Shake, Tap, Drop! Sponged Embossing

Hello! Today I am demonstrating a simple design that pops with all my Stately Flowers! Grab your embossing powder for this fun “sponged gold” technique using your daubers!  I promise you’ll look at your powders in a whole new way after this for adding artistic, one-of-a-kind elements to your cards!  Today I am using the Mock Orange from Stately Flowers 11. My inspiration for today's card was the gold and turquoise packaging I saw for a bottle of