Friday, June 1, 2012

Inspiration Hop: Stately Flowers 4 and Ticket Trio

Good morning! I hope you were able to attend our release party yesterday, and welcome to our first day of Gina K Designs Inspiration Hops with the design team! As you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops.

First up, we have the latest in my Stately Flowers series, Stately Flowers 4 (available in clear or rubber). This set contains 8 images-5 flowers, 3 butterflies (butterflies!!) and 13 sentiments (9 greetings, including the very versatile "To:" and "From:" for tags!), and 4 state names- Hawaii, Ohio, West Virginia and Washington.) While I *love* the last couple sets I've released, it was hard taking a few months off this Staely Flowers series so I'm glad to be playing in the flowers again! Thanks to ALL of you who wrote to Gina and me asking when it was coming back, hope you love the new set! :)

These blooms are terrific for inchies! I thought these little vignettes, or "moments in time"(which are actually 1 1/4 inchies here, that's my smallest square punch!) were perfect with this new sentiment, Cherish every moment!

Cardstock is Pure Luxury White, Key Lime, and Black Onyx. It's hard to see in he photo but I outlined the flowers with coordinating Stardust pens and added Inkssentials White pen to the butterfly wing spots, really makes them pop!

And here is the full card from my sneak peek the other day! Base is Pure Luxury Wild Dandelion, scored on the sides to add interest. love all these colors you can make these flowers! Anyone want me to post a Copic coloring tutorial? TIP: Cut on the lines in between the petals when you are popping these flower images up, this allow you to add more shape and curve to each petal, pulling and pushing them out and in with your fingers for a more dimensional, realistic look.
The next card uses the carnations and a little distressing inks sponged on to add warmth to the white mat. The torn edge and reveal of white goes so well with the jagged carnation petals and adds texture.

I couldn't resist adding this little branch (free file included with machine!) I cut from Pure Luxury Grass Green CS with my Silhouette Cameo that I showed you a few weeks ago, it goes so nicely with all these florals!
The smaller carnation is perfect for popping up over the carnation buds on the larger image to add dimension and variety. There are so many ways to color carnations, and you can use one marker to get a realistic look, don't even need to blend!
It will be hard not to add a butterfly from now on to all the Stately Flowers cards I make! (full card using this embossed background next week)

Hope you love the three in this set, although I read while drawing the series there are NO butterflies in Hawaii? Rosy, can you confirm?? :) I will try to resist the impulse, but with the hibiscus only! ;)

Finally a couple "no color" examples: hibiscus stamped in Memento Tangelo and Pear Tart. Butterflies stamped in Tuxedo Black on Pure Luxury Key Lime and Blue Raspberry cardstock. Love how quickly these large flowers can a make a colorful, no coloring required background, with lots of detail!
Sentiment is stamped on Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea and cropped with a Circle Nestabilities. Base is Sweet Mango.
And last, I had to try making a little distressed Kraft tag with the rhododendron! Tutorial coming soon, plus a distressed embossed card to put it on, grab your distressing inks!
You may have seen these designs at the party, tell me below in the comments which is/was your favorite! :)

Next up, we have Ticket Trio (available in clear or rubber) from Tami Mayberry.

I decided to make a Girls' Night Out card with the pink chevron DP from the Gina K Pure Luxury Sunshiny Day pack. Cardstock is Pure Luxury Passionate Pink, Smoky Slate, and Black Onyx.
I don't currently have dies to cut these stamps, so instead I stamped them out side by side on a strip of cardstock in black, then pierced dots in between to perforate with my Scor-Bug and Scor-buddy, and trimmed the corners with scissors. The gray mat is Cuttlebugged with Seeing Spots and embellished with adhesive rhinestones.
Thanks for visiting and please enjoy the rest of the hop with our team and these two sets!!!


Finally, please subscribe to my blog today! The feed has not been updating properly for the past couple weeks, but I am hoping it will work itself out shortly! Using both the Following option and Feedburner subscription I hope will allow you to get posts without missing something important. Thank you very much!

