Old Country Christmas

Happy Monday!
Today I have a quick card to share. When I am thinking of some ideas for cards or just have a creative block, I often check out some of my favorite sites for a good challenge to get the juices flowing. I came across the Christmas in the Old Country challenge on the Moxie Fab blog and just had to give it a try. Here is what I came up with:I created a traditional old country "charm" card...using colors that I thought evoked a feeling of earlier times (cranberry tart, fresh asparagus) . I kept the design very simple because, to me, old country=simplicity.
I cut the tree shapes out of cardstock and inked the edges before attaching them to the card. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the heart and added a button with a hemp bow. The sentiment (from Warm & Cozy Christmas) is embossed on the red cardstock. A strip of Basic Grey doilies cardstock and some machine stitching complete the design.

Sometimes the perfect start to the week is a GREAT challenge!

Materials used: Stamps-sentiment-Warm & Cozy Christmas (Gina K Designs); white embossing powder, versamark, heat tool; cardstock-cranberry tart, fresh asparagus, kraft, white (Gina K Designs); button (Gina K Designs); hemp; heart punch (Martha Stewart); sewing machine.

Don't forget to enter to win my "Two Years of Blogging" Candy below! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Gina K Sketchy Challenge and Happy Thanksgiving

Hi everyone! Donna contacted me on Friday and asked if she could use THIS card I made as the inspiration for the StampTV sketch challenge this week.

Of course I said OK! I also decided to jump on board and create another card that fits the sketch. I thought this gingerbread couple would look so cute in this layout:
All stamps are from First Christmas, one of my all time favorite holiday sets!

Materials used: Stamps-First Christmas (Gina k Designs); cardstock-ivory, pure luxury white (Gina K Designs); Memento tuxedo black ink; SU stamp and Write Markers-red, black; designer paper-Urban Prarie/hayloft (Basic Grey),Lentil Soup/toasted cumin (Jillibean Soup); yellow/Autumn stack (Recollections); Copic markers; hemp; adhesive stickers (Michael's); slit punch (SU!).

So....do you want to play along for your chance to win a Gina K Designs stamp set valued 24.95 or less? You will have a week to play along and the winner will be randomly selected from all the entries. Head on over to Donna's blog for all the details and the link to the challenge thread on Stamp TV.

Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow to all my friends in the States!!! I will miss my family (in PA) and my hubby (overseas). xoxo

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Michelle!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday Dear Michelle,

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Today is Michelle's birthday (Stamper's Dream). Happy birthday to a WONDERFUL person and friend.

Hugs Michelle!!! xoxo I created this funky card with Lime Rickey (Basic Grey) designer paper. The stamps are from Birthday Wishes (JustRite). I framed up the sentiment so that it looks a bit like a fun flower.

Much love Michelle....hope your day is AWESOME!!!! Be sure to stop by her BLOG to wish her a Happy Birthday and then stop by the STORE to catch a few great sales going on today!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Birthday Hangover and a Color Challenge

Hi everyone! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Both parties went GREAT! Lauren (4) loved having her friends over for a princess/water party. Cara and her friend set up a temporary tattoo booth for the girls and a few of them left looking like lead singers in heavy metal bands.
Cara (13) then had her movie night/slumber party. The girls had a lot of fun (not a lot of sleep, but they were really good!) Mom is tired!!

Today, I am hosting the color challenge on StampTV. You can find all the details on the challenge HERE. You have all week to play along and be entered to win a stamp set of your choice from Gina K Designs!!

Here is my card:

I used the stamps from the new StampTV kit-Eclectic Summer on this card. I paired the image with some Lime Rickey (Basic Grey) paper. The card base is created using the Bright Summer Grunge Digital Paper (by Emily Giovanni). These papers go so well together.

I stamped the image and colored it with Copic markers. After popping out the flowers, I cut the circles using Spellbinders dies.

<--Here is the card as it is opening. You can see the design better this way. The top flap tucks behind the main image circle to keep the card shut.

Inside, I added a birthday sentiment from the kit and some designer paper.

Hope you will play along in the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring Love and a Blog Candy Alert!!

Wooohooooo!!! My first card upload on my new computer.

