Some Doodlefactory – New & Newer!!

I have some Classic Decor Doodlefactory to share with you!  The card on the left uses Heidi from Oh, Baby and Ambrose, the dog from Classic Decor (who is girl’s best friend).  The sentiment is from the Boopie Sayings set.  The card on the right uses the large chandelier from the Classic Decor set and sentiments.  I used the Clean & Simple challenge {CAS25} for the layout, which is a great one (I’m sure I will use it again!) 

Here’s some new DF Prehistoric for you to drool over!  Aren’t they adorable?!  I love Irene’s style so much – the dinosaurs are not scary, they are so cute!! I love the little boy who reminds me of Bam Bam from the Flintstones (I used to LOVE watching that cartoon!)

Here is Into the Woods, aren’t Squib & Fargo crack-ups?!? I LOVE the trees, see so many fun stamping times with those!   If you like these sets, and want to get the value pack (you can save some $) Here is the link – don’t forget, you can save an additional 10% by using discount code SAVETENDB at checkout!  Starving Artistamps is currently at some stamps shows, so no shipping until 8/12 but I’m sure the sooner you place your order, the sooner you’ll get it. 

I’ll have more DF to share with you this weekend!! 

TESC76: California Dreamin’

Well Happy Cupcake Friday, y’all! I am so excited to show you this card, I had so much fun making this card because it reminded me of the beautiful California beaches, oh how I miss them living in Texas! *I bet Taylor misses them too, since she moved back to IA* I have to tell you I’ve been to the coast in Texas and the beach here does NOT hold a candle to the ones in California! On my card, I decked the puppy out for a lazy day at the beach with his shades on using Beach Bum*; I omitted the cuppie from the sandcastle image and masked the puppy from Whimsical Wishes set Beary Specia*l. I colored the puppy black & white with prismacolor pencils, blended with odorless mineral spirits. I sponged in some clouds and added some embellishments from the Beach Bum key ingredients kit (the papers are from the kit as well). *these links are to the TE store – it is temporarily down, moving to a different server*

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try - be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog with the direct link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out! You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but you have one week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be considered for the Featured Sampler (by Friday, August 7 at 10am CST)! As usual, you don’t have to use cupcakes for your creation either, but if you have them, why not use them!?!

Be sure to check out the Cupcake Crew’s Creations who, no doubt, will have some fabulous eye candy for you in various stamping styles (I just love it!)

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Vicki Chrisman

Our featured sampler today is Teresa Kline – Enjoy the VA Sunshine who has some wonderful creations on her blog!

Hope you have a sweet day & super weekend!!

Release Day with Gina K. – Tropical Windows

I’m happy to share a sample with you using Gina K.’s new One Free with Three stamp sets! It’s a wonderful tropical flowers encased in a rectangle 'window' that are solid stamps, hence the name Tropical Windows. Since the majority of my stamping is with outline stamps, sometimes its refreshing to have a solid stamp you don’t have to spend the time coloring.

I enjoyed making this card although it was not a happy occasion. It was for one of my husband’s co-workers whose sister died recently. She always likes my cards, and she was quick to tell me and thank me when I saw her last weekend. There’s a group of people he works with that likes to go to the movies and eat out together. I call us the Smart Movie Bunch (not because we’re smart or anything but that’s the name of their group at work (can’t tell you what the S.M.A.R.T. acronym works for because of anonymity). The group changes with several individuals because someone or other may have something going on that prevents them from going sometimes. But, we sure do have a great time regardless of who comes! This weekend we saw Transformers II at the IMAX (that’s always such a great experience!) and we went to Java Noodles for an early dinner and I got to have one of my favorite desserts of all time Halo Halo next door!

On my card, I used the new Pumpkin Spice cardstock, and inked up the tropical flower with VersaMark for a tone on tone background on the left side. Then, for the focal image, I embossed it with clear embossing powder on Gina K. pure luxury 80 lb base weight ivory cardstock. Then, I took really rust ink pad and rubbed it with a sponge dauber, the emboss resist technique. I finished my card with some ivory taffeta ribbon and a sentiment from Comfort & Peace.

