CENTERSTAGE SPOTLIGHT CHALLENGE Blog Hop

It's time for another CenterStage Spotlight Challenge Blog hop!

Jessica at Stamp TV arranged for past members of the Center Stage Spotlight Team to participate in a special blog hop.  Here was the challenge for this hop:

Theme: Stamp and color the image on Patterned Paper
* any occasion card acceptable, it doesn't have to be Christmas themed
* image may be cut out and layered, but must be stamped and colored on patterned paper
Requirement: any GinaK Designs stamp set & Glitter
Bonus Challenge: decorate the inside of your card to coordinate

Here is my first card:                                                                                      the inside:

Stamps:  Melanie Muenchinger's Hip to Be Square and Rupa Shevde's Winter Friends
Paper:  Gina K Designs In the Navy and Pure Luxury White cardstock, Stampin Up DP
Other:  Gina K Designs Ribbon, Sakura Glitter Pen, snowflakes cut with Cuttlebug and Copic Markers

This one I made for my daughter whose husband is a worship leader at his church:

                                                                                                      the inside:

Stamps:  Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders, Asela Hopkins' First Christmas
Paper:  GKD Rocket Red, All Spruced Up, White, Misc. DP
Other:  Gold Glitter Embossing powder

OK, OK, I know we were only to do one card, but I got a little carried away with the idea of stamping on patterned paper so I promise this is the last one.  I looked at all my GKD stamps and found all the tiny stamps!  (used 6 different stamp sets)  The gold glitter embossing powder made it difficult to photograph.  It really looks better in person!  Hope you enjoy!!

Stamps: GKD Holiday Cheer (stocking, ornament, snowflake), Rupa Shevde's Winter Friends( bird, holly) Melanie Muenchinger's Hip to be Square (star), Nina Brackett's Lord of the Season (tree trunk, base) Nina Brackett's Elegant Post (kissing birds), Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders(inside sentiment)
Paper:  GKD All Spruced Up, Good as Gold and White cardstock, misc. DP
Other:  Gold Glitter embossing powder

Now go check out some REALLY neat cards that will give you great inspiration!!

Participating Designer's links:

Brenda Turner
Carla Suto,
Carolina Buchting,
Deb Felts
Geri Utterback ,
Giovana Smith,
Gina Krupsky
Janice Melton,
JenMarie Taylor,
Jennie Harper,
Joy Hadden,
Karen Knegten
Kay Simmons, 
Linda Payne,
Lori McAree,
Melisa Waldorf, 
Melissa Cash,
Melissa Shultz,
Nina Brackett,
Pam Imholz, 
Sue Morris, 
Peggy Wainman,
Selma Stevenson,
Shannon Bracken,
Sharri Seffens
Sue VanDeVusse
Sue Walsh,
Tina Gilliland
Cheri Weston  

A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We ate and ate and ate and ate some more!!  I love our family.  We pray, laugh and cry together!  What a blessing from God they are.  After lunch, the boys watched games while 2 of my daughters and I stamped and watched the little kids (sort of).  We kinda let them get into stuff -- as long as they were quiet and happy while we stamped!  Here are a couple of photos

Here is one of the grandsons -- He got busted getting into my stamping stuff -- the little monkey is his best buddy

GingerBread House Party

My sister -- bless her heart hosted a Gingerbread Party for 16 kids and a bunch of adults. She made 16 houses and had all KINDS of candy for us to decorate the houses. We had a blast! The kids ate TONS of candy and had so much fun -- so did the adults. The kids ranged in age from 17 years old to 18 months! She also served us lunch.

 

Stamp TV Member BLOG HOP

Jessica at Stamp TV arranged for an all Stamp TV member  blog hop. Here is the challenge she issued::

The only requirements to join in will be to make one new card using any of these new stamp sets:

Calendar Bits & Pieces
First Christmas
Festive Frame
Signed with Love
Winter Friends
Vintage Borders

So here are my cards:

Materials used:
Stamps:  Asela Hopkins First Christmas
Paper:  GKD's Cranberry Tart & misc dp
Ribbon is GKD's Cranberry Tart Satin

Here is the second one:

 

Materials used:
Stamps:  Asela Hopkins First Christmas
Paper:  GKD's Chocolate Kiss & misc dp
Ribbon is GKD's Cranberry Tart Satin

Now take a look at some of the others in the Mr. Linky at Gina K's Blog page

Cards before Thanksgiving

Our family will be so busy starting this weekend with family for Thanksgiving, I thought I'd post a couple of cards before the rush starts!  This is our turn to have all the family for Thanksgiving.  We will have the 3 girls, their spouses and kids plus a few friends.  I ordered a new table for the holidays, but it looks like it won't make it in time. --- maybe for Christmas.

