Melanie Muenchinger's Blog Hop

First blog of the year!  Wahooo!  I made this card for Melanie Muenchinger's Blog Hop -- It came together REALLY fast!  She has an incredible blog that will blow your socks off.  She will teach you so many things and share her techniques.  The template for her desk is here.  It can be made into a sewing desk, a makeup desk , computer station or anything else you can think of --- It's fun!

The "carpet" is a Freebie download on Stamp TV called Jersey Shore.  Check out the Freebie Tab, there are lots of goodies!

Melanie created this stamp set that has SO many pieces.  You will find yourself using this set over and over.  It has quite a few sentiments for different occasions.

Melanie's stamp set is called:  Tech Talk
Paper:  GKD White cardstock, misc blue cardstock and dp
Ink:  SU Chocolate Chip

 

Desk is Melanie's Template

The carpet -- looks like a Berber carpet is one of Gina K Designs Freebies download

Misc. dp

Computer is Gina K Designs Tanned Leather and white cardstock

Valentines Tradtions

The next few posts will be about Valentine's Day.  Such a happy day -- I look forward to this holiday because after my Christmas trees are down and all the decorations put away, everything looks so dull.  Our winters tend to be gray, dull wet days so things that are pink and red are so welcome. 

Did you know that women by 85% of all Valentines?

In the past some Valentines were made using some of these techniques.  I want to make a couple using the hole punching technique so in a few days look for them on my blog.

Acrostic - the first line of the verses spelled out the recipient's name

Cutout - the paper was folded and cut into a lace-like design using small, pointed scissors.

Pinprick - using a pin or needle, tiny holes were punched in the paper to make it look like lace.

Stamps: GKD Sweetest Memories
Paper: GKD Black Onyx, dp from Making Memories,
Other: Cuttlebug, misc. ribbon

 and a red one:

 

Stamp: backgrounds from GKD Stamp Kit Bold Flowers and Carolyn King's Warm Winter Wishes and Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders, Melanie Muenchinger's Hip to Be Square, sentiment is from GKD Tag Lines
Paper: GKD Rocket Red cardstock, misc. pink dp
Other: cuttlebug, misc punches

 

More Valentines

I can hardly believe Christmas is over and it's time to be thinking of other holidays.  Here are a few valentines I made today.  It was a lazy day for me; time to stamp, watch a little tv and doing a few chores. 

Stamps: Asela Hopkins Framed Friends, 
sentiment is from GKD Tag Lines 
(which is a great set - lines for all kinds 
of occasions and the font is cool)
Paper: "Rocket Red, misc. pink, misc dp
Other: scallop punch, copic markers

Stamps: Asela Hopkins Framed Friends, sentiment is from GKD's Basket of Happiness
Paper: GKD Rocket Red, misc. pink
Other: Cuttlebug, scallop punch, misc ribbon

Valentines Day is Coming!!

Christmas was just yesterday, but the valentine candy is already out at Hobby Lobby!  So here are my first two cards for Valentine's.

Stamps: Misc. flourish, Gina K Designs Sweetest Memories
Paper:  Misc. dp
Other:  Misc. ribbon, Cuttlebug heart, pearls

The first one is in response to a DT call at Creative Belli. Check out their blog!  I really like flourishes and this one was an easy, quick and simple one.  It would be great if you had a number of cards to make.  Stop back by and see the other cards and projects I'll be making.  Valentines is such a fun time.
Second card:

Stamps: Gina K Designs Sweetest Memories
Paper:  Making Memories dp, Gina K Designs Black Onyx, Pure Luxury White 
Other:  Misc. ribbon, Cuttlebug heart

Christmas Tradition

Our church has a Christmas eve tradtion of handing out cookies to people who are having to work on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.  Ladies of the church bake the cookies, package them ready for our Christmas Eve Service.  After the service each family gets a bag of cookies to hand out to someone on their way home -- we stop by Fire Departments, Nursing Homes (for the nurses/aides), gas stations, etc. I found these cookies at Crate and Barrel and knew I just had to make a few toppers to go with the cookies.  It went along with a challenge from Stamp TV -- take the time to play along -- you could win a fabulous stamp set of your choice.

