Pick of the Patch – Exciting Taylored Expressions news!!!

Here is a cuppie Fall card I made using the Weekend Sketch Challenge {WSC95} hosted by the lovely & talented Charmaine! What a fun sketch!  I used A Year of Sweet 3 with a coordinating sentiment from a Year of Sweet Sentiments, ‘you’re the pick of the patch’ I used Birchtone med and Papaya Puree med cardstock by Prism as well as a small swatch of My Mind’s Eye Round & Round papers because they coordinated nicely with my Basic Grey Mellow. 

The felt button, polka dot ribbon & rhinestones by ZVA Creative were the finishing touches on my sweet fall card.

SAVE the DATE! 

Thursday, Sept, 3rd the Baker’s Dozen will start previewing the new sets which will be available for purchase Sat. Sept. 5th!   They are going to blow your stinky socks off (that is if you wear socks!) HA!

The Exciting News about Taylored Expressions is that we are celebrating the One Year Birthday Bash since Taylor started selling her own stamps!  We are having an all day celebration at the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog on Saturday, September 5th.  

I will be hosting a challenge at 12:00 Noon CST and one lucky winner will receive a TE gift certificate along with my specially created challenge sample! We will also be hosting a random giveaway for all those who put our birthday bash badge in their blog sidebar!!  All the FUN details YOU need to know can be found here!!  Hope to see you at the Taylored Expressions Birthday Bash on Saturday, Sept. 5th!!!

Feel Better: Watercolor Misting

Here is a card I shared at the Gina K. release party the other night (I arrived the last 45 mins. of the party and that will be the case for the next 4 months due to me taking an evening class in college**).   So, as soon as I arrived with a very warm welcome from everyone, I was furiously sharing some cards with everyone I made.  I used the new One Free with 3 sets, Tropical Blooms ($19.95 value), which is a companion set to Tropical Windows (last month’s one free with 3, now available for purchase!)   I used the watercolor misting technique for my card, on cold pressed Canson Aquarelle watercolor paper (90 lb).  My card base is Pumpkin Spice pure luxury cardstock. 

 

For this technique, you need a solid stamp, SU! watercolor crayons and a spray bottle filled with water for misting. 

 

It’s such a simple process; just color directly on your stamp using the crayon, mist with water, apply to your watercolor paper and repeat.  For the flowers I used mustard, pumpkin and rust and for the stems & leaves I used 2 shades of green: olive & artichoke.  Finish your card with a sentiment and embellishments.  I chose Feel Better from Tropical Windows since I made this card for Cat Tidwell, fellow design team member for Gina K. who has been ill for the past few weeks – just wanted her to know I’m praying for her recovery and miss her!  Simple embellishment is the self-adhesive nail heads 3mm. 

 

Click on the above picture to the right to read all about Carolyn (Cammie) King on the Gina K. design team in this week’s Stamping Lifestyle magazine! 

**Regarding college, I need to let y’all know a few changes have occurred due to this change. 

First, I stepped down from designing for Starving Artistamps, in which I served for the past year.   I enjoyed my time with the Doodlefactory line and don’t intend to stop using the stamps because they’re so fun and unique.  I just have to limit my commitments. 

Second, I had to unsubscribe from reading blogs via Google Reader that I loved to follow!!  I don’t want anyone to think I don’t care for their creations or them any longer, just want to let you know that my time is limited due to my increased time for studying.  In fact, after spending 8+ hours stamping today for the upcoming TE release, I spent an additional 3 hours doing my homework.  I may not post every single day like usual, but as a committed design team member for Gina K. Designs and Taylored Expressions, I intend to continue promoting their stamps and products because I LOVE & believe in them  (Gina K and Taylor as wonderful women business owners) and their business (exceptional customer service & fabulous products)!!

Thanks for your understanding!!!

TESC80: Feel Better Soon Pup

Happy Friday!!! I have a sweet Beary Special feel better soon pup card to share with you using Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 80 today! I recently did some fun shopping at the TE Store and used several items on my card: Sweet Branch designer papers and Going Places buttons which are a great match! The oval shape behind the pup is from Whimsical Wishes Branching Out set.

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, September 4 at 10am CST)!

