Celebrate the Beauty

I created this card for Cindy's sketch challenge for Gina K Designs release party over at SCS. There is still time to play, you can find all of the details here. I used two of the new sets that were just released, they were Festive Frame (for the sentiment) and Vintage Borders (ornament image). The snowflake is from the Special Delivery set. I love sketch challenges and this one was alot of fun. You have until Monday Nov 2 @ 7:00 CST to upload your card over at SCS. Please be sure to use the keyword: GKDOCTCL so that Cindy will be able to find your card.

****The winner of this challenge will receive any stamp set they choose from Gina K Designs valued at $24.95 or less!*****

Stamps: Festive Frame, Vintage Borders, Special Delivery (GKD)
Paper: Kraft, Rocket Red (GKD), White (Neenah), Aqua Print (stash)
Inks: Rocket Red Brilliance, White VersaMagic
Extras: Ribbon (stash), Pearl (Kaisercraft), R29 Copic (to color the pearl), MS Snowflake punch, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, buttons (Autumn Leaves), Nesties

Hugs,

Oh what a night!

Oh my, tonight I experienced my first Gina K. Designs release party over at SCS. What I can tell you was it was FUN and fast moving. If you have a little time, you should go and check out the release party thread here. There were tons of cards and projects uploaded, it truly was a feast for the eyes. Three of the senior design team had challenges just for the release. There is still time to play and you will find the links to the challenges here. The card I am showing above is for Lee's challenge to use the festive colors of Cranberry, Gold and Black. The images/sentiment used were from the Vintage Borders and Festive Frame sets. I cut the sentiment panel with my nesties and stamped the sentiment with Adirondack Pitch Black ink. I overstamped the corner of the panel in gold with part of the poinsettia from the Festive Frame set and then embossed with detail gold powder. The pearls on the sentiment panel were white and I colored them with my Copic R89 marker. I just love how you can do that! The black bow was created by wrapping the some Midori ribbbon 3 times around the second largest template on the Bow Easy.

Don't ask about that gold embossed paper because I have had it in my arsenal for so long that I can't remeber what company it is from. I truly think I have had it somewhere between 5-7 years. Can you say "paper hoarder?"

Over the next few days, I'll be uploading a few more cards/projects using these great stamp sets.

Gina K Designs Preview Day 2-Vintage Borders

Hi there!

I am so happy to be joining in on the fun tonight and sharing a couple of cards for the preview of one of the new sets to be released by Gina K Designs on Thursday night. This set is called Vintage Borders and was illustrated by the talented Nina Brackett.

For my first I used Gina K Pure Luxury Smoky Slate cardstock that will be releasing on Thursday, immediately following the release party on Splitcoaststampers. The card front was embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. I stamped and embossed the scallop border and scripture verse with silver ink and detail silver embossing powder. The light blue panel was embossed with a snowflake folder and the scallops borders were attached to each side. I added some snowflake and sprig punchies and lots of tiny rhinestones for sparkle. I finished the card off by using my Sakura Stardust pen on some of the embossed snowflakes.

For my next card, I embossed the ornament image from Vintage Borders with gold ep and punched out a section with a 7/8" square punch and mounted it to a black inchie square. The frames for the image were created using my Nesties Labels One. The cardstock is Gina K's Vibrant Violet which was released last month. The background of the card was stamped with Versamark ink and one of the images from the Vintage Borders. I embossed "peace" (also from this great set) in gold and finished it off with a little gold cording.

Thanks for stopping by tonight!

For even more inspiration, please visit the Illustrators of the stamp sets featured tonight:

Asela Hopkins: First Christmas
Nina Brackett: Vintage Borders

Tonight, we have several of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews. Here are their blog links:

Deb Felts
Sharri Seffens
Melissa Cash

Finally, stop by these GinaK Designers' blog for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Gina Krupksy
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Cindy Lawrence
Erika Martin
Emily Giovanni
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Melanie Muenchinger
Tami Mayberry
Theresa Momber
Donna Baker

Our Release party will be held Thursday night over on SCS in GinaK's Forum from 7-10 pm CST. We'd love to have you join in the fun! There will be contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots more samples from our designers throughout the party! See you then!

Let the previews begin!

In about an hour (10:00 CST) the previews will begin for the next Gina K Designs that will be released on Thursday night. You won't want to miss a thing so head over to Gina's blog and check it out!

Tomorrow night is my night to jump in and share in the preview fun! I can't wait to show you what I have been workin' on!

