Monday, October 12, 2009

Hip to Be Square Hop

Thanks for joining our "Hip to Be Square" hop tonight! It isn't often I'm able to do many of the wonderful card making challenges online, (especially not the same day it's posted!), but this week's SCS Technique Challenge to create an easel card (posted by Lynn Mercurio, easel design by Penny Wessenauer), was just too charming not to and too perfect for the "Hip to Be Square" frame in this set, I had to sit right down and make one! I'd been wanting to make a little "mini art gallery" for this grid, and now I have an easel to go with!! Here is the outside of my creation, which also uses "A Year of Flowers"...
This was so simple to do! I stamped two sunflowers on Pure Luxury White and then stamped the square outline from the set four times randomly to capture these little sections. A 1 1/4" square punch fits these perfectly so I just punched them and popped them up onto my grid and colored the border with a yellow Copics. Base is Pure Luxury Black Onyx. Card measures 4.25" square. Now comes the "easel" part!
The front pushes back and props up with a button, which I placed over another stamped sunflower, don't you love that?? Greeting is from "Say it With Flowers". Expect to see more easel cards from me because I just love this design, want to combine the new frame with all sorts of Gina K sets!
This next card is just for fun, these spooky Halloween cookies just like the ones mom used to make!
I stamped the grid onto Basic Grey Junebug DP (this dotted print is I think actually navy, but almost black and makes a great base for a Halloween card) and filled in the border with Orange Copics. Next I stamped my round cookie from "Have a Cookie" four times onto white CS and colored, then added my different pumpkin and ghost (made from the pumpkin eyes and the round eyelet image) faces and Halloween greeting from "Hip to Be Square" and colored. Isn't that fun creating seasonal cookies with these little faces?? I'm so excited about this!
I added a layer of Crystal Lacquer just over the icing on each cookie for shine and dimension, give it plenty to time to completely dry before popping up the cut (and cooled! LOL!) cookies onto the grid. See how the lacquer makes them look like they're really iced?
And finally, a "Hip" Snowman card without the grid, I thought it would be sweet to use the faces and circle to create a snow couple that could stare into each other's coal black eyes by turning the carrot around. I used four different prints from the Jolly by Golly pack, each DP inspired a different detail of this card. I drew some simple stick arms and cut out some little mittens from one of the DP prints, they were the perfect size for these snow people! The large and small striped prints were perfect for the scarves and knit hat, I just used some scraps to make the scrap ends and made a neck that would perfectly cup the round head by punching part way into the paper with a circle punch, then shifting the punch about a half inch again and you are left with a little curved piece!
Want to win this stamp set? Leave me a comment below telling me which of these projects you like best. I will announce a winner tomorrow night.

For even more ideas with "Hip to be Square", visit the GinaK Idea Center here: Hip to Square. My tip sheet has been added to the Idea Center as a PDF so you can print out all the tips and suggestions for a handy reference tool!
Here's all the Designer's Blog Links to check out tonight:

September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:

and finally, my Guest Designer for Hip to be Square:
Karen Knegten
and Special guests:

100 comments:

  1. OMGosh, the spooky cookies are too clever! Love everything!!!

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  2. Your cards are so cute!!! The snowman is adorable and the sunflowers are wonderful!!

    God bless
    Giovana

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  3. FABulous!
    Hmmm...the sunflower one is my fave!

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  4. Melanie- love that easel card. I am going to have to case that one!

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  5. No...it isn't fair to pick one favorite one....I love the easel design of the sunflower, the cool glaze on the Halloween cookies and the snowmen are just too cute! Absolute fav....uuumm, I guess the snowmen, but it is a hard choice :o) Great designs Melanie and you can tell this is a fun set to work with! Thanks for the chance!

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  6. These are all great Melanie. I love those colorful snowmen but I think I would pick the sunflower easel card.

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  7. Ohhhh my gosh how awesome!!! 3 totally different yet all fabulous designs!!!! That easel card with the framed sunflowers is gorgeous!!

