A Personal Thanks...

 

 

Today I am taking it easy.... REAL easy!  It's been a busy couple weeks and well... why not end the year chillin and then... hopefully... bring it in chillin.  :-)  I decided this adorable Magnolia was a good way to remind myself that though it was a busy and sometimes hectic year... I am very THANKFUL for everything the year brought. 

Whether it was good days or bad... there was an "upside" somewhere... even if it didn't feel like one.  My husband taught me that years ago... "there's always an upside"... we just gotta look for it sometimes. 

My card base is Pure Luxury Ocean Mist layered with Key Lime which I ran through my Vagabond using my Polka Dot Cuttlebug folder.  My image was colored using my Copic markers.  I cut it out and mounted it with Pop Dots.

I sat my sweet girl on my ribbon and added a few Prima roses to the mix.

I hope you have a fabulous New Year's Eve and if you're out partying, please please be careful and don't drink and drive!  I want to keep a many friends going into the new year as I had leaving this year.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! *HUGS*

Gina K Designs December Inspiration Hop

Wow... what another amazing Gina K Release Party we had last night!!  I LOVE when everyone joins in and chats up the site!!  You can't turn away for 2 minutes and you've missed three pages of posts!! LOL  Fast, fun and full of inspiration all around!  Today the Design Team is sharing a bit more inspiration using two of the newest sets.  First up....

Stately Flowers 2 by Melanie Muenchinger....

I made a very CAS cad with this gorgeous flower.  As I looked up the Alabama state flower, the Camellia, I was shocked at how many different colors this flower grows in.  I just love it!!  I decided to go red!!  :-)  I used Pure Luxury White card stock and added a small border of Red Hot as well.  My image was colored with Copic markers which I cut out and mounted with Pop Dots.  A bit of twine and a little bling finish off my card.

Next up....

Mountain Wilderness by Theresa Momber...

My card today reminded me of a cold Alaskan day (my brother-in-law lives there so I always think of him on snowy days).. hee.  He would truly appreciate this sort of card.  I stamped all my images and made a "moon" by sponging around the trees and a punched circle.  My card base is Pure Luxury In the Navy and I added a small border of Ocean Mist.  I extended my wolf's mountain using my Copic markers.

For even more inspiration... check out the rest of the DT and be sure to leave a comment for a chance at a FREE Grab Bag 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 (You're here!)
• Vicki Dutcher
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Giovana Smith
• Jennie Harper
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy

Have a great day and enjoy the hop!!! *smile*

You're Invited - Gina K Designs December Release Party!!!

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 StampTV , you're in the right place.  If not... you can go there and you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

Here's a photo of one of the cards I will be sharing at the party.

This is one set that  I'm sure no one will be able to resist!!  It's full of fun images and sentiments!!  And how about that DP??? Yep... it's new too!!  I did a bit of paper piecing on these images and the DP was just perfect along with the sentiment!!!  OMGosh I can hardly wait for you to see all the images in this set!!  Trust me.. you don't want to miss out on all this fun and the awesome sets our illustrators have for you this month!

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)

Now head on over to Tami Mayberry'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!

Have a great day!!

Have a Safe Holiday....

There are two days left before Christmas.... are you ready??? I'm not!!! Of course I've finished shopping... but I haven't wrapped ONE gift!!!  Part of my problem is I always wrap in my bedroom.  Well... since my hubby works the midnight run this year... he is sleeping until 11:30 PM!!!  Ugh!  My secret hidey spot in my bedroom closet.  :-(  This means... I have to transport all the gifts to another area of the house (nope, I didn't think ahead) without the kids seeing them... to begin wrapping!!  Wish me luck!!

My card today uses one of my favorite angels this year from Susana's Custom Art &  Card Design, Elisabeth Bell's, Angel of Hope.  I just love the flow of her gown, her flowing hair and the huge wings!  I colored her using my Copic markers and cut her out to mount her.  My card base is Pure Luxury Vibrant Violet.  I layered on some Turquoise Sea, some fun glitter paper that my daughter got in a little paper art kit that she KNEW I would need to make cards... hee hee... then a piece of White which I used my D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder on. 

