Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 2: Dreams & Birthday Bash

So glad you’ve joined us for the 2nd day of inspiration from the Gina K May release! 
First up is a set by Tami Mayberry called Dreams.  It is a beautiful collection of frames (square, rectangle, oval) and sentiments to be placed inside along with a few smaller accent images.  I’m sure you’ll find endless ways to use this set.  I have made a card to highlight our new Just Peachy pure luxury cardstock, pairing it with one of my favorite cuttlebug embossing folders, Leafy Branches. 

Here is a close up of the coloring of the branches the little bird is perched on.  I stamped the image with London fog memento ink and used a copic marker for the blooms and put star dust stickles on them for some sparkle.  I finished off the card with some white organdy ribbon.

Here is a picture of the whole set so you can see what you get for $23.95.  The set is made of high quality rubber, die cut and already mounted on cling foam.  It also comes on a storage sheet and has an image sheet for your reference. All you have to do is put it on an acrylic block and you’re ready to stamp away! 

Next up is an adorable set by Rupa called Birthday Bash with the cutest puppy, bears, bunny, turtle and mouse just begging to celebrate a birthday with you!  I used the cute puppy on my card and colored him with copic markers.  I used the Happy Birthday cuttlebug embossing folder and Echo Park papers A Walk in the Park.  I thought it would be fun to punch various circles from coordinating cardstock and frame the corner of the focal image.  I embellished with an orange button with pink cotton thread and a smidgeon of brown stitched ribbon. 
To the right is the full set for you to see what you will get for $23.95. 
Be sure to hop around all the blogs of the designers sharing creations with us today and leave a comment for your chance to win a stamp set valued $24.95 or less!  Winners will be announced on Gina's blog – see you tomorrow for Day 3!!

• Gina K (her post will be up a little later so check back!)
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker (that’s me!)

You’ve Got Moxie SFYTT!

This is one of the BEST EVER StampTV kits just released by Gina K!  It is called Vintage Chic and wait until you see all the awesome cardstock, black & white pattern papers (used on my card), black & white brads and various black & white ribbons!  All this to create tons of cards, that comes in a sturdy plastic storage case!  I made this card using Jen’s May sketch for you to try, which is a lot of fun!  This card came together so quickly and I really adore it! 

Here is a picture of the whole set you get, check out all those fabulous images and sentiments! 

Have you ever checked out CPS card sketches?? Well, Gina K is this week’s sponsor – go check it out here & play along to win some free stamps!!!

Hope you have a great week!  Thanks for stopping by.

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 1: Vogue Vases & Border Bling

Welcome to our 1st day of inspiration hops for the May release!  Hope you made it to the party last night – it’s always a blast!  If not, you can always peruse the thread to see what you missed and hopefully you will make it next time!!
First up is a set by Theresa Momber called Vogue Vases.  I just love that she has a solid vase to use with an ink pad and an outline vase you can also paper-piece with, which is what I did on my card.  I used some Echo Park Be Mine papers, which coordinates so nicely with the Bubblegum Pink, Smoky Slate and White pure luxury cardstock I used. I thought the flowers went nicely with the Victoria cuttlebug folder which is one of my favorite ones!  I sponged around the Labels 14 die with Angel Pink memento ink.  The ribbon is Light Pink Gingham.

Next up is a set by Melanie called Border Bling, which will coordinate perfectly with her Bring the Bling set!  I chose to make a clean & simple one layer card because it is for the release party challenge I am hosting, One Love.  Make a one layer card, use one image stamp, one sentiment stamp, and only one embellishment!  You can stamp your image or sentiment as many times as you wish though!  Liquid pearls, stickles, glitter pens, etc do not count as an embellishment (I used liquid pearls here), they count as an ‘accent’.  Hope you will play along!  You have until Monday, Apr. 25 at 7 pm CDT and a winner will be chosen at random and announced at STV to choose a set for free valued up to $24.95!  You don’t have to use GKD stamps, but if you do, your name gets entered twice in the drawing!!

