Cards by Gina

PPA #53--Pass the Purples, Please

Do you play at PPA? Won’t you join us in today’s monochromatic – all purples – card making theme? We’d love to have you play!

This past weekend, I went to a magical wedding! My oldest friend’s beautiful daughter got married on a farm in New Jersey and, although it was outdoors and the temperature was 103° in the shade!, we all had a terrific time. Becca’s touches for her wedding were absolutely amazing! This is the one that inspired today’s card. After the ceremony, the bride and her bridesmaids all laid out their beautiful bouquets of hydrangeas on a bench outside of the tent. I had to take a picture of this since I thought it was a wonderful touch.

 
 
Unfortunately, my camera didn't capture the richness of the purples I used -- the colors look more blue than they actually are. I brayered the Concord Crush on the flower and used my Pear Pizzazz Stampin’ Write Marker to color in the stem and the leaves. I stamped it on Whisper White and stamped off on another piece of Whisper White. Then, I inked up my stamp with Perfect Plum using my brayer on the flower only and stamped and stamped off again on Whisper White. I did the same with the small flower stamp. The hardest part of making this card was cutting out the flowers (both the large and small ones), but my Paper Snips made it so much easier!

In the upcoming days, I will show you more of the photos from Becca’s wedding and how they inspired me to make her wedding card and other cards from her all of wonderful touches.

Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to leave me a comment. I love hearing from you!

 

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Because I Care (Level 1 Hostess Stamp Set)

Inks: Concord Crush, Perfect Plum

DSP: Lap of Luxury

Cardstock: Concord Crush, Whisper White

Tools: Brayer, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pear Pizzazz In-Color Stampin’ Write Marker

PPA #37: Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

   

It’s time for another PPA Challenge and this week is a theme challenge. What better way to welcome spring than with a Flowers Challenge? Credit for my card today goes to my wonderful upline, Mary Fish, who always inspires me with her sources of inspiration. I love that she looks through catalogs – real and virtual – to find many of her ideas.

Here’s my inspiration for my card this week--a Crate and Barrel ad. Can you see the elements that inspired me? I hope so. I had so much fun creating this card and I do hope you like it, too. 

Please feel free to join us at PPA! We love when you play along!

Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzazz, Enjoy Every Moment

Inks: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Top Note Die, Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots, Scallop Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Pop-up Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Paper Snips

Embellishments: Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads, ¼” Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon

PPA #30--Brilliant Blue for You

It's a KISS Challenge at PPA this week! What does that mean? Keep It Simple, Sweetie! Your card should have plenty of white space and not too many layers or embellishments. And, it shouldn't take too much time to create. Please join us at PPA and show us how you KISS! Just follow the directions at the site to add your card to Mr. Linky. It's as easy as 1-2-3! We'd love to see what you create.  
 

Here's what I did. I'm a tremendous fan of cobalt blue. My kitchen and living room have lots of touches of this color. So, today I chose Brilliant Blue cardstock to start with. I realize more and more that one of my favorite pallettes from Stampin' Up! is the Bold Brights colors. I love to be surrounded by vibrant colors!

I created a 5-1/4" by 3-3/4" base of Brilliant Blue cardstock. I layered it with a 5" x 3-1/2" layer of Whisper White cardstock.

I chose the "Corner Floral Stamp" from the Patterned Pines Stamp Set and stamped it in Brilliant Blue onto Whisper White using my Stamp-a-ma-jig in the four corners.Gina's Tip: I know you may not think that using a Stamp-a-ma-jig is easy, but once you get the knack of it, it definitely falls into the KISS category. And, as I've mentioned many times before, I can't live without this tool!

I love my new Vintage Labels Stamp Set so much! So, I chose the "Circle Stamp" and stamped it in Brilliant Blue onto Whisper White. The stamp set comes with the following greetings--For You, Happy Birthday, and Best Wishes. Since I wasn't sure who I was making this card for, I decided to use the "For You" stamp. This way, I have a card on hand that can be used for any occasion. I stamped the "For You" in Taken With Teal using my fill in the blank. (I should hear a loud, uproarious "Stamp-a-ma-jig!" here!) I love the way the Brilliant Blue looks with Taken With Teal. This is one of my favorite color combinations!

I punched out my sentiment and label using my 1-3/4" circle punch and adhered it to my card with a Pop-up Glue Dot. Easy, easy, easy!