A bit of wrinkled ribbon and Websters Sparkler Button finished off my "guardian angel" for you.  :-)

Have a safe and happy holiday and I hope you make special memories to keep for years to come!!

*HUGS & Blessings*

MY Angel...

Oh for sure!!! MY angel would be dressed in purple!!! No doubt!! :-) The adorable little stamp is Angel Gilli.  I just think the Gilli stamps are so darn cute!!! Also... today is the "Just Bling It" Monday Greeting Challenge over on The Outlawz.  Come join in on the fun!!!

My card today started with Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White and I layered on a piece of the Layering Weight card stock.  I ran it through my Vagabond using my Swiss Dot Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I layered on a 4" doilie and added some pearl flourishes around it.  My angel was colored using my Copic markers before I cut her out and added her to my card using Pop Dots. 

I hope you are enjoying your holiday season and getting all your cards and gifts ready.  I've been spending a lot of time designing cards for our family to mail AND for my husband to use at work.  Seems every day he adds another name to his list. LOL  I don't mind though... and I'm hoping to get some homemade fudge and treats made to send with him as well.  Always room for treats when you're a truck driver.  :-)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! *smile*

Gina K Designs' Nature's Greetings Hop

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 Theresa Momber's blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

Here's what I came up with today.

My card base is Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White layered with DP from Echo Park's Marjolaine paper pack.  I stamped my images using my Memento markers to color them in before stamping.  My butterfly was stamped and colored with Copics prior to mounting.  I added a few buttons from the Button Jars offered at Gina K Designs.  I LOVE these buttons!!! Never seem to run out and there are so many sizes I never need to look any further!  Perfect to keep on hand plus the screw on lids are an added benefit!

Head on over to Vicki Dutcher's blog to see what she's sharing with you today!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have enjoyed a little more inspiration from the Design Team.  Have a great day!! *smile*

He's Checking His List....

A bit less than two weeks away.... are you ready???  I'm not quite ready, but almost.  Christmas will be here and, as always, I WILL be ready!  Isn't it funny how it comes the same time every year and yet... or so it seems... people are just rushing and fretting and scurrying along to get it ALL done???!!  I don't know why others feel the "rush" of the season but "I" know for me... I hate buying my kids gifts to early.  I mean you know how kids can be, right???  Sure they want something NOW... but will they want it in ohhh three months when Christmas shopping begins??? Or, is it really necessary to wait for the sale catalog and ads to come out.  Because you can bet if you bought something two months before Christmas, chances are... it WILL be in the sale ads.  *sigh*  So for a mom buying for kids... sometimes it's just best to wait.  I know.. doesn't help with the stress, but, in the end... I KNOW they will want something when it comes at Christmas and quite possibly even be less straining on my budget.  Ya know???  ;-)

My adorable little Santa is, of course, a Magnolia stamp.  I'm pretty sure I got it LAST Christmas release but never took the time to ink it up.  And... I think I got kind of "intimidated" with the red and black Copic coloring.  Not so much anymore since I went through Suzanne Dean's Copic classes!  I am STILL in awe at her teaching skills and all the awesome information she gave us.  Hee

I stamped my image and cut him out... adhering him with Pop Dots.  My card base is Pure Luxury Red Hot card stock and I layered on some Sweet Corn.  I added some DP and a row of buttons for my Santa to perch upon.  My sentiment is from the "Wishing You Joy" Stamp TV kit.

I hope your holiday duties are going smoothly and that you don't get to stressed over any of it.  The holidays should be fun... family time... memory making and full of good surprises.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!! *smile*

Snow & Flakes and Blechhhh....

