Hello my friends! Hope you all had a nice weekend. Mine was great---with lots of time for stamping. :) Our next featured artist is so talented and has a heart of gold. It's Michelle (also known as
Skrappergirl on flickr). Michelle recently caught my eye on flickr when she organized the sweetest mini card drive for Jennifer McGuire (you can read more about it
HERE). Then, I started looking through her photostream and the inspiration started to flow!
Here is her first inspiration card:
Aren't these warm colors just beautiful?! I love the overall design of this card with the stitched panel along the bottom and the flower off to the side. Michelle has done a lovely job of combining patterned paper with stamping. Finally, the embossed white background is perfect texture to complete this card!
Here is my take. When I was all done with this card I realized it didn't look much like the inspiration, but I guess that is what I find so fascinating about creating based on an inspiration piece. It provides me with a jumping off point. In creating my card, I was especially inspired by Michelle's color choices and embossed background. Also, I turned the overall sketch of her card to the side and used that as inspiration, too. 
Thanks again for stopping by!! Be sure to stop by Michelle's BLOG for more great inspiration!Hugs and see you tomorrow!
Stamps: Sentiment and Text (Hero Arts C2962, K5344); Foliage (K&Co.), Butterflies (Martha Stewart and Fiskars Punch)
This card is the perfect marriage of image and sentiment! It evokes such strong emotions for me in that it ties the changes we see in nature to the changes in our lives. And while change can be scary, this work of art is a reminder of the beauty in change, too! The warm shading of the focal point tree draws the eye in. This card has that fabulous artsy feeling that just makes me want to hang it up in my house. And did you notice the fine stitching and distressing on the central panel? Great touch, Michelle!