I pulled A LOT of my hair out last night (which I will most likely send to my good buddy, Carole, who just "has a thing" for loose hair!) trying to figure this out.

With new computers comes new software, new struggles....but....I *think* I prevailed.

Anyway, I needed a break and I was in the mood to create a fun spring card and grabbed one of my favorite My Favorite Things stamps called Can Ya Dig It?
I stamped the images on some Perfect Paper Panels and I colored part of the image with Copics and then paper pieced her dress, hat, flowers. Tip: To add some dimension to your pieced image....use your marker to add some shading where natural shadows would fall.

I cut out the pot and lady to pop them up. The background was created by sponging clouds and I cut a strip of designer paper for the grass (my favorite easy way to add grass!) You can see all the places on her dress and hat where I went over the designer paper with Copic markers. Just use a slightly darker color when coloring so it shows up. You can test it on scrap paper to see if it will work with the color of the dp.

Materials used: Stamps: Can Ya Dig It? (My Favorite Things); Ink-Memento Tuxedo black, soft sky (SU!); Copic markers; Designer paper- Marrakech (Basic Grey); white cs-Perfect Paper Panels (My Favorite Things); card base- Gina K Pure Luxury; sponge; tulle; Cropadile; corner rounder punch (Creative Memories); white gel pen (Ranger); circle punch (SU!); jumbo eyelet (SU!); paper piercing tool and mat pack (SU!); foam mounting tape.

Blog Candy Alert! My sweet and AWESOME friend Deborah is giving away one of my Nurse Feelgood sets on her blog!! You can check it out HERE and also see a fabulous card she made with the set!!! Thanks Deb ((((HUGS!!!)))) Miss you!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

MFT Blog Hop: How much is that ice cream in the window?

...looks like she hasn't had any dessert in awhile! (sigh..just jealous!)

Welcome to the My Favorite Things Blog hop! Two wonderful new sets are being released RIGHT NOW: BC DZYNs Text Ya Later and What a Girl Wants! To help kick off the release, the MFT design team has created some fun cards and projects with the sets. If you would like to start at the beginning, just backtrack to Kim's blog and follow the links to see all the fabulous creations the team has to share.

This card features What a Girl Wants by new illustrator, Amanda Baird! It is such a cute set--the possibilities for that store front window are endless.
I thought it would be fun to show this set coupled with another MFT set (or two). The ice cream cone is from Here's the Scoop and the sentiment is from Twisted Sentiments.

I stamped the scene twice on white cardstock. I paper pieced the bags (which are also in the set) and the storefront. I also pieced the ice cream cone (and just added shading!)

I colored the lady with Copics and colored the second image and popped up parts of her for some dimension. TIP: In order to add dimension to people or animals, pop up the mid section of their body but make sure to adhere the arms directly onto the base image. This way they do not appear to have two sets of limbs!

I added liquid pearls to her necklace and earring and platinum stickles to her crown.

Here are a few other new products at MFT:

glue glider pro

sparkling ice glitter

summer glitter

spring glitter

stardust clear pen

perfect paper panels

Wanna keep hoppin? Head on over to my sweet and talented friend Cindy to continue this blog hop! I know you are gonna love what she created!

Thanks for stopping by!

Silly Little Bear

Awww....I just love this stamp set. Not only does it make a cute paper doll set but you can mix and match outfits for the girl and make the cutest cards.

Here is a card I created with Isabelle Paper Dolls and the sentiment set Paper Doll Sayings:
The sentiment says "silly little bear"-I love that! I created the curved sentiment banner by placing the words in an oval shape on my acrylic block. I stamped it along the bottom of a yellow die cut oval. Then I just took my scissors and cut along the top of the sentiment following the curve of the bottom. I cut the little slits in the side. Easy!

Materials used: Stamps-Isabelle Paper Dolls; Paper Doll Sayings (My Favorite Things Presents- Stephanie Fizer); Memento tuxedo black ink; ribbon (My Favorite Things-spring collection); cardstock-white (Gina K Pure Luxury); Designer paper-Basic Grey-Urban Prarie; heart punch (Creative Memories); Copic markers; heart rain dot (Gina K Designs); Fiskars Threading Water punch; Cropadile; eyelet (SU!); Spellbinders oval dies; Wizard; dimensionals (SU!).