Here is another card I made, adding a flower & circle stamp from Bring the Bling!  See how fun they are together?  I stamped my oval bling border onto a Labels 10 die and sponged around the border to show you that you don’t have to have the exact size oval in order to use this set.  I think it looks nice like this!  What do you think of my cool ribbon rose?  I actually made it with wrapping the ribbon around a length of tin foil!  Here is the tutorial for it.  I used Turquoise Sea cardstock, buttons, ribbon and some white ribbon, Aqua vivid ink.  All supplies except white ribbon can be found in the GKD store.

Now be sure to hop around ALL the blogs listed below and leave a comment on each one so you have a chance at winning some stamps from Gina K!  The winners will be announced on Gina’s blog!

• Gina K
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Donna Baker (you’re here!)
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Thanks for stopping by – see ya on Tuesday May 31st when our inspiration hop will continue!  Have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Gina K Release Party Tonight! You’re invited!!

We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K. Designs May Release Party. We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most importantly, at the end of the party you will be able to go shopping for everything you can’t live without!
If you came from Giovana’s blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.
Here's a peek of one of the cards I will be sharing tonight in full!  This set is by Melanie (Gina is revealing the artists during her sneak peeks before the releases now!)

Hope to see you at the party-here are all the details:

• When: Tonight, Thurs. May 26
• Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
• Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (CDT)

***Edited to Add*** Blogger is having fits yet again and some blogs are not up so here is a list of all those participating if you want to check them out!  Head on over to Deb’s blog next to see what sneak peek she's sharing with you today and see you back here tomorrow for the beginning of our four day Inspiration Blog Hop series for May!

Mix It Up Monday Challenge at StampTV!

I am excited to bring you today’s challenge at StampTV!  My challenge is for your creation to be Shabby Chic!  My card uses the current StampTV kit called Springtime Silhouettes, which lends itself to this style of stamping with its various vintage images.  I chose to use the swirl medallion type image on the ivory cardstock then I sponged various distress inks on it, then used a distress tool to rough up the edges and then sewed on it!  Those all qualify as shabby techniques!  I even sponged ink on my ivory ribbon to match. 
I’d love it if you joined in the challenge this week!  You have until Sunday evening, May 29th to upload your creation and a winner will be drawn and announced at StampTV on Monday.  Click here for all the details!!
Card supplies
Stamps: Springtime Silhouettes
Cardstock: Pure Luxury Ivory, Sweet Corn, Chocolate
Inks: Distress Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo; Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Ivory grosgrain ribbon, buttons, CB folder Victoria

Friday Night Sew In results

So last night I had my first ‘official’ Friday Night Sew In along with 175 other ladies and here I am to share what I made!   I wish I had been more productive, but as soon as I got home I got a itch to clean the house before I started so I wouldn’t have to worry about it today and then I wore myself out a little, I took a nap but that also allowed me to stay up several hours PAST my bedtime so that was good!  We had a pretty good rain late last night with some pea-sized hail, lightning and thunder.  I am happy today because John gets back from a geocaching trip (he’s been gone since Weds night).  I will be happy to not sleep alone for the 4th night in a row! 
A week or so ago I found a new blog with tutorials, this for a Pleated Zippered Pouch from Skiptomylou so I tried it and it was a FUN, quick project!  So easy to follow and she has the PDF which includes the pattern template!  This is a cute little pouch you can put anything that will fit in, like your personal hygiene products, your keys, cell phone, driver’s license, credit cards to carry instead of a bulky purse!  Anything you can think of!  So I ended up making 2 of these but I can’t show you the other one for about a week because it will coordinate with one of the new GKD stamp sets so I have to save it for then to share.