Be sure to check out the fabulous eye candy the sketch crew has to share with us today:

Taylor Van Bruggen
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

Today’s Featured Sampler is Lori Craig, if you missed her adorable card she shared last week, here it is – it’s a MUST-SEE! Also, Lisa Hjulberg is joining us as Our Friday Friend on the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog

Lastly, I want to mention that Taylor & the Baker's Dozen Design Team are working on samples for the release scheduled for Saturday, September 5! Sneak Peeks start on the 3rd, so save the date! This release also marks the 1-Year Anniversary of Taylored Expressions stamp debut and we are planning a HUGE party on the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog!

Gina K. Designs Preview Day 3: Tropical Blooms, Autumn Beauty and Elegant Verses

The first card I made for the previews today is our One Free with Three set this month, Tropical Blooms, a companion set to last month’s Tropical Windows! Gina K. made a collection of flowers & leaves to complement the set so you can have flowers, stems and leaves apart from the frame without having to omit the frame. On my card, I just used the flower to stamp my own designer paper on the lower portion of my ivory layer. I used the Fall to Layout {FTL55} for my card, adding the natural mesh ribbon by Gina K. from the Signs of Autumn stamptv kit! The button I added looks somewhat vintage, found when we were cleaning the garage last weekend. I wish I had tons more! My card base is Pumpkin Spice, also available with this release.

My next card uses Autumn Beauty illustrated by Theresa Momber, a beautiful collection of autumn autumn images and sentiments which will inspire you to enjoy the coming season & share with others your love of the season with handmade cards. I stamped and masked the scarecrow so I could stamp the corn stalks behind it and added some mustard and rust sponging. I colored everything with prismacolor pencils, blended with odorless mineral spirits.

Tip: if you don’t want to mask an image but would like the effect of it on your card, stamp your image on a scrap piece of cardstock and color it. Then cut it out & glue on top of your main image, as shown above. I used the Mojo sketch from last Saturday for my card {mojojanette}. Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Kiss and Ivory pure luxury cardstock and mesh ribbon from Stamp TV kit by Gina K. Designs used. The button is from my stash.

My last card uses the new companion set to last month’s Elegant Post, a collection of wonderful sentiments called Elegant Verses you will be able to combine with those images as well as other sets by Gina K. Designs! For my card, I was inspired by Home Tweet Home with the cute picket fence I thought would just go well with the elegant post/hanging flower pot! To make it, I just inked up the fence and used my stamp positioner to extend the length of it across my pure luxury white layer. Then I colored it in with copics. For a closer view, click on the picture. I just love the sentiment I chose for my card. I then sponged on some clouds for a nice outdoors background using a cloud stencil by Stampin’ Up! I used Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Kiss (will use those colors a LOT this Fall season) and white pure luxury cardstock all by Gina K. Designs.

To see more inspiration with the stamps previewed today, visit Gina's blog, the illustrator of Tropical Blooms as well as Theresa, the illustrator of Autumn Beauty, and Nina , the illustrator of Elegant Verses.

For even more projects with tonight's stamp sets, these Senior Design Team Members are participating in previews today: Asela, Carolyn, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Kurtis, Lee, Lynn, and Melanie.

The following CenterStage Spotlight Design Team members have previews to share with you: Shelly Wilson and Charlene Merrick

Our Release Party is Thursday night, Aug 27 at 7 pm CST. Join us for contests questions, challenges, lots of chatter as well as so many more great samples to share with you! Hope to see you there!

Gina K. Designs Preview Day 2: Back to School and Sports, School, Spirit!!

Well, it was back to school for kids in Central Texas this week and tonight it’s back to school for me (college) after 12 years! They always say it’s never too late to return, right?! Well, I am excited and a little scared at the same time to do it, I have to admit! Since I got laid off from my full-time job in April, it’s been a roller coaster of emotions and decisions but I am confident I am moving ahead in the direction I should be going—with God’s help, my determination and the support of my family & friends I will succeed! I am moving in the direction of the Licensed Vocational Nurse certificate program at the local community college. So, it’s fitting I am working with the Back to School and Sports, School, Spirit! sets the day I return!

On my first card, the set Back to School, illustrated by Rupa Shevde, I used several images in the set to compliment Inspiration Mosaic. I also used some of Gina K. Designs new grey cardstock called Moonlit Fog (a beautiful deep grey which will be a wonderful go to neutral when you desire something less harsh than black). Here is a close up of the crystal lacquer I used on the apples to make them shiny.

Here is my fun Back 2 School scene I made using the new set Sports, School, Spirit! illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger along with a few images from Sporty Accessories (locker, tennis racket, tennis ball & pennant) and Best Friends (we had to have some kids in the scene after all) by Alicia K. Isn’t it fun? And doesn’t it remind you a little of Twilight with the pale girls and red, black & grey colors? I was inspired by Cammie and her daughter’s challenge which is closed by the way, but I thought better late than never to make something to show my spirit!

