Spring Has Sprung with Gina K!

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to a fun Spring Has Sprung blog hop. For this hop we will showcase Spring cards or projects with you!!! The DT Members have all used a wide variety of Gina K. Designs stamp sets to inspire you to get inky too! Come play along with the Current Challenges at Stamp TV!!!
If you came from Cat’s blog, then you're right where you should be. If not, please go to Stamp TV where you will find a list of all those participating.
         
I made a Spring frame using Wild Flowers to give to my **Godmother who will be turning 85 in a few weeks and I am so THRILLED about being able to see her and celebrate her birthday with her!!!  I bought the simple frame and stand at IKEA a few years ago, and it’s been sitting in my stamp room just waiting for the perfect project to give it new life.  This weekend it finally spoke to me.  I used white pure luxury cardstock and my ink colors are Memento (London Fog, Lulu Lavender, Angel Pink, Dandelion).  I added some copic marker highlights to the flowers (click on the photos for a close up).  Then, I added some light sponged clouds with SU! soft sky ink and cloud template and some sparkle with Stardust Stickles (my favorite).  Lastly, I picked some fun coordinating buttons and stuck them on the frame at random.  I really like how this turned out. 

Here is a picture of us taken the last time I saw her, October ‘09.  She was recuperating from being sick for over a month and I was so happy to have been able to spend time with her.  We were playing cards here, Kings in the Corner – fun!  I am looking forward to seeing her in just 12 more days on my vacation back home, it’s been 2 1/2 years since I have been there, too long in my opinion.    The Scripture in the frame on the right, Philippians 4:13 was my Godmother’s verse when she was sick, so this is quite serendipitous and perfect for her!   But, I ended up making both so if she wants to change them out, she can.  She is such a special lady, who has been a part of my life ALL my life!  She was friends with my maternal grandmother (my Nana who died when I was 5), and then her and my mom became good friends.  Her daughter and I grew up together and she didn’t have any siblings, so me and my sisters became sisters to her.  She & her daughter played a crucial role in me accepting Jesus as my personal savior when I was 15 years old.  They took me to a crusade with Nicky Cruz and my eyes and heart were open to the decision that would change my life forever!  I ended up being confirmed in the Catholic Church when I was 16 yrs old and I chose her and my Aunt Della (who has passed on) as my Sponsors, or Godmothers.  To this day, her quiet strength and devotion to God and her family are admiral and a great role model to me and others who are blessed by her.  I just love her so much!! 

Now hop on over to Emily’s blog for more Gina K. goodness!!!

Happy 25th Anniversary to the Bakers!

Here is a card I made to send to my in-laws Cecil (call him Papasan) and Shirley who are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow!  I used the new Petals and Wings StampTV kit by Gina K for my card, and the March Sketch For You to Try.  The pattern paper is from the Parisian Garden pack.  I enjoyed making this card, it was a great sketch and I loved looking at all the pretty purple hues. 

Now for a little about  the lovely couple – here they are!  This was taken last November when we went out to eat at Rudy’s BBQ for John’s birthday.   I wish I had a more recent pic but believe me when I say they look just as awesome in real life as they do in this photo!  They are always there when family and friends need them, so generous, loving, and we have so much fun together when we hang out, talking about just everything!  I adore and love them s0 much, we are blessed to have them in our lives.   Happy Anniversary!!  May you have many many more years of happy memories together!! 

FNSI results–more Hello Kitty gifts!

Here is what I made last night for **Friday Night Sew In – more Hello Kitty gifts for our niece Gabby who turns 6 next month.  I am so proud of myself for getting something done way ahead of time!  Her birthday is about 5 weeks away.  I made a pencil pouch based on this tutorial but extended the length to accommodate a standard pencil I had laying around but it’s still a little tight fit they have to lay in there sideways.  Maybe once they are used they will fit better.

Then, I made a simple little tote bag that is reversible.  I got this Hello Kitty fabric at Wal-Mart a few months ago, it’s not the best quality but not the worst either.  I hope she will like it; I just realized that I am a year late with the Hello Kitty…my sister informed me that was ‘last year’s party’ this year it’s all about ladybugs!  Oh well.  At least she will have something made with LOVE and not just something I picked out at the store, right??  This goes along with the Hello Kitty Softie I made last week and I found a Hello Kitty coloring book at Michael’s this week too. 

My friend Stephanie and I were going to hang out at her house last night for Friday Night Sew In but we decided to hang out today for a Saturday Sew instead!  So as soon as I finish this post, I plan to get my stuff together to do over there.  The guys will hang out as well and we will grab a bite to eat for dinner too.  Looking forward to it as we haven’t all hung out together since last month and we can only go so long without it.  HA 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!  I’ll be sharing at some of the following link parties.

