Hands, Head and Heart

Simply Elegant Camellia

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:26:00 +0000

Hello, hope you had a great weekend! Here is a card I forgot to share that I made before the release, a simple way to dress up this gorgeous embossed Cuttlebug Flourished Frame, add the "Stately Flowers 2" camellia (stamped in three layers and cut out, mounted on pop dots, adding one of the leaves to the right side), and a little bit or organdy and adhesives pearls.

Cardstock is Pure Luxury White, and Black Onyx.
Thank you for visiting today!

Another Pendant Design

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:31:00 +0000

Hello! Hope you are having good weekend! Did you have a chance to check out the Center Stage Spotlight Hop yet? (I did, although I was having trouble getting my comments to show up, will have to go back through tomorrow...) Among other not to miss designs all using a terrific sketch from Melissa Cash, Carla has a gorgeous card she made with "Stately Flowers 2" set, be sure to check that out, she'll have another here on my blog next week.

Here is a quickie post to show you something else I did with a butterfly pendant (from "Make a State-ment") I stamped and colored, this time in blue. I couldn't help noticing when I was making the red one last week that the inside was the perfect fit for a Labels One die, as well as the bling stamp from my Border Bling set!

So here I have stamped it it in my black inside the pendant, then mounted it on Black Onyx, embossed with and a Gina K Pure Luxury Blue Raspberry base. Labels One die cut for the sentiment (also from Stately Flowers 2) is on Ocean Mist CS.

How is everyone liking the Spellbinders Hop by the way? My favorite so far is the new Splendid Circles, I'd love to know what yours is!

Faux Postage Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:54:00 +0000

Good morning and happy Friday! Today I have a short tutorial for a card I shared at the release party with "Stately Flowers 2", creating a large postage stamp look. Some faux postages use a template that has little dots in between the blocked images to look like perforations, but I really love the look and value of these postage edge scissors I got for 99 cents!

First I stamped my goldenrod in Memento Tuxedo Black on white and colored with Copics.
Then I placed a Long Rectangle Nestabilities over it and traced inside the die with a black pen, going around where the flower overlapped, and leaving the stem open at the bottom. To me this is more interesting than just drawing a box! I love this tall image and ow it fills up the space of this die cut. Notice I also cropped it at an angle rather than straight up and down.
Remove the die and trim with postage scissors. Next I masked the flowers and put sticky notes along the edges of the border I drew, then sponged in Memento Bahama Blue ink with a jumbo sponge dauber.

That's it! I stamped the goldenrod again along the red layer in Versamark and added this greeting from Theresa's "Mountain Wilderness" set. Love, love these tall greetings! (If you look at her blog today, we were thinking about the same thing!) Cardstock is Gina K Pure Luxury Lipstick Red, Black Onyx and Blue Raspberry.

Have a great weekend!

Week 2 with Patti

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning! Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments about my lace tutorial, I was hoping you'd be as excited about it as I was! :) Today Patti Gilliam has a lovely easel card using the goldenrod and sentiment from Stately Flowers 2, stamped over a book page. I love the effect of the words showing through the coloring. Aren't the colors in this fun? All the polka dots in the pattern work so nicely with these clusters of small flowers on the goldenrod, the scale is just right. Here is what it looks like propped up...

and here is the inside: "Seize the day" Don't you love that saying?

I also just noticed (and this may have been a coincidence, but if so, a very happy one leading into her greeting) the last line of Patti's book page says, "...do more than try. You succeed." NICE! TIP: When you are selecting a page from an old book to stamp on, it is always a good idea to skim it to see if there is any content you wouldn't want someone to stop and read! Most people would not try to make out every word, but a line that falls along the bottom of your mat like this, or something next to a particularly eye-catching part of your image, is sure to pop out. :) Since this book print look works so well with vintage techniques, an old classic from a used book or store or garage sale is a good bet and will have pages that are already yellowed with time and a classic font. Just keep that on the bookshelf of your craft area for any time you need to rip one out!

Now here is a little more about Patti, grab a cuppa and enjoy! :)

Tell us about yourself! I am a retired school secretary, and have been married to a wonderful man for over 38 years, who spoils me rotten! Our grown son, is an AF Major, living in Los Angeles, and our grown daughter, is an Integrated Marketing Manager for a firm in Col. Springs. I love being active in my church and community. I think that my favorite blessing to come from this little hobby would have to be the friends that I've made from all over the world!

Describe your style/what you think you do best: I enjoy trying every style, but while it is fun to experiment, I'm really best with clean lines, some layers, and a bit of cute!

FAVORITE TECHNIQUE: Masking! It always amazes me how it works...like magic!

COLORS/COLOR COMBO: Black, white, plus one!

FAVORITE EMBELLISHMENTS: Buttons, Pearls, Bling, Ribbon, Baker's Twine.....do I have to stop?

FAVORITE GINA K SET BY MELANIE: I {{Puffy Heart}} Festive Frame! What a beautiful set to work with, and so versatile!

FAVORITE GINA K SETS (FROM ANY ILLUSTRATOR) Theresa Momber's nature sets! Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders. Gosh, I have a box FULL of GKD stamps by different designers, and love them all!

CRAFT SUPPLIES I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, sharp scissors, yummy cardstock, designer papers, adhesive! Hope to add a Grand Calibur and a Silhouette Cameo to my 'stash' someday!

I’VE BEEN STAMPING FOR (HOW LONG): About 8 years, but only a few 'seriously'.

I GET MY INSPIRATION FROM: Magazines, blogs, store displays, empty boxes (lol...), and of course, Gina K. Designs DT members!!!

Tell us about your FIRST stamping experience!! Ha ha....my teacher, then, is now my BFF Shirley. I thought I had absolutely hit my project out of the park. I was SO proud of myself. I looked up to see her smiling, or maybe biting her lower lip to keep from laughing - turns out my project was totally finished with a very nicely stamped, and nicely colored 'upside down' image!

