Crafting The Web

Pop of Pink

2012-01-27T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hello!I found this photo that I loved and decided to use it as inspiration for my card.

To start, I masked a circle, cut from sticky notes, using Nestabilities. Then I sponged Memento London Grey.

I removed the circle, then used the sticky note the circle had been cut from to mask the area around the circle. I sponged the center with Memento Rose Bud.

Then I sponged a little Memento Lilac Posies.

I removed the previous mask and created a new one by tearing sticky notes. I used that to mask the sky and then sponged more Memento London Fog.

Removed that mask and stamped the mountain, from Mountain Wilderness, using Memento Tuxedo Black.

I used Copic markers to color in the mountain, starting with N5.

Added N3.

I added some shading with N7 and used N1 to blend.

I stamped the row of trees using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, but stamped off on scratch paper first to lighten the image.

Used torn sticky notes to mask again and sponged Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Then stamped the large silhouette trees using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx and Moonlit Fog. The card base is Pure Luxury Smokey Slate and 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches.

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Sunset Quail

2012-01-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hello there! I am playing along with the sketch challenge at SCS today. You can find it here. I used images from my most recent stamp set, Mountain Wilderness.

First I used rectangle Nestabilities to cut a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock and sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink, while still in the die.

Sponged Memento Tangelo ink.

Sponged Memento Potter's Clay.

Sponged Memento Rich Cocoa along the bottom.

I stamped the silhouette trees using Mememto Tuxedo Black ink.

I colored the rocks with my N3 Copic Marker.

Added some shading with N5.

On another piece of Pure Luxury White card stock, I stamped the quail and began coloring with B23.

Added B21.

Added Y23.

Added Y000.

Added E15.

Added N1.

Added E27, making some dots for texture.

Added N3 and more dots.

I used YG95 on the grass. After coloring, I cut out the image.

I used Pure Luxury Pumpkin Spice to form my 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch card base. To make the diagonal score lines, I seated the fold of the base in a groove of my Scor-Buddy. Then I used a piece of painters tape to hold the card base at the angle I wanted. I then scored the lines on the inside of the card base, so they would be raised on the card front.

I layered the background with Pure Luxury Chocolate Brown and adhered the quail. The sentiment is also from Mountain Wilderness and stamped on Pure Luxury White.

Thanks for dropping by. I hope your day is delightful!

Mountain Wilderness	Rectangle Nestabilities	Scor-Buddy	Jumbo Sponge Dauber
Memento Ink Pads	Pure Luxury Card Stock

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Serene Swans

2012-01-23T05:35:00.000-08:00

Hello! I haven't used my mirror image stamp in ages, so I pulled it out this weekend to make this swan card, using images from Warm With Love.

I stamped the swan once and colored with Copic markers, beginning with C5.

Added C3.

Added C1.

For the beak, I used E53.

To make the second swan, I stamped the image on my mirror image stamp, then stamped that onto my white card stock.

Tip: Because the mirror image stamp is a solid flat surface, you may have difficulty getting a complete image. I've found that leaving the stamp upside down on my table, placing the card stock on top and gently rubbing the surface, provides a better impression. Just be careful not to shift the paper as you rub.

Then I colored the reversed image the same way as the first, staring with C5.

Then added C3. (sorry I missed the C1 photo). After coloring, I cut out both swan images.

I cut a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock to 5 by 3 1/2 inches and sponged Memento Summer Sky ink.

I sponged Memento Lulu Lavender along the top.

Sponged Paris Dusk.

Then sponged Memento London Fog.

I stamped the grass and lacy branch with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. For the lacy branch, I stamped off on scratch paper first to make a lighter impression.

I adhered the swans to the background. I hadn't left enough space for the swans between the grass so they wound up on top of the grass. To make the grass look closer, I used a marker to color in where the grass should have overlapped the swans.

I used my BV13 marker to make shadows in front of the swans.

I layered with Pure Luxury Baby Boy Blue and Black Onyx. The card base is Pure Luxury In The Navy. I used Spellbinders Classic Scallop Edgeabilities on the Summer Sky layer. Finished card size: 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches.

Thanks for stopping by. Have yourself a wonderful day!

Warm With Love Rubber Stamp Set

Spellbinders Classic Scallop Edgeabilities

Jumbo Sponge Dauber

Memento Ink Pads

Pure Luxury Card Stock

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Lone Wolf

2012-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hello! Here is that card I promised. Better late than never. I'm still getting used to this new computer. Yesterday I spent the whole day, first installing Photoshop, then getting used to the new version, which has changed significantly from the older version I was using.

I used the wolf from my new stamp set, Mountain Wilderness, along with the grass from Hang In There. First I cut a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock to 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches. Then I sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink lightly over the top half of the card stock.

