Monday, December 27, 2010

Challenging Weekend

I finally had a day to myself to stamp. So after eating a delicious brunch, I spent the rest of my Sunday watching Cheers on my computer and stamping. I made a few cards for some challenges out in the blogosphere. And here they are:

I made this card for the video challenge over at StampTV. Gina asked us to make a project using an embosses glittered panel. I embossed a sheet of pattern paper from the Basic Grey Marjolaine pad. I am in love with the paper in this stack. I love greens and blues together. So refreshing and calming. After embossing the paper I used a Sakura glitter pen to add glitter to the raised flower petals. I also used the glitter pen on some of the lines in the plaid mug. It is much more sparkly in real life. The mug stamp I used for my super fabulous plaid mug is from Melanie's set, Mugs and Kisses. And the Faith sentiment is from Faithful Florals. The card base is Pure Luxury Soft Sand {Gina K} and I used Border Blue {Stampin Up} to mat the green glittery embossed layer.


My second card is my submission for the Card Patterns #96 sketch. My favorite challenges are sketch challenges. And Card Patterns always has a great sketch every week. I chose to use a rectangle instead of a circle for the main panel on my card. The stamp is from Great Impressions. I picked it up at Stampede, the local stamp store in York, PA. I used more paper from Basic Grey's Marjolaine pad. The card base is Pure Luxury Soft Sand {Gina K}. I used some cute bakers twine I found on Etsy a while ago, thanks to a tip from Patter over at Triple the Scraps blog.


My final card is for the Unscripted Sketch #87 challenge. Another awesome sketch challenge. Some more Basic Grey Marjolaine paper and one simple sentiment from Tami Mayberry's set Faithful Florals. The card base is Pure Luxury Soft Sand {Gina K} and the I used Bordering Blue {Stampin Up} to mat the layers. The blue ink is Tim Holtz Distressed Faded Jeans.



I will have some more time tomorrow night to stamp. I can't wait. And I am planning to ring in the new year with some stamping. What better way to celebrate. :o)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

CPS198 Covered In Chocolate

Everything is better covered in chocolate, right? LOL!

I made this fun card using Melanie Muenchinger's new set, Mugs and Kisses. The main theme of the set is based upon two fun mug images that you can decorate any way you wish. I chose however to use the cute little chocolate truffles for this card. It would be a perfect Valentine's Day card in non traditional colors. The inside of the card reads; "are covered in chocolate". The layout is from CPS Card Sketch #198.

Stamps: Mugs and Kisses & The Best Things in Life (GinaK)
Paper: Pure Luxury Sweet Mango (GinaK), Purely Pomegranate & Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up), Green At Heart (Basic Grey)
Other: Blossom and Circle Spellbinder's dies, silver cording, striped ribbon, Copic Markers

I pray you had a Very Blessed Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Mugs and Kisses

Melanie is a genius when it comes to designing fun sets with tons of co-ordinating accessories and words. I fell in love with her stamps when she released Little Tees. I was the first one in line to purchase it after the release party. Of course she released several co-ordinating Tee sets after that, and they are fabulous. She even asked me to be a guest designer for one of those sets, School, Sports Spirit. And when I thought she couldn't top that she came out with Tech Talk. Hello! I am a total tech geek, working in IT. And I was asked by Gina to be a part of the CSS Design Team that month and that was the set I was to feature. Fate of course. :o) Then their is Mugs and Kisses. This set just made me faint. :O) I am a Starbucks' mug collecting freak. Mostly because I love all the cool designs. So this set allows me to make many cool mugs with all the wonderful pattern papers that I own. It is absolutely perfect for paper piecing.

She is featuring some of my cards on her blog today. And I will be sharing a few cards here.

I made this first card for the current Card Patterns sketch #95. And I used some Basic Grey paper I picked up at AC Moore the other day. I was also inspired by this photo of a real Starbucks mug I found online here.


I pulled out another set by Melanie called Have a Cookie to make the little Gingerbread Man to put in the top of the mug. I made whipped cream with some white liquid pearls.



I used some fun Basic Grey Snowman paper to make this mug. I would love to have a real mug like this one. The panels with the coffee beans I made by stamping the beans and the word coffee all over some white card stock and then sponging with some Tim Holtz ink. The sketch is from StampTV, featured on December 13th.

