Cards by Gina

PPA #32--Spring Ahead, I Hope! Theme Challenge

Whoosh! Where does the week go? Each week, I think I will blog more than once and then it's Thursday again and time for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge! But this one is a true breath of fresh air--spring air, I hope! The theme this week is to create a spring card. And, I think all of us just couldn't wait to participate in this one. We all want the winter to be o-vah!

So, of course, what better designer series paper (DSP) to choose than Shades of Spring with those beautiful Pretty in Pink and So Saffron colors? 

My card was actually very simple to create since I chose the Pretty in Pink cardstock as my base and layered the Pretty in Pink Floral DSP from the Occasions Mini Catalog on top of it. But before I did that, I tucked the Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon around the DSP and adhered it at the top.

Then, I stamped my sentiment from the Whimsical Words Stamp Set (from the Sale-a-bration) catalog in Chocolate Chip onto Pretty in Pink and punched it out with my Curly Label Punch. While I was at it, I punched out another Whisper White piece from the DSP, cut it in half horizontally, and adhered it behind my sentiment. Using a Pop-up Glue Dot, I placed it on the ribbon.

Since I loved the colors so much, I chose to cut out several flowers from the DSP using my Paper Snips and I popped them onto my card as shown. Voila, my card is finished!

I'm going to drop it in the mail for a special Pal who hasn't been feeling too well. (My thoughts are with you for a speedy recovery, MM!)

Here's to spring coming very soon and the days getting longer! I need more than 24 hours in my day! Is time flying by as quickly for you as it is for me? If so, I would so appreciate hearing from you and letting me know this--you know, "misery loves company"! :) And if you do have the time, please join us at PPA!

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Whimsical Words

Ink: Chocoloate Chip

DSP: Shades of Spring

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink

Embellishments: 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Tools: Curly Label Punch; Pop-up Glue Dots; Paper Snips

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

Pals February Hop--It's Sale-a-bration Time!

Welcome to the Pals February Hop! I’m so glad you stopped by. If you came from my Pal Kim Lampone's Stamp, scrap, get kreative blog, I’m sure you loved what you saw there. This month, the Pals are showcasing the Sale-a-bration catalog … and oh what goodies there are in it.

I love the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, so I chose to use two floral papers from it. My Sale-a-bration items are the Vintage Labels Stamp Set and the Happy Moments Stamp Set. I also couldn’t resist using the Scallop Trim Border Punch.

I love the way the Vintage Label Top Note stamp echoes the Stampin’ Up! Top Note Bigz Die on the outside of the card.

For the interior, I used the Top Note Bigz Die to create my writing space.  And, if you know me, you know that I can’t resist using glitter on my cards so I heat embossed the birthday cake using Craft Whisper White and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds.

I don’t want to keep you too long since there are 19 Pals this month on the Hop and I’d like you to see all of them. Your next stop is my Pal Regina Mangum at The Stampin' Bean. I know you will love what she has prepared for you.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.

And in case you need to re-visit any of the Pals’ blogs, here’s the list of Pals' Hoppers! Have fun!

1.   Kalshelia Lloyd -- www.stampinfabulousity.com Stampin' Fabulousity
2.   Ann Schach -- www.stampinchic.com The Stampin' Schach
3.   Margaret Moody -- www.margaretmoody.typepad.com Margaret Moody
4.   Debbie Pierce -- www.stampinsunshine.com Stampin' Sunshine
5.   Carla Bazhenow -- www.carlas-scraps.com Carla's Scraps
6.   Mary Fish -- www.stampinpretty.com Stampin' Pretty
7.   Kim Lampone -- www.kjskorner.blogspot.com Stamp, scrap, get kreative
8.   Gina Shaw -- www.cardsbyginashaw.com Cards by Gina
9.   Regina Mangum -- www.thestampinbean.blogspot.com The Stampin' Bean
10. Lourdes Torres -- www.cozycraftycorner.blogspot.com Cozy Crafty Corner
11. Kris Kilcoyne -- www.kweenbee.typepad.com Kween Bee Kreations
12. Liz Hughes -- www.diypapercreations.com DIY Paper Creations
13. Melanie Collins -- www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com Oops a Daisy
14. Mike Funke -- www.stampin-style.com Stampin-Style
15. Anne Beale Yancey -- www.mukibug.com Mukibug
16. Martha Stewart -- www.SeasonsOfStamping.com    Seasons of Stamping
17. Jason Casper -- www.stampindad.blogspot.com Jason's Stampin' Pad
18. Barbara Furlong -- www.theloveofstamping.com The Love of Stamping
19. Tricia Gillam -- www.soulstamper.com Soul Stamper