I created a mask using the 2nd smallest circle from the large Classic Circles Nestabilities set. I placed it on my background and then sponged more Memento Cantaloupe ink.

Next I sponged Memento Tangelo ink. I was using my small daubers to get a more splotchy look.

Sponged Memento Rose Bud ink. I accidentally made a crease at the bottom of the paper, but I didn't start over since I planned to do some stamping over that spot.

Sponged Memento Lady Bug ink. I switched to the Jumbo Sponge Daubers at this point to make the bottom more uniform looking.

Then I sponged Memento Rhubarb Stalk.

I stamped the silhouette wolf image using Stazon Jet Black ink.

I used torn sticky notes to mask the wolf and then sponged Memento Rich Cocoa.

I removed the mask and then stamped the grass several times using Stazon Jet Black ink.

I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx. The sentiment was stamped on vellum and then torn. The card base is 5 by 4 1/4 inches. I used my Scor-Pal to score decorative lines.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is wonderful!

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Sponge Dauber Storage and Vacation Photos

2012-01-17T21:43:00.000-08:00

Hello! I've had a few questions lately about how I store my Jumbo Sponge Daubers, so I thought I would post a picture. I found this plastic storage bin at Joann's and the daubers fit in it just perfectly. It came with a lid, but that just got in the way, so I removed it. I have two of them stacked one on top of the other, that I keep in the drawer right next to me. I use my daubers on almost every card, so having them easily accessible is very handy. The top tray of daubers in my drawer is dedicated to Memento inks, and the bottom tray is for inks I use less often.

I also get asked a lot if I have a dauber for each ink color. The answer is almost. Since I use Memento inks most of the time, I have a dedicated sponge dauber for almost every color, with the only exceptions being the few colors I don't use often. Cottage Ivy, for example, I don't use very often, so when I do, I just use my Bamboo Leaves sponge dauber.

Another question I get asked is do I wash the sponge daubers. Nope, too lazy. But they can be washed with a tiny bit of soap and water. Although, darker inks will stain the sponge, as long as you wash it (and let it dry), you can use lighter inks with the same dauber. If you are just starting to collect Jumbo Sponge Daubers, maybe just get one or two for each color family. One for yellows, one for blues, one for reds, etc. Or maybe two per colors, one light and one dark. I think I ordered around 5-7 and got by with that many for a several months without having to wash them. Just keep in mind if you have been sponging dark blue and want to switch to light blue, sponge off on scratch paper to get most of the dark ink off, before inking up the lighter color. But don't go from one color to a completely different color or your colors might get muddy.

Lately, I have started adding the smaller sponge daubers to my collection and there is just enough room beside each Jumbo Sponge Dauber to fit the coordinating color.

Tip - if you have a label machine, you can print up labels for each color and place them inside the handles of the Jumbo Sponge Daubers. That way they don't wear off from repeated use. I used to have mine labeled back when I used SU inks, but I haven't gotten around to making new ones.

Edited to add - Someone asked if I prefer Memento Inks to SU and the answer is yes. I find Memento Inks to be more saturated in color and better at blending. I also find don't have to re-ink my Memento pads nearly as often as I did the SU ink pads. That said, I used SU with no problem for a long time before I tried Memento, so I don't think it is necessary to go out and buy an entire collection of new ink pads. (But I definitely love Memento!) The same commenter also asked what my top 10 favorite Memento colors are. They are Cantaloupe, Bamboo Leaves, Grape Jelly, Danube Blue, Tangelo, Rich Cocoa, Rose Bud, Potter's Clay, New Sprout and, of course, Tuxedo Black.

That is all that is crafty in this post. I made a card today, but still need to edit some photos, I'll get it posted earlyish on Tuesday. Below are a few photos from our vacation if you are interested…

When Mike and I went to the Riviera Maya in Mexico last year, we had such a great time, we knew we wanted to go back and take our daughter along. So since it is her school break, we decided to go just after the holidays. This is the entrance to a cenote (a natural underground pool) near the Mayan ruins of Coba. There was just a small opening with stairs going down.

It was like another world below. Just like being in a cave, with the stalactites and stalagmites, but filled with a pool of water. It was beautiful and so tranquil to swim in. There were even some fish.

I loved the little spider monkey from our last visit so much, we decided to visit a local monkey rescue sanctuary. Even though they are an endangered animal, many people keep them as pets when they are babies, but find they don't make good pets as adults. Since they were raised as pets, they cannot be returned to the wild, so this rescue group takes in abandoned (and sometimes abused or injured) monkeys. To raise money for food and veterinary care, they offer a few private tours a week and we were lucky enough to get to visit while we were there.