Make sure you stop by Melanie's blog to see my other cards and you can see all of Melanie's stamp sets for sale at Gina K's store here.

Make it an awesome day!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Christmas Cards Courtesy of my SS

My CSS Alumni Secret Sister sent me some very cool stamps in the packages I received from her. One of the sets is a gorgeous Christmas set from Flourishes called A Gift For You. She used the stamp set to make up the tag kit she included in the last package I received.

I wanted to use the set to make some cards as well.  Here are two cards I put together using the same focal image, but with slightly different layouts and bling.

I used White, Soft Sand, Fresh Asparagus and Cranberry Tart Pure Luxury Card stock. I love how both cards turned out and I really like the color combination. I will definitely use it again.

Thank you Secret Sister for the wonderful goodies you've sent me to play with!

To everyone out there getting a lot of snow, stay safe and send some my way.

Friday, December 10, 2010

CSS Alumni Blog Hop - December 2010 Sketch

Welcome to another Center Stage Alumni Blog Hop. I want to say how honored I feel to be a part of this group. This will be our last hop for 2010, and I hope we can share many more hops in the next year. If you are coming from Melissa's blog, then you are right on track. If not, then you can go to the StampTV forum to start from the beginning. You will not want to miss all of the fabulous projects that the group has to share.

For this hop we were given a sketch, created by our very own Melissa Cash, to use for our project. I made two snow related cards for this hop. I am quite envious of those in other areas of the country that are snowed in. I love snow!

Here is the sketch:


And here is my first card made with the Color Challenge colors from last week. I love Pink, Chocolate and Ivory together. I used one of my favorite winter sets, Winter Friends to make this one. And added lots of texture with embossing folders.


For my second card I used Melanie's new set Mugs and Kisses.

This is most fabulous set ever sold in Gina's store. Seriously, you need to get this set! :p)

I am a coffee fanatic. Not just drinking it, but also collecting things related to coffee. I have so many Starbucks mugs. I just love collecting them. So many cool designs. And now, I can create any kind of mug I want to. Oh yeah!!!! Very cool!!!  I decided to add a lot of blink to this one as well. I love the faux adhesive back brads and there are so many colors available now. I couldn't resist adding a ton of mini brads to the snowflakes. So fun! You can click on the image to get a closer view.


Now head on over to
Miesje's blog
to see what amazing project she has to share with you. And remember to make it a great weekend!

Friday, November 26, 2010

CSS Alumni Inspiration Blog Hop

Welcome to another Center Stage Alumni Blog Hop.  If you have arrived from Melissa Cash's blog you are right on track. If not, you can start at the beginning of the hop over at StampTV.com.

Carolina provided us with a Christmas type photo for inspiration.

Here is the inspiration photo:

What a fun photo with some yummy treats. I normally take the route of using colors from an inspiration photo, but this time I just went with the first set that popped in my head. I was actually inspired to make something more wintry than Christmas. I also wanted to make a card I could use as a RAK to someone who belongs to the RAK group over at StampTV.com. When I looked at the inspiration photo the stamp set that instantly came to my mind was Warm and Wonderful, Illustrated by Rupa Shevde. I also used the sketch from Gina's latest sketch challenge over at StampTV.com.


Here is my card:


Now head on over to Miesje Flach's blog for some more inspiration.

Friday, October 22, 2010

StampTV CSS Alumni Blog Hop | CAS

Welcome to another Center Stage Spotlight Alumni Challenge Blog Hop. You should be coming from Melissa Cash's blog. If not, you can start at the beginning of the blog hop over at StampTV by clicking this link.

This time we were challenged to create a CAS (Clean And Simple) card with the following criteria:
One Image
One Sentiment
One Layer + Card Base
Embellishments All the Same Color



This was the hardest challenge for me yet. I am so CAS challenged. LOL! I want to add layers and use pattern paper on everything. So I decided to make my card base look like pattern paper by stamping some fall images from Autumn Beauty .with Tuxedo Black (Memento) ink and coloring with Copic markers. I stamped the crackle background from Bold Flowers using Tea Dye Distress Ink (Tim Holtz). I also stippled some of the Tea Dye ink over the stamped and colored card base to age it a bit. Then I stamped the flower image from Signs of Autumn and the sentiment from Autumn Beauty onto PL White card stock. I colored the flowers with Copic markers and stippled around the flowers with Tea Dye ink. I cut the image out with the Deckled Rectangle Spellbinders die. I used a green Copic marker to color around the edge, giving it a layered look. I finished it off with some green and white striped ribbon and a green button with green embroidery floss. The flower panel is popped up using Scotch foam tape.