This card uses a technique taught by Gina K on her blog here

Stamps: Gina K Designs Holiday Cheer and Holiday Greetings
Paper: Gina K Designs Black Onyx, White
Other: velvet ribbon, silver glitter embossing powder

Here is the next one:  This was a challenge that I THOROUGLY enjoyed!  It was to make a card on a card.  I thought it would be difficult, but was quite easy!  Here are some instructions given by Sharri on the Stamp TV challenge page

Stamps:  Gina K Designs Comport and Peace and Tag Lines
Paper:  GKD Smoky Slate and Sweet Corn

Vists with Pap Paw

I did this scrapbook page for a challenge on Stamp TV.  It will go in the book of Memories I'm putting together about my mom and dad.  I love this one because Jonathan is showing my dad his new muck boots.  He loved having the grandkids in to visit.  He did not communicate very well, but most times the grandkids understood what he wanted. 

Beautiful Fall Days in East Texas

Today was one of those rare fall days in East Texas. I did not like being indoors! The staff at the clinic came over and had lunch in the outdoor kitchen! Plenty of sunshine, a light breeze, good company and good food. I want to remember days like this.

Here are a couple of cards: The first one was a hooot! It used Cottonelle toilet paper for the base! LOL. It was a fun technique that Gina K did in the current issue of Scrap and Stamp Arts Magazine! It took several tries, but was fun!!!!

Stamp: Gina K Designs Elegant Flowers
Paper: Vibrant Violet cardstock by Gina K Design


The next card is one of my favorites because of the scripture: I'm having trouble with the color on my computer so I hope it shows up navy. Gina K's In the Navy is absolutely beautiful!

Stamp: Rupa Shevde's Easter Blessing and the sentiment is from Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders
Paper: In the Navy cardstock, Good as Gold by Gina K Designs

The last card is another one I am having fits getting the color to turn out right. It is Gina K's beautiful Vibrant Violet cardstock, the embossing is in gold with a little bit of misc. dp.

Have a WONDERFUL DAY!!

CSS CHALLENGE HOP

Welcome to our first Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop!



Jessica Fick, the Design Team Coordinator for GinaK Designs has issued a challenge to all of the past and present team CSS team members to make a Christmas card with one of these sketches:








HEY GUYS --THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND FUN--------NINA BRACKETT is giving away a Hip to Be Square stamp set - she will pick a random commenter from one of the blogs and she is not telling you which one :-). This is her way of spreading the love.

Here are mine:

This one uses a digital paper from Gina K Designs called Vintage Holly with some of that BEAUTIFUL Good as Gold and Rocket Red cardstock from Gina K Designs. The sentiment is from Rupa Shevde's The Magic of Christmas.

This one uses Gina K Designs Designer Paper available as a digial paper called Vintage Holly and Chocolate Kiss cardstock.  The cute filigree sled and sentiment are from Rupa Shevde's The Magic of Christmas.

This one uses Gina K Designs Nearly Navy and Good as Gold cardstock. The stamps are from the Magic of Christmas and were embossed in gold.

We know you're going to LOVE what everyone has designed for us tonight! First check out Gina K's blog

Gina K Designs


Then, here are the links for GinaK's Current CSS Team Members:

Deb Felts

Diana S. Queen

Karen Knegten

Melissa Cash

Sharri Seffens

Sue VanDeVusse



and the links for all of the past CSS Design Team members participating:

Brenda Turner,

Carla Suto,

Carolina Buchting,

Charlene Merrick,

Dawn Lusk,

DeeMarie Kelemen,

Geri Utterback ,

Giovanna Smith,

Janice Melton,

JenMarie Taylor,

Jennie Harper,

Joy Hadden,

Kay Simmons,

Linda Payne,

Lori McAree,

Melisa Waldorf,

Pam Imholz,

Selma Stevenson,

Shannon Bracken,

Shelly Wilson,

Sue Walsh,

Tina Gilliland



Some of GinaK's Senior Design Team Members and Illustrators wanted to get in on the fun tonight too:



Asela Hopkins

Carolyn King

Cindy Lawrence

Jessica Fick

Lee Murphy

Lynn Mercurio

Nina Brackett

Melanie Muenchinger



along with Nina Brackett's Guest Designer: Lisa Hjulberg



All of these gorgeous cards from the entire team will be added to the StampTV gallery throughout the next few days with the tag cssjf1 (which stands for center stage spotlight jessica fick 1)



These sketches are also our sketch challenge for this week, so be sure to check out all the information in the discussion in our Challenge group over on StampTV Thursday morning. We'd love to see your cards with the sketch too!