They were so fun. They climbed all over us, looking for treats. Some of them were very greedy and pried our fingers open to see if we were holding any food. The younger ones especially wanted to be cuddled.

After all the food was gone, this one decided I needed a new hairdo. She spent a long time grooming me. By the time she finished I looked like Cousin It from The Adams Family.

I can never get enough snorkeling. We found this little guy at a lagoon called Yal Ku.

Another fish at Yal Ku. Most of our underwater photos were murky, but these few turned out great.

Just a pretty flower from the gardens at our resort.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is fantastic!

Bear

2012-01-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

Hello! Sorry for the lack of posting last week. We just got back from vacation and I only had one card pre made that I could schedule while I was away. I'm getting back in the groove of things and catching up on emails. I took a little time this morning to make a card for the Try a New Technique Challenge at SCS. The challenge was to use twine. I used images from my new set, Mountain Wilderness.

To start, I stamped the big bear with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics, filling in with E53.

I added E35.

Added E37.

Added E59.

Added E49. After coloring, I cut out the bear.

I cut an oval using my Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities, then sponged Memento Bamboo Leaves.

Sponged Memento Rich Cocoa.

Sponged Memento Cantaloupe.

I stamped the trees, using Ranger Distress Forest Moss, but stamped off once on scratch paper first to make a lighter page.

Colored in the rocks with N3.

Added shading with N5.

Then deeper shading with N7.

Used W3 to add a shadow below the rocks.

I applied Scor-tape to a piece of Pure Luxury Fresh Asparagus card stock, so my twine would have something to stick to. Then I wrapped the twine around it several times.

I added the vertical sentiment, stamped with Stazon Jet Black ink and adhered the bear with Pop dots.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

InLinkz.com

Goldenrod

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a card using Melanie Muenchinger's newest stamp set, Stately Flowers 2. I used the goldenrod image for this card.

I stamped the image on Pure Luxury Ivory card stock, cut to 3 by 4 1/5 inches. I colored using Copics, starting with Y17.

Added Y11.

Then used Y23 to blend a bit.

For the centers, I used YR18.

Took a bad photo and totally missed the Copic lids. I think I filled in with YG91, then added YG93.

Added YG95.

Then I added a drop shadow around the side using BV00.

I sponged around the sides of my background using Memento Cantaloupe ink.

Then I tore a strip off the side of the background.

I layered with another piece of Pure Luxury Ivory behind the background, stamped with a sentiment from Mountain Wilderness. After adding the sentiment piece, the overall size of the layer was back to 3 by 4 1/2 inches. I layered with Pure Luxury Fresh Asparagus and Sweet Corn and used a Kraft card base. The finished size of the card is 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Blue Dogwood

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! I can't seem to get enough of coloring these dogwood flowers. This time I did them in blue.

I colored in the flower center with yellow, but decided I didn't like it and would add pearls to it later. For the petals, I started with B66.

Added B24.

Then added B21, leaving some highlighted areas with no color at all.

For the leaves, I started with G07.

Added G03.

Then filled in with YG21. After coloring I cut out the flower. I also colored several of the smaller flowers and cut those out, too.

I cut a piece of Pure Luxury Cardstock with the largest Spellbinders Labels 23 die. Then I sponged Memento Summer Sky ink while it was still in the die.

Then sponged with Memento Danube Blue.

I cut another piece of Pure Luxury White, using Spellbinders Lacey Circles Die and sponged lightly with Danube Blue. I stamped the sentiment, from Heartfelt, and adhered it to the background with Pop Dots. The flowers were all adhered with Pop Dots and I added self adhesive pearls to cover up the yellow centers. I layered with Pure Luxury In The Navy and used a Baby Boy Blue card base (4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches). I used Spellbinders Classic Scallop Edgeabilities to cut the bottoms of the In the Navy and Baby Boy Blue. Then I lined the inside of the card base with Pure Luxury White.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 3 - True Love StampTV Kit

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Gina K inspiration hop. Today we are featuring the new StampTV Kit, True Love. This kit is jam packed with fun, whimsical images, perfect for everyday and romance cards. More details about my card below, but for now, be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has to show you...

To start, I cut a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock using rectangle Nestabilities, then I sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink while still in the die.

Then I sponged Memento Bamboo Leaves.

I removed the card stock from the die and stamped the flower, from the kit, on my sponged background. I began coloring the foliage using my YG97 Copic marker.

Added YG95.

Then added YG93.

On another piece of white card stock, I stamped the flower again, coloring the center with YG17.

Added R46 to the petals.

Added YV25.

Then added RV21. After coloring, I cut out the flower.