Now hop on over to


to see what beautiful card she created for the blog hop. After you have finished viewing all of the blogger's posts feel free to create a card for the challenge and share it in the forum. We would love to see CAS cards created by StampTV fans.

Friday, October 08, 2010

CSS Alumni Blog Hop 7 - A Sketch Challenge

It's time for another CSS Alumni Blog Hop. You should have come from the Melissa's beaituful blog. If not, you can start the hop over by going to this link at StampTV. Otherwise please read on and feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think.

This time we were given a sketch to use for our projects.


I made two cards using the sketch. My first card is a Christmas card using an image from a set illustrated by Nina Brackett called Lord of The Season. I paper pieced the tree with scraps from Basic Grey Nook and Pantry.


For my second card I used another set illustrated by Nina Brackett called Grand Damask. I also used one of my favorite color combinations. I love red and aqua together.



Now head over to Miesje's blog for some more eye candy. Word has it that she made something with some new rubber.

Monday, September 27, 2010

StampTV Color Challenge | Black, Yellow and One Cool Color

I made this Christmas card using the colors from Janice's color challenge over at StampTV.com.  They are not traditional Christmas colors, but I like how they go together. I would have never thought to put Black, Yellow and Blue together without her color challenge.

Paper: PL Black Onyx, Lemon Drop, & White + KandCompany Que Sera Sera
Other: CB Swiss Dots and Sizzix Diamond embossing folders + Labels Trio Spellbinders Die, buttons, Dandelion grosgrain ribbon and white DMC embroidery floss

Friday, September 24, 2010

CSS Alumni Blog Hop 6

It's time for another StampTV CSS Alumni Blog Hop. You should be coming from Melissa's blog if have been following the hop in order. If not you can Start Here to see all of the cupcake inspired projects made by the CSS Alumni Team. This time we were given a photo to use as inspiration. Here is the photo Carolina provided for us to be inspired:


These cupcakes look to good to eat. Don't they?

I made three cards for this hop. For my first card I used a template from StampTV's Freebie page and made a cupcake shaped card.


I cut the base from PL Chocolate Brown card stock. The liner, icing and sentiment label are pattern paper from a new K and Company pad I bought last weekend called Que Sera Sera. I embossed the liner with a Sizzix embossing folder, Tropical Paisley. Then I gently sponged it with Memento Rich Cocoa ink to bring out the embossing. I also used Rich Cocoa ink to sponge the edges of the icing pieces. I used some baker's twine to tie the label and button to the liner. And I added some fun rhinestone bling to the label.

My next two cards were inspired by the colors in the photo and I used Vicki's Sketch Challenge for both. I kind of did a hybrid CAS and Advanced card for her sketch. I left out the oval piece because I didn't know what to put there. Plus these will be fairly easy to pop in the mail. And I already know the two people I am sending them to. :o)



This one is inspired by the bottom cupcake in pinks, chocolate brown and white. I used Wild at Heart and You Are Not Alone stamp sets for both this card and the next card. The base is embossed and then I sponged some Tattered Rose Distress ink onto it to enhance the embossing.


My last card was inspired by the top cupcake with the green, yellow and chocolate. I used Peeled Paint Distress Ink to sponge the embossed card base to enhance the embossing. I also used the Peeled Paint ink to dye the ribbon strip. It was white. It worked very well and matches the PL Grass Green card stock.

Now head on over to Miesje's blog to see her fabulous cupcake inspired project.

Cupcake Card Supplies
Paper: PL Chocolate Brown, K and Company Que Sera Sera
Other: red button, bakers twine, green rhinestones, Sizzix Tropical Paisley embossing folder, Cupcake Card Template from StampTV

Pink & Chocolate Card Supplies
Ink: Colorbox Dark Brown Chalk Ink, Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Distress Ink
Other: lace, chocolate stitched ribbon, mini rhinestones, Sizzix embossing folder

Green, Yellow and Chocolate Card Supplies
Ink: Colorbox Dark Brown Chalk Ink, Tim Holtz Peeled Paint Distress Ink
Other: mini rhinestones, Sizzix embossing folder, white ribbon dyed green

