How to Use Products You Already Own to Copy Inspiration Cards Pin It

"How to Use Products You Already Own to Copy Inspiration Cards"

Is that the longest blog title ever!?  Geez, I wasn't sure what to call it, but what I'm trying to say is...

Have you ever seen a card that you wanted to try to copy on your own, to see if you can make one similar to that of your inspiration?  But you didn't end up doing it because you didn't have the exact same materials as your inspiration card?

I want to change that!  Hopefully I will show you some ideas on how to use replacement products and end up with a similar looking card.

This is the first inspiration, from Jennifer McGuire's Blog.  Jennifer is a super fabulous designer for Hero Arts, the popular stamp company.  She has such a lovely style that is easily seen throughout her cards.  To make this card, she has listed several products, these are among those:

• Indie Bloom Clear Stamps
• Distress Ink in Broken China
• Mister
• Perfect Pearls
• Watercolor Paper

Here's my version:

Of course I think hers is better, but I am satisfied with my result.  I've only been 'seriously' stamping for a couple months now, and I still have a lot to learn.  I will tell you what products I don't have, and what I used instead to keep it similar.  I currently do not have: the green paper she used, the stamp set, Perfect Pearls, or the watercolor paper.

I made my own green paper, using a cherry blossom branch stamp with Distress Ink in Peeled Paint on top of green scrapbook paper.  I used a floral bouquet stamp to create the main focal piece, and also embossed it in white.  I inked it with Distress Ink in Faded Jeans and Broken China (I just love these colors!).  I did not spray with a mister; however, I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists in Iridescent Gold.  I did not have the same butterfly stamp, so what I did instead was stamp a solid butterfly on yellow paper with clear embossing powder.  I cut them out and gave them some dots with Black Enamel Accents.  The yellow paper was inked on the sides with Scattered Straw Distress Ink.  You can tell I didn't have the same font for "Thank You", but it still gets the message across (no pun intended).  No pearls on hand, but I did have some Liquid Pearls in White Opal - they look shockingly similar. 

Here is the second inspiration card, created by Shari Carroll, who also designs for Hero Arts.  I love her style and how she uses her Silhouette on many of her cards.  In this Christmas Card, she used amongst other things the following:

• Hero Arts Christmas background stamp
• Hero Arts ornaments stamp
• Hero Arts digital die cut for the ornaments stamp
• Hero Arts "Merry Christmas" sentiment
• Brown ribbon
• Twine
• Copic Markers

It's funny to me that despite all of the craft supplies I have, I don't have any of these!!

[By funny I mean not funny, and my Amazon Wish List is bursting at the seams!  Sob!]

Here's my version:

I started with a brown card, and put several stamps from different collections together to make my own background stamp (primarily Inkadinkado).  I inked it with Walnut Stain Distress Ink, then inked the "Merry Christmas" sentiment onto white cardstock and adhered to the card base.  I cut a slit in the side with scissors [I don't even have a craft knife!? Double sob!], and tied some lime green satin ribbon through [How does one not even have brown ribbon...sheesh...].  I then made my own ornaments!  One was an actual stamp, the center, inked in Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and outlined in black marker.  The one on the right is a circle punch with a snowflaked inked in Crushed Olive and outlined also.  The ornament on the left is a McGill starburst punch.  I glued some silver metallic trim down using Glossy Accents for the ornament 'wire'.  Lastly, Stickles in Lime Green, Platinum, Cinnamon, Gold, and Copper to top off the ornaments [gotta have some glitz factor!]

So now I want your opinion! 

Should I rush out and buy the same products to duplicate exactly or do you think my versions are okay?

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