The release party will be held over in the Gina K Member Company forum at Splitcoaststampers. Prepare to join us for some fun challenges and amazing eye candy!

hugs,

Doing the happy dance today!

It's official! I was chosen to be on the Center Stage Spotlight Design Team for Gina K Designs for the next few weeks. I was shocked when I received my an e-mail from Gina K asking if I would like to participate. I immediately e-mailed her back and accepted. I didn't want her to come to her senses and change her mind ya know! I will be joined by these fabulous ladies:

Sue VanDeVusse

Karen Knegten

Sharri Seffens

Diana Queen

Deb Felts

So come on back and see what we have up our sleeves for the next design release. The illustrators have been hard at work!

Tropical Bloom -- Just Us Girls

Good morning! The rain has stopped (for now) but it is still gray and gloomy here. Yuk! Sorry for the bad pic, but what is a girl to do without sunlight? I created this card for the JUGS2 challenge on the new Just Us Girls blog. JUGS is a new blog that will have a new challenge each week. This week we were asked to paper piece somewhere on our card and to use pink as a bonus for Breast Cancer Awareness month. I paper pieced the squares from the Hip to Be Square set from GKD with cardstocks from Basic Grey's Bittersweet collection. I'll be sad when I run out of this cardstock cuz I think it is soooo purtiful! The cream and pink backgrounds were embossed with the Victoria CB EF. The stamps used are from GKD's Tropical Blooms set. I love how they look like pink poinsettias. You can't see it in the "oh so fine" pic, but there is some microfine glitter on the pink flowers. I used teeny tiny brads in tan and brown for the centers of the flowers. I used the Chocolate Spica glitter pen on the stems and leaves of the flower and they are so pretty and sparkly. For the outer edge of the frame I used my Copic marker R81 to give the look of another layer of cardstock.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hip to be Square, Tropical Blooms--GKD
Paper: Cream and Pink from Stash, Chocolate-GKD, Bittersweet DP-Basic Grey
Inks: Espresso-Adirondack, Petal Pink-VersaMagic
Extras: Ribbon-Stash, Mini Brads-GKD, Chocolate Spica, Copic R81, Microfine Glitter, Victoria CB EF

Have a great day,

Blessed

Hi there! I was going through some of my "blog ready" pictures and noticed that I hadn't posted this card yet. I created this card a few weeks ago using the Signs of Autumn and Thanks a Million sets from Gina K Designs. I liked this card so well that I ended up making enough of to use for a recent swap as well. I rarely make more than one of anything, so this was a true challenge for me! On this card I went over each of the wheat stalks with my Versamark Marker and then clear embossing powder. The deets for the card are below.

Although I make cards, I am kind of a schmuck when it comes to actually sending them to people, but I did send this one to Theresa as she had done something really nice and I wanted her to know how much what she had done was appreciated by so many of us who hang out on the StampTV forum. Stampers really are the most kind hearted folks! I can't begin to tell you about all of the "special" friends I have made through this little hobby of mine.

The weather here is gray and gloomy and as much as I like fall, I don't like gray and gloomy. YUK! I have some cards ready to take pics of, I just haven't had good sunshine to do it in. What do you all do to get good pics when there is no sunshine?

Enough rambling, here's the recipie for the card:

Stamps: Signs of Autumn, Thanks A Million-GKD
Cardstock: Brown, Cream-GKD, Yellow Mini Gingham-Amuse
Ink: Caramel (or maybe Butterscotch??) and Espresso Adirondack
The extras: Ribbon-GKD, Weed (Outta the Yard), Versamark Marker, Clear EP, EK Success Medium Corner Rounder

happy stamping,

Winter Day

I am on the road today, but wanted to share a card I made for this weeks Potluck Friday challenge at StampTV. Lee's challenge is called One plus One. One color (family) and one neutral. I happen to love monochromatic cards so this was an easy one for me to whip out. I was pretty happy that I only worked on this one for an hour. Usually it takes me 2-3 hours once I get started. I think my mind wanders sometimes! :)

I had seen this layout awhile back and copied it and put it in my "layouts to use someday file". There wasn't a name on the inspiration card, so I don't know who to thank for the great layout. If you recognize it, give me a shout out so I can give proper credit.

I had these two sheets of Aqua (one light and one medium) cardstocks in my stash and thought they would be perfect paired with white and the trees from the GKD Tree Silhouettes set. I stamped and embossed the trees with white EP and then layered it with the white and lt aqua panels. I wrapped some 1/8" aqua organdy ribbon around the lt aqua panel and then attached it to the med aqua card with foam tape. I finished off this card with some Stardust Stickles on the tree limbs and the ground and a punched snowflake adorned with an aqua rhinestone.