Monday, September 20, 2010

Fall Memories StampTV Challenge

Gina's challenge this month is to make a project inspired from a fall memory. I have many fall memories and traditions. Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. Some of my favorite memories and traditions are:
My niece being born on September 30th 13 years ago.
My boyfriend's birthday is a few days before fall begins on the 10 of each September.
I love wearing corduroy pants and long sleeve t-shirts during the fabulous fall temperatures.
But the fall tradition I was inspired to use on my project involves my favorite fall drinks. Starbucks always has an awesome fall lineup of drinks each year. Yummo! And Brown's Farm Market always has the best Apple Cider. It's not pasteurized and made with local apples. My favorite way to drink it is hot with some caramel syrup from Starbucks. So the mug on my card either contains some yummy Toffee Mocha or hot Caramel Apple Cider. Double Yummo!


I bought a new toy this weekend. A Cricut. I've been having fun cutting things with it. The mug and the green layer are both cut with the Cricut.  I stamped the mug with the background stamp from Melanie's set, Wild At Heart. Then I stamped the word "Friend", also from the same set using Dark Brown chalk ink. I added some rhinestones to the center of the main flower. This mug reminds me of the beautiful mugs you can purchase at Starbucks. 

Ink: Vivid Aqua, Tea Dye & Peeled Paint Distress Ink {Tim Holtz}, Colorbox Dark Chocolate Brown Chalk
Other: Swiss Dot and Birds & Swirls embossing folders, taffeta chocolate ribbon, linen thread & button, mini rhinestones, Cricut with Sure Cuts A Lot

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Faith CPS Sketch #184

I am trying to venture out and do more challenges. I have way too many stamps and need to use them more. :o)  I made this card using the Sketch Challenge from Card Positioning Systems. It is sketch #184.  This was a very tough sketch for me. I ended up adding the lace ribbon, although it really is not part of the sketch. It was the only way I could get it to work for me. I guess that is why these are called challenges. This one was definitely a challenge.

Stamps: Lean On Me, Faithful Florals and You Are Not Alone {all from Gina K Designs}
Paper: Pure Luxury Kraft & Ivory {Gina K Designs} and Buckaroo Blue {SU}
Ink: Faded Jeans & Tea Dye {Tim Holtz Distress Inks}, Olive {Vivid}
Other: Lace Ribbon & Small Rhinestones {not sure}, Circle dies {Spellbinders}

Monday, September 13, 2010

All That Scraps Corner Bookmark Challenge

All That Scraps has a corner bookmark challenge going on. I love making these fun bookmarks. Now I just need to start reading. LOL! Actually, I read digital books on my phone. But I can still find a use for this cute little bookmark. You can find directions to make these bookmarks here at SCS.


Stamps: Cocoa Emma Digi Stamp {CC Designs}, Swirls from Grand Damask {Gina K Designs}, Sentiment from Cafe {Art Impressions}
Paper: Pure Luxury Fresh Asparagus and White {Gina K Designs}, Soft Sky {SU}
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vivid Olive, Copic markers
Other: River Rock stitched ribbon {SU}, Circles, Big Scallop Circles, Ovals and Scallop Paisley dies {Spellbinders}, small rhinestones, Mosaic embossing folder {Cuttlebug, ProvoCraft}

Sunday, September 12, 2010

StampTV Lean On Me Card Kit Blog Hop

Welcome to another StampTV Card Kit Blog Hop. The stamp set for the card kit this month is Lean on Me. Such a fabulous stamp set, with beautiful flowers and some great sentiments to use for a card you want to send to someone that may need a pick me up. My favorite sentiment in the set is "Praying for You". I know I will be using it a lot to make cards to send out. A little reminder that I care and will say a prayer on their behalf.

I made two cards for the hop. This first card was a wow card to me when I was finished. Every once in a while I create something that surprises me. When I was done with this one I squealed with delight because it turned out the way I wanted it to and it did not take hours to make. LOL! I made the card using the Inspiration Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers. What a cool, inspirational site Stephanie had for the challenge this week.  Here is a link to the tapestry that caught my eye and inspired me to make this card.


Stamps: Lean on Me
Other: Spellbinders Fancy Tags and Labels Trio, red gingham ribbon, small red button, bakers twine

For my second card I used the sketch from Mercy Karin's blog. I used some brighter colors and some embossing on this one. I like the small sprig silhouette that comes from the set. It looks great all on its own  stamped in a bunch. Here is a link to the sketch.