Comparisons of Pumpkin Spice to SU! colors for your reference

Comparisons of Green Apple to SU! Colors for your reference

To see more projects made with the stamps previewed today, be sure to check out our other Senior Design Team Member's Blogs:
Gina, Cathy, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Kurtis, Jessica, Joanne, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

And our Center Stage Spotlight Design Team member, Sue Morris is joining in with our preview today using Tropical Windows.

Don't forget to join us at our Release Party tonight at SCS starting at 7pm CST. There will be contests, challenges, lots of chatter as well as a lot of samples shared by the Senior Design team members and our Center Stage Spotlight team too! You won't want to miss it! I’m afraid I will miss most of the party since I’m taking an evening computer class – but I’ll be there!!!

Before you go – I want to share a sweet blog award I got from StampTV member Stampin’ Pam! Thank you for the honor, you are so kind & encouraging! I just adore all the great friends this craft has brought into my life – at just the right time!! *wink*

Hello!

I smile every time I look at these adorable animals from the Taylored Expressions Beary Special set (currently sold out, but you can email to be notified when it’s back in stock).  I hadn’t used the little sign from Beary Special Accessories with the bear yet, so I thought it was time!! 

I used last week’s sketch challenge on SCS {SC237} for my card and supplies from the Easter Key Ingredients kit; see how versatile the kit is-it’s not even an Easter card, it’s a general card you can send to someone just to say hi & let them know you’re thinking of them!

I love to paper-piece and all of the sets Taylor sells lend themselves well to this technique which really showcases the fun patterned papers she sells in her key ingredients kits – isn’t it fun how the teddy bear is two-toned? 

Thanks for visiting today – hope your day is a sweet one! 

Gina K. Preview Day 3: Signs of Autumn StampTV Kit

Here is a card I made using most of the elements of the new Stamp TV kit Signs of Autumn, a great collection of autumn images both outline & solid and Thanks a Million, a perfect collection of gratitude sentiments combining standard & script fonts for a classic & elegant look!  I used the sunflowers image and sentiment “the world is a better place because of you” (I stamped because of you on the inside).  The digital papers I used for this set are Timeless Treasures (solid green) and Signs of Autumn (the funky circles and squares pattern, which I LOVE) colors just remind me of a field of sunflowers which is what I tried to recreate with the blue shadow outline like the sky.  The ribbon, dazzle & bling ivory flowers (I colored it yellow to match the sunflowers) and brads are also in the kit. 

Close up of the crystal lacquer on the flower centers.  I colored the image with peerless watercolors and Niji waterbrush on pure luxury cardstock (80 lb layering weight). The final touch was piercing around the focal image with the circle piercing template.

On this card, I paired a few other images from the StampTV kit with Inspiration Mosaic, masking the sections where I wanted to place the images.  I thought using my retired Pumpkin Patch spectrum pad with autumn colors would be a great compliment to the sunrise/sunset sentiment in the set.  For the card base, I used the new Green Apple cardstock which will be available this Thursday.  It is a wonderful shade, in between Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive.  I also adore the Pumpkin Spice, a wonderful rust color – I’m just thrilled with the colors & quality of Gina K.’s cardstock – I wait with anticipation for the reveals each month!   FYI: Pumpkin Spice will come in the StampTV kit only this month, but will be released as an individual buy for our August release. 

For more projects made with the stamps previewed today, be sure to check out our other Senior Design Team Member's Blogs:
Gina, Asela, Cathy, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Kurtis, Jessica,Joanne, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

Our Center Stage Spotlight Design Team member, Dawn Lusk is joining in our previews today. Remember to check out StampTV for the new video today - Gina will be showing a project made with the new Signs of Autumn StampTV kit!

Don’t forget, just 2 more days until the new release party! It’s Thursday, July 30 7:00-10:00 p.m. CST!  I will be there, but very late because I’m taking a computer class in the evenings this week. 