Tell us about your most MEMORABLE stamping experience!! Teaching my own first class. I was terrified. I felt I had fumbled every direction, my hands and voice shook all night, and I was embarrassed to collect my money from the store owner. I found out the next day that when asked by the owner, each one said that my class was fun, knowledgeable, and that they loved every project they went home with. All signed up for the next class and some brought friends! Four years later, they are still attending!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I’VE LEARNED ABOUT STAMPING/CARDMAKING ARE: It's got to be fun. Don't sweat the small stuff! When you get 'stuck', get up and do something else for a while. When you come back, it will all fall in place. One thing my BFF taught me was that a mistake is just a creative opportunity, and a perfect place for a button, flower, or bling! That has stayed with me for years!

SOME OF MY STAMPING/CRAFTING GOALS ARE: Teach more classes - it's so much fun to see a beginner realize that they ARE talented! Get more items published. It's hard work, but it's something fun for my kids to remember me by. One of my upcoming projects with CardMaker Magazine is a mother-daughter creation. Last, but not least, I would love to author a book.

ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS: Don't give up! Ask someone for help! Take classes at your local LSS or big box store. Start out with limited supplies so that you aren't overwhelmed with 'stuff'. Watch tutorials on StampTV, SCS or You-Tube. Join Stamp TV, Paper Craft Planet, and other on-line communities, join forums, release parties, etc. Take part in challenges! I remember entering my first challenge - my hand shook all the way to the submit button! Theresa Momber was the first person I met on-line (actually my first non-family blog comment was left by her), and I can recall emailing her to tell her I'd entered a challenge, and how scared I was...lol...

FAVORITE THING TO MAKE THAT AREN’T CARDS: 3-D items are so much fun! Boxes, bags, cupcake holders, you name it.

SOME OF MY STAMPING/CRAFTING ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I've been blessed to have served on many design teams, and have had several items published. Last year, I instructed at a nearby YMCA Women's Wellness Weekend, for a very large group of ladies, and they requested that I return next month for another session. And of course, there are those days when a really great accomplishment consists of my ink NOT smearing!

CHALLENGES I LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN: StampTV, The Kraft Journal, Authentique, Stampin' Sisters in Christ, Doodle Pantry.....SO many challenges, so little time!

Another craft I have a talent for (or one I would like to try): My dear grandmother taught me at an early age to sew very well, and I'm also pretty good at floral arrangements, and painting. I would like to try some mixed media canvas work in the near future.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US! Number one on my bucket list is to sky dive! If ever I am again at a reasonable weight, my daugher and I are going to skydive together. (We'd take dear hubs, but he can't figure out why anyone would want to step out of a perfectly good airplane (tee hee).

WHAT I DO WHEN I’M NOT STAMPING: Think about stamping??? Ha ha...So true - I have to force myself to stop stamping to do laundry, or buy groceries!

A FAVORITE QUOTE: Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile. ~Mother Teresa

Thank you for visiting today! Be sure to visit Patti today to leave her some love, get more details on this project, plus another project , this one 3-D!

Vintage Butterfly Lace Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Good morning! Here is another way to use the butterfly from "Make a State-ment", it may just be one of my favorite tutorials evah! :) When I was stamping out my pendant last week, I couldn't help but notice that the scalloped edge of the wings and tiny dots along it looked a lot like an intricate lace border! I love the look of lace on cards, bu don't have any. So away with the black ink and I got out my Versamark pad and clear embossing powder. Isn't that pretty! The way the top of their wings is so flat makes it a great trim and border for the side or bottom of a card. The small butterfly from this set just fits inside each pair to make the smaller scallop.
This photo shows it and the smaller butterfly stamped in Versamark onto Gina K Pure Luxury White and embossed with clear powder. TIP: Whenever you are going to create a border out of a stamp element, it's best to start by stamping in the middle of your mat, then stamping on either side. This way you don't have a full butterfly on one end and just part of one of the other, and you don't have to measure! Repeat these steps on the other side of the mat.

Sponge distressing ink over, here I used Vintage Photo. Isn't that gorgeous how the design pops? Doesn't it look like real lace? (I gotta say, it turned out even prettier than I imagined it would!)
Last I added a flower and greeting from "Stately Flowers 2", and another cut and colored butterfly. I used a Petite Oval and Labels 14 Nestabilities to make the label. Use Stardust pens to trace the details in the images for some extra sparkle! Card base is Pure Luxury Ivory.

You can create this butterfly lace with so many different embossing powders or inks for different looks as well as stamping in dark ink on dark paper. In ink, the details will be more crisp and the butterfly will be more noticeable, but with the puffiness and dimension of the EP, you hardly see the butterfly and just see "lace". I think I feel some black lace over red coming on for Valentine's day! You can also trim around the scalloped edges to create another layer. Look for more samples and variations using this technique coming up, as I want to try this a million ways now! This butterfly just became one of my favorite images! :)

Thanks for visiting me today! Please link this tutorial to share with others if you found it helpful!

Blog Candy Winner and a Guest

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Good morning! Thank you everyone for entering my "Make a State-ment" blog candy. The winner is:

KonaRose said...: Aloha, Melanie,

I really wish I could understand how your brain works, then copy it! Even a few synapses would make me happy ☺

I love your idea with the butterflies, and esp the 2nd card because of the diamonds in the center - they're pronounced and you can see all of the butterflies, too.

Congratulations again to you, to Louise for winning your candy, and I posted a link to your tutorial over on my blog. Continued success and blessings,

Rosy; January 9, 2012 1:51 PM

Congrats, Rosy! Please send me your snail addy and I will pop the set in the mail to you!