I hope you like my card. I had so much fun creating it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write to me right here! I love hearing from you. And, please join us at PPA, won't you?

   

Recipe:

Stamp Sets: Patterned Pines, Vintage Labels

Inks: Brilliant Blue, Taken With Teal

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Pop-up Glue Dots

PPA #7--Big Shot KISS

 

Yaaayyy! My Big Shot arrived just in time for the Pals Paper Arts #8, Keep It Simple, Sweetie (KISS) Challenge. And, I have to say, I LOVE my Big Shot! It certainly does help to keep things simple for me!

If you like to keep cards simple, then come join us in our Pals Paper Arts Challenge. We’d love to have you play with us. Click here to find out how to do so.

Here’s what I did to KISS!

●I made my base out of Basic Black cardstock (5-1/2” x 4-1/4”) folded on the side.

●I used my Corner Rounder and punched both sides at the top of  the “Lettered Tulipe”  paper from the NEW Night & Day Designer Specialty Paper found in the Holiday Mini Catalog and adhered it to my base.

●Then I zipped my Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder with a sheet of Rose Red cardstock through my Big Shot. I tore the cardstock at the top. Gina’s Tip: To make tearing easier, run a line of water on a cotton swab across your paper where you’re going to tear it. This softens the threads of the paper and makes it much easier to tear.

●I corner punched both sides at the bottom of the Rose Red paper and adhered it to my card.

●I stamped my sentiment from the Leaf Lines Stamp Set onto Whisper White using Regal Rose ink, corner punched it, and popped a Stampin’ Dimensional behind it and onto my card.

Simple enough? Let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you! Need a Holiday Mini Catalog? Just e-mail me and I’ll get one out to you.

 

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Leaf Lines (114393--$20.95)

Ink: Regal Rose (105211--$5.95)

Cardstock: Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730), Regal Rose (105130) Regal Rose is from the Rich Regals Cardstock Set: 24 sheets of one color -- $5.50; 36 sheets, 3 sheets of 12 colors -- $7.95. Basic Black and Whisper White are from the Neutrals Set: 40 sheets of one color--$7.50; 36 sheets, 6 sheets of 6 colors -- $7.95

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper (116768--$11.95)

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439--$99.95); Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Manhattan Flower (114517--$7.95); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430--$3.95); Snail Adhesive (104332--$6.95); 3/16” Corner Rounder (109047--$6.95)

   

 

Out of the Box Card

 

My sweet niece is at sleep-away camp for the next two weeks. I wanted to surprise her with a fun card. I recently received my Out of the Box Hostess Stamp Set and couldn’t resist using it on a card for her.

 

Since I’ve been a Children’s Book Editor for the past thirty-five years, I’ve been in love with all kinds of lift-the-flap and pop-up books so I decided to try my hand at a lift-the-flap card for Jordana.

 

Here’s what I did:

 

●My base is So Saffron cardstock and measures 8” x 4” scored at the top.

●I layered the “Big Squares” paper from the Jackpot Designer Series Paper (DSP) on top of the base, adhering it with my Snail Adhesive.

●To make the Jack-in-the-boxes pop, I stamped them on squares of Whisper White cardstock in Basic Black ink.

●Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I then added the coils to the Jack-in-the boxes and using my In-Color markers and Watercolor Pencils, I colored in the Jack-in-the-boxes.

●I created the flaps from squares of So Saffron cardstock. Gina’s Tip: I added a ¼” of extra cardstock to one side of each square and scored and folded it. Using the Anywhere Glue Stick, I glued that strip to the card.

●Then, I stamped the “Flower” in Melon Mambo, the “Cupcake” in Chocolate Chip, and the “Elephant” in Tempting Turquoise onto Whisper White and added each with a Stampin’ Dimensional above the coils.

 

●For the interior of the card, I adhered a strip of the “Big Squares” and layered it with the Jack-in-the-box and a coil and added the “Heart” stamped in Real Red on Whisper White under the flap.

 

  

 

 

Now all I have to do is add my message to Jordana and drop the card in the mailbox.

 

Remember, there are all new Hostess Gifts in the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. If you’re interested in hosting a party with me, please e-mail me or call me. I would love to host a party with you!

 

To order Stampin’ Up! supplies 24/7, please feel free to call or e-mail me or click here.

I love hearing from you, so please leave a comment.