Gina K. Day 2 Preview: Timeless Treasures

Well, Theresa Momber did it again – another wonderfully illustrated set like no other I personally have seen done in rubber stamps! It’s a timeless collection of vintage-collage type stamps! The reason I say collage-type stamps is because that is how I chose to showcase them on my sample to share! I can imagine great scrapbook pages with this set too (you know you have older photos like black & white you aspire to scrapbook! I know I do)

I used the retiform (grid) technique, where I first stamped my images in memento rich cocoa ink on Gina K. baseweight ivory cardstock randomly. Then, I took post-it notes and randomly covered up spaces working from light to dark inks sponging color to create a collage look. I used mustard, rust and olive inks. Then, I distressed up the outer edges and layered it on chocolate kiss cardstock. I then remembered I had a package of Heidi Swapp ghost shapes – clocks and knew that would be a great addition to this card {I won them in a blog candy eons ago and was saving them up for the right project!) You won’t be able to tell because I just couldn’t photograph it well enough, but I dabbed some alcohol inks and gold metallic ink on the back of the clock. I added a brown brad to the center and a flourish punch to the corner.

For more projects made with the stamps previewed today, be sure to check out our other Senior Design Team Member's Blogs:
Gina, Asela, Cathy, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Kurtis, Jessica,Lee, Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

and, be sure to check out our CenterStage Spotlight Design Team member's blogs for a card made with Timeless Treasures by Shannon Bracken and Brenda Turner has a card to show us that she made with the fun Are We There Yet stamp set too!

Be back tomorrow with another preview for you!!

Gina K Preview Day 1: Inspiration Mosaic

I’m excited to share a card I made using the new set Inspiration Mosaic, another background stamp illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger for Gina K. Designs!  

It is a clean, fresh & fun design that will hold countless hours of stamping opportunities for everyone!!  For my card, since I decided to paper-piece the WHOLE background (I stamped it on cardstock and cut each piece out and stuck it in a baggie for future use.  Once I chose the papers I wanted to use from Basic Grey’s new Lemonade papers (will be available in Gina’s store with this release!) I cut each piece according to where I wanted it placed.  If you look closely, there is a thin brown line separating each piece (that is the natural outline of the stamp, I wanted it to show).  In the set, there is a great collection of other shapes, standard sentiments such as the thanks I used here, and inspirational sentiments that are just awesome! 

For more projects made with the stamps previewed today, be sure to check out our other Senior Design Team Member's Blogs:
Gina, Cathy, Emily, Erika, Kurtis, Jessica, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

Tthen check out our Center Stage Spotlight girls joining us with Previews today: JenMarie Taylor has a preview using Inspiration Mosaic stamp set and Sue Walsh has one using Elegant Post.

Lastly, I want to let you know the release party is scheduled for this Thursday, July 31st at the member company forum for Gina K. on SCS 7:00-10:00 p.m. CST.  Hope to see YOU there!!

FTL50: Sending You Sunshine

Sometimes it’s fun to make a card that has minimal stamping!  That’s what I did on this card using the Clean & Simple blog sketch challenge 50 {FTL50}.   I used the Taylored Expressions July 20th key ingredients (which is currently sold out, but if you’d like to be notified when it’s available – email here). 

I used a sentiment from A Year of Sweet Sentiments.  For the layered flowers I used a marvy flower punch (big bloom) and SU! floral trio punch (smaller bloom).  Lemon yellow liquid pearls, which is also part of the key ingredients was used for the flower centers.  Be sure to let that completely dry before you touch it!  I sure like the simplicity of these type of cards.

Hope your day is a sweet one!!

TECC75: Birthday Trio

Happy Cupcake Friday, Y’all! I can’t believe the weeks are just whizzing by! We’ve had a record number of 100+ temperatures but we actually finally got some rain Wednesday evening and it cooled down some, it was nice! Today’s card is brought to you by the July 20th key ingredient subscription from Taylored Expressions! It's currently sold out but click here if you'd like to be notified when it's available. It’s a new, fresh collection of Early Bird Cosmo Cricket papers and fun embellishments to coordinate (with the exception of the buttons, I borrowed them from my basic grey collection). The stamp set I used is Beary Special Accessories (it’s so fun to be able to use an accessories set as a main set, no?) I used a trio of fun birthday images: party hat, present and balloon peeking through to the inside of the card below:

I thought it would be fun to stamp the images on the inside and have peek-through windows – it was a little bit of work with all the layers I did, but I pulled it off and I love the end result!

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try - be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog with the direct link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out! You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but you have one week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be considered for the Featured Cupcake Sampler (by Friday, July 31st at 10am CST)!

Be sure to check out the Cupcake Crew’s Creations who, no doubt, will have some fabulous eye candy for you in various stamping styles (I just love it!)

