Happy World Cardmaking Day! Gina K Special for you!

So sorry I haven’t been around for a couple of weeks!  Work has been super busy and I’ve worked overtime nearly every day for the past 3+ weeks!  I am ready to get back to working just 40 hours which is what I signed up for – vacation is on the horizon and boy do we need it!  Then we didn’t have internet at home for a week, it was rough but we survived- ha! 

Did you know that today is World Cardmaking Day?  There are many ways to celebrate, one being stamp something!  I am not sure what my plans are for the day other than spending time with my hubby John.  He was out geocaching with friends Friday night and will again Sunday so this is our only day for the weekend to be together.  Maybe I can convince him to stamp a card with me?!  The above card uses Branching Out (vines) & Joy (from A Charmed Life).  I used Red Hot, white and All Spruced Up pure luxury cardstock and several Spellbinders Dies (Labels 10 and Grommet Tags). 

I wanted to let you know about the World Card Making Day Special for Gina K Designs – you can get a free stamp set with a $35 or more purchase!  See the flyer below, offer ends Monday, Oct 3.

Hope you have a great weekend! 

FNSI results and my crazy busy tiring weeks!

Last night was this month’s Friday Night Sew In hosted by Heidi & Bobbi!  Unfortunately, since I started participating several months ago, and this is my least productive one to date.  The reason was because I had to work late again – have been for the past few weeks nearly every day because it’s our busiest time of year!  But that’s o.k. because that means more money & job security – ha!  I didn’t get home until 7:30 last night and I was exhausted by 10:00 after I cut all this fabric for my next quilt! 

I am making my first rag quilt!  I got the rolled up 6 inch strips from my LQS (local quilting store) the Cotton Cupboard back in June when we went on our quilt bus trip and I fell in love with the colors!!  They are Robert Kauffman Alpine Frost fabrics (except for the solid colors).  The 4 stacks of squares on the left will be the backing fabric and I think I  am going to group the colors together.  The 6 stacks on the right will be the front and they will most likely be put in a very random pattern.  I will have to strategically plan this one!   I hope to cut the batting today and then get started sewing them together. 

I need to get this done within 3 weeks because we are planning another vacation; this time a road trip because John wants to get Geocaches in other states!  We will head to NM early one morning and stay a day with some friends who moved there about 5 years ago.  Then head up to CO to visit fellow GKD DT member Lee and her family who incidentally introduced us to this hobby, then to WY, KS, OK then home – all in one week!  I don’t normally do very well on long trips (I am always pretty active so it wears on me and all I want to do is sleep), but I know this trip means a lot to John.  Since we’ve both been pretty stressed at work lately, it’s good timing to get away.  I do plan to try to do some hand sewing when he’s driving.  The added bonuses for me are visiting friends and trying out new restaurants along the way oh and seeing the colors of the leaves change since next Friday is the first day of Fall! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 3: My True Love Gave To Me & One Free with 3-Cool Beans!

Welcome to our last day of inspiration hops for the new Gina K release, I hope you’ve had a good time seeing all the inspiration we’ve had to share.  First up is My True Love Gave To Me by Gina K.  I made a side fold card (I can’t remember the technical name for this).  The key tag punch is popped up with foam tape so the main image panel slips under in the corner and keeps the card closed.  I used the Branching Out set for a pretty Christmassy border. 

Here is a view of the inside of the card. 

And a view of the whole stamp set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my second card, I used the new One Free With 3 set, Cool Beans.  So when you purchase any 3 stamp sets from now until the next release, just add this set to your cart for FREE!  *As a reminder, this set will be for sale once the next stamp release occurs*.  It is a fun coffee themed set.  And although I don’t drink it anymore (substituted it with tea mid-January), I do still have friends & family who do drink coffee, so I can send them these type of cards to enjoy.  One thing I still do enjoy from time to time is a cool refreshing Frappuccino from Starbucks!

As you hop through the designer’s blogs, make sure you leave comments on each one for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice valued up to $24.95! 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. 

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

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 2: Celebrate the Season & Home Is

So glad you’ve joined us for our 2nd day of inspiration hops for the Gina K release!  My first card uses Theresa’s new set Celebrate the Season which has 2 branches (or trees) and plenty of accessories to set the ‘season’ you desire on your projects.  I chose to use the owl, leaf and pumpkin for a fall card. 

 

Here is a picture of the set you will get when you purchase Celebrate the Season.  Doesn’t it look like fun?  I look forward to making a card set with all the seasons to give as a  gift.  