Here is a card I made for my sister Debbie.  Recently we had a scrapping weekend and we used glitter.  We had glitter EVERYWHERE.  The image came from a sweet lady, Karen Knegten who mailed it to me and then I colored it with copic markers.  Check out Karen's page -- she has some wonderful cards!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My wish for you and your family:  that you would know the reality of His name: Wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Isa. 9:6

 Last minute visiting and wrapping I'm sure is only everyone's list.  Here are two ideas.
DH wanted to visit 2 friends for just a minute the other night and I had not baked anything for them.  I ran to my stamp area and came up with these two tags. I did them in about 3 minutes!

Stamps: Nina Brackett's Vintage Christmas and Stamp TV Kit Holiday Cheer, the "TO: FROM:" is from Asela Hopkins' First Christmas
Paper:  Gina K Designs Rocket Red
Other:  Gold Embossing powder, cuttlebug to cut ovals

Here is another one - I did not want to buy a whole roll of paper today to wrap one little gift! (I'll wait for the sales on Saturday) Gina K challenged us to design some wrapping paper - play along here and you might win one of Gina K Designs stamp sets!

Stamp:  Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders and "TO: FROM:" is from Asela Hopkins' First Christmas
Ribbon:  Gina K Designs Rocket Red Polka Dot
Other:  Oval tag cut with Cuttlebug Die


I stamped the flourish on some paper that I've had for a hundred years!  It came on a roll and is just plain.  It is thinner than butcher paper and just begs for stamping!  


Let me make a plug for Gina K Designs ribbon -- I love that stuff.  I know she has looked hard for a good ribbon that ties/lays well.  Over the years I've collected a lot of ribbon and it is all gathering dust because there is just no comparison on the quality of GKD.  The price is extremely economical.  Just go here to the ribbon category and order a little to sample and you will be hooked!

STAMP TV MEMBER BLOG HOP

It's time for our December customer blog hop!

This month, Gina K challenged all Stamp TV members to create a card or scrapbook page using one of her new release stamp sets.

This month's release stamp sets are:
Tech Talk
Life is Good
Lovely Shelf
Warm and Wonderful
Sweetest Memories
or
the StampTV Holiday Cheer Kit

Here is what I made:  

Stamps: Nina Brackett's Lovely Shelf and Elegant Verses
Paper: Gina K Designs Creme de menthe, Pure Luxury White, Chocolate Kiss and misc dp
Other: Ink was Chocolate Chip

and a second one -- at the last minute

Stamps:  Rupa Shevde's Warm and Wonderful, and Gina K Designs Sweetest Memories
the little posts came from Rupa Shevde's Home Tweet Home -- I cut off the birdhouse and added a little length
Paper:  Gina K's Pure Luxury White and misc. dp
Other:  copic markers, superfine glitter

NOW go check out Gina K's blog to see some wonderful cards for inspiration!!

I AM NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER!!

Well, Time for Christmas plays.  Thursday morning I woke up EARLY to drive 2 1/2 hours to see grandson #2 (4 years old) in his Christmas play.  Several days before I asked H. what part he was going to play.  He said "Mary and Joseph".  I said "Both Mary & Joseph?!"  He said "yes".  Well we talked for a while and he said he wasn't Mary or Joseph.  So I asked if he was going to be the Inn Keeper.  He said "Yes". So in a few minutes he said, his friend was going to be the Inn Keeper.  Acutally he was going to wear a crown -- he wasn't a king, but like a king.  So I asked if he was going to be a Wise Man.  He said "No".  Then after further questioning, we concluded he was going to be a shepherd.  For a little while we thought this Christmas Play was going to be a ONE Man Play!!  We were so amused!!  So here is what we saw at the play.  He was a Wise Man!

I had lunch with grandson #3 (18 months) and then rushed back home (2 1/2 hr drive) to see grandson #1 (8 years old) in his Christmas Play.  He was one of the singers.  My daughter got there 30 minutes before the play began to save seast and it was so crowded, we ended up in the 2nd row from the back.  My photography is TERRIBLE, but here he is.

What fun to see Christmas from a grandparents perspective.