Today I have a couple more "Make a State-ment" cards from Libby Hickson. She used the map in two clever ways. The first she stamped it on thin cork and die cut it with a Nestabilities. I like that choice of material for the map since it reminds you of a big bulletin board! She lightly colored over the states and paper-pieced Georgia and added the heart. The handwritten word (if you have nice handwriting like Libby!) is such a sweet personal touch. :)

The next one you see all the states colored with different markers, but no outline. How did she do that? At first I was thinking Versamark, but no, she used a light box to fill it in! Isn't that cute?

This is a great way to match some DP or approach a color challenge by just taking 3-4 colors and then filling in your map, hopping around as you go so you don't have any of the same colors touching.

Please visit Libby today and leave her some love! Libby moved recently, so you could call her a transplant, I hope she's having lots of fun sending cards like these to her old peeps here in Texas and getting settled into her "new" home state!

Thanks for visiting! Coming up a "Stately Flowers 2" tutorial and another way to use the "Make a State-ment" butterfly, this is one of my favorite cards I think I've made in a long time! Also another sample and Q&A from Patti Gilliam, stay tuned!

Got Blitsy? (My book is there, eek!)

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Update: Blog candy still going on, scroll down to the previous post to enter, I'll be drawing a winner tomorrow! Oh, I can't wait to share my next butterfly tutorial, like it even better than the last (and you will, too! :)

Have you joined Blitsy yet? I got a great deal on Liquid Pearls in lots of colors I didn't have before the holidays and filled up my stocking! :) And guess what? They were free for me when a friend signed up and made a purchase, it's a great way to earn some of the products you want! Just tell other people about it and you might just get some credit to spend on whatever you choose! Craft supplies are brands you know and love and up to 60% off!

They are currently running a special: a $200 gift card to blitsy for the 20,000th member who signs up AND a $200 gift card for the person who referred them! Wouldn't it be fun to be one of those people? I saw this a few weeks ago when I was so busy with year end stuff, but I saw again that they still haven't hit that number! But they're close! Felt like it might be time to share! So sign up here today, could you believe if we won?? Eeek! I'm crossing my fingers for us! :) No commitment to buy anything, just great deal alerts on all the crafty trendiest products emailed to you that you can delete, take advantage of, or let others know about! You can invite friends, too! They just might end up being that lucky number 20,000!

Now, I had written this post up when I saw this morning that, ohmygoodness, MY BOOK, (among other Annie's Attic publications) is ON Blitsy this week, eek! For only $9.95, one week only. Now there is a $5.95 shipping charge, which makes it $15.95 (which is more than $14.95,) if you only order that and remember shipping is free right now on Annie's) however, if you have some credit on Blitsy you could use that, OR combine with another order if there are other things you are wanting to get on there. Just wanted to let you know, options are good! If you join and have others sign up and buy, that basically makes it free! Just sayin'...

Also, if you have not seen it yet on Facebook, Gina announced she has a big shipment of the book arriving next week AND will have a video for it, too, woo hoo! Can't wait! Will be on pins and needles for that!

Race to 20,000! from Blitsy on Vimeo.

Butterfly Pendant Tutorial, a Winner and more candy!)

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

This candy is now closed, thank you for playing! Please see this post for the winner, but do enjoy this tutorial!

Happy Sunday! Thank you everyone who entered for my "A Year of Flowers" blog candy, I so appreciate your lovely comments and support as well as all of you who are helping me spread about my new book! The winner is:

Louise Fox said...

Mel, I purchased the book but haven't received it yet! My favorite flower is the marigold/carnation - I think it can be either, depending on how one colors it (you are always so versatile)! Would love to win the stamp set as I will soon have the book! Blessings.
January 6, 2012 2:03 PM

Congrats, Louise! Please email me your snail addy and I will send you your copy of the "A Year of Flowers" stamp set!

Now! I have a quick tutorial for you I am really excite about, which uses my recent set "Make a State-ment".

I hadn't really had much of a chance to play with the "Make a State-ment" set at release time last month as I would have liked, certainly not this monarch butterfly*! You've probably noticed I intended it to be used not only with the "Stately Flowers" sets, but with all the floral sets I've done in the past. That one large butterfly really adds so much life to the card! Once I started stamping it the other day, though, I noticed certain things about the shape and details that were unlike other butterfly images in my collection and had me seeing some new and pretty exciting ways to use it! Here is the first.

Stamp the butterfly, four times at right angles so they are at 90 degree angles, to form a square. It's easiest to stamp one at the bottom, going straight and parallel with the edge of your paper, and then turn your paper to stamp the remaining ones. Trying to do them at a 45 degree angle will be much harder to get the right angle! Use a stamp positioner if you want the wings to meet up exactly, I didn't and while it's not perfect, just using the lines on the gridline block, I got pretty close (close enough!)

Now trim with the scissors. Doesn't that make a gorgeous label/frame/pendant?? Perfect for this 4 1/4" square card!

From here you can add an image, sentiment, or cut the middle out with another die to make a window for a photo stamp or greeting behind it. Here is my finished card. I want to make one in every color now! I went ahead and took pictures both ways with the sentiment layer straight or on the 45. Which do you prefer?

I added white dots with an Inkssentials pen on the Black Onyx base to go with the dots on the wings and scored corner to corner on both Pure Luxury Red Hot layers to add interest. I used three Copics for the butterfly: FY1, Y17, and R35, layering ink from light to dark, then going back in with my lighter shade to blend the colors. The greeting is from my new "Stately Flowers 2". "Make a State-ment" coordinates with all the sets in the "Stately Flowers" series.

I LOVE THIS! Can't wait to show you the next way to use it, I think it's sure to wow! :) How about another giveaway? Leave a comment below to win a signed copy of "Make a State-ment". (This set goes GREAT with "A Year of Flowers" by the way!) ;) Get an extra chance to win the set by linking this tutorial on your blog or Facebook! You can let me know you did by coming back and leaving a second comment. I'll announce a winner Tuesday!