Fun Schtuffs:

TONIGHT (Wednesday!)--PaperTemptress will be holding it's first ever release party on the forum on PaperCraftPlanet at 8 p.m. CT. on PaperCraftPlanet! Come and chat with the design team and see all the gorgeous samples used with the new paper that will be released in the store that night. There is also going to be a fantastic give away (or two!)-- one sheet each of the new card stock being introduced that evening, a value of over $29.00!!!

Also TODAY: It is WUW (What's Up Wednesday) for My Favorite Things. Check out the MFT WUW forum on Splitcoaststampers for a fun tutorial. If you are one of the FIRST 50 customers to order today, you'll receive a FREE Versamark cube! You can use your Versamark cube for a variety of things including heat embossing and even making your own designer papers! Finally, Do you want to be an MFT VIP? Of COURSE you do! Being a VIP comes with it's perks! MFT has decided to offer a bundle on the last Wednesday of every month that includes NEW products that have not been released yet. Excited yet? Check out the forum for details on the MFT March bundle.

Told you it was FUN!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gina K Preview Day 3: Sweetest Blessings

Today I get to share with you the new set, Sweetest Blessings, that will be released TONIGHT at Gina K Designs.

It is an adorable set filled with classic desserts and fun sentiments. Here is my card:

Materials used: Stamps- Sweetest Blessings (Gina K Designs); Memento tuxedo black ink; white cs-Pure Luxury (Gina K Designs); Designer paper- Bittersweet (Basic Grey); jumbo eyelet; Cropadile (We R Memory Keepers); tulle; dimensionals; slit punch (SU!); Copic markers; paper piercing tool and mat pack (SU!)

This card is pretty self-explanatory. I popped those little pies up on dimensionals and added a tulle bow and some paper piercings!

Check out all the amazing creations by the other design team members:
Cindy Lawrence, Donna Baker, Emily Giovanni, Erika Martin, Jessica Fick, Joanne Basile, Kurtis Amundson, Melanie Muenchinger , Theresa Momber and Mary Anderson *In the Spotlight Designer and, of course, Gina K!

Don't forget: Gina K will be holding her new release party TONIGHT in the Gina K forum on Splitcoaststampers from 7-10 p.m. CENTRAL time. Join in the fun, games and contests HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Funky Birthday and a Question for YOU!

A hip birthday wish---As you know by now....I don't really seem to stick to one style of cards. I get bored doing the same types of cards all the time and find that when I change it up I inspire more creativity!
This card was created with some negative chipboard, some basic grey paper and stickers---a quick and fun birthday wish!

Now...a question for you! As I am planning some posts for the year, I want to know what you want to see/hear about on my blog. If there is anything you can think of, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Coming soon:
How to submit cards for publication
A Scor-Pal Mat Giveaway....

Thanks for stopping by!

Gina K Preview #3, JustRite and Free Stamps

I apologize in advance for the extra long post today. I double booked myself (for a good reason!) and I did not want to cut either post off early so I decided to post both together!

First up--GINA K PREVIEW!
I created a simple one layer card with the new set from Alicia, which will be available tonight after the new release party here (from 7-10 p.m. central!)

Alicia's set is called Best Friends and I stamped the main image (isn't it awesome?!) on some of the new 120 lb Pure Luxury cardstock (which will also be available at Gina K Designs tonight!) with Memento tuxedo black ink and then colored it in with my Copic Markers. The sentiment I used on this card is from Rupa's new set My Cuppa Joe.

I layered color, used my blender pen, added more color and....

...flipped the card so you could see the inside....nothing showed through! Woohoo! I am so excited to make one layer cards that I can use my Copics on!

Materials used: Stamps-Best Friends, My Cuppa Joe (Gina K Designs); Memento tuxedo black; cardstock- Pure luxury 120 lb. (Gina K Designs), black (SU!); Copic Markers; ribbon-offray; Threading water punch (Fiskars).

Head on over to the other dt members' blogs to see their awesome peeks for today:

Asela

Donna

Emily

Erika

Jessica

Kurtis

Melanie

Joanne

Michelle (Guest)

Courtney (In the Spotlight Designer)

and, of course, Gina K!

