Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gina K Designs Inspiration Hop!


Hi, and welcome to Gina K Designs' Inspiration Hop!  It's the first day of a three day extravaganza of card-making ideas!  Today we're previewing two newly released full-sized stamp sets, as well as two of our new Duo stamp sets.

Stately Flowers is the first stamp set in a series that Melanie has begun, which will feature the names and flowers of all 50 states!   My first card features the California poppy.  I love the cheerful colors and loose, open shape of these flowers...in fact, I love them so much that our china is a poppy Villeroy and Boch design named Amapola.  I am really looking forward to traveling to California for CHA at the end of January!

Notes:
Melanie's Stately Flowers
Basic Grey Picadilly designer paper
Copic markers
May Arts ribbon, twine
paper roses
Kaiser Craft bling


Make a Statement is a companion set for Stately Flowers.  Since my husband is retired USN, I couldn't resist making a patriotic card.  Even with all of the difficult times America has been having lately, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!  (I am wondering if I can talk Melanie into a "Cajun Country" sentiment since that's where I'm from!)  ;)  This layout is an adaptation of Fall-to Layout 167.

Notes:
Basic Grey designer paper "solids"
Nestabilities hearts, scalloped hearts
small star brads
"squeeze" tiny tag die
Copic multi-liner
Thickers letters (colored with a Copic marker)
May Arts twine

If you scroll down to yesterday's release party invite, you can see the card I made using the Close Knit Friends Duo and read the story behind the design!

Here are the designers sharing projects made with today's featured sets!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

You're Invited!


We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K Designs November Release Party. We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp set reveals, design team shares, and most importantly, you can start shopping at 7 p.m. CST!

If you came from  Emily's, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

This card just gives me warm-fuzzies!  However out-dated that term might be, sometimes it is still the most accurate choice!  These "knitting needles" and the close-knit friends sentiment make me smile from the inside out!   For two nights in a row last summer during the week of CHA in Chicago, I had dinner at Gibson's Steak House.  The first night was with a bunch of Gina K friends (pictured here!), and the next with some of the SCS girls, a few GKD friends among them!  

As we were leaving the restaurant, Jimmi showed us all these little Gibson's toothpick matchbooks and of course we each had to have one!  Hehehe...obviously she was impressed by them because she actually took this picture!  ;)  

As soon as I saw them they reminded me of a pair of miniature knitting needles!  I finally came across the perfect image and sentiment to go with them!  And yes...I really did knit a few stitches with them, which was not easy!  

This would be the perfect card for another close-knit friend who's into knitting now!  I miss seeing her lately, we have both been so busy!  Time for a get-together!

Hope to see you at the party!  Here are all the details:
Head on over to Donna's to see what she's sharing today...I'll see you back here tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for November!

CPS 246


I taught two Copic classes yesterday at The Enchanted Scrapbook, and in between classes (a Surfing Santa card) I stamped a card for this week's CPS sketch using an absolutely adorable Stamping Bella image, Big Girl Pants.  Some of the students for the evening class arrived early while I was still coloring, and they probably thought I had really lost it because I was practically squealing over this darling stamp!  She is SOOOOO cute!  Making this card was a whole lot of fun!

Notes:
Stamping Bella (Mo Manning Big Girl Pants)
Bazill card stock
Memento ink
Copic markers
Basic Grey Picadilly designer paper
Little Yellow Bicycle crepe paper lace stickers 
Jenni Bowlin buttons
May Arts ribbon, twine

Monday, November 28, 2011

Building the Snowman!


Here are a few cute GRS Stick Chicks Building the Snowman!  Their holiday outfits have glittered ruffles and cuffs, and there's a dusting of Polar White Flower Soft on the ground.  Love these bright, fun, traditional holiday colors and the way a splash of black makes 'em pop!

Notes:
GRS Stick Chicks Building the Snowman
Teresa Collins Christmas at Home designer paper
MS snowflake punches
Polar White Flower Soft
stitched grosgrain ribbon
button
ivory jute string

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Tie Affair


I still have lots of Christmas cards to make because it is difficult for me to "skip" holidays, but for today's GRS Diner's Club preview I couldn't resist fast-forwarding to New Year's Eve!  My first idea with this wonderful sentiment was to use some music paper...the ones I have are gorgeous (and are, in fact, from the same 6 x 6 pad) but more vintage-styled, and I wanted this to be a black-and-bright-white, tuxedo inspired kind of card.  I love that clean, simple, classic elegance!

Want a free stamp?! The first 50 orders today are receiving a free stamp with their order. All stamps are 25% off (excluding Diner's Club sets.) Happy shopping!