Happy Saturday!

Whimsy Pumpkin

Happy Wednesday!

I hope this card finds everyone having a wonderful day! I am busy getting ready for my Copic class on Saturday. You should see my studio floor, there are little piles everywhere. :) I am a bit retentive when it comes to packing kits, so it is a job I have to do by myself. I wouldn't want to run any of my pals off by letting them help.

This adorable (okay, I think it's adorable) card was created for the Monday Color challenge STVCC30 on at StampTV. The challenge was to use the colors: Pumpkin Spice, Green Apple and So Saffron and a neutral. I didn't have So Saffron cardstock, so I picked a nice harvest yellow from the same DCWV pad that I used a couple of days ago. I am bound and determined to use it up! The print cardstock is from Basic Grey's Marrakesh collection.

The card is 4-Bar in size (3 1/2 x 5) and has like a bazillion layers! This cute little pumpkin is from the Whimsical Autumn set and was inked up with Adirondack Espresso for the top of the pumpkin, Memento Potter's Clay for the pumpkin and Memento Bamboo Leaves for the vines. The pumpkin was colored with Y34, YR04 and YR07 Copic markers. All of the oval layers were cut with Classic Oval and Classic Scallop Oval Nesties. I finished off the card with some natural woven ribbon and a few buttons from Foo Fa La. I think that glittery orange button is cool and funky. It has a hole in the middle that was just perfect for the yellow button. The interior of the buttons were finished off with some twine.

Enjoy today!

Coffee and Friends

Hi there! Today will be a busy day for me. I am headed to town to visit my Mom and we have tons of errands to run. David is busy getting ready for his "big' fishing trip with the guys. With all of the new airline rules regarding bags, he has had to pack and unpack and re-pack to make it all work.

While he is gone, I will be getting class kits ready and packing a bag of my own to head up north and teach. I leave the day he gets home. We will be like two ships that pass in the night!

Today's card is one I made for Vicki's color challenge (STVCC28)over on StampTV. She choose black, pink, gray and white. I was surprised to find I didn't really have any gray cardstock. I did have this pretty satin ribbon and this floral scrap of cardstock from Luxe.

I stamped the coffee cup from Gina K's Signs of Autumn set once on the white background and again on the backside of the lightest pink Bazzill bling cardstock that I was using. I overstamped the pink coffee cup with the little swirl from Carolyn King's Whimsical Autumn set, cut it out and paper pieced to the image on the white panel. I then colored the saucer and cup with R81 and R85 Copic markers to add some dimension.

I am really enjoying fixing up the inside of my cards also. For this card, I layered a piece of black cardstock and another scrap of the flowered cs to the inside base of the card. The sentiment is from Gina K's Thanks a Million set and was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I have a friend who loves coffee drinks so I am going to send this to her. Her kids have just started back to school, so I am hoping she will take a moment for herself and enjoy a good cup of joe.

I'll be back in a couple of days with a sneak peek of the cards I will be teaching at Green Tangerines in Rocklin, CA.

Have a great day,

Thankful for You

Happy Thursday Y'all!

I created this card with my hubby in mind. I wanted him to know that I really do appreciate that he gets up (way before the chickens) and commutes a minimum of 45 miles one way to work (depends where the job site is) out in the wonderful CA sunshine. Man, I love this guy.

Okay, enough of the lovey, dovey stuff. There wasn't any special technique other that Cuttlebug embossing for the card, just some straight forward stampin' and layerin'.

Here are the deets:

Stamps: Signs of Autumn Stamp TV Kit-Gina K Designs

Cardstock: Pure Luxury Black and Green Apple-GKD, Neenah CCSW

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versacolor Bamboo

Extras: Buttons, Twine and Herringbone EF

Hugs,

Old Friend(s)

and boy do I have some "old friends." ;) One of my dearest friends just had a birthday last week. I have known her for 44 years (ever since she was born). Love ya girlie! Now on with the show.

This card has a really masculine feel to it, I don't really have any "old" male friends except for the ones I inherited 23 years ago when DH and I got married! Don't really think any one of them would appreciate the time I put into this card though.