Gina K Release Inspiration Hop Day 4

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to another fabulous Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Gina and the Design Team will inspire you with many beautiful ideas! And as you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops!!

First up today is our Free Anniversary Stamp- Believe in Yourself.  This is the 3-year anniversary of the beginning of StampTV!  It’s hard to believe this much time has passed.  StampTV is a wonderful place for everyone to feel welcome, be inspired, share their creations and make friends! 
With any $35.00 purchase or more, you will receive this stamp duo free.  I drew inspiration for my card from some of the cardstock colors that the new paper pack Pool Side coordinates with.  I used Little Boy Blue and Kraft.  I wanted to show you that this gorgeous whimsical butterfly can look just as pretty uncolored!  I stamped it with white pigment ink and swiped my cardstock edges with it as well. 

Great Sayings VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Next up is a trio of cards I made using the Great Sayings stamp set by Gina K, which is the new One Free With Three set!  So when you purchase 3 sets you add this set to your cart and it’s automatically sent to you!  This type of set with 1 image stamp and many greetings make a lovely set of cards you can gift to someone who likes to send out cards.  I used Vibrant Violet, Black Onyx and Bubblegum pure luxury cardstock for these cards.  Ribbons are Violet, Black Stitched and Bubblegum Gingham. 
Check out all the amazing designs and inspiration:

• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker (you’re here)
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Lori McAree
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Thanks for stopping by – I hope you have been inspired by all the fabulous creations along the way!!

Gina K Release Inspiration Hop Day 3

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to another fabulous Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Gina and the Design Team will inspire you with many beautiful ideas! And as you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops!!

Here are my samples using the new Petals & Wings StampTV kit!  I’m sure everyone is going to love the sweet Spring variety of stamps in this set!  The value of it surpasses its $49.95 price tag because not only do you get the large stamp set, but a great collection of cardstock, Petals & Wings paper pack and embellishments!  You will be able to create a lot of cards & projects with the contents for the months to come!  I used Just Peachy, Lemon Drop and white pure luxury cardstock on my card and colored the image with copic markers. 

Here is another card, a Clean & Simple one I made just by stamping the long background stamp in Angel Pink memento ink and the blooms with black.  I used white, black onyx and bubblegum pink pure luxury cardstock for this card. 


Check out all the amazing designs and inspiration:

• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker (you’re here)
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Lori McAree
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Gina K Release Inspiration Hop Day 2

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to another fabulous Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Gina and the Design Team will inspire you with many beautiful ideas! And as you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops!!

Here is my card using Theresa’s new set Wild About You, it’s a wonderful Safari set!  I wanted to make a night-time sunset photo (inspiration from this sunset at our house a few weeks ago).  I had a lot of fun sponging this sky but have to admit it was scary at first, I wasn’t sure I was going to pull it off.  Now this became one of my favorite creations I made for the release!  Pure Luxury cardstock used was green apple, black onyx and white. 
Next up is my card using Blooming with Blessings by Rupa Shevde, which is a sweet whimsical Spring set so we can celebrate the upcoming season!  I wanted to use this little frog in the set sitting on the lily pad, but so instead of coloring in some water for him to float on, I found this gorgeous solid blue paper in the Picadilly paper pad by Basic Grey to do the trick!  I also found a green strip of paper for the 'land'.  Then sponged in some quick clouds with a template and then made a 'sun' out of oval punches from the Red Carpet paper pack and Lemon Drop cardstock, with a gold brad keeping the 'rays' together. 
Check out all the amazing designs and inspiration:

• Gina K
• Theresa Momber
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker (you’re here)
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Lori McAree
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Suzanne Dean
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

**Here is a quick link to WHAT’S NEW in the Gina K store**

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to come back tomorrow as the inspiration hops continue!

Hello Kitty Softie!

I had a lot of fun making this Hello Kitty softie from this tutorial yesterday.  My 5 year old niece loves Hello Kitty just like I did as a little girl**.  So I thought it would be fun to make this for her birthday which is next month.  Yea for me since I am 6 weeks ahead of schedule for that! 

Ok, so it wasn’t ALL fun and games because I am a little disappointed her right leg is a little smaller than her left and I think her face should have been more rounded but it IS homemade after all!  I don’t think she can buy something like this at the store, right?  The reason this happened was because like a dummy I had the pattern ironed to my felt rectangle and started cutting it without the seam allowance.  UGH!  so I had to improvise.  What I am most proud of though, is her cute little pink dress I made with matching hair bow!  I used my rolled hem foot for the dress (it’s been almost 20 years since I made any clothing I think!)  I love the little lace detail around the top of her dress too.  I made the bow by taking 1/2” strips (total of 6) and braided 3 of them in two sections then secured them with a 7th strip.  Then sewed it onto her.  I think it’s very shabby chic.  I am tempted to make a 2nd version so I can perfect it.  Who knows, I may decide to keep this for myself since it was the first one I made if the 2nd one comes out better!  After all, remember I said I used to love Hello Kitty as a little girl** too??!?! 

