wild strawberry and cream...

Inspiration abounds....even in a box of Crayolas...

Yesterday afternoon as I was sitting with my little one while she did her homework...I was on "hand me this color of crayon" duty....she needed crayons in the Primary colors to complete her assignment....so I sat and handed over something in the blue category when she requested a blue crayon...something in the yellow category when she requested a yellow crayon, and then we came to my handing her a red crayon....it was called "wild strawberry"...and she was completely concerned..."too pink" she said, "teacher will think I don't know my colors"...first off....my mind was stuck on the name of the crayon...."wild strawberry"....off I went thinking of the photo inspiration challenge...of summertime...of color combinations including this yummy wild strawberry color....then of course I was snickering to myself over her concern....she immediately wrote a note to her teacher explaining that she couldn't find her real red crayon and had to use this strawberry one....I'm enjoying her so much....happy to be her crayon hander-over-er....thankful that we're not to algebra or geometry homework quite yet...we'll have to call Uncle Chris at this stage....as I still use my fingers to count with.

 

This is my card based on this  photo....beautifully taken by Leslie from A Creative Mint.   This photo has enough detail packed into it to inspire me for a lifetime....I love the rows of wooden buttons...the metal scissors, Baker's Twine, soft and clean blocks of cream, faint touches of gray, and the script on the vintage letters....so, those are the things I chose to focus on in my card.

Along with a Melissa Frances paper, postcard and vintage image, I used a 7gypsies metal spoon, cream scrunched seam binding, and Papertrey Ink stamp sets including Fancy Flourishes and Daily Designs Sentiments.  

I've invited a few special friend to play along....visit their blogs to see how this photo inspired them:
Maile Belles

Betsy Veldman

Mish Wooderson

Dawn McVey and

Heather Nichols.

Thanks to you all for sharing your lovely creations with me....I can't wait to see more.

Check back in another day or so for next week's Photo Inspiration Challenge.

And....if you ordered one of these from me...I've got them all ready to ship....yours will be arriving on your doorstep very soon.

  Be sure to check in at Nichole's blog for another BIG, FATTY giveaway...so much going on there right now.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Melis
 

 

Comments

[Kathy]

Oh that is just gorgeous!!!! Love your wooden buttons and that yummy ribbon!!
Thanks so much for this challenge and I can't wait to see the next photo!!
:)Kathy

[Gabi With An Eye]

Pure preciousness - that's what this is. This is exactly what's it's all about. I'm here to warn you though, just don't blink.

[Becks]

Ohh how I just love that little story! Absolute cuteness..
I'd have to say that card captures that photo to a "t"... beautiful!
Can't wait for the next photo... definitely challenging me to step out of my comfort zone, and I'm lovin' it!

[leslie]

This gorgeous piece is so romantic and nostalgic, I just love it. The metal element with the spoon and the old photograph is a really unique and sophisticated combination.
I am really inspired by the work you and your dear friends are coming up with and I feel so lucky to be a part of it all. Thank you Melissa! xo

[Stella]

Your story about you and your lily bean is a pleasure to read. In fact, your blog is a daily pleasure to read and follow. And your cards? I wrote it several times before; beautiful and breathtaking. Thank you for sharing; you give me tons of inspiration. And I am impressed; that you are able to create all the cards that are ordered. How do you manage?
Have a nice day!

[Geny]

What a wonderful photo, I love your card and all the girls cards!! Great inspiration!

[Courtney]

Wow fabulous inspiration! I just adore that picture!

[Nancy M]

I love reading your Mommy stories. They take me back to when my daughter was little. (She turns 21 this year!) It is heartwarming to see (read) how much you love and appreciate your time with Sierra. Not all parents do.

Your card is a wonderful combination of rustic and elegance. I've really been enjoying seeing all of the cards inspired by Leslie's amazing photographs. Thank you for the play date.

[Be(e)]

I Love the color combo!! This one is so inspirational! The amazing photographs always get me going.

[Karen]

Beautiful photo (love the colors) and equally beautiful interpretation!