 

 

My next card showcases Tami’s new set, Home Is and it’s the card I used for the release party sketch challenge I’m hosting.  I hope you will play along for a chance to win a free stamp set!  All the details are in the thread at StampTV. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you hop through the designer’s blogs, make sure you leave comments on each one for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice valued up to $24.95! 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 Home Is
• Theresa Momber – illustrator Celebrate
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 1: Holiday Basket & Under the Weather

Welcome to our first day of inspiration hops for our new release!  I hope you made it to the fun party last night & had a good time shopping for all the latest stuff!

  For my first card, I used Melanie’s new set Holiday Basket, which features a beautiful wicker basket and some of her famous blooms from A Year of Flowers in miniature size to fit inside, as well as a few sentiments. This card was such fun to make and color. I used a swatch of fabric from my stash as a basket liner. Then I layered the flowers over the basket and put some crystal lacquer all over them. I can’t wait to make some Christmas cards with the poinsettias inside!

My next card uses Rupa’s set called Under the Weather for you to send cards to your friends and family to cheer them up.  I made this card to send to AJ who is fighting Breast Cancer right now, and taking a break from designing on the team. I hope this will bring a smile to her face. She has been missed and is in everyone’s prayers for a full recovery!

As you hop through the designer’s blogs, make sure you leave comments on each one for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice valued up to $24.95! 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
• Melanie Muenchinger-illustrator Holiday Basket
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Giovana Smith
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Theresa Momber

See you back tomorrow for the Day 2 hop! 

You’re Invited to the Gina K Release Party!!

We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K. Designs September 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!

If you came from Deb Felts 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.

Above is one of the cards I will be sharing at the party.  It was made using the new set by Rupa Shevde called Under the Weather.  I made the card 3 x 3 so it could be attached and in proportion with the purse tissue cover I made.  This cute little mouse saying ‘Bless you!’ is perfect for this little gift, right?

Hope to see you at the party!!  Here are all the details:

• When: Today- Tuesday, September 13
• Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
• Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (Central)

Now head on over to Emily Giovanni’s blog to see what she's sharing with you today and see you back here on tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for September!

Update on the fires in Central Texas

We are back home from the evacuation and our house is fine but the devastation continues, it’s so surreal.  1386 homes in the Bastrop area have been lost, 28 in Cedar Creek where we live.  Of course there were other homes lost but the loss of lives has been at a minimum which is great (2 that we have heard of). 

I took a mental health day off work on Thursday, I just needed a good day of rest and that I did, as well as lots of housework.  I do housework when I am upset.  Most of our windows are cleaned, the floors were mopped, a few other miscellaneous stuff complete, 2 naps taken, a little tv watched.  What I did not do was sew or stamp, had no desire to do so.  A few things were put in perspective the past few days, that’s all I’m saying. 

Thank you for your comments, prayers and thoughts.  Please keep them coming for those who are in need, who have lost their homes or loved ones. 

Fires - please pray!!

To all my readers out there, whether I have heard from you or not...I covet your prayers right now for Texas that is suffering devastation from wildfires.  It is so surreal. 

Here is a link where I get most of my information if you'd like to check it out http://austin.ynn.com/ - the fires are ZERO contained on Day 3 of the fires, it's just so unreal.

We are about 8 miles southwest of Bastrop, to give you some idea of geography.  About 1:30 yesterday, after hearing a CLOSER street to us needing to evacuate, I decided to leave (John was out with friends at the time).  We are at John's dad's house with our cat Elsie and are looking forward to going back home, but only if it is safe.  2 fires broke out just a few miles from our home yesterday and that was too close for comfort.  We are both at work today, but of course we are having a hard time concentrating. 

John's co-worker who does not live very far from us had their house looted.  I heard there is extra law enforcement to prevent this, but it just shocks me there are people with no regard for the pain & suffering others are going through that they disrespect in that manner. 

Many families' lives have been uprooted by these fires and my heart goes out to them.  Please pray for them as well and pass on the information to others who like to pray for those in need!

Will keep you posted and thank you!!

Back to School Special with Gina K-Merry & Bright!

To celebrate the beginning of a new school year, Gina K. Designs is having a Back to School sale! Members from Gina K's design team are hosting three mini hops (Fri-Sun) featuring these three new incentive stamp sets. We just know you're going to love them as much as we do!