*Did you know: 8 states have the monarch as their official state butterfly or insect? That's one of the reasons I put it in the "Make a Statement"set, he's everywhere... ;)

More Camellia Eye Candy!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Good morning! More camellias from Carla Suto today, using "Stately Flowers 2" this time vintage style! The doily is such a terrific choice tucked behind one of the layers echoing these round, showy flowers and the different little pearl details she added are so pretty with the centers. Aren't these floral and shabby chic patterns fabulous! She incorporated two challenges she found on this card, one for color and the other for sketch, please see Carla's blog for the challenges and complete list of materials!

Thank you Carla for another gorgeous sample! Although I could look at camellias all day, she assures me she will be using the other flowers in this set, too! ;)

Please scroll down and enter my blog candy if you have not yet done so, I am celebrating the release of my new book, I am giving away a signed copy of my bestselling " A Year of Flowers" set! Don't forget you can get extra chances to win by becoming a follower and linking the post! Winner announced tomorrow!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see if you won the set, I will have a gorgeous tutorial I did using my new Make a Statement" set you don't want to miss! :)

It's Official! (and Blog Candy)

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

This blog candy contest is now closed. Thanks for playing!

Today my book "A Year of Flowers" is officially AVAILABLE!! (although I know a few of you have been ordering it already this past week, thank you!) Yippee! Enjoy a year’s worth of stylish card designs with the monthly projects and popular stamping techniques! Gina K will be sharing a video on StampTV very soon featuring the book, but you can also find sneak peeks of more of the projects inside on the Annie's Attic site, where you can order both the book AND the "A Year of Flowers" stamp set .

Detailed, step-by-step instructions and photos make it easy for crafters of all experience levels to enjoy creating stylish, handmade cards, from very simple to multi-layered designs, using a variety of unique color palettes and layouts. With the built-in dates to remember section, A Year of Flowers will not only allow the card crafter to grow and perfect her card-making skills over the course of the year, she can sit down, plan, create, and get cards out on time!

Every card in this book uses my "A Year of Flowers" stamps from Gina K Designs, plus you'll see lots of other favorite products like Spellbinders Nestabilities, Gina K Pure Luxury cardstock, etc! Any other floral images can be used with these designs and techniques, of course, but you can do them ALL with these one-of-a-kind all-occasion stamps. The book is $14.95. You can read more about it, plus an early customer review, in this post.

Shipping this month is FREE at Annie's Attic when you purchase over $15 and use the keycode 1212702 at checkout, this code is good through 1/31/12. (If you already bought a copy, this book makes a great gift!) Since the book is just short of $15, they have some other crafting supplies as low as 1-3 dollars you can add to your cart like a bone folder, glue sticks, scissors, or Tami's sketchbook to name a few that will bump it up to qualify for the free shipping! You can get my book AND one of Tami's sketchbooks for only $17.90, and the shipping will be free! :)

To celebrate the release, I am offering up a signed copy of the coordinating stamp set "A Year of Flowers", which is pictured above. You'll be able to start recreating cards as soon as the book arrives! (I know many of you have this set already, but you are still welcome to play along! Just promise to give it to your stamping "bestie" (or a bestie that you wish stamped, it's a good way to get hooked, (er, started!) on the hobby) :)

To enter this blog candy, leave a comment below telling me your favorite flower in this set OR tell me which of my coordinating floral sets from Gina K Designs you like best! (Did you buy the book already? I would love to hear what you like best about it!) You can get a second chance to win by linking this post on your blog or Facebook to help spread the word about the book and the blog candy giveaway. Come back here and leave a second comment with the link letting me know you did. Finally, I would love for you to become a follower of my blog so you never miss a post! I regularly share cards and tutorials for my own stamps and our other fabulous sets from Gina K Designs. Get a third chance by signing up as a follower today! I will announce a winner Sunday. If you are visiting my blog for the first time today through the CardMaker blog, welcome! I hope you'll come back often!

Please have a terrific weekend! I know I will, have just been floating around from all the excitement and suport! I appreciate you visiting me today and sharing in my good news!

Pin It

Guest Designer: Patti Gilliam

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning! Today I have a new guest designer to introduce to you, you may already be familiar with her from the sweet comments she leaves visiting blogs, her published work, or her marvelous designs on StampTV and other online galleries: Patti Gilliam! This month I've asked Patti, who lives in Missouri, to create some special samples with my new "Stately Flowers 2" set. She's starting with the Hawthorn, her state flower.
I love these pale greens she used in her designs and that barely there eggshell yellow for the flowers. (I'm guessing Copic Mignonette?) The addition of the popped up blooms over the cluster give it such pretty dimension and the delicate hand-drawn border around the die cut is such a nice detail.
This floral frames so beautifully in a circle and I love how she chose to use this unusual fold to reveal a second a circle on the inside! The loop border and pearl design all work so well, like climbing, rambling vines. I love how she continued the pattern of the border and DP into the card to make that space she created go on and on.

Please be sure to go leave Patti some love on her blog "Cherish Each Precious Day" and check for the complete list of materials to create this card. I'll have another guest spot with Patti next week, plus a Q&A so we can all learn a little more about this talented lady! :)

Thanks for visiting! :)

Stately Flowers 2... Visiting Alabama!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning, everyone! Today I have a "Stately Flowers 2" sample from one of my favorite stampers who always works wonders with florals, and who also just happens to have recently been transplanted to Alabama...Carla Suto! of course, I had to ask her if she would share some inspiration using their gorgeous Camellia (which I learned during our blog hops only very recently became their state flower!) I'm thankful it is because it is one of my favorites I've done for the series and it would have been a shame not to be able to include one, the many petals and terrific radial symmetry just take my breath away!