Hope to see you all at the release party HERE TONIGHT, Thursday, November 13 from 7 -10 p.m. central time for some contests, challenges, giveaways and more sneak peeks!


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JustRite for Stamper's Dream

But, before you go, I would love to share another project--and a chance to win stamps!!! It is Just Rite week at Stamper's Dream. All week the fabulous designers from the Dream Team are showcasing cards and projects. You can find the line up HERE....and you can also enter to WIN a JustRite Christmas Stamp Ensemble and the Classic Circle Stamper III just by answering a question on Michelle's blog!

Today, was originally the day that Laurie was going to post. Most of you know from reading it here or other places in blogland that her daughter is sick...so the rest of the team decided to all post today as a show of support and to let her know how much she is loved. (((Laurie)))

Here is my project for today. It is a little memo holder. The memo pad is just a mini legal pad that is cut in half. (Note: Office Max and other places that you can purchase these also have a production area and will cut the pads in half for you!)

I found this unfinished wooden box in Hobby Lobby and I just added a coat of paint and dressed it up with some Basic Grey designer paper.

I decorated the Pentel RSVP pen with the same paper. The finishing touch is the "With Love" sentiment from the Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II Stamp Ensemble. I love the scripted look to this sentiment.



Here is a close up look at it. I added some rubons over the stamped words and added two large red brads on either side.





Here is a picture with the notepad and pen out of the box!


Materials used: Stamps-Harmony Classic Circle Stamper II (JustRite Stampers); Memento black ink; Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle nestability dies; Cuttlebug (Provocraft); black paint; wooden box; mini legal pad; chipboard heart (SU!); rub-ons- Stampin' Up!; Pentel RSVP pen; Designer paper-Cupcake (Basic Grey); cardstock-white (80lb Pure Luxury Gina K Designs); Modge Podge; red brads (American Crafts).

You can see all the wonderful Dream Team's projects by visiting their blogs (their posts will not be posted until 8 a.m.):
Charmaine
Cindy
Denise
Kimberly
Tosh
and Michelle

I hope you enjoyed this project, because I have another JustRite project and card to share with you tomorrow (my assigned day to post!) You can find lots of JustRite products at Stamper's Dream store! Check them out and don't forget to stop by Michelle's blog to enter to win the blog candy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Me thinks I've Been Had.....

It seemed like an easy enough challenge---use the adorable Hey There Cupcake set by Stampendous and the fabulous Cupcake Basic Grey paper and make a card.

**Stamps and paper available at Stamper's Dream store. (Check out lots of other fun stuff at Michelle's store including--May Arts ribbon, Inkadinkado, Stickles, My Favorite Things, Gina K, Northwoods, a muse, Hero Arts, Bind-it-All, Penny Black, Tim Holtz, Wordsworth and much more...)

Seemed easy.........until I tell you WHO initiated the challenge---two dirty girls whom I greatly admire--Tosh and Laurie. Yep---totally outranked..oh well...it sure was fun to play with these stamps though (Thanks Tosh!).

Check out their blog links above to see what they created for this triple challenge!

Here is my card:

I stamped the cupcake image and colored it. The frosting was stamped and cut out. I put it on foam tape for some added dimension. The cherry is covered in red stickles and I added some Sakura stardust gellyroll pen to the icing. I finished the card by adding some beautiful May Arts sheer ribbon.

I used my new Ranger white gel pen to connect the faux stitching and on the top I added the tab punch/circle punch design that I so often do. I just love these adorable stamps--the sets comes with TONS of different cupcake options AND sentiment options. Fun stuff!

Here is a close up of the cupcake:


You can see the icing is popped up and I popped up the Nestability layers too.

Materials used: Hey There Cupcake clear stamp set (Stampendous); white cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Designer paper-Cupcake (Basic Grey); brilliance black ink; Copic Markers; Sakura Stardust gellyroll pen; red stickles; Cuttlebug (Provocraft) and Nestability dies (Spellbinders); ribbon (May Arts); silver cord (Stampin' Up); small oval punch, small circle punch (Stampin' Up!); Ranger white gel pen; paper piercing tool and mat pack (Stampin' Up!); dimensionals (SU!).

Thanks for the challenge, girls. I can't wait to see what your creative minds came up with!

Thanks for stopping by!