GIFT BOX

Gina K issued a challenge of making a gift box of cards.  Here is my project.  This was soooooo EASY.  On her blog page she give fast and easy insturctions on how to get them done SUPER fast.  I'm making several of these. 

I used some GKD white and sweet corn cardstock with Asela Hopkins Framed Friends stamps and the bow is from my crazy big stash.  You can get the clear box and stamp set from Gina K Designs.  The Framed Friends stamp set is really cute -- there are 17 stamps!  I'll be using this stamp set a lot and in a few days, I'll post some other projects.

Alyssa's Playhouse

We had this little house put in our backyard when our granddaughter, Alyssa was 4 years old, that sweet little girl is  now a senior in high school.  We took this picture after a snow storm -- very rare in East Texas.  I used the scrapbook page to meet a challenge at Stamp TV.  I so enjoy those challenges.  I get inspired to complete projects by a deadline.

Materials used:

Stamps:  Holiday Cheer by Gina K Designs
Paper:  Nearly Navy by GKD

I embossed the large snowflakes in white on the Nearly Navy, small snowflakes on the light cardstock in white also.  I embossed the medium blue with a snowflake cuttlebug folder.

Here are a couple more cards:

The first one uses the Holiday Cheer Stamp Kit with Gina K Designs Holiday Cheer Stamp kit.  It was stamped in white and then given a good coat of Snow Writer.  It glimmers and has iridescent glitter.

The second one used the Nearly Navy and white embossed snowflakes from several stamp sets:  The Magic of Christmas by Rupa Shevde, Holiday Hospitality by Gina K Designs and the Holiday Cheer by Gina K Designs.

Burrrrrr.  Where's the hot chocolate?

Computer Woes

On the way to our vacation house in Louisiana a cooler leaked water on my computer.  I dried it off and it worked for a few hours, so I thought I'd help it along by drying it with my hair dryer.  Well, I didn't know that my dryer would get so hot and I melted the keys!!!  It is at the hospital being fixed.  Lucky me -- I do have a spare -- but it is an old ibook and it is slow as Christmas!!  The photoshop elements color is never right and I'm hating the way it colors my cards!  So please bear with me for about 3 weeks.  Here is a project I finally finished! 

It was for a 3D Challenge at Stamp TV.  The challenge was to make something out of paper towel rolls.  This is an Advent Calendar.  The roll was cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces and cover with Gina K Design paper, lids were cut and made with my cuttlebug.

I embossed Christmas ornaments with gold, attached numbers and then attached them to the lids with gold brads.

I covered some foam core board with the same designer paper and then filled the little boxes with Nativity figures, candy and money.  Each day, the grandkids can open one.  I hung it up to take the pictures and I think I'll just leave it up until Christmas.

Warm Winter Wishes Blog Hop Card

This little snowman from Carolyn Kings' Warm Winter Wishes has been so easy to use and here are two ideas on how to put him on a card.

One great reason to use this stamp set is because 100% of Carolyn's proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association in her grandmother's memory. If any of your loved ones have been affected by this disease, you certainly recognized the importance of this organization and how important the task of research and finding a cure.


The card uses Gina K Designs' Soft Sand cardstock. I put DH name on one heart and mine on the other, used a few copic markers, some white/glitter embossing powder and these were done. Quick and easy - I can make a lot of these in just an hour or so.

This next project uses Paula Deen's recipe for Peppermint Bark. I used Gina K Rocket Red cardstock and gold embossing powder. The red is so clear and true! It makes all your other elements pop!



For even more inspiration visit Carolyn King - the Illustrator of Warm Winter Wishes and the Idea Center gallery HERE.