Carla really pumped up the volume today, no?! If you have the time for the masking or cutting (which she did here), depending on what you like to do, you can create really spectacular arrangements with the large and small version of the camellia image. Aren't these stunning in red? In addition to the terrific composition and coloring, I also especially love how the die cut behind it reveals those little diamond windows of red, don't like they look like scattered petals? (Whether that was intentional or not, that's what I get and I think it's just fabulous!) :) I also really like how she did the sentiment, "Hello from" is from the "Make a Statement" set.

Carla used Pure Luxury Lipstick Red and White cardstocks as well as a die from Marianne Designs, Designable Folder, DS0912, which I must say is pretty magnificent with these flowers!

Please be sure to visit Carla and leave her some love! Any other friends from Alabama today out there?) ;) Thanks for visiting!

Inspiration Hop Day 3: "True Love" StampTV Kit

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning! And welcome to our final day of inspiration hops with the Gina K team for the True Love StampTV Kit! Are you loving the new patterned papers?

I realized after stamping, coloring and cutting out this cute little typewriter (so I can add a sheet of real typing paper, stamped, curled and coming out of the top!) that it was the perfect size to fit on this pop up desk template I created awhile back! It is a FREE download, you can find it and the step by step instructions and photos for folding and adhering the desk to your card in this post. DP is from the True Love kit, plaid for the rug and hearts for the wallpaper! ;) . Cardstock is Pure Luxury Black Onyx. You could further decorate the scene for the typewriter and desk with pictures on the wall, pencil cups, mugs etc (images found in "Tech Talk") but I went for the rare "clean" and "minimal" (in my wildest dreams! in reality, this would have junk everywhere if it were mine! sigh!)

Now that is obviously the inside, for the front of this card, I typed out a little "hunt and peck" greeting (hee hee! Get the double entendre, like kiss?? HEEE!) and printed it, cropping ot down to 4" x 5 1/4" and adding stamped border and popped up heart.

Now please go have fun hopping with the rest of our team! Be sure to leave comments along the way to give you more chances to win a grab bag of a dozen fabulous stamps from Gina K Designs!

Thanks for visiting today!

Inspiration Hop Day 2: "Special Occasion Tags" and Free with Three "You've Got Style"

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

First up we have Special Occasion Tags by Tami Mayberry, trendy tags and greetings for so many events! I don't have the coordinating Spellbinders dies yet, so I free-cut one out with scissors, this one particular shaped tag, all I can see is "VASE" LOL! So I stamped that vertically and added some flowers from the True Love StampTV kit. DP is from that kit as well. Cardstock is Pure Luxury Black Onyx, White, and Turquoise Sea. I used Classic Scallop Edgeabilities to make a scalloped border to echo the curves around my new "vase". ;) I colored the image and tag border with Copics and added some black brads for accents.

Next up we have the new "Free with Three" set "You've Got Style" ! Purchase any three sets from Gina K Designs and get this fun fashion set for free, this month only! Now I will not be offended at all (lol!) if you never copy this very unconventional sketch, but please just allow me a nod to one of my favorite shows, this design was inspired by the sentiment in the set, "EVERY DAY IS A STAGE AND THE WORLD IS YOUR (Project!!) RUNWAY"
I used a Pure Luxury Black Onyx base and snipped a 4 x 5 1/4" mat with Cutterbee scissors to resemble that long fabulous catwalk! (Is it just me, or are these graphic black and white lines reminding you of that vintage gown Julia Roberts wore to the Oscars the year she won, too?? ...anyhow...) Shoes (colored to look like Louboutins, of course! Copics RV29 E53, 100 and T8) are cut out and popped up. TIP: For a tiny pop of red to match the heel reveal and peep toe, I stamped the sentiment again onto Pure Luxury Red Hot cardstock and cut out the two words I want to emphasize.
I can think of a few PR fans who would flip for this card! ;-P (FYI, PR All Stars starts January 5th!!)

Dang, I want those shoes...!

Now please go have fun hopping with the rest of our team! Be sure to leave comments along the way to give you more chances to win a grab bag of 12 stamps from Gina K Designs!

Gina K
Tami Mayberry – Illustrator Special Occasion Tags
Carolina Buchting
Cathy Tidwell
Deb Felts
Donna Baker
Giovana Smith
Jennie Harper
Jimmi Mayo
Lee Murphy
Melanie Muenchinger
Michelle Woerner
Sharon Harnist
Theresa Momber
Tina Gilliland
Vicki Dutcher

Thank you for visiting, and see you tomorrow for our last day of hopping!

My BOOK: "A Year of Flowers"!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Good morning and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'd originally planned to wait just a bit longer to tell you my news, but since I am starting to find this info is out there, and the new year is all about new beginnings and chapters in our lives....I decided today would be the day I should tell all of you friends here on my blog about my newest venture, something that has been in the works of over a year, and is now finally here... my first book,"A Year of Flowers" has just been published. Squeal!! I'm an author (lifelong dream come true), hip hip hurray, praise the Lord!
With this book, you can create 36 lovely handcrafted cards for all occasions, organized by month and holiday! Enjoy a year's worth of beautiful card designs that demonstrate popular stamping techniques. All projects will use "A Year of Flowers" stamp set as a starting point, but with different techniques and layouts, clean and simple to more complicated ones, whimsical to vintage. Detailed, step-by-step instructions and photos make it easy for crafters of all experience levels to enjoy making stylish, handmade cards using a variety of unique color palettes and sketches. With the built-in perpetual calendar, A Year of Flowers will not only allow you to grow and perfect your card-making skills over the course of the year, you can sit down, plan, create, and get cards out on time!

