Gina K Preview Day 3 - Organize It Stamp TV Kit

The wonderful previews for the upcoming release of 10 new stamp sets from Gina K Designs continue today as the Design Team shows you some previews of the newest Stamp TV Kit that contains two great sets - Organize It and Picture It, 24 sheets of heavy base cardstock, an assortment of brads, ivory sateen flowers and 12 yards of assorted ribbons in 3/8" and 5/8" widths!


I'm all about organization - or at lease I should say that I TRY to be about organization.  I have to-do lists everywhere, so when I saw the images from the Organize It Stamp TV Kit stamp set I knew that I wanted to make a To-Do list that would be pleasant to look at, practical, large enough to eliminate 20 post-it notes for a single day, and be visible no matter where I put it.


I created a word document that contained two lined columns so that I could get two pages from each 8.5 X 11 sheet of typing paper.  I'll attach a link to the template at the end of this post so you will have it should you decide you would like to create something similar.

I created two covers slightly larger (1/4" around each edge) than the sheets from some light weight chipboard and covered them with this fun Bug Me Anytime digital paper.   Holding all the pages and covers together with binder clips, I punched the binding holes using my Bind-it-All.  

When I measured the chipboard pieces for the covered, I added 3 inches to the length on the back cover and then scored it so that it would fold back when I flip the list cover open.  It acts as an easel to help keep my list of chores visible.

As you can see, with the word document, I cut each printed page equally in half to fit, leaving a nice large space to write the date or other heading for that day.  The half circles you see sticking out are magnetic bookmarks.

Each bookmark contains two pieces that are backed with magnetic material so that I can keep a daily, monthly or future to-do lists and not have to search through the entire pad to find what I'm looking for.  If you are the official scheduler for several people, like many moms, you could make a magnetic bookmark for each member of the family to help keep everyone on track.


When I run out of paper all I need to do is print more pages, punch holes and re-bind.

With a pretty focal point like this, who wouldn't want to keep this out in full view for everyone to see?


My next project was made using images from the other set in the Organize it Stamp TV Kit - Picture It.

This set contains great silhouette images and I used three of them to create this card.  

Anytime I get a big set of stamps I often have large pieces of scrap rubber that ordinarily goes in the trash, but I kept a good sized piece and use that along with a multi colored Kaleidacolor pink pad to create a background for each image.  These are matted on a piece of Passionate Pink - another of the great cardstock colors coming to the Pure Luxury line up.  For those of you thinking about Valentine's Day, this months release of Gina K Designs papers and embellishments are going to make your heart sing!

To see more projects made with the new StampTV kit, check out these designer's links:

Gina Krupsky

Jessica Fick

Theresa Momber

Melanie Muenchinger

Nina Brackett

Carolyn King

Cathy Tidwell

Lee Murphy

Emily Giovanni

Erika Martin

Then, tune in to the newest StampTV video available Wednesday morning on StampTV as Gina will be sharing a special project she made with the new kit too!  Please mark your calendar for the release party on Thursday evening on Gina's member forum thread on Splitcoaststampers.com beginning at 7:00 PM CST.  I hope you will join us for the fun!

{Supplies for To-Do List}  CLICK HERE to be directed to the lined paper template.

Stamps: Organize It Stamp TV Kit

Paper: Pure Luxury Green Apple, Ocean Mist, Bug Me Anytime Digital Paper

Ink: Aqua, Coffee Bean (both Vivid Inks)

Accessories: Arch Lattice Border Punch (Martha Stewart) Zyron, 3/4" and 1-1/4" Circle Punches, Scallop Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Saddle Stitched Ribbon (This is a wider version of the saddle stitched green ribbon currently sold by Gina K Designs - which will be available to purchase after the Thursday release party), adhesive rhinestones, pop dots

{Supplies In My Prayers}

Stamps: Picture It (Organize It Stamp TV Kit)

Paper: Pure Luxury White, Passionate Pink, Innocent Pink

Ink: Cotton Candy Kaleidacolor Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Scallop Diamond Border Punch (Fiskars) Classic Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), adhesive pearls, ribbon from stash

Gina K Previews Day 2 - Square Pegs & Purrr-fectly Delightful

Did you enjoy seeing the previews from yesterday?  I truly enjoyed seeing how each of the Design Team members interprets the images and while they may all use the same stamp set, their designs are so totally different and styles varied.  Today we are previewing two more sets that will be available Thursday evening after the release party on Splitcoaststampers.com.


