Distinctive Touches

Copic Compatibility: Testing Cardstock - Part II

I'm back... and I have MORE card stock testing results for use with those Copic markers!  If you missed Part I, you can click HERE for the results of my first paper group. 

Today I have 7 more card stocks to cover... from color, to blendability, to feathering to colorless blender effects.  The papers I'm testing today are:

Copic Stamp Paper
Gina K Designs -  Pure Luxury (80lb)
Make It Crafty -  Make It Color
Neenah - Clasic Crest Solar White Smooth
X-Press It Blending Card
Papertrey Ink - Stampers Select White
Xpedx Hammermill - Color Copy Digital Cover 100lb

Let's Get Started...

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Copic Stamp Paper

• slight yellow tint
• smooth surface
• maker catches just slightly on surface
• no streaks
• darkens slightly with layering
• easy blending
• some feathering with lots of layers
• ink soaks through very quickly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - an excellent paper to use with Copic markers, but NOT a thick card stock-like paper.  It isn't as thin as printer paper, but it isn't as thick as card stock. 

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Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury

• yellow tint noticeable next to gray/white paper
• smooth surface
• marker flows smoothly across the surface
• some streaks if not fully saturated
• darkens with layers
• blending takes a bit of work
• no feathering
• ink sits on top of paper
• minimal blender effects

Overall Thoughts - This is a very nice paper for Copic users who want a denser paper.  I personally prefer softer papers, but I do find this surface to be very compatible.  It take a bit more work to blend (the flick application technique is a must).  Since the ink sits on the surface for some time, it can get gummy if you layer on too much ink. 

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  Make It Color

• crisp white color
• super smooth surface
• marker flows smoothly across the surface
• no streaks
• darkens a lot with layers
• super easy blending
• minimal feathering with lots of ink
• ink sits on top for a bit before soaking in
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - What a find!  I love this paper... it is very similar to the X-Press It Blending Card.  Great for beginner or experienced Copic users alike.  Super easy blending and very, very little feathering.  (I had to really soak it to get it to feather at all.)  Love the fact that I can get really crisp blender effects with this!

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Neenah Classic Crest

• bright white color
• has some tooth
• marker snags on the surface
• no streaks
• darkens very quickly
• easy blends
• feathers with layers
• ink soaks in quickly
• excellent blender effects initially but they fade as they dry

Overall Thoughts - I actually like this paper because I learned on it... BUT, I would not recommend this paper for a beginner Copic user as it is too soft and tends to feather a lot.  It blends easily.

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X-Press It Blender Card

• crisp white
• super smooth
• marker floats over the surface
• no streaks
• darkens with layers
• super easy blending
• no feathering
• ink soaks in slowly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - LOVE this paper!!!  It's my "go-to" paper... I recommend it for beginner and experienced Copic users alike.  Love that the markers flow so smoothly and the blending is effortless. 

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Papertrey Ink

• crisp white
• some tooth
• marker snags a slight bit
• streaky unless very saturated
• darkens with a lot of layers
• blending a bit more difficult
• minimal feathering
• ink sits on surface for a bit then soaks in quickly
• good blender effects

Overall Thoughts - A compatible paper that I would recommend for experienced Copic users.  (Too difficult to blend for beginners.)  It uses a bit more ink to create smooth blends than a softer paper.   A good choice for colorers who want a denser paper.

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Hammermill Color Copy

• crisp white
• some tooth
• marker snags a bit on surface
• no streaks
• darkens quickly
• simple blending
• little to no feathering
• ink soaks in quickly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - I was very surprised by this paper.  Not one that I had used or tested before and I didn't think I was going to like it, but I DO!  It's a good paper for those used to a soft surface.  It would be a good option for beginner Copic users. 

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My final thoughts for the day... I really think that ALL of these papers are good Copic compatible papers!  Each surface is a bit different - so you really need to know your inking style and your own personal preference for paper type. 

My top two picks today...  X-Press It Blending Card and Make It Color - these are actually my very favorite card stocks to work with when using Copics.  Love, Love, Love them! I also want to give a "surprise" shout out to the Hammermill Color Copy paper... it definitely is at the top of my recommendation list.

How would you like to win a sampling of my top picks from the card stock testing? 

Just leave a comment on THIS post telling me what YOUR favorite Copic paper is.  I will be picking a winner (or maybe two) next week.  Commenting for blog candy will be closed on Sunday, October 23rd and the winner will be posted on Monday, October 24.

(Flower image from retired SU set and image stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black)

Thanks for stopping by!

Don't Worry...

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!  I'm still around... just hiding out where no-one can find me! LOL  (But it looks as if you have found me!!!)

Actually, I've been busy teaching... and loving every minute of it!  Last week Thursday I spent the day in Savannah with 16 of the most amazing Copic enthusiasts!  They were all SO excited to learn more about Copic markers...  each of them having a different level of experience with them.  They left the class ready to go out and color the world! 

That makes me happy!

Thanks for stopping in today...  Have a GREAT one!

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Supplies

Cardstock:           X-Press It Blending Card

                           Bazzill Basics Paper Tahitian Princess and Raven

Rubber Stamps:    Gina K. Designs “Quite a Catch”

Ink:                      Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Copic Markers:     BG11/BG72/BG75/YR04/YR07

Adhesive:            X-Press It Double Sided Tape and X-Press It Foam Tape

Other:                 Copic Mulitiner

 

Gina K. Inspiration Blog Hop

Happy Hump Day!

I'm so excited today to bring you projects from two of the new sets from Gina K. Designs.  I think the new "Free With 3" Elegant Elements set is soooooo versatile!  Wow...  absolutely gorgeous accent stamps that can be used alone or in combination with any other set. 

I used one of the circle patterns along with some of the NEW "just peachy" card stock.  I stamped the circles in salmon adirondack ink and then used my peach Sepia glitter pen to add a touch of glam.  I stamped a sentiment from Vintage Chic and paired them all up with the new patterned paper pack.  I love how easy and elegant this card is.. and it would be so easy to change up the colors and sentiment for any occasion.

This next card is one of my favorites!!!  I don't often get attached to my cards, but this one I did! 

I have a thing lately about lighthouses and this image from Theresa Momber's new "By the Sea" set is just gorgeous!  I colored the image with my Copics (colors listed below) and then airbrushed and played with some colorless blender to create the cloud-filled sky.  I combined Kraft, Black Onyx, and Cranberry Tart card stock and some hemp twine for a nice "seaside" look.  love, love, love the earthy feel of this card. 

Copic Colors Used: C3/C5/C7/W00/W1/W3/G24/G94/R22/R24/R29/E21/E33/E25/E81/E50/E71/YR30/B0000/B41/B21/B32/B95

I am headed up to Berne, IN to do a manufacturer certification with our book publisher on Friday and then I'm going to be teaching the very first Copic Ink and Art Mixed Media Workshop in Indianapolis on Saturday.  I'll be back next week with a review and some more fun projects.

Thanks for stopping by... make sure to check out the rest of the Gina K. DT for more inspiration using the Elegant Elements and By the Sea sets!

 

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

Gina K April Release!

Another amazing release from Gina K. Designs this month.  April is my "crazy" month so I knew I would only be able to work with one set this month... and I picked What's the Dirt?  It's just so springy and fun.  I love the cute pots and the pretty flowers. 

My first card uses the wheelbarrow image...

I colored the flowers with RV63 and RV66 (new colors) with a touch of Y19 an G14.  The wheelbarrow is C1/C3 and C5 and the seed bag is E33 and E41.  I used a scallop border and lined that with some white scallop ribbon.  I had these chipboard flowers that just begged to be used since they looked so much like the flowers in the image.  I airbrushed them up and popped a button and some thread on them. 

My second sample uses the pot and flowers image...

I LOVE to color terra-cotta pots... my favorite combination is E93/E95/E97/E99 and a touch of E29.  I started by stamping the little shovel and one group of pots, and then I masked them and added the watering can and a second group of pots. 

There are so many amazing things you can do with this set!  It's perfect for any springy greeting. 

Check out the links below for more samples from the DT members.

• Gina K
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy

A Grand Thank You!

The Gina K Designs team would like to welcome to you this special Spellbinders Thank You Blog Hop!! Recently Spellbinders generously gifted each member of our Design Team with the amazing new Grand Calibur!!! What an exciting gift for sure and we are absolutely enjoying this fabulous machine!! We have made some special cards and projects to showcase the new Grand Calibur and why we are loving it so much!! Thank you so very much Spellbinders!!!

If you are hopping along... you probably just came from Carolina's Blog

WOW... talk about BIG... the new Grand Calibur dies are ginormous!  Big enough to do a full card or even a scrapbook layout.  I want to say a BIG Thank You to Spellbinders with this card.  I used the Grand Labels Four die for the card base - I love the curvy edges with the spiky pointed sides.  It was the perfect shape for this elegant Thank You.  With the Grand Calibur, cutting large dies is a snap...  and I have to tell you... my favorite thing about the machine is the embossing!  WOW...  like a dream... deep crisp embossed designs... with no fussing around and turning or rotating the dies. 

I airbrushed some E21 on the ivory cardstock while the die was still in place for a very soft frame.  Then I stamped the script background on both ivory pieces with stamped off brown ink and the flower silhouettes are stamped in cranberry ink.  The images are from my all time favorite Botanicals set from Gina K Designs. 

To create the frilly layer behind the cranberry cardstock, I added a layer of double sided tape to the back and then scrunched some tissue paper around the edges.  I trimmed it to create a small boarder and then airbrushed it with E21 to distress a bit.  The cranberry ribbon and the pearls are simple touches to finish off the card.

Check out the next designer on the list Deb Felts!

 

Check out these other Gina K. Designers who are hopping today with a great (or should I say GRAND) Thank You!  And make sure to stop in at Stamp TV for even more inspiration!