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  8. All three cards are beautiful but my favorite is the
    sunflower easel card! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  9. I love all your cards as usual and each has its special touch. My favorite one is the sunflower easel card. I just love sunflowers! They make me smile.

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  10. hmmmm hard choice! love details on each one...but would go with the kickstand card! will be trying that one!

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  11. Wow! How difficult to choose a favorite because they are all wonderful! The snow couple are definitely cute but I think my favorite is the sunflower -- the button to hold up the easel is absolutely perfect!

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  12. The card that is my facvourite is the sundflower card! It is stunnning.

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  13. I really like all of your card designs. I think that my favorite is the Sunflower easel card.

    Have a great blog hop.

    Jamie

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  14. Theresa, I love the cookie one better. It looks so real. And I like the snowman too. But they are both so cute to pick only one. But if I have to it would be cookie for sure.

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  15. Well they're all fabulous, but I do love the way the button worked perfectly as the center for the sunflower and the Halloween cookies WOW what a great idea!

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  16. I love the Sunflower design. Thanks for a chance to win!

    Lori

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  17. I love them all, but the sunflower one is my favorite...
    very cute...
    Thank you!

    www.creationsbyjulie.blogspot.com

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  18. All the cards are amazing! My favorite would be the sunflower card.

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  19. All your cards are too beautiful to decide on a favorite, but I love how you did the sunflowers and the cookies....so cute!!!!

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  20. My favorite is the sunflower easel card... Just beautiful! Great job as always!

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  21. Melanie, I love ALL your cards, always. You never disappoint, but if I have to pick one, it would be the sunflower easel card!

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  22. Oh man! That is a really tough call. Can I say I love all three of them? Their are really fantastic elements to all of them. I love the sheen on the cookies and the cute little snow people with their cut out mittens. Okay, my favorite would have to be the easel card! That is so clever! I will try it for sure!

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  23. All of your cards are beautiful, but I think my favorite is the easel card with the sunflowers!

    Eileen

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  24. Ok Mel,
    I have to go with the snowmen holding hands. They just warm my heart. They're so cute. A close second would be the sunflower card. Love the sunshiny feel to it.
    Thank you for sharing
    neesey/metalback

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  25. have to choose the sunflower easel card...all good so it's a tough choice!
    Jan Castle

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  26. Toss up the Halloween cookies and snowmen. I just love snowmen...but I only like the snow to look at from inside!!

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  27. The snowman and lady gazing into each other's eyes is my favorite! Love to have the set. You've shown how versatile it is, and I can't wait to see more.

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  28. I like the cookie idea card because I could do valentine, christmas, st. patrick - any holiday cookie. What a great idea!!

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  29. These are so cute, Melanie. I love those snow people holding hands.

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  30. Love your cards, especially the sunflower one.

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  31. I just think all the cards are fabulous and so inspiring. My fav is the easel sunflower card. Thanks for a chance.

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  32. The sunflower gets my vote. I have a total weakness for them and what you have done is stunning! Your snowman one and boo ones is adorable though!

    Have a sunny day!

    Nettie

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  33. I love the sunflower card, the cookie card and the snowman card, I think the sunflower one is just a smidge ahead of the other two, I love all of your work, so if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be your blog, all of it's just great and thanks for the chance to win this great set.

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  34. Wow - I love all of your samples, but if you force me to pick just one, I'd say that the sunflower easel card is my fav. I just l-u-v sunflowers!

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  35. You are amazing! The sunflower card is gorgeous. The Halloween 'cookie' card is so 'smart!' And, the snowpeople are just so cute. It's tough to pick a favorite, but I would say the snowpeople because I love how they are holding hands. Thanks for the chance to win your awesome set.

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  36. You out did yourself again! Love the snowman with their stinking cute scarves.

    It's a good life!
    Terri E.