Visit the GRS blog to see the rest of the images in this great new set, appropriately named "Let's Celebrate!"  You'll also want to visit our designers' blogs to see what they have made with it!

Enjoy your weekend!

Notes:
Gourmet Rubber Stamps "Let's Celebrate"
MME Lost and Found Sunshine designer paper
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
Spellbinders tag die
Creative Impressions crinkle ribbon
silver cording
Kaiser Craft bling
Quickie glue pen
glitter

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

ihp sale!


It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but let the Black Friday frenzy begin!  i {heart} papers is having a great sale!  Here are the details:
  • valid Wednesday 11/23-Sunday 11/27. 
  • 25% off EVERYTHING storewide (in stock items only, not valid on gift certificates) using code black25dt for orders totaling a minimum of $35
  • 10% gift certificate bonus. IHP will add an additional 10% of the value of the gift certificate during this sale. (25% discount does not apply to gift certificates.)
Enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday!  Celebrate your blessings!  I hope you are able to spend some extra time with your family and friends!  

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

CPS 245


Hello friends!  It's been a while!  I didn't really plan to take a blog break, but sometimes life just gets in the way of creativity.  I'm hoping that I can jump back in without hesitation because there are lots of fun things coming up in the next few weeks!

This week's CPS sketch is sponsored by Clearsnap.  Visit the CPS blog to see the great cards made by my design team mates!

Notes:
Clearsnap rollagraph, rollers, and ink

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Winter Blues!


This week's Flower Soft challenge is "Winter Blues!"  Perfect timing to use this adorable Moments in Time Little Friends Christmas card topper, which is being retired!  Thankfully, it is available as a stamp also, which is not on the retirement list!  If you haven't made your Christmas cards yet and want a fast and easy way to make multiples, you should snatch these pre-colored card toppers right up!

I trimmed this topper down to fit a standard A2 card, then cut a notch in it with a circle die, and scored 1/4 inch in from the straight edges.  That gave a little room for the beautiful blue to peek from underneath a glittery snowflake and gingham bow embellishment.  Easy peasy and super cute!

Notes:
Moments in Time Little Friends Christmas card topper
Nestabilities classic circle die
Polar White Flower Soft
PVA glue
gingham ribbon
MS snowflake punch
glitter
blue button

Visit the Flower Soft blog for links to the challenge designs by the rest of the team!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

GRS Design Team Challenge


Our Gourmet Rubber Stamps team was given an inspirational color  challenge!  Just look at this beautiful Fall image!  I was drawn to the soft turquoise blue hues and the speckling of the leaves.

I started with kraft card stock spritzed with Tsukineko's Summer Sky Fireworks, then added two prints from Authentique's Gathering designer paper.  The Big Thank You sentiment was stamped on a tag cut from the flip side of the dotted print.  I colored and shaded the letters with Copic markers, keeping the colors soft.  To embellish, I added a layered bow of satin, twine, flowers and jeweled pins, along with matching pearls and swirls.  The pearly Fireworks makes it so pretty IRL, very hard to catch in a photo!

This layout was inspired by CAS Fall-to-Layout #166.

Be sure to visit the GRS blog!  There are peeks there, and links too, of all of my design team mates' challenge creations.  Now's a great time to shop...it's Black November!  Everything (except Diner’s Club stamps sets) is marked down 25%!

Notes:
Lizzie Anne's Big Thank You from Gourmet Rubber Stamps
Authentique's Gathering designer paper
Kaiser Craft flower
antique stick pins

ihp Design Team Challenge!


It's time for this month's i {heart} papers design team challenge.  With the close of 2011 in sight and a brand new year on the horizon, we're spotlighting some cute calendar stickers provided by SRM Press.


I recently started teaching coloring classes, and for the past several months I've been stashing receipts wherever they happen to land.  The need to be more organized inspired this project, which will also provide safe-keeping for seasonal class ideas, marker color choices, etc.  Isn't it more fun when the ho-hum everyday things can become more colorful and sparkly?!

I will be adding an envelope to the ring for each month of the year and hanging the ring in a prominent spot so that it is easily accessible, probably on the handle of one of my Copic crates!  I'll be able to see at a glance when my classes are scheduled and how long I have before the prep-work needs to be finalized.  Receipts for supplies will go straight into the appropriate envelope instead of getting lost amongst the rest of the paper scraps in my studio!

The closure that I used is a ready-made twist closure that I purchased from Michael's...it barely lasted long enough to take this photo, so from now on I'll be using some circle dies, eyelets or brads, and cute twine to make my own!

