You’re invited to the Gina K release Party tonight!

The Gina K. Design Team is excited to invite you to another fabulous Release Party tonight!!  The party starts at 7:00 pm Central Time in the  Stamp TV Release Party Forum.  Join us for Challenges, Contest Questions, Design Team Samples, Full Stamp Set Reveals and, of course, party chit chat!!!  Everything will go "live" at 7:00 pm Central in Gina's Store, so there won't be any long wait to start shopping!  Hope to see you there!

If you came from Emily’s blog, then you're right where you should be. If not, please go to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating. Here's a sneak peek of one of the cards I will be sharing with you at the party tonight:

This card was made using Melanie’s Stately Flowers 3.  This is a Magnolia,  Louisiana’s state flower.

 

 

Now be sure to head over to Carolina’s blog to continue the hop and see you tonight at the party!

Simple Masculine Thinking of You sketch

I had the best intentions to play in every month’s sketch for you to try by Jen Del Muro last year.  I think I slacked off after about the 4th month.  This year, I will try again because I LOVE her sketches!   Here is January’s sketch – which I made into a masculine card for a co-worker who was dealing with the year anniversary of his 13 year old daughter’s death earlier this month.  Everyone in the department signed it and he sure appreciated it!  He was impressed with me making it but more than that, was happy he had someone who has dealt with loss, to share with.

He is new to our department (since Oct) and sits next to me.  When I first met him, he was very open about his loss and since we have had several opportunities to chat, I’ve learned more about it.  One day he shared with how difficult (and how he was dreading) coming to the day of her death and how he was going to make it through.  For some reason, I shared briefly about how, although I have not had a child or lost one, I do know loss because I was 9 when my dad died and 25 when my mom did.  It really hit him so hard to think that although he lost his daughter – it put things in perspective to know that I have lost BOTH my parents and he wanted to know how I deal with it.  I shared and he was grateful. It’s not often I really get to share the struggles I have going through life without my parents to share it with me.  Sure I have in-laws that I am close with and love dearly, but it’s just not the same as having my own around.  It meant a lot to me that he took the time to sympathize with my loss and just couldn’t imagine it since he takes for granted both his parents are alive.  It’s just not until someone has experienced the loss of a parent that they truly comprehend what it’s like.  I am glad I can be there for him even if it’s just a few words to let him know everything will be all right and he needs to talk/think about her to keep her memory alive.

I used the Nature’s Greetings stamp set by Gina K, kraft pure luxury cardstock for my base, Echo Park’s Times and Seasons pattern paper and a black button for a simple embellishment.

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you have a wonderful weekend and look forward to the new Gina K release which is on Tuesday night!!  The 3-day inspiration hop starts Wednesday, hope you will join us!  I am off to create with the awesome new sets! 

FNSI results: BB Bag!

Here is what I worked on for Friday Night Sew In!  My very own BB Bag (the pattern comes with 3 sizes and I made the largest one).  I used gorgeous fabric from The Cotton Cupboard but I don’t  know the name of it – sorry! It was real fun to make!  I worked on it until midnight and forced myself to go to bed and woke up early to finish more but it is not done just yet-I have to hand sew the binding which is why you see little clips all around.  Figure since we have a long busy day ahead of us (niece’s basketball game, lunch for BIL’s birthday, geocaching and spending time with friends this evening), I’m sure I can fit it in while in the car!  Then, I will show more of the bag like the inside and back.  I have to go get dressed for our day! 
Thanks for stopping by – hope you have an awesome day! 

My 2nd quilt and Friday Night Sew In here I come!!

It sure feels great to share a big accomplishment like completing my 2nd quilt with you!!   I was determined last weekend (3-day) to finish this quilt I started cutting last September during Friday Night Sew In!!  I sewed some squares in the middle of the week (Tue-Thu), took Friday night off, and started EARLY Sat morning (like 7:00 a.m.), stayed up until midnight.  Then, started again Sun morning about 9:00 because I slept in, then finished at 8:30 p.m. about 30 mins before John came home from his geocaching trip with a friend!   It was a marathon for sure!  I basically took restroom, eating, some housework and sleeping breaks (which included a few luxurious naps!) All the while, I watched almost all 3 seasons of The United States of Tara which is a really good series on Showtime about a mom, wife who has MPD  (multiple personality disorder) or DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder).  It was funny and heartbreaking at times.   Here is a link to a tutorial for a rag quilt.  I got instructions with the kit I bought.