I adhered the cut flower to the flower on my background, using Pop Dots. I layered with Pure Luxury Green Apple, cut using Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities. I used Pure Luxury Sweet Corn for my card base and added score lines with my Scor-Buddy. The sentiment is also from the True Love Kit, popped up with Pop Dots and on Pure Luxury White card stock.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 2 - Special Occasion Tags and You've Got Style

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy New Year! Today the Gina K Design Team are featuring two more new release stamp sets. First up is You've Got Style, the new Free With Three stamp set. I love the trendy, whimsical images in this set! I stamped the dress form on a piece designer paper from the new StampTV kit and used Copic markers to add a bit of shading. I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx, Passionate Pink and another piece of DP from the StampTV kit. The card base is Bubblegum Pink.

Next is a great set, from Tami Mayberry, called All Occasion Tags. These gorgeous tag images coordinate with Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio 2 and 3 die sets. This particular image also works perfectly with Spellbinders Oval dies, which I used to cut a piece of Pure Luxury gold card stock to layer with. The tag image was embossed with gold embossing powder. I also layered with Pure Luxury Ivory and used Spellbinders scallop square and square Fluer De Lis dies.

Be sure to click on the following links for inspiration from the rest of the design team...

Gina K

Tami Mayberry – Illustrator Special Occasion Tags

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Inspiration Hop - Mountain Wilderness and Stately Flowers

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to a Gina K Designs Inspiration Blog Hop. Today the design team are featuring projects made with two new stamp sets, from Gina K Designs. First up is a is a set I illustrated, called, Mountain Wilderness. More details about this card below.

Next is a gorgeous new set from Melanie Muenchinger, the second in her Stately Flowers series. I just love these beautiful flowers! I stamped the image with VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I colored with Copics, adding a drop shadow around the flower with Copics also.

For more inspiration, be sure to check out what the rest of the team has to show you...

Gina K
Melanie Muenchinger – Illustrator Stately Flowers 2
Theresa Momber – Illustrator Mountain Wilderness - you are here.
Michelle Woerner
Sharon Harnist
Suzanne Dean
Tina Gilliland
Vicki Dutcher
Carolina Buchting
Cathy Tidwell
Deb Felts
Donna Baker
Giovana Smith
Jennie Harper
Jimmi Mayo
Lee Murphy

For the Mountain Wilderness card, I started with a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock, cut to 3 3/4 and 5 inches. Then I sponged Memento Summer Sky at the top.

Used a sticky note, cut with circle Nestabilities, as a mask and sponged lightly with Memento Danube Blue ink.

I removed the moon mask and added a new mask, again made by tearing sticky notes. I placed the mask over the sky and sponged Memento Danube Blue ink again.

Moved the mask lower and sponged more Danube Blue.

I removed the mask and tore a new mask at a steeper angle, placed on the side and sponged more Danube Blue.

I stamped the silhouette trees with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then did some ghost stamping to make some trees appear more distant.

Then I stamped the taller trees on one side, masking the bottom so it would match up with the smaller trees.

Sponged Memento Grape Jelly along the top.

Stamped the silhouette wolf with Stazon Black ink.

I tore another mask to fit where the wolf is standing and sponged Memento Paris Dusk, below the mask and all along the bottom.

Then sponged Memento Tuxedo Black.

Moved the mask and sponged a little more Tuxedo Black ink.

I stamped the sentiment along the side and added some piercing in the opposite corner. I layered with Pure Luxury In The Navy and used a Baby Boy Blue card base. The finished size is 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

InLinkz.com

Purple Mountains

2011-12-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today Gina K Designs is releasing 5 new stamp sets. The release party is tonight, from 7 to 9pm central and you're invited!

My card features images from my newest set, for Gina K Designs, called Mountain Wilderness. This set, along with all the new release products with be available tonight at 7pm central, from Gina K Designs.

I started by cutting a piece of Pure Luxury White card stock to 2 3/4 by 3 3/4 inches. Then I used a small sponge dauber to sponge a bit of Memento Cantaloupe ink.

Then sponged Memento Angel Pink all around the yellow.

Sponged Memento Lulu Lavender around the pink.

Sponged Memento Grape Jelly, from the edges.

Stamped the mountain, from Mountain Wildnerness, using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I stamped the row of trees, also with Tuxedo Black, but this time stamped off on scratch paper once to make a lighter image. I had to stamp the image twice to extend across the width of the paper. Also, you can see I had a little inky smudge I would have to address later.

To color the mountain, I started with BV13 Copic.

Added BV11.

Then filled in with BV000.

I stamped the mountains again, this time upside down to create a reflection. This time I stamped off the ink twice on scratch paper to make the trees even lighter. The tree silhouette image is symmetrical, so it is very easy to make reflections with it.