155 comments:

  1. Stunning coloring and compositions. Love them all! This is such a gorgeous set!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my there was so much to look at and all so perfect! I love the inchies and carnations and of course the hibiscus....so pretty . Love all the dimension and colours. Such talent!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What gorgeousness Mel! I really love that first card, so bright and vibrant and just plain cheerful! This set is another hit in my book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Absolutely colorful and stunning, Melanie! I am so hyped by these stamps!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely stunning on the flower cards - especially the first two!
    And really liked the distressed tag - so pretty! Thanks for your great designs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for feedback on rhe tag! I will make and share these more often!

      Delete
  6. All of your stately flowers cards are AMAZING! so beautiful Melanie :)
    and your ticket card is SO FUN!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautiful Flowers! Love the rich colors and the butterflies ... whether they are in Hawaii or not! Great job. :-) Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosy says there ARE butterflies there, yay! Article I read was wrong

      Delete
  8. Another beautiful set of State Flowers, and the cards you make with them are gorgeous. Can't wait to see the set that will include New York.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So very lovely! Your flowers are just gorgeous the way they are colored and displayed on the cards.

    ReplyDelete
  10. All your cards are beatiful Melanie!! I need more Copics colors :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Always love your designs, the card with the inchies is just too beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. So pretty and elegant. I can only hope to be that good someday!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a wonderful new stamp set and an amazing array of cards, cant wait for my order to arrive, I think the hibiscus flowers in the bright colours has to be my favourite, bit they are all so beautiful. Love the colour combo you have used on Tami's set and the layout is fab :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just love your hibiscus colored flowers! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Melanie: I adore your floral images! I've been looking forward to the rest of the stately flowers. Nice job with the tickets too by the way. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I received your lovely thank you card yesterday, Joyce, thanks! It's not often I receive one for a blog candy, please enjoy your new stamps!

      Delete
  16. Whoa! Those colorful cards rock my world! So vibrant and fun! Really love the first card the most! TFS!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Melanie, Fantastic new Stately Flowers set!!! Your cards are knock it out of the park GORGEOUS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gorgeous cards! I love the stately flower sets, they are all on my wish list.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love your new set...you have such a way with flowers :)
    Beautiful cards...i cannot take my eyes off the first one---stunning........!

    ReplyDelete
  20. So pretty!!! Your cards are amazing and show off these stamps sets to the fullest!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the card with the different colors of hibiscus, and the inchies card, and the one with the butterflies stamped on blue anf gtrrn cs, etc etc. Yes, I would love the copic tutorial!! Plez plez

    ReplyDelete
  22. Swooning here, Melanie. Yes, please give us a copic tutorial. I need all the help I can get in that dept. All of your cards are stunning, but I can't pull my eyes away from the one with the inches. Those flowers could be photos, only much prettier! When I've finished with the hop, I'm going to come back here and just drink it in. Thanks! And thank you so much for this newest set. I keep thinking you can't possibly top yourself, but then you do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lynn!! Wait til you see June and July! (Heehee tease)

      Delete
  23. Fabulous cards and glad to see my birth state(WV) and the state I live in (OH) both in one set.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How great/lucky is that? ;-) Glad it worked out!

      Delete
  24. Gorgeous stamps and cards. I particularly like the multi colored hibiscus card. They are all beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  25. WOW, WOW, WOW.. I love these flowers and butterflies.
    Hugz, Dottie

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fabulous coloring with your flowers! Just stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh my goodness, Melanie - you have rendered me speechless today! What beautiful creations! I see a Book #2 coming out right away! Absolutely gorgeous! And I love what you have done with Tami's fabulous set! She is so creative!!! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Those flowers are GORGEOUS! I love the way you punched the smaller squares, creating a totally different look!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Gorgeous, gorgeous floral cards.

    ReplyDelete
  30. All beautiful projects, as usual. But I may just have to CASE that first one. I love the colors, love the idea...And I may just be convinced to add another butterfly to my supply!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh good! :-) I love having the three different sizes, so great for backgrounds

      Delete
  31. Awesome samples, as always, Melanie! Of your stately flower cards, I have two favorites. The first (Cherish every moment) is so striking with the lime on the black and then just the "Moments" of each flower. My other favorite is the no color Stop and Smell the Flowers card. IT's great to see samples that are equally stunning, but require less work for those times when detailed coloring just isn't in the cards!

    Love the Girls night out invite. I'll be there!

