Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday!
We’re inspired by many things when we create. For some, it’s trends. For others, it’s seeing another designer’s work. For others, it’s items found in our day-to-day lives – in advertising, or in shops, or when we take a walk.
Perhaps one of the greatest sources of inspiration is Mother Nature. From the beauty of flowers to the delicacy of a feather, inspiration is all around.
Personally, I’m inspired by all these things. Each has their place. I’m mostly a trends person, but anything that sparks my creative juices – natural or man-made – can have an impact.
The reason I’m waxing lyrical about inspiration, and especially that found in nature, is because the latest Stamp of Approval Collection from Catherine Pooler is about to hit the shelves, and a whole deluge of inspiration with it!
If you’ve not heard of Catherine Pooler’s Stamp of Approval then you are in for a treat. It is a completely curated box of exclusive supplies delivered right to your doorstep! Amidst the gorgeous box and hidden in that pretty wrapping is an *awesome* collection of not-yet-on-the-market stamps, dies, and maybe even a couple of other surprise goodies too – all expertly designed and selected for each box to match, coordinate and amaze. The products in each box are only available as an entire collection and won’t be offered for individual sale until several months from the Collection’s release date, so they’ve got that whole exclusivity thing going on. AND just like that Christmas Morning/surprise gift, the first time you see the entire contents of the box is when you unwrap it for yourself! How fun is that?!
Oh, and one more thing. These babies sell like hot cakes. Fresh from the oven. That’s right. If you want to be the first to the cake aisle then I recommend subscribing to the Waiting List at Catherine Pooler’s Stamp of Approval site so that you’re notified when the collections go on sale, and so you won’t be left staring at empty cake shelves. No-one wants that.
And now I want cake.
The latest Stamp of Approval Collection is being released in just a couple of days and it’s called the Naturally Inspired Collection. And inspiring it most certainly is! Catherine has been sneaking peeks of the contents of The Naturally Inspired Collection on her blog over the last few days, and the past couple of days have seen the amazing Design Team (and some special guests!) show off just what some of the items in the collection can do! I’m helping to bring up the rear for Day 3 of 3 Blog Hops to show off this *truly* amazing box of goodies with a couple of cards, and of course there’s a fantastic giveaway as well where you can win a box of your own too!
Let’s get to the cards.
For this beauty I played around with the stamps from the Wild Garden, Medallion Mix-Up, and Birds of a Feather stamp sets, to create this totally awesome dreamcatcher!
I love the whimsical nature of this card. It really feels peaceful and serene to me!
Can we talk about those feathers? The stamp is generously sized to take the focus of a card, so I created a tall, large card to work with my design. The centre feather was stamped with a mix of Bellini and It’s A Girl inks, and the two flanking feathers just with Versamark ink. But that sparkle. Oh, that sparkle. That comes from heat embossing all the feathers with the exclusive Wanderlust embossing powder that comes with the collection!
The centre of my dreamcatcher is pretty clever too, I think – it’s the dandelion image from the Wild Garden set! As you can see, I pulled out some other embossing powders for that, and for the smaller flower and the sentiment too! I blended Pumice Stone Distress Ink over my base and added splatters and mists to finish it off! I love this card so much!
For my second card, I went with a completely different look:
Gorgeous, right?! Here I brought the Wild Garden stamp set out to play in style! Just look at that gorgeous watercolour-style flowery meadow!
To create the watercolour look, I inked the stamps with various colours of Catherine Pooler inks, spritzed the stamps with water and then stamped them.If you don’t have these inks yet, seriously, do yourself a favour and go grab them. Now.
I splattered a little watered down inks too when done, to really add to the feel of the scene, then stamped the mail cancellation image/sentiment from the Birds of a Feather set to finish.
Giveaway!
So I bet you’d like to win one of these amazing collections for yourself, right? Read on!
All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is leave me a comment – and then make sure you visit the other hop destinations too to check out the amazing inspiration and increase your chances of winning by commenting there too!
Here’s your Hop line-up for today!
Catherine Pooler
Taheerah Atchia
Laurel Beard
Lydia Evans
Ingrid Blackburn
Heather North
Cynde Whitlow
As I mentioned, this is the third of three Blog Hops – and each day’s Hop has a box to give away! That’s three boxes up for grabs for three very lucky winners – and the more you comment the better your chances, so be sure to comment on every single stop of every single hop! And if you’ve already bought a box, you’ll win a $100 gift certificate instead! You can head back to Catherine’s blog to get the list for the other two days!
You have until 9am EST on Thursday 8th June to enter. Good luck!
And don’t forget that The Naturally Inspired Stamp of Approval Collection goes on general sale on Thursday! In fact, I’ll be back with another post then to remind you!
Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies
Dreamcatcher Inspiration Card
Love Wildflower Card
Beautiful cards and some awesome creativity!! Love the watercolour stamping. I need to give that technique a try sometime but I’m pretty sure it’s not going to look quite as lovely. Watercolouring is not something I have done much of and the little I have hasn’t been something I’ve liked too much. I’ll have to try spraying the stamp then stamping.
Taheerah, your cards have that nostalgic look with a watercolor look. Anyone looking just at the picture, would think that is a picture not a card. Loved both cards, the first one with the dreamcatcher and feather is just stunning. 🙂
The watercolor card is beautiful.
Hi Taheerah ~ Your cards are absolutely stunning!! Love the variations in the two cards and think your dream catcher card is incredibly creative and brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing! ~HUGS~
#kindnessmatters
I love the softnes of your cards! Beautiful
Beautiful cards. Love the dream catcher!
While I’m usually a bright color person, I really love your use of soft pastels. The dreamcatcher is a winner in my book
Absolutely love the gorgeous dream catcher and feather card! Beautiful, thanks for sharing.
Like the uniqueness of your cards. Very pretty.
Especially love the wildflower water color design. So classy and beautiful!
What a great idea to use a medallion stamp and the feather stamp to create a dream catcher! Love the sparkly feathers too!
Your cards are unique, I ❤️ them!
Taheerah, you are a hoot! Now I want cake too. 🙂 I love both of your cards and the way they showcase this collection. Let’s talk about that dream catcher though. You are a creative genius! Using a dandelion for the center? It’s such a soft pretty look. I must CASE you. Thanks for inspiring all of us!
Your cards are gorgeous! The watercolor flower one – simple beauty. The dream catcher invokes the ethereal aspects of dreams , slight breezes, magic and wonder – stunning! Thanks for sharing.
BEautiful cards!
I love both of your cards, Taheerah. So artsy and yet so earthy, too. Just beautiful!
Oooooooh, pure gorgeousness! If I wasn’t already hooked, I sure would be after viewing your lovely card Taheera.
I love your cards, the watercolour one is beautifully soft and simple 🙂
Very beautiful cards!
Totally amazing Taheerah. Your cards are so inspiring
The soft water colors on both cards create a lovely dream like effect. Putting all those stamps together in such a unique way to create a dream catcher is inspired. Thanks for sharing.
Love the “inspire” card. Simply beautiful
Pretty cards! And I love waster coloring. Your colors are so soft and organic. Love it!
Beautiful and unique cards.
Taheerah,
I love you style. I will be attempting to case your dream catcher. It is beautiful. I am like you as I get inspiration from many different things. I think nature is the he strongest so I will love this collection.
Cheryl
Love the I dream catcher. Very inspiring, thank you
Both of your cards today are outstanding, but I especially adore the dreamcatcher card! I’ve been playing with the idea in the back of my head since first seeing the stamp sets, but you executed it even better than the picture I had in my mind. Dreamy! I’m sure your card will inspire a lot of mine once I get the collection in my hands.
your designs create a dreamy elegance of a wispy world of feathery dream. LOVE this design with the added flecks of metallic in the mistiness.
Love your cards – so soft and elegant. Just a gorgeous celebration of nature – and the fabulous SOA collection.
These cards are so artistic! Truly an inspiration I have got to try!
Spiritually beautiful cards.
Your cards are FANTASTIC! I am awed by the dreamcatcher card…….it is amazing and shows how creative you are. Bravo, girl………you knocked it out of the park!
I love your subtle, muted designs. So fitting for the flowers and feathers, gorgeous cards!!
Great cards!
Such pretty cards!
Your cards are beautiful and simple.
Such Soft Beautiful colours used, the dream catcher is interesting and different great work.
Thanks for sharing great Job
What a beautiful idea to stamp a dream catcher. How pretty.
Great cards! Love the soft colors!
Oh I love love love that dream catcher card, just stunning! Love the soft tone of the second card too, you are a brilliant designer!
Elegant card. Taheerh…you are so talented.
that first card is just stunning! wow.
I can’t wait to see what’s in the box! Love the Wildflowers 🙂 thanks for the inspiration
Wow – that dream catcher is so amazing and cool! Great idea! I can’t wait to play with these items myself. I’ve been inspired by all of you along the hops. Much like others on the hop, I’m inspired by so much – in nature, in family, and in crafting!
Love your work! The dream catcher is gorgeous and the meadow garden is so lovely.
Beautiful and unusual cards! I love them. I loved how you used that dandelion stamp! Thanks for sharing!
Oh Taheerah, you are a true inspiration. Wow, gorgeous and unexpected works of beauty. Thank you for sharing.
The watercolor colors you chose are beautiful. Great use of those stamps.
I love your first card!!