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

Our featured sampler today is the talented Alex Maldonado who created this oh so adorable Teddy Bear card that captured Taylor’s eyes as well as a this super cute & funny shark-shaped card! I know she will have something delightful today too!

Have a ‘sweet’ day and weekend!

Perfect Package for me!!

I have a special project to share with you {something I actually made for ME} on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog today!  Let me know what you think {leave me some love there!}

Hope you have a sweet day! 

July 20 Key Ingredient Subscription with Taylored Expressions

This month, Taylor challenged the Baker’s Dozen Design Team to make either a home decor item or housewarming gift and I combined the 2 with a set of 3 framed prints to send to Taylor as a housewarming gift!

I purchased the set of 3 white frames from Target a few months ago, knowing some day I would utilize them for a great project. I chose 3 cuppies from the Stamp a Sweet Impression line of stamps available at Taylored Expressions, as well as 3 coordinating sentiments from the Faith & Hope set in the Lasting Impressions line of stamps. All supplies used are in the July 20th key ingredients subscription, except I did not use the chipboard pieces or liquid pearls that came in the kit (they are great but I just couldn't fit them in this design, but tomorrow I will have a project on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog that uses them so check back!).

Here is a close up of the Beach Bum sailing cuppie with sentiment, “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning to sail my ship”. Louisa May Alcott.

Here is a close up of the umbrella toting cuppie from A Year of Sweets 1 with sentiment, “Expect to have hope rekindled, expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways, the dry seasons do not last, the spring rain will come again.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Here I used A Year of Sweets 2 cuppie in the flowers and sentiment, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller

Lastly, here is the card I made to send to Taylor and her husband Jon, celebrating their new home & blessing in their lives with Taylor working her stamp business full-time! I used this week’s cupcake challenge sketch {TECC74} for my layout and the Branching out stamp set, including personalization of the birdhouse representing the Van Bruggen’s house. I added a little red heart above the lovebirds too. I already mailed this gift to Taylor and she received it this past weekend, so I thought I would share her sweet response to the surprise (hope it is o.k. with her!)

“OMGosh... I am nearly speachless. Those frames are sooooo adorable! I love the Faith and Hope sentiments that you paired with the cuppie images... so perfect. Almost like they were designed to go together! I am planning to hang these in my house somewhere. They are just too pretty to go unnoticed so I'll have to find a special spot for them. I love the card you made too! It's so special how you wrote VanBruggen on the little bird house. :)”

Be sure to check out all the details about the Key Ingredient Subscription on Taylor’s blog today as well as the following ladies who have more wonderful creations to share with you using this month’s key ingredients!

Ana, Charmaine, Jodi, Karen G, and Laura

And be sure to sign up for the Taylored Expressions Newsletter delivered directly to your email each month, today I am the Featured Designer in it!

What’s a little dessert…

 

between friends?!?!  Here is a card I whipped up (sorta like you would a dessert, ha) for this week’s StampTV sketch challenge hosted by Shannon, one of our Center Stage design team members!  I also went with the Ways to Use It {WT227} on SCS this week – Seeing Double, to use something twice on a card.  I chose to put 2 Basic Grey Lemonade buttons on my card since that’s the dp I used too.  The stamp set is by Gina K. Designs - 100% sweet.

Here’s a close up of the shine from crystal lacquer on the cake.

Did you see?!  The Gina K. Stamping Lifestyle Magazine is now a WEEKLY feature on StampTV!  Click on the picture above and it will take you directly to the link there so you can read the latest issue!

CAS23: Stretch the Cat

Ha Ha!!  I had a lot of fun making this card for the Clean & Simple challenge on SCS this week {CAS23} Show us your artwork!  I found the below print of stretch the cat tipping the scales at 30 lbs and thought Ms. Poose would be perfect to recreate this print!  I grabbed my Starving Artistamps set Classic Decor with Ms. Poose, the picture frame turned scale and food bowl, masking and sponging the background and custom coloring Ms. Poose (I mean Stretch).