Since I can’t share you the other one, I will show you 2 others I made last week, one similar to last night and another with Riley Blake Sugar & Spice fabrics.  The floral one is Sandi Henderson’s Meadowsweet 2 Daisy Path in Robin’s Egg.  I look forward to sharing more sewing projects with you, hope you’re not getting bored since my blog is supposed to be about stamping!

I plan to share this post at Made by You Mondays at Skip To My Lou!; Flamingo Toes Think Pink Sundays; Sunday Scoop Link Party; Saturday is Crafty Day; Hazel and Honeysuckle Scrapbox Sunday; Sew Darn Crafty

Thanks for stopping by today!  I am off to stamp my heart out for the upcoming Gina K Designs release!  Party on Thursday at StampTV!!

Free for all Friday–Get Krafty!

Happy Friday!!  I am so glad it’s finally here!  Seems the week went by a tad slow.  I am excited because tonight is the Friday Night Sew In so I plan to hunker down and sew as much as I can as soon as I get home from work,  I plan to share with you what I make tomorrow so I hope you will be back to see!

Cat is today’s challenge hostess on StampTV and you know she loves kraft cardstock so her challenge is for us to use it on our project.  I love kraft too, especially to stamp on it with white craft ink and color with colored pencils (my ‘krafty’ version of ‘Black Magic’ technique where you do the same but use black cardstock).  That is super fun too!  I used the new StampTV kit Springtime Silhouettes, white, key lime and kraft pure luxury cardstock.  I finished off my card with a small embellishment of a white button with a little green cotton thread.  This card came together pretty quickly since I kept it clean & simple – don’t ya just love that sometimes? 

I will be the hostess for Monday’s challenge; hope you will play along then too!  You really should if you are not, because we draw a random winner of each challenge to get a FREE GKD stamp set valued up to $24.95!  You don’t have to have GKD stamps to play either, but if you do you get your name in the drawing twice!!

‘See’ ya tomorrow!!

Many Thanks

Here is a a pretty busy card I made using the most recent GKD stamps, Timeless Textures and the one free with 3, Garden Silhouettes.  I wanted to make a card to get the thanks message across and I think I did!  Cardstock is White Passionate Pink, Key Lime accent and Black Onyx pure luxury!  Inks used are all Vivid: Raspberry, Aqua, Wild Lime, Straw.  Finished it off with some black stitched ribbon and a few green brads. 

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Sugar & Spice Gathered Clutch

I am so excited when I stumble upon super crafty blogs, in particular ones that showcase free sewing tutorials!  Anna’s blog Noodlehead has this awesome tutorial for a gathered clutch.  You know I have a very big weakness for purses and now when I find some fabulous fabric, I can make my own!!  When I got my sewing machine serviced a few months ago, I perused the fabrics and found these fun red, turquoise, pink & white fabrics called Sugar & Spice by Riley Blake.  Once I made the clutch, I felt like it needed something more, so I grabbed some of my turquoise mix buttons by Gina K and added 3 to the front, I think it makes all the difference in the world!  So much that a few weeks ago when we went to our friend’s 85th birthday and I was using it for my essentials, several of the ladies there fell in love with it and asked if I would be willing to make some to sell them.  So now I have bought more fabrics (not the same though) and I am working on getting a stash together to sell. 
Here is a picture of the inside, where you can see 2 more of the fabrics I used for the lining, card holders and divider pocket.  I will share more that I made real soon. 
Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a fabulous week! 
I am linking up to these crafty parties to share what I made! 

Gina K Sew Fun Blog Hop!

Thanks for joining Gina K's Design Team today for our monthly hop!  Our theme is SEWING, where along the way you will find a variety of sewing techniques from hand sewing to faux sewing and lots of inspiration!  If you are here after visiting Deb Felt’s blog, then you are in the right place but if not, please start at Gina K’s blog  so you don’t miss any inspiration along the way!!