No sirree... I DO NOT like snow!! Do Not!!!  Is that clear?? Butttt.... I admit... making SNOW cards is fun!!!  Today's Greetings Challenge over on The Outlaws is to make a card with snow, snowflakes, etc.  I had so much fun with this challenge that yes... I made more than one.  But... as a blogger... some days, there's not enough time to create when you want, so, I decided to save my "other" snow card for another post.  :-)

My card was creating using one of Mo's Digital Pencil images, "Kai in the snow".  It reminds me so much of my son when I sat him outside in his green and blow snow suit for his first winter.  He didn't have quite a smile on his face though... more of a "what the heck are you putting me in?" look. LOL  And when he fell over... on his side... the green suit reminded me of a turtle on his back that couldn't get up! LOL  Oh he was so adorable.  But, shell shocked, I'm afraid.  Ha Ha! 

My card base is Pure Luxury Ocean Mist.  I layered some White and added DP from a few different paper packs I had in my stash.  I colored my image with Copic markers and cut my image using my Square Nestabilities and mounted it using Pop Dots.  My flourishes were cut using my Slice machine and added a few punched out snowflakes.  My flakes are sparkled using Frost Stickles. 

I hope you're not getting to much snow... unless, of course, you love the snow like my friend, Lee Murphy. Hee Hee 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!! *smile*

Simple Peace...

Something very CAS.... something that says it all without much fanfare.  THAT is what I was going for with this card. 

My sentiment is from the Stamp TV Kit, "Wishing You Joy".  I love all the sentiments in this kit and the adorable images.  But for this card... the perfect sentiment was all I needed.

I began with Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White card stock.  I used Gina's tutorial on Partial Embossing with a Cuttlebug folder to follow.  You can watch the video HERE.

I used my Bow Easy to make a triple loop bow and finished it off with my sentiment.  I LOVE how clean and yet classy this looks.

Are you working on your cards?  Are you mailing them yet???  I'm done with mine so... off to address and stamp.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! *smile*

Inspiring Trio...

Inspiration!!  I LOVE being inspired and I LOVE inspiring others.  Today I'm sharing three cards I made with the new "Inspirational Blocks" from Gina K Designs November release.  This set has such awesome words in it and I couldn't quite decide which I wanted to use.  Then... it hit me... my kids!  I LOVE giving my kids as much inspiration as I can.  So I chose words which I felt could work for a little inspiration I can give to them on any day (I love to mail them cards for no reason at all... hee). 

My cards base is Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White.  I used the Layering Weight white to heat emboss my images using red, black and teal embossing powders.  I followed Gina's awesome video on Gold Edge Embossed Holiday Card to do my embossing and edging/layering of my blocks.  I added my ribbon and attached my blocks with Pop Dots.  My sentiments were also embossed on the card base matching the blocks.

This would make such an awesome card set to give as a gift as well.  But... I will send them to my kids for now.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!! *smile*

Make it a Tall One....

My card today is one I designed for the Outlawz Greetings Challenge this week.  Your challenge is to make  "TALL" card!  I rarely do this so it was fun to create this sample to give you all a little inspiration.

My card base is Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White and I stamped my image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, "Christmas Light Clear Stamp Set".  I put out a call for help in looking for religious stamp sets I could us for Christmas.  It seems it's harder and harder to find such stamps some times and I really prefer to keep the "true" meaning of Christmas in my card designs.  Luckily for me, my sweet friend, Korin Sutherland directed me to this beauty!!  Thanks, Korin!!  I LOVE it!!!

I colored the image with Copic markers and added a bit of added bling.  My sentiment is stamped on the White and I used my Labels 9 Nestabilities to cut it out.  I added a bit of Memento Wild Dandelion ink around the edges before removing the Nestie.  I adhered a white doilie to the card base before putting on the sentiment using Pop Dots.

I hope you play along.  The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from the E.K. Success!!!  With Christmas around the corner, I'm sure that certificate could be put to good use!! :-)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! *smile*

Poppieeees....

