimmer. The green pearls add a little bling. The sentiment is from Artistic Outpost. Maybe I should have added a question mark. We have to believe that spring will come to stay soon. Barbara Washington

Monday, March 21, 2011

Faux Stained Glass

When I was creating this card I kept thinking how it felt as though I was creating stained glass!

I first stamped my "Cutwork Daffodils" with white dye ink on to some parchament craft vellum and then heated embossed with white embossing powder.
 I really liked heat embossing as it helps paint in the image easier.  (Also if you get a little paint on the white heat embossed areas it wipes off really easily)

I tried to work somewhat quickly, as the paints do dry quickly.  I wanted to add some of the paints as they were still wet to mix them and shade in areas, rather then just lying them on top of each other.

Look at the shimmer!!

I hope you've enjoyed my creation today! Have a great day!!

Kendra

Sunday, March 20, 2011

CI Paints Inspired By: Easter

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our "Inspired By: Animals" challenge!  We seen some cute animals!!  I know I went "Aww" over all the ones I checked out!

Check the post below to see the random.org Top 3!
---------------------------------------------

Each week you will be given a challenge to find inspiration in/from what ever the challenge theme is... you can be as literal or abstract in your inspiration as you want... Just make sure you can tie it back to the theme! Challenge closes at 4:00pm Eastern on Saturday.

You will always be able to jump back to the current challenge by clicking the "Current Challenge" link in our sidebar. The rules can always be found by clicking the tab "Challenge Rules" at the top of the page.

You do not need to use the Creative Inspirations Paints in your project, however, if you do, tell us which colors you used, and your name will go in the drawing twice! Each month, one person will win 5 jars of paint in the colors of their choice. The winner will be randomly drawn from all the people who have played that month, so make sure to join in on our challenges each week!

---------------------------------------------

This week's challenge is:

Inspired By: Easter

Here's a card for some inspiration:

"Light Purple" was used on the bow around the basket and "Fairy Dust" on the butterflies, easter eggs and the bow on the chick.

I used "Fairy Dust" on these butterflies.
Just look at the shimmer!! Yummy!! Check out all the great colors here.

We look forward to seeing what you create!
 
Have a great week!
 
 
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Inspired By: Animals Top 3

Random.org Top 3 from our "Animal" Challenge:


#7 Shelia

You can grab this badge for your blog:
Congrats! And thanks for playing along with us!!

You each will receive an extra entry into our monthly drawing!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

twist and shout...


Hey guys.. wanna twist?

I have been watching the daffodils beginning to pop out all around, and it has me excited for spring! So, today is all about quick, easy, and shimmery flowers!

What you will need...
Flower cut outs  (either hand cut or die-cut)
Creative Inspirations paint

ok... let's jazz up those flowers!
*and uhh... don't mind the paint covered hands... I'd been having fun...lol!*
 I have die-cut a flower out of an old book page using a Quickuz die.. there are tons of options for flowers dies in both metal and electronic... have fun with different shapes, sizes, and papers!

 Step 1: Paint both sides of your flower. I'm using the beautiful Denium color.

Step 2: While the paper is still wet, crumple it into a ball.  Let it dry crumpled up... a heat gun speeds up this part, but is not necessary.

 Step 3: Un-crumple your flower. Now fold it in half and pinch the middle.

 Step 4: Fold your flower in half again  (it should be in quarters now...). Keep pinching that center!

 Step 5: Still got a good hold on your center? GOOD! Now you want to use your other hand to twist your petals... You don't need to make it dizzy, just give it a good twist.

 Now, if you wanted, you could tuck this little guy in some leaves, or behind some other flowers, and you have a sweet little bud just starting to open...

But, if you want an open flower...
Step 6: Keep a good firm pinch on your twist, and carefully open your petals. You can do a little arranging  until you get it just how you want it... 

After your petals are open, and you are done fidgeting with them, the twist in back should, not only give dimension, but it should keep your flower in place until you are ready to attach it to your project. 

Add centers, if you want, and you are done!  They are now in full bloom and ready to add color, texture, and glitz to any project!

Wanna try a twist on the twist?  You can do the same flowers with fabric... The only difference is that you need to secure your twist by running a needle and thread through it a couple times, and tying a knot.. No big deal, and requires NO complex sewing skills (or I wouldn't be able to do it. LOL!)
The one on the left was cut from a pair of worn-out jeans, then painted with Fairy Dust CI paint for shine. The one on the right is some sort of dress lining fabric (left-overs from a prom dress my mom made years ago). It is covered in the happy Sunshine CI paint... LOVE it!

So, have fun, and go TWIST!!! 

PS... does twisting count as exercise? =)