Pages

Friday, April 22, 2011

Inspiration Hop, Day 1: "Garden Silhouettes" and "Timeless Textures"

What a release party last night, oh my goodness, that was fun!! Thank you all for turning it out and chatting, there were faces "new" and "old" and it wouldn't be a party without all our amazing Gina K customers and fans! If you missed all or any part of it you can see all the samples, chatting thread, videos and challenges linked on the STV main page! Now, for more inspiration!
Today we focusing on Gina's sets, "Timeless Textures" and the new "Free with Three" set "Garden Silhouettes"! (I love being able to post the full set now that we do our hops after the release, and you are going to love these!) Texture stamps are such great stamps to have in your "toolbox", they are perfect as the focus of a card or a way to add just the right something to make a beautiful design even better! And chunky, bold stamps like these silhouette flowers work for so many techniques, so today I combined the two on my card.


Cardstocks are Gina K Pure Luxury White, Little Boy Blue and in The Navy. I love all the white space on this card! I began by inking up the long "linen" stamp in a pale blue ink, and then inked up the bold iris in Vivid Inky Blue and kissed it all over the inked texture stamp, re-inking each time and varying the height of the flowers by stamping them in different positions. then I huffed on the texture stamp and pressed it onto the white cardstock.




The kissing effect is subtle here, but effective, see below. This texture is so fine that if you used a line art image you would hardly see it kissed, but these bold flowers are just right. :)


Next I did some Direct to Stamp by inked up the different portion of the iris with my Memento Markers, Summer Sky and Danube Blue for the flowers and Cottage Ivy for the leaves and pressed it over the textures on the left, to leave room for my greeting on the right. The bold silhouette really brings out those kissed images on the linen, and that linen block really grounds the solid flower and adds interest to the layout.



I also used the Scor-Bug and Scor-Buddy to pierce a row of holes to underscore the sentiment, skipping around the flower stem. No embellishments on this card! The colors and gorgeous images really stand out beautifully with no distractions.


I decided to go ahead and post this same card portrait style, because I think either layout looks pretty cool! If you send it in an envelope, it'll be up to the recipient to decide which way it goes anyway, and I'm sure most people will have "one" way they see it and one way only, and that's great!











      • Vicki Dutcher

      • Hope you have terrific Easter weekend with your family, and our inspiration hops will be continuing for the rest of our new sets on Monday! :)

      174 comments:

      1. oh Mel! I saw that card at the hop last night but didn't know who had made it - just lovely!

        ReplyDelete
      2. wow- Mel, I LOVE your card. The colors are awesome, and I love the way you layered the images!

        ReplyDelete
      3. Lovely card, Melanie! So soft and subtle, perfect for a sympathy card.

        ReplyDelete
      4. How lovely. These textures are awesome.

        ReplyDelete
      5. Melanie--Just got my Gifts of the Sea stamps, via my WIN at StampTV's color challenge! I had to drop everything and spend several hours with them....THEY ARE just STUNNING! Love your work, and love this card too! I just bought myself broke at the launch party.....woohoo, I say. Woohoo!

        ReplyDelete
      6. This comment has been removed by the author.

        ReplyDelete
      7. Lovely card, I love that you perforated just toward the edge, added just the right touch.

        ReplyDelete
      8. So awesome Mel! I love the portrait style of it, always love something different like that on my cards too, lol! Such gorgeous color choices too!

        ReplyDelete
      9. Lovely card, Melanie. Love the combination of both sets.

        ReplyDelete
      10. Gorgeous, Mel! The way you used the texture stamp really makes those flowers pop!

        ReplyDelete
      11. I'm always looking for sympathy card inspiration; this one is lovely.

        ReplyDelete
      12. These are lovely! The layering is so crisp, and I love the colours you used! TFS!

        ReplyDelete
      13. Perfectly stunning, as usual. Thanks for inspiring.

        ReplyDelete
      14. So clean, elegant, and beautiful! Love this design.

        ReplyDelete
      15. Wonderful card design Mel. Great use of the stamp sets.

        ReplyDelete
      16. Beautiful! you always add that extra touch of elegance to your cards!
        Hugs,
        Marie

        ReplyDelete
      17. Truly gorgeous!!! LOVE the coloring on the flowers and that you can use the card either way!! Great design!!!

        ReplyDelete
      18. More kissing! Great card for a 'sympathy' - it's so easy to go over the top but this is perfect.