$14.95
64 pages

The "A Year of Flowers" stamp set is not required to follow the tutorials, you can of course use any other florals (or even my coordinating sets or the flowers from the new "Stately" series!) to recreate the cards or use other images with the techniques! But, if you DO have the set, you can copy EVERY design in the book! This one-of-a-kind set has flowers for every season and will take you through the whole year. :)

I have so much more I want to tell you about the book itself and how it came to be (what a story!), but I will reveal all that in some upcoming posts so this does not become the longest one in the world! I have to say thank you today to all of you who have offered me so much encouragement and support these past four years, reading my blog and enjoying my sets, especially all the love you've had for "A Year of Flowers" stamps, which inspired me to write this book!

I do also want to share now that one of the sweetest moments of this journey is receiving a surprise message just this week from the very first person (that I know of) who bought it, Christine Monzingo (think she was online shopping for something else and just happened to find a rogue copy that got listed early, LOL!) Christine is a StampTV member, whom I did actually have the pleasure of meeting one time at a luncheon over a year ago, but she is not a close friend or relative, I promise!) She gave me permission to share it here with you.

"Melanie,

I love the book. It is gorgeous, clear, inspiring, and joyful. Thank you.

Please do many more!"

Well! That is everything I hoped it would be as I worked on it, I was just elated to read how much she is enjoying it! I pray that those of you who buy it and support feel similarly! (Oh, and Christine, on that last line, from your lips to God's ears!! :) I hope there are, too, it is my plan if it is God's will!)

I have to give a shout out to the whole team at DRG who did such an amazing job on the back end with all the staging, graphic design, photography, etc. Everyone who has seen the book so far agrees how terrific it all looks! Now, this is biased of course, but as I created all the designs, my friends who are local and knew I was working on it, all kept echoing ,"These are the prettiest cards you have EVER made!" Honestly, I think so, too, with my favorite stamp set, and so greatly motivated to share with you the very best ideas I had in mind for it! I hope you love them and they inspire countless more cards and projects!

Now my understanding was that it would not be available for purchase until January 6th, but I already see it listed on the Annie's Attic site, so go ahead and try to order it now if you'd like! There are more peeks of projects on that page, as well the ability to "like it" on Facebook (I would SO appreciate your helping me spread the word!), and even buy the "A Year of Flowers" stamps there, too! :) Of course, the stamps are always available at Gina K Designs! :) The book will be available at several other stores (Archiver's!! eek!) and online sites soon, but for now, this is where to go!:)

Thanks for reading! (Were you surprised?) More to come! Again, happy new year!

Bountiful Butterflies (and a total teaser!)

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Today I have a fun card from returning guest designer Libby Hickson with my recent "Make a Statement" ! Libby got so over the top excited when Gina did the sneak peek of this set (I do read all those comments, you know!), I just had to send one out to her to see what she'd do with it LOL! Now she's got some "map" cards coming up, but today she just decided to use the beautiful butterfly, times three! :)

After coloring and cutting out the embossed butterflies, she attached them to this background she made using glossy cardstock and Copics, coloring in circles, doesn't it create a gorgeous mottled-stained glass-watercolory look? The purple was done in the same way. Libby says she'd be glad to do a tutorial if you want, so let her know! :)

She also added some Stickles for sparkle and black thread for the antennae. I love the idea of using thread BTW, adds some fun texture and will hold up better than thin, fussy cut stamped on paper antennae!

Thanks, Libby for the inspiration and sharing this fun looking technique, I think it's just perfect to go with the butterfly wings! :) More fun with "Make a Statement" and Libby coming up!

Now! For tomorrow! Some VERY BIG, VERY EXCITING NEWS!! Can't wait, can't wait to kick off 2012 letting YOU in on my big secret! (No, I'm not pregnant, what's that all about?! LOL!)

PS If you already know or have stumbled across the big secret, you can just leave a comment saying "I know!" or "WINK!" (because I'm curious to know who all knows) but PLEASE please PLEASE let me be the one to tell everyone else, okay?? You only have one more day to hold it in, and if I can wait you can!!!

Hugs!

See you NEXT YEAR!! ;) (2012)

Inspiration Hop Day 1: "Stately Flowers 2" and "Mountain Wilderness"

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning! Hope you all had time to come by the release party last night! Welcome to our first day of Inspiration Hops with the Gina K team! Today we are showcasing two sets. The first, "Stately Flowers 2", is the second in my new "Stately Flowers" series, featuring state flowers from all 50 states. This month, I'm bringing you flowers from four more states: Goldenrod (Nebraska, Kentucky), Camellia (Alabama) and Hawthorn (Missouri).

Today I decided to go more bright and whimsical with the flowers, to demonstrate that just because they are so are detailed, these images don't always have to go elegant/vintage! TIP: I also changed it up a bit by stamping them in gray, it's a little more subtle and looks more like a pencil drawing.

Instead of creating a tole effect by stamping out the flowers several times and cutting layers, instead I stamped it once and snipped the bunch of flowers in three sections after I colored them. (Refer to image sheet above to see how it looks before cutting)

Then I created different levels of pop dots, one for the leaves, stacked pop dots "two high" for the middle section, and then used none for the third, and you really get an interesting dimensional effect! While I was coloring these, (Missouri's flower is the White Hawthorn, although they come in a variety of shades), with the rosy and green round centers and pink tipped stamens I noticed how it cute it would be with this fun polka dot DP that's included in the new StampTV kit! So from there, I needed to die cut some circles for my backdrop and sentiment (lots of pretty ones in this set in for a variety of occasions), then adhere round Pure Luxury buttons to match the DP and image.

Cardstock is Gina K Pure Luxury Bubblegum Pink, Passionate Pink, and Turquoise Sea. I didn't include the state or flower name on this design so this can be sent to any friend, anywhere. :) (It's okay if this card is too crazy for you, it almost is for me, but I can't help perking up looking at it LOL!)