Then, check in with Carolyn's special guest designers:

Charlene Merrick

Tina Gilliland

Deb Anton

And, finally stop by these GinaK Designer's blog participating in the hop tonight:

Cathy Tidwell
Cindy Lawrence
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Nina Brackett
Melanie Muenchinger
Tami Mayberry
Theresa Momber

and our CenterStage Spotlight Team:

Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Linda Payne
Lori McAree

GinaK will be giving away a copy of Warm Winter Wishes on her blog tonight - so pop over there to leave your comment on her blog for your chance to win the set for free! (If you've already purchased the stamp set, we can swap it out for another GinaK stamp set valued at $19.95 or less.)

CANCER AWARENESS

I made a 10 of these to pass out where my mom took her chemotherapy. She had a wonderful doctor/staff who took very good care of her.  I know those who are still taking chemotherapy need our prayers.   Here are the details of the cards:

Cardstock:   Gina K Designs, pure luxury white (so very smooth) and chocolate kiss
dp:                Bo Bunny and Melissa Frances
Stamps:        Melanie Muenchinger's Hip to be Square and Inspiration Mosaic (sentiment)
Rupa Shevde's Easter Blessings - the ribbon is the fish Christian Symbol (I think)  I turned it side ways.

These were to meet a challenge at Stamp TV for a card with just words as the focus. I made 10 of these really quick. They measure 4 x 4.

Lord of the Season Blog Hop

These two cards are for Stamp TV's Blog Hop. Blog Hops are so much fun. I get tons of inspiration. Here are two and then go check out the other cards for great inspiration. WOW it has been a great opportunity and a precious privilege to be a Stamp TV Center Stage Spotlight Team member. Continue checking Stamp TV each day for wonderful designs.


This uses: Nina Brackett's Lord of Season stamp set
Dp is from Stamp TV's download paper called Vintage Holly
Copic markers
pearl embellishments
vintage ribbon


This uses Nina Brackett's Lord of the Season stamp set
Melanie Muenchinger's Inspiration Mosaic
DP is Stamp TV's download paper called Vintage Holly
Stamp TV's good as gold, all spruced up green cardstocks
a few Copic markers

For even more ideas with Nina Brackett's Lord of the Season stamp set, visit her blog link below as well as the GinaK Idea Center here: Lord of the Season

GinaK Designer's joining in on the hop tonight:

Nina Brackett
Carolyn King
Cathy Tidwell
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Lee Murphy
Donna Baker
Kurtis Amundson
Melanie Muenchinger

Theresa Momber

September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:

Janice Melton
Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Lori McAree

Nina's Guest DT and friends:

Crystal Bernsdorf
JenMarie Taylor
Lisa Hjulberg

Pretty Things

Do you like pretty things? Please go to Terry Conrad's web site and see all her pretties. She designs beautiful frames, gifts and paper. She has beautiful things to "warm your heart and your home". She calls it Feather Your Nest. If you link her site on your blog, you could get your pick of some of her pretties!

Napkin Rings for 3 D Challenge

I will make more of these for our Thanksgiving lunch. We will have a full house with our 3 girls, their husbands, 6 grandchildren and maybe a few friends and extended family. So I better get to work! These are so easy! They are made to meet Donna's challenge at Stamp TV.




LIST OF SUPPLIES:

Paper towel roll cut into 6 pieces
Free Download paper called the Great Outdoors - this one looks like linen at StampTV under heading "Freebies"
Ribbon from Signs of Autumn StampTV kit
Leaves and acorn from Melanie Muenchinger's A Year of Leaves
copic markers

Card Challenges

The first card I made for Split Coast Stampers Challenge for a no layer card. After I made it --- I realized this is a layer! So back to the drawing board, but wanted to post it. I used Melanie Muenchinger's Inspirational Mosiac. She has the BEST tutorial on how to use this. Go check it out here.

This 2 part tutorial will make using this Mosiac stamp easy and there is lots of inspiration on her blog


This next card did meet the challenge issued by Giovana called Gold, Gold, Gold. This one was fun. I used Gina K Design's Rocket Red cardstock. I've looked and looked and have NEVER found such a true clear red. You will love it. I'm beginning to do a few Valentine cards and this is working so beautifully! Believe me, you will like it. I used one of my favorite stamp sets by Rupa Shevde called The Magic of Christmas with gold embossing, ribbon is from a Stamp TV Kit called Christmas Cheer. I saw a card that used a little scooter loaded with packages and was inspired to load up this sleigh. Check out the scooter card here, made by scootin granny

EASY PEAZY Christmas card

Here is a super quick card. I used the Gina K Design's All Spruced Up green cardstock, one of the digital papers from Vintage Christmas, the Good as Gold metalic paper - gorgeous shimmer - and a little piece of white. I stamped the Merry Christmas, embossed in white with 2 ribbon pieces and this one was ready in no time.