If you want a closer look of the card, just click on it! Then you can see I made the tennis racket truly see through with an acetate center (which made it more realistic, seeing straight through to the wall & lockers). I know this set is going to be a LOT of fun for those sporty & school enthusiasts!

For more inspiration with the stamps previewed today, visit Gina's blog as well as Melanie, illustrator of Sports, School, Spirit.

The following Senior Design Team Members have previews using these two preview sets today: Carolyn, Cindy, Emily, Erika Jessica, Lee, Lynn, and Theresa. Also, our Center Stage Spotlight Design Team members Tina Gilliland and Vicki Dutcher

Don't forget about our Release Party on SCS starting at 7pm CST on Thursday, August 27th. There will be contests, challenges, lots of chatter as well as a ton more samples shared by the Senior Design team members and our Center Stage Spotlight team too. We'd love to have you join us!

Gina K. Designs Preview Day 1: A Year of Leaves & Fruitful Harvest

One of my favorite Gina K. Designs stamp sets is illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger, A Year of Flowers. Well, this month she has brought a collection of beautiful leaves and wonderful sentiments to celebrate the changing season’s leaves in A Year of Leaves. The release of this stamp set makes me anticipate the beautiful Fall season, which is my favorite! Living in Central Texas has caused me to have a new appreciation for the cooling weather, changing of the color of leaves (although what little we have here pales in comparison to those on the East Coast, I know!). What I look forward to most is being able to shut off the a/c and open up the windows in the house and this year, to enjoy our new outdoor hobby Geocaching!

For my card today, I stamped an assortment of leaves on watercolor paper, wet it and dabbed my peerless watercolors on, creating various colors of fall leaves. Once I was done, I grabbed a color spritzer tool and an olive green marker, and filled in the white spaces with speckles of color. Lastly, I layered it onto chocolate kiss and green apple cardstock, embellishing it with an oval Thanks sentiment and some cotton thread in a pretty shade of green. Here is a close up of the speckles, watercoloring and shine from the twinkling h20’s I added after.

The next set we’re previewing today is Fruitful Harvest, illustrated by Asela Hopkins; a beautiful collection of large fruits, small sentiments and a very moving quote, which I used on my card. In addition to gorgeous cards, the larger fruits will make wonderful altered art pieces as well as beautifully adorned tile coasters.

On my card, I used Green Apple & Pumpkin Spice cardstock (which will be available to purchase with this release), digital papers released last month with the StampTV kit. Also from the kit I used ribbon & brads from it. Recently I’ve fallen in love all over again with watercoloring on watercolor paper because you can achieve such a natural look with it when you wet your paper first and dab your colors on like I did on both of these cards. I truly feel like an artist as I slowly brought these gorgeous leaves and delicious pears to life on paper!

For more inspiration with the stamps previewed today, visit Gina's blog as well as Melanie, the illustrator of Year of Leaves and Asela, the illustrator of Fruitful Harvest.

GKD Senior Design Team Members have previews to share with you today: Carolyn, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Kurtis, Jessica, Lee, Lynn, and Theresa in addition to our CenterStage Spotlight Design Team members: Denise Kelemen and Geri Utterback.

SAVE THE DATE!! Our Release Party will be held at SCS starting at 7pm CST on Thursday, August 27th. There will be contests, challenges, lots of chatter as well as many more samples shared! You won't want to miss it!

TESC79: Red Velvet Cupcake

Here I am, as promised with my VERY late (but better than never) card using Taylor’s Sketch Challenge from Friday!  My DH got discharged finally about 7:30 p.m. on Friday—we were almost there 24 hours.  I’ve been tending to him, working on design team work, and trying to rest from all the excitement (good and bad) from the week!  Tomorrow we go to the Dr. to get the gauze taken out of his nose and it will be nice for him to breathe out of it!  It’s been very emotional with 2 deaths as well (today the last living sibling of my dad died, my Uncle Nick who lived in Chicago that I hadn’t seen since I was a little girl).  Fortunately, my sisters, brother-in-laws and niece visited him over a year ago when he was better.  I am just glad he will no longer be in pain and may be reunited with the rest of his family in Heaven. 