Next up, we have Theresa Momber's "Mountain Wilderness" set. I LOVE all the new animals she included, which will work so well with all the gorgeous backdrop images from all her previous realistic outdoor sets! I had to start with this lone wolf and do a very simple but effective technique I enjoy with silhouettes. I'll show you how easy it is to put him on a mountain top without coloring or drawing.

First I stamped the wolf in black on white CS, and then stamped again on scratch paper. Cut out the area from the scratch piece underneath where he's standing at angle, uneven, to make the top of the mountain. TIP: You can pencil a line, but I just free-cut, you don't want it to be perfectly symmetrical or it won't look realistic.

Now place it over the cardstock and sponge black ink into this area. Remove and you have a large silhouette! I have pulled away so you can see. :)

Die cut a circle from scratch paper to place over the vertical greeting (don't you love these new long greetings?!) so it just fits around the "Thinking", and sponged Fired Brick and Tattered Rose Distressing Inks all around the circle to create a sunset.

Remove circle. Mount on black cardstock. Ta da! Great manly card, and easy peasy!! I don't tend to embellish cards like these because think they resemble gorgeous nature photographs, allowing the images speak for themselves... :)

Now please go have fun hopping with the rest of our team! Be sure to leave comments along the way to give you more chances to win a grab bag of stamps from Gina K Designs!

Gina K
Melanie Muenchinger – Illustrator Stately Flowers 2
Theresa Momber – Illustrator Mountain Wilderness
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

Thank you for visiting today! I appreciate your comments! Have a terrific weekend!

You're Invited: GKD Release Party Tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K. Designs December Release Party! We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most importantly, at the end of the party you will be able to start shopping at 7 PM!

If you came from Michelle Woerner'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.

Here's a peek of one of the cards I will be sharing at the party, using my new "Stately Flowers 2" * set (plus a greeting for Theresa's new "Mountain Wilderness"! Both sets will be revealed tonight showcased during our Friday Inspiration Hop) Tutorial for this card will follow on my blog.

Hope to see you at the party, here are all the details:

When: Today, Thursday, December 29
Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (CST) new products available purchase at 7! :)

Head on over to Lee Murphy's blog to see what she's sharing with you today, and see you back here on tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for December!

See you tonight!

* Can you identify this flower?? :)

The new set goes to...

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:56:00 +0000

Thank you everyone who participated in the new "Stately Flowers 2" blog candy giveaway! there were some correct guesses, as well as a few people who live in this flower's official state from Gina's sneak peek: ... Missouri! This illustration does represent Hawthorn, a delicate flower, that grows on trees in clusters. Many of their characteristics bear a lot of similarities to many of the other flowers you mentioned, so I definitely knew what you had in mind when guessing! I certainly wouldn't have been able to identify a lot of the flowers before I started on this "Stately Flowers" journey! ;

The winner of the new set is

Judy I , who said...: Your flowers are all gorgeous. I've lived all my life in Missouri, so I'm hoping the sneak peak was a Hawthorn.; December 27, 2011 10:03 AM

Congratulations Judy! Please contact me ASAP with your snail addy so I can get the set out to you!

Everyone else, I hope you will join us at the release party tomorrow night for the full reveal of the set and see all the new flowers and states included, along with of course all our other fabulous new release products! Details about the party here tomorrow, and then our inspiration hops featuring the new sets begin on Friday, with this set up first!

Have a terrific day!

Blog Candy! New Stamps

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:13:00 +0000

Okay, here's an easy one: tell me where you're from!! I have a new "Stately Flowers" set coming out this Thursday, and if you live in one of the states included in December's set, you just might be one of the first to get "Stately Flowers 2"! :) Let me know below!

I'll announce a winner on Wednesday. In the event that none of you live in one of the four states I included, (which I highly doubt!), I just may have to pick someone randomly (maybe tell me where your family lives as back up, hee hee) :)

Sneak peek of one of the flowers on Gina's blog today! Can you tell what flower it is and what state it represents? (bonus entry) ;)

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Good morning! I'll come back for a longer post with more updates about what's going on, but wanted to take a quick break while DH and the boys are assembling LEGO sets to wish you a wonderful Christmas Day!! Please remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus, as you enjoy your families and open gifts! :)

Also to pass along a couple recommends! (one directly related, one indirectly, it will be obvious which is which) ;)

First, a little Christmas present I just bought myself I think a lot of you might be interested in, you can order it wherever you live: Zaggorra Hot Pants for only$26 (a $71 value) Now I had never heard of these workout shorts before this morning, but I had finished a sticky sweet and buttery serving of monkey bread (our Christmas breakfast, easy peasy) and came padding in my office to check my email and saw a deal for some miracle promising, fat and inch busting, cellulite reducing shorts. Well! I had to investigate, and I believe they must really do the trick after reading all the reviews from ecstatic ladies on the company's website and had to get a pair of my own! (Size chart is on the site, you select your size later after you get the voucher) As you know I have been dieting and working out, but even when I have been my thinnest in my adult life, I still had cellulite. The site explains you can wear them to bed, working out or under your normal clothes, but you will sweat a lot as it pulls out those toxins. When I receive them, I am going to try their 2 weeks challenge and record inches lost 9will of course comeback and report!) I didn't take any measurements when I started juicing, but have obviously lost a bunch based on how my clothes are fitting and pounds lost. Do you own a pair of these shorts or heard of them?? Let me know what you think!

