FS164: Going on an Egg Hunt

I am totally supposed to be studying for my upcoming tests in Medical Terminology (Apr 1) and Anatomy/Physiology (Apr 5) but I woke up early this morning and couldn’t resist playing with this week’s Featured Stamper challenge {FS164} because I found this cute card of Brandi’s to CASE!!  I knew right away I wanted to make a scene with the little peeps on an egg hunt in the meadow using Favorite Peeps by Taylored Expressions!  This card was SO much fun to make and now I have a card to send to my niece Gabby!  I used all supplies from the Easter Key Ingredients (except a few buttons and the sugar sparkly fluff for the clouds , which I hand drew). 

As promised, here are a before & after photo of our dog Shelby since we took her to the beauty parlor yesterday – she was such a good girl and I KNOW she missed us while she was there but so HAPPY to smell, look and feel good for the Spring!  She gets this short haircut a few times during Spring through Fall when she doesn’t need the extra fur!

Here she is in all her glory – it took me SO many times to try to get a good picture as she was walking all over the place when we brought her back.  She is looking up at John in this picture who she adores; that’s one reason I like this one so much.  I bought her that chicken chew treat as a reward and she walked all over the house strutting her stuff and showing off her treat for about 10 minutes!  She really cracks me up – I am counting my blessings she is still with us after her November diagnosis of lung tumor.  I appreciate all the prayers that have been given up for her, they are working and God is allowing us more time with her. 

I hope you have a great week!  This may be my last post until my work/school week is over because I really need to hit the books!  Although I am averaging an A in my Med. Term. class, I’m averaging a C in my A&P class and that is just not acceptable to me!  Please pray I can focus and retain all this info and God helps me when it comes time to take my test so I remember the answers!  Thanks for stopping by today! 

8 more days until Easter…

and I only have a handful of cards made, how did that happen?!?  I guess it’s a little due to the fact that as a designer for stamp companies you tend to work ahead of the upcoming holiday!  In fact, as I type this I am already working on some wonderful new stamps coming out by Taylored Expressions for our April release I’m sure you’re going to love!  But in the meantime, here is an Easter card I made using the Lasting Impressions Easter Blessings set and Easter Key Ingredients which features pattern paper by Basic Grey called Kioshi which I LOVE; who am I kidding, I love ALL Basic Grey stuff since it’s my favorite pattern paper company!  For this card, I stamped the flourish cross with VersaMark ink and used the poppin’ pastels technique by rubbing on some chalk; makes for a subtle feminine look.

It’s not too late to get your Easter cards done!  There is a ton of inspiration out there, in fact here is a link to the TE gallery with all the cards & projects made with this stamp set!  Take a look, I’m sure you will find something you like! 

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!  Mine will be spent taking our dog to the beauty parlor (maybe I will share a before & after pic with you!), spending time with my awesome DH, stamping and studying for an upcoming test in Medical Terminology!  By the way, I got an A on my first one – go me!  No time to rest on my laurels—will still continue to study hard!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Thinking of You – TE March Key Ingredients

I just adore this March’s key ingredients by Taylored Expressions!   You can see a picture of all the contents on Taylor’s blog and she has links to the other gals who shared their projects using the key ingredients last week. 

For my card, I decided to take out the Lasting Impressions Easter Blessings set and use it in a non-Easter way to show you the versatility of the set!  I used a small accent of the bottom off my card in addition to the flourish cross (stamped in yellow ink and outlined with a chocolate chip marker.  I added some sponging with distress inks and some ribbon/butterfly embellishment from the kit and a little hemp cord and this card came together so quickly.  It would make a nice sympathy card or thinking of you card for a spiritual person. 

Remember, as a subscriber to the key ingredients, you will get your kit delivered to your door in addition to some other perks!  If you’d like to read all about the details click here.  Be sure to read testimonials by subscribers here and check out the gallery uploaded with tons of inspiration by the Bakers Dozen design team.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

CPS sketch sponsored by GKD illustrators!

This week the Gina K. Designs illustrators are sponsoring the prize at the Card Positioning Systems blog! 

For my card using sketch 159 I used the new Spring Mix StampTV kit along with some grungeboard for the side embellishment on the sketch.  I thought embossing the leafy branch cuttlebug folder on the Hint of Spring pattern paper that comes in the kit would be a nice addition to the card – I love the look of it! 