Now onto my card, I made a yummy red velvet cupcake using For the Love of Cupcakes by Taylored Expressions.  I used my creative license to alter the sketch a little to accommodate the scraps of cardstock I had laying around.  I used the recent Berries & Cherries key ingredients (except for the espresso dimensional pearls for the frosting).  I cut out a teeny tiny strawberry for topping on the cupcake from  the Berries & Cherries set.

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 28 at 10am CST)!

Now go check out the Sketch Crew’s cards they have to share-I’m sure you will be inspired:

Taylor Van Bruggen
Jami Sibley
Monika Davis
Stephanie Hargis
Lori Craig

The Featured Sampler of this week’s sketch is Lori McAree

CAS28: Masculine card

Normally I would have already posted my card for Taylored Expressions sketch challenge today, but I didn’t quite anticipate spending the night at the hospital so I wasn’t able to get one made (I will before the weekend is over, though!). 

As I type this, we are still at the hospital---DH is resting, we’re waiting on the Dr. to see if we can go home today.  Thank God I have a laptop!  He was admitted because of a low oxygen saturation level and it’s remaining quite well right now; we're bth looking forward to showers, some real rest and our own bed!  I’m also looking forward to seeing our animals, especially my sick kitty!  Thank y’all for your thoughts & prayers! 

Here is a card I made earlier this week for SCS Clean & Simple challenge (CAS28) to make a masculine card.  I made a rectangle frame with my Nestability die for visual interest and stamped the seagull image from Guiding Light on kraft cardstock and colored in with Koh-i-noor pencils.  I used the copper nail heads as embellishments.

Be sure to check out the StampTV on-line class, The Spirit of Christmas held by Jessica!  The class is a great value!  For $39.95, you get the stamp set, all the card stock, ribbon, rhinestones and instructions to make 12 cards, plus you get special access to free holiday digital paper and more inside the private classroom.
If you already have the stamp set or have other stamps you want to use instead, you can choose supplies only for $24.95. Or you can use your own supplies and stamps and just purchase the class for only $15.00!
Get a jump start on those Christmas cards now! Check is all out here at StampTV or in our store in the Class kit category.

Hope you have a great weekend! 

Polka Dot Frame Flowers

It’s been a few days since I posted; I’ve had a few personal challenges/roadblocks to hurdle over this week that required my attention and I’m trudging ahead!! In addition to that, one of our cats had to go to the vet yesterday (she’ll be o.k. but she has to wear a cone on her head for a week-poor baby, just breaks my heart) and John is in surgery (for sinus relief) as I type this. Phew!

I have a very minimal stamping type card to share with you today, using Spellbinders Polka Dot Frame (the frame, flowers and centers are all made using the die elements with Prism cardstock). I sponged on the sun and the sentiment is from A Year of Sweet sentiments, by Taylored Expressions.

You know today is the 20th of the month so that means half of the Baker’s Dozen design team have the 20th Key Ingredient Subscription samples to share with you! Be sure to check them out & don’t miss Taylor’s great announcement that the key ingredients (you can buy a 3-month or 6-month subscription) but she will break down the cost in installments!

Taylor has pictures, samples and more details. She even posted a video showing you exactly how the kit comes to you. If you haven't been bitten by the Key Ingredient Subscription *yet* I bet you will soon! I have to tell you, it is such a fantastic idea and Taylor has such a keen eye for coordinating FUN products that you will NOT regret having! Here are links to all the splendid creations to convince you to sign up: Sankari Wegman, Dawn Easton, Laurie Schmidlin, Jen del Muro, Karen Motz, Denise Marzec

Hope you have a great day & see ya tomorrow with Taylored Expressions’ Sketch Challenge!!

It’s Your Day

Here’s a fun bicycle card I made using Gina K. Designs Are we there yet?  I thought it would be fun to pair with the Tee Talk sentiment ‘It’s YOUR day, do what you like!’ and send this to my bicycle loving friend for her birthday at the end of October (oops, she reads my blog so I just spoiled the surprise—well, the real surprise will be if she REALLY gets it, huh?!) Anyway, since I was making this a birthday card, I chose to use my Basic Grey Cupcake papers they are so fun and I was waiting for the right opportunity to use the bicycle paper on the left since I got it – yea!  There’s actually some sparkle on the bike (surprise-Copic atyou spica pens). 

Well, I’m off to work with my NEW NEW Gina K. designs sets (for the August release that’s coming soon!)   But in the meantime, did you get a chance to read the last Stamping Lifestyle magazine with great photography tips?  If not, here is a link (click on the picture) and hope you have  a great day! 