I was so determined to be able to ENJOY using it for a little while because before we know it, Spring will be here and it will be put away until next Fall/Winter!  It is SO incredibly soft, cozy and clean smelling since I washed it right after I cut my last portion of it!  It is a RAG quilt and definitely not the last one I make.  However, it may be the only one I pay full price for the fabrics for though!   The front is made using a special roll of flannels by Robert Kaufman (Alpine Frost) by The Cotton Cupboard.  It was one of my last purchases on my quilt bus trip I took with my friend Stephanie back in July. 


In August when John was hanging out at Stephanie and James’ house (who live around the corner from there), I asked him to go get me the fabric for the backing.  I told him I wanted red if they had it (to pick up the berries on the holly fabrics) and some of the others that are in the front of the set.  Jessica (the store owner) and I chatted on the phone briefly as I told her I trusted her judgment in picking out the fabrics.  I was so pleased when he came home (and not just because I got what I wanted, but because he was willing to do it in the first place!) thanks Honey you did good!  *he reads my blog*  So here is the backing which I absolutely LOVE!  the POP of red is awesome especially because it pokes through the front because of the ragging!  You can enlarge the photos if you want a closer look! 

I am off to participate in the first of 2012’s Friday Night Sew Ins hosted by Bobbi and Heidi!   I will share tomorrow what I worked on!

sharing at the following link parties: Craftionary; Be Different, Act Normal; A Crafty Soiree; Think Pink Sunday; Along For the Ride; I {heart} naptime; Sew Darn Crafty; Ta-Da Tuesday! ; We Did It Wednesday!; Serenity Now!; Jaqs Studio

Howdy from Texas!

I was actually inspired to make a card this evening so I whipped this up in LESS than 10 minutes – my kind of card!  I didn’t have much time in between cleaning dishes and cooking dinner so I went to the Clean and Simple blog for this week’s sketch FTL 173 for my inspiration!  I love those kind of sketches!  I knew I also wanted to finally ink up my bluebonnets from Stately Flowers 1 set (what took me so long?) I totally am going to make a BUNCH of these cards to have on hand when I want to send a card to someone in another state (or country!) it came together so quickly and I love the layout!   The cardstock I used is Blue Raspberry and the pattern paper is Basic Grey Picadilly, which happens to be on sale right now in the Gina K Designs store -  25% off all Basic Grey, Echo Park, Jillibean Soup and Pink Paisley 6" X 6" Paper Packs!

Thanks for stopping by! 

SewCalGal Free Motion Quilting Challenge, covered composition book and my favorite bag!

Ever since I can remember, I have had on my list for the new year to learn something new!  It has been fun too!  Last year it was learn to quilt and I completed my first one in July.  Well, this long weekend I was determined to finish my 2nd quilt which I started last September and I am still working on it but I do have a sneak peek later in this post!  In the meantime, I figured I would share one of the things I committed to learn more of this year; to free motion quilt better because I have several quilts on my to do list for the year and want to do that, instead of send it off to a long arm quilter to do it.   I made the pledge for the 2012 monthly Free Motion Quilt Challenge.   Read all about it – if you’re interested, it’s not too late to sign up!

Several months ago, I discovered SewCalGal’s blog where she shares insights on sewing products, blogs, etc. I made an easy composition book cover at her recommendation, to take notes during the challenge. I love how it turned out! I especially love the placement of the big red button for the closure – perfectly on the white flower!  Each month, we are going to have a FMQ expert share their tips for free motion quilting and issue a challenge for us to practice.  I am still working on getting my sample quilt sandwiches together!  There are prizes each month as well as grand prizes at the end of the 12 month long commitment.  How fun! 


I got the pattern for my cool 12-pocket bag I have not shared yet, from SewCalGal – using my FAVORITE fabrics from my quilt shop bus trip last July!   I absolutely fell in LOVE with them the moment I saw them and bought 1 yard of each!  I love the black background, bright floral and geometric designs on the fabric!   This is so ME!!