Carolina Buchting

~ Colleen Schaan

~ Deb Felts

~ Emily Giovanni

~ Giovana Smith

~ Janice Whiting

~ Jennie Harper

~ Lee Murphy

~ Melanie Muenchinger

~ Sharon Harnist

~ Suzanne Dean

~ Tami Mayberry

~ Theresa Momber

~ Tina Gilliland

~ Valerie Stangle

Happy Anniversary Gina K! (Day 3)

We are still celebrating strong over at Stamp TV!  This month we are showcasing the new stamp sets AFTER the release party so that you don't have to wait to purchase your favorites! 

Today I want to share cards for three of the new sets...Lovely Labels 3, Cute as a Bug and Perfect Pennants.

I started designing with Nina's gorgeous Lovely Labels 3 set.  The stamps in this set coordinate with Spellbinder's labels 18, 20, and 21.  I decided to go grungy again and paired a happy birthday message and the flourish sign with Bo Bunny's new Timepiece paper collection.  I stamped on ivory with cocoa and then distressed all of the papers with walnut stain and soot distress inks.  I grunged up some twill ribbon too and scrunched that at the top. 

This next card is a 180 from the distressing, inking and grunge...

It's clean and crisp... pairing Rupa's Cute as a Bug set with Cosmo Cricket's Pixi Licious collection.  I used Wild Dandelion and Passionate Pink card stock with a card base of Pure White.  I just love the cute lady bugs...  and this card would be perfect for a new baby girl!

The last card is sort of a combination of the previous two.  Well... I took one element from the first card (the scrunched up twill) and added it to an element from the second card (color scheme and style) and came up with this...

I used Tami's Pendants set and stamped the triangle pendants in pink and yellow.  I cut them out an glued them back onto a white strip because I wasn't able to stamp them in a straight line (too lazy to get out my Stamp-a-ma-Jig).  I really liked the crisp look of the bright colors and the white space on the previous card, so I kept this one simple and added the scrunched gingham ribbon for texture. 

I hope you've enjoyed my designs.  There are quite a few other DT members sharing samples today too...so hop on over to the following blogs for more inspiration!

• Gina K  
• Nina Brackett
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean
• Tami Mayberry
• Tina Gilliland  
• Theresa Momber
• Vicki Dutcher
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner

Happy Anniversary Gina K!

What a Release Party that was last night!  It got so loud and crazy we crashed the site!  It was back up and running within minutes and everyone got home safely!  And at least with cyber-partying... there's no risk of hang-overs.  LOL

This morning the team is going to be sharing lots of samples for two of the new March sets:  Stenciled Silhouettes and Celebrate in Style.

My first sample uses the Stenciled set.  I created this one for Deb's challenge of "giving up" a favorite product or style.  I typically color everything and ALWAYS doodle a frame or stitching.  So that's what I gave up.

I still think it needs some tan stitching, but well...  maybe I'll just have to sneak that in! 

And my other two samples are for the Celebrate in Style set.  This is our 2 year Anniversary Set and it's FREE with your $35.00 purchase this month! 

This first one is just a quick "whip it up" kind of card... perfect for any special occasion.  The dress is paper pieced (new papers from the StampTV Kit!) and then attached over a piece of foam so it sticks out a bit.  Easy Peasy. 

This second one is for one of the two challenges over at Stamp TV this weekend.  My challenge was to use metal of some sort on a card.  I stamped the image and colored it and then made a little metal tutu out of wire screen.  I added a foil ribbon at the waist too.  Love this stamp... so simple and so MANY uses. 

You can see ALL of the new releases over at Gina's store in the What's New area... and you can hop along to the other designer's blogs for even more inspiration using Stenciled Silhouettes and Celebrate in Style.

 

• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Emily Giovanni

 

 

Totally Distressed! (Gina K. Preview)

Welcome back to another sneak peak at sets from this month's release with Gina K. Designs! 

Today... no coloring (GASP) and something completely foreign to me... DISTRESSED!!!  Since I'm typically into cute and whimsical, the stamp sets I picked to work with today were a complete challenge for me... and I'm always up for a challenge!

My fist card sample is made with Nina Brackett's set called Christ Is Risen.  I so love the almost-tattoo style of images in this set!  And the winged cross image is HUGE!  I stamped it on white Pure Luxury paper and colored with Copics (okay... so I guess I did color a tiny bit... but nothing fancy). 

I then cut out the small die and stamped LOVE in black.  I used patterned paper from Glitz Girls Hey Dude paper pad and distressed the whole darn thing with a distress tool and tea dye and walnut stain distress inks. 

I decided to stick with the whole distressing style for the second card.  I stamped images from Tami Mayberry's Live Life Loud set with Red Pepper Ink.  I layered the dotted background, the drum set and the sentiment.  I used papers from the same patterned paper pad and brought in a tiny bit of grungy bling with some old metal flourish shapes (I'm not even sure where I got them... they were just sitting in my stash and were the perfect touch for this card.)  I made a few swipes over them with my Toner Gray marker to dirty them up a bit.  LOL

Both sets have SO many uses -  from holiday to birthday to anniversary to party to congratulations... I just love the versatility of them!

To see what each of the other designers did with these sets, check out the links below!
 

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan (you are here!)
  
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Michelle Woerner
• Nina Brackett
• Tami Mayberry
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

 Thanks for stopping in... make sure to mark your calendars for the Gina K. Designs February Release Party... Tomorrow Night 7-10 CST. 

 

Critters and Bunnies and Chocolate... Oh MY! (Gina K. Previews)

Good morning... and what a morning it is!  The sun is out; the winds are warm; it almost feels like spring is in the air!  And what could be more fun for spring than little, cuddly bunnies and goofy, grinning toads? 

Today I'm previewing two new sets for Gina K. Designs: Little Critters and Chocolate Bunnies

My fist card uses one of the YUMMY chocolate bunnies from Asela Hopkins new set.  I wanted quick and simple... and I used one of my favorite techniques (multiple stamping) to create a bunny background.  A quick strip of Vibrant Violet with a scalloped Onyx boarder are finished off with a big black bow. 

I added a touch of violet to the bunnies by coloring their ears with BV00 and the tiny ties with BV01.  Ohhhh, as I'm sitting here looking at my card, I'm realizing I forgot to add the touch of gray to the actual bodies!!!  (I'll have to remember to do that before sending this baby out!)

My second card is another simple layout, but the coloring is much more detailed!  I used Little Critters by Theresa Momber.  I simply adore her frogs...  they have such personality! 

Anyway.. I colored the frog and toadstool just like I normally would with nice smooth blends, and then I went back in and added dots.  LOTS OF DOTS!  I dotted into the frog with darker greens, blue greens and browns to bring out the shading and add a bit of texture.  I did the same with the toadstool in shades of light yellow and brown.  And since I was on a roll, I dotted the entire background!  It's pretty light as I didn't want it to compete with the image. 

It took a long time to do it, but I love the way it looks.  If you try this technique, just have patience grasshopper... or in this case frog!  (Bwaaaaa, I'm toad-ally funny aren't I?) 

A few quick layers with Chocolate Brown, Tan Leather and Fresh Asparagus and a twill tie finishes this card off.

 I hope you've enjoyed the previews.  Make sure to visit the other designers to see more inspiration with the Little Critters and Chocolate Bunnies sets.

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan (you are here)
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Suzanne Dean
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher

Thanks for stopping by... Make sure to join us on Thursday night from 7-10 CST at Stamp TV for this month's Release Party!

Virtual Party! Happy Birthday Gina K.

Welcome to the Virtual Birthday Party for Gina K!  Each participating blog features some part of the birthday experience.  Hop around to see the amazingly creative projects the team created to honor Gina on her special day!
 
 
When: TODAY!
Where: On the design team's blogs.  The party starts at Cammie's Blog and you just follow the links at the bottom of each post to continue to the next stop on the party tour!
Why: To wish Gina K a Happy Birthday. 

After you are finished hopping along, don't forget to head on over to  Gina's Blog and wish her a Happy Birthday.  TWO lucky commenters will receive a party favor---a FREE stamp set!
 
I'm in charge of the decorations for the party... and there's nothing like a colorful bunch of balloons to kick off the fun.  Here's my birthday wish:
 
Stamps: Floral Wreath
Paper: Pure Luxury White and Wine With Everything
Colored with Copic Markers (R81/R83/R85/R89/G40/YG63/YG67
Self Adhesive Pearls

 
Party On by stopping at the next blog on the tour......DEB!....

Gina K. Sneak Peek (Day 4)

Pardon the dust here at my blog... it's under construction and there may be a few wonky links or glitches as I update all of my information.

Today's the last day for sneaky peaks for Gina K. Designs... stop back in tomorrow for some awesome sneaks, news and prizes from Copic!

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We are gearing up for the release party tonight (from 7-10 CST) over at Stamp TV... stop in and join the fun... it's sure to be a hoppin' event!

I want to share one last card with you before I head out for the day.  This showcases elements from the Free With Three stamp set called Smile.  It's the perfect set for sending sweet smiles across the miles. 

I paired up Lovely Lavender and Vibrant Violet card stock with a fun yellow patterned paper from KaiserCraft Lilac collection.  I stamped the frame image and the sentiment on lavender card stock and set it off with a bit of ivory for a boarder.  I stamped and cut out three of the flower images and popped them onto the card with buttery yellow buttons for centers.  A subtle touch of lavender Spica glitter pen brightens the whole thing up!

I hope you have enjoyed our samples this week... make sure to stop at the rest of the teams blogs for more inspiration with Gleefully Yours and Smile (Free with 3). 

• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan (you are here)
• Deb Felts
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Nina Brackett
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Latisha Yoast - Guest Designer

I'll see you tonight at StampTV!  And remember to stop back in tomorrow for the latest news about what's coming up Copic!!!

 

Gina K. Sneak Peek (Day 3)

Isn't this fun???  Are you lovin' all the sneaks for the new sets from Gina K. Designs?  Don't forget, our release party is this Thursday from 7-10 (CST) over at Stamp TV... come chat with the illustrators and designers and see even more great samples! 