Life is a bowl of cherries

I just adore this scrumptious bowl of cherries in the new Whimsical Wishes Berries & Cherries set from Taylored Expressions!  What I love even more is the Key Ingredients you can purchase that coordinate so nicely with it!  That’s what I used on this card (with the exception of the yellow prism cardstock I took from my stash and tiny twinkle on the sentiment). 

Did you know there’s a new challenge blog in the blogosphere?  It it started out with two sisters who would issue a card challenge to one another and send each other their cards, and now their friends who are ‘Sisters in Christ’ are sharing their faith and issuing challenges every other Sunday on their blog Stampin’ Sisters in Christ.  Kristine Breach is one of those original sisters, who was one of my first blog readers and is so sweet & helpful and I love her creations!  So, here I am participating in the first challenge, based on John 6:35 "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."  The challenge is to make a food or drink theme.  I read that chapter again, it’s amazing how Jesus took 5 small loaves of bread and 2 small fish from a boy and fed more than 5,000 people!  But ultimately, it’s not what Jesus can DO for us but rather what He IS to us that causes us to follow Him and love Him.  He is our Source, yes but He is also comfort, hope, salvation, healing and the list goes on!!! 

Hope you’ll be inspired to play along!  A free set by Our Daily Bread Designs is up for grabs for a random winner! 

Some great blog candy giveaways

While I was blurfing about today, I found some great candy giveaways I want to share with y’all (part of entering is spreading the word!)

Naoual
Jacqui
Bev
Nilla
Leanne
Suzanne
Hanna

Gina K. Designs 3D Challenge – Pencil Cups!

Who can’t use a fancy handmade pencil cup these days?!  That’s what I was thinking when I decided on what to make the 3D challenge at StampTV this month.  I hope you will play along!  You have until August 31st at 11:59 p.m. CST to upload your creation and have your chance at winning a FREE stamp set from Gina K. Designs!  In addition to that, if you are the winner – you will be able to choose from one of the NEW sets because they will have just been released!  Believe me, you will be HAPPY if you did – these next sets, as usual are just amazing!  Just wait! 

The first pencil cup is one I made to give to Melanie last year, shortly after her A Year of Flowers and Say it with Flowers sets came out, which have been so popular!  I found the cup at Staples and inserted the watercolored images in.  The outside just has some Basic Grey mellow paper on it. 

For this most recent pencil cup, I made it Summery and Sunflowery, using Gina K.’s new Signs of Autumn stamp tv kit (except for the Summer Sun cardstock and sunflower charm from my stash).

I hope you make time to play along!!  Here is the gallery of entries if you’d like to take a look! 

SC241: Archaic Boy Bear

I am so glad when I sit down to make a card and having decided on an image, an idea comes right to me when it relates to mixing up sets!

In this case, for this week’s sketch challenge 241, I knew I wanted to use my favorite bear from the Whimsical Wishes set Beary Special and could if I turned the sketch.  I wanted to use a new accessory for him that I haven’t used, and looked at the Boys will be Boys set which was still out in my stamp area-a tie for the boy bear!  I just love that Nancy illustrated 3 different kinds of ties in that image, I used the outline one so that I could paper-piece it to look like a classic plaid tie.  To make it more proportionate for the bear, all I had to do was shorten it a little and angle the top to match his chin line-so easy!  The sentiment is from Beary Special Accessories.  The papers I used on the card are Basic Grey Archaic and the ribbons from my stash (except the middle one is from Taylored Expressions.)

Hope you’re having a great weekend! 

Elegant Post Blog Hop with Gina K. Designs

As promised, tonight I bring you some samples made with the new Elegant Post set, illustrated by Nina Brackett for Gina K. Designs. Nina has also designed several digital papers to coordinate with her set: Grungy Elegance and Simple Elegance.
For my card, I used the new Basic Grey Lemonade pad and Pure Luxury Ivory cardstock *(Base weight for the card base and layering weight for the focal image). Ribbon from my stash. I used Mojo sketch 96 for this card layout.

My second card I made today, using the sketch at StampTV this week, hosted by Cat. I love it that on any given day there is a challenge you can participate in to get the creative juices flowing (and it doesn’t hurt that you can try to win some free stamps from Gina K. too!) I used Basic Grey paper on this card too, Bittersweet.

Here is a close up of the new copic atyou spica glitter pen sparkle.

