Saturday, January 1, 2011

Favourite Cards by Others from 2010!

I wanted to give some big shout outs to the artists in blog land who really "wow'd" me this past year with their eye catching creations!  I found all my favourite creations and contacted each of the artists to ask their permission to post their cards here.  Each one graciously agreed!
These are just a sampling of the cards that have given me "jaw-dropping moments" in blogland.  I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I have!
If you have not ever seen these girls blogs before, I encourage you to pay them a visit.  I have everyones' blogs linked - just click on their names!



Now here is one from my friend Chris Dark.  I have long been an admirer of Chris's work!  We have chatted off and on over the years and encouraged one another in our respective art careers.  Not only do we share the same name, but the same stamp illustration career, same hobby, and our hubby's are both "Mike's" too.  
I have a lot of jaw dropping moments at Chris's blog.  This card is proof of why!  Chris could get her cards framed and put in an art gallery as far as I'm concerned!  Each one is like a miniature painting!
These next two are by Annika.  I am just wow'd by her colouring, whether she uses Prismas or Copics.  And her card construction is just as beautiful with her attention to creative detail.
Here is another one of her beauties!  I couldn't resist posting two of hers! Its linked here.  I love the way she ties the colour scheme together!
Now here is a card by Mary Giemza.  She is another one I've been friends with AND stalking for awhile!!  I love the way she colours too.  And she just knows how to put a card together in such a classy drop-dead-gorgeous kind of way, doesn't she!!  As far as I'm concerned, this card is the quintessential classic vintage Christmas card!!! 
Next up is Zoe McGrath's eye-popping creation.   Does it not look like you will soon hear the tapping of this Diva's foot and see her go storming off the screen?!  Talk about bringing an image to life with colour and shading!  My goodness, this is one delightful card!  Zoe is also famous for making card parts MOVE.  If you have never seen her stuff before, you are in for a treat!!
Now this person's blog was chalk full of cards that I could have chosen, but I settled on this one by Bev at All The Things I Love.  There is something about the way Bev uses all the elements - images, colours, embellishments and sketch to make a masterpiece each and every time.  I just love this one for the subtle greys and creams contrasted with the stark reds and blacks.  Here is the beauty she let me share with you today:

This next artist is someone I just discovered a few months ago, although she may not be new to you.  But I am so grateful I found her blog!  Her style is irresistible and arresting!  Her name is Dena.  Check out this card of hers that stopped me in my tracks! I just love how each element enhances the other:
Now this next lady knows how to colour! (well, all these girls do!)  I have been oogling Melanie Holtz's creations for awhile now, learning a lot about creating depth with darks and lights.  I think you'll be wow'd by this one of hers too -- she has many that make my jaw drop, but I esp. love this one!  Enjoy:
Next up is Yvonne's.  I have long admired and studied Yvonne's work!  Besides her colouring, I find it is the way she uses dies and embellishments that draw my attention.  I have found so much inspiration through visiting her blog! Here is my favourite from her beautiful gallery of creations from 2010. Simply stunning:
Most of you probably know my next guest, Kim Piggot.  Not only does she do amazingly beautiful work, but she is also all over blog land, leaving comments and encouraging others!  This card she did made me sigh.  I just love pink, and she uses it brilliantly on this card. I love the light outlines on all the pink die cuts too.  That's what makes them pop.  And there is just enough sparkle to give it that magical look:
This next card I chose by Jane jumped off the screen at me!  I just love how the nautical theme is woven throughout the entire piece.   Her colouring is great the stamps are oh so cute,  and look at her embellishing!  I love the starfish and life preserver, and how she used eyelets and twine on the white punched piece.  Its just SO CUTE!
Lastly, I met Jerri  back on SCS when both of us had only been stamping for a short time.  I used to pull up a photo of one of her cards and study it for a long time.  Whenever I did florals, I refer back to one of her creations and try to mimic what I saw.  She continues to astound me with the art that she creates!  Last spring she wow'd all of us with her Bridal Collection.  If you haven't seen it, you really ought to pay her blog a visit because you will be floored.  Not only is Jerri a great artist, but a kind and giving friend as well.  Here is a photo of the Bridal collection.  View these creations in their individual posts too, you do not want to miss these!!
I hope you have enjoyed seeing just a few of my favourite creations from around blogland in 2010.  Thank you to my blogging friends who allowed me to snag their photos to post here!  I just thought it was worth sharing all these eye catching works of art one more time! 
If any of these folks are new to you, please don't hesitate to visit their blogs.  I think you'll be wow'd like I was!
God bless and all the best for 2011!!