I feel for this kitty, so much so that I want to share with you some pictures of one of our cats who used to be pretty overweight for years, until last Summer when we took her to the vet because we realized she was losing weight.  She was diagnosed with Toxoplasmosis (a parasite) and it was so sad to see her wasting away over the months.  There were times when we just were not sure if she would get better and would get so emotional about what would happen to her.  Below are before and after pictures  so you can see she lost weight (at one point she was up to 11 lbs and then dropped to under 6 lbs and that’s too much for a cat to lose)!   It wasn’t until about a month ago that one of my friends came over to visit (who is into healthy, natural stuff) and she suggested we feed Chica people food that she started to get better.  I can’t even tell you how much $ we spent at the vet with office visits, lab work, changing food, etc.  I started to feed her tuna and she LOVES it and is getting better and we are so happy about it!  

View Full Album

TECC74: Faith…

Happy Cupcake Friday Y’all!  I bet you missed your Friday fun installment of Taylor’s sketches while she was moving, huh?!  I know I did!  Well, we’re back to share with you again and hope you will pick right back up & play with us this week! 

I used the adorable monkey from Beary Special and paired him with a small friend this week, a bird from Branching Out because the monkey’s hands/paws just beg for something to hold, don’t ya think?!  Since I am using the bird here, I grabbed my sentiment from Faith & Hope, “Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark.” Rabindranath Tagore. 

I thought pairing these 2 images with some of my DCWV green stack would be fun because of the birds on here.   I stamped my images on kraft c/s and colored with prismacolor pencils blended with odorless mineral spirits.  The fun brown button came from the dollar tree, they have a fun distressed look to them.

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try  - be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog with the direct link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out!  You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but you have one week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be considered for the Featured Cupcake Sampler (by Friday, July 24th at 10am CST)!

Lastly, go check out the other Cupcake Crew’s Creations who are ALL so happy to be back with the sketch too!! 

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

Some clean & simple fun

As a notoriously late challenge-card-maker & card-sharer, here are several cards I made recnelty for some clean & simple challenges!  Better late than never, right?! 

The first card I made using Fall to Layout #46 {FTL46} with Gina K. Designs Perfectly Polished set!  I love the classic look of red, black & white so I used them for this card along with some red grosgrain ribbon.  I love this simple card that makes a big statement!  The polish bottles all have crystal lacquer on them for the perfect shine!

My second card is for Fall to Layout #49 {FTL49} using Sweetest Blessings and my new Basic Grey Lemonade paper; the  one with the cherries on it is perfect for this cherry pie image!  I also made this card for the Clean & Simple challenge at SCS last week {CAS22} Hey, Hey, it’s your Birthday! and it is to make a birthday card!

and there you go!  this reminds me – my oldest sister Val’s birthday is this Saturday (hi, Val!) and I haven’t mailed her a card yet-yikes!!  Better get my rear in gear!

Christmas in July with Taylored Expressions!!

 

Some of the Baker’s Dozen design team have a special Christmas in July blog hop for you today! 

Taylored Expressions has wonderful small and large square Perfect Packages in the store and we have featured them here & there. Well, we now have rectangular Perfect Packages sized perfectly to fit standard A2 sized cards and envelopes!!  These are a bright white matte finish that come flat, all you do is pull on the small ribbon to extend the front of the box and pop out the sides to expand.  Then fill & decorate to your heart’s content! 

 

Since we are introducing these great new boxes to you and are celebrating a little Christmas in July, I have a set of Christmas cards and coordinating box to share with you!  I used the Tangled in Trimmings Cuppie from Season’s Sweetings and created my own greeting, ‘it’s the MOST wonderful time of the year?!” using my JustRite lower and uppercase fonts and rectangle stamper.  Isn’t that appropriate for this cuppie tangled up in his Christmas lights?! 

I know Christmas can be just as stressful as it can be joyous at times.   So, this set of Christmas cards, complete with a decorated pen would be a nice gift to give to someone too busy to send out cards, let alone make them!    You can click on any photo to enlarge it. 

In order to mass produce cards, it’s a good idea to keep your design simple.  This is my go to layout for that.  But, I wanted to keep it exciting, so I made my own template of a Christmas stocking of assorted Prism cardstock colors that coordinate with the Be Merry My Mind’s Eye paper collection to be matted to my focal image (popped up with foam tape).  This cuppie is from A Year of Sweets 3. 