As usual, we have our Sr. Design Team members to dazzle you with their creations: Gina K., Cathy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Kurtis, Lee, Melanie and Theresa. Nina has asked her friends Silke and Melissa to join us on the hop.

Lastly, be sure to check out our Center Stage Design Team members for July: Brenda, Shannon and Sue Walsh and prepare to be wowed!

Hope you have a great weekend!!

TESC78: Kick back & relax masculine style

It’s been a while since I made a fun masculine card, so I pulled a few sets out to make one for this week’s Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge {78}. I also grabbed some cool patterns from Basic Grey’s Archaic pad. I brought out the boots, steak & shish kabob from the Whimsical Wishes set Boys Will be Boys and paired it with the big brew mug from the new Chillax set.

Here’s the conversation that ensued over sharing this card with my DH:

“I like that card”
“I should have just given the card to you”
“I’d rather just have what’s on the card”
“well that’s too much work”
”it’s o.k. for you to spend an hour and a half on the card but it’s too much work to spend 30 mins. making me the meal?”

HA – as if (the card only took about 40 mins) and anyone who knows us knows that I don’t skimp on the home cooked meals around here! Just the other night we had chicken fajitas, homemade salsa, homemade spanish rice (very much more flavorful than ANYTHING you will get at a Mexican restaurant) and my lazy gal’s pinto beans (that’s my pinto beans from a can made with sauteed onions, jalapeno, Bolner’s pinto bean seasoning & cilantro). It was Simply Delicioso!

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 21 at 10am CST)!

Now go check out the Sketch Crew’s cards today, I’m sure you will be inspired:

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

The Featured Sampler of this week’s sketch is Julie Lacey

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!!!

Your Word…

…is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”  Psalm 119:105. I love this Scripture from Guiding Light.  I thought it went well with the new Gina K. Designs set Elegant Post, illustrated by Nina Brackett.  I shared the above card during the last Gina K. release party but haven’t yet on my blog.  I did some masking, sponging and a little pebble path courtesy of The Journey on this card.  

Join us Friday evening when Nina, Sr. Design Team members, Center Stage Spotlight design team members and a special guest bring you an inspiring blog hop using Elegant Post.   Nina will be offering a great giveaway on her blog too!

Leaving Comments - FYI

When I changed the look of my blog last week, for some reason, the COMMENTS link is at the TOP of my posts, instead of the bottom so I am getting some comments meant for a different card on posts.

No big deal to me but I just wanted to give you a heads up about the LOCATION of the COMMENT link being at the TOP of my posts. I am going back to the COMMENT BOX appearing at the bottom of the post, maybe that will help so you can still see the project you're commenting on. As always, I appreciate the time you take to leave me some stampin' love!

Christmas Inspiration Mosaic

Welcome to our Gina K. Designs Inspiration Mosaic blog hop!!  Have you seen ALL the wonderful creations using this new set illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger!?  My word – HER creations alone are more than enough, but the other ladies who have been creating with this set since its release have REALLY brought it!! I am amazed!!! 

I have a pretty straight-forward Christmas card to share with you using it, along with Green Apple cardstock newly released by Gina K. and Rocket Red.  I embossed the mosaic with silver detail embossing powder as well as the poinsettia & leaves (from a Year of Flowers).  I then sponged a little of my kiwi kiss ink in some of the mosaics and stamped a greeting ‘holiday blessings (from Say it With Flowers).  I apologize for the bad photo, I missed an opportunity for an outside shot because it unexpectedly started raining here (and when I go to adjust the levels in my photo editing software, it freezes on me – not sure why but it’s pretty frustrating to say the least!)  I hope you can still get the idea this card is simple yet very elegant. 

Enjoy the rest of the inspirational hop at Gina K’s blog, Melanie’s blog as well as her guest designers: Jennie Harper, Tina Gilliland, Linda Payne, and Jenny Charboneau

These Gina K Senior DT members have Inspiration Mosaic projects on their blogs as well: Cathy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Lee, and Theresa

and finally, don't forget to check out what wonderful creations our Center Stage DT members have to share! 
Shannon Bracken and Brenda Turner

Inspiration Shoe Lover

Here is a card I made using the new Gina K. Designs set Inspiration Mosaic (illustrated by Melanie) and Retro Boutique (illustrated by Rupa).

I used Basic Grey Eva paper to piece just a few of the mosaics and made a few focal points of shoes and added a little rhinestone bling.  This card went together fairly quickly once I picked out just the right patterns of paper. 