    ReplyDelete
  32. wow gorgeous cards love the colors and the blending is awesome. thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.
    abbraddock@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow! The stamps and the cards are STUNNING! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  34. All of them are fantastic and very hard to choose just one favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love these flowers and your coloring is impeccable. I like that you showed they don't have to be colored, but can be stamped in some fun colors. And the butterflies too stamped on a single color paper. The ticket set will be fun too, lots of possibilities. Lots of inspiration. ;)))

    ReplyDelete
  36. Melanie - this is not fair! There is no possible way I can say which is my favorite - as I looked, read and kept scrolling down, each card was so different and so beautiful! So I guess my favorite is all of them - LOL

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the rhinestone accents on your Girls Night Out Card. Your flowers are GORGEOUS.....I see The 2nd Year Of Flowers Book in the making, absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful cards, coloring and design, Melanie.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Beautiful stamps, flowers, cards, coloring. Yes please on the copic tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Beautiful cards! They look great colored or not.

    ReplyDelete
  41. wow I can not believe the number of cards you made... so pretty and inspirational. Love the way you used the whole stamp and part of the images.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Beautiful cards, Melanie! These two sets are wonderful ~ I have to have them both :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Another amazing set, Mel! I absolutely adore all the great colors and layout of your first card and your Hibiscus quad card is gorgeous ... LOVE all the fabulous colors! Love the coloring of your carnations, too!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wow, you rocked this set, awesome cards, you just sold me this set, I love the flowers, these cards are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Your stately cards are absolutely gorgeous Mel and I just love your fun ticket card!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love your book. I just finished making all the masks and now on to the fun part. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

    Blessings,
    KathleenR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathleen!! If you have time to leave a review on Amazon explaining what you like about it, I would so appreciate it!

      Delete
  47. WOW!! I am loving the dimension of your cards as well as the vibrant colors!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. love the hibiscus - my all time favorite!
    Mary-Jane

    ReplyDelete
  49. They're all great but I absolutely love the card with the green background.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow! I love them all. Such a happy summer colors too!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Wow! You really outdid yourself with the flwoers and butterflies - amazing color and designs! How clever to perforate the tickets too. Wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Gorgeous cards. Love the flowers and butterflies.

    ReplyDelete
  53. This set is amazing. Just love that hibiscus flower. Your crad with all the hibiscus flowers is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your cards should be in an art gallery! You did a beautiful job with the flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Beautiful set, Melanie, and your cards are luscious!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Love all your work, but I have to say my favorite was the first one. I always love clean and simple cards and the Key Lime background really sets off your flower stamps and the butterfly.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I especially like the first one, with the vignettes, and the "Stop and smell the flowers", with all hibiscus flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  58. What stunning stamps & cards, Melanie! You've outdone yourself this time! I'm very excited about all of the new releases.

    ReplyDelete
  59. These are just great! The magic of stamping is we can have butterflies in Hawaii!

    ReplyDelete
  60. No other way to describe your cards but "beautiful". Regina
    regina95370@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  61. I love the stately flowers. The hibiscus is such a beautiful flower...I'm glad it is one that can be purchased. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  62. Those hibiscus are gorgeous and the butterflies --- love how you colored them! Mine never turn out that nice! I need to practice more I think.
    tonilea
    jiffy1212@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. What amazing projects! I love how you cut out only part of the image on the one, and then added dimension by cutting along the petals on another. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I really loved the moments in time card. Loved them all but that was my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Gorgeous stamps, gorgeous cards!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Melanie, your flowers are wonderful. I love all the colored ones, but my favorite (today) is the "colorless" one. So simple, but so effective. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  67. What a wonderful selection of cards -- it's really hard to pick a favorite. I like the "no-color" hibiscus (how easy!!), but my favorite is probably the inchies one you started with. I love the idea of using a larger stamped image to create a "sneak peek" inchie. Thanks for sharing.
    Also, FYI, I simply love your artwork. Wish I could afford to buy ALL your sets!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Diana, I'll keep working hard to keep things at the top of your wishlist! :-)

      Delete
  68. I absolutely love the stamps, you could do so much with them, brilliant show. Wish I was able to afford to buy all the sets, as they are all so wonderful. Jen

    ReplyDelete
  69. Melanie,
    I just love all of your designs. I have your book and both stamp sets & wow, do I get compliments for all of my cards. Thanks for your creativity.
    scrappingbug@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is awesome to hear, glad you are putting it to use and getting results you love!