The set that I chose to sample today is a new set from Melanie, called Square Pegs.  It works fantastically and is a companion set of sorts to her Hip to Be Square set that she released a few months back.

I chose to combine these two sets for a card of kisses and hugs.  Using some of the awesome new Pure Luxury Wine with Everything cardstock and a few touches of the Pure Luxury Good as Gold  this lovey-dovey card came together quickly.  I actually dug out my poorly neglected Cricut and cut the tags that I stamped my "hugs and kisses!" sentiment, in addition to the two sets of XO. 


There are so many different shapes and images to create a card for ANY, and I do mean ANY occasion...birthdays, Easter, get well, baby cards....this virtually IS the set to have that gives you great bang for your buck.


Please stop by and see what other inspiration awaits with the new stamp sets being previewed:

Melanie Muenchinger {Illustrator of Square Pegs}

Theresa Momber {Illustrator of Purrr-fectly Delightful}

Gina Krupsky

Jessica Fick

Nina Brackett

Carolyn King

Cathy Tidwell

Lee Murphy

Erika Martin

Emily Giovanni

Bev Gerard

Suzanne Dean

Joan Ervin {CSS Designer}

Betty Neville {CSS Designer}

I'm happy you stopped by today, and hope that you will be back tomorrow for even more previews of the BIG release Gina K Designs has planned for you!

{Supplies}

Stamps: Square Pegs, Hip to Be Square (Gina K Designs)

Paper: Pure Luxury Ivory, Good as Gold and Wine with Everything

Ink: Burgundy

Accessories: Cricut Jasmine Cartridge, Small Heart Punch (Dollar bin at Michael's), Paper Piercer, Pop Dots

Gina K Previews - Day 1 - Happy Hearts; Wishes & Dreams; Sung from the Heart

Hi all!  Do you see a theme developing with the title of this post?  You should. Now that Christmas is all but a mere memory, it's time to look forward to the next big Gina K Design release, and believe me - it's a big one! So much stamping goodness that you won't believe your eyes. For this Day 1 preview alone, Gina and the Design Team are previewing THREE new sets and it's only the FIRST day of previews.

Have you ever noticed in nature how many items are made from the same basic shape?  Squares, circles, triangles and in this case hearts.  Yes, hearts...this great new set from Tami Mayberry, proves that you can create a variety of Valentine cards as well as so many other cards for a variety of occasions.  With just a few of the wonderful hearts and words in this set, I created a flower by stamping them and either cutting them out or using one of my heart punches to bring the flower into place.


Using some of the newest cardstock that Gina will be introducing to her store (yes, pink has finally arrived) and a few embellishments, I've created a card that could be given to a romantic love or a lifelong friend.

I stamped two of the many words in this set onto a piece of Innocent Pink and left space to add a chipboard ampersand that was inked and heat embossed for it's high gloss shine.  Directly above the sentiment is a piece of some lovely pink/gold lined ribbon that you are just going to love.

This card was created using images from Rupe Shevda's new Sung from the Heart set. I created a panel using a heart border punch and atop that I created a panel of hearts by stamping a small heart grouping onto another new cardstock from Gina, Lipstick Red using Versamark and embossing the images with clear embossing powder.


I love the sweet little umbrella from this set and the coordinating sentiment that seems to go so very well with the image.  I stamped the umbrella twice, once directly on the cardstock, and then again on a scrap piece, which I colored with Copic markers, then cut and popped onto the stamped image to give it more dimension.