Hope you will have time to play along this week; on Wednesday there will be updates on the CPS blog with info on what you can win as well as great designer samples! 

Hope you have a great week! 

Easter is almost here!

I am thrilled that tomorrow (or today depending on when you’re reading this post) is the first day of Spring!!  I can’t believe I spent the majority of my Spring Break from school recovering with my hurt lower back.  I am feeling much better but I am operating about 85-90% better which is more than my Dr. was hoping for me by this time.  I just know I have to take it easy and be careful with everything I do.  I am planning a fun, relaxing weekend before I have to get my nose back in my books!

Here is a card I made using this week’s SCS sketch challenge {SC272} and today’s Free for All 4 {F4A4} to make either a basket or a card with a basket on it plus to use the colors Barely Banana, Certainly Celery and Perfect Plum; easy enough!  I used my new Favorite Peeps stamp Whimsical Wishes set by Taylored Expressions!  I just love this set and figured I should get as much use out of it before Easter comes and goes!  But, I am also excited that there are plenty of images in the set I will be able to use long after Easter like the chicks and sentiments that say, ‘sending you a warm fuzzy’, ‘you’re one of my favorite peeps’, and ‘we need some chick time’ – how fun are those?!?  Great for a friendship card to surprise a girlfriend!

Hope you have a fun weekend – thanks for stopping by! 

Gina K. Preview: Spring Has Sprung

I fell in love with the adorable Spring images in the new set Spring Has Sprung illustrated by Rupa Shevde.  On my card, I used the cute duck who is amused by the tiny little snail on top of a set of rocks.  My card base is Soft Sand and pattern paper will be in the new StampTV kit, lemondrop pattern.  Isn’t it a great striped paper?  It matched perfectly with the Basic Grey sugar rush buttons I got from Carolina!  I love the mix of polka dots & stripes!

For even more inspiration with tonight's new stamp sets:

Start with Gina's blog

and Nina Brackett {Illustrator of Nana's Needlework & Sentiments}

Then, visit these Designer's blogs:
Jessica Fick
Melanie Muenchinger
Theresa Momber
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Kurtis Amundson
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Bev Gerard

Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

The Release Party is tomorrow night Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ending at 10pm (all times CST) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store.

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

GKD Release Day: Spring has Sprung!

I’m so thankful that Spring is upon us!  It’s just 3 days away – I know the unusually cold (and snowy) Winter we had in Central Texas was nothing compared to what some of y’all had to endure, but I know I am ready to see the wildflowers strewn along the highway here and bring out my shorts & sandals!  For release day I have a sample using Spring Has Sprung, which is illustrated by the very talented Rupa Shevde! 

I used the cute duck riding an umbrella on the pond for my card, in addition to some of the Hint of Spring pattern paper and accessories that come in the new Spring Mix stamptv kit!!  I also threw in some nautical netting and hemp cord that I put through the blue eyelets that come in the kit – this is a bulky card, but its so fun and can either be hand delivered or stuck in a bigger envelope to brighten someone’s day!

For even more inspiration with tonight's new stamp sets:

start with Gina's blog

and Nina Brackett {Illustrator of Nana's Needlework & Sentiments}

Then, visit these Designer's blogs:
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Kurtis Amundson
Melanie Muenchinger
Theresa Momber
Bev Gerard
Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

The Release Party is tomorrow night (or today depending on when you’re reading my blog) Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ending at 10pm (all times CDT) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store.

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

Gina K. Preview: StampTV kit and One Free with 3!!

Ok seriously?  This has got to be the BEST StampTV kit  Gina has put together for us yet!  I know we (the designers) say this every month but this time it’s for REAL – they always get better & better. Maybe it’s because of the time of year and everyone is SO looking forward to Spring (it’s one of my 4 favorite seasons *wink*) but this month she has put together the cutest and best collection of Spring images, hence the name of the kit Spring Mix and sentiments and a wonderful complimentary set called Friends as our One Free with Three set! 