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  37. Ooooo I just love them cookies!! Too stinking cute Mel! LOVE that easel card, I had the same idea when I saw it, lol! your set is perfect for that type of card!

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  38. I like the sunflower card the best because sunflowers are my favorite flowers! The easel card is cool --I will have to try that.

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  39. What a great idea to use the cookies. I don't use the cookie set enough so that is my fav. Just love everything I have seen with this set!

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  40. Fantastic projects, Melanie! The snowman are adorable and the Halloween cookies are so fun! May favorite is the easel card, though, because I love sunflowers! Great idea to add the button stop to the flower center!

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  41. I love the cute snow-couple holding hands. How cute is that!

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  42. Very hard to choose but I think I like the easel card with the Year of Flowers the best. They are all just adorable.
    Cheryl Sims

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  43. I love the cookie card, but they are all really nice. Have a great day. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne

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  44. I love them all. But I think my favorite is the sunflowers easel card. Very cute.

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  45. All the cards are great...but my absolute favorite is the sunflower.
    Striking!!
    tmblueb@hotmail.com
    Teresa Blue

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  46. Love all of your cards but my fave is the snowmen. They are so simple but adorable. The sunflower you used on the other card is one of my fave flowers in that set. Thanks for sharing

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  47. They are all fabulous but my favorite is the sunflower easel card. I cannot wait to try making one of those, they look to have many creative possibilities to them. Thank you for the chance to win Mel.

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  48. How to pick just one??? They are all adorable. I do like the snow'people' as they are so creative. But the Halloween cookies are super. NEED to know how to make that easel card also!

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  49. I have to pick? They are all amazing! I guess if I have to pick one I'll pick the easel card. I haven't made one of those yet. I guess I'll have to try that. It looks very simple but elegant! Make it a wonderful day! Big hugs!

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  50. I think they are all great cards. I do love sunflowers so guess I would choose that one.

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  51. Love all the projects but would pick the cookies as my fave...maybe I am a bit hungry!
    Great easel card. Great stamps!

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  52. These are fabulous! Those sunflowers rock! I have this set I need to ink it up soon!!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  53. OMGosh!!! absolutely adorable cards...my fave is the snowmen...love the way the flower card is done.Thanks for sharing wonderful ideas .

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  54. All of your cards are always gorgeous, my favorite is easel card. I just love your sunflowers.......

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  55. Hello, I think it is hard to pick between the snowmen and the sunflowers, because it is getting cold and flowers are going I am going to say sunflowers because they add a touch of color. TFS

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  56. I think the sunflower card is my favorite - each square is a piece of art by itself, but then pulling them together really creates an awesome layout! Very cool.

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  57. I just love your easel card and I would love to win the GK set Year of Flowers. My DH has been laid off almost a year and I can't afford to buy that set. Thanks so very much for sharing.

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  58. Oooh, well, I love the snow couple card and could totally use that type a lot. But I was floored by the halloween cookie card. Awesome!

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  59. Tough choice to pick one favorite...but if I have to it would be the adorable snowmen card. However, the easel design sunflower card is awesome, and the Halloween cookies look good enough to eat. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Susan H.
    tomsue@charter.net

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  60. I'm a recent Gina K fan, and I have the other Melanie Meuchinger set that goes with the Hip to Be Square, and how I'd appreciate being the person who wins that set! I can visualize so many neat ideas to play around with that set, but none of mine are as inspired as the gorgeous sunflower card as you've made. I'm still not totally sure how you've stamped the flowers, or how the button works. The card with the cute halloween cookies is so very cute and effective too! This is my first look at your blog and I plan to subscribe so that I can see all of the cards that you create. I'm considering buying the latest Stamp TV kit as I bought the Signs of Autumn kit as my first and thought that it was a terrific value and wonderful quality. Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us!

    Have a terrific day.