22 comments:

  1. Wow! These are all amazing pieces. Thank you for sharing them and wowing the rest of us too.

    Happy New Year,

    Carolyn :)

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  2. Wow wow wow, I am so honoured to be included in with these amazing crafters, thanks so much Crissy. Wishing you a very happy new year, may it be rich in love, laughter and happiness. x

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  3. Hi! Crissy,
    Thankyou so much for a trip down memory lane.I am a follower of all but one[but I am now]Their work amazes me also.I can stare at these cards for ages.
    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  4. such beautiful creations! so lovely to see a review of your work...cant wait to se what you come up with this year!!! Hugs Juls

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  5. Hi Crissy! Thanks so much for this post. I was already following a few of them but you have helped me find so many more! I now follow all of your top picks. I have so much to learn and appreciate all the inspiration! Happy New Year

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  6. OMG, I'm soooo totally honored to be included with these amazing artists ... all highlighted by my all-time favorite artist and friend! Thank you Crissy! All the best to you and your lovely family in this new year. BIG hugz, Mary

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  7. Crissy, I am so honoured to be one of the ladies amongst your selection. I must admit there are a couple here I don't think I have seen so I am off to grab a morning coffee and sit with my jaw dropped for a while. :) hugs xxooo

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  8. Crissy! You are such a sweetie for adding me here! I feel very touched!!! Keep on creating those adorable illustrations!! They are just amazing!
    I hope you have a year to remember with all GREAT things!!!!!!!
    Hugs and thanks again for thinking of me!

    Dena

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  9. Wow what a very talented bunch of crafters and such an inspiration!!
    Thanks for sharing :o)
    hugs and xxx

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  10. Crissy, thank you so much for including me with these other very talented ladies. What an honour!! Your work is a constant inspiration to the rest of us out here in blogland. Your continued support and encouragement is greatly appreciated...God bless you and your family this new year!

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  11. I thoroughly enjoyed that little tour through blogland Crissy....what a great idea! I met a few new and amazing crafters I hadn't seen before....what an amazing amount of inspiration is out there. Thanks for taking the time to put that together for your blog readers. Cheers!

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  12. I loved visiting each and every blog..loved the inspiring artists that all of them are!!
    Thank you for sharing these wonderful links!
    Tejal

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  13. Happy New Year Crissy!
    You are right they are so beautiful!

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  14. Ohhh my, so much gorgeusness!
    And talk about coloring talent!!
    Thank you for listing up this talented girls :)
    Happy new crafting year!
    Hugs from Maya

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  15. I'm Speechless~~ What superb inspiration from all!!!
    Thanks for sharing Crissy!!
    Hugz and Hope the New Year brings all the joys one deserves:)

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  16. WOW!! To say I was bowled over when you asked to feature my card is an understatement and now that I have seen the rest of your picks I am even more honoured and speachless!! Thank you so much Crissy for thinking of me and for also being such an inspiration yourself! Happy New Year to you and your family! hugs, Jane xxx

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  17. Some of these lady's blog I know well and follow, some are new (Thanks for the tip!) All are stunning! As soon as I get all the drool off my computer I'll be on my way to see some new (to me) blogs! All the best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours!
    R/

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  18. Hi Crissy; These cards are amazing! I've never seen cards like this before. Each one so creative and fascinating. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog the other day and for your great comments. I do hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and may you He richly bless you in the upcoming year.

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  19. Thanks so much for sharing all this fantastic talent with us all.
    I already follow some of these ladies, but was thrilled to find some more blogs that provide so much inspiration.
    I must say your creations are also amazing and I look forward to seeing more this year.
    Hugs Sue x

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  20. Hi Crissy and you already know how much I love your sweet and generous idea to do this post and how thrilled I was that you asked me to be featured in it but a huge thank you from me. What a wealth of talent you've shown everyone here, such talented and inspirational artists all of these ladies are. Wishing you the very best for 2011 Sweetie, love and hugs, Chris

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  21. Crissy, I'm sorry to be so late in coming here to view this post. My only excuse is that I've been incredibly busy creating an ensemble for CHA for a company that approached me a few months ago. Soon, I'll be making an announcement . . . LOL! I thank you for including me in your post. You are the dearest friend and I treasure your friendship! Thank you so much for the years of chatting. Sometimes we go a long time between chats, but we're never far away in thought. Hugs to you and wishing you the very best this coming year. Now, I'm off to check out all these wonderful blogs you've posted. {{{big hugs}}}

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