Stamps: Lean on Me

For even more inspiration with the Lean on Me stamp set, please visit these links below:

Friday, September 10, 2010

CSS Alumni Blog Hop #5

Welcome to another Stamp TV CSS Alumni Blog Hop. This time we are doing a Color Challenge. Fall colors! Red, Orange, Brown and White or Ivory.

I pulled out the new set illustrated by Melanie called Wild at Heart. I stamped it on Pure Luxury White with Tim Holtz Fired Red Distress Ink. I sponged the flowers with Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade Distressed Ink. I matted it onto Pure Luxury Sweet Mango. The card base is Pure Luxury Kraft. I love Pure Luxury Kraft.

If you are following the hop in order you should have come from Melissa's blog.

Now move onto Miesje Flach's blog to see what she has created for the hop. She is the CSS Guest Designer this month. She is very awesome!

Have a great weekend.

Sunday, September 05, 2010

I am so happy about the wonderful cool temperatures we are having. I could not have asked for better weather on my 3 day holiday weekend. :o) I am so ready for fall weather. And speaking of fall; the colors for the Color Challenge over at StampTV remind me of a transition from summer to fall. The colors are Yellow, Dark Brown and Ivory. The soft yellow representing the warm sunshine and also the beautiful shade the leaves take on when they are beginning to change colors. Here is a card I made using the colors this week.


I stamped the Ivory layer with floral images from the new Gina K set Lean on Me. The sentiment is from another new set called Faithful Florals. the layout is similar to the layout I used for my last CSS blog hop card. What do you think of that flower with the ribbon? I went to Stamp-ede Rubber Stamps, the local stamp store in York, PA and found these really cool dies. The die cuts the flower piece with the slits so you can string ribbon through them and then through the center hole. The manufacturer is Marianne Designs. She has a website, but it is not in English. But you can see some beautiful cards created with the companies stamps and dies. The website is http://www.mariannedesign.nl/

Stamps: Lean on Me & Faithful Florals
Paper: Pure Luxury Chocolate Brown, Sweet Corn & Ivory
Other: CB Embossing Folder, chocolate stitched ribbon & ivory ribbon, flower die (marianne designs), chocolate brad

Friday, August 27, 2010

CSS Alumni Challenge Blog Hop 4

Welcome to another CSS Alumni Blog Hop Challenge. This time we were limited on the supplies we could use. Which for me was appropriate since I made my card while camping last weekend. I was very limited with supplies. Here is the list of limitations that Carolina gave us for the challenge:
Neutral Card Base (White, Ivory, Black, Brown, or Kraft)
Two Different Colors of Card Stock
One Pattern Paper
Three Buttons
One Color of Ribbon
As Many Images as We Like
Here is my card using the limited list:


My card base is Kraft.
I used Pure Luxury Fresh Asparagus and Turquoise Sea for the two colors of card stock.
My piece of pattern paper is from the Basic Grey Kioshi pad.
I had some green flower shaped buttons that matched the Fresh Asparagus card stock perfectly.
I added a strip of Fresh Asparagus Ribbon.
And my images and sentiment are from the Spring Mix stamp set.

If you are following the hop from the beginning you should have come here from Melissa's blog. Your next stop is to see what beautiful creation Sharri has to share with us. Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the blog hop. You can stop by StampTV.com for more inspiration and to purchase the stamps, paper, and ribbon used in my project.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #13

Today is my last day camping at Gifford Pinchot Park. I had some time to do some stamping while camping this weekend. One of the cards I made was this card for the sketch challenge I am hosting over at StampTV this week.


I used the PussyWillow image from Whimsical Autumn from Gina K Designs. The flower pattern paper is from the Basic Grey Kioshi pad. The Fresh Asparagus and Soft Sand card stock is from the Pure Luxury line, Gina K Designs.

I hope you all have a great week. It's back to work for me tomorrow. Glad it is only a three day work week. :o)

Monday, August 16, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #12

Everyone over at StampTV.com did an absolutely fabulous job on the round cards last week. I had fun viewing every single one of them.

This week we are leaving the round images behind and going for right angles again. I pulled out an old favorite stamp set, My Cuppa' Joe and some new Basic Grey Olivia paper to make my card this week. And I used one of my favorite techniques, Paper Piecing. It is so much fun to use beautiful papers to fill in the stamped images. And the "to go" cups from this set are so easy to cut out.


