Clean & Simple Thank You Card

Here's a clean and simple thank you card that I made following Gina K's video on You Tube called Birthday Poppies.

Here are the supplies I used: Flowers & Frames 1 & 2; PureLuxury CS in White - Heavy based and Layering weight; Memento tuxedo black ink; Copics: R22, R24, C1, C3, YG93; MISTI, Sakura Gelly Roll in Clear Star.

Full disclosure - I am not compensated in any way from Gina K. Designs or StampTV, I just happen to think their products are of excellent quality and are definitely my favorite stamps for image quality and design.

More Thank You Cards...

I just loved this card layout that I just had to CASE from Gina K. Designs over at StampTV. There is a how-to video on You Tube called Embossed Roses 

The supplies I used are: Gina K. Designs Flowers & Frames 1 &2; GKD Pure Luxury Cardstock in White, Black Onyx, and Fresh Asparagus; GKD Ink in Prickley Pear; Memento ink: Pistachio and New Sprout; Recollections Gold EP; VersaMark, and the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Where to buy Gina K. products? Here's a link: Shop Gina K. Designs

Full disclosure - I am not compensated in any way from Gina K. Designs or StampTV, I just happen to think their products are of excellent quality and are definitely my favorite stamps for image quality and design.

Blue Roses - Thank You card

I've been busy making thank you cards to keep on hand for those impromptu, last-minute, I need a card now moments. This one I made for the January Release Party Challenge over at StampTV January Release Party Challenge Here are the details of the supplies used:

January Release Party Challenge: JANBLUES

GKD Stamp sets: Flowers & Frames 1 & 2
CS: Kraft, Blue Denim, Powder Blue, White Layering weight
Inks: GKD Blue Denim, Memento Sky Blue, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves
Embellishments: 7Gypsies corrugated paper and buckle; GKD grosgrain ribbon

I used the free Silhouette cut file from GKD to cut the roses, leaves and frame. I cut full pages of each stamp for future projects

Stamp Organization & Index of Cardstock-Ink-Marker Color Matches & Stamps

I think I may be the queen of procrastination because a project I began almost two years ago, is finally nearing completion. Wow! I was tired of the way I had been storing my stamps mostly because my collection had grown considerably and it was getting too cumbersome to find the stamps I wanted. So I started looking at all the different ways my fellow crafters stored their stamps. I liked the binder boxes because it seemed simple, easy to maintain, could grow as my collection grows, and a nice visual way to see the different themes at a glance.

My system:

After toying with the idea, do I keep the stamp sets together, or do I separate them by theme, I decided upon the latter. I wanted to have all the different greetings together, holidays, floral images, etc. so that I wouldn't have to go searching from box to box in order to piece together a card layout.

The binders, and binder sheets can be purchased at Gina K. Designs Shop Gina K.  The binders are also available at Unikeep Shop Binder Boxes. They can hold up to 4 sheets of the rubber cling stamps and 5 of the clear stamps. On the back of each binder sheet, I added the box # that it came from so that I could return them to the right box. Each binder sheet has a corresponding page of the stamp images with its box # noted at the top.

The Cardstock-Ink-Marker & Stamp Index:

I put together some charts with cardstock samples along with the matching inks and markers so I could have an easy, quick reference of what goes with what. I also added separate charts for inks and markers. Here are some pictures of the charts. I have templates that I am happy to share with anyone that wants them; you can request them in the comments section (sorry, I couldn't figure out how to add the files to my post).

I have my stamps organized by theme and at the back of the index, I have included the stamp set inserts so that I know what sets the stamps belong to. I guess one day, I may add the box # to each stamp image, but not right now, LOL.

Well, that's all for now. I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe new year.

Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge #40 - Anything Goes + an Option (Sentiment)

Here's my entry for the Scrapbook Stamp Society Challenge - I used the Sherri Baldy Digi Image "Sweet Geek Book Nerd" for these birthday cards I made - one for a dear friend and the other for my awesome sister-in-law.  I used Gina K Designs cardstock, Spellbinders dies, Silhouette Cameo flourishes and embellishments, and of course, my Copic Markers.

Easel Card - Big Eye Big Head Dolls My Besties The Bride (Sherri Baldy Art)

This is the first easel card I've attempted and it was alot easier than I thought it would be.  After viewing some "how to" videos on YouTube - I gathered my papers, embellishments, stamps, and a bunch of other goodies.  I used my Silhouette Cameo to  print and cut (offset) the focal image and the leaves and flourishes. I also used my Cuttlebug to emboss some labels that I cut with some Spellbinders dies.  The image was colored with Copic Markers.  All in all - it was fun trying a new technique...