I used my N3 Copic to loosely shade in a mountain in the water. I also started adding some shading to the base of the tree line, hoping to mask that smudge a bit.

Added a little more shading with N5 and finally satisfied that the smudge isn't all that noticeable.

I cut a 1/2 inch circle in a sticky note to use as a mask for a moon. Then I sponged lightly with Memento Paris Dusk at the top and also a bit at the bottom.

I removed the mask and added a little highlight to the moon, using my opaque white gel pen. I also stamped the branch on the side, once with London Fog and once with Paris Dust (stamping off once with the Paris Dusk to make it lighter).

I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx and Vibrant Purple. The card base is Pure Luxury Lovely Lavender and finished size is 4 1/4 by 5 1/5 inches. The score lines were added to the card base using my Scor-Buddy. I added the vertical sentiment, stamped on white and adhered with Pop Dots.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Peachy Dogwood

2011-12-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. My card today used images from Dogwood and Butterfly.

I wanted a soft look, so I stamped the big flower with Memento London Fog ink.

I colored with Copics, starting with E95.

Then added E02.

Added some shadows with BV00.

I filled in the leaves with YG91 and used YG93 to shade. I totally botched the flower center with the yellow, so had to add a pearl later. After coloring, I cut out the image.

I used circle Nestabilities to cut a piece of Pure Luxury Ivory card stock and sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink while still in the die.

Then I sponged Memento Angel Pink.

I stamped the silhouette branch using Memento Angel Pink and stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I layered with Pure Luxury Sweet Mango, cut using Lacey Circle Nestabilities. The Ivory layer is 3 3/4 by 3 3/4 inches and embossed with my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug flolder. The flower was attached using Pop Dots and I also added a gold lined organdy ribbon bow. The card base is Pure Luxury Sweet Mango and finished card size is 4 1/4 inches square.

InLinkz.com

Rainbow Butterfly

2011-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hi there! I didn't mean to go missing for so long. I've been busy with all the hustle and bustle of the season. I did find some time this morning to make this card using my newest set, Dogwood and Butterfly.

Here is a close-up of the butterfly so you can see the sparkle from the Stardust Glitter Pen.

I used Copic markers to color the butterfly, starting with Y17.

Added YR04.

Added R24.

Added Y27.

Added V04.

Then filled in with B24. I used N3 to fill in the body. After coloring, I cut out the image.

I cut an oval with Nestabilities and sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink while still in the die.

Then sponged a little Memento Tangelo.

I used a sticky note to mask of the edge of the oval, then stamped the silhouette branch with Memento Tangelo.

Stamped the sentiment, from Whimsical Wishes, with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I used rectangle Nestabilities to cut another piece of white and sponged it the same way as the oval. I layered with Pure Luxury Sweet Mango and used Pop Dots to adhere the panels.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you have a great day and a Merry Christmas!!!

InLinkz.com

Ivory & Gold Christmas Gift Bag

2011-12-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hello! I have an altered gift bag to show you today. I posted the tutorial for this project at the Idea Center, so hop on over if you'd like to see the details on how to create it. Are you a follower at the Idea Center? It's a great place to find GKD Design Team inspiration for all the stamp sets, all in one handy location (plus, sometimes there is blog candy!)

I made today's project to play along with Suzanne's Color Me Creative Challenge to use Ivory and Gold. The prizes for this challenge are fantastic! Check it out.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

InLinkz.com

Deer Tags

2011-12-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have some more Christmas tags. I realized my wrapping paper this year is navy blue with snowflakes on it, so those brown tags I made last week didn't coordinate too well.

I made the one above first, then used it as a model for the others. I used a lighter ink to stamp the deer on the additional tags and think I should have stuck with the black deer. I like that one better. I added a little dangly tag to each with the sentiment stamped on it and plan to write the recipients name on the back of that, using a gel pen.

I cut the circle, from Pure Luxury White, using circle Nestabilities, I masked the bottom with a torn sticky note and then sponged with Weathered Wood Distress Ink.

Added another torn sticky note to make another snowbank and sponged again.

Using Forest Moss Distress Ink, I stamped off the tree image on scratch paper once, then stamped on the background.

Then stamped again, without re-inking, for an even lighter impression.

I removed the masks and sponged lightly around the edges with Weathered Wood.

Stamped the grass image along the bottom, again, stamping off on scratch paper first.

Stamped the deer with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then added shadows to the trees and deer using YG91 and N3 copic markers.

I layered with Pure Luxury In The Navy and used Baby Boy Blue, cut with Spellbinders Fluer Di Lis die. The sentiment was cut out with Petite Oval Nestabilities and layered with In The Navy, cut with Petite Scallop Oval Nesties.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great weekend!