Red!!! It's NOT just for Christmas anymore! Hee Hee.  Sorry... couldn't resist that! LOL  Today I wanted to share with you one of the cards I created for the Gina K Designs November Release party.  My poppy is from the awesome set Melanie Muenchinger released this month, "Stately Flowers1"... of course, the poppy is California's state flower!  :-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Red Hot layered with White.  I added a layer of the DP from the "Natures Greetings" paper pack.  My image was stamped on White and colored with my Copic markers.  I used my Labels 4 Nestabilities.  I used Pop Dots to add some dimension to the card. 

I hope you are having a great Tuesday!!! I am still reorganizing my studio and am happy to report that it IS complete enough that I actually created a little last night!!  Woot!  It's going to be a cold one here in Iowa so I'm planning to stay put and maybe... just maybe, sneak in a little nap while the kids are at school  too!!  Mmmmmm sounds so toasty on a cold December day! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! *smile*

Gina K Designs November Inspiration Hop Day 3

On our last day of the Inspiration Hop I hope you have enjoyed seeing all the awesome creations the Gina K Designs Design Team created for you!  AND... I hope you got your order in early because this release has hit it BIG over the last few days since the release!  Isn't it exciting to know there are more coming in conjunction with this release??? Today we are finishing up our samples but remember comment, comment, comment for your chance to win the HUGE grab bag of stamps that Gina will be drawing for!  Christmas is near and we all can use a little FREE Christmas gift for ourselves, right??? :-)  Now... on with the hop!  First up....

Inspiration Blocks by Gina K Designs

I LOVE the inspirational words in this set and I have been thinking of my kids with every card I make using it.  Perfect little "reminder" for them and I'm the mom that is always leaving notes for them or even mailing them a card of encouragement so this set is right up my ally!!  AND.. this month this set is your "Free with Three" set!!  My card begins with Pure Luxury Wild Dandelion card stock.  I layered on a piece of Black Onxy which I first embossed using my Holly Ribbons Cuttlebug folder.  I know it's more for Christmas but I thought it looked good with my stamp image.  :-)  Next I added another layer of the Wild Dandelion which I heat embossed my images.  My sentiments are overlapping in red and I wasn't sure how it would turn out (afraid it would melt down into the black and nothing would show), but it still kept the fine line of the letters and I like that!  Next up....

Master Butterfly Duo by Gina K Designs

I love coloring big butterflies and this one was no exception!  I started off with some Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea card stock and did a partial embossing on the side using my Bird Call Cuttlebug folder.  I added a layer of Wild Dandelion and some DP to the left and stamped my sentiment at the top.  My butterfly was colored with Copic markers and cut out then mounted with the winds folded upward.  I used a bit of Frost Stickles on the butterfly as well.  Next up...

Just Calling To Say Duo

For my last card I used Pure Luxury Kraft card stock as my base.  I added a layer of Little Boy Blue and some DP next.  I stamped my image using Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Faded Jeans.  I distressed the edges a bit and added some more Tim Holtz Ink, Vintage Photo. 

I hope you have enjoyed these hops and there still more to see... hop on down the list and remember to leave comments on all the DT blogs for a chance to win.

• Gina K
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Sharon Harnist
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!! *smile*

Gina K Designs November Inspiration Hop Day 2

Did you enjoy yesterday's hop??? Well the Gina K Designs Design Team has even more eye candy for you today.  This release is sooo packed with fun to color and awesome flowers and today's sets are no exception.  Let's get started!!!  First up...

Dogwood and Butterfly by Theresa Momber

For my card I began with Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White and added yet another layer on top using Pop Dots to give it dimension.  I stamped the "branches" on the corners and my sentiment in the lower right for balance.  My flowers and butterfly were colored with Copic markers and cut out and also applied with Pop Dots.  I added a bit of Frost Stickles to the butterfly.  I know I will be using this set quite often... just adore the flowers!!  Did you order yours yet???

Next up...

Label Borders by Tami Mayberry

Tami does it again with another fabulous set that not only makes for quick and easy cards, but is still so flexible!!!  My card began with Pure Luxury Blue Raspberry.  I added a layer of White and then grabbed some DP from my stash to add yet another layer.  I stamped the border on White and added it to the middle.  Instead of using the label area I cut a tag using the Nestabilities Grommet Tags and added a bit of sponging around the edges.  Two self adhesive pearls cover the grommet holes.  I also used Pop Dots to raise it up a bit.  This set is FABULOUS for belly bands and even though my band didn't go "around" the card, it looks as though it did.  LOVED working with this set and I'm sure you will as well.