I used white liquid appliqué for the tops of the Christmas stockings hung on Cuppie’s fireplace, glitter pen accents and a red rhinestone for cuppie’s cherry.  All ribbons used on the cards can be found in the TE store.  I fit 10 cards/envelopes and decorated pen in the box.  

and here is the inside of my cards (sentiment from A Year of Sweet Sentiments)  I am not into decorating the insides very elaborately, a greeting is good enough for me! 

NOTE: Christmas stamp sets will be 20% off in the TE store July 15-25!!  Taylor will give away a set of 5 of the new Perfect Packages in a random drawing on her blog so be sure to stop by there & then check out what the rest of the gals have to share with you!!

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Charmaine Ikach
Dawn Easton
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Sankari Wegman
Jami Sibley
Guest Designer - Rachel Sztonyk

I’m not Lion – You’re the Best!

I just had to make another Safari Animal – and now that I think about it, I believe I’ll be giving our nephew Joey this Lion and our niece Gabby the Zebra I made the other day!  I can’t think of a name for this one yet, maybe Levi!

There’s only one more day left of the Lucky 7 sale – it ends midnight Monday!!  My card was made using Jessica’s sketch challenge on StampTV this week.  I used Basic Grey’s Mellow paper pack along with chocolate kiss, mustard and olive cardstocks.  My flower punch embellishment was made with the Marvy flower punches. 

Here’s a close up of the lion that I covered with gold atyou spica pen on the mane and here you can see the handmade grass I made.

Lucky Seven Sale Event: July 9-13, 2009
Buy any three of these seven stamp sets(regularly priced at $23.95 each) for $49.95 and you can choose from one of these normally priced $19.95 stamp sets for free! (A value of $91.80)
OR, for an even more amazing deal: Buy them all for $125! Purchase all of the Lucky Seven stamp sets and you will receive all 4 of the free stamp set choices for free! (A total value of $247.55)
Lucky Seven Stamp sets available for this sale event:
Many Happy Returns
How Sweet it Is!
Jumping for Joy
Zoo Animals
Christmas Blessings
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Cuddles and Hugs
Stamp sets available for free with the purchase of 3 of the Lucky Seven Stamp Sets:
WhooHoo!
Rectangle Greetings
Heartfelt Hits 1
Kindred Greetings for Kids
To take advantage of these sale prices, look for the Lucky Seven Button on Gina K's Online Store

Check out Jessica and Cathy’s blogs tonight for a few more samples to convince you there just may be something you can nab at a great price!!

Home Sweet Home (for the Holidays)

Here is a card I made for 2 challenges on SCS this week: sketch challenge (SC236) and Ways to Use it (WT226 – Christmas in July)
I took out my Taylored Expressions Whimsical Wishes set Branching Out & Branching Out Accessories for my card, casing this card my fellow design team member Karen made a few months ago with the bird decorating her home for the holidays.

I also used the May 20th Key Ingredients and sentiment from Home Sweet Home.  I used white applique for snow. 

TE NEWS:  Taylor is somewhat settled in her new home and began shipping orders yesterday!  Be sure to check her blog Wednesday, July 15th for something special from her & some of the design team.

Lucky still?!?

I have more samples to share with you with 2 of the 7 sets on special with Gina K. Designs this weekend!! 

My first card I made using this week’s SCS sketch challenge {SC236}, today’s Limited Supplies Challenge {LSC228} and the Potluck Friday challenge at StampTV {STVPF21}.  I used the prairie dog from Zoo Animals, stamping two of them on Soft Sand cardstock and one of them on Basic Grey Lemonade paper and cutting all 3 out. 

This next card uses the Cuddles and Hugs stamp set and I didn’t use any challenges on this card {which probably explains why I am not crazy about it}.  But, I made it with the intentions of giving it to a very special friend who is like a mom to me.  We’ve known one another for at least 5 years, if my calculations are right.  I am reminded at how very much God loves me because He made sure our paths crossed (meeting at church) and although we have since moved on from that church and she hasn’t, we are still closer than ever although we don’t see one another every Sunday.  Recently, she blessed me by treating me to lunch and pouring into my spirit with her love like only a mother can.  She loves John and I just like we are her own children and she supports us with prayer and concern for all areas of our lives!  I can’t help but get emotional when I think of her love & friendship!  Thank you, Pam (she reads my blog and although I hate spoiling the surprise of getting a card in the mail, I’m sure this post will bless her just as much). 

