CSS - Inspiration Blog Hop - 5/11/2012

It is another StampTV blog hop. It is an inspiration challenge, these happen to be the most difficult for me. I think I look at the picture for eons trying to see what elements I want. This picture was selected by Brenda - isn't it pretty? Here is what I came up with.

 

You should have arrived from Linda Payne's blog with what I am sure was a wonderful project! 

I loved making the brick wall look with my Scor-Buddy and some distress inks on some Pure Luxury White. The back panel is some Pure Luxury Cranberry Tart.Then I found some patterned paper from Basic Grey that looks a little like a quilt. The basket (stamped on Kraft) and roses are from Melanie's Spring Basket and Buds and Vases. I cut out the roses several times and popped up the layers. The roses were colored with Copics.The ribbon was in my stash.

Now hop on over to visit Sharri Seffens, the creator of the sketch, for some more fabulous eye candy. If you want to start at the beginning or get lost along the way, just jump directly to the links for all of the wonderful creations on StampTV.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (May 15), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs and that person will receive a huge grab bag of fabulous Gina K. Designs Stamps!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hello

On my blog yesterday I told you that I would post the card that I was making for the SSIC challenge this week today. Yesterday's card was created in a hurry for an occasion that I needed a quick card for. The card below was in process and finished yesterday.

The challenge was to use something natural, I used the cork as a natural substance. This was such a fun card to make. I did a LOT of paper piecing on this sweet girl and fussy cutting galore - no wonder I did not get it done in time! The only coloring was the skin and the hair. There is a reason for that, I used some cheaper paper for this image and the Copics kind of bled - so I snipped out some clothes for her. 


Be sure to click on SSIC to see this challenge and play along.

Thanks for stopping and for leaving a comment, 

Recipe: 

Stamps: TCM - Little Frieda at the seashore
Paper: SU - Soft Sky

Designer Paper: EP - Summer Days

Other: Spellbinder die, Cuttlebug - Copics

Challenges:
Card Patterns - Sketch

Communion: 1 John 2:4-6

Did you notice that we have 6, yes 6 new design sisters here at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! We are so excited to welcome them and just wait until you see how incredibly talented they are, they also have a wonderful spiritual aura! You will love them as we do already! Two of our new sisters are not really new - they came back! Please welcome them - stop by their blogs and shout out a warm hello.

This week it was my turn to host our challenge. I chose this verse from 1 John 2:4-6 .

"Whoever says, “I know him”, but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him."

Last week was a wonderfully busy week at our house. We were blessed with our 18^th grandchild and helped out the new family by keeping their other 3 children (9, 7 and 4 year olds) for 4 days. We both still work full time and we are not as young as we used to be when we raised our 8. Needless to say we were wiped out by the time they went home Thursday. We were looking forward to a weekend of recuperation. Then we received an e-mail from a couple at our church who asked us if we would attend their daughters 1^st Holy Communion on Sunday. We are already committed to our Saturday service so I inwardly groaned. However they wrote that we were instrumental in bringing them back to the church and they wanted to share this special occasion with us. Needless to say we are going to both services and brunch afterwards on Sunday. The thing is that we were not even aware that we had that impact on them when we taught their baptism class several years ago. In fact I had to put aside the card I was making for this challenge and make the challenge fit the card I wanted to make for Gracie on her special day.

Have you ever been in a social situation and are asked if you know a specific person? We may know of them but do we really know them? It always amazes me when I hear someone quote scripture and then turn around and use unkind language and words about or to another person. Do others know that we have the love of Jesus in our hearts? Can they see and hear God in our actions and words? It is so easy to say “I know Jesus” but not as easy to “live as Jesus”. Yes, proclaiming the goodness of the Lord and the incredible journey life is with Him at our side but we have to be sure that our daily moments reflect that – that is what is seen and believed by others.

As I said in my devotion I had to come up with a card for this occasion so I had to put my first card aside, (I will post my first card tomorrow after I finish it up). I stamped this image from ODBD on some muslin fabric and colored lightly colored it with Copics. I then used a twig from my back yard and some thread to make it look like banner that hangs in church. A few gold brads and the sentiment is on some vellum. There is a longer sentiment on the inside.

The challenge this week is; Create a card or project that uses something real or natural on it - twine - burlap - shell - sand - etc.