Today I have a fun card to share from the Stamp TV kit!  It's called Sent With Love and it is HUGE!!!  I mean really... there are 11 adorable images and 7 cute sentiments to go with them! 

I'm really working on my CAS cards (clean and simple)... and this set is the perfect fit. 

I paired up the "heart tree" image with May Your Love Continue To Grow.  I thought it would make a great anniversary card for a guy... we tend to focus on the gal when celebrating anniversaries - so here's to you boys!

Supplies
Cardstock: Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury Lipstick Red, Chocolate Brown, and Kraft
Stamps: Gina K. Designs Sent with Love
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa
Copic Markers: E21/E13/E25/R22/R27
Other: red gem brads and journaling pen

 

Thanks for stopping by...  now hop on over to these other designers blogs to see more samples with the Sent with Love StampTV kit

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan (you are here!)
• Deb Felts
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Latisha Yoast - Guest Designer

Gina K. Sneak Peek!!! (Day 2)

Are you ready for some sneaks???  I've got a peek at two new stamp sets that will be fully revealed on Thursday...  

This first card uses multiple pieces from Tami Mayberry's Hopeful Hearts Set.  It has some gorgeous flourishy heart images and a ton of sweet sentiments, perfect for a variety of occasions.  I went with a pink/white/black color scheme... and girlied it all up!  I used Black Onyx and White Pure Luxury card stock and added a bit of fun with patterned paper from Glitz Designs.  I stamped the square filigree heart image in black StazOn and cut it out with Spellbinders Eyelets Squares die.  I stamped the solid heart image in Pretty In Pink ink and cut it out.  It pops perfectly into the middle of the first image.  I stamped the sentiment in the circle, added the doodled frame (similar to the actual stamped image of the heart)... and then added a bling flourish from Zva Creative.  I hope it makes my friend's heart happy. 

 
The second card is super simple and SO FUN!  It's Dino-Mite... seriously.. it is! 

Some of the gals on the team were discussing how to color the adorable dinos and some confessed to being a bit intimidated... I wanted to share this card to show you just how simple it can be to color these big boys.  To make it a bit less intimidating, I stamped and colored on Kraft paper... it's a fun alternative to white or ivory.  I colored the image with just a few simple colors...  YG00/YG13/BG49/R24 

Coloring on Kraft is a bit different... when the ink saturates the paper, it turns pretty dark.  To gauge what color the image really is, you need to let it dry.  So... I added a base coat of the light color like normal and then I added flicks of the darker color.  Make sure to let each layer dry before adding more so that you can see what it really looks like.  It's pretty simple actually! 

I cut out my colored image and popped it up on a strip of Kraft paper that was matted in Red Hot and Black Onyx and attached to a Fresh Asparagus.  The button and bow give it just the right amount of Wimsey.

Check out what these FABULOUS designers did with the Dino-mite and/or Hopeful Hearts sets...

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan (you are here!)
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Latisha Yoast - Guest Designer

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to join us on Thursday night from 7-10 CST at Stamp TV for the Release Party!

 

Gina K Sneak Peek Day 3 - Floral Wreath

It's time for another Sneak Peek!

Tonight I want to share a GORGEOUS stamp set called Floral Wreath by Gina K.  This is the Free With Three set.

This is a perfect stamp for coloring!  I used my Copics (R81/83/85/89 and G20/24/28) with very little blending to create these stunning flowers.  I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment (there are a variety of sentiments that come with the set) and layered it on some Cranberry Tart card stock.  A layer of Innocent Pink, some light blue airbrushing and a touch of lacey ribbon finish off this feminine birthday greeting. 

Hop on over to these other blogs to see what each designer did with the Floral Wreath set.

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland

Don't forget to join me on Thursday night at Stamp TV for a fabulous Release Party!

Gina K Sneak Peek Day 2 - The Giving Tree

Welcome to Gina K Designs Sneak Peek #2!

Tonight's preview is of Theresa Momber's set called The Giving Tree and I just HAD to have it.  My all-time favorite book is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree... the story of a tree and a young boy who grew into an old man.  This set reminded me of that story... and I couldn't wait to get it inked up!

 

I used Grass Green, Chocolate Brown and Ivory Pure Luxury card stock along with some patterned paper from Graphic 45.  I stamped the tree with brown ink and then made the leaves by coloring the leaves stamp image with various colors of Copic markers, spritzing with the colorless blender solution, and stamping.  This gave them sort of a watercolor look that I really like... sort of like they are moving in the wind. 

There are SO many images in this set that you can use to decorate the tree.  Make it spring, summer, fall or winter... add furry or feathered friends... grow fruit or flowers... it's all up to your imagination.

Check out what our other designers did with Theresa's The Giving Tree and Asela's Nesting sets.

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher

And don't forget to join us on Thursday night from 7-10 CST at Stamp TV for the Release Party!

 

Gina K Sneak Peek Day 1 - Block Greetings

Tonight I am sharing the first sneak peek of the new stamp sets that are being released this month by Gina K Designs.  This peek shows one of the images from a set called Block Greetings by Tami Mayberry.  It's LOVELY!  There are three blocks with random flourishes that are the perfect backdrop for the pretty sentiments in the set.  Simply stamp and go!  The blocks are the perfect size (and shape) to use with the square and scalloped square Nestabilities. 

I needed some "guy type" thank you cards for my husband to take to work. I paired this gorgeous patterned paper by 7 Gypsies up with the Block Greetings set for a simple Asian-looking card.  Easy Peasy!

Check out the following designer's blogs for more sneak peeks of Tami's Block Greetings set and Melanie Muenchinger's set Mugs and Kisses.

• AJ Otto
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher

 

And mark your calendars for this month's Release Party over at Stamp TV!  Thursday, Dec. 2nd  7-10 CST

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop Week 4: Flower Frame

To my readers in the United States, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your family, friends and turkey!  LOL

And welcome to Week 4 of our Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop!  Have you been following along and hopping around to see the amazing projects?  It's so cool to see all of the neat artwork by the participating designers. 

This week we are showcasing Eileen Hull's Frame and Frame Back with Stand die.  There are SO many ways of using this die... I can't wait to see what everyone did with all of the pieces! 

 

Me... I went traditional.  I stamped silhouetted flowers onto a piece of white card and added a sentiment.  I layered the back of the frame in bright pink patterned paper which I then distressed a bit with purple paint.  For the frame and flowers, I wanted a bit of texture, so I slathered them with texture paste.  Once that dried, I painted them up with acrylic paints.  I attached everything to the frame with E600 for a nice hold.  My frame doesn't flip up, I actually used the hinge as a design element instead since I wanted a stationary piece.  The stand on the back holds it all up at just the right angle. 

 

Supply List

656835Sizzix® ScoreBoardsTM ProDie-Frame&FrameBackw/StandbyEileenHull
Hero Arts Sillhoute flowers stamp
Gina K. Designs sentiment stamp
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Bo Bunny Press Love Shack patterned paper
Golden texture paste
Golden acrylic paint
E6000

 

You can check out more "framed" inspiration by going directly to the Sizzix Blog or pop over to the next blog on our hop by clicking on the Triple Play Navigation Button below.

[ back ] [ Sizzix ] [ forward ]

 

I'm Moving Up! (Or Getting Old...)

Typically I shy away from the word SENIOR... I mean, who wants to think of an AARP membership or dinner discounts before 4:30 PM? 

But this is one SENIOR moment that I am super excited about...

I am happy to announce that I've joined the Senior Design Team over at Gina K. Designs!  I had such a great time working with the gals on the Card Club Team that I quickly said yes when Gina asked me to join her on the senior team.  Gina is announcing the newest additions to the team today and I have to say... the team ROCKS! 

Check out Gina's Blog HERE for all of the deets!

In honor of my announcement, I decided to share some of my all-time favorite Gina K cards from my stash.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hogs and Kisses!

Just a quick fly-by post tonight to share some adorable eye-candy.  The Card Kit team over at GinaK Designs is hopping again and with the Funny Farm set and I have to say, I LOVE this set...  seriously, it's got to be one of my all time favorites.  It's just too stinkin' cute! 

I'm all into the super cute piggy... with that silly grin and those googly eyes... he just makes me smile.  I figured he would be a fun way to say "I love you" to someone special. 

I used black onyx, white, and bubble gum pink card stock.  I'm totally not a pink girl, but I love this color combo!  I stamped the pig image randomly onto the pink card stock and then added just a touch of shading with my RV11 Copic marker.  I used a white gel pen to accent the eyes.  Gina's black and white gingham ribbon creates a border and actually runs off the right side of the card to create a tab.  The sentiment is adorable... and I added my own doodled X's and O's border around the white layer.

For even more samples with the Funny Farm stamp set prepared for tonight's hop, please visit these designer's blog links:

• Jessica
• Colleen
• Sankari
• Karen
• Peggy
• Tera
• Sharri
• Donna
  

Then, check out the StampTV gallery using this link: funnyfarm to see all the projects added there from our entire GinaK community.  It will continue to be filled with even more samples as new projects are being added!

For a limited time, the coordinating card kit designed by Jessica Fick is included for free with the purchase of the Funny Farm stamp set.  To view the full card kit, visit Jessica's blog post here for all the details.

E-I-E-I-O!!!

And on his farm he had some SHEEP... 

Welcome to the Funny Farm!  This month's card kit from GinaK Designs is something to SQUEAL for... seriously... it's STINKIN' cute! 

The set is called Funny Farm and it is just that... FUNNY!  There are some adorable barnyard animals, a cute little cultivating couple, and a fantastic farm with pastures.  There are just so many things you can do with this set!!!  

I created two "scene" cards today... I love the look of black and white, so both of my cards are created on black cards with white matting.  The first card is super easy... I wanted to keep the card black and white, but I decided to add a subtle touch of color by making the sheep "pretty in pink"  Isn't it sweet???  Just look at them... they look shocked, or surprised... maybe they don't like pink?  