I couldn’t have been more thrilled about this month’s theme because I have been occupying a big chunk of my time with sewing and thoughts of sewing!  Since I brought my sewing machine out of storage and got it services, I have been perusing many inspirational blogs out there gathering tons of ideas, going fabric shopping, making projects and planning more!  One of the things I’ve wanted to do lately was replace my extremely dated  pin cushion (see picture at left, you know the one!)  So I made a cute one out of a tuna can following this tutorial with a few tweaks!   I wanted to have a little weight to my tuna can so it didn’t easily move from my work surface, so before I glued my cushion to the can, I added some World’s Best Cat Litter to the bottom!

 

 

I also wanted to add some ribbon and a button to the cushion area since I kept the can a blank chocolate spray paint canvas (John said it looks like a cupcake!)

For my card, I used Nana’s Needlework and made a paper-pieced quilt!  It’s so fun that I actually ‘get’ how a quilt comes together since I am taking an on-line quilt class!  I also used the woodgrain technique to make the quilt hanger shelf and ‘frame’ for my sentiment.  And of course, I had to add some stitching to my card to finish it off!

Now you’re headed to Emily’s blog to continue on with the Sew Fun inspiration! 

Card Supplies
Stamps: Nana’s Needlework
Cardstock: White, Sweet Corn, Crème de Menthe, Chocolate pure luxury, Basic Grey Hopscotch
Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento, Wild Honey & Vintage Photo distress, White Craft
Accessories: Chocolate Mix buttons, double-stitch chocolate ribbon, brown cotton thread

Happy Belated Mother’s Day and quilt progress

Sorry I am so late with the belated wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day and a card to share but you will see why later in the post!  Here is a card I made my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day (John’s stepmom Shirley) which she adored!  Little does she know the card came together so quickly like 10+ minutes!  I used Melanie’s Branching Out and Notes to Mom for the sentiment.  I made my card centered around this scrap of ribbon that came off of a notepad.  I loved the idea of pairing the pink & white with kraft pure luxury cardstock (the branching out rectangle was already stamped from a previous stamping session so I did cheat a little!)  She loved it nonetheless and that’s what counted!  Even more so, she loved what I put inside, one of the pictures we took in Jamaica on our cruise. 
So, hopefully you are not bored with seeing a Mother’s Day card after the fact (you can always switch up the greeting for another occasion real easily!), but I have been busy working on my 1st quilt (and the top is finished as of this evening!) I worked hard on it Sat, Sun afternoon and tonight because I need to get some stamping done this week!

As you recall from a previous post, I am taking an on-line quilt class with Rebecca of Chasing Cottons and I was determined to finish the top and I did!  This is a picture of John helping me figure out the pattern, the quilt almost took up our whole island (little did I know when we planned for the island, it would double as a sewing station)  ha!  I went with diagonal triangles for this quilt.

Here is a picture of the ‘planned’ design.  We got the design down in less than 15 minutes and I started sewing 12:00 on Sat. while John went out geocaching with some friends.  He rolled in about 8:00 p.m. and I was still sewing (but I took several breaks during the day to eat, nap and watch a little t.v. *snicker*

By Sunday, I had this done (just worked on it a few hours since we were out most of the day visiting parents for Mother’s Day).  I was so excited it was taking shape so quickly!! I looked forward to working on it as soon as I got home from work today and I did!  John was so sweet, he was washing dishes and had put dinner together so I got started right away!
A few hours later and this is what I had (took several breaks to share some exciting news with some friends and family a few times – don’t worry the news will be shared here soon, promise!) It’s past my bedtime and my quilt front is complete!  It will be a lap quilt, roughly 4’ x 4.5’ I believe.  Eeeks! I can hardly believe I MADE THIS!!!  


I also wanted to share with you, that on Friday May 20th, there will be a Friday Night Sew In going on, with Heidi and Bobbi
I am looking forward to it since I had to miss the last one since we were on our cruise.  If you like to sew, we'd love to have you join us!  I'm not sure if I will be done with my quilt or not, but I have plenty of other sewing projects in line to do!