Besties Challenge (Entry 2)

Oops! My other entry wasn't a Bestie (that's what happens when you don't label your file names the right way)  Here's another entry - definitely a Bestie, and one of my favorites:

Besties Monochromatic Challenge

A card I made for a friend who was in the hospital.

WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER “GIVING THANKS” BLOG HOP!

Hi everyone!  Thanks for playing along in our October "Giving Thanks" blog hop!  If you came here from Linda's Blog, you're in the right place.  If not, start at Sean's blog to see all the wonderful card designs and be sure to visit each blog, become a follower and leave a comment for a chance to win a fabulous Stamp Set from our Blog Sponsor, Becky Oehlers.

Becky Oehlers is a member of the Gina K. Designs Illustrator Team! Becky’s style is really fun, crisp and clean.  Her stamps make wonderful cards with just the right message or can be used to add some fun to your scrapbooking pages.  In addition, Becky is one of the top card designers and artists in the crafting world.  Go to Becky’s blog to look at the great things she has been up to AND to view the card samples she has created with her newest stamp set “Mistletoe Memories” that was released yesterday during the Stamp TV October Release Party.  Becky’s blog address is:

 http://hemidemisemiquaverdesignblog.com/  

I love Autumn.  I love the change of the seasons - even though it's been too many years since I've lived in a climate that actually had a change of seasons, and I love Thanksgiving. I love gathering with family and friends, new and old.  For me, Autumn and Thanksgiving gives me a chance to pause and be thankful for all my blessings.  My cards feature stamps from the Gina K Designs stamp sets Autumn Splendor, Fall Foliage, Petals & Wings, and A Year of Borders.  I used GKD Pure Luxury card stock in Ivory, Dark Brown, Asparagus and Pumpkin Spice.  GKD Sun-Kissed Autumn and Sundance patterned paper packs, Copic markers, Capuccino twine from The Twinery, buttons, Spellbinders nestabilities dies in Oval, Scallop Oval, Square and Lacy Square.  Cuttlebug distressed stripe folder, Martha Stewart punches, Recollections gold embossing powder and little pearl embellishments.  I also used various techniques from emboss resist to heat embossing with gold EP. Ink is Memento in Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa  I hope you enjoy my designs as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Happy Harvest

You Make Everything So Much Nicer

Grateful

Little Birds

Now it is your turn to blog hop with all of our friends!   

The rules are simple:

1. Visit each participating blog on the list below. 
2. Leave a comment for the blog host designer.
3. Become a follower of each participating blog.

Follow steps 1 – 3, to be eligible to win the grand prize of a Becky Oehlers stamp set for Gina K. Designs.  At the end of the hop, a random winner will be chosen for the Blog Hop Grand Prize using comments and followers from each blog. We have decided to keep the hop open from Friday – Monday. The deadline for leaving comments is Monday, October 22, 2012 at 8pm CST.  The winner will be chosen and announced on Tuesday, October 23, 2012.

The blog hop designers this month are as follows:

Sean Fetterman
Regina Hardy
Lori McAree
Giovana Smith
Cathy "Cat" Tidwell
Cheryl Wright
Rosy Newlun
Linda Brace Drozd
Tracy Palmer - YOU ARE HERE!
Penny O'Dell

Thank you for visiting my blog.  Remember to become a follower of my blog and leave a comment so you are automatically entered for a chance to win.  Now, click here to go to Penny O'Dell's blog.

3x3 Note Cards with Box

I made this box of little 3x3 note cards for a friend's birthday.  I find these to be very convenient when I need a little notecard / thank you card at the last minute

Joann's to Discontinue Carrying Memento!!!

Attention all my Stamping & Crafting friends: I wrote to Joann's and Michael's asking if/when they will be carrying the new Memento inks - following is Joann's response. Not sure why they are discontinuing to carry Memento, but that will make it quite difficult for me to get the colors (& replacements) that I need and use almost exclusively. Not too happy about hearing this news:

Thank you for contacting Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Customer Service. We apologize for our delay in responding.

According to the buyers, we will not be carrying these new Tsukineko Memento ink pad colors. We are discontinuing carrying this line.

You may contact Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Customer Service via phone at 1-888-739-4120, Monday through Saturday, 9 am - 7 pm Eastern Time.