      Delete
  70. Melanie as always love your work! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Absolutely Stunning!!!!! all of your projects are simply amazing!!! The colors are gorgeous!! I love everything here!!! wonderful job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I just love all of your flowers but I am particularly fond of this one as it has Ohio's carnation!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Loved them all..absolutely gorgeous, but that green background really made the flowers pop on the first card.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Your flowers are really works of art - thanks so much for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Can a person ever have too many flower stamps? I don't think so! LOL These are gorgeous and will have to be added to my expanding collection!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think so either, Cheryl, glad you agree! :-)

      Delete
  76. Wow! You've been a busy bee. All your projects are just gorgeous, TFS!

    ReplyDelete
  77. The colors and depth are amazing as can be expected from Melanie! The flowers look so real.

    I can't wait to see what the amazing things you will create with your stamps and your new Cameo!

    You just keep getting better!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your email and Cameo feedaback, Debbie, i will reply when I get home!

      Delete
  78. Wonderful job Melanie! My favorite card is the one with the hibiscus stamped in different colors and the beautiful butterflies...absolutely stunning!

    ashields at onlinenw dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Absolutely gorgeous! Love them ALL!

    ReplyDelete
  80. I initially thought those flowers were to big for me. Then I saw you used them as inches. What a fab idea. Thanks The card is great. Julianne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Julianne! And I didn't use them on these, but there is the mini version of these flowers in the set in addition to the ginormous ones when you need something more understated. :-)

      Delete
  81. Your cards are just awesome. You did a beautiful job on them. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Beautiful cards. I thought I'd resort to the eeny-meeny-mini-mo method of decision making but decided to choose the multiple, beautifully painted hibiscus(es?) A wonderful stamp set.

    ReplyDelete
  83. If only I could color like you! Those flower cards are marvelous. I'm also waiting to see what you do with the embossed butterfly background.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Just beautiful!! You really show just what can be done with those floral stamps, and I love the colors that you used!! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  85. These state floral stamps are so
    great, and you do such a beautiful
    job presenting them. I love the way they look so real on the cards.
    I is a real bonus that you can have either the rubber stamps or clear. Thank you for sharing your
    works. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  86. I love the carnations - especially the colors as that color carnation is very special to me. My dad had sent Mom home with one from a boquet he had in his hospital room while recuperating from a heart attack. Unfortunately 3 day later he died and so did the carnation. My family made a boquet of the peppermint carnations for me from all the flowers at his funeral.
    Love what you do - you give such great ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Ann from AustraliaJune 2, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    Thank YOU Melanie for sharing your talents so generously! This set looks amazing, and I so appreciate your tips and hints for using it - can't wait for more tutorials. Hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
  88. Those are absolutely gorgeous. I love how some of them pop off the page. You are so talented!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Oh wow, wow, wow. These 2 stamp sets are amazing. So many ways to use them. At the moment I only have one of the flower set but would love to have them all eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  90. Your new set is fabulous. The coloring on the hibiscus is gorgeous and I'd love to see a copic tutorial for it as well as for the carnation. I think my favorite of the cards is the first one with the mini squares. It is so bright and cheery. You're going to have to do another book for your wonderful Stately Flowers sets. BTW I signed up again - I wondered what was going on. Maybe I'll start getting the e-mail updates again. Thanks for all the great inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  91. great job, I never thought of using only part of the flower as in your first design.

    ReplyDelete
  92. It's really amazing what you've done with those stamps! There are so many possibilities! They are so very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Wow what great colors. They are just eye popping.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Just gorgeous... you are so talented I would love to see you do a copic coloring tutorial... bring it on. You inspire me.

    Linda Drozd
    drozd.linda@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. The Stately Flowers are amazing. So perfect for coloring!