Last but not least....

Friends are Flowers Duo by Gina K Designs

I love images like this flower that can be used both as a DP image and still be colored in and used as a focal image!!  I decided to use it to create my background on my card base.  I used Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White and stamped my image in three colors randomly around the card.  I added a small middle of Pure Luxury Creme de Menthe which I ran though my Vagabond using an embossing folder on just the top and bottom.  My sentiment is stamped and bordered with more self-adhesive pearls.

Now hop on over to the rest of the DT's blogs and remember to leave a comment for them all as Gina will once again draw for a winner of a huge Grab Bag of stamps!! 

• Gina K
• Theresa Momber – Illustrator Dogwood and Butterfly
• Tina Gilliland  (You are here!)
• 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

Thanks for stopping and enjoy the hop!! One more hop tomorrow and another chance to win!!!  Have a great day!! *smile*

Gina K Designs November Inspiration Hop

WOW  What a FUN Gina K Designs Release Party it was last night!!!  Did you enjoy the new format?? I sure did... so relaxed and everyone seeing and ordering and chatting right from the start!  Loved it!!  The Gina K Design DT is ready to help you with some inspiration. if you didn't get to see the samples last night, using all the new sets!!  First up....

Stately Flowers... by Melanie Muenchinger

Oh ya... without Gina K Designs would there even BE a Wisconsin??? Bwahahaha!  I LOVE LOVE African Violets and was thrilled to be able to color this image!!  My card started with Pure Luxury Vibrant Violet and I added some Lovely Lavender which I embossed with the Polka Dots Cuttlebug folder.  My image was colored with Copics and I cut it out using Big Scalloped Rectangles Nesties.

Next up... 

Make a State-ment... also by Melanie Muenchinger!!

I, of course, HAD to do a card pointing out Iowa!!!  I couldn't resist trying to mimic "corn" in my card!  I found this cute DP that had a corn cob smilie on it and decided IT would cover the state.  :-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Sweet Corn (ha!) and I layered two DP's that reminded me of a stalk of corn with the cob showing.  :-)  A bit of twine and there you have it!!

Next up one of the new Duo's set that Gina introduced in her Black Friday Sale....

Close Knit Friends Duo

My card began with Pure Luxury Cranberry Tart.  I layered on some Sweet Corn and some DP.  I stamped my image on White card stock and used my Beaded Ovals Nestties to cut it out.  My image was colored with Copic markers.


And last showing today...

Because of You Duo

This couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me.  Soooooooo LOVE this image!!  One, I've been wanted an awesome silhouette image and... secondly... my darling husband needed a lift after MY having a bad dream about him.  He gets so upset when I have bad dreams that he's in... ya... he's kind of a romantic guy.  :-)  So I designed this card for him.

My card base is Pure Luxury Black Onyx layered with Red Hot and some DP from the Echo Park Victorian Garden paper pack.  I heat embossed with black and used my Oval Nesties to cut it out and mounted on top of more red hot which I cut from the Petite Scallop Oval Nesties.

Now head on over to the rest of the team's blogs and be sure to leave a comment.  Gina will be drawing from them for TWO winners of a grab bag of 12 new stamps!!! 

• 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

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!!!  Have a great day!! *smile*

You're Invited to a FABULOUS Gina K Designs Release

We are very excited to extend an invitation to Gina K. Designs November Release Party. 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)!

If you came from Stamp TV, 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.  I'm soooo excited about this release and you do NOT want to miss out on seeing all these awesome stamps sets our illustrators are offering up this month!

Here's a photo of one of the cards I will be sharing at the party.

My card today was created using Theresa Momber's new set, "Dogwood & Butterfly"! I LOVE this set and these flowers!!! 