Thank you,

Janine
Customer Service Coordinator
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
888-739-4120

If you like Memento inks and shop at Joann's - please write them, tell them how much you use Memento in your stamping projects. Maybe they'll re-think this decision.  Other than shopping online - I only have Michaels and Joann's close by for my stamping/crafting needs, and the Michael's near me hasn't carried any Memento for a while.  Thanks and happy crafting! - Tracy

WELCOME TO THE AUGUST BLOG HOP!

Hi everyone!  If you came here from Jennifer's blog, you're in the right spot.  Thanks for playing along in our August blog hop!  The Blog Hop with Sean & Regina is featuring cards and sentiments celebrating the fall season this month! After a very hot and humid July, most of us are looking forward to a cool and colorful fall! When we think of fall, our minds swirl like we are surrounded by falling leaves and a crisp cool breeze in the air. Each host/hostess will have a card creation posted that is his/her representation of what fall means to them.

OUR BLOG HOP SPONSOR!

Scrapbook Stamp Society is our blog hop sponsor!  The overall winner will receive digi’s from our sponsor.  Please visit them at http://scrapbookstampsociety.com/index.php?  Also some of our blog hop host/hostess designers will be offering blog candy as prizes on their blog sites, so please do not forget to visit his/her blog (and leave a comment) to be eligible for bonus blog hop prizes!

Even though I'm in South Florida where we really don't have a change of seasons, I still think of browns and oranges when I think of fall; must be from my childhood memories of autumn in New York.  As an avid fan of all things Gina K, and StampTV, I used the following for my cards:  The butterfly stamp and sentiment from Nature's Greetings StampTV Kit,  GKD Pure Luxury cardstock in Kraft, Sweet Mango, Tan Leather and Chocolate Brown.  DCWV champagne pearl CS embossed with Cuttlebug, Memento Inks in Tangelo and Rich Cocoa.  Recollections Fine Embossing Powder in white and black.  Copper brads, and Pop dots.  Here's another slightly different version:

I made these cards using two of my favorite techniques.  The butterfly was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with the white & black EP.  I then "painted" with bleach within the wings to create a nice effect on the paper.  To tone down the shiny cardstock, I sponged some ink to the raised surface.  Finishing touches using some copper brads in the corners and pop dots to raise the focal images.

LET'S GET HOPPING.....

The rules are simple:

1. Start at Sean's blog first, and leave a comment (and become a follower to enter a chance to win the grand prize from Scrapbook Stamp Society)!  
2. Go down the list of blogs visiting all of them (see below).  Leave comments on their blog pages to be eligible for bonus blog candy from select blog hosts. The blog hop host/hostee offering bonus blog candy will indicate that he/she has a bonus blog candy prize so read their blog post carefully.  Each blog will have the name and blog address for the next host/hostess in line for the blog hop.
3. At the end of the hop, a random winner will be chosen for the Blog Hop Grand Prize from our sponsor and select blog hop hosts for Bonus Blog Candy.  The deadline for leaving comments is Monday, August 20, 2012 at 8pm CST.   Winners of the Grand Prize and bonus Blog Candy will be announced Tuesday, August 21, 2012.

The Blog Hop with Sean & Regina participants are as follows:

Sean Fetterman
Regina Hardy
Melissa Cash
Linda Anderson
Kay Simmons 
Donna Rinckel
Ina Grehan
Roxie Nitti
Aixa Mercado
Jennifer Restivo
Tracy Palmer - YOU ARE HERE!

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I am the last stop on this month's hop so if you came here first, you can start your blog hop by clicking on Sean's name above - have fun and good luck and hope to "see" you next month.

ONLY 2 MORE DAYS TO THE AUGUST BLOG HOP!

Hi everyone!  Get ready to have some fun on our August blog hop!  The Blog Hop with Sean & Regina is featuring cards and sentiments celebrating the fall season this month! After a very hot and humid July, most of us are looking forward to a cool and colorful fall! (If you're in Florida, like me, we know THAT won't happen, but one can be hopeful...) I still like to think of fall, surrounded by falling leaves and a crisp cool breeze in the air. Join us beginning this Friday morning, August 17th at 8:00 a.m. - each host/hostess will have a card creation posted that is his/her representation of what fall means to them.

Scrapbook Stamp Society is our blog hop sponsor!  The overall winner will receive digi’s from our sponsor.  Please visit them at http://scrapbookstampsociety.com/index.php?   Also some of our blog hop host/hostess designers will be offering blog candy as prizes on their blog sites, so please do not forget to visit his/her blog (and leave a comment) to be eligible for bonus blog hop prizes!

Hope to see you on the hop!