Her pattern was very easy to follow!  I use this bag all the time to carry my projects, books, sometimes lunch to work!  It fits a ton of stuff in it!   Imagine – 12 pockets!  Sometimes I have to go through them all just to find what I am looking for that I stuff in them!






Check out all the room inside!  Perhaps if I make another bag, I might put a zipper on the top or the inside.  I took these photos out on our deck in the hopes I could get a better ‘natural’ photo! 





Here is a sneak peek of the progress I made this week/weekend on the rag quilt!    I am so excited to finish this and snuggle with it for another few months before it gets put away until the Fall! 

Thanks for stopping by and see ya soon with the quilt reveal! 
Sharing on the following link parties: Craftionary, Be Different Act Normal, A Crafty Soiree, Flamingotoes, Along for the ride, I {Heart} Nap Time, Sew Darn Crafty, Love Affair with my Brother, Skip To My Lou

All Pets go to Heaven–kitty style

Here is a quick card I made for my friend *Stephanie whose kitty “Baby” died after Christmas, while she was on vacation.  It’s bad enough for it to happen while you are around, but how hard is it when you have no closure and you are thousands of miles away?  I know she was having a good time visiting family, but my heart just went out to her to have to have this to come home to.  So, I had to make her a card to let her know I care! 

I used Basket Buddies which is perfect for these occasions.  I love the soothing combination of these pure luxury cardstock colors: kraft, white, black onyx and ocean mist.  I made some simple doodles with a black memento marker around the focal image and a simple embellishment of a blue button with cotton thread and this card was done in less than 15 minutes.  Incidentally, Stephanie loves the card and it is already displayed on her desk at work (*she works with John and he told me*). 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

No Sew Baby Blanket, matching card & our new family member!

I hope your first week of 2012 started off well.  For me, it was nothing to complain about – I am just blessed! 
Today I have a fun safari no-sew fleece baby blanket and matching card to share with you!  I made this to send all the way to Hawaii because a dear friend is there to celebrate the birth of her first grandchild, Jack who was welcomed into the world on Dec 31 at 4:50 pm after 5 grueling days of labor!  He was 9 lb 11 oz and 22 inches!  He is a miracle baby and I am so excited about his arrival (his mommy was told about 7 years ago she was most likely never going to be able to conceive after a medical issue.  Sharisse is someone I watched grow up from a sweet, loving 8 year old girl who affectionately called me Don-Don into a gorgeous, successful Korean linguist who I know will be a wonderful mommy because she was raised by a wonderful mommy herself!  I wish I had pictures of the family but I don’t yet!  Looking forward to seeing Jack!

This blanket was incredibly easy and fun to make!  All you have to do is get 2 coordinating fleece fabrics (these were on sale at a local fabric store for 60% off) and cut them the same size and lay them out wrong sides together.  **Edited to add, I purchased 1 yd of each fabric.  The finished size of this blanket is rectangular 30x52.  I wish I had purchased 1.25 or more yards for this since I would have preferred a square blanket but it was my first so that's o.k.! Live and Learn

Next, I cut strips about 1 inch wide and 4.5 inches long and tied them together all the way around!  Then you can see the back color which is fun!  It is incredibly warm too!   I already got more fabrics to make myself one, as well as my niece Gabby and nephew Joey for Christmas (yes, I am that much a planner – already got 4 Christmas gifts ready to make!) I am going to have a stress-free Christmas in 2012 so I don’t make myself sick with stress like I did in 2011! 
The card I made using Gina K stamps Zoo Animals was perfect to match this blanket!  I also used a few of Tami’s sets (Special Occasion tags and Label Borders) because I used the CPS sketch 249 this week which coordinates so nicely with the sets!  Lastly, the hanging leaves on the top of the card are from Theresa’s Vogue Vases set!  I am also going to upload this card into the StampTV Free for All Friday challenge by Michelle which is All About Baby!  I am not eligible to win any free stamps for that set since I am on the design team, but I still like to play along when I can! 