Details on the Back to School Special:

Click the photo to the left to shop

Choose any ONE of the incentive stamp sets with any $35 or more purchase

• Limit one incentive set per order
• Customers may place multiple orders.
  

Gina K. Designs reserves the right to combine orders shipping to the same address

If no incentive stamp set is chosen, one will be chosen for you

This special can not be applied to existing orders - must be new orders only

Offer expires Monday, September 5th at 11:59 pm Central Time

Make sure to head on over to StampTV to see a list of all those participating in the hops!  Happy Hopping and Shopping!

Card Details:
Stamps: Merry & Bright
Cardstock: Kraft, Cranberry Tart, Black Onyx Pure Luxury
Inks: Memento Tuxedo black
Accessories: colored pencils, black gingham ribbon, Textile cuttlebug embossing folder, keytag SU! punch

Back to School Special with Gina K!

To celebrate the beginning of a new school year, Gina K. Designs is having a Back to School sale! Members from Gina K's design team are hosting three mini hops (Fri-Sun) featuring these three new incentive stamp sets. We just know you're going to love them as much as we do!

Some details on the Back to School Special:

• Choose any ONE of the incentive stamp sets with any $35 or more purchase
• Limit one incentive set per order
• Customers may place multiple orders.
• Gina K. Designs reserves the right to combine orders shipping to the same address
• If no incentive stamp set is chosen, one will be chosen for you
• This special can not be applied to existing orders - must be new orders only
• Offer expires Monday, September 5th at 11:59 pm Central Time

Make sure to head on over to StampTV to see a list of all those participating in the hops!  Happy Hopping and Shopping!
Personal News:
I just have to share a picture of my niece Gabriella (Gabby) who just started Kindergarten last week! This is a picture with her Godmother Andrea (our cousin), when they picked her up after school.  I just love her little red glasses!  My sister sent me several videos she took of her special day but I was unable to upload them and this is the only picture I had access to.  My sister, just like every other mom out there was extremely emotional about this rite of passage for her little girl – it’s so hard to believe this is the same little girl. 

We’re all so happy & proud of her!  I wish I had a picture of my sister & her together on her first day of school.  I am so proud of my oldest sister; Gabby was a tremendous answer to prayer for her because ever since Val was a little girl, she dreamed of being a mommy – and she is a wonderful one!! 

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Card details:
Stamps: Thankful for You; Vintage Backgrounds
Cardstock: White, Cranberry Tart, Fresh Asparagus, Sweet Corn pure luxury
ink: Tuxedo black memento
Accessories: lace trim, yellow button, white cotton thread

Late with a challenge, my busy week and Celebrity News!

Ugh!  I just realized I am late posting this challenge to CASE the DT (design team) at StampTV!  The challenge is over…but you can still participate in any challenge, any given time! I made this card last weekend, but I have had hardly any time on the computer all week  - it’s been a rough one!**More on that later in the post.**  I made this card to CASE Cat Tidwell, and I had so much fun!  When you CASE (copy& share everything), the idea is to change 2 or more elements such as the stamps, embellishments or colors you use but you keep the layout the same.  I chose this cute card of Cat’s to case, changing 1/2 the stamps (still used Inspiration Mosaic), orientation of the card (horizontal to vertical), cardstock and embellishments.  I made this card to send to my friend Stephanie who sewed with me last Friday for Friday Night Sew In!  I hope she likes it and is surprised.  I also used the Sew Pretty stamps, white & fresh asparagus cardstock, Sweet Threads Basic Grey paper and ribbon & brads from my stash.

Crazy Busy Week – it all started last Sunday evening when we got a call from a prospective buyer for John’s car just as I was starting to put dinner together (pinto beans & yummy chicken tacos courtesy of The Pioneer Woman’s brother).  So we met him & his friend and he agreed to buy the car (after we had it for sale for a week and had reduced the price) the next day after work.  John needs a truck and his Camry has been driven by me for almost a year since he hurt his knee and it was harder on him to get in and out of.  I have a Honda CR-V and because it’s higher up, is way more comfortable but I missed Black Beauty (that’s my car’s name).  John gave her back to me after she went to the beauty parlor and got all cleaned up (car wash, oil change, detail) and it was SO nice driving her again!  But…then we were down to being a one-car family and that’s rough when we have 2 different work schedules.  Each night this week we went out looking for a truck too!  I think we may have found it *praying it all works out now* all this to say why I missed posting this card on time!  It’s been an exhausting week at work – I ended up working 10 1/2 hours yesterday just so I didn’t have to work a full day today (totally worth it!) My 1/2 day Fridays are coming to an end *sniff sniff* I love my job! 