Pillow Pocket for Christmas

This is a fun project with with clear plastic pillow boxes from Gina K. Our family traditionally gives money to the children and grandchildren -- and sometimes I get some - if it's been a good year. We usually put these in envelopes and put them on the tree. After stocking goodies have been opened, Dad passes these out, calling each child by name up to the tree to get theirs. It is always a highlight and the kids love it. This year I am stuffing these with red or green tissue to match our tree decorations. I used some of the ribbon in the Holiday Cheer Stamp TV kit with a little cuttlebug ornament tied on the front. The back has a little tag with the person's name on it, attached with some of those brads from the kit. The colored brad matches perfectly the ribbon.

Gold and Red Quick card and a project to EAT!!

Here is a very quick card. I used Gina K Designs Rocket red cardstock which has a delicate texture -- goes so well with many patterns or by itself. The dp is a scrap of Martha Stewart from last year. The little ornament is a spellbinders die. I stamped the sentiment in red -- it shows up great on the Gina K Designs gold, but doesn't show up in my pictures, tied a ribbon and it's ready to mail! The ribbon is from Gina K Designs -- and ties like a dream!! I fight with ribbon like crazy and for some reason this ribbon stays in place, the knots look good and the loops stay looped!


Here is another project - My grandkids loved this project because they could EAT it!!
I used some of the Gina K digital papers called Deck the Halls - such vibrant colors. The little toppers are from the new Holiday Cheer Stamp TV kit. Below the picture is what happened to the cupcakes!

GINA K PREVIEW BLOG HOP

Welcome to Gina K's Preview Blog Hop. It has been quite an honor to be a part of September's Center Stage Spotlight Team. Here are my cards for the Preview:


This one uses the stamp set Holiday Hospitality by Gina K and the digital papers that you can download (after the Release Party on Oct 1)called Deck the Halls. You will use this over and over for so many of your Christmas projects.

I sewed a little pocket onto Gina K's rocket red cardstock, and trimmed it with red tinsel to hold two Christmas ornaments. I stamped 3 ornament images on the dp and one on Gina K white cardstock. For one ornament I put 2 of the stamped images together and sandwiched a red wire in the middle. For the second I put 1 dp stamped image and white cardstock with the party info on the back, then slipped them into the pocket. The brads from the Stamp TV Kit matches the paper perfectly!




The second card also uses the digital paper but this is from the set called Vintage Holly - oh boy you will really like this set. All the images have an elegant vintage look. I used Gina K Chocolate Kiss cardstock and some of the new ribbon with gold accents. The ribbon in the Stamp TV Kit ties so well and holds its shape. I colored the flowers with copic markers, added gold brads from the new Stamp TV kit and a button from the kit topped off with a sprig of gold. All of the card elements (except the sprig of gold & the 2 flowers) came from the Stamp TV Kit. The kit has everything to make lots and lots of projects!

Here is one more card for tonight. The stamp set is called Winter Wishes by Carolyn King. This set is not just for Christmas -- I've already planned some Valentine cards around it. The stamp I chose for this card is the snowman image. I used some copic markers and strung some beads on wire and inserted the wired between pieces of Gina K's "in the navy" cardstock that I embossed with snowflakes. I cut that sweet little snowman out and put one on the outside and one on the inside. This is a special set because 100% of Carolyn's proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association in her grandmother's memory.





Head over to GinaK's blog to add your comment to her blog entry for a chance to win the stamp sets being previewed tonight our blogs! Then, check in on Carolyn King's blog - the Illustrator of Warm Winter Wishes.

Here are the rest of the links to the Design Team Members participating in the hop tonight:

Cathy Tidwell
Cindy Lawrence
Donna Baker
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Melanie Muenchinger
Tami Mayberry
Nina Brackett
Theresa Momber

CenterStage Spotlight Designers:

Joy Hadden
Lori McAree

We'd love to have you join us at our Release party tomorrow night over on SCS starting at 7pm CST. There will be lots of chatter, samples, contest questions, and challenges - you won't want to miss it! Check out Theresa's discussion if you're new to our Release parties for some helpful information to get you started.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

For the first time in my whole life - Christmas cards will be sent out in time and I'll even have some cute little gifts for people like the lady who does my nails, my next door neighbor and the lady in the nursery at church.