Tonight at 10 pm CST, Melanie and some members of the Sr. Design Team and Center Stage Spotlight as well as some guest designers will be wowing you with even MORE inspiration using their mosaics – be sure to check it out!!

Blinged Up Sunflower

I love making one layer cards, I just don’t seem to do them often enough!  This card was inspired by this card made by Lauren Meader (in which she pierced along one side of a flower). 

Verve Stamps is celebrating 2 years – can’t believe that much time has passed since I bought one of the first set that came out (I am behind since I haven’t bought any others! and I apologize I don’t have the name of it & it’s not on their website)  All week long, they are having fun stuff in the member company forum.  Today I played with Charmaine’s Anni-Verve-sary challenge Sweet & Simple, a one layer card with any embellishments you want.  I added this week’s Clean & Simple challenge (CAS27: Show off Your Bling) since I blinged up the sunflower center with brown/gold beads, on top of some crystal lacquer.  I used A Year of Flowers and colored it in with Koh-i-Noor pencils.  I love the sparkle of the one gold bead from the sun and realize how fitting the sentiment is.  I absolutely adore this card!

WSC92: You’re so Smooth

Here is a card I made using the Weekend Sketch Challenge {WSC92) compliments of Sharon Harnist! I used a few images from the new Taylored Expressions Whimsical Wishes set Chillax that hadn’t seen any ink yet – the blender & smoothie with sentiment You’re so Smooth. I used the retired SU! paper Pink Flamingo.

Hope you have a great week! I may not be posting quite as regularly as I usually do because there are a few necessary things I have to do this week that will take a big chunk of my time. Thanks for your patience; I’ll share more soon!

Mojo94: Good Friends and Good Coffee…

A few weeks ago, my friend Vanessa posted on Facebook that she 1. needed some adult conversation and 2. a person to pray with.  I immediately responded to her that I was her gal!  It took a few days, but we were able to visit and it was a pretty sweet one.  I also wanted to see her one month old baby (picture below) so it was going to be great visit!  She is so precious, I got to hold her about 3 times but she was a little fussy with me.  I haven’t held a baby since my nephew was born May ‘08.  We had some coffee, and I brought some Cinnabon coffee cake for us to eat.  After we ate and caught up with stuff going on, we talked about our prayers which were to follow.  We had a lot of requests, as well as praise to offer up to the Lord and believe where 2 or more are gathered in His name, there He is in our midst. 

It’s such an incredible blessing to have a friend you can connect with in the spirit, it makes your friendship all the more sweet. I intended on sending her the above card I made shortly after our visit but I got a little busy and it never happened.  I ended up hand delivering it on Thursday on another visit, but it was a surprise for her a few hours after I left—she discovered it left on her kitchen window sill.  She messaged me later that evening with a thank you!  I’m grateful for our friendship, Vanessa!!

Gina K. announced the new Center Stage Spotlight Design Team for August – click here the picture to see the talent on the horizon!

The new issue of stamping lifestyle magazine has been published!  Click the picture below to read it. 

Card details: Gina K. Signs of Autumn Stamptv kit, Chocolate Kiss, Baja Breeze cardstock, Basic Grey Offbeat paper.
Mojo94 card layout

Stamping Inspiration

I wanted to share my favorite stamping blogs with you and decided to make the LONG list of them and make it a clickable link on the sidebar of my blog.
One of my goals with re-vamping my blog is to keep it simple and less cluttered but also have it be a great resource for you! This is a great list if you need inspiration at any given time. I will still have the list of design team members on the sidebars for you, because all of these blogs are not part of them. ENJOY!!