On my first card, I used the adorable little mouse holding a thank you sign (the sign is blank so you can put a greeting or write your own inside!- eek, how fun!.  I paired him with all supplies and accessories in the kit (except for the pink button which is from the Spring button Collection).  The pattern paper is called Hint of Spring Digital Pattern Paper which comes in bubblegum pink to match our new Bubblegum pink cardstock and Creme de Menthe which I used as my card base and there’s also Little Boy Blue and Lemon Drop Pattern papers too!  What do you think of the cuttlebugged pattern paper*?  It’s fun, huh?  I thought it would look great to help this little guy get his point across!   *to prevent the thinner pattern paper from tearing, adhere it to your card mat first and run it through as usual*

Next up is a card I made using the Friends One Free with Three set as a focal image.  The oval ‘frame’ is in the StampTV kit along with the mini butterfly.  I used the new Bubblegum pink cardstock & black onyx – if you are a pink lover like me, you will adore it!!  I inked up the Floral Fantasy cuttlebug folder with Tea Rose vivid ink to make the pattern pop.  Are you a fan of 5/8” ribbon?  Well you are going to LOVE the collection of ribbons in this kit (see that I used the light green on the first card?)

For even more inspiration with the new Spring Mix StampTV kit and the new Free with Three stamp set:

Check out Gina's Blog

Then, visit these Designer's blogs:

Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy 
Melanie Muenchinger
Nina Brackett
Tami Mayberry
Theresa Momber
Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

Tune into StampTV for this week's video from GinaK featuring the new Spring Mix StampTV kit!

Mark your calendars for the Release Party this Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ends at 10pm (all times CDT) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store.

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

Gina K. Preview Day 1: Beautiful Life

I have  a preview to share using Melanie’s new set, A Beautiful Life.  It is a beautiful tulip frame with so many great sentiments and a few images to compliment the set.  One of my favorite images in the set is the bee I have flying around in the upper right corner of the frame.  I just love how realistic she drew it! 

Here is a close up of the bee and the sakura glitter pen I used around the frame and the bee trail.  The tuplies were colored with copics.  The cardbase is passionate pink and the blue inside the frame is the wonderful new Little Boy Blue cardstock available this release!

Are you ready for even more inspiration?  Start with Gina's Blog

Then, visit these illustrator's blogs of these new stamp sets:

Melanie Muenchinger - A Beautiful Life
Theresa Momber - Sending Sunshine
Tami Mayberry - Fairy Tales

Finally, check out these Designer's blogs:
Jessica Fick
Nina Brackett
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Kurtis Amundson
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Colleen Schaan

Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

StampTV is celebrating its first birthday and the festivities are in full swing with this month's release!  We'll be holding this month's Release Party on StampTV and couldn't be more excited about all that Gina has planned for everyone!  The party kicks off this Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ends at 10pm (all times CST) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store.

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

Happy Birthday StampTV!

Did you know StampTV turned one year?  To celebrate, a bunch of design team and challenge hostesses put together a surprise birthday hop together in honor of Gina last night (I was not able to participate initially because of my hurt back).  But this morning I am feeling a little better and checked my ‘reserve’ of cards I have not shared on my blog yet and found this one using the Eclectic Summer StampTV kit!  So Happy Birthday to STV and congratulations on the HUGE success of it, Gina!  I am honored to be a part of something so wonderful; your company, your talented illustrators and design team and this fun community of stampers! 

Be sure you hop around ALL those participating and leave a comment, one random commenter will win the NEW stampTV kit being released this week and believe it or not, it is the BEST yet in my opinion!!   You will have until Sunday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. central to post comments on all the blogs. The winner will be posted on Stamp TV on Monday!!

Jessica
Melanie
Theresa
Lee
Tami
Lynn
Erika
Emily
Cathy

Nina
Valerie
Bev
Tina
Karen
Vicki

You Rock!

Here’s a fun card I made using the new You’re My Hero, current Giving Tree Program set where a proceed of the sale of the stamp goes to CureSearch.  This set was made in honor of Taylor’s neighbor Darrin who, at age 10 lost his battle with Cancer last Fall.  The set is so awesome and you would be making a small yet great contribution to help Cancer research if you were to purchase it; you will have through the month of May to make a difference.  The set is currently out of stock, but if you fill out this form you will be notified when it’s back in stock.