Gink K Designs have these little clear boxes in several different sizes and can make the neatest gifts! Gina K has a tutorial on how to make these into a cool coffee bean gift box.

The first one is a "emergency office pack" that can be put into a briefcase or computer bag. It has everything you are going to need: paperclips, stapler w/refills, stickey pad, pen, hand sanitizer, business card case and a couple of other small necessities.

I wanted this is say "PINK" so I stamped a GKD stamp called "Comfort and Peace" onto some dp, stamped a sentiment from the new Holiday Cheer StampTV kit, punched it out and tied it up with some ribbon
The second is a little kit I sent with my grandson on the airlines. Hopefully, it will keep him busy for a little while. I got a little carried away and began filling these wonderful clear boxes with all kinds of things! This one used one of the New Release Stamps from the Holiday Cheer Stamp Kit. I made several of these.

Color Challenge for Stamp TV - THINK PINK

Oh, I was so honored to be asked to be on the Center Stage Spotlight DT for September! One of the first things I get to do is issue a color challenge. This one starts Monday morning at 9:00 The colors are Pink, Navy and ivory or white! Since pink is one of my favorite colors I can't wait to see what everyone does!


I used GKD stamp by Rupa Shevde called The Magic of Christmas with Gina K's "in the navy" cardstock and the flowers are from Elegant Flowers Stamp Kit I've cut the flowers out and popped them up high and added some glitter with a sukura glitter pen. The ribbon is navy velvet.

Have a really super good day!

GINA K BLOG HOP

Well, the preview has started! The stamp sets are marvelous, the DP outstanding (lots of vintage! YAHOO) and gorgeous ribbon. Start at Gina K's blog and do the list! You will be amazed, inspired -- like I have been -- and you will have all your Christmas cards done in no time -- that is if you can decide which stamp sets you want.

I get to show my preview cards on Wednesday night so come back and do the hop!

Not Christmas cards but here are two cards

This one uses Gina K's ivory, chocolate kiss and pumpkin spice cardstock and the signs of autumn dp with Rupa Shevde's "my cuppa joe". I've enjoyed this stamp set - so versatile!



This card uses Gina K's chocolate kiss, pumpkin spice, ivory and the stamp from the elegant flowers stamp kit. Gina K has a technique called "Bleach as a Coloring Tool" that I used to highlight the flower.

EEEEE - I'M SO BLESSED!

I've not posted anything for the last couple of days because I've been trying to grasp what has just happened to me. I've been asked to be a member of the Center Stage Spotlight Team for STAMP TV. It came as a real surprise to me because I just love making cards and had no idea this was even a remote possibility! There will be some blog hops, some challenges with some prizes and the revelation of a new line of stamps! Oh, please come and see what will be going on with some special designers and get some great ideas - for Christmas! The blog hops start on September 27th. Check back for more information.

A Great Saturday

This was "the quiet before the storm" day. I got time to make a few cards and just have a real relaxing day. Next Thursday I will have 2 of my grandsons (3 and 1) for 10 days while their mom works in the office at Round Top. Round Top is one of the biggest antique happenings of the country. It encompasses about 4 small towns between Austin and College Station. It is an amazing event.

So here are my projects:

The first is a scrapbook page I did of my dad. I'm working on an 8x8 scrapbook of my memories of both Mom and Dad. I love remembering the fun times we had. The last nine years they had were lived here in Tyler and I am so grateful that they made the very hard decision of uprooting their lives and moving to Tyler. I grew so very close to them.


The card below is the 2nd half of a challenge Gina K at Stamp TV issued. We were to make a scrapbook page and a card using the same stamp set. I used Rupa Shevde's "my cuppa joe"stamp set with GKD chocolate kiss and ivory cardstock and Stampin Up "make your own brads" for the little coffee brads. The blue dp was found in my stash. Gina K called the challenge double duty -- and for me it was great to make a page and card without having to get out separate stamp sets, card stock and ink colors. This would be a good way to complete my Mom and Dad's memory book and meet card challenges at the same time.


The card below was another challenge card. It was fun. It is the Cracked Glass challenge. I used GKD rocket red and green apple card stock. The stamp is from GKD's Tropical Windows and the sentiment is from Rupa Shevde's "the Magic of Christmas". Gina K has a great video on how to do this technique. It is amazing and fun! I will use some antiquing on the next one I make. The second photo is a close up of the cracked glass.