I started my card base using Pure Luxury Kraft card stock.  I used my Textile Cuttlebug embossing folder on the front.  My image was stamped on White and I used my Copic markers to color it.  I stamped and colored the butterfly and cut it out before popping it onto the framed image.  I added some ribbon and a bow and added Pop Dots to the oval which was cut out using my Oval Nestabilities. 

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

• When: Today, Tuesday, November 29
• Where: StampTV Release Party Forum
• Time: 7 PM to 9 PM (CST)

Now head on over to Suzanne Dean's blog to see what FABULOUS creation she's sharing with you today and see you back here tomorrow for the beginning of our three day Inspiration Blog Hop series for November!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!!! *smile*

Gina K Designs Black Friday & A Centerpiece

Happy Shopping Day!!!  Are you a Black Friday shopper??? I'm soooooo not an ANY kind of day shopper!!  My husband does all the grocery shopping and I do the "have to" shopping... things like stuff for the kids.  I don't even like to do the "have to" shopping for ME!!  But for those of you that love to shop and CRAVE shopping on Black Friday... Gina K Designs has a special you won't want to miss!! 

Aren't these just the sweetest stamps??? I especially ADORE the "Because of You" set.  Can't live without a little romance!! :-)  It's one day only so don't miss out on some of the newest sets that have not been released to the public yet!! 

 

My card today features Melanie Muenchinger's, "Holiday Basket" set.  My inspiration for the card were baskets that I had purchased for my dad's annual Christmas party gathering he has done for employees and family members.  I had baskets created with the white poinsettias as center pieces for all the tables.  It was sooo pretty and festive.  At the end of the evening we would give the baskets away for others to enjoy at home during the holiday.  :-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Grass Green layered with Pure Luxury Accents Key Lime and some White card stock.  I stamped my basket on a red DP I found in my stash and the flowers on White card stock then colored with my Copic markers.  I cut them but out before mounting them to the card base. I also used Melanie's, "Border Bling" set to add a little swirl under my sentiment and used Liquid Pearls to add a bit of shine and dimension. 

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving and... I hope you take advantage of the awesome sale stamps Gina has for you today and if you're out in the crowds, good luck fighting off those hard-core shoppers!! ;-) 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! *smile*



 

An Outlawz Birthday... Yessirree!!!

Happy TENTH Birthday, Emily!!! Yep... MY little "outlaw" turned ten yesterday!!!  Ten?? OMGosh, how time does fly!!  I miss holding her... I miss rocking her to sleep... and seeing her sweet little face smooshed all up asking for a "sssmarshmellyohhh" (marshmellow).. hee.  But I'll be the first to admit... she's STILL a momma's girl and she clings to me more than I ever imagined she would... STILL!  But it's all ok... in the end, I KNOW it won't last long.  :-(  And yes.. she IS my "outlaw".  She is the toughest thing I've "handled" in ten years.  Even before she was born... I KNEW she was a girl... I KNEW she would be stubborn and yep... she wreaked havoc on my body!! Ha!!  But I would go through it all again 'cause I love her more than I could ever have imagined I could before becoming a mom.  I truly believe NOTHING can top the feeling of a warm baby being laid on your tummy after birth.  A feeling I know I'll NEVER forget.  Never!  And I also know there will never be any real "unconditional love" that is better than that of a child.  So, happy birthday, my sweet little "tween" (a title she's been looking forward to).

Now onto some REAL Outlawz business!!  Today I am posting the Greetings Challenge over on the Outlawz site.  Your task, should you decide to accept it, and I hope you will!!, is to create a card with a birthday or Christmas gift on it.  Remember, your card must also have a greeting on the front as well.