Notes:
Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes
Memento ink
Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink
Copic markers
October Afternoon Holiday Style designer paper
Stickles
Inkssentials white opaque pen
White twinkle ribbon
Kaiser Craft rhinestones
white coin envelopes
twist closures
hinged metal ring

Visit the blogs of my design team mates to see how they've used SRM calendar stickers in their projects!

Come to My Pad!


This week's CPS sketch is sponsored by The {Stamps} of Life!  This layout was just perfect for our new club set, froggy2love.   Since the frogs make music every night near our house, I included a bit of music score behind him, although I suppose a meal buzzing overhead would be music to his ears!  ;)

Notes:
froggy2love, sayings4froggy
Stephanie Barnard for Clearsnap inks
Copic markers
BoBunny dots background paper
October Afternoon Sidewalks designer paper
May Arts ribbon
black brads

Monday, November 14, 2011

Mini-VSN!


I had a fun Veteran's Day weekend stamping a few cards for mini-VSN between Friday and Sunday performances with the Orange Park Chorale!  What a privilege it has been to sing with such a talented group!  I am learning so much, and have met some amazing new friends!  

The first VSN card I'm sharing today is for Lisa's challenge, Warm and Cozy and All Bundled Up!  We were to make a card or project with an image of a something you'd bundle up with....scarf, hats, mittens, sweater, blanket, etc.....AND to make it warm and cozy by incorporating felt into the project.  I chose this sweet snowgal who is holding a fuzzy warm muff. (I had a one just like it but mine was white!)  This is the first time this darling OCL single has seen ink!

The card's warm colors were inspired by some old DCWV "flannel plaid" designer paper which I (machine) blanket-stitched to some textured Bazill card stock.  The sentiment was stamped in white craft ink on kraft card stock which was "warmed" with some tea-dye distress ink.  I added a few strokes of black multiliner to add contrast and definition to the letters.   

It was kinda fun to pull out and love some old stuff that has been sitting sadly neglected for a while!

Notes:
Our Craft Lounge's Mrs. Frosty
Bazill textured card stock
white craft ink
Creative Impressions felt flowers
Graphic 45 metal flower
MS snowflake punch
Creative Imaginations jewel



My second card is for Kelly's challenge, to create a card representing a favorite holiday song.  I must admit that it would be virtually impossible for me to choose a single favorite!  I absolutely LOVE to sing, especially during the Christmas season, and this cute caroler captures the joy that music brings!  

Kelly requested that we use at least two layers and two embellishments.  The caroler was stamped on a scrap of Copic blending paper and again on Basic Grey designer paper.  I cut around the image and glued it directly to the designer paper, adding sparkly fluff to the hat, scarf, and pant cuffs for dimension, texture, and sparkle!  After stitching around the edges and attaching the sentiment with twine, that layer was adhered to the card base with dimensional adhesive dots.

Notes:
Gina K Designs Kraft card stock
Our Craft Lounge Sing with Joy!
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Tim Holtz tea dye distress ink
Copic markers
Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses designer paper
Spellbinders ribbon tag trio
Appletini and Daquiri Ice Sparkly Fluff
The Twinery twine
buttons from the stash

There's still time to play a few challenges for this weekend's Virtual Stamp Night on SCS! The deadline to upload is tonight at 10:00 EST.

Mark your calendar for the main event, Winter Wonderland VSN on Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Water Lilies


Sundays are a day to rest and refocus, so I thought it appropriate to post this card, made with a lovely water lily from this month's TSOL club set, froggy2love.  The set is filled with cute images and funny sayings, but this particular image can be made into a quite elegant card!  I love it when you can work a set that way!  You can get lots more inspiration from the TSOL gallery, and since TSOL is sponsoring this week's CPS sketch, you can check out the cards there too!  Mine will be posted on Tuesday, as usual!

Lots of "white space" and the soft colors of this card create a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere that would be perfect for a variety of occasions.  I often delay choosing a sentiment to stamp until the occasion arises...such is the case with this card.  It would've made a nice get well or thinking of you card, but I will be sending it as a sympathy card.  My friend recently lost her mother, who lived in a pretty house on a peaceful pond, so she'll appreciate this lovely lily!

Notes:
TSOL froggy2love
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink
Basic Grey Sweet Threads designer paper
Neon Yellow Ultrafine Flower Soft 
PVA glue
Kaiser Craft pearls

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Virtual Stamp Night!