InLinkz.com

Nature's Greetings

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another Gina K. Design Team blog hop. Today we are sharing cards and projects using the Nature's Greetings set. If you came from Tami Mayberry's blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

If you haven't had a chance to check out the Nature's Greetings Stamp Kit, you will love it! It includes a DVD with 6 complete card projects from start to finish, along with Stamp Set, Card Stock, Patterned Paper, Ribbon, Brads.

For my card, I used rectangle Nestabilities to cut a piece of Pure Luxury White cardstock, then sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink while still in the die.Then I stamped the butterfly using Memento Cantaloupe ink and the branch using Memento Tangelo. The sentiment was stamped with Tuxedo Black. I colored the flower with Copic markers and cut it out. On the card base, I stamped the branch, again with Memento Tangelo, positioning it to just peek out from behind the image panel. I added score lines with my Scor-Buddy and a satin ribbon between the score lines. The image panel and flower were adhered with Pop Dots.

Head on over to Tina Gilliland to see what she's sharing with you today!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Gold Butterfly

2011-12-13T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hello! I made this card for a challenge at the Color Me Creative Classroom. The gold and cream inspiration photo was so gorgeous! I used images from my new set, Dogwood and Butterfly, along with a sentiment from Whimsical Wishes.

To start, I heat embossed the butterfly with Ranger Superfine Gold Embossing Powder on Pure Luxury Ivory. I used Versa Mark to stamp the image, then sprinkled embossing powder over it, gently blowing away the excess. Then I used my heat tool to melt the embossing powder.

I used Copics to color the butterfly, starting with Y23.

Added Y21, then used my blender pen to soften the edges of the highlights.

I used Y17 to deepen the shading a bit. After color, I cut out the image. If you look carefully, you can see I forgot to use my anti-static pad and have a lot of tiny

I stamped the dogwood branch with Memento London Fog.

Then colored with Copics, starting with E53.

Added E51.

Then started with E35 on the leaves.

Added E33.

Then filled in with E31. I used the blender pen to push some highlights back in. I also used E31 to deepen the shading just a tad on the flowers.

Used Y17 to added a shadow around the branch.

Added Y23.

Then added Y000. After coloring, I cut out the branch using Circle Nestabilities.

I layered with Pure Luxury Gold card stock, using Lacy Circle Nestabilities to back the circles. The sentiment was also embossed with gold.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Sweet Dogwood

2011-12-09T07:28:00.001-08:00

Hi there! Here is a card I made yesterday with my new set, Dogwood and Butterfly.

I stamped the oval image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and used Copic markers to color the flowers, starting with BV13.

Added BV11.

Used my blender pen to smooth out the highlights and added a little more shading with BV13.

Filled in the leaves with YG03.

Used YG93 and YG95 to shade the leaves. After coloring, I cut out the flowers from the oval.

I stamped the oval image again and this time cut it out using Oval Nestabilities.

Sponged around the edges with Memento Cantaloupe ink.

Then sponged with Memento Tangelo.

I shaded the oval band with W3 and N5 and added a drop shadow to the flowers with W3.

Stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I stamped the butterfly on a piece of Pure Luxury white and used Copics to color, starting with YR07.

Added YG04.

Added Y17.

Filled in with YR000 and used N3 on the body. After coloring, I cut out the butterfly.

I used scallop oval Nestabilities to cut a piece of Pure Luxury Vibrant Purple card stock. I traced it on a piece of Pure Luxury Lovely Lavender so I would know where I wanted to make my score lines. Then I used my Scor-Buddy to add some scoring details to two corners.

I stamped the silhouette branch on the opposite corners from the score lines, using Memento Lulu Lavender ink. The reason there is a bit stamped in the center is because I wanted to test out the ink before stamping in the corners and I had already glued the layer to the back. Usually I test ink out on the back of the but, since I couldn't this time, I stamped the test image in a spot I knew would be covered by the oval later.

I adhered the cut out images to the oval layer with Pop Dots and used a Sweet Mango card base. I also added self adhesive pearls to the centers of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

InLinkz.com

Split Background Tags

2011-12-06T12:20:00.001-08:00

Hello! I posted the winner for the prize I offered last week, but I think some of you may have missed it between posts. Here is a link to the post in case you didn't see it. I haven't heard from the winner yet. I also haven't heard who the winner of the twitter contest is, but my fingers are still crossed for Camp Cocker (I think it's a long-shot though).

And now a bit about my tags. I was wanting to make some Christmas tags with sponged backgrounds, but thought it would take too long to do them all individually, so I made a large sponged background, then divided it up into four pieces before finishing them up.