PERSONAL NEWS!!  As for our newest family member; the week before Christmas, we got another cat!  We went to the Austin Animal Center and adoptions were discounted by $50!  What a deal!  John has been wanting a cat of his own since Elsie is mine and since Elsie doesn’t have her sisters Chica and Shelby anymore, we thought MAYBE she would like a companion!  He so wanted a lap cat like Elsie is with me but *Moka (which is what he decided to name her) is not so much a lap cat yet.  We both hope it changes.  She is a little spastic at times (*which is why we call her Moka Loca a lot) but is slowly calming down.  She is 6 months old and is a tortoiseshell cat who has a lot of personality already.  She doesn’t really like to be grabbed but we will do it just to get close to her at times and she slowly calms down, she likes to play which is so fun to watch and she so wants to be friends with Elsie, who was NOT happy with us the first week we brought Moka home but is slowly coming around! 


I snapped this picture this morning (no sheets on the bed because they’re in the wash), and for them to be this close is a BIG deal!  They like to chase each other around the house  at night and in the mornings!  It’s so great to see although occasionally, there is some hissing from Elsie when she is tired of Moka.  We have already established bed time is treat time.  They both follow me in the room and I throw them treats and they chase after them (Elsie to eat them and Moka to mainly play with them although she decides she will indulge once in a while) otherwise Elsie gets most of the treats! 

We forgot how fun it can be with more than 1 cat in the house since it had been roughly 2 years (to the weekend) we lost our sweet Chica that we brought Moka into our lives.  We look forward to many more fun years of them interacting with one another! 
Sorry this post is so long - Thanks for stopping by today!

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 3

Today the Gina K designers are  sharing our projects made with the new StampTV kit True Love.  This stamp set is designed to help you get all your Valentine cards (and future love & friendship cards) made! The kit is chock full of pure luxury cardstock, a super fun paper pack, ribbon and brads! I made my own designer paper for this card and treat pillow box, which is so fun.  It was for the challenge I hosted at StampTV for the release.   One of the first techniques I learned when I was introduced to stamping was stamping all over the cardstock to create your own pattern.  Over the years, I got away from it when I started to love all the designer papers that are out there!  So, I went back to basics for this.  I loved using different colored inks and sentiments and 1 heart image on this card.  I also made a cute pillow box which I stuffed with some Hershey's treasures candy that I covered with the patterned paper in the kit.  Sorry I didn’t have a close up of the candy outside the pillow box. 

As you hop through the designer’s blogs, make sure you leave comments on each one for a chance to win a grab bag full of 12 stamps!! We will randomly choose two winners so the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win. Gina K will announce the winners on her blog.

Be sure to check out StampTV each week Monday and Friday we have challenges posted where you can win MORE free stamps!!

• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker

Thanks for stopping by! 

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 2

So glad you’ve joined us for our continued inspiration hops for the Gina K release! Here is a link to What’s New so you can find it all in one place!

First up is Tami’s Special Occasion Tags set. It was designed to work with Spellbinders Ribbon Tags 2 dies but also works well with Oval and Rectangles. It is also interchangeable with All Occasion Tags and Label Borders. I made a card ‘for my uncle’ (ha) since his birthday is on January 9. I don’t recall ever seeing him without a mustache/beard so this fun paper Times & Seasons by Echo Park with the mustaches was perfect for this card! Card base is Little Boy Blue and I used Black Onyx and White Pure Luxury cardstock. The tag was sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and the button is from the blue button jar (which is on sale for only $2.97! what a steal!

Here is a fun & bright card I made using the new You’ve Got Style stamp set you can get for FREE if you purchase 3 stamp sets! I just used one image on this card and chose to put my ‘I Miss Shoe’ sentiment on the inside of my card. I had fun coloring and making the shoes polka dot with my copic multiliner pen! The pattern paper I used on my card is from the StampTV kit True Love.

As you hop through the designer’s blogs, make sure you leave comments on each one for a chance to win a grab bag full of 12 stamps!! We will randomly choose two winners so the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win. Gina K will announce the winners on her blog.

Be sure to check out StampTV each week Monday and Friday we have challenges posted where you can win MORE free stamps!!

• Gina K
• Tami Mayberry – Illustrator Special Occasion Tags
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Hope you will be back for our last day of inspiration hops tomorrow!