Just wait until you see what the other Design Team members have created using stamps from the 3 sets being previewed:

Tami Mayberry {Illustrator of Happy Hearts}

Gina Krupsky

Jessica Fick

Nina Brackett

Melanie Muenchinger

Asela Hopkins
Theresa Momber

Carolyn King

Cathy Tidwell

Lee Murphy

Donna Baker

Erika Martin

Emily Giovanni

Colleen Schaan

Sankari Wegman

Valerie Stangle

{Supplies for Always and Forever}

Stamps: Happy Hearts (Gina K Designs)

Paper: Pure Luxury Innocent Pink, Passionate Pink, White, and Bright Summer Grunge Digital Paper

Ink: Teal Metallic Pigment (Encore), Rose Bud (Memento), Aqua (Vivid)

Accessories: Pop Dots, Thicker Letters, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Corner Rounder, Heart Punch (EK Success1"), Gold Lined Ribbon Assortment, Sateen Flowers White, Zva Creative Crystal Brad

{Supplies for Shower Me With Love}

Stamps: Sung from the Heart (Gina K Designs)

Paper: Pure Luxury Ocean Mist, Lipstick Red, White

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Heart Border (Fiskars), Clear Embossing Powder, Corner Rounder, Mini Pop Dots, Ecstasy Crafts Piercing Template, Heart Rain Dots, Gingham Ribbon (Gina K Designs)

Squeezing In a Little Bit of Enjoyment

Don't misunderstand my blog post title...I always enjoy creating...the thrill of selecting the color scheme, the enjoyment of picking out the stamps, inks and embellishments...it's all good, right?  That's why we ALL love to create. But there are times we create because we "have to".  We have obligations; items that are due.  The same is true in all of life...we enjoy having clean dishes to eat from, but getting those dishes clean is not nearly as much fun as getting them dirty.


In the midst of cleaning my proverbial "crafty dishes" today, I managed to squeeze in a little time to create just for the fun of it.  Wendy Price, a fellow Super Nova on Paper Craft Planet is hosting the sketch challenge this week, and her sketch inspired me so much, I had to "throw in the towel" and wipe the plate clean with a few moments of pure crafting enjoyment.

Using Wendy's sketch I grabbed some awesome paper from S-E-I and Unity Stamps from i{heart}papers and went to work.  

The theme this month for the Super Novas on PCP is treats.  While some people may not think of coffee/tea as a treat, sharing a cup or two with a friend IS a great treat for me. And we all know that one cup just won't do.  Sharing time with those most special in our lives is one of the greatest treats we can give ourselves.  Thank you for spending a little time with me today.


Until next time, live life and enjoy!


{Supplies}

Stamps: Sweet Affections (Unity December Store Kit - available from i{heart}papers)

Paper: Pink, Jolie Chocolat Paper Stack (S-E-I)

Ink: Coffee Bean (Vivid)

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Flowers (Creative Impressions) Pearls, (Zva Creative)  Faux Suede Ruffled Ribbon,(May Arts) Lace, Ornare Paper Piercer, Word Window Punch

Cheers to a New Year

Hello and Happy New Year.  The days, months, years, and now decades fly by.  Wasn't it just yesterday that we were all up in arms about what catastrophic results the year 2000 would bring to the computer/banking world?  As it turns out that was all a bunch of hooey.  I find it amazing that was 10 years ago.  It passed in the blink of an eye.


I just love New Years Day...it's the time when we can all begin again.  It's as if life has given us a big "do-over" and we have 365 days to try to get it right, be better people and just live that happy life God intended for all of us.  In my opinion, THIS is the most wonderful time of the year!


Now that the holidays are over, it's back to a regular crafting routine.  It also means it's a very busy time as I prepare for release parties and complete CHA samples.  Life is full of possibilities and I can hardly wait to see what 2010 holds for me.  Today, life holds a new Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge.  We all took a little time off over Christmas, but now we're back.  Here is the sketch that Taylor provided.

Doesn't this sketch just scream endless possibilities?

While my husband and I rarely go out on New Year's Eve - we prefer the quiet comfort of our own little nest - I can certainly appreciate the fun festive atmosphere of the event.  That's why I chose this wonderfully blingy cocktail glass for my focal image.  A new year is truly a reason to celebrate, and what better way to ring in the new year than with a toast. I added a few more crystals above the glass as well as on the ribbon.  I wanted this card to shimmer and shine just like the the many celebrations throughout the world.


The sentiment was cut using my Cricut, a tool I haven't used in months, but recently unearthed as I was moving things around and putting tools away.

I added a little loopy edge (because I can't stop using this punch...lol).

Most of the elements used in this card were from Taylored Expressions' Key Ingredient Kit for December, with the exception of the Zva Creative Bling.


