Guest Designer - Sharri Seffens

Hi! Today I am featuring the second of my two guest designers this month, Sharri Seffens. Have you seen all the stunning Very Merry cards Sharri and Selma have filled the StampTV gallery with? Wowza!

I've been admiring Sharri's work for so long! She creates such beautifully detailed cards and projects, and has amazing talent for coloring and backgrounds! I love this easel card she created using A Very Merry Christmas. What a festive holiday card!

I asked Sharri a few questions to get to know her better...

How long have you been stamping and how did you get started? I started stamping about 7 years ago when my daughter was a baby. My babysitter invited me to a Stampin' Up party and I went partly to get out of the house and I because I was intrigued by all the beautiful cards and scrapbook pages Jessica would show me when I picked Abbi up. Once I got to the party and saw how easy it was to make homemade cards with a few stamps and ink, I was hooked. If anyone had told me 7 years ago I would have a blog that I would post my project on and be a Guest Designer for Theresa or anyone else, I would never have believed them.

What are your favorite kinds of projects/techniques? Right now I have been mostly focusing on making cards but some of my other favorite projects are mini scrapbooks, treat holders, and calendars. My very favorite technique is creating a background with a brayer, sponging and post-it notes, but if you ask me next month I could have a new favorite because there are so many techniques that I love.

Do you enjoy challenges and, if so, what are your favorites and why?
I love all challenges. My two favorites are color and sketch challenges because there are so many inspiring crafters out there that come up with the best color combinations and sketches that I would never have thought of doing.

What inspires you in your crafting?
My inspiration is my would around me, all the fellow crafter's blogs, Stamp TV, and Splitcoaststampers. Theresa is a big inspiration to me. I love her work and am constantly amazed by her talent. I also reading about new products and techniques in magazines and on the internet.

I love the design of this card, with the diagonal piece that is balance with a matching horizontal piece on the bottom. And the double punched flowers are the perfect touch! For more inspiration, be sure to check out Sharri's blog for another wonderful project and then hop over to Selma's blog to see what she has created! I also saw a gorgeous Merry Tree card on my sister's blog!



Card Details in Sharri's words...

Supplies:

Stamps: A Very Merry Christmas

Ink: Memento's Rich Cocoa, SU's Rose Romance

Paper Gina K - Fresh Asparagus, DCWV - Pink, SU - Holiday Treasure

Accessories: Copics - R11 R20 R22 YG45 YG63 YG67 E27, SU Gold Cord, Kaiser Pearls, Gina K - Holiday Assortment Buttons, Nestibilities - Labels 9, Sakura Glitter Pen, Niji Waterbrush, Flower Punches.

I cut two pieces of Fresh Asparagus cs, 4x8 and 4x4. I scored the 4x8 piece at 2 and 4 inches, this is the base of the easel. Here is the tutorial I used for directions.

I decorated the base with the Holiday Treasure dp. Stamped the sentiment in Rose Romance and cut it out with the labels 9 nestibilities. I popped up the sentiment so it will hold the card front in place.

The holly branch was stamped with Rich Cocoa ink on Gina K's White Pure Luxury paper and colored with copics. I added sparkle to the ribbon and berries by watercoloring with my Sakura Glitter pen and Niji Waterbrush. The holly branch was also cut out with the labels 9 nestibilities. I finished off the card with buttons from Gina K's Holiday Assortment, punched flowers and pearls.

Thank you, Sharri!

I'll be back tomorrow night with a new Hip to be Square candy treat holder and tutorial for Melanie's Hip to be Square blog hop. Then on Wednesday night, I'll be having a Very Merry Christmas blog hop, and then Friday, Nina is having a blog hop for Lord of the Season! It's going to be an exciting week! Be sure to check in on Wednesday if you want another chance to win my set set! And don't forget to check out the new and still growing Idea Center at StampTV anytime you need inspiration!

Have a great day!