I used the fun yet messy technique called Joseph’s coat to make this card.  You ink up your cardstock with a spectrum pad using a brayer, ink your images with versamark ink and heat emboss with clear powder, and then brayer your whole cardstock with black ink and it will resist on the stamped areas, causing the original ink colors to shine through. 

PERSONAL UPDATE:  I hope you enjoy your Spring Break, I wish I could say I have but I injured my lower back and I’ve been laid up since Wednesday evening.  I missed work 2 days and school on Thursday evening and that bothers me.  The pain is so excruciating it’s brought me to tears so many times.  John stayed home from work to take care of me and get me to the Dr. today but I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know – this is a re-injury of my lower back muscles which initially occurred Nov. ‘05 when I was rear-ended (smashed between 4 other cars).  I felt good enough to sit up to right this post so I feel somewhat better but as soon as I take more meds I hope to be knocked out again. 

The Promise of Spring

Here is a card I made for the Free For All challenge on SCS Friday (F4A2); to make a free standing card.  It’s been YEARS since I’ve made one of these, I think they are a lot of fun!  I used the new Whimsical Wishes Through the Year which happens to be a FREE TE download if you place an order in the store by tomorrow!!  I had to use the Promise of Spring for mine to go along with the new Easter Key Ingredients now available since we had a few days this week that were just that – a promise that spring is right around the corner!  In the first picture this is what my card will look like closed coming out of a standard sized envelope.   Check out the Fresh from the Oven category so you can see EVERYTHING that is available now all in one place!

Here is what it will look like open from the top and standing on a flat surface to be displayed.  I need to send/give this card away, don’t you think?  I may give it to my supervisor at work.  She has been so nice and has had some rough, busy days lately.  I’m sure it will brighten her day. 

Personal Update: I know it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these so in case you are wondering what’s going on in my life, here you go! Of course at any time if you want to email me and NOT wait for me to post something on here, feel free to! I’d love to hear from you! This is my last upload to share until the end of the week.  I am in the midst of studying for my mid-terms in my 2 classes and I must do well on them and focus!  So you may not hear from me on here or on any of your blogs unless I can sneak away a few moments on my cell phone!   My contract ends at the end of March and the company I’ve been working at since December 7th is going to hire me full-time and I am pretty excited about it!  I enjoy working there and it’s been a blessing!  Lastly, our plans to start building our house on our land is right around the corner and I am thrilled about that!  We’ve had a few delays for one reason or another but we’ve had Faith that it would all work out so it will be soon!  It’s definitely been a test in patience for us.  People are not kidding when they say it’s one of the most challenging things a couple can do together. 

Hope you have a great week ahead!

TE Release Day: Celebrating A Year of Whimsical Wishes!

Today we are celebrating a year of Nancy McKinney’s unique and wonderful Whimsical Wishes sets she has illustrated for us!  The team and I are sharing creations made with a special digital stamp set Nancy created called Whimsical Wishes Through the Year with a whimsical image and coordinating sentiment for every season of the year.  I am showing the Joy of Summer with a beautiful flower and flourish patterned butterfly image.  I thought it would be perfect to use my Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety paper from the TE store and paired it with Prism Blush Red Light prism and Choice Snow White cardstock for a fresh and Summery feel!  

I colored my butterfly with Copics and then added some (red, lemon and melon) Copic spica atyou glitter pens – look at that sparkle!!
Our gift you to - with any purchase in the TE Store through Monday March 8th you'll receive a FREE Whimsical Wishes Image Sheet - Whimsical Wishes Throughout the Year which includes 4 never-before-seen seasonal images and 4 coordinating sentiments. These are open line images ready for you to color with your favorite medium. (see picture below)

Anniversary Sale - the first two sets released in the Whimsical Wishes family last year were Branching Out and Branching Out Coordinates. Each of these 2 sets are on sale for 25% off only through Monday March 8th. Note: since these two sets were originally part if our Giving Tree charitable program they come in sheet form attached to EZ Mount. You will need to trim them out when you receive them.

Before you go shopping, be sure you hop around to everyone’s blogs so you don’t miss their inspirational projects!!!
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Sankari Wegman
Taylor Van Bruggen
Nancy McKinney (our Whimsical Wishes illustrator) – make sure you wish her a Happy Anniversary!
and welcome to our guest designer for March and April:
Amy Sheffer! 
Hope you have a great weekend!!