I started with a piece of Pure Luxury White cut to 3 1/2 by 6 inches, then sponged Memento Cantaloupe ink at the top.

Sponged Memento Desert Sand all around the edges, concentrating a bit more heavily at the top.

I cut some sticky notes into curves to mask the bottom, then sponged more Memento Desert Sand ink.

Used more curvy sticky notes and sponged more Desert Sand ink.

With all the masks in place, I stamped the trees, from Follow Your Dreams, using Memento Rich Cocoa. I stamped a few extra times without re-inking to make some of the trees appear more distant.

Removed the top masks and stamped the trees again, stamping off on scratch paper, to make them lighter.

I removed the mask, but then decided I had too much blank space at the bottom, so I put the masks back, positioned lower, and sponged a bit more Desert Sand, to create a few more snow banks.

I removed the masks cut the background into 1 1/2 inch sections.

Then sponged Memento Rich Cocoa around the edges.

Stamped the deer, from Life Is Good, with Rich Cocoa.

Stamped the sentiment, from Holiday Greetings, also with Rich Cocoa.

I used my W3 Copic marker to add some shadows under the trees and deer.

I layered with Pure Luxury Lipstick Red and Tan Leather.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 3

2011-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! It's the final day of inspiration hops from Gina K Designs. Today we are featuring the new Free With Three stamp set, along with two more new duos mini sets. I love the clean, elegant look of the free with three set, called Inspiration Blocks.

Next up is a duo, called Master Butterfly. This bold line butterfly is so beautiful! For my tag I used a portion of the sentiment, and the word "grow" from Inspiration Blocks. These two sets go together so beautifully.

Next up is the fun duo, Just Calling To Say. I stamped the phone image in Memento London Fog, then the sentiment with Tuxedo Black. The designer paper is GKD, Vintage Chic.

For more inspiration, be sure to click through to see what the rest of the design team has to show you...

For my card, I cut a card base using Pure Luxury Kraft. Since I was stamping directly on my card base, I added the score line, but didn't fold yet. The score line allowed me to see the area I was working with, so I could position my stamping, yet it still laid flat to be easier to work with than if I had already folded the base.

I lined up all three of the Inspiration Block silhouette images on my long acrylic block. I love this block from Gina K. The grid lines help so much! I stamped the images onto my card base, using Stazon Opaque White ink.

Next, I used Memento Bahama Blue Marker to fill in the open lines of the butterfly, and Bamboo Leaves to fill in the open lines of the foliage images.

Used my N1 and N2 Copic markers to add a drop shadow along the bottom and left side edges of the blocks.

I stamped the sentiment, then added score lines above and below using my Scor-Buddy, then added some self adhesive nail heads to accent.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Inspiration Hop Day 2

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! It's the second day of inspiration from the Gina K Design Team. Today we are featuring three new stamp sets. First is Dogwood and Butterfly, illustrated by me. I just love Dogwood trees and luckily they are plentiful where I live, so I had a lot of inspiration when illustrating this set. More about my card below.

On my next card I combined two sets, Tami Mayberry's Label Borders and another fun duo set, called Friends Are Flowers. Tami's Labels set is going to be so great to use in a variety of ways! I had fun using it in place of a ribbon on this card, but wouldn't it be fabulous for 3-d projects? And I just love this whimsical flower, from the Friends Are Flowers duo. I colored the image with Copics, sponged the background with Memento Cantaloupe while still in the die and used my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder to emboss the lower layer. I also used my Scor-Buddy to score a line on either side of the border image. I layered with Pure Luxury Bubblegum Pink and used Pear Tart for the card base.

For more fun ideas, check out what the rest of the team has to show you...

Gina K
Tami Mayberry - Illustrator Label Borders
Theresa Momber – Illustrator Dogwood and Butterfly
Tina Gilliland
Vicki Dutcher
Carolina Buchting
Cathy Tidwell
Deb Felts
Donna Baker
Emily Giovanni
Giovana Smith
Jimmi Mayo
Lee Murphy
Melanie Muenchinger
Michelle Woerner
Sharon Harnist
Suzanne Dean

To color the dogwood branch, I started with Y17 in the centers and then filled in the petals with E00.

Added W1.

Added W3.

Added BV11.

For the stem and leaves, I started by filling in with G03.

Added YG93.

Added YG95. After coloring, I cut out the image.

For the background, I cut a piece of Pure Luxury White with my rectangle Nestabiltities and then sponged Memento Lulu Lavender while still in the die.

Then sponged Memento Grape Jelly.

I stamped the silhouette dogwood branch with Grape Jelly, stamping off on scratch paper first, to make a lighter impression. The sticky note is to mask the bottom edge that was still un-inked.

For the small butterfly, I started with V06.

Added V04.