The second card I went a little color crazy on.  I created the same "scene" but added some color and a barnyard friend!  I created a bit of texture in the field by dampening a paper towel with the colorless blender solution and dabbing it onto the tan "wheat"  See how it pulled up some of the color and gives the field some dimension?  I also colored the sky with large, looping circles and then went over it with loose circles with the blender.  While the sheep still looked a bit shocked (they are now tan and not pink), the cow looks UTTERLY bored!  LOL  And of course, you can have a farm without gingham! 

Copic Colors Used:

• card 1- R01/E41/RV17/YR15
• card 2- YR15/YR18/YR21/YR24/R11/R24/R59/Y18/RV17/YG03/YG67/YG91/YG93/YG95/E42/N0/N2/N4/colorless

This is a MUST have set... with fun images and silly sayings! 

For more samples with tonight's new stamp sets, please visit these participating designer's blog links:

• GinaK
• Jessica
• Theresa
  
• Tami
  
• Melanie
  
• Nina
• Cathy
• Lee
• Lynn 
• Asela
• Bev
• Colleen
• Sankari
• Suzanne
• Valerie
• Tera *our CenterStage Spotlight Designer* 

The entire team would like to cordially invite each of you to our release party this Thursday night, September 30.  We'll have contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots of samples with the new stamp sets to share during the party. Please make plans to join us from 7-10 central on StampTV!

Quiet Elegance

Thanks for stopping by... I know I've been pretty quiet lately.  I've been working on some design team assignments and two REALLY BIG projects... so I haven't had much time to create just to share on my blog.  (Oh Yes... I'll share the news about the projects as soon as I can - so hang in there with me!)

Tonight I'm super excited to get to share this card I recently made.  I LOVE the way it turned out... (even if my hubby said, "It's not one of your best... but I like it!")  grrrrr, what does he know about card making right?  LOL

Anyway... I wanted a "simple looking" card that really wasn't so simple, and I hit the nail on the head with this one!  I stamped the foliage from Gina K's latest card kit "Lean On Me" set in green and then cut out a center shape with a fancy Nestability.  As you can see, some of the stems and leaves actually "grow" into the open area in the center.  That took some time to do, but I love the look! (There is a tutorial for something similar HERE on Stamp TV... I just did the reverse.)

I then created a black "inside frame" for my window and popped that whole layer off of the white card base.  The sentiment (also from the set) is stamped on the card base, so there is a bit of shadowing going on.  The bow is added for a touch of elegance.  I LOVE it and can't wait for just the right occasion to send it. 

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

• Jessica Fick
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Lee Murphy
• Miesje  Flach
• Sharri Seffens
• Melissa Shultz
• Melissa Cash
• Karen Knegten
• Donna Baker
  

You Can Lean On Me - GinaK Previews!

Welcome back!  It's been a busy week for me... classes, creating, conference calls.  It's all good though!

When I get busy like this, it's always nice to know that I have someone to lean on.  That person is my magnificent husband!  He offers support, cheer leading, advice, hugs, and unconditional love.  I appreciate him more than he knows. 

To help express my thanks, I created this card with the products from this month's new Lean On Me Card Kit. 

I used a simple combination of white and Red Hot card stock and I stamped the hibiscus image with red ink and cut them out.  I created a "bunch" and popped some of them up for a corner bouquet.  The sentiment "Thankful for you" is the perfect statement for how I feel. 

My second card uses another pretty image from the set... I'm not sure exactly what type of flowers they are, but I thought they looked pretty stamped in yellows - so that's what I did!  LOL  I used Grass Green, Dandelion Yellow and White card stock and layered a bit of Bo Bunny Gypsy patterned paper under the image.  I'm hoping that some day I can return the favor of offering support to my husband and then I give him this card.

 

This month's kit includes Red Hot, Sweet Mango, Dandelion Yellow, Grass Green, and White card stock, a package of Silver Eyelets, and 1 yard of 5/8" yellow grosgrain ribbon.  The color combination of reds, yellows and greens is HOTLOL.)

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, please check out these participating designer's links:

• Gina *Illustrator of Lean on Me and You are Not Alone*
• Jessica *Designer of Lean on Me card kit*
• Melanie
• Theresa -
• Tami -
• Cathy
• Lee
• Kurtis
• Suzanne
• Bev
• Colleen
• Valerie
• Sankari
• Miesje - *our CenterStage Guest Designer!*
• Nina
  

You are invited to join us for our Release party tomorrow night, August 26 from 7-10 central time for contest questions, challenges, and chatter along with tons more samples!  The party leads up to the new products featured this week on our blogs being available for purchase online through GinaK Designs at 10 pm.  See you there for all the

It's Preview Time - Fanciful Tags!

Welcome to the first day of previews for GinaK Designs new stamp sets! 

There are three BEAUTIFUL sets being shown tonight... so get ready for some major inspiration from the participating designers. 

I picked Nina's Fanciful Tags set because it was very different from most of the stamp sets I currently have.  It also has the most stunning sentiments... and I am always in need of those! 

I decided to create two "styles" for the set... both fairly simple... but one masculine and one feminine. 

For the "guy" card, I used ivory and black onyx card stock along with some striped patterned paper.  The sentiment is stamped inside of the sublet frame and two snap brads are the only embellishment.  Simple and stylish.

For my second card I wanted to go girlie all the way...  with a touch of elegance.  I ran white card stock through my Big Shot with a Sizzix texture plate (a super simple way to add dimension to a card).  I then cut out an ornate label and stamped the sentiment in black. 

I created two flowers with the hot new 3-D flowers die from Sizzix (I'll do a tutorial on how to make them soon)... and added a pretty pearl for the center.  A touch of black ribbon creates stark contrast to the all-white card.  I LOVE the way this one turned out!

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, please check out these participating designer's links:

• Gina
• Jessica
• Melanie - *Illustrator of Wild at Heart*
• Nina - *Illustrator of Grand Damask and Fanciful Tags*
• Theresa
• Cathy
• Lee
• Lynn
• Kurtis
• Carolyn
• Colleen
• Miesje - *our CenterStage Guest Designer!*

You are invited to join us for our Release party this Thursday night, August 26 from 7-10 central time for contest questions, challenges, and chatter along with tons more samples!  The party leads up to the new products featured this week on our blogs being available for purchase online through GinaK Designs at 10 pm.  We hope you'll make plans now to be able to join us in all the fun!

Thanks for stopping in!

Sweetest Blessings!

My life really has been filled with the sweetest blessings this past year.  I couldn't be more grateful!  I've still got some exciting news to share with you and some important announcements to make... but I'm not QUITE ready yet... so you will have to wait just a bit longer. 

Tonight a few of the designers from GinaK Designs are showcasing the Sweetest Blessings Card Kit set.  I have to say... every month I'm stunned and amazed by the images and sets that Gina puts out... but this month REALLY takes the cake...  so to speak!  LOL

Since one cake is good... I thought three cakes would be even better in this festive birthday card!  I stamped the cake image (doesn't it look just delish?) three times, colored it with my Copics (C1/C3/RV000/RV10/RV13/RV14/BG11/BG13/BG15), and then punched it out and layered it with scallop circles.  The patterned paper is from the Destination Paradise collection from Me and My Big Idea. 

I also "whipped" up this yummy card for a special "sweetie" in my life.  I stamped the cupcake image four times, applied whipped texture paste to the top as the frosting, colored them each with my Copics when the paste dried (RV000/RV10/RV13/RV14/R43/R46/E31/E33/E35), and then popped them up on a white layer for impact.  I tiny bit of pink matting against the scrumptious chocolate card stock... all wrapped up in a nice pink bow...  a yummy little card if I do say so myself! 

Please check out these designer's links to see more samples with the Sweetest Blessings stamp set:

• Jessica Fick
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Sankari Wegman
• Jennie Harper

Then, check out this discussion in the Idea Center to view the card kit that Jessica designed to coordinate with this adorable stamp set.  It's free with the purchase of the Sweetest Blessings stamp set until August 26!   The StampTV gallery is also filled with lots of ideas that you won't want to miss.  Here's the link: sweetestblessings

Simply Hanging On!

WOW...  I never expected the amount of visitors and/or comments on my last post about my New Studio.  Your excitement and your sharing in my joy was just totally overwhelming!  Thank you all for the well wishes and blessings for my new space. Some of you asked about all of the stamps and supplies I purged as I was moving... and I do still have them all...  I'll have to set up some Super Space Blog Candy here soon - stay tuned for that!

I was finally able to get down to my new space to do some serious crafting and I wanted to share two new cards with you tonight for the GinaK Seeds of Kindness Blog Hop.

I have fond memories of my grandmother always growing violets in her kitchen... and this image reminds me of her joy in caring for them.

 

Stamp Set: Seeds of Kindness (violets and sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: GinaK Luxury White #120, Sweet Mango, Wild Dandelion, and Chocolate Brown
Designer Paper: Basic Gray (Origins)
Copic Markers: G12/G14/G16/BV01/BV04/BV08/E93/E95/E97

__________________________________________________________________________

With this second sample I wanted to show that Copic markers can be used on card stock that isn't white.  I use white most often, but when I want a really special look, I use something different.  Here, I've stamped the hanging basket image directly onto a Soft Sand card base and colored it in.  Since the markers are alcohol ink, the ink is translucent and the color of the card base is still visible.  I LOVE the way this turned out.  Of course, I didn't want anything too fancy or distracting to show up the subtle coloring, so I kept the layout super simple and refrained from adding layers and embellishments (although it was SO hard not to add a button or a snap or something!!! LOL)

 

Stamp Set: Seeds of Kindness (hanging basket and sentiment)
Ink: Memento brown, Craft white
Paper: GinaK Soft Sand and Chocolate Brown
Copic Markers: G40/G82/G85/N0/N2/N4/N6

__________________________________________________________________________

Are you a Copic Junkie?  Ready to join the Copic Crowd?  Join me over at Stamp TV in the Copic Coloring Crowd group.  It's a place to share experiences, tips and techniques, ideas, samples, and just plain "talk" color.  Everyone welcome!