 

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Out of the Box (Level 1 Hostess Gift—115342)

Inks: Basic Black (101179), Melon Mambo (115656), Chocolate Chip (100908), Tempting Turquoise (100814), Real Red (103133)

Cardstock: So Saffron (105118), Whisper White (100730)

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Jackpot (113995)

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), In-Color Markers (116329), Watercolor Pencils (101879), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Snail Adhesive (104332), Anywhere Glue Stick (104045)

  

Out of the Box Hostess Gift Stamp Set

Jackpot Designer Series Paper--$9.95

Mojo Monday #95--Just for You Note Card and Deal of the Week

 

I always look forward to the Mojo Monday Challenge. Here’s the sketch I worked with this week.

I created a 5”x7” base from Whisper White cardstock and layered it with Night of Navy cardstock.

Following the sketch, I used coordinating Brocade Blue papers from the Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II that I chose as a Level 1 Hostess Gift from the Spring – Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog.

I stamped the circle from the Circle Circus Stamp Set and the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set in Craft White onto Night of Navy cardstock, using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect alignment, and then heat embossed both with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. I backed my stamped image onto Whisper White. Gina's Tip: I don't know how I ever aligned two-step stamps before without my Stamp-a-ma-jig tool. Not well is the answer! The Stamp-a-ma-jig gives you perfect alignment every time.

Then I added a white satin ribbon and adhered the sentiment to my card with a Pop-Up Glue Dot.

I love the crispness of a blue and white card. Hope you do too!

 

 

 

To order Stampin' Up! materials 24/7, click here!

 

And please feel free to e-mail me or call me if you'd like to host a party with me. Remember, you can receive free Hostess Gifts, like the Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper I used above!

Stamp Sets: Circle Circus (115778), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Inks: Craft Whisper White (101731)

Cardstock: Whisper White (100730, Night of Navy (100867)

Designer Series Paper (DSP): Brocade Blue Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II from Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Heat Embossing Tool (100005), Pop-up Glue Dots (104183), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin’ Glitter (102023)

Ribbon: White satin (not SU!)

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE! The Deal of the Week #3 is Square Fire Rhinestone Brads...

 

Add sparkle to your projects with SU's Square Fire Rhinestone brads. From July 13-19, they're just $6.99--over 30% off the regular price of $10.95.

 

Circle Circus Blank Note Card

 

I have been wanting to try my Circle Circus stamps since the day I received them. My group, The Pals, decided that this week's cardmaking challenge was to use items that we purchased from the new 2009-2010 catalog to create any type of card we wanted to. I had just found this ad in a Crate and Barrel catalog and thought I would try to come up with something along these lines.

 

So I stamped and colored and placed the circles around the card to try to get the same feel as the brown cloth above.

Here's what I did.

I cut a 9" by 4-1/2" piece of cardstock from Rich Razzleberry (new In-Color 2009-2010).

I measured 2-1/2" in from the outer sides of the card and scored and folded so my opening was in the front.

I cut two panels from the "Circles--Rich Razzleberry" paper which comes in the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (DSP). (Anybody out there getting tired of me talking about the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP yet? I keep reaching for it because the colors are so intense and each card I've made so far this week has turned out completely different from each other.) I adhered the panels to the front of the card.

I stamped lots of different circles onto Very Vanilla cardstock in Chocolate Chip ink. For the smaller designed circles, I used Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.

Then, I took my 2009-2010 In-Color Markers and had lots of fun coloring in my circles. When I finished, I either cut the circles by hand or punched them out with my circle punches and adhered them onto my card. Gina's Tip: In some of the circles, I left the Very Vanilla cardstock showing through. This helps to pop the colors on the card.

That's it! My card is finished and now I can save it for when I need a plain note card. I will adhere Very Vanilla cardstock to the interior and either write or stamp my message. It's always a good idea to have a few blank cards on hand for those occasions that suddenly pop up!

 

To order Stampin' Up! products 24/7, please click here! Or, feel free to call or e-mail me and I will place your order for you. I would love to hear from you!

Stamp Set: Circle Circus (115778)

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry (115316); Very Vanilla (101650)

Designer Series Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade (115675)

Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), Melon Mambo (115656), Crushed Curry (115659)

Markers: 2009-2010 In-Colors -- set of 6 (116329)

Tools: Snail Adhesive (104332), 1" circle punch (109046), 1/2" hole punch (101227), paper snips (103579)

Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper--$9.95

Circle Circus Stamp Set--$28.95

2009-2010 In-Color Markers--$17.95