My card was created using a sweet little Magnolia.  I colored her with Copic AND... as a treat to my daughter... her dress was colored EXACTLY as the one we brought her home in from the hospital.  A red velvet top... a white bottom with a soft netting that had tiny little red flowers embroidered on it... and little white shoes... she was so adorable.  See the cute little gift she is hiding behind her back?  Her brother, then four at the time, gave her a gift when she was born.  Hee... this little girl reminded me so much of that day.  :-)

My card base is Pure Luxury Red Hot layered with some Little Boy Blue and DP I found in my stash.  My sentiment comes from Nina Brackett's, "Fanciful Tags".  I cut my image out using my Oval Nestabilities and mounted her with Pop Dots.  A few roses and a ribbon and my birthday card was complete. 

I hope you hop on over to the Outlawz site and enter our Greetings Challenge.  The Paper Temptress is our awesome sponsor this month and you surely will want to get your hands on some of her awesome papers!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you have a fabulous Monday!!! *smile*

Ornamentally Bright...

Today I am FINALLY feeling much better and thought I felt well enough to even "think" about some Christmas cheer!  Woot!  Trust me... most often I'm in a dither thinking about Christmas so this is a welcome feeling for me. HA!

I created this card using the "Merry & Bright" set from Gina K Designs. I started with some Pure Luxury Red Hot card stock.  I added a bit of DP and some lace.  I heat embossed my  ornaments onto White card stock and cut them out using my Spellbinder Heirloom Ornament dies.  I mounted it on top of a layer of Good As Gold metallic card stock and raised it up on the card using Pop Dots.  I heat embossed my sentiment as well. 

I am actually ready to send out my Christmas cards this year, for a change.  One of the ways I managed to get it done on time this year was I decided NOT to send out the same design to everyone this year.  Each card will be an original and no two will be alike.  I found that as I'm doing cards for challenges, design team hops, etc., it has been easier for me to get a nice assortment and just the amount I need to send out.  Woot Woot!! 

I hope you are getting ready for the holidays, they are quicker to come each year it seems.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great Friday!!  *smile*

Always Time for Thank Yous....

Well I have to tell ya... I was going through my posts and trying to decide what I wanted to share today.  Quite often I upload my photos and add a title then go back later to add the details.  I spied this card and thought to myself... "hmmmm.. that card was for a challenge over on The Outlawz forum so can't use it."  Then it hit me... it was marked as a "draft".  Uhhhh... oooopsie!!!  I had it all written up and never posted it to the blog.  So... while it's no longer a challenge, I'll just share it and give you the deets.  Hee Hee

I used a darling stamp from SCACD, Elisabeth Bell's, "Letter to a Friend".  I started my card with a Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea card stock base and layered on some Wild Dandelion.  I added a DP I found in my stash and stamped my image on white card stock.  My image was colored with Copic markers.  I used my Lacey Circle Nestabilitie to mount my image on which I cut in half.  I added a nice satin bow to finish it off. 

Here's hoping the next challenge I share actually shows up on the blog, eh??!!  Sorry about that.  :-(


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!  *smile*

Gina K Designs Gratitude Blog Hop

Welcome to another Gina K. Design Team blog hop. Today we're featuring cards with a Gratitude theme to them. If you came from Theresa Momber'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 what I came up with today.

My card was created using the new Nature's Greeting Stamp Kit which is on sale now at Gina K Designs.  This kit includes a DVD with 6 complete card projects from start to finish! Stamp Set, Card Stock, Patterned Paper, Ribbon, Brads and DVD. Be sure to check this out HERE and get your order in!  Perfect gift for your favorite crafter!

I started my card with some Pure Luxury Grass Green card stock.  I layered on some Bubble Gum Pink and then a piece of DP from the Echo Park Victoria Garden paper pack.  I ran a piece of the Bubble Gum pink through my Vagabond using the Textile Cuttlebug folder for a bit of texture.  My image was colored with Copic markers and I attached it to the card using Pop Dots. I also added a bit of Stardust Stickles to the center of the flower.  I took a piece of lace from my stash and ran it a across my Tim Holtz Distress Ink pad, Shabby Shutters to coordinate with my card base.

My sentiment and a few self-adhesive pearls finish off my card. 

Now head on over to Vicki Dutcher's blog to see what she's sharing with you today!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!! Enjoy the hop!  *smile*