Cards, Cards & More Cards

My grandsons were here for a few days and we had a wonderful time. They are so precious and grow so fast!

Here are a few cards. This first one uses some scraps from my ever growing pile.

Next are two designs for a baby shower. I decided to use a post card size and really glue the pieces down so they would take post office handling. I first ran the who, what,when and where details on my computer, then stamped and pieced the fronts. The stamp is from Dawn McVeys Scattered Showers. On the first one the dp paper are miscellaneous Stampin Up.

On the second invitation the white umbrellas were embossed with Stampin Up superfine white powder.

Party Favor

Several ladies have asked me to share these party favors - I made them for my grandson's birthday party. I bought little round paper mache boxes (1.99) and styrofoam balls, cut the balls in half, coat each half with a white glue - I used Martha Stewart's, then coated with sparkle glitter, let dry and attached with glue to the lid. I wrapped Stampin Up dp around the lid with ball attached and separately around the bottom of the box, wrapped a ribbon around and put a little candle on top. The little "candy decorations" are brads I pushed down into the styrofoam. I put a few pieces of candy and a little toy car for boys and a little necklace for the girls.


This card was made with Stamp TV's Signs of Autumn Stamp Kit. I used Gina K Designs, Pumpkin Spice and Green Apple card stock. The flower stamp is from GKD Bold flowers Stamp Set. The vintage buttons were found at Brimfield's.

The smoke alarm!!!

Here is one of the neatest techniques for card making. Gina K on Stamp TV had a tutorial on this and I tried it. It was fun - but I did set off the smoke alarm. The alarm company called and wanted to know if they should send out the fire department. I said "No, unless they want to make cards with me." I tried to explain and the young man with the alarm company could not understand what I was doing. This is a fun technique and you should try it. Stamp TV's gallery is full of great ideas using this technique! I used Gina K's Designs Rocket Red cardstock and some ribbon. The snowflake is from The Magic of Christmas by Rupa Shevde. It has 5 different sizes of snowflakes plus 7 other Christmas images and 5 sentiments -- Great details!

New Cards

Here are two new cards I made. These were for challenges at Stamp TV. These challenges keeps me thinking and trying new techniques. These were made before I left for Brimfield.
This card reminds me of my sister. When we go to Maine, one of the things we like to do is sit and watch the ocean. It can be such a relaxing place to go. It can be a place to do MANY, things also

Brimfield Day 1

Well, we started out early this am and now back in our room and VERY tired. Tara had some luck finding her stuff and I found one of my favorite vendors that sells vintage ribbon and buttons. Vintage ribbon is a weakness of mine and this vendor has the goods! He has a website and here it is. www.accessoriesofold.com You will not be disappointed in the quality. We found some good bargains. Tomorrow it is suppose to rain so we may have a short day.

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PLEASE DON'T FORGET WHAT TOMORROW IS ALL ABOUT AND PLEASE REMEMBER THOSE FAMILIES WHO STILL HURT


BRIMFIELD HERE WE COME!!
Tara and I decided to go ahead and get ourselves to Brimfield. If you've never been, IT SHOULD BE PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST! An incredible antique market like no other! Tara and I look for jewelry and other stuff. I will be looking for one of my favorite vendors who sells vintage ribbon. I flew into Buffalo, Tara picked me up and we headed out. Tara gets to leave her boys with their other grandmother and they have a great time. Our first stop was a little town called Geneva at the base of one of the finger lakes. This monument was at a pier and the sailboats were from a sailboat school. We got to our hotel for a nights rest and off. More pictures tomorrow.

Challenges

Wow, my sister and I stayed up until 4:00 am cutting and sticking and making trick or treats! I sure do enjoy my time with her. I'll post pictures later of what we did. In the meantime here are some pics of the challengs I did this week.

This card uses some of my scraps. OMG I've got so much!! I could scap till the cows come home and still have TOOOOOOO much. It is always a challenge to see what I can do to use some of it up.

This card uses some cardstock from daughter Stori's wedding. I also used some SU cardstock with black emobssing. That black is hard to use -- it gets on EVERYTHING.

I love this picture. Harrison is so cute and Tara is so "mommy". I'd like to do a scrapbook page of his Halloween costumes only. This dragon suit is just soooo cute.