        ReplyDelete
      19. It's beautiful. I'll have to try this one too!

        ReplyDelete
      20. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful work.

        ReplyDelete
      21. So beautiful. Perfect sympathy card with its softness.

        ReplyDelete
      22. Nice idea with having the background stamp going in one direction and the flower stamp only slightly covering.

        ReplyDelete
      23. 2, 2 layouts in one, love it, love the colors and the kissing!

        ReplyDelete
      24. Stunning card! Love how you've used the kissing technique 'on' the texture stamp instead of 'with' the texture stamp. Thanx for sharing! :)

        ReplyDelete
      25. very beautiful... and original!

        ReplyDelete
      26. Beautiful card, you are so talented and I love your stamps too.

        ReplyDelete
      27. So soft and pretty...PERFECT for a sympathy card.

        ReplyDelete
      28. Wow... what a great idea using the flower to be the background stamp on another background stamp. Love it! I'm always looking for a subtle sympathy card and this it a good one!

        ReplyDelete
      29. Gorgeous card, love it !! Thanks so much for sharing.

        ReplyDelete
      30. The colors and textures are simply lovely. Fabulous job!

        ReplyDelete
      31. Oh My! Tremendous card - the paper piercing is such a great addition, and I forget about it all the time - thanks for the inspiration!

        ReplyDelete
      32. OK, now am really inspired. I'm itchin to get into my papers and ink. Great job.

        ReplyDelete
      33. What a soft and lovely card, Mel. I love it from either perspective.

        ReplyDelete
      34. Loved your card. Thanks so much for sharing.

        ReplyDelete
      35. makes a wonderful sympathy card - they are so hard to make

        ReplyDelete
      36. You did an amazing job on this card. love everything about it.

        ReplyDelete
      37. Gorgeous! Love the blue and the design of your card!!

        ReplyDelete
      38. Another to describe as simple elegance. I love your style!

        ReplyDelete
      39. great idea. the reflection of the flower in the background. beautiful job!

        ReplyDelete
      40. Love how you added the flower to the background stamp. Very nice!

        ReplyDelete
      41. Love this stamp set your textures and color combo really are great

        ReplyDelete
      42. Great card and I love how you used the texture stamp. Thanks for sharing!

        ReplyDelete
      43. Loved the combo of the two sets!

        ReplyDelete
      44. I agree - it looks good portrait style too! Love the colors and the layout!

        ReplyDelete
      45. Your use of the blue for the flowers is beautiful.

        ReplyDelete
      46. So soft and pretty, the perfect Sympathy card.

        ReplyDelete
      47. What a very elegant and fabulous way to express one's sympathy. Very creative.

        ReplyDelete
      48. I always love an example of a sympathy card that's not overly somber. I tuck away the idea to use myself!

        ReplyDelete
      49. Beautiful card, Love how you used the textured stamp!!

        ReplyDelete
      50. What a beautiful card - love the techniques you used!

        ReplyDelete
      51. Gorgeous card. I love the layout you used.

        ReplyDelete
      52. I like the way you faded the background stamp.

        ReplyDelete
      53. Cool card either way Melanie!

        ReplyDelete
      54. simplicity at its best! Love this card.

        ReplyDelete
      55. Simple and elegant - nice card.

        ReplyDelete
      56. What a fun way to use the kissing technique. I love the subtle way it shows on the textured image. Beautiful card Melanie!

        ReplyDelete
      57. Great card and love the different design elements to it.
        Blessings~
        catherinesangels@yahoo.com

        ReplyDelete
      58. Beautiful card! It's so perfect for a sympathy card.

        ReplyDelete
      59. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! you are very talented!

        ReplyDelete
      60. Wonderful card! I love the touch of black framing that makes your card pop!

        ReplyDelete
      61. Beautiful card! I like the quote too!

        ReplyDelete
      62. Very pretty...I like the combo!
        Jan Castle

        ReplyDelete
      63. Beautiful job showcasing the new stamps! Love the colors you chose for your card.

        ReplyDelete
      64. Really love the card. You are awesome.