• 6 Wacky Women
• AJ Otto
• Adela Rossol
• Alex Maldonado
• Allie Miles
• Allison Fillo
• Amy Rohl
• Amy Sheffer
• Andrea Waldford
• Angie Tieman
• Anna Wight
• Artfully Ila
• Asela Hopkins
• Barb Foster
• Barb Schram
• Beate Johns
• Becca Feeken
• Bethany Paul
• Bev Gerard
• Bev Rousch
• Bonnie Sharp
• Brenda Turner
• Broni Holcombe
• Cambria Turnbow
• Candice Lightly
• Carole Burrage
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Indelicato
• Christi Thorsen
• Christina Fischer
• Cindy Lyles
• Courtney Fowler
• Crissy Armstrong
• Dana White
• Danielle Lounds
• Dannie Graves
• Dawn Griffith
• Dawn Lusk
• Dawn McVey
• Deb Felts
• Debbie Olsen
• Debbie Seyer
• Emily Leiphart
• Geri Utterback
• Gwen Snater
• Heather Nichols
• Heather Pulvirenti
• Irene Silva
• Jana Weaver
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jen Del Muro
• Jen Tapler
• JenMarie Taylor
• Jenn Balcer
• Jennifer Buck
• Jennie Harper
• Jessica Witty
• Jessie Rone
• Jimmi Mayo
• Joan Ervin
• Joanne Basile
• Jody Morrow
• Joy Kennedy
• Julee Tilman
• Julia Aston
• Julia Stainton
• Julie Campbell
• Julie Ebersole
• Julie Koerber
• Kate Baldwin- i {heart} papers
• Kathy Daume
• Kazan Clark
• Kelly Lunceford
• Kendra Wietstock
• Keri Lee Sereika
• Kim Hughes
• Kirsten Dubosque
• Kristina Werner
• Krystie Lee
• Lana Lepinski
• Lauren Meader
• Lea Lawson
• Leigh O'Brien
• Leslie Rich
• Libby Hickson
• Lila Holgate
• Lindsey Botkin
• Linsey Rickett
• Lisa Johnson
• Lisa Silver
• Lori Ames
• Lori Craig
• Lynn Miller
• Maren Benedict
• Mary Jo Albright
• Marianne Walker
• Melissa McCarthy
• Melissa Sauls
• Melissa Shultz
• Melody
• Mercy Kerin
• Michelle Boyer
• Michelle Giraud
• Michelle Wooderson
• Michelle Zindorf
• Monika Davis
• Nancy McKinney
• Nancy Riley
• Natasha Trupp
• Niki Estes
• Nina Aaslund
• Nina Brackett
• Pam Imholz
• Pam Smerker
• Paula Tracy
• Rachel Hope Baird
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Randi Barrett
• Rose Ann Reynolds
• Selma Stevenson
• Shannan Teubner
• Shannon Bracken
• Sharon Harnist
• Sharon Johnson
• Sherry Cheever
• Silke Ledlow
• Sophia Landry
• Sue Walsh
• Sunghee
• Susan Liles
• Susan Roberts
• Suzanne Dean
• Tami Mayberry
• Tammy Hershberger
• Tanny Palmer
• Teresa Kline
• Tim Holtz
• Tina Gilliland
• Tori Wild
• Tosha Leyendekker
• Tracy Durcan
• Traveling Mama
• Trudee Sauer
• Valerie Stangle
• Yvette Ashe
  

TESC77: Pie in the window

Happy Friday Y’all! I am excited to bring you a card I made using Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge {TESC77} and this week I attempted to channel my fellow Baker’s Dozen Design team member, Sankari Wegman!! I just adore her style; she has a keen eye for cohesive, bold & gorgeous designs (and so happens to have won the 2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown, which I knew she would!) She tends to use a lot of liquid pearls and bling on her cards and I was wondering if I could pull if off! I think I am happy with how the card turned out! I used the window & cafe table from Fresh Flowers and put the berry pie from the new Berries & Cherries set (better picture below) as well as the coordinating key ingredients (with the exception of the liquid pearls and bling).

I made the windows open, cutting each section out with a craft knife and putting some acetate on the back.

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 Stamper (by Friday, August 14 at 10am CST)!

Be sure to check out the sketch crew’s creations which, I’m sure are going to be wonderful as usual!

Taylor Van Bruggen
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Sherrie Siemens
Vicki Chrisman

Our featured stamper today is Janet Marks! I hope you have a fabulous & fun weekend!!

A Clean & Simple Mojo card

I just love the Mojo Monday card sketches by Julee Tilman (she’s on week 98 and I just started playing a few weeks ago – why?!?!)

On my card, I wanted to use my new SU! color Melon Mambo, it’s so pretty and I can hardly resist any shade of pink so I really wanted to get it.  I love it paired with Basic Gray and I threw in a little patterned paper by Black Market.  I love Bold Flowers by Gina K. and it’s been a while since I whipped it out, so here it is with the kissing technique.  I used the polka dot bg in the set for kissing directly on the flowers, then punched them out with the coordinating Marvy flower punches.   I also swiped my basic gray pad on the basic gray layer for some added dimension.  The sentiment in the lower right corner is from Tag Lines.  This card took me about 10-15 mins…not bad and I like how it turned out too!