Mojo Monday #120--Sweet Pea Happy Birthday

I know it’s Tuesday, but it’s time for Mojo Monday! I’m having so much fun creating cards from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, featured in the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog.

 

Here’s the sketch.

 

Here’s what I did:

 

•I created my base from Apricot Appeal—4-1/4” x 5-1/2”. Gina’s Tip: The Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack coordinates with Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, and Taken with Teal, but don’t be afraid to try it with other Stampin’ Up! cardstock colors, too. I chose Apricot Appeal because I saw a blend of Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron in this cardstock and I wanted my card to pop.

 

•Following the sketch, I added my papers. They’re all from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack so they coordinate beautifully.

 

•I made my flower from my Embosslits Flower Burst and my Floral Fusion Sizzlits by running them through my Big Shot Die-Cut Machine using Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, and Pumpkin Pie cardstock. I gathered all the pieces and punched holes in the middle so I could put my Orange Circle Fire Brad through all of the layers. I adhered my flower to the card using a Pop-up Glue Dot. Then I took the Pumpkin Pie holes I punched and placed them on my card according to the sketch. Gina’s Tip: Every bit of scrap comes in handy. Don’t throw your scraps away.

 

 •I stamped my “Happy Birthday” sentiment from the Happy Moments Stamp Set featured in the 2010 Sale-a-bration Catalog in Pumpkin Pie onto So Saffron and punched it out with the My Way Punch. I adhered it to my card with a Pop-up Glue Dot. Gina’s Tip: I liked breaking up all the roundness of the circles with the straight edges of the ribbon and the arrow. I love the way the arrow echoes the tail of the ribbon.

 

This is a very exciting time at Stampin’ Up! since the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog, the 2010 Sale-a-bration Catalog, and the 2010 Definitely Decorative Insert Catalogs go live today. For some of my customers, catalogs are on their way to you. If you’d like to find out if you’ll be receiving one, feel free to leave me a comment or e-mail me. And, if you’re new to my blog and would like a catalog, just leave me a message and I will get one out to you. Of course, you can always click on my Shop Now button and you’ll find all of the catalogs on my website. And remember, there’s lots of free merchandise being offered by Stampin’ Up! for Sale-a-bration.

 

And if you’d like to join my group, Gina’s Gems, by becoming part of my downline, now is the best time to do so since you’ll get so many great materials in your Demonstrator’s Kit. Plus, we’ll have so much fun together! There are so many perks to becoming a demonstrator.

 

Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to leave me a comment.

 

 
 

Recipe:

Stamp Set: Happy Moments

Inks: Pumpkin Pie

Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack

Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Embosslits Flower Burst, Floral Fusion Sizzlits, My Way Punch, Hole Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dot, SNAIL Adhesive

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

 

Happy New Year and a Gift from Stampin' Up!

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you all had a fun celebration and that you have a terrific year ahead!

Ready for a little relaxation over the next few days? Stampin' Up! is allowing us to give you a sneak preview at three new, outstanding, and upcoming catalogs. So grab a cup of coffee, tea, or even some leftover eggnog, a pad and pen, and create your 2010 Wish List as you browse through these catalogs.

You will be able to order from these catalogs starting on January 5 and if you'd like your own catalog, please e-mail me at ginatshaw@gmail.com and I will get one out to you as soon as I receive my supply from Stampin' Up!

In the meantime, you can click on the covers of these catalogs to start looking. The new Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration catalogs have beautiful Stamp Sets and Designer Series Paper as well as some cool new tools like clear stamps and corner punches and die-cuts. And the Definitely Decorative catalog has new chalkboard decor elements. Have fun! And, remember, you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment or e-mail me. I'm always here for you!