Next, a really cool Christmas as program "Once Upon a Christmas" I went to yesterday with my kids, it was FREE and produced and performed by Gateway Church here in Austin. I'm telling you about it because YOU can watch a streaming version of the full show on their site TODAY at 11 AM CST. If you have kids, tweens or just have time to check out part of it, I think you'll find it really entertaining! (If I didn't already have a home church this is one I would definitely be interested in attending. They really have a vision (was so impressed this massive church is only 13 years old and yet was able to put on such a professional looking production, doing so much outreach in the community around the world and having this gorgeous facility) This was a really dynamic pageant and fresh modern retelling of the Christmas story. It held my 6 and 9 year old boys' interest for the full 75 minutes, combining break dancing (Yeah, I know, sounds cheesy but was fun to watch! This was the angelic host proclaiming the good news to the shepherds!) plus a lot of pop music (teenage Mary receiving the amazing news about Jesus while "Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield blared, it actually worked! " Today is where you book begins, the rest is still unwritten..." or "Who Can it be Now?" from the innkeeper (by Men at Work! hee hee) The singers had really good voices, (as well as being very telegenic!) and the camera work for visuals were very good. I think the video will still be available on the site after 11 but I'm not sure about that. See what you think! A fun way to enjoy the Christmas story in a new way.* The lighting and solos and choruses often remind me of a PBS music special like Celtic Woman or Andrew Lloyd Webber staging. The traditional Christmas songs had hipper or country-pop crossover arrangements. Check it out at the link above, 11 CST!

I'll be back with some blog candy (new stamps) a very important announcement, and our release is coming up on Thursday this week! Fun stuff!!

We have been having such a great week with our family, more later, but in a nutshell had our first family ski trip (to New Mexico), tons of snow, a great time opening gifts this morning and watching home movies of Christmas past (I really did not remember my oldest son sounding like that at age 2 until watching! and it was so lonely without William running around with him (he was in my tummy that morning!) Will want to hear all about your Christmas celebrations, too! :) Your comments and support are gifts every day of the year!

* The only thing that didn't sit well with me was Mary's very frightened and doubting reaction (which is what you'd expect and is relatable if this happened to a teenage girl today!), but I just kept remembering the reaction the Bible conveyed instead in scripture, her very accepting and humble "May it be as you say" from the Magnificat. Otherwise, two thumbs up!

Window to Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Dies are a must have for creating gorgeous windows for your favorite images! There's just something magical about an opening on a card to a beautiful scene inside, like peering into another world! Today Karen kept it very clean and simple on this "Stately Flowers 1" sample with a white base, white is always perfect with blue, feels so fresh and crisp. The fussy cut dimensional flower makes it extra special!
The blue petite scalloped frame around the opening was the perfect choice to go with the little buds of the bluebonnet. This is an excellent design for any of the new flowers in the "Stately Flowers 1" set, as well as a go-to layout for ALL the flowers to come in the "Stately Flowers" series! are you ready for some more flowers! (Our next release is right around the corner! Any guesses what is coming up next?) :)

Thank you Karen for sharing your designs with us this month! (Card details here) What a blessing when I am busier than usual, this time I have been able to spend with family and take a short break from work is so precious! I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and loved ones as we head even closer to the holidays!

Everything's Bigger in Texas...

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

How excited do you think I was to round the corner of the historic Burnet, TX town square and see these larger life sculptures of our state flower? (How perfect for sharing some bluebonnet inspiration this month on the blog!) Here is Jonathan standing in front of them.

If you live in Central Texas, I highly recommend planning a trip to Burnet next year for their Christmas festival and Main Street Bethlehem event. First Baptist Church in Burnet hosts not only a living nativity but has built a replica of Bethlehem ( has been going on for almost 20 years this is a permanent addition) with hundreds of costumed adults, children and animals inside creating the night of Jesus' birth in amazing detail! I have been wanting to go since I heard about it a few years ago, but this was the first time we were able to make it, they only have it the first two weekend in December. It was like being on the set of the movie , with the 1st century architecture I don't think you could experience anything like. the town is complete with a tavern, inn, jail, homes, carpenter, leather, rope making shops, weavers, a market, churner, temple etc. Passing by the holy family at the end, the one quiet place in the busy town, gave me a serious lump in my throat, it was VERY moving. Cameras were not allowed to keep the experience as authentic as possible. There are a few photos on the website but they do NOT do it justice as it doesn't start until 6, so the town is completely dark expect for candlelight and torches outside the buildings. The people interacted with one another but would speak to you if you asked questions, staying in character.

Having said all that, it IS over until next year, but I think your family would love it, mark your calendars to put this on your holiday traditions list if you can! The second Saturday of the month they have a large arts and crafts festival with food, kids activities and a parade which is fun thing to do before going to Bethlehem! Just this season, I noticed several other small towns around Austin trying to follow their example and recreate a main street Bethlehem experience, but I don't think you will find anything quite like this!

Do you have something like this where you live? I would love to hear about it!

Red Poppies

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Today we have another "Stately Flowers 1" card from Karen, is this beautiful golden yellow gorgeous with the red or what? Red poppies are my fave!More dies I must have, look what an interesting and eye-catching design layering just two of these on the base created! I also love how the large red polka dots suggest the round flowers in a whimsical subtle way! Makes the very detailed line art makes it feel very fresh and modern!

TIP: If you don't want to use the California as part of your label for the flower, just use a marker to omit the state and only ink up "Poppy".

Thank for another gorgeous creation Karen! Please go check out her blog for a complete list of materials to recreate this project!

Coming soon: some inspiration from another special guest using the "Make a State-ment" set! Can't wait!

A Special for You...Don't Miss!

noreply@blogger.com (Melanie) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Now that you are probably close to finishing up your/holiday winter cards (maybe? nope?? LOL), you might be starting to think about Spring! :) One more day to take advantage of this fabulous "three-fer" Gina K Designs special, some really fun floral and greeting sets! Choose any three for only $39, offer ends tonight!

Got all your christmas shopping done? Stamps, as you know, make great gifts! :)