__________________________________________________________________________

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:

• Jessica Fick
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Bev Gerard
• Lee Murphy
• Melissa Shultz
• Giovana Smith
• Sharri Seffens
• Linda Payne
• Carla Suto
• Brenda Turner
• Janice Whiting
• Sankari Wegman
  

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

Thanks for stopping in... let your world be colorful!

Planting Seeds of Kindness - GinaK Designs Preview Hop

I have been blessed with so many amazing people in my life... from a wonderful husband who supports and respects me, friends who share the joys and heartbreaks of life with me, and co-workers who inspire and motivate me.  

I don't always find the time to say thank you... and I know I should.  So tonight's post is in honor of all of those amazing people out there who have had an impact on my life. 

When I saw this months Card Kit from GinaK Designs, I got giddy-excited (imagine me grinning from ear-to-ear, jumping up and down doing the creepy fast clap).. yup, giddy AND excited.  I mean... how perfect could this set be for me??? 

The sentiments really spoke to me...  they worked so perfectly with the three flower/foliage images and they were a perfect way to say, "Hey... thanks friend!"  (Which is EXACTLY what I needed!)

I haven't used patterned paper is a LONG time, so I decided to break open my new Basic Gray Origins pad and paired it perfectly with Chocolate Brown, Pumpkin Spice, and Wild Dandelion.  Ohhhh.... I just love this combo!  Not too flowery or girly and not too fallish.  

Of course, I colored the images with my Copic markers - it was a fun challenge to get a variety of green shades to represent the texture for each different plant.

For even more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these designer's links:

• Gina Krupsky *illustrator of Seeds of Kindness
• Jessica Fick *creator of Seeds of Kindness Card Kit
• Nina Brackett *illustrator of Hugs and Prayers
• Theresa Momber
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Carolyn King
• Donna Baker
• Kurtis Amundson
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Valerie Stangle
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Janice Whiting *Seeds of Kindness Guest Designer
• Sankari Wegman
• Asela Hopkins
  

We'd also like to invite you to attend our Release Party this Thursday, July 1st starting at 7 pm central on StampTV! There will be challenges, contest questions, and more samples from our designers on all the new stamp sets being released this month!  We'd love to have you join in on the fun!

Have a Colorful Day!

colleen

A Botanical Technique Hop - Copic Color Washout

Welcome! 

Tonight GinaK Designs is featuring the new Botanicals stamp set with a special technique themed blog hop event!  I'm so excited to share my technique with you... I call it the Copic Color Washout.  Really, it's very similar to bleaching... but with a colorful Copic twist!  LOL

You will need:

• Copic ABS system
• Copic Marker(s) - I'm using G63 and G67
• white card stock - I'm using GinaK Luxury #80 
• bold or solid stamp image - I'm using one of the flower images from the Botanicals set
• Copic colorless blender solution in a small spray bottle

Step 1:

Apply Copic ink onto card stock using the ABS unit.  I like to apply the ink is a mottled pattern to give it a look of texture.  You can use as many colors as you like.  Here I am using a light and a medium green.

Step 2:

Lightly spritz the stamp with the colorless blender solution.  Two quick pumps should be enough. 

Step 3:

Stamp the image onto the inked card stock.  Hold the stamp down (without rocking) for about 4-5 seconds.  When you remove the stamp, the colorless blender solution will have removed/lightened/pushed the color from the stamped image. 

Step 4:  

Repeat steps 2 and 3 to complete the final image.  (Note - you may need to wipe off the stamp in between stamping so as not to transfer any ink.)  

Finish Card...

And I had such a great time doing this simple technique that I decided to whip up a second sample using browns! 

 

I hope you enjoyed my mini-tutorial!  Please visit these designer's blogs for their project using a variety of techniques all made with the Botanicals stamp set:

• Jessica Fick
• Suzanne Dean
• Colleen Schaan
• Bev Gerard
• Jennie Harper
• Sharri Seffens
• Donna Baker
• Lee Murphy
• Nina Brackett
• Erika Martin
• Brenda Turner
• Giovana Smith
• Tina Gilliland
• Carla Suto
• Linda Payne
• Kay Simmons
• Vicki Dutcher
• Karen Knegten

For even more samples with the Botanicals stamp set, visit the StampTV gallery here: botanicals.  To view more information about the free card kit that is included with the purchase of the Botanicals stamp set, click here.

When the Stars Align...

...changes happen.  I'll be sharing those changes with you in a few days.  I need some time to process and re-organize. 

Tonight I want to share two more cards for this month's release over at GinaK Designs.  Tami Mayberry designed a new set called Stars and it has ME seeing stars...  I LOVE this set!  There are 9 funky star images which are super cool to stamp - but my favorite part of the set is the sentiments... AWESOME!  Here are two of my very favorites...

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves - Shakespeare 

Good friends are like STARS... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. 

I wanted these cards to be fun and funky - so I whipped out some extra patterned paper from Bo Bunny's Flower Child line and it works perfectly with the new Wild Dandelion paper and Lipstick Red and Turquoise Sea card stock colors.  Of course, I had to add a tiny touch of bling with my Atyou Spica Glitter pens! 

Thanks for stopping in tonight... come by again!

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these Designer's Links:

• Gina Krupsky  *Enjoy the Sunshine StampTV kit designer
• Tami Mayberry  *Stars designer
• Jessica Fick
• Theresa Momber 
• Melanie Muenchinger 
• Nina Brackett
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kurtis Amundson
• Colleen Schaan
• Kay Simmons *May's CenterStage Spotlight Team Member!*

Please make plans to attend our Release party this Thursday night, May 27th from 7-10 central time which will be held at StampTV.  There will be contest questions, challenges, samples from several designers and lots of chatter all leading up to 10pm central, when all the new products and stamp sets previewed this week on our blogs become available online through GinaK Designs store!

Flower Power - Sneak Peak!

I had a glorious weekend and I hope you all did too.  It was hot, hot, hot and the neighborhood pool opened - now it truly feels like summer!  

And what represents summer better than flowers?  Nothing...

This month's GinaK Designs Card Kit stamp set is called Botanicals and includes a script background, three gorgeous floral silhouettes, and five sincere sentiments.  The card kit itself includes the Botanicals stamp set; Red Hot, Fresh Asparagus, Chocolate Brown, Sweet Corn, and Heavy Base White card stock;  Gold Brads; and a printed instruction sheet with measurements. 

I was so excited to work with this stamp set this month.  Lately, I've been using only stamps that require coloring... and I've sort of gotten out of the habit of being creative with different inks and solid stamps.  I LOVE the way this card turned out!  I used two new card stock colors: Wild Dandelion and Sweet Mango and paired them with my favorite Chocolate Brown.  I used mango distress ink to stamp both the background script and the two flower silhouettes (which are cut out and popped up just slightly) and to distress the edges a bit.  I added just a splash more dandelion with the plaid ribbon and bow.  I can't wait to get this card into the mail and off to my good friend... whom I miss tremendously since our last move.

I hope you enjoy it! 

Thanks for stopping by...

For more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these Designer's Links:

• Gina Krupsky
• Jessica Fick
• Theresa Momber
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Brackett
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kurtis Amundson
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Sankari Wegman
• Suzanne Dean
• Valerie Stangle
• Kay Simmons *May's CenterStage Spotlight Team Member!*

Please make plans to attend our Release party this Thursday night, May 27th from 7-10 central time which will be held at StampTV.  There will be contest questions, challenges, samples from several designers and lots of chatter all leading up to 10pm central, when all the new products and stamp sets previewed this week on our blogs become available online through GinaK Designs store!

Feeling Crabby?

I sit here tonight not knowing what to write about... you see, I'm a bit crabby.  I don't really have a reason...  except that I did something pretty stupid this week and I'm still feeling the effects.  I wasn't going to share my stupidity here, but I guess it might help explain this post - so here goes...

I'm not the most colorful crayon in the pack it seems... in fact, after my lackluster performance at brain power earlier in the week, I think I'm wallowing somewhere between charcoal and midnight fog.  LOL  I knew it was supposed to rain... a LOT... and it did rain... A LOT...  and well... silly me... I left my sun roof open with my car in the driveway.  Yeah... all night and all day... in the rain.  A LOT of rain... 

I had to bail out the back seat with buckets... the ducks were floating somewhere near the steering column, and the koi were swimming happily around the gas pedal.  I kidd you not... it was like that advertisement where the drunken driver opens his door and beer pours out.  We had a lot of rain... a LOT! 

Anyway... I was able to stop my car from becoming a submarine (barely)... but now the problem is the smell... yeah...  wet... hot... smelly seats and carpet.  Uuuugh - I can almost see the mold growing! 

 
And well... that makes me crabby.  So I made myself a card. 

I used my new Quite a Catch set from Gina K's Card Kit - it had the PERFECT image and sentiment for my mood.  I stamped the the crab repeatedly onto white card stock to create a patterned background and then stamped him (or her?) again, colored it in, and cut it out.  I love the "sort of naval" look of the chocolate brown, red hot red and turquoise sea together.  And of course... I found the "heard your feelin' crabby" sentiment just right! 

Making the card cheered me up a bit and I figured I'd make myself another card (why quit when you're on a roll?)

I don't really deserve this one yet... but I'm an optimist and hope to use it soon.  LOL

I stuck with the same color scheme (added a touch of sweet corn) and used the starfish image with the "You're a Star" sentiment (hey...  I said I was an optimist didn't I?)  I stamped and colored the starfish with my Copics and then masked him off to airbrush the "sea" background.  

Now I just have to do something star-worthy....