Did you "attend" Virtual Stamp Night on SCS last night?  I thought I would be able to visit the VSN forum early, then sing in the first of two Orange Park Chorale concerts this weekend, then VSN some more after our performance, but things didn't turn out as planned!  Thankfully, Plan B was all good too!

The card I'm sharing today is for Carole's challenge, It's a Marshmallow World!  She asked us to make an all white card with something sparkly...only the image itself could be colorful.  I made a Christmas snow globe with lots of shine, sparkle, texture and dimension.  Flower Soft's colorfully printed paper-crafting kit and ready-to-assemble aperture cards make it fast and easy!

Notes:
Christmas Snow Globe papercrafting kit
Oval Aperture cards and envelopes
Display globe
Nestabilities classic ovals
Silver peel-off stickers
Polar White Flower Soft
Clear self-adhesive rhinestones
dimensional adhesive dots
Sheer twinkle ribbon
Cuttlebug embossing folders (dots, snowflake strip)
additional white card stock
EK border punch

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fairy Tales!


This week, the Our Craft Lounge challenge is to be inspired by a fairy tale.  I chose Puff, the Magic Dragon.  I have always loved that song, although (still, to this day!) it makes me cry every single time I hear it!

Because of the lyrics of the song, I made sure to include some string on my card, and would've also included some sealing wax if I would've had any!  I remember seeing some at CHA!

Visit the OCL blog to find inspiration and to add a link to your card if you play along!  If you upload to an online gallery, use keyword OCL91.

I would like to say a belated Happy Birthday, USMC, and to say thank you to all of the veterans (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and National Guard, active duty, and retired) and their loved ones!   Being in the military or being the family of someone in the military requires a tremendous amount of sacrifice!  We are ever so grateful that you made the choice to defend us and our great nation, especially in light the time that you were required to spend away from your loved ones in order to do so.  I hope you feel appreciated and special on this Veteran's Day!  It is not just another holiday!

Notes:
OCL's Drake the Dragon
Breeze (Lost and Found) MME designer paper
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink
Copic markers
Copic spica pen
want2scrap bling
natural twine "string" thread

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Twinery + TSOL!


Are you ready for some fun?

The {Stamps} of Life and The Twinery Design Teams are playing together for this hop!  You should have arrived from my friend, Julie Ranae's.  If not, be sure the visit The Twinery Blog to start at the top of the hop!

About The Twinery:
Our twine is made from 100% cotton, it’s eco-friendly and made in the USA. Whether you’re gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker’s twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker’s twine comes in 14 delicious colors and is uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative embellishment! Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look. For creative ideas & more…visit OUR BLOG!
About The {Stamps} of Life:
We feature high quality, made in the USA, clear stamps and digital stamps/brushes for stampers, card makers and scrapbookers. Feel free to browse our gallery with more than 2500 samples using our stamps, watch our free how-to videos and join our club!
As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be two prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs:
  • One winner will win TWO stamp sets (winner's choice) valued at $12.95 (total retail value $26.90) from The {Stamps} of Life
  • One winner will win the Ultimate Color Sampler Pack ($25 value!) from The Twinery!!! 

The prize winners will be announced on The {Stamps}of Life and The Twinery blogs on Wednesday November 16th.


Today's card attempts to capture the magic of the Christmas season, although it would be just as appropriate for any snowy winter day!  It features a pair of traditional bright Christmas green mittens hanging from a jingle-bell-embellished twine bow.  The mittens, from TSOL's Christmas2build, are colored with Copic markers, then adorned with a jeweled snowflake and Stickled sparkly cuffs.  A light sponging of the The Twinery's  peapod twine with tea dye distress ink helps its bright white match the creamier ivory tones of the designer paper, a scrap of Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly that was some of my favorite from last year.  The sentiment, from minis4circles, is stamped on one of several Spellbinder's snowflakes which were frosted with Stickles in two colors (frosted lace and eucalyptus).

From here, you're visiting Monique Hansen.  Can't wait to see what she's got to share with us!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

CPS 243


This week's CPS sketch is sponsored by Want2Scrap!  It's a fun, layered sketch.  Hope you'll play along!

Notes:
black rhinestone Nestabling by Want2Scrap
Christmas2build, spiros2stamp from The {Stamps} of Life
Stephanie Barnard for Colorbox ink, Tim Holtz distress ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Circles
Martha Stewart snowflake, EK corner rounder
Creative Imaginations jewel
May Arts ribbon

Monday, November 7, 2011

Happy Birthday, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!


Hello and welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Birthday Blog Hop! Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is so excited to be celebrating four wonderful years!