This week our sponsor is Our Daily Bread Designs! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: ODBD  
Paper: SU - elegant eggplant and some gold vellum

Designer Paper: None

Other: muslin, velum, twig, brads, copics

Challenges:  
2 Sisters - #90 Anything goes

Special Get Well Blog Hop

 

Welcome to a special blog hop we are calling, Karing for Karen!! A hop for a very special friend of ours, Karen Knegten. If you have been around the stamping community for any length of time at all, you might have run into Karen. She is always participating in challenges, offering us wonderful inspiration with her awesome talent! About a month ago, Karen had to have surgery for two brain aneurysms. She is still in the hospital and we are having this blog to inspire more of you out there to send in some cards to Karen AND to her family that is caring for her too! So hope you feel inspired with our little hop for you today. Below you will find all of the links to all of the girls participating...these are from the CSS Alumni group and the Design Team from Gina K Designs. Enjoy and be inspired to send a card or two in! Here is the address for sending the cards to:

 

Karen Knegten
c/o R.S.V.P. Rental Services
350 W. Northwest Highway
Barrington IL 60010

Be sure to drop by all of our GKD CSS and DT members!

Carolyn King
Tina Gilliland
Giovana Smith
Lee Murphy
Emily Giovanni
Theresa Momber
Deb Felts
Vicki Dutcher
Cathy Tidwell
Melissa Shultz
Tera Fujan
Cheri Weston
Joy Hadden
Linda Payne
Sue VanDeVusse
Jennie Harper
Betty Neville
Geri Utterback
Brenda Turner

This card was made using one of my older GKD Stamp sets called By Your Side. Those flowers are so fun to color. I used some of the wonderful new GKD patterned paper called Petals and Wings.  The sentiment was stamped on vellum. I used a sketch from CPS.

Thanks for stopping by and Karen, we miss you! The card is in the mail!

Faith: Jeremiah 17:8

Yesterday was a special day, one of our grandsons received his First Holy Communion and it was a wonderful celebration. {The card I made for him is one post down}. It is also a great day because you choose to could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week MariLynn is our challenge hostess and she chose this verse from Jeremiah 17:8. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

[Those who trust in the Lord] shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.

This is a great verse isn't it? One of my sons called me the other day with a big life decision that he is struggling with. He wanted my advice. After listening to him list the pros and cons and after I give him some of my thoughts both for and against this job decision I told him to pray about it and the best decision would come to him if he listens to God. He poohood me about that. (yes - I pray for him constantly) I so much want him to KNOW that God will help him, that my prayers will help, he just doesn't trust in that. I really liked this sentiment because I want my loved ones to experience that trust WILL see you through anything!

I made this card using the stamps that I received from DRS Designs - I really like them! I colored the flowers and the butterfly with my Copics. I also used some glittery gel pens to add the sparkle. I took these pictures at the same time but in different parts of my back yard. The greens sure look different in the shade as opposed to the sun. I also used some of my precious BG Patterned Paper and added some ribbon. Simple but effective.

The challenge this week is; to use our green thumbs... either use green on a card/project or use an image of something planted.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, DRS Designs! They very generously donated the stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you so much!

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: DRSDesigns  
Paper: GKD White and Black

Designer Paper: BG - A Walk in the Park

Other: Spellbinder die, Copics, ribbon, a few gems

Challenges:  
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Samuel Taylor's Challenge - Green

Cooking It Up With Katie - green, gorgeous, garden

Stampavie and More - Spring 

First Holy Communion

A special card for my dear grandson who will be receiving his 1st Holy Communion this weekend. The boy in this card even looks a little like him!

This card turned out a lot cuter then I thought it would. I love this stamp (Whiff of Joy) and the sentiment is perfect (ODBD). I colored the image with my copics and embossed the back panel with a Cuttlebug folder. The red ribbon was was exactly what the final card needed. 

Thanks for looking and for leaving a comment,

Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp - anything goes

Aud Sentiments Challenge - 2W - (ends May-08) Anything goes

CPS - Sketch - I flipped it!

Happy Birthday Kylie

There are a lot of birthdays in my family so birthday cards are often on my list of cards to make. Today is no exception - this is a card for one of my granddaughters whose birthday is today. 

 
When I have to make a quick card I scurry over to some sketch challenges - this time the CPS sketch caught my eye. I paper pieced the dress and colored the rest. Not a lot of explanation for this card.