Here is the card I made for the sketch challenge:


StampsMy Cuppa Joe
Paper: Pure Luxury Innocent Pink, Slate Gray & White + Basic Grey Olivia

You can see all of the details about the sketch challenge and the other challenges for this week and find out how you can be entered for a chance to win free stamps over at StampTV.com.

Come join the fun and get stampin'!

Friday, August 13, 2010

StampTV CSS Alumni Challenge Blog Hop

It's time for another StampTV CSS Alumni Challenge. This time we were given a sketch to follow. You know I love sketches. :o) 
This is the sketch :



And here is what I made using the sketch.
This was such a fun sketch to play with. I like the cutout half circle. For my card I used an oval instead. The very first stamp set I ever bought from Gina K Designs was this one. It is called "you know your old when". I love the funny sentiments in the set. But what really sold me was the image of the old lady hanging her head out of the Beetle car. That's me in about 40 years. :o)  For this card I used the cute little old bald guy. This is my boyfriend in about 40 years. Isn't he cute? :o)  He is already pretty close in the hair department. But I still love him, hair or not. The sentiment inside the card says, "everything hurts-and what doesn't hurt doesn't work. Happy Birthday!"

If you are following along the blog trail you just came from Melissa's blog and you can now make a stop at Sharri's blog.

Stamps: You Know Your Old When
Paper: Pure Luxury Grass Green, Lipstick Red, & White + Basic Grey Olivia
Other: Classic Oval Spellbinder's Dies

I also want to invite you to join the NEW RAK Group over at StampTV. RAK is an acronym for Random Acts of Kindness. We share our addresses with other group members and send and receive cards. It is a great way to find some special people to send your handmade cards to.

Here is the link to join.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #11

It is the 11th week for me hosting the StampTV Sketch Challenge. This week the sketch is from a card I shared a few weeks ago. Since my grandmother passed away last week, I have not had time to do a lot of stamping. I actually spent the day sewing on Sunday. She loved to sew and it was a way to remember her.

Here is the card for the sketch challenge this week:



I also started a RAK group over at StampTV.com. RAK is an acronym for Random Acts of Kindness. So far we have 10 members and would like to have many more join us so we can start sending out happy mail. Please come on over and join our group. You will need to be a member of StampTV (which is free) and then you need to request access to the group. This is so we can moderate who has access to our addresses. We don't want spammers getting the list. They don't send happy mail.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #10



I am sharing the card I made for the sketch challenge I am hosting over at stamptv.com.
I decided to use Carla's color challenge colors and stamps illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger. Bright colors always go so well with Melanie's sets.

I pulled out an older set called The Best Things in Life to make my sentiment. This set is so versatile because you can mix and match words. The sentiment on my card is my favorite that can be made with this set. I also like using the set to make the sentiment "Waiting for God". Such great words to send to someone who might need a little extra reminder that God is always there. :o) I used some CB embossing folders to add texture and I pulled out a newer set illustrated by Melanie called Fun Year Round. I punched out a larger red flower and a smaller yellow flower with Marvy punches. Then I used some of the circle stamps to add a cool design to the flowers. I tied off a small transparent orange button and put it all together. For a little added bling I put a small rhinestone heart in place of the o in God. He is love after all and how appropriate to add a shiny heart. :o)

StampsFun Year Round & The Best Things in Life

Please stop by the challenge forum and join the fun. A free stamp set is given away to a random participant for each challenge.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Stamp TV Blog Hop - Featuring Melanie Muenchinger

StampTV.com is having a week long blog hop; featuring different illustrators. Tonight the fabulous Melanie Muenchinger is being featured and she asked some of her past guest designers to share projects made with stamp sets she illustrated. I originally was going to use Tee Talk or Tech Talk, but decided to go in a different direction and pulled out one of her newer sets from this summer called Gifts from the Sea. I also chose to keep my card simple. Since the stamp set is about the ocean, I chose to use Soft Sand and Turquoise Sea for the colors and white as my neutral. I've had the little shell accents in my stash forever and knew it would be perfect to use one with this set.


Other: Ribbon

Tonight Melanie Muenchinger has several designing friends sharing samples they created using some of their favorite sets from Melanie, take a look!