Thanks for stopping by!  I am going to share in the following link parties this week. 

Gina K Release Inspiration Hop Day 1

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to another fabulous Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Gina and the Design Team will inspire you with many beautiful ideas! And as you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops!!

Here is the card I made using Wild Flowers by Melanie.  This set beautifully coordinates with her Wild at Heart set (the flowers nestle inside the negative large background set) which is how I decided to showcase the set with this card.  However, the set wonderfully stands on its own as well! 

I stamped Wild at Heart with craft white ink onto kraft pure luxury cardstock and stamped the flowers with memento inks.  Then finished it off with the sentiment in black, layered onto black onyx and placed some brads in the corners. 

Here is another card I made using Wild Flowers for one of the Anniversary Challenges we will have all week to celebrate the 3-yr anniversary of StampTV!  All the details for the challenge can be found here.  I hope you will play along for your chance to win a grab bag of stamps from Gina K.  I used the new paper pack Parisian Garden on my card, isn’t it just gorgeous!  I had a lot of fun making this card because I love to quilt (with fabric AND paper-ha) I just punched squares from the paper 1 1/4” and cut those down 1/2” and arranged them on my work surface in a pleasing manner and then glued them (center only so I didn’t gum up my needle) and then zig-zag stitched with white thread.  Then I added a simple greeting a beautiful butterfly from the set. 

Next up is my card made with Masculine Tags by Tami Mayberry.  I love it when we add masculine sets to our stamping arsenal, don't you?  This set coordinates with Spellbinders Labels 22 dies.  I don't have those, but it was real easy to cut it out with scissors. I used Cantaloupe and Potter's Clay memento ink (rock 'n roll technique) for the focal image, some new paper in the Sundance paper pack a row of self adhesive nail heads for embellishments.  I used Sweet Corn, Ivory and Pumpkin Spice pure luxury card stock.

Check out all the amazing designs and inspiration:

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

**Here is a quick link to WHAT’S NEW in the Gina K store**

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to come back on Monday when the inspiration hops continue!

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 Deb’s blog, then you're right where you should be. If not, please go to Stamp TV 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:

Go to Emily’s blog, to continue the hop and see you tonight at the party!

Fabric, a sewing table and FMQ Challenge!

We had a fun day today – took John’s truck to get worked on and while we waited for it to be done, we took a jaunt down to Lockhart (home of some FAMOUS BBQ) to get some geocaches (for him) and discovered a local fabric store called Simple Sewing Solutions.  I was taken aback at some of the prices ($5.00 a yard for great quality quilting fabrics!)

Doretta, featured in the photo on the right, is the shop owner.  She is a sweetheart, very helpful and friendly.  She shared that the reason her prices are so low is because her insomnia keeps her up at night scouring the internet for great clearance fabric and she passes on the savings to her customers!  Isn’t that awesome?  Did you see the gorgeous fabrics in my first photo?  Well, I paid as little as $5.00 per yard for a lot of them and the only full price was the aqua which is Basic Grey grunge.  Gotta love that!

I was so excited when we got home because the sewing table I ordered on Amazon arrived!  I noticed that because I was sewing on the dining table, my shoulders were too hunched up and it’s better for your sewing machine to be at a level where your shoulders are relaxed.  What a difference this made!  I am so happy with it. 

		Feb FMQ Challenge VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

So I was able to tackle this month’s free motion quilting challenge on SewCalGal’s blog.  This one is by Ann Fahl.  I actually feel better about this one than the one I did in January where I was ready to quit.  But, I am so not there yet by all means!  Although I finally got my tension right and it’s more comfortable to sew with my table, it still just doesn’t ‘fee'l’ natural!  I think my main problem is that I end up going too fast with the foot pedal and it should be going the same speed as my hands moving the fabric.  It is quite a challenge to get them synced.  I practiced loops & twist (larger photo), left to right: spirals, loop & stars, loop & flowers and loop & hearts.  I need to backtrack to February’s challenge next, which is feathers.  I just wanted to get a challenge done in the month it was issued first! 

So that was our Saturday, a fun one!  I am pooped now so I need to go rest a little.  All the while I fit in housecleaning and laundry so I deserve to sit in front of the tv for a little while.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you’re having a great weekend too!