Follow Your Dreams night sky

Here is my attempt at a sponged night sky using Theresa’s beautiful set Follow Your Dreams.  Since I wanted the night sky to take center stage, I framed it with black onyx and placed it on white pure luxury cardstock, which makes it a great clean & simple card!  I love those in case I hadn’t told you lately. 

Sorry this post is so short; it’s past my bedtime as I write this and I have had a long week – this weekend I will be busy working on my quilt and a card order so I may not have anything to share.  Hang in there with me though because I will be back again soon, promise! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Simple Crazy Daisy card

Here is a simple card I made using Melanie’s Branching Out set and her first digital paper pack called Crazy Daisy!  I used the 1/4 sheet pack for my card – how quickly a card can come together using it!  All I had to do was stamp my focal image and cut it out and adhere it all with some double-stitch 5/8” grosgrain ribbon.  I really like this card too!  Sorry this post is so short but this card was so easy, there’s not much to explain!  All Supplies used can be found in the Gina K Store!!

Supplies
Stamps: Branching Out
Cardstock: White, Black Onyx, Red Hot Pure luxury
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ladybug
Accessories: 5/8” double-stitch black grosgrain ribbon

To Learn = To Live What I’ve been up to lately

learn/lərn/Verb
1. Gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.
2. Commit to memory.

I truly believe when you stop learning, you stop living!  The brain is like a sponge and just like a sponge, if it is not used (wet with water) then it gets dry and old.  If you don’t wet your brain with knowledge, it can get old too!  I can’t remember what year it was but for a while now I have learned something new to add to my repertoire!  One year it was learn to swim, another learn to sew, another learn to make jewelry, you get the idea!  So, lately I have re-discovered my love for sewing so I have added learn to quilt as my goal for 2011.  So, I have been researching and found a new blog last week while blurfing around all the sewing blogs and found Rebecca of Chasing Cottons, all the way in Australia who is teaching an on line Quilt Class – everything one needs to know to make a quilt in 12 weeks!  Although I discovered it when she was on Week 4, I quickly made up for lost time and last Thursday I went shopping for my materials and by Sunday evening, I was done making 120 half square triangles! 

Here is a picture of all the patterns I got in my charm pack – I was quickly drawn to the freshness of the blues, oranges and browns in this fabric. 


After I stacked all my pinned white & pattern squares, I had to draw a line on the diagonal and sew.  Then, I cut each diagonal and then pressed the 2 fabrics. 


Here’s what the triangles look like, I was playing with a few variations of patterns I see can be made (the chevron upper left orange pattern is based on Rebecca’s drawing here). 
So this is why I haven’t stamped much or posted many cards on my blog – I am distracted with sewing!  I know this is a stamping blog – so bear with me, promise to share more stamping soon! 

Our Cruise pictures to share!!

Western Caribbean Cruise - April 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL As promised, here are pictures from our cruise! We had such a fabulous time!! Our stops were Cozumel, Mexico (have mostly flower pictures since everything was in bloom and we didn’t see much more than what was right at the port along a busy street) – Apr 12; next was Georgetown, Grand Cayman where we went on an excursion to Stingray City a 30-min boat ride to swim with the stingrays we loved Grand Cayman most! – Apr 13; last stop was Falmouth, Jamaica where we did an excursion to the Dunns River Falls where I climbed 600 of the 1000 ft falls which was so exhilarating and intense but I’m so glad I did it – Apr 14. It was great to have a relaxing and fun vacation that lasted more than 4 days where we didn’t have to ‘do’ anything, had gourmet meals, nightly entertainment, met so many friendly people (even a couple who are geocachers!), got to sleep in, and take a few naps! We’re ready for the next one already! Hope you enjoy the pictures. Let me know if you have any questions after you peruse them. I will be back later to show you what I’ve been up to lately!