I am looking forward to tomorrow – hopefully get the truck and spend the afternoon/evening with Stephanie & James bottling our wine for Christmas!  I will be back to share pictures of that adventure!   

CELEBRITY NEWS: Did you know the Pioneer Woman is going to have her own show on The Food Network?  It will air tomorrow for the first time 10:30 am central time - make sure you check it out!  Will definitely record it because I would forget otherwise!  We got to meet her almost 2 years ago, she came to Austin for her book signing and I wanted her signed book for Christmas! I have enjoyed many delicious recipes from her website, her gorgeous photographs, sharing life on the ranch and her humor and really wanted a taste of history too (I commented back then that it would be great if she got her own show on Food Network, that’s foreshadowing).  John stood in line for 5+ hours to get it and she is so beautiful & genuine (I ended up meeting him at the bookstore after I got out of school).  Here is a picture of us together – I know a celebrity!  Can’t wait to see her show!  John had the great idea for all her family members to sign my book, all 4 of her kids and her handsome husband she calls ‘The Marlboro Man’ were there, so while we waited in line, we grabbed their signatures – this is my favorite to the right…how awesome is that?  She has a thing for chaps and this says it all…and that, my friends is food for thought and the end of my post…

Thanks for stopping by!

HunnyB’s Soy Candles!!

I’m so excited to share a great soy candle company local to the Central Texas area - HunnyB’s Soy Candles!    This company is founded and run by Lorri Mercado who is such a sweet genuine lady,  making her dream of owning her own candle company a reality! 
“HunnyB's Soy Candles are made of 100% non toxic, clean burning soy. Our soy wax is a 100% natural soybean product, and collected from farmers right here in the US. Unlike other products, our candles are biodegradable and contain no carcinogens. The result is a cleaner burning candle leaving no black jars, walls or ceilings. Additionally, HunnyB's Soy Candles burn longer and provide a larger and superior scent throw”

It’s incredible to find out HunnyB’s soy candles come in 300 scents, 25 colors and 9 varieties of containers!  You can even customize your candles!

Courtesy of HunnyB’s, I am enjoying the wonderful aroma of Autumn Lodge (pictured here) “a duplicate of the popular Yankee Candle fragrance, this fragrance has top notes of winter green and pine needle with middle and bottom notes of fir balsam, cinnamon, and spice.”  It just smells divine and makes me long for those days when we can open the windows of the house and let it air out and I get the baking bug!

HunnyB’s has a great Classic Candle Club you can join with 3, 6 and 12 month memberships so you can try the featured scents of the month in a 10 oz jar (Jan Mulled Cider, Mar Bluebonnet, May Tulips to name a few)! 

Fundraising opportunity with HunnyB’s!  Wouldn’t that be so much more practical than wrapping paper, candy or items you may not use/need!?   Your organization gets to keep 40% of the sales, what a deal!

Place your orders directly online at Hunny B’s Soy Candles. The possible candle creations are endless. I already have more scents on my wish list to try!!

Connect with Hunny B’s Soy Candles on Facebook

Have fun shopping and be sure to tell HunnyB’s I sent ya! 

Friday Night Sew In Results–Girl’s Night!!

Well last night was Friday Night Sew In (their 2nd anniversary) sponsored by Heidi and Bobbi and this time I had a girlfriend sew with me – that is way more fun than sewing alone!  I took plenty of photos to share with you so you can see my beautiful friend Stephanie!  I was going to start working on my next quilt, but decided to knock out a Christmas gift instead!  This is some adorable fabric I picked up on our quilt shop bus trip last month, to make a purse for my niece Gabby because she loves pink, flowers, butterflies & polka dots!
The name of this fabric is called Love U by Deb Strain for Moda which I thought was PERFECT (I actually got chocked up about it because I really do love & miss this girl something fierce!). I’m sure she will ADORE this because she loves purses too!  Here is a picture taken last month with her and her brother Joey on their vacation to Disneyland.  Aren’t they adorable??