If you have been following along already you should have come from Katlyn's.  If this is your first stop, please head back to the SNSS blog and start from the beginning. You won't want to miss any stops along the way! Also, don't forget to comment on as many stops as you can....the more comments the better your chance of winning one of the fabulous prize packs! :)


SNSS was one of my very first design teams, and it holds a very special place in my heart!  The friendships and faith of that group were strong and powerful then...while we don't necessarily chat on such a frequent basis, those ties hold firm, and we know where to go when we need prayer and encouragement!  I cherish my SNSS friends!

A fantastic group of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps design team members past and present, along with some special friends, have put together this fabulous Birthday Blog Hop to kick off a whole month of fun. We have 36 stops so the hop will take place over three days - feel free to take your time visiting each blog! You have until 11:59 pm EST November 9th to leave comments on as many blogs as you can. On Saturday, November 12th Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps will announce FOUR winners (chosen at random from comments on random stops along the hop); each lucky winner will receive a prize pack including stamps, dies, paper and twine valued at $40!


The digital image that graces my card for today was illustrated by my sweet, amazing friend, Dina Kowal.  I printed it twice on Copic blending paper, colored it with traditional Christmas reds and greens, and trimmed around the entire image with paper snips on one, and around the leaves only on the second.  I printed it a third time on a scrap of Basic Grey Jovial designer paper which was cut and embossed with a nesties rectangle.  The embossing provided the perfect guideline for outlining the focal image with a multi-liner, and some warm gray Copics and additional sponging with distress ink brought more depth, adding to the illusion of the warm glow of candlelight.

The flame of the candle was glued to the designer paper with a quickie glue pen; the candle and "brass" holder were popped up on dimensional adhesive dots.  The entire piece was given a liberal spray with gold Shimmer spritz.  The poinsettia designer paper background for the card front got a lighter dusting of gold as well. The simple yet elegant card was finished with a few dark red rhinestones, and an iridescent gold organza bow.  The holly leaves were gently curled and adhered to the bow with a glue dot.

Your next stop on the hop is Stephanie's, but just in case there are any hiccups, here is the whole list of celebrants on this party train. Don't panic!  Remember, you've got several days to make it through!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Distressed and Stressed!



This week's OCL challenge is distressed and stressed.  I love that distressing cards de-stresses my body and spirit!  That is one of the things I love about stamping!

It's been a while since I made one of these little triangle tri-fold cards.  I thought that this double-sided paper would go well with this Vintage Wine image...reminds me of the nice little Italian restaurant we like to visit when we go to the Symphony, which we particularly enjoy during the holiday season.  JSO Holiday Pops and The Nutcracker are part of our family's holiday celebration ritual.  This year we want to see Wicked when it returns in January.  We were out of town when it was here before, and we were hugely disappointed to miss it!

I'm going to be making music with the Orange Park Chorale a week from tonight, and again on Sunday, November 13th.  Can't tell you how excited I am to be part of this talented group!  If you're a local in the greater Jacksonville area, I hope you'll come out and support our efforts!

If you're a stamper playing along with this week's challenge, be sure to link your creation to the OCL blog, and upload to your gallery with the keyword OCL90.

Notes:
OCL Vintage Wine
Teresa Collins NOEL designer paper
Scor-buddy
Memento ink
Tim Holtz tea-dye distress ink
Copic markers
sheer organza ribbon
Kaiser Craft rose
MS pine bough punch

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Turkey Talk!


Here's a CAS card for this week's Flower Soft challenge, Let's Talk Turkey (or any other animal you choose)!  This Impression Obsession turkey was stamped with Memento ink and colored with Copic markers.  There's just a touch of glitter on his body, and his feathers are embellished with ultrafine Flower Soft.  

We would love for you to play along.  This week's challenge winner will be chosen to win The Winebuffs Papercraft Kit! (Scroll down to see the pocket card I made using the kit and a Wine Buffs stamp).  You have until midnight on the 9th to complete your creation. Please leave a comment on the Flower Soft blog with a link to your card so that you can be considered!  Be sure and upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers using keyword FSC39.

Visit my Flower Soft design team mates for lots of inspiration!  You can find their links on the Flower Soft blog or on the sidebar to the right.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

CPS 242


Here's this week's CPS sketch, sponsored by Flower Soft.  I used a Flower Soft Wine Buffs stamp set, along with designer paper from the Wine Buffs papercrafting kit to create a pocket card.  The new ultrafine white was just perfect for his white hair!  I used a white gel pen to whiten his brows to match.

Notes:
Memento ink
Copic markers, Copic multiliner
white gel pen
satin ribbon (Michael's)
spiral clip (SU!)