    ReplyDelete
  96. just beautiful!!!!! loving the colors. I just oohed and ahhed.
    massey1982@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. Gorgeous cards. The flowers are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Love your flower stamps. Amazing detail, and your shading and highlights make your images pop off the pages. So realistic you expect to smell their scents too.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Absolutely beautiful florals and all the stamped works of art are fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Love your flowers . They are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  101. Love,love ,love the Stately flowers 4 set will acquire them all soon as I have a few spare $'s

    ReplyDelete
  102. I LOVE the new Stately Flowers set. My favorite 2 cards were the "Inchies" and the "Hybiscus" - especially the tip about cutting along the lines of each petal and shaping. Can't wait to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  103. All the stamps are beautiful but my first favorite is the hibiscus one--stunning. Followed closely by the carnation one--favorite flower of mine ....then...and ...then...

    ReplyDelete
  104. I really liked your inches card and then the one with the beautiful butterflies, love that color of CS.

    ReplyDelete
  105. I'm blown away!!! Your card creations are outstanding and I definitely am inspired. Thanks for the tips on how to cut the flowers out and how to color with just one color. I wasn't able to join the hop yesterday because it was my birthday and I was out all day, but had to come this morning and check out all the amazing work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I love the flower set. You did so many amazing cards with the set. Love the minis. Regina regina95370@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  107. WOW! I love all of your cards! A great tip on how to make the flowers look more realistic. This is something new for me as I do not usually cut and pop up things. Looking forward to trying it!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Your Stately Flower sets never cease to amaze and excite me. These are simply beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Lesley Greenlee/Petminder@aol.comJune 3, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Wow your cards and designs are just beautiful. I am new to the card making business and I am having so much fun learning from all the talented people at Stamp TV. I added Stately flowers to my wish list and hope to be ordering it soon. Have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
  110. Beautiful. I love the hibiscus.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Beautiful cards and so many great inspiring ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  112. As always you have given us more beautiful flowers, Melanie. ThanksAll the butterflys are outstanding too. Thanks. I think the hybiscus is my favorite. I've been to Hawaai 3 times and enjoyed the flowers each time.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Stunning cards as always Mel!!!! I ordered your set and can't wait for it to get here.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I love the stately flowers samples. The card with the inchies was my favorite. It gave me some new inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  115. Love your first card, the colors are stunning. I can't wait to get this set.

    ReplyDelete
  116. WOW Melanie! These are all amazing! So much to look at and admire! You've created another gorgeous set; and I love the addition of the butterflies in varying sizes!

    ReplyDelete
  117. You have COMPLETELY blown me away with your flower creations, Melanie! Oh my. I'm here shaking my head and whispering, "Oh my goodness!" at each one. I'm properly floored!

    ReplyDelete
  118. Whoa! Whee! What a release set of State 4 flowers and a ticket set ready for most any occasion. Now you are talking stampin'! Simply lovely! Smart problem solving, Mel, that piercing quickly makes perferation lines. mt23stamperaty Keep Looking UP!

    ReplyDelete
  119. Gorgeous! I'm loving the hibiscus stamp more and more! Gonna have to get it!

    ReplyDelete
  120. WOW! All the cards are so BEAUTIFUL that i just couldn't pick one. Also, yes it would be wonderful if you could post a tutorial on coloring with the Copics. I love how you color and it would be a great honor to learn from you! I can't wait for the next set of flowers. Thank you for all your hard work! Bless you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  121. Amazing creations as usual, Melanie! I especially love the suitcase; great project. Everything is so inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  122. Oh my word! Your new set is fabulous! Love all those gorgeous flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  123. Beautiful projects with tons of fun ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Carol B
    ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  124. I love all the fantastic things you have done with this new set! That first card is awesome--reminds me of a photo gallery!

    ReplyDelete
  125. I really like the stately flowres set. the card was beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Stunning projects but I am so drawn to that first one, I think I can actually smell the flowers

    ReplyDelete
  127. Such AMAZING samples, Melanie!! I am in awe :) The new Stately flowers set is just Awesome! LOVE it!!

    ReplyDelete
  128. There is no simple about it Mel....you are amazing!!!! I can't wait to color more of these flowers and CASE some of your design ideas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  129. Your cards and flowers are just stunning! Wow! Thanks so much for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  130. You have been very busy Melanie. Your cards are outstanding I love them all.

    ReplyDelete
  131. Your stamp designs are BEAUTIFUL! I especially love the vibrancy of the colors in the first card. Stunning!

    ReplyDelete

Your generous feedback helps make my work and this blog better! Thanks for inspiring and motivating me! :)