    Blessings,

    Joanne

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  61. Your snowman card is adorable but I have to say my favourite is the easel card. I am very partial to anything floral and am completely addicted to using your year of flowers and arranged with love on pretty much everything I make lately, so this one HAD to be my fave of course!! lol

    Thanks for the chance and your ongoing inspiration of course!!
    Darla

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  62. Melanie these are so cute!!. My favourite is the Sunflower card. I just love how you used different part of them in your squares.

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  63. I love all the samples, but my favorite would have to be the sunflower easel card. It's absolutely stunning!

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  64. Mel, I am torn between the Halloween card & the Snowman card! But... I have to say the pumpkin ghostie cookies win out!! Sooo cute!
    Thanks!!

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  65. What adorable cards! The easel card is gorgeous! I love that this set is so versatile...you really showed us that with your examples!

    Big Hugs!

    Jennifer

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  66. WOW all the cards are wonderful, but the Sunflower Easel card is my favourite. It just stands out and gorgeous.

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  67. I love snowmen, so anything with snowmen would be my favorite! Love this set.

    Ronda C.

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  68. I hope it's not to late to enter this great give a way. I love that set. The snowmen is my favorite.

    Jannette D.

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  69. I love them all, but particularly the sunflowers- the colours are stunning. Many thanks for the chance to win them.
    Hugs,
    Trish

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  70. The sunflower is my favorite but the cookie card is so darn cute - will have to case them both!

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  71. HA!! too clever on ALL the cards -I esp ADORE the halloween iced cookies!!!

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  72. Ohhhhhhhhhhh I LOVE them all!!! That easel card is fantastic!!! And I think those cookies DO look like what mom use to make!!! GREAT Mr & Mrs Snowman! Hee Hee. You are so clever!!!

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  73. All the cards are great but I think the snow couple card is my favorite.

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  74. Thanks for the inspiration Melanie! I love the sunflower card! I'm off to play with my set now.

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  75. Ooooh, I LOVE the pumpkin cookies card! How clever!

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  76. Great cards! I LOVE the easel back card! I Love how the button keeps it up!

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  77. All of these are fabulous!!! I really like the "cookies" they do look like something Mom would have made. Thank you for all the inspiration.

    P.S. please don't enter me in the drawing as I have already won this fantastic set.

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  78. I really like all the cards, this stamp set is so versatile !
    My most favourite one is the last one, the snow couple !

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  79. They are all wonderful. I absolutely love Sunflowers, so that one is my favorite!

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  80. I like them all - but I think my favorite is the first one, the one with the sunflowers!
    Thanks for all the fun!
    Sanra

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  81. I love the snow couple, though it was pretty close! They are all great.

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  82. My fav is the snowman couple. So cute and creative. I'd love to win this set, as it is so very versatile. Thanks for sharing! Kelli

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  83. I love the flower card the best. Maybe it's because I love sunflowers. All are awesome - actually hard to choose just one.

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  84. I love the sunflower card. What a gorgeous example!

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  85. Your cards are all spectacular! Each one has a special element to it! The iced cookies are my favorite!

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  86. Definitely love the snowpeople card. I just love snowmen. Or should I say snowpeople and I can't wait to play with this set!

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  87. Love the snowmen card, I mean the snow people card. Love it , love it love it.

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  88. Love them all but if I had to pick it would be the sunflower card!! Great ideas!! Love the hop!! Thanks for all the inspiration!!

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  89. All of your cards are wonderful! Especially like the snowman card! laura j

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  90. Ilike the spooky cookies the best. I think it was a lacquer that really made that card stand out (though all your cards are beautiful). Thanks for the chance to win!

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  91. Love all three projects - but for some unknown reason the sunflowers really caught my eye.

    Chris R. from Iowa

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  92. wonderful darling snowman. you did a great job with the easel card.

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  93. WOW! Your cards are fantastic!! I lov, love them all!!

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  94. gorgeous card!! Just love the sunflower one!! gorgeous!!

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  95. I really like the sunflower project because I LOVE flowers. And the easel design is too cool! This stamp set is a hit!

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