Thanks for stopping in tonight.  I hope you heed the warning... Beware the Open Sunroof (and rain). LOL

Have a GREAT night and make sure to visit these designer's blogs for even more samples with the Quite a Catch stamp set

• Jessica Fick
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Valerie Stangle
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Theresa Momber
• Geri Utterback
• Tina Gilliland
• Sharri Seffens
• Vicki Dutcher
• Jennie Harper
• Melissa Shultz
• Brenda Turner
  
• Joy Hadden
• Linda Payne
• Jen Charboneau
• Cheri Weston
  

To see the adorable samples in the StampTV gallery, check out this link: quiteacatch   

Welcome Home! - Blog Hop

Ahhhh, Home Sweet Home... nothing could be nicer than arriving home after a long trip.  Home has always been a place to snuggle in... relax... recharge.  I love home... and I love this new Welcome Home stamp set illustrated for Gina K Designs by Rupa Shevde! 

The set is filled with open line designs of homes, moving trucks, packing boxes and pets and it is paired with some amazing sentiments.  My favorite is this Irish Blessing... 

"May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more. 
May nothing but happiness, come through your door." 

Isn't that sweet? 

In this card, I used both the row of houses and the Irish blessing to make a nice neighborhood scene.  I masked the houses and a setting sun, and airbrushed the glowing sky in... Each little window is glowing with light and warmth... makes me want to knock on the door and go in for a visit. 

With our recent move, this next card is going to come in handy!  I've go SO many people to contact and let them know we moved and share our new contact information... and this is the way I'm going to do it!  

This card uses the same row of houses, but I left them uncolored for a very neutral look.  I layered black onyx, tan leather (love the texture of this), and lipstick red together for just a pop of color.  My favorite part... .that amazing hemp/twine ribbon!!!  OMG...it's SO cool... and gives a nice earthy touch.  The card itself almost reminds me of all of those packing boxes...  LOL

Head on over to the following blogs to see more great samples with this set...

Designers Participating in Previews tonight: 

• Gina Krupsky
• Jessica Fick
• Cathy Tidwell
• Donna Baker
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Kurtis Amundson
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Geri Utterback - our Center Stage Spotlight Designer!
• Asela Hopkins - Sew Pretty illustrator

The Release Party is this Thursday, April 22 on StampTV.  We would LOVE to have you join us for the fun!

There will be challenges, contest questions, chatter, as well as tons of samples from the Design Team members from 7-10 (central time) all leading to the new products being available in GinaK's online store at 10pm. 

Quite a Catch - Blog Hop

What do you get when you combine cute critters, silly sayings, and colorful card stock?  You get Gina K Designs new Card Kit Stamp Set: Quite A Catch... and it is... QUITE A CATCH!  

There are a bevy of silly sea creatures all with goofy grins or fantastic faces in this set... they are hysterical!  The one that I fell in love with is this "he's so ugly he's cute" fish...(Not quite sure what type of fish he is... other than a fraidy-fish! LOL)

I colored the fish with Copic markers (BG72/BG75/BG78 and BG93/BG96/BG99) and then dotted some blue, tan, and gray around him for the water and the shading (B000/BG000/E41/W1)  I added some "bubbles" by embossing the top half of the blue paper (isn't that color scrumptious?  It's called Turquoise Sea and it's one of the new colors this month! YUMMY)

I didn't have a fish hook large enough, so I went into the basement... scrounged up some metal wire and made my own! LOL  I've got some silver jewelry wire tied to it as the fishing line.  Of course...it works perfectly with the "hook, line and sinker" saying. 

This freaked-out fish just makes me laugh!  I can almost hear his gulp as he realizes that he's been caught! 

To see other amazing samples... head on over to these other blogs...

Designers Participating in tonight's previews: 

• Theresa Momber - Gone Fishing illustrator
• Jessica Fick - Quite the Catch card kit designer
• Gina Krupsky
• Cathy Tidwell
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kurtis Amundson
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Sankari Wegman
• Valerie Stangle
• Nina B.
  
• Geri Utterback - our Center Stage Spotlight Designer!

The Release Party is this Thursday, April 22 on StampTV.  There will be challenges, contest questions, chatter, as well as tons of samples from the Design Team members from 7-10 (central time) all leading to the new products being available in GinaK's online store at 10pm.  We'd love to have you join us for our monthly party!

Just a little something...

Sometimes I need a gift card or a nice tag to add to a package... something simple to send a quick message but I don't have a lot of time to create something.  I decided to sit down and whip up a bunch of "mini-cards" tonight to share for GinaK's Happy Spring Blog Hop event.

I used four gorgeous colors from the Spring Collection (Lovely Lavender, Creme de Menthe, Lemon Drop, and Ocean Mist) for the bases and matted the main layer with black to give it a bit of pop.  I used the stamping off technique to stamp each of the four images from the Happy Spring set "behind" the sentiment.  I then stamped the sentiment in Tuxedo Black over the receded image.  I didn't color the images (I know... can you believe it?  I was SO hard not to reach for my markers!)

I wanted to make each one a bit different, yet keep them fairly simple, so I added buttons to one, ribbon to another, colored gems to yet another, and colored pearls to the fourth.  Of course I did have to add my own special touch and I doodled a frame around each one... that I COULDN'T resist.  LOL

It was SO easy to make these that I whipped up 4 of each... so I have 16 "gift cards" all ready to use when I need them.  I'm already looking forward to the next "gifting" occasion so I can send one out!  :)

Several designers are joining together to share even more samples for the Happy Spring stamp set tonight.  Please visit the following blogs for their projects:

• Jessica Fick
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
• Carolina Buchting
• Jennie Harper
• Karen Knegten 
• Selma Stevenson
• Shannon Bracken
• Sharri Seffens
• Tina Gilliland

The free card kit will be available with every purchase of the Happy Spring stamp set until Thursday, April 22nd at 10pm when the new card kit stamp set is released!  Be sure to take advantage of the freebie while it's available!

Also, remember to enter your project for GinaK's Illustrator Challenge by Monday April 12th at 8pm!  We can't wait to see who the next Guest designer will be for April's release!

Potted Preview!

Are you enjoying all of the wonderful previews for March?  I sure hope so!  I've been hopping to all of the other designer's blogs and they are AMAZING!  Talk about inspiration...

Tonight I have a card to share with you using one of the images from the March Card Kit Stamp Set.  You are SO going to love this set... whether you are "wishing" for spring or "planting" some ideas, this set has 4 adorable line drawings (perfect for coloring in or for paper piecing) and 4 coordinating sentiments.

I used the potted seeds and the "you're my best bud" sentiment for my card.  I stamped the image twice on some Gina K Luxury white (leaving a space in between them) and colored them (sorry... I forgot to write down the colors... the pots are E90's I believe).  I then stamped and colored another pot and cut it out.  I popped it up in between for a "row" of potted seed packets. 

I used some Apple/Violet Happy Spring digital paper that goes so well with all of the new colors and sets this month.  Of course, I had to add a few well-placed embellishments (buttons and ribbon) to polish off the look.

There are a few changes to the Card Kit for this month... each kit will receive the Happy Spring stamp set and instruction sheet along with 4 sheets of pure luxury cardstock, 1 sheet of exclusive patterned paper with 4 different designs, 1 yard of ribbon, and brads.  The cardstock will NOT be pre-cut... this means you can either make the cards that are shown in the kit.. OR design you own! 

Are you ready for even more inspiration? 

Start with Gina's Blog

Then, find out more information about the new Card Kit here: Jessica Fick

Finally, check out these Designer's blogs: Asela Hopkins {Illustrator of By Your Side}
Melanie Muenchinger 
Theresa Momber
Nina Brackett
Cathy Tidwell
Lee Murphy
Kurtis Amundson
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Bev Gerard
Colleen Schaan
Sankari Wegman
Valerie Stangle
Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

StampTV is celebrating it's first birthday and the festivities are in full swing with this month's release!  We'll be holding this month's Release Party on StampTV and couldn't be more excited about all that Gina has planned for everyone!  The party kicks off this Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ends at 10pm (all times CST) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store.

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

It's a Beautiful Life - Gina K Previews!

It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend and tonight I want to share a BEAUTIFUL card.  (Well, at least I think it's pretty pretty!  LOL) 

 
For tonight's Gina K Designs Preview Hop I chose to work with Melanie Meunchinger's stamp set called A Beautiful Life... and it is.. well... beautiful!  I love the extra large tulip frame; it's perfect for stamping and creating a whole card-sized image.  And of course, there are lots of pretty sayings and phrases included in the set.

I wanted to create a sort of diorama-type card, so I stamped the tulip frame twice.  I colored them both up with my Copics (V12/V15/V17 for the flowers and the framing, YG03/YG06 for the leaves, B000 for the sky, and Y00 and YR04 for the butterflies). 

I cut the center out of one of the stamped and colored frames, rotated it 180 degrees and then attached it over the first one with foam tape for dimension.  The butterflies are cut out and then applied with their wings bent up just a tad.  I even added a tiny bit of bling with my purple Spica Glitter pen. 

I (HEART) this card...

Here's a close up to show the dimension.  Notice that the flowers aren't blended perfectly smooth.  I wanted a "natural" look for my tulips, so I just did a very slight blend and left some areas white. 

Are you ready for even more inspiration?  

Start with Gina's Blog

Then, visit these Illustrator's blogs of these new stamp sets:

Melanie Muenchinger - A Beautiful Life

Theresa Momber - Sending Sunshine

Tami Mayberry - Fairy Tales

Finally, check out these Designer's blogs:

Jessica Fick

Nina Brackett

Carolyn King

Cathy Tidwell

Lee Murphy

Lynn Mercurio

Donna Baker

Kurtis Amundson

Emily Giovanni

Erika Martin

Colleen Schaan

Jennie Harper - our Guest Designer for this Month!

StampTV is celebrating it's first birthday and the festivities are in full swing with this month's release!  We'll be holding this month's Release Party on StampTV and couldn't be more excited about all that Gina has planned for everyone!  The party kicks off this Thursday, March 18th starting at 7pm and ends at 10pm (all times CST) when all the new products will be available for purchase in Gina's online store. 