Shaker card

This has been a FUN, FUN challenge. On Stamp TV we were issued the challenge of making a shaker card after we viewed Gina K's technique. Go to Stamp TV, Gallery page and put in STVTC28 in the little search box (it has a magnifying glass) and get ready to be surprised. What fun it has been seeing what everyone puts in their shakers. Talk about creative people! Here is my card.



My sister and I love to collect sea glass. The sea glass and sand come from the coast of Maine at Sand Beach in Acadia Park. The dp is from Adornit, the Gone Fishing Collection designed by Alison Lindhardt, blue cardstock is from Stampin Up, white cardstock is Gina K's pure luxury pure white (love it to pieces) The sentiment stamp is from Tropical Windows by Gina K.

Such a Nice Weekend

We celebrated our daughter's 36th birthday on Sunday after church and Saturday DH worked around the house and I got to scrap and play. Here are a few things I did. Friday I went to the "going out of business" scrapbook store and got a few papers and things. I would like to go back on Monday.

This is one of my favorites because it has 4 of my grandchildren in it. I used Stampin Up paper and stamp from "Bugs and Kisses".



This one uses Nina Brackett's Elegant Post and Gina K Designs Rocket Red paper - the truest and prettiest red I've ever seen. I used one of those Gelly Roll Sakura Glitter Pens to do a little highlighting but I was unable to get the photos to sparkle. So inexpensive, but sure makes your card special. This is a tag with a tag envelope. I'm going make tag cards like this for the girls at our office.


This is one of my favorites. I used Gina K Designs technique for making a shaker card and used Rupa Shevde "The Magic of Christmas" and Stampin Up papers. I used the Sakura Gelly Roll Glitter pen. The little snowflakes are made with the Cuttlebug.

Oh, by the way go here and register for some candy http://gcdstudios.blogspot.com/
Take a look at some of their papers -- oh, please don't get me started. I love paper and they make good quality with great colors. Wonderful to fold!

I made a few more cards but will share them on another day. My sister comes on Wednesday and we will stay up late making cards. She is so much fun!

Two new challenges and a Give a Way!

Here are two challenges I finished today. The first is a card using Gina K's "Inspirational Mosaic" and "So Grateful" stamps with DP from Floral Frenzy. The second is a scrapbook page. I'm working on my 2009 Maine album and this is one of the pages. I LOVE MAINE. There is always so much to see and so many ways to relax, even when we stay a month, it is too short!

I heard about a Scrapbooking store that is going out of business and I'm sad. Sad because it is a sign of our economy and sad for the lady who owns the business. She is a jewel with a lot of talent and patience. I'm going tomorrow - hopefully not everything is gone.

So many individual owned business are going away. I don't like it. In our part of the country, I think we are a little more protected, so I can only imagine what some other states are feeling.


The last thing for today is a GIVEAWAY! Great one, just go to this link and register - Hope you win!!http://62cards.blogspot.com/2009/08/saturday-spotlight-on-sunday-giveaway.html

My challenge for today was to create a card using buttons. I like vintage buttons and found these in my stash. I decided to make a Lapel Pin out of the vintage buttons and then put it on the card. I punched holes in the right places on the oval before attaching it to the card.

Great web site

I'm a newbie at card making and surf the net often. I have found the most inspirational web page. The lady's name is Bety and she does wonderful work. I check her blog daily to get beautiful ideas. Take a look at her shop and her blog page. With so many places out there, this is one you will bookmark and come back to often. Here is her address
http://www.dreamdesignsiralamija.com/store/

Deer for Christmas

My sister spent the night with me after attending a Stampin Up Convention wrap up. We stayed up til 3:30 am working on cards, laughing, and having a good time. I enjoy her and God has blessed us with a good relationship. Tonite I'll finish working on a presentation that I have for a Bible Study Fellowship area Workshop. It's been a while since I've seen these Children Supervisors and I'm excited to see what God has been doing in their class.

Another card plus a visitor

Here is a card I made for a StampTV challenge. I fretted over it, but finally got the little bow like I wanted. As I was working I had a late night visitor. He watched and ate a snack with me. My snack was jelly beans, his snack was a bug -- you can see it under his hand! The flash from the camera made him jump. He was on the glass door.

Challenge for Stamp TV

Here is my first attempt at blogging. I used a Stamp TV challenge for this layout. I used K&Company DP, Gina K pumpkin stamp and Clear Art Stamp for the vine and Copic markers.