AddedRV23.

Then filled in with RV21.

I added RV25 to the bottom and used N3 for the body. After coloring, I cut out the image.

I adhered the images to the background using Pop Dots and layered with Pure Luxury Vibrant Purple and Lovely Lavender. The sentiment is also from Dogwood and Butterfly and I again used my Scor-Buddy to add some score lines.

Thanks for visiting. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Gina K Release Hop Day 1

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! It's that time again. The Gina K Design Team are hopping with inspiration ideas for the new stamp sets released just last night. First up is such a wonderful set from Melanie Muenchinger, called Stately Flowers. This is filled with stunning floral images of state flowers and the best part is it is just the first in a series of sets featuring state flowers. Since I'm from California, I had to use this beautiful California Poppy on my card.

And next is a set that is the perfect compliment to Stately Flowers, called Make a Statement. I love the gorgeous butterfly in this set! The sentiments are so fun and will go so well with all the up coming state flower stamp sets.

Next up is a cute little mini set, or Duo, called Close Knit Friends. What perfect stocking stuffers these little Duos will make.

Now let's see what the rest of the team has to show you...

Gina K
Melanie Muenchinger – Illustrator Stately Flowers and Make a Statement
Carolina Buchting
Cathy Tidwell
Deb Felts
Donna Baker
Emily Giovanni
Giovana Smith
Jennie Harper
Jimmi Mayo
Lee Murphy
Michelle Woerner
Sharon Harnist
Suzanne Dean
Theresa Momber
Tina Gilliland
Vicki Dutcher

To make the first card, I started by stamping the poppy with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics, starting with YR07.

Added YR04.

Added YR12.

Added Y17.

I filled in with Y000, then deepened the shading a tiny bit with R08.

For the flower center, I filled in with Y21, then shaded with E49 and E19.

Used G05 on the stems and foliage.

Then added YG95.

Then added some shading around the image with BV00 and BV11.

I sponged around the edges with Memento Cantaloupe ink.

Then sponged with Memento Desert Sand.

Stamped "California Poppy" with Memento Bamboo Leaves.

For the sentiment layer I stamped the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then stamped the decorative line with Memento Bamboo Leaves. I sponged the edges the same way as the focal image.

I layered with Pure Luxury Black Onyx and used a Fresh Asparagus card base. I used a corner rounder to round the corners.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

InLinkz.com

Winner!

2011-11-29T19:03:00.001-08:00

Thank you all so much for helping Camp Cocker. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help. I'll let you know how they did as soon the winners are announced. But I do have a winner for our little contest right here. I used Random.org to choose the winner and the prize goes to...

neddgirl said...: DONE!!!!.....I hope you win!
neddgirl is following @JasonHeiglFound on behalf of @CampCocker

Rebecca Francis
brrck@yahoo.com

Congratulations, Rebecca! Please email me, theresamomber at gmail.com, with your address so I can send these right out to you.

Butterfly Thinking of You

2011-11-29T06:03:00.001-08:00

Hi there. Here is an early peak at my new stamp set from Gina K Designs. The release party is tonight at 7PM Central at StampTV. We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most importantly, you can start shopping at 7 PM (CST)!

I stamped the large butterfly with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics, starting with RV19.

Added RV25.

Added a little more shading with RV19 on the bottoms of the wings, then filled in with RV21.

On the body, I filled in with C5, then shaded a little on the sides with N5. After coloring, I cut out the image.

I cut the background of Pure Luxury White, to 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, then sponged a little Memento Cantaloupe in the center.

Sponged Memento New Sprout on the bottom half.

Then sponged Memento Bamboo Leaves along the bottom edges.

Then I sponged Memento Angel Pink on the top half.

And sponged Memento Rose Bud along the top edges.

Stamped the silhouette dogwood branch with Memento Rose Bud.

Then stamped the same image using Memento Bamboo Leaves. I stamped it three times at full strength, stamping a second time, before re-inking, each time for more depth.

My card base is 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 inches, Pure Luxury Bubblegum Pink. I used my corner rounder to round the bottom corners, then embossed using my Spellbinders Edgeabilities Mix and Match Classics. After embossing, I scored a line on either side, using my Scor-Buddy.

I adhered the butterfly with Pop Dots. The sentiment was stamped on a circle, cut with Circle Nestabilities, and sponged along the edges with Memento Rose Bud ink. I layered with Pure Luxury Passionate Pink and added some tiny gems & pearls to accent the embossing along the bottom. I also added some shimmer to the butterfly with my Stardust Glitter Gel Pen.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Here are some of the products I used on this card. The stamp set isn't available yet, but will appear in the Gina K Designs store, tonight at 7pm central.

InLinkz.com