        ReplyDelete
      65. Beautiful card--perfect design for a sympathy card but I can also see using the same design for a get well card. Thanks so much for sharing

        ReplyDelete
      66. Simply elegant...perfect for a sympathy card. Loving these two sets.
        crafty teacher

        ReplyDelete
      67. Love your card. The colors are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

        ReplyDelete
      68. This is so elegant and just beautiful! I think whoevered received this would find such comfort in the softness of the colors and textures.
        Thank you for sharing your inspiration!
        And I love your new set and the papers Melanie! You did a gorgeous job with them!
        May you have a Blessed Easter!
        Hugs,
        Mary

        ReplyDelete
      69. Oh Melanie your cards are as amazing as your stamps!!!

        Jackie
        jmpresearch@gmail.com

        ReplyDelete
      70. I'm amazed at all of the creative interpretations I've seen using these two sets! TFS!

        ReplyDelete
      71. Great card, luv the card. Very understated..very classy.

        ReplyDelete
      72. Love your color combo and the piercing is simply perfect.
        Blessings Bernie

        ReplyDelete
      73. I love your cards. How impressive are they?! You are awesome!

        ReplyDelete
      74. Totally cool! Love it... simply superb! TFS!

        Kris in Alaska
        funamom at yahoo dot com

        ReplyDelete
      75. Lovely, sympathy card, very seren and calming. Your work is always special. Thanks for sharing it.

        ReplyDelete
      76. Great cards, really pretty and using the "score" tools does set off the wording very nicely.

        ReplyDelete
      77. You are right! The subtlness of the background texture is gorgeous.
        I love this idea using the kissing technique!
        Thanks for sharing!
        Marie

        ReplyDelete
      78. Beautiful card and love the layering. Thanks for sharing.

        Linda D.

        ReplyDelete
      79. Love the stamps and the textures.

        ReplyDelete
      80. I love the softness of this design Mel!!! Just gorgeous!!

        ReplyDelete
      81. I just love you.... blue card it so pretty and neat layout!

        ReplyDelete
      82. Beautiful and elegant card!!
        love it :)

        ReplyDelete
      83. Oh my goodness! how beautiful is this. tfs with us Mel. Pat x

        ReplyDelete
      84. Wow, what a gorgeously unique card creation! Stunning!

        ReplyDelete
      85. Leave it to you to pucker up and kiss. LOVE the effect it had on your card. Perfect really!

        ReplyDelete
      86. Melanie, This is beautiful with the subtle background. Perfect. Happy Easter to you and yours.

        ReplyDelete
      87. Great card. I like that technique.
        God bless,
        PeggyS

        ReplyDelete
      88. Mel, such a wonderful card! Simple and elegant. Perfect blending of the two stamp sets. Such great stamps in the release this time.

        ReplyDelete
      89. Just so very lovely cards you have created. I am so inspired by you. Thank you so much

        ReplyDelete
      90. Very Very creative. Thanks for posting.

        ReplyDelete
      91. wow so pretty!!!! i really like these background stamps. would like to try them with the bling set i have!!!! love the kiss method on this too.

        ReplyDelete
      92. I love how beautifully these sets compliment one another Melanie, you showcased them so well in your card. Just love it.

        ReplyDelete
      93. What a beautiful soft card, I love how you used the timeless texture stamp!

        ReplyDelete
      94. The card is just lovely, you did a wonderful job, thank yo so much for sharing!

        ReplyDelete
      95. Very pretty--I like the kissing effect.

        ReplyDelete
      96. Beautiful card! I am so loving the texture stamps! Thanks for the inspiration.
        herzigfam

        ReplyDelete
      97. WOW!!! Gorgeous card!!! Simply stunning!!!

        ReplyDelete
      98. Crisp, clean, layered design!

        ReplyDelete
      99. Beautiful Melanie! I love your clean design.

        ReplyDelete
      100. Nice combination of the 2 sets!
        DeniseB

        ReplyDelete
      101. WOW!! Love it!! P.S. just bought a copy of a cardmaking magazine the other day and see some of your cards in there. It was like seeing an old friend.

        ReplyDelete
      102. Loved how you used the kissing technique and using markers to shade the flowers. :)

        ReplyDelete
      103. love the card. awesome colors.

        ReplyDelete
      104. Beautiful! I love the pierced accent.

        ReplyDelete
      105. Love the layouts - both look fabulous~

        ReplyDelete
      106. Love all the techniques you used on this beautiful card. I'm going to have to try them!

        Carmen L
        cal8007 at aol dot com

        ReplyDelete
      107. WOW! This is such a neat technique with the kissing flower on texture BG!!!!

        ReplyDelete
      108. Your card is so clean and simple - just my style.