Thanks for stopping -

Recipe: 

Stamps: MFT
Paper: SU - Bravo Burgandy and So Safron

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder die, Cuttlebug - Stickles

Challenges:
CPS - Sketch

More Light

Yesterday was the post for Stampin Sisters in Christ and I had made two cards with the wonderful stamps from Inspired Stamps, this was the second card. So you may wonder why I did not post this card also - easy - I did not follow the challenge to use soft pastel colors. So here is the card.

I was probably still in last week's challenge because I used vellum. I took my bible and scanned a page into my printer. That is what is behind the vellum. The vellum panel was also stamped with some white craft ink. I cut out the candle and put a bow above the wonderful embossed scripture verse that we used yesterday at SSIC - be sure to stop by and join in the challenge.

So thanks for stopping by - 2 days in a row - who knows I may be back again tomorrow! 

Recipe: 

Stamps: Inspired Stamps
Paper: SU - Navy

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder die, ribbon and pearls

Challenges:

WAW - Used Scripture

Make it Monday - anything goes
Lexi's Creations - Used Die 

Light: Psalm 119;105

Another week has zoomed by, here we are at Sunday again, a great day because you choose to could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week Lovely Linda is our challenge hostess and she chose this wonderful verse from Psalms 119:105. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

This has been a busy week with a lot bumps and distractions. The server at work crashed and is still down as of Friday afternoon, it seemed like every night there was something planned. Very little time to regroup and I suppose it seemed harder because the week before was so wonderful. There is a constant in my life though - that constant is reading or listening to God's Word. That is what makes my great weeks even better (singing praises and rejoicing) and the more difficult weeks better (talking to Him through prayer).

I made this card using some of the stamps that I received from Inspired Stamps for this challenge. I love the little girl reading the bible, in fact she looks so prayerful doesn't she? The sketch is from Sketches by Carly - it was a fun one.

The challenge this week is; create a card/project in soft pastel palette - black or white can be used as a neutral.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, Inspired Stamps! They very generously donated the stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you so much!

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Inspired Stamps
Paper: SU So Saffron and Pretty in Pink

Designer Paper: SU

Other: Spellbinder die, Copics and ribbon

Challenges:
Sketches by Carly: Sketch

CSS - Sketch Blog Hop - 4/20/2012

It is another StampTV blog hop. This is my favorite challenge - the sketch challenge! I love to take a sketch and make it my own creation. The first card is just as Melissa Cash laid it out, the second card I flipped around a little. 
 

You should have arrived from Sharri Seffens blog with what I am sure was a wonderful project! 

This first card was made using the newest StampTV kit called Petals and Wings. I also used the patterned paper that came with it also called Petals and Wings. I colored the images and popped up those adorable birds. A few little gems in the flower centers - some sponging around the edges, a ribbon and done. I made this card for Karen Knegten, her birthday is next week and I want to send her some cheer. 

This second card was just playing around with the sketch and the stamp set called Wild Flowers. This is the result of that playing. I used the patterned paper called Parisian garden which I love! I used markers to color the flower stamps and some gold pearl-ex for the butterfly. Then I got some gems and dew drops for a little additional bling. The card stock is all GinaK; Wild Lilac, Fresh Asparagus, and white. 

Now hop on over to visit Melissa Cash, the creator of the sketch, for some more fabulous eye candy. If you want to start at the beginning or get lost along the way, just jump directly to the links for all of the wonderful creations on StampTV.

Make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (April 24), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs and that person will receive a huge grab bag of fabulous Gina K. Designs Stamps!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Pottery: Colossians 1:27b

It is a beautiful day here. I have had a week off from work and thoroughly enjoyed being home and doing "home" stuff. I am so glad that you could join us once again for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ! 

This week our wonderful Kris is our challenge hostess and she chose Colossians 1:27b. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

"...Christ in you, the hope of glory" 

I have had a good week to reflect on the many ways that God is present in my life. Counting my blessings has been my mantra this past week. I did not realize how much I was in need of some daytime "alone" time to think and pray and listen to my music (Christian) and to craft. There are so many wonderful ways to talk to God. I can do it through songs in my IPod while doing yard work, cleaning my windows, or painting a wall. I also spent some time watching the cardinals in my backyard. All of God's beauty and I was able to stop...and appreciate. See the cardinal?