This card was created for the Potluck Friday challenge at Stamp TV. It was really pretty simple to put together. Here are the deets:

1. Fold Chocolate Kiss cardstock in half and run through the Cuttlebug with largest Petite Oval Scallop Nestie.

2. Print Moss Burlap digi paper from freebies section at Stamp TV.

3. Run digi paper through CB with largest die from the small Petite Ovals set.

4. Color pine tree stamp (GKD) with Tombow markers (098,126, 451 & 969)

5. Spritz stamp with fine mist of water and stamp onto Arches 140# coldpress watercolor paper.(Canson 140# coldpress will work good too)

6. Ink sentiment first with Adirondack Espresso ink and then lightly touch to Adirondack Ginger ink to add a bit of red to the espresso (this combo matches Tombow 969 perfectly), stamp onto image panel.

7. Affix tree panel to digi panel and punch holes on either side for your ribbon.

8,,Insert ribbon, tie in knot and affix to Chocolate Kiss card with foam tape.

9. Add a little glitter to the tree and a stick pin to the knot.

Voila!

If you would like to receive this card in your mailbox, leave me a comment and I will draw a winner tomorrow night. Be sure I have your e-mail addy or some way to reach you.

Happy Saturday night!

It's All Good

Here is a fun card that I made for two challenges over on StampTV. Haven't heard of StampTV? Pop on over and check it out! The first challenge was Thursday's sketch challenge and I have to say that this sketch was a royal workout for me. The top corner piece just wasn't falling into place like I wanted. Finally, I decided I had better get happy with it or give up! I wasn't givin' up..........no way. The second challenge was Lee's Potluck Friday challenge. On Potluck Friday, you never know what will be thrown out to gobble up on. This week the challenge was to be inspired by (drum roll please)...........Mint Chip Ice Cream!

I dug through my stash for some print paper to start out with and then paired it up with some Gina K Pure Lux Choc Kiss cs. The print papers are from a Karen Neuberger line that Paper Salon carried. I stamped the ice cream and words with Adirondack Espresso ink and colored it in with Copic markers ( YG05, YG11) for the ice cream and (RV02, RV21) for the dish. I colored the itty bitty clear gems with Copic (E29). The spoon was colored with my Stardust pen. I also went over the outline of the dish with the Stardust pen to give it a little zip!

Have a great Tuesday!

hugs,

On Center Stage

I created this card a couple of weeks ago and posted it in the gallery at StampTV. StampTV is a new forum that was started by Gina of Gina K Designs. It is a great forum and the members are really nice too! When I uploaded this card, I had no idea that it would be "noticed" by any of the major players on the forum. Lucky me though and it was! This card was chosen to be on Center Stage for the month of May on the StampTV forum along with 9 other beautiful cards.

The cardstock, print paper and stamps are from Gina K Designs. I used my nesties to cut the card and layers. The inks used were VersaMagic Pink Petunia and Adirondack Pitch Black. The butterflies are from a MS punch.

Have a great day,

Iris Thank You

Happy Monday everyone! The card I am sharing today is one I made just for the heck of it. No particular challenge or class was in mind. All stamps/paper/cardstock used was from Gina K's Floral Frenzy Kit. I embossed the Iris's with Egyptian Gold EP on Canson 140# cold press watercolor paper and then used my Tombow markers to watercolor. I added a bit of Diamond stickles to the centers of the flowers for a little extra bling. If you have any questions, let me know.

hugs,

Simple and Bright

Happy Friday! I hope this finds you gearing up for a fabulous weekend. We are supposed to have some rain today, but then it should clear up and I am hoping for great weather for next week/weekend. This card covers a couple of challenges. The first challenge was the Clean and Simple (CAS11) challenge at SCS. For this challenge we were to pick something from the JCPenney childrens bedding catalog as inspiration. I was inspired by the Melrose Accent pillows shown here.

The next challenge is the StampTV color challenge from Monday (STVCC9). For that challenge you were to look to the rainbow for inspiration. I used the KISS technique with the bold flower, crackle and dotted images from Gina K Designs Bold Flowers Set. The inks used are from the Adirondack Brights collection.

Have a great day!

Feel Better Soon

Here is a little Get Well card that I made using stamps and paper from the Gina K Designs Floral Frenzy Kit. For the base card I ran my folded black card through the Cuttlebug with my Nestie Lables 1 large die.

To do this, you need to place the die just below the fold line of the card so that it doesn't cut all of the way through. This cardstock is good and heavy so it took a couple of passes through the bug to cut all of the way through. I continued cutting/embossing the layers using some of the other dies from the Labels 1 set. For the image panel, I stamped the flowers with Pink Petunia VersaMagic ink and then cut/embossed the panel. The butterflies are from a MS punch. I know you will find this shocking, but there is no glitter or bling on this card. Yup, I even shocked myself! :)

happy wednesday,