Here’s a reminder about the sale:

Lucky Seven Sale Event: July 9-13, 2009
Buy any three of these seven stamp sets(regularly priced at $23.95 each) for $49.95 and you can choose from one of these normally priced $19.95 stamp sets for free! (A value of $91.80)
OR, for an even more amazing deal: Buy them all for $125! Purchase all of the Lucky Seven stamp sets and you will receive all 4 of the free stamp set choices for free! (A total value of $247.55)
Lucky Seven Stamp sets available for this sale event:
Many Happy Returns
How Sweet it Is!
Jumping for Joy
Zoo Animals
Christmas Blessings
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Cuddles and Hugs
Stamp sets available for free with the purchase of 3 of the Lucky Seven Stamp Sets:
WhooHoo!
Rectangle Greetings
Heartfelt Hits 1
Kindred Greetings for Kids
To take advantage of these sale prices, look for the Lucky Seven Button on Gina K's Online Store

Check out the following blogs for more inspiration using one or more of the Lucky 7 stamp sets! 
Cindy, JenMarie, Jessica and Theresa

Get Lucky with Gina K. Designs!

The exciting thing Gina & the rest of the design team have alluded to all week is that we are going to be doing a mid-month blog hop each month to inspire you!!

This month, I am using Zoo Animals, illustrated by Asela Hopkins. I hadn’t used the little Zebra yet, but I sure love him. I was inspired to crochet this little Zebra animal to give to my nephew, maybe for Christmas (good to get started early, huh?!) I got the pattern from a gal on Etsy and it was easy to follow (it just took me about 5 hours to make!) I’m sure if I were to make another one, it would take a little less time. I grabbed a white handle bag & 12 x 12 sheet of zebra stripe paper from my stash and cut a coluzzle circle for ZANE to peek through, after all he has to breath!!

Here is ZANE in all his glory, isn’t he the cutest!? If only you can feel him, he is so fun to hold and I hope my nephew will like him!

Here is ZANE’s back side, I just had to show his mane & tail, isn’t it cute?! See how similar his tail is to the one Asela drew?! I love it! I totally couldn’t help but smile the whole time he was taking shape, John was out Geocaching the night I made this, so when he got home-he saw Zane hanging out on his side of the bed & oohed and aahed over him!

Here is a close up of Zane on the card, I fashioned him like the real life Zane with black legs & white nostrils. I used a black copic atyou spica pen for sparkle all over his body and actually used some of my hoarded bling & dazzle zoo brads!

Now in honor of this special blog hop, we are having a SALE on the 7 sets the design team is showcasing!

Lucky Seven Sale Event: July 9-13, 2009
Buy any three of these seven stamp sets(regularly priced at $23.95 each) for $49.95 and you can choose from one of these normally priced $19.95 stamp sets for free! (A value of $91.80)
OR, for an even more amazing deal: Buy them all for $125! Purchase all of the Lucky Seven stamp sets and you will receive all 4 of the free stamp set choices for free! (A total value of $247.55)
Lucky Seven Stamp sets available for this sale event:
Many Happy Returns
How Sweet it Is!
Jumping for Joy
Zoo Animals
Christmas Blessings
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Cuddles and Hugs
Stamp sets available for free with the purchase of 3 of the Lucky Seven Stamp Sets:
WhooHoo!
Rectangle Greetings
Heartfelt Hits 1
Kindred Greetings for Kids
To take advantage of these sale prices, look for the Lucky Seven Button on Gina K's Online Store

Check out these Gina K Designs Senior Design Team blogs for projects made with these seven Lucky Stamp sets!
Many Happy Returns: Joanne and Lynn
How Sweet it Is: Gina and Carolyn
Jumping for Joy: Cathy and Lee
Zoo Animals: Asela and Donna
Christmas Blessings: Kurtis and Emily
Whatever Floats Your Boat: Erika and Jessica
Cuddles and Hugs: Melanie and Theresa

**The Lucky Seven Sale event runs (10 p.m. CST) Thursday, July 9th and expires at midnight Monday July 13th. Go get Lucky!!!