To keep informed of all the party plans and activities, check out this link:

Release Party Forum on StampTV

Stop back in tomorrow night for another preview.... you will be so happy you came and "seed" it! LOL

Catching Up - (and a blog hop!)

Did you ever had one of those dreams where you are running and running and just don't ever seem to go anywhere?  That's what my world is like right now!  I'm trying and trying to catch up on everything... and it seems the faster I work, the more I have to do!  LOL 

But you know me... I'm a trooper and I'll just keep running... some time (hopefully soon) I'll reach that finish line. 

In the mean time, I want to share one of the cards I made for one of the MANY birthday's I've missed in the last month or two.  My MIL is always so good about sending cards for all of the special little occasions... and I couldn't even get a birthday card out to her on time this year.  I'm SUCH a bad DIL! (But she is the bestest and will forgive me...  because she loves me!)

I used one of the gorgeous flower images from the Feb. Card Kit over at GinaK Designs. I wanted a whole field of flowers, so I stamped the image multiple times (without re-inking) to get the feeling of depth.  I then colored them (it was so quick and easy with this image!) with my Copic markers (see the color photo below).  

I framed the simple image with Lemon Drop and Creme De Methe card stock (two of the soft spring colors that are now available). 

I stamped the birthday sentiment and cut it out with one of the label Nesties and then cut it so it hung on the bottom of the field of flowers.  I set it off with some buttons and ribbon also from the new Spring collection. 

This was SO easy and turned out so well... I may make a bunch of them (in different Spring colors) so that I'm ready for all of the birthdays I have coming up!  

For even more ideas with the Spring Florals stamp set, please check out these links:

Jessica Fick 

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

Sankari Wegman

Suzanne Dean

Sharri Sevens

Tina Gilliland

Giovanna Smith

Melissa Cash

Carolina Buchting

Jennie Harper

Brenda Turner

There are many more projects that can be found in the StampTV gallery by clicking on this tag: springflorals

Enjoy all the samples tonight!  If you haven't purchased this stamp set yet, please take note that the free Card Kit will be included with each purchase until March 18th.  At that time, the next card kit stamp set will be released.

I promise I'll be back later in the week with some updates on Certifications and some other fun and exciting news! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Is it SPRING yet??? CKC - Blog Hop

Seriously... I'm SO ready for spring!  We are in the midst of yet another winter storm and the temps just keep dropping.

Luckily, I've got something which reminds me that spring can't be too far away...  The new GinaK Designs Card Kit stamp set called Spring Florals. 

For a limited time*, a free Card Kit will automatically be included with each purchase of the Spring Florals stamp set. The entire kit includes the stamp set, a binder sheet, the instructions and materials to make 3 complete cards for $19.95.   

*This offer is valid until March's release, when a new Card Kit stamp set will be released.

Check out samples from this month's card kit on Jessica's Blog HERE... they are simply stunning!

I decided to do a series of my own cards showing just how versatile this set can be.  I stamped and colored all three flower images and then gave them a soft yellow glow by masking them off and airbrushing around them.  I cut each image out using a different shape and created a variety of card styles...

This first card is clean and simple. 

The second card I wanted to do something just a bit different, but I wanted the results to be soft and elegant... nothing too fancy.

This last card is my "layer it up" card...  and of course I added the doodled frames too!

You can check out more previews tonight... Nina's Lovely Labels - which coordinates beautifully with Spellbinders Labels 1, 4, 8, and 9, and a wonderful digital paper pack designed by Nina called Swing into Spring that compliments the new Spring Assortment paper pack.  For even more information on these new products, please visit the Lovely Labels Illustrator's blog Nina Brackett.

Then, check out these designer's links for even more samples made with Nina's stamp set as well as the new Free with Three stamp set called Inside & Out as well as the Spring Florals card kit:

Gina Krupsky

Jessica Fick

Theresa Momber

Melanie Muenchinger

Carolyn King

Tami Mayberry

Lee Murphy

Lynn Mercurio

Kurtis Amundson

Donna Baker

Emily Giovanni

Erika Martin

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

We'd love to have each of you make plans to join us tomorrow night for the big Release party over in Gina's Forum on SCS! The virtual party starts at 7pm CST and is filled with contest questions from Gina, challenges from three of our designers, and tons more samples from the entire GKD team!

For some helpful tips on how Gina's Release parties work on SCS, check out this discussion on StampTV.

Hope is Faith - A Special Announcement

Announcing...  The GinaK Designs Hope Is Faith stamp set..

The Hope is Faith mini stamp set retails for $9.95. It was created to raise money for the Red Cross to help with the devastation in Haiti. $2.00 of every purchase of this stamp set will be sent directly to the Red Cross throughout the month of February.

As the first responders to disasters around the world, the Red Cross is there to help with the basic needs of these people who have suffered so much. By purchasing this mini set, you will help to make a difference to people who are desperate by supporting an organization that works tirelessly to feed, clothe, comfort and care for those in need.

Here are two cards I made with this beautiful set.  The first one features Theresa's digital paper Wings of Hope.  It is a stunning combination of light pinks, bright pinks, and dusty mauves... absolutely gorgeous and the perfect compliment to the new Hope if Faith stamp set. 

I stamped the butterfly onto both the light and the dark pink word papers. I then heat embossed them with clear EP and cut them out.  I folded the wings slightly and layered them so it gave some added dimension to the piece. 

I was on a 3-D roll and decided to make a graphic B&W card using the same set... and here is the result. 

I fell in love with this Mother of Pearl metallic card stock and knew I wanted to use it on a simple and elegant card.  The Faith is Hope set is the perfect fit...  I embossed the butterfly image and the sentiment in black and then cut out the butterfly, bent up his wings, and attached him to the card.  The jeweled brads are just the right amount of bling to finish off this card.  (Oh I wish you could see the shimmer and shine!!!)

Next on the preview list - I just about CROAKED when I saw this adorable set called Hang In There by Theresa Momber!  She has just the cutest images with just a touch of charm and sass.  I decided to whip out my Copics and color up the tree frog.  I just love the way he looks like he is about to launch himself off of the branch!  I paired some Basic Grey patterned paper with some Chocolate Kiss and Fresh Asparagus card stock and tied it all up with a twill bow. 

For more information on these two fabulous sets, please see Gina's Blog. (linked below)

Check out some more amazing previews at the following sites...

Hope is Faith Illustrator: Gina Krupksy
Hang in There Illustrator: Theresa Momber (Wings of Hope Digital Paper designer)

• Jessica Fick
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Brackett
• Carolyn King
• Tami Mayberry
• Asela Hopkins
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Kurtis Amundson
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
  
• Valerie Stangle
  

Thanks for stopping by - Stop back in tomorrow to see if YOU won the set of Specia Glitter Pens!

- Colleen

Fairy Dreams and Wishes

I'm back from CHA and I've got lots to share...  but that will come later!  Stay tuned...

For tonight - It's time to get hopping again with GinaK Designs. 

Tonight's blog hop is showcasing Alicia's set Dreams and Wishes... along with the uber cool photo box that has been the star of Stamp TV this month. 

I don't do much scrap booking... probably because most of the photos that I take are of cards... and how many scrapbook pages can I do of cards???  LOL 

But as we contemplate our next move, I've been taking some photos of the things that I really like here in Oklahoma.  Things that I will miss... like the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, the field behind our house with the horses and coyotes, the pretty creek that runs through the neighborhood... things that remind me to slow down and enjoy my surroundings.  And of course, I need somewhere to put all of those pictures... since I'm not slowing down enough to scrapbook them yet!   I'm putting them into this adorable photo holder that I made...  

I created the box from a sheet of innocent pink and then layered some Basic Gray Indian Summer patterned paper over smokey slate... and then I added a belly band of smokey slate and attached the image of Alicia's fairy onto it. 

I colored the fairy with my Copics and then added some faux stitching and doodling around the various layers.  

Super simple and very quick... the perfect project for us busy gals!

Check out these links for even more inspiration:

Jessica Fick

Melanie Muenchinger

Lee Murphy

Asela Hopkins

Erika Martin

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

Suzanne Dean

Theresa Momber

Sankari Wegman

StampTV Idea Center

Now, it's your turn! Please hop over to Gina's blog to add the direct link to your blog post showcasing Alicia's Wishes and Dreams stamp set in the Mister Linkey Box. Gina will have a special prize for the one link that she chooses out of all the participating bloggers - check out her blog for the details.

Wishes and Dreams - Copic Coloring Tutorial and Blog Hop!

Okay all you coloring fanatics out there (and I know who you are...), I have a GREAT new stamp set to show you tonight!  The amazingly talented Alicia Krupsky (daughter of the equally talented Gina Krupsky) is the artist behind this month's Card Kit Club Exclusive Set over at GinaK. Designs. 

Alicia created a rockin' set called Wishes and Dreams that is filled with fun Manga-style illustrations and dreamy coordinating sentiments.  This month only, every purchase of the Wishes and Dreams stamp set includes the new Card Kit that Jessica has designed specifically for this set!  That's right - every purchase! Included in the kit will be the written instructions and cut card stock needed to make 3 cards along with the stamp set. All this will be available for $23.95. This is a limited time offer though - after January, the stamp set will be sold alone.  Take a peek HERE to see the adorable cards that Jessica made with this month's kit! 

To help showcase this set, I've created mini-tutorial showing how I colored this little lovely.  I know many people are intimidated by images that need to be colored, but these adorable little gals almost color themselves!  

I always like to start with the skin.  (I don't have a reason... I just like to.)  Here I used E000 and E00.  I wanted to follow the true Manga style, so I didn't blend it out too much.

I then moved onto the hair.  I wanted a nice dark, blue-black final color, so I started by coloring strokes of C3 and C5.  Notice that I left the center lighter.  This will end up being where the highlights in her hair are. 

I then added some strokes of C7.