I made 2 cards with this wonderful stamp called "pottery" from Serendipity Stamps. The first card was stamped with distress ink then only the flower was colored in. I sponged around the image so that it would stand out. I added the flower (GKD) (colored, cut, and popped up) and used some cut up fibers for the centers. The sentiment (ODBD) was stamped on vellum. I used a Cuttlebug folder for the pink background and the border was cut from BG - Porcelain Paper Pad.

This second card was a quick card I made to send to a friend of my husband's who lost his father this week. I stamped the image on Vellum with black Staz-On and lightly colored on the reverse side with Copics. The check paper is from GKD specialty papers, the sentiment is a rub on from SU, 4 brads and it is done and in the mail yesterday.

The challenge this week is; Use something transparent like vellum, acetate, transparency sheets etc.

Welcome to this week's sponsor, Serendipity Stamps with a $25.00 gift card! They very generously donated a stamp for the DT to use for this challenge - thank you again.

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: Serendipity - Pottery, ODBD - sentiment, GKD - flower
Paper: GinaK - Ivory, white, black, tan leather

Designer Paper: BG - Porcelain

Other: Spellbinder die, Cuttlebug folder, fibers, brads, beads

Challenges:
Card Patterns - sketch for the second card 
Simon Says Stamp - Flowers
BasicGrey Challenges - Spring colors (1st card) 
365 Cards - just a touch of color - 2nd card

Happy Easter: Hebrews 12:2-3

He is risen, what a Joyful day!  I am so glad that you  could join us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week it is Traci who is our challenge hostess and she chose Hebrews 12:2-3 . Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

I do believe that this card says it all - and I know that Traci has a wonderful message on our home page to share with all of you.

This was a quick card using a stamp set that I have had for a while called Christ is Risen. I did try a new technique for this card - I used a distressing embossing powder on the cross, it created a very different look. I used a sketch from JUGS.

The challenge this week is; Make a joy-ful card; something celebratory! I wanted to make 2 cards - the one I did make and another fun card but time just got away from me.

This week's sponsor is Paper Pretties with 6, yes I said 6, digital images. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Christ is Risen
Paper: GinaK - Ivory

Designer Paper: Kaiser Craft - Up, Up & Away

Other: Spellbinder circle die, Cuttlebug folder, Lace with gold, some gold buttons

Challenges:

JUGS - Sketch

Simon Says Stamp - Favorite Tool - Cuttlebug and Grand Calibur
Craft Your Days Away  -Easter

Card Patterns - Sketch
WAW - Art with a message - Joy

Under the Sea: Luke 15:20

Today is Palm Sunday - I probably should have made a Palm Sunday card but instead made a fun card with fun bright colors. I am so glad that you  could join us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week Peggysue is our challenge hostess and she chose Luke 15:20. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page.

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

There is nothing quite as powerful as the love that a parent has for their children. Right now one of my sons is hurting and my heart hurts for him. I can only imagine how every time I hurt or am lost or floundering how much our Father loves us! No matter what we do - His love is ever present! Thank you God.

My card this week was just fun! Fun to make and fun to color and fun to look at. She does look like she is swimming doesn't she? The tutorial for this technique can be found here.

The challenge this week is; Make a card with motion; spinner, viewmaster, pop up, slider, I chose to make a gel filled card.

This week's sponsor is Pizzazz with a $10 surprise package - oh - I love surprises. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Quite a catch
Paper: GinaK - White, Sweet Mango, Blue Raspberry

Designer Paper: None

Other: Spellbinder circle dies, ribbon, glitter gel pen, ribbon, hair gel, and a ziplock bag

Challenges:
2 Sisters -Birthday Fun

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes 

Crop Stop - Oh So Bright - bright and summery projects

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Happy Birthday!

I needed a birthday card for one of my sons. These are his college colors even though he received his degree several years ago I still like to use them for his special day. Happy Birthday David.

This card was made using the sketch challenge at TCM's birthday celebration. I used one of their free images for the sentiment and 2 other images from Lisa's great stamps! Be sure to check it out! 

I only used the 2 main colors and popped up the circle in the sun image. I find that making masculine cards is more of a challenge and having 6 sons I am always challenged! 