Brenda Turner
Carla Suto
Carolina Buchting
Geri Utterback
Karen Knegten
Libby Hickson
Linda Payne
Melissa Shultz
Selma Stevenson
Sharri Seffens
Sue Van DeVusse
Tina Gilliland

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Young Love

When I saw this image illustrated by Maurie from Mo's Digital Pencil, I knew I had to have it. I love everything about this scene. I found the perfect sentiment from Have a Cookie {Gina K Designs}. This is a fun image to color with Copic markers. I experimented with the tip to tip techniqe after watching Asela's video on her blog.
Stop back tomorrow night, I'll be sharing a project made with stamps illustrated by one of my all time favorite artists. :0)
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Monday, July 19, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #8

Do you want a chance to win some FREE stamps?

You can enter to win FREE Gina K Designs stamps by participating in the weekly challenges. I am currently hosting the weekly sketch challenge. A new sketch will start on Tuesday. 

You can join in on the fun here!

Here is the card I made for this weeks sketch.


Stamps: Friends are Forever
Paper: Pure Luxury Lipstick Red & Sweet Mango, Basic Grey Sugar Rush
(All of these supplies can be found at Gina K Designs)

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Seeds of Kindness Blog Hop

Thank you for stopping by my blog to view the project I made for the Seeds of Kindness blog hop for Gina K Designs. When I was ready to make my project for this hop I had a bunch pattern papers sitting on my desk from doing the latest color challenge over at StampTV.com. So this card contains a lot of yellow and green. I was originally planning to use the chocolate piece as a die cut border along one of the edges, but after running it through my Big Kick with the Tim Holtz die I didn't want to cut it. So I cut a piece of paper to slide through the cut area. I love how it looks. I pulled out my sewing machine and added some stitches. Then I colored the hanging plant from Seeds of Kindness to match and cut it out to hang it. I think it sort of looks like it is hanging in a fancy draped window. I had to add some rhinestone bling and a little ribbon accent on the tag. I like the sentiment I chose from the set to use on this card. This set is so much fun to play with and easy to color.



For more details on the card kit that is included with the purchase of the Seeds of Kindness stamp set, please click here.  Then, to see even more samples with this versatile stamp set, visit these designer's blog links who are participating in the hop tonight:

Then, for even more inspiration be sure to check out the Idea Center for all the samples that everyone has shared in the StampTV gallery.

Monday, July 12, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #7

I forgot to post the sketch challenge last week. This summer heat has totally zapped my energy and mojo! I am so ready for winter and snow. I know most people are telling me to bite my tongue, but I can't help it. The only thing good about summer is the beautiful flowers and tasty fresh produce. :o)

This is my 7th week hosting the Sketch Challenge over at StampTV.com. It is so much fun to see how everyone uses the sketches each week. This week I have another fairly simple sketch. You can see the actual sketch image in the forum under this link.

I stamped one of the images from Seeds of Kindness and cut them out using a small nestabilities circle die. I colored them with Copic markers and sponged with Tea Dye distress ink. The DP is from Cosmo Material Girl pad and the card stock is Pure Luxury Green Apple and Ivory.  It is hard to see in the photo but the I rippled the ribbon to add dimension. And I had to add some blingy pearls to the flowers. :o)


Please stop by the StampTV challenge forum and join in on the fun. A stamp set is given away with every weekly challenge to a random participant.  Everyone needs more stamps.

Friday, July 09, 2010

CSS Alumni Blog Hop

Welcome to the first Center Stage Alumni Blog Hop. Some of the Center Stage Alumni Stampers are joining together to share projects made with products from Gina K Designs and using the colors Kraft/Tan Leather, Green (any shade) and White. I chose to use Pure Luxury Tan Leather and Green Apple with White.  I stamped the chair from Fine Furnishings onto a piece of Green Apple card stock. I cut it out and then ran it through my Big Kick with the Textile embossing folder.  I like the texture the embossing adds to the cute little chair. I kept the layers fairly simple and added lots of texture with the Argyle and Paisley embossing folders. To go with the Fine Furnished chair I added some lace and pearls.


If you came from Lori's blog then you are right on track and can continue to Shannon's blog for another fun project using Gina K Designs products.  If not you will want to start at the beginning over at StampTV.com to see the entire collection of beautiful projects being shared by some of the CSS Alumni group.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend and that you are inspired to get some stamping done.