I used a pattern for a messenger bag by Falafel and the Bee and it was super easy to follow!   I love this little purse and I’m sure she will too…


John was out of town geocaching with a friend, so I emailed Stephanie earlier in the week to see if she wanted to sew with me and spend the night and she said yes, I was so excited!  I picked her up right after work (I work much closer to her house than mine) and we stopped at Central Market to pick up some dinner & dessert and got right to work on our projects (well I took a little longer to decide exactly what I was going to make. 
Stephanie was very ambitious and wanted to make a gathered clutch for herself, and 2 aprons and maybe fix a shirt for her niece. We started about 5:00 and headed to bed about 12:40 but I stopped sewing about 10:40.




For appetizers we had some Messina Hof wine, creamy brie, dill havarti, crackers, cucumber dill lentil chips, spinach artichoke hummus, kalamata olives, pickled okra and spicy pickles.


 


For dinner (which happened around 9 pm, we had chicken eggplant, spinach pesto and bison brie quesadillas and hatch green chili mac ‘n cheese.





and for dessert we had cupcakes: Stephanie’s was Nutella and mine was Turtle.  yum! 





Here is Stephanie with her finished gathered clutch.  I am so proud of her, first time sewing a zipper on!  We had so much fun…and now we are planning to get together next month for FNSI but at her house!

sharing @ the following link parties:
Sew Darn Crafty; Sew Much Ado; Passionately Artistic; Six Sisters Stuff; Skip To My Lou; Somewhat Simple;  Just a girl ; 504Main; I{heart}naptime;  SundayShowcase; 30 handmade days; Funky Junk Interiors; Tatertots and Jello; A Vision to Remember; Flamingotoes

Gina K Double Take Blog Hop

I’m so glad you’ve joined us in a Double Take hop! Members of Gina K.'s Design Team have come together to host a hop where we will show you how to make cards using the same products and stamp images to create two different cards.  In my case, they are still similar but more on that below.

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.

What I love about challenges, is that they encourage you to think outside the box and because different people participate, you end up having different styles and interpretations!  Now, with my cards, I did use the same supplies as you will see in this photo, and although my layout is very much the same, you’ll see I did change up how I did the focal image. 

I used white, red hot and black onyx pure luxury cardstock; Various Verses stamp set with just one greeting; a classic oval nestability die; black gingham ribbon; memento tuxedo black ink; a red, green & sand colored (not pictured) by SU!; an old marker air tool (SU!); micron black pen; silver brads; fiskars open scallop border punch.

On the card on the right, I ran the die through my cuttlebug machine, making the outline of the die, then I traced the outlines with 2 of my markers.  Then, I cut an oval from a scrap piece of cardstock so I could airbrush the inside of the focal image without getting any on the outside. 

On the other card, I just traced the die with markers for definition, and used the die and inside of what I just cut out, to cover the focal image to airbrush the outside!  On my card on the left, I added some black pen highlights to under the flowers, I love the depth that creates.  I really like these cards – they were super easy & fun to make!  Hope you will try this trick too and share with me what you make! 

Head on over to Cat’s blog to see what she's sharing with you today!

Mix It Up Monday Challenge: Striped Background

Hi there and Happy Monday!  I say that because not everyone thinks or believes Mondays can be happy but personally, they are not all that bad to me.  Sure it means ‘work’ is here and the fun of the weekend is over but the week holds so much promise to be a great one and I just believe in being and thinking positively!  So HAPPY MONDAY!  Another reason Mondays are happy is because at StampTV, we bring you the Mix It Up Monday challenge (click to go directly to the challenge) and YOU can win free stamps!  What is better than that?!?

I am hosting today's challenge, so I wanted to share with you the card I made where I made a striped background, drawing inspiration from the little romper outfit I bought to give to my co-worker whose wife gave birth to their first little boy.  I knew my Wee Tees set would be perfect to mimic the little dinosaur on there too.  My co-worker was impressed I made the card, especially with the matching striped background!  I got a really nice thank you card from his wife the next morning, it was sweet. 
It is really easy to make a striped background.  All you have to do is choose your marker colors (I used Copics because they have different size tips), then line up your cardstock square to be sure your lines come out straight.  I placed mine on my scor-mat's grid to get my ruler lined up perfectly.  Then, I varied the widths between marker colors and had fun creating my own background.  This is great when you want to branch out from using pattern paper on your cards as background interest.  I created a simple frame for my focal image by tracing a rectangle nestability die. Then, I covered up the center to do my marker lines.

I hope you will find some time to play along this week; remember, you don’t have to use Gina K stamps to play along, but if you do, you will get your name in the drawing twice and increase your chances of winning a free stamp set valued at $24.95 or less!  So have fun creating your striped background!!