        ReplyDelete
      109. What a beautiful card. So elegant.

        ReplyDelete
      110. beautiful card - love how you kissed the main flower image into the textured background so it looked like subtle shadows

        ReplyDelete
      111. Yes, I think it works great either way!! I need to try this when my sets get here!!!

        ReplyDelete
      112. beautiful cards! thanks so much for sharing. Gina sure has some wonderful stamp sets.

        ReplyDelete
      113. Mel, this is beautiful!! Love the way you used the two stamp sets.

        ReplyDelete
      114. Wow, you have sold me on needing that texture set! What a really neat look you created.

        ReplyDelete
      115. This is gorgeous. I love how you kissed the background.

        ReplyDelete
      116. Outstanding! I love the kissing technique you've used and the colours and the overall look of the card.

        ReplyDelete
      117. You are right-the card works in either orientation.

        ReplyDelete
      118. This is really pretty. Thank you for your easily understood description of how you made it.

        ReplyDelete
      119. Wonderful card and thanks for showing it to us different ways. Both have my mind contemplating. Love the blue!

        ReplyDelete
      120. I love this card. Beautiful. Thank you

        ReplyDelete
      121. Nice job...good use of the background stamps and showing what can be done with it! NICE!

        ReplyDelete
      122. Thanks for refreshing the kissing technique. Haven't used it in a while and these stamps work perfectly with it!

        ReplyDelete
      123. Wow, I LOVE your card, Melanie!! Both orientation looks GREAT!

        ReplyDelete
      124. Very creative card. Would love to win these stamps so I could make the same card myself!

        ReplyDelete
      125. Lovely cards, these seems to be a very versatile set of stamps, all the cards are wonderful!!

        Donna Przy...

        ReplyDelete
      126. I don't believe I've ever seen a layout like this and I like it. Thank you for sharing. Isn't Garden Silhouettes with Timeless Treasure a great pair.

        ReplyDelete
      127. I have never seen a layout like this before, and I like it. Thank you for sharing. Isn't Garden Silhouettes and Timeless Textures a great pair.

        ReplyDelete
      128. What a beautiful card. Absolutely lovely.

        ReplyDelete
      129. Absolutly stunning - I adore the subtle kissing texture!!!!

        ReplyDelete
      130. Mel this is a stunning card! the color combo is just perfect with this image for a Sympathy card.

        ReplyDelete
      131. Beautiful sympathy card...love how you used this stamp set.

        ReplyDelete
      132. Very nice card Melanie!

        ReplyDelete
      133. Very nice....I wasn't sure what the 'kissing' was but it was easy to figure out...lovely!

        ReplyDelete
      134. Lovely card Melanie! That kissing effect is so cool!

        ReplyDelete
      135. beautiful and inspirational cards

        ReplyDelete
      136. Great design Melanie and a beautiful card!

        ReplyDelete
      137. I love the color, images and the backgrounds, I guess I love it all. Thank you for all your inspiration.

        ReplyDelete
      138. Lovely card -- very useful too! Thank you for all your inspiration.

        ReplyDelete
      139. So pretty. Love how you combined the two sets. Thank you for sharing. It's always a pleasure stopping by here. ;0)

        Traci Lord
        3team3lord3@comast.net

        ReplyDelete
      140. Oh how I love this card! So soft... TFS, Melanie.

        ReplyDelete
      141. thanks for sharing the idea of shadow stmping onto the texture block. great look. i always learn something from your stamping, Melanie.

        ReplyDelete
      142. Beautiful creation.. Thanks for sharing.


        Wendy K in Chicago

        ReplyDelete
      143. I just love this card and the how you used the kissing techniques here with the two stampsets. I'm definately inspired :^)

        ReplyDelete
      144. These are really beautiful! I missed the release party and am catching up now!

        ReplyDelete
      145. Keep up the great work. Love to get new ideas and each time I learn something new.

        ReplyDelete
      146. so wonderful to get ideas of all the things tah we can do. Please keep up the good work. Love it!!

        ReplyDelete
      147. Wow, what a beautiful sympathy card. Love the way you used both sets of stamps on this card.

        ReplyDelete
      148. Love how you did that textured layer with the flowers! This is a real WOW card!

        ReplyDelete
      149. Beautiful cards, great new sets too!

        ReplyDelete
      150. You come up with the most fabulous designs Mel..Your card is awesome.

        ReplyDelete

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