[Debbie Marcinkiewicz]

What a fun challenge you offered for us this week! Cream and red are among some of my favorite color combos! Your card is simply perfect. Thanks for the chance to play along with you and the gals again this week!!!!!

http://debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/2010/02/melissas-color-challenge-cream-red-card.html

[Margaret M]

Melissa you are an inspiration! I look forward to visiting your blog each day! The projects are just breathtaking! Loved the crayon story..enjoy those little girl years...I have two girls and now one is getting ready to be married. Such bitter sweet memories to cherish!

[sarita]

love the crayon story - i have been doing that with my grandson - and boy there are some NEW crayon colors! when my son started school we found out that a girl i went to school with now had a son in kindergaren with my son! so when they were in 4th grade the mom and i had to call each other to remember how to add fractions!! but we had fun figuring it out! so maybe Uncle Chris will let you learn too!! thanks for all of the inspiration you give out.

[Sharnee Torrents]

OH MY!!! YOur blog is AMAZING!!!! SImply super stunning!! I love it and will definitely be back! WOW!!
Thanks to the lovely Dawn i popped on over here! AS for this post, ADORABLE!!!! and that picture, I agree a life-time of inspiration right there!!
SMiles SHarnee :0)

[Jolene S]

Melissa, you are probably my all-time FAVORITE blogger. Your style of vintage inspires me BEYOND belief. I only wish I could create like that! All of the texture and layering... I'm still working on it. You really have an eye... GREAT JOB!!!

I wish I had some scrappy stores that carried this great product more readily available. We only have the big chain stores that all carry the same stuff. :( So, I live vicariously thru you!!!

One other thing, THANK YOU for your inspiration for me to become a better mother. I am now a stay-at-home-mom with 2 little girls: ages 18 months and almost 4 (going on 14!). It was difficult (I cringe that I even think that!) at first... being home all-day with my kiddos but now that we've settled into a routine and I've gotten to know them better (really... it scares me at how much I didn't know about them) things are FANTASTIC!!! Yes, we still have our days, but I find my mind wandering back to your words often and how I should be so thankful, for the good AND the bad days, that I have with my girls.

So... thank you.

P.S. Sorry this was so long!!! :(

[kara]

Thanks for bringing these beautiful photos to our attention! Very inspiring. I made a couple mini Valentine's using your challenge.
Kara:)

http://kandrdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/dreams-of-you.html

[DebbieK]

Cute story, Melis! LOVE your art you created:)

[Kaylene]

Sweet story! I am sure I will get to help out on crayon duty soon (my grandson Caden will be 3 in June). I had to laugh when you said you still use your fingers to count. Caden's mommy, my daughter is 25 and we use to laugh how she counted when she was little...we called it her finger calculator. You could see she was really thinking about a math problem and her fingers on both hands would just be flying. LOL Thanks for sharing such a sweet story & beautiful photos!

[Beatriz Jennings]

this card is so beautiful Melissa ;) I love it !

[Sarah Martina]

Thank you for another wonderful inspiration, Melissa. :) I'm so excited to have played along.

http://sarahmartina.wordpress.com/2010/02/05/all-u-need-is-love/

Have a wonderful weekend!

[Ingrid Danvers]

Thanks so much for this inspiration challenge, Melissa. I had fun playing along. Here's my card...

http://ingriddanvers.com/archives/526

[Lisa Dolson]

Melissa, oh, your card is so you and so perfect for the inspiration picture. I love your vintage buttons and layout. So sweet! Thank you for sharing with us!

[Lisa V.]

Hi Melissa,
I love the inspiration that you are providing. The colo combos. are great. Thank you for sharing and for letting us submit. Here is my take on the picture and I also submitted this to Nichole Heady's blog for the PTI emboss resist challenge. Thanks again.http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1614670?&cat=500&ppuser=213107

[Audrey Pettit]

Had such a ball playing along with your fun challenge, Melissa! I am always so inspired by you and am a huge new fan of Leslie's blog, too. thanks for sharing the beauty!
http://audreypettit.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/super-bowl-sunday/

[Cindy Holshouser]

I am so happy you are having these photo inspirations. I'm a little late but here is my card.

http://sweetppaperie.blogspot.com/2010/02/miss-you-cps-153.html