Would you like to play along?  All you need to do is create a project using the sketch above as your inspiration.  Then head over to Taylor's blog and link your project using Mr. Linky by Friday, January 8th (8:00 AM PST).  You could be chosen to be included in the TESC Top Crops on her blog.   


It's always fun to check out the various interpretation of the sketch by other members of the TE Sketch Crew because they each have their own style that they bring every week to their creations. I hope you will take a moment and stop by and see what they have posted to inspire you:

Lisa Hjulberg

Melissa Sauls

Jami Sibley

Rachel Sztonyk

Monika Davis

Sherrie Siemens

Alice Lihsuan-Wertz

and don't forget Taylor! 

Thank you all for checking in today, on this the beginning of a brand new year - a brand new decade, and brand new possibilities! Happy New Year!

{Supplies}

Paper: Intense Kiwi, Classic Magenta, Choice Butter Cream, Ooh La La (My Minds Eye)

Accessories: Zva Creative (CR01CB105 and CRW02CA110), Loop Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Cricut, Ribbon (TEKI Kit-December) Corner Rounder

As the Decade Comes to a Close...

I don't have an object of creativity to share with you, but a tad bit of good news.  I hope you don't mind...I have been working on project that I'm unable to share with you right now, but it won't be long until I can show you the things that have been taking up my time.  Ready for the good news?


Claire Brennan, of Waltzingmouse Stamps, has asked me to join her talented group of crafters who make up her Design Team.  I'm thrilled to begin 2010 with such great news to share.  I have been a BIG fan of Claire's work from the very beginning when I gazed upon her first project posted online.  When I learned that she would be starting her own company with her own designs, I was jumping up and down with excitement for her.  I'm humbled by her confidence in my ability to help promote her company.  Thank you, Claire! I look forward to working with her and the rest of the awesome crafters that make up her Design Team.


Please stop by Claire's blog today for an opportunity to take part in an event that could score you free stuff.


As the decade comes to a close, I wish you much happiness, good fortune, and a life full of awareness of all the blessings that are yours.


Happy New Year!

Van Gogh I Ain't

I hope that you had a truly awesome holiday.  I took a wee break from blogging so that I could spend time with family, as for me, that is what the holidays are all about.  I had a wonderful quick visit with my son and his family as we exchanged gifts, had a few laughs and shared the D-Box experience as we all went to see Sherlock Holms.  They left for home this morning and now I'm trying to find my mojo and get back into a blogging routine.


Today is my last day as acting hostess of the Try a New Technique Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.com.  For the past year a a half, I have enjoyed bringing new and hopefully fun techniques to the group each Monday.  As I post my final technique, I leave the group in MORE than capable hands with  Holly McMillen a/k/a Toy (Dirty Dozen alumni) taking over the reins.  Holly will do a fantastic job and I can't wait to see what fun and exciting techniques she has in store for us.


Today's technique is called the Van Gogh technique as it mimics the brush strokes that Vincent is most famous for.  As you can see from my feeble attempt, Van Gogh I ain't.  HA!  Pat Huntoon, and her Technique Junkies Newlsetter first introduced me to this technique this past summer.  I hope you will pop on over to SCS and get the details on how you can achieve this look as well as check out the creative ladies who participate in the SCS week after week.

Using a series of brush strokes similar to those used by the legendary Vincent Van Gogh, you too can create unusual, and visually interesting texture and dimension to your project with the use of markers, rather than paint brushes.

On a cardbase of white, I stamped a background of clouds and added this adorable image from the Wonderful You October Store Kit by Unity.  I stamped the house image onto the clouds background and then again onto Pure Luxury White cardstock which I colored, cut out and adhered onto the torn green layers of green cardstock.  

I could have embellished this card further, but like I said, I was spending time with my family and tried to get this sample done as quickly as I possibly could. I hope you will forgive me.  While I'm still on vacation from work, the week will be filled with crafting work that needs to be done.  With the slight crafting hiatus I've had, I feel ready to get back into a creating mode.


Until next time, have a fantastic day.


{Supplies}

Stamps: Wonderful You (Unity October Store Kit available through i{heart}papers) and Clouds (Hero Arts)

Paper: Blue, Green and Pure Luxury White (Gina K Designs)

Ink: Blue and Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Inkssentials Opaque Pen i {heart} papers