And some C9.  Notice that as I go darker, I add fewer strokes of color.  I also haven't blended it at all at this point.

And then since I wanted that dark "bluish-black" look, I added a few strokes of B99.  It's a super dark blue - so use it sparingly. (I've actually added in a bit too much, but I still like the results.)  At this point you can leave it all in strokes or you can blend it together just a bit with the C1 or C3.  Just don't over blend... you want to keep the stroke marks visible for this style.

Then I colored in the wings... I wanted them very light, thin, and almost skin like... so I used very light yellows with a touch of pink. 

Next I've colored the eyes.  Since I'm a blue-eyed gal... most of my images have blue eyes too.  LOL  Here I've done things in the opposite order than I normally color.  (It's a small space and I don't want to use too much ink and chance it bleeding out.)  I added a dot of the B99 to the top of the eyes, then added a dot of the B24 just under that, and then blended them out with the B21.  This gives the illusion that she is looking up a bit.

For the clothing I kept it simple.  I wanted her to be wearing an all pink outfit (gotta coordinate you know)... so I started color blocking all of the clothes in R81 and then adding a touch of shading with the R83.  (I am adding the darker colors to the clothing with a feathering motion.)

I then added more shading with R85.

And then added the darkest color R89 and blended it all together.

And here she is... all colored in and ready to give you warm Birthday Wishes. 

I can't wait to ink up and color the rest of the images from this set...  I know all the rest of you coloring crazed folks out there are going to LOVE it just as much as I do.

For even more inspiration with our new stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these GinaK Designers' links:

• Nina Brackett {Illustrator of Heartily Yours}
• Gina Krupsky {Illustrator of Love Notes}
• Jessica Fick
• Theresa Momber
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Tami Mayberry
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Valerie Stangle
• Jen Charboneau 
• Suzanne Dean

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting tonight! 

Colleen

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Wishes and Dreams)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, sweet corn, black onyx, and wine with everything )
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (see tutorial)
Other - Luxury Ribbon

Rupa Has Sung From Her Heart! - GinaK. Blog Hop

Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, I'm moving on to the next happy holiday...  my favorite... Valentine's Day!!!  I have a few Valentine stamps in my collection, but nothing that was jumping out at me this year... that is... until I saw Rupa's new set Sung from the Heart.  It sang out to me and I knew it was the perfect set for my (HEART) Day cards this year.  

There are so many adorable images in this set!  And the coordinating sentiments... oohhhhhh - a mix of everyday and elegant.  I just love them.

I decided to challenge myself by using this set to create a few "simple" cards.  You know the ones... the one-layer, minimal embellishments, clean and crisp designs.  They may look simple, but CAS (clean and simple) cards are one of the hardest types for me to do.  With Rupa's new set though... it was well... SIMPLE! 

 

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Sung from the Heart)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, Wine with Everything, Black Onyx )
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (R83,R85, R89)

I used the same image on both samples because I wanted to show just how easy it is to change up the look.  On  the first sample I stamped the image (heartstrings) just once in the center of my paper.  I ran it through my Big Shot and embossed a square frame around it.  I then stamped the image again on some scrap paper and colored and cut out three of the hearts.  I colored my main image with Copics and then attached the cut out hearts with pop dots (I colored them pink also so they would blend in from the side).  The sentiment is stamped on the bottom right and a doodled frame pulls it all together.  The whole one-layer piece is mounted onto the new textured Wine with Everyting card stock.  YUMMY!

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Sung from the Heart)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, cranberry tart, black onyx)
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (R33, R35, R37)

In the second sample I used the same image but I masked off the top bar and stamped the heartstrings repeatedly across the top of the paper.  I then colored them in with Copics, added some bling with my Spica glitter pens, and then stamped another sentiment on the bottom.  I dotted a frame around the sides and bottom and then colored some pearl gems with my Copics and added them for a bit of dimension.  Voila - my clean and simple cards... perfectly easy for once! 

Rupa's Sung from the Heart is only one of the many new sets that we are giving you a peek at tonight...

For even more inspiration with our new stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out our other GinaK Designers' links:

• Tami Mayberry {Illustrator of Happy Hearts}
• Gina Krupsky
• Jessica Fick
• Nina Brackett
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Colleen Schaan
• Sankari Wegman
• Valerie Stangle
• Asela Hopkins

Thanks for stopping by tonight! 

Colleen

Life Is Good! (Blog Hop)

 Theresa Momber has it right... LIFE IS GOOD.  One of my favorite images from this set is the snowy log cabin.  It's always been a dream of mine to live in a log cabin (now, I could do without the snowy, but I'd take it if the snow and the cabin were a package deal).  LOL 

 I imagine myself sitting by a roaring fire, music playing softly in the background, while I cuddle up with my hubby and we watch the deer frolicking in the backyard.  Ahhhhh, the image of a quieter lifestyle. 

It was with that thought in mind that I created my card for tonight's hop.  I stamped the cabin image in Adirondack Timber Brown on kraft and then layered and framed it with black onyx, cranberry tart, and a pretty patterned paper from Basic Grey's Indian Summer collection.  I colored the image with some very light Copics (I wanted the kraft to show through) and added the snow with my gel pen.  Both the deer image and the sentiment are from the Life Is Good set also. 

And I'm taking lessons from Jessica... so I decorated the inside of my card too!  

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For even more inspiration tonight with the Life is Good stamp set, check out these links:

• Theresa Momber {Illustrator}
• Jessica Fick
• Nina Brackett
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Lee Murphy
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Colleen Schaan
• Cheri Weston
• Melissa Shultz
• Peggy Wainman
• Geri Utterback{guest designer}
• Brenda Turner {guest designer}
• Linda Payne{guest designer}

The Life is Good discussion on the StampTV Idea Center is also a valuable resource for tips, samples, and tutorials.

Theresa's tip sheet and the Card Kit is available in the discussion as well.

And, finally stop by GinaK's blog today to leave your comment on her blog for your chance to win today's featured stamp set or another stamp set valued at $23.95 of your choice!

Thanks for stopping by... have a great night!

Colleen

First Ever GinaK. Designs Card Kit Club Blog Hop!

Welcome to our very first GinaK Card Kit Club blog hop!

We are having our very first blog hop for the new Card Kit DT and we will each be sharing a few cards on our blogs tonight, based on December's Card Kits. For this month's hop, Jessica challenged each artist to design their projects using the same basic sketch and measurements of the kit card, but to put their own personal touches on them adding whatever embellishments, patterned papers, etc. that they would like to use!

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I fell in love with Theresa Momber's Life Is Good set and was overjoyed when I got a chance to work with the card kit for it.  You can check out the actual kit and layout HERE and see lots of other fun samples that use this stamp set too.  For my first card I knew immediately that I wanted to use the larger sentiment and pair it with one of the two "scenic" water images.  It was so much fun to use the measurements and layer sizes from the kit and change up the layout a bit.  It's a great way to see what other types of layouts you can create with the elements in each kit.

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Life is Good)
Ink - Memento London Fog
Paper - Gina K. Designs (smoky slate, all spruced up, moonlit fog)
Coloring Medium - water brush, Memento ink (london fog, bamboo), Ranger Distress ink (weathered wood), Copic marker W5
Other - grosgrain ribbon, brads

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My second card uses the actual layout from the card kit but I was able to change up the size and shape a bit.  I LOVE this card.  I used the tree image from the set and created some fall foliage with my Copic markers.  It worked so well to set off the rich earthy colors of the card stock.  Since I'm always one for playing with sketches and "making them my own" I flipped the sketch on it's side, and then made each of my center pieces a bit larger.  Then instead of centering the image on the yellow matting layer, I off-set it a bit.  LOVE how easy this card was... just from using the basic layout in the card kit. 

Card Details

Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Life is Good)
Ink - Timber Brown
Paper - Gina K. Designs (cranberry tart, sweet corn, chocolate kiss)
Coloring Medium - Copic markers (Y21/Y23/E08/E09/R89)
Other - chocolate kiss stitched ribbon, brads

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Make sure to check out all of the other great designs from the rest of this amazing team.

I know you're going to be thrilled with what each of them came up with!

Bev Gerard {Warm and Wonderful}
Sankari Wegman {Tech Talk}
Suzanne Dean {Warm and Wonderful}
Valerie Stangle {Lovely Shelf}

Happy Hopping and Thanks for stopping by! 

Colleen

Not all THAT difficult!

I am truly blessed.  I sometimes think that one person doesn't deserve all this happiness, but hey... I'm not going to complain about it!

I've been blessed in so many ways - both big and small - a wonderful family, amazing friends, a successful career, a dream job teaching for Copic, an exciting move to the big city, and now this... one of the most exciting things that has happened to me so far...  

I've been asked by the team over at Gina K. Designs to join the new Gina K. Designs Card Club Design Team!!!  Of course... it was a no-brainer to say yes immediately when Jessica contacted me about it.  I kept asking her if it was some sort of joke... did they really want ME? 

Apparently they do!  (You can read more about it HERE and see the other mondo-talented gals who are going to have to put up with me on the team!  LOL)

I've long admired Gina for her sweet personality, her smart business decisions, and her honesty and kindness.  She is someone I look up to - so you can imaging what an honor it is to be asked to join her team.  I am truly humbled.  

And even though I am not going through any difficult times right now (far from it), I know many people who are.  I have one friend in particular who is facing the death of her mother - always a terrible ordeal, but doubly so during the holidays I think. 

I made this card to let her know I care. 

I masked off three squares and sponged the insides with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink by Ranger.  I then stamped the flower image and the sentiment from Comfort and Peace by Gina K. Designs using the same ink at full strength.  I used a white velvet ribbon from Basic Gray to give the card a touch of depth and texture. I hope this brings her a sense of comfort and a small bit of peace.

As for me... What a day... what a week... heck - what a year I've had!  I'm so glad you've let me share my blessings and triumphs with you today!  Make sure to come back on Sunday night for some fun new stuff!!!