TE Sneak Peek Day 2: Easter Blessings and Favorite Peeps

Today we are sharing peeks of 2 stamp sets!!  The first one is in the  Lasting Impressions line of stamps, an elegant collection of Christian based Easter images and sentiments called Easter Blessings.   I used the Easter key ingredients for my card, paper by Basic Grey Kioshi, paper pretties mini flowers and coordinating buttons.  I used Jen’s SFYTT for my layout from Feb 20th which I thought would showcase the beautiful flourish in the set.  I used white pearl liquid pearls on my cross and sponged the edges of my squares with ranger antique linen distress ink.

Here is a card and favor box treat I made using items from the Easter Sampler Taylor will have for purchase tomorrow!  I used Basic Grey’s Sugar Rush paper as well as prism Baby Pink Medium and Basic Gray SU! cardstock.  

There’s a ton of stuff in this sampler that I bet you will love:  Hot Pink Rhinestones
Cotton Candy Sparkly Fluff (I used on the bunny)
5 die cut bags
6 Fancy Flowers
Candy Dots
Glitter
5 yards of ribbon
Stardust Gelly Roll Pen
Tulip Rhinestone
Don’t miss out on feasting your eyes on the fabulous creations the Baker’s Dozen design team have to share with us today.  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see more release day goodies!
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Sankari Wegman
Taylor Van Bruggen
and Nancy McKinney

TE Sneak Peek Day 1: You’re My Hero

I am so excited to share our sneak peek today using You’re My Hero, our newest set in the TE Giving Tree Program. If you’re not familiar with this program, every quarter we release a special stamp set where a portion of the sale of the set ($7)  is donated to a specific charity.
You’re My Hero was inspired by and in honor of Darrin Zimmerman- Taylor's 10 year old neighbor who passed away last fall from cancer.  I remember the day Taylor messaged me with a heavy heart and told me about Darrin/asked me to keep him in my prayers.  I prayed often for him and his family but the cancer was too much for his little body to handle and it made me so sad to hear the news.  I couldn’t help but think of Darrin and his family while I stamped this card and how hard the holidays must have been with him not around and how each day they are reminded of their loss. 
The charity benefitting from the sale of You’re My Hero is CureSearch, which unites the world's largest childhood cancer research organization, the Children's Oncology Group, and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through their mission to cure childhood cancer. Research is the key to the cure.
I really enjoyed stamping with this set because it’s unlike any other set I’ve seen, Nancy designed it with tweens and teens in mind...and for the Rock Star in all of us which is why I had so much fun!  I used the Rock Star key ingredients for my card (ribbon trim, die cut my sentiment is on and glitter brad!  Instead of using all the awesome papers in the key ingredients, I made my own pattern paper by sponging inks on glossy cardstock and using stazon jet black ink to stamp my rockers.  This set, along with the Rock Star key ingredients will be available for purchase at 10 a.m. CST on Friday, March 5th.
Be sure to check out the awesome creations using You’re My Hero the Bakers Dozen design team have to share with us today!  Taylor shared some changes to the design team yesterday; although I will miss Laurie and Dawn, I want to give a sweet welcome to Jeanie (our previous guest designer) and my BF IRL Carolina and look forward to seeing what they have to share!
Alex Maldonado
Carolina Buchting
Charmaine Ikach
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Jeanie Witmer
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Melissa Sauls
Sankari Wegman
Taylor Van Bruggen
and Nancy McKinney - You're My Hero illustrator!

Sweet teddy bears

Here is a card I made using the new set by Gina K. Designs, Oh Baby! illustrated by Rupa Shevde.  I just love the cute teddy bear she drew along with all the other images in the set – the set of blocks that I used here, especially.  I wanted to keep this card relatively simple although I did make it a tad bit vintage/distressed with my sponging.  First of all, I ran my innocent pink cardstock with the swiss dots cuttlebug folder.  I love to paper-piece so I used the cute papers by Cosmo Cricket Ducks in a Row to make my patterned teddy bears.  My other cardstock colors I used are chocolate kiss & ivory pure luxury.  I finished my card off with some gold-lined ivory ribbon.  All sponging is with ranger tea dye distress inks.  The spellbinders label die is #9. 

Hope you have a great day & thanks for stopping by!