Monday, June 28, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #5

Time for another sketch challenge over at StampTV.com.  The sketch for this week came from an interesting place. About a year ago I was intrigued by the design on a dress that one of the women was wearing in church. It had all of these groupings of geometric shapes. And what came to my mind. Wow, they would make some great sketches for stamping cards. LOL! So I pulled out my little notepad from my purse and drew some rough sketches. They sat untouched in my purse for a long time. I pulled them out the other day and decided to use one for my next sketch challenge. The original design from the dress consists of the 3 smaller squares and the three groups of buttons. The rest I added to make it a card design.


I made this card for my mom's birthday. She turned 57 on Saturday. Of course she doesn't look a day over 27. :o)

The fake stitching around the blocks and the tape measure layer is from the new set, Stitches, illustrated by Tami Mayberry and sold by Gina K Designs. It will be available Thursday night after the Release Party. You won't want to miss the fun.  Thursday night at 7 pm to 10 pm CST. That's 8 - 11 EST, my time. The design team shares lots of great inspirational samples and Gina reveals the full stamp sets throughout the party. There is also stamping challenges and other fun ways for chances to win FREE stamps.  Then at 10pm CST the new stuff is available for purchase in the store. I am one of the repeat offenders that shows up every Gina throws a party.  Hope to see you there.

Supplies used for card:
Stamps: Nana's Needlework & Stitches (available Thursday night)
Paper: Pure Luxury Chocolate and White, Cosmo Cricket Material Girl
Other: Koh-I-Noor & Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending Stumps, buttons, ribbon, DMC white floss and mini brads


Monday, June 21, 2010

StampTV's Retired Challenge Hostess Thank You Hop

Tonight we are having a special blog hop to thank our recently retired StampTV Challenge Hostess Team members:
Tina Gilliland: Color
Karen Knegten: Anything but a Card
Vicki Dutcher: Sketch
Sharri Seffens: Blast from the Past

These 4 designers have provided StampTV with a challenge each week during the months of March, April, and May, which totals up to 13 challenges! To view each of their challenges in one area, click on their names and it will direct you to their Idea Center Inspiration Page.

Even better, we have a special StampTV Challenge Magazine Volume 2* located on the Freebie Tab, where all 52 of their challenges are shared in a download PDF that you can save to your computer and print out at your leisure!  *We will be doing a similar magazine for our first Challenge Hostess team as well in the near future, so watch for that soon.

To honor the team a bit more, several GinaK Designers are joining together in a special thank you blog hop and would like to invite you to join us! 

Here are the cards I made using a favorite challenge hosted by each of these fabulous ladies.

First is a card using Tina's Color Challenge to use Red, Kraft and Ivory.  I pulled out an older Gina K set called Summer Harvest. I stamped the cherries on the textured burlap card paper and colored with Copic markers.


Next is a card using Karen's challenge to make a tag.  I made a tag that I then added to a card to send to her.  I used Fine Furnishings for the chair and pillow and Thanks a Million for the Sentiment.


The next card is for Vicki's Sketch from 4/1.  I used the set Stars for this one.  Vicki was such a Rock Star with all the awesome sketches she provided and so I knew I had to use that sentiment for her card. :o)

My next card is for Sharri's Blast From the Past challenge to use paper piecing. One of my favorite techniques!  I used the yummy strawberries image from the latest StampTV Kit and paper pieced them with papers from Basic Grey Nook and Pantry. 


I also made a card for Gina because she did a rock star job giving us inspiring photos each week to help get our stamping mojo going. I was inspired by INSPIRE 19 - Send a Smile.  So I made this groovy card with a smiley t-shirt for her.  It is also the card for my sketch challenge this week.




After visiting the links below, please check out this discussion on StampTV and share a favorite card you've made in the past or a new one you're inspired to make using one of the challenges from any four of the challenge hostesses.

Jessica Fick
Theresa Momber
Jennie Harper
Lee Murphy
Donna Baker
Melanie Muenchinger
Carla Suto
Brenda Turner
Linda Payne
Melissa Shultz
Giovana Smith

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

StampTV Sketch Challenge #3

I am adding a quick post for the sketch challenge this week at StampTV.com. I decided to get away from a blocked sketch and try some layered ovals.


Here is my card for the sketch...


 
You can see all the details about the challenge, including how to be entered to win free stamps.