Wagons

I needed two gifts for two of my traveling companions and came up with giving a jar of preserves I made this summer, but wanted to do something different to put them in  -- On Gina K's technique for making square envelopes she mentions the Scor-pal web site and I took a look.  Oh, my goodness there are TONS of ideas.  I made the little wagon for the preserves.  I had to make the wheels a little sturdier with additional wheels stacked together and attached them with brads.

Then I used Shrink Wrap and ribbon to finish them up.
Stamp: Gina K Designs Festive Labels
Paper: Gina K Designs Rocket Red and All Spruced Up
Other: Scor-pal tape (the BEST!), punches, brads

Then I stamped some paper bags and put the Preserve Wagons in the paper bags

Stamp: GKD Holiday Cheer, Snowflake is from Holiday Hospitality, sentiment is Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders
Paper: GKD Tan Leather and In the Navy cardstock
and the second one:
Stamps: Nina Brackett's Vintage Borders
Paper: All Spruced Up, Rocket Red and GKD download Feeling Flaky
Other: Star Punch, branch punch

My favorite part was making the tags.  Love making tags -- they are quick and easy --- and I can use scraps!

Christmas Treat Recipe Blog Hop

Several members of the Center Stage Spotlight Team have joined together to share a special Christmas Treat Recipe Blog Hop event with everyone tonight! They have whipped up some treats in their kitchens and their stamp rooms over the past few weeks so we could compile our very first Recipe Book for StampTV!

 Here is my recipe.  It is one I used to make with my girls when they were little.  It is so easy and even the adults like it!  I've good memories of making them!  The girls thought it was the best candy/cookie ever!  So, so easy to make children happy.

Packaging

I adhered the dp to Gina K Designs Ivory cardstock which made a very sturdy basket.  The basket which can be used for SO MANY things is called Sweet Treat Basket and is a FREE down load at Stamp TV.

Stamps:  Rupa Shevde's Easter Blessings, GKD Holiday Greetings
Paper: Rocket Red, Ivory, Good as Gold, Misc. dp
Misc. gold embossing powder, cuttlebug, gold brads

Check out these designer's blogs for the sweet projects they've designed around their treats:

Carolina Buchting
Carla Suto
Deb Felts
Donna Baker
Giovana Smith
Jennie Harper
Jessica Fick
Joy Hadden
Karen Knegten
Kay Simmons
Lee Murphy
Linda Payne
Lori McAree
Melissa Cash
Pam Imholz
Selma Stevenson
Sue Morris
Sue VanDeVusse
Sue Walsh
Vicki Dutcher

Then, stop by GinaK's blog for a super sweet give-away she has tonight in honor of the hop!

The Recipe Book will be available as a free download PDF on StampTV tonight as well. Look for it on the Freebie Tab link.

I LOVE TAGS!!

Here are a few tags I've made.  Making tags is a lot of fun.  You can use scraps of favorite paper and ribbon and as an added feature, they are quick.  I think I'll make tags for Valentine's cards.

I placed these in a Gina K Designs' clear pillow boxes.  This is the medium size clear pillow box.  The tags are approx. 2 1/4 x 3 1/2.  I used a Quick Kutz die on my Cuttlebug.  I found the die on clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I also got a Nesting Heart die on clearance!!

Stamp: Nina Brackett Vintage Border, Asela Hopkins First Christmas
Paper: Rocket Red, Ivory, misc dp
Other: star, snowflake punch, cuttlebug
Ribbon: misc

Snow in Louisiana

My sisters and I had a weekend at our vacation house in Louisiana.  We left around 6:00 and got into town about 9:30 -- It was late and DARK.  The headlights picked up the reflection of some white stuff -- Oh, my word it was SNOW!!  Never in the weather history of Hornbeck had there ever been such an early snow.  It disappeared the next day, but Debbie got off some good shots

Driveway to the house

Cards and a Give Away

Here are a couple of projects I did in one afternoon.  The box of fireplace matches was SUPER easy.  I got boxes of matches at Big Lots -- I should have bought more. 






Now for the give away go here and you will be please with some of the card ideas and you could win a Spectacular Holiday Giveaway pile of card making supplies.

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!