Recipe: 

Stamps: TCM
Paper: SU - Bravo Burgundy and Marigold

Designer Paper: BG - Oliver

Other: Spellbinder die, ribbon, Cuttlebug folder, 2 heart gems

Challenges: 

Creative Mondays - 2W - (2nd week) Anything Goes
Love to Create - 3E - Masculine (plus Sketch* optional)
Make it Monday - always Anything Goes
Paper Playtime - 2W,(2nd week) For the Guys and add a Sentiment

Many Thanks: Romans 8:31b-32

Another Sunday and another opportunity to thank God for His many gifts! We were blessed with a new grandson this week! WooHoo! Thank you once again for joining us for a challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week I am bringing you the challenge based on Romans 8:31b-32 - to read my full devotion please stop by our home page.

"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?”

I really had a hard time with my own challenge! LOL I find it is difficult for most people to go outside of their "comfort zone" although I am not even sure what my comfort zone is! I did use several layers and more bling then I usually do. I also made my own flower from a punch and dug out some of the silver brads I still had from SU. I think that this is about as much as I could fit on this card. Some people (Grace, Chris, Linda) have a knack for using lots on a card and it not look cluttered or sloppy. I do not have that knack.

The challenge this week is; to create a card or project that uses everything! The opposite of a CAS - toss on the embellishments and/or different papers, textures.

This week's sponsor is our very own MariLynn with this wonderful flower embellishment! I love it and you would too! 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Petals and Wings
Paper: GinaK - White, Vibrant Violet, Fresh Asparagus

Designer Paper: GKD -wisteria lane

Other: SU - metal tags and brads, Cuttlebug folders, Stickles, ribbon, paper flower, crystal bling

Challenges:

Hotshot Crafts - 3W - Week 3, Ribbon

Simon Says Challenges - Bingo - flowers - glitter - brads

C.R.A.F.T. - 5E - Handmade flowers
Stamp TV - Begin Again with Spring   

Pray for Child

I made this card for a friend who needed a card for a son and daughter-in-law. 

There is no hint of gender for the baby so I went with green. I have used this verse from WAW (Word Art Wednesday) before, I love it. I prayed for all of my children before they became our children, while they were children, and even now when they are adults. 

I used the sketch from CPS.

Recipe: 

Stamps: GinaK - Oh Baby - WAW - sentiment
Paper: GKD - white - fresh asparagus

Designer Paper: GKD, Wisteria Lane

Other: Spellbinder die, ribbon, buttons, Cuttlebug folder

Challenges: 

CPS - Sketch

CCEE Stampers - 1E, JFF - Focus on the sentiment

WAW - use scripture

Hotshot Crafts - 3W - Week 3, Ribbon

Hello Spring: Psalm 104:19

Spring already! Here in Florida we never even had anything resembling winter! That is fine though, Spring is still a welcome season - it is more than jsut the weather. I am so glad you are joining us for another challenge based on scripture at  Stampin' Sisters in Christ!

This week our inspiration comes from the dear and talented MariLynn with her scripture choice being Psalm 104:19. Be sure to read her devotion on our home page at SSIC.

"He made the moon to mark the seasons"

This card was a bit of a change up for me. I am not a vintage person yet I do think that this looks rather vintage. This week is the 1st birthday of TCM and I wanted to use one of the stamps that I had purchased there. This stamp is a LaBlanche stamp and I really do like working with them. I stamped the image on special paper that is extremely smooth. Then I colored using distress inks. I sponged on some ink and then spritzed some water on it. I dried off the water and repeated the process a couple of times. I finished it off with some clear heat embossing over the entire panel. Distressing the edges was an afterthought. I just realized that Lisa does not carry the LaBlanche stamps any longer. Sorry about that.

The challenge this week is; "with the change of seasons this week, make a card/project showing something related to the new season".

This week's sponsor is a fantastic stamp set called Faith in Bloom by Taylored Expressions. 

Don't forget to stop by my SSIC design sisters (listed on the sidebar) to see what they have to share this week.

It is always great to see you, thanks for the comments and have a wonderful week surrounded with God's love.

Recipe: 

Stamps: LaBlanche "Wandering around the meadow" stamp from TCM
Paper: SU- YoYo yellow and Black

Designer Paper: None

Other: Flowers, brads, embossing folder - distress inks

Challenges:

Simply Create Too - Spring

Let`s Ink It Up - Show Us Your Flowers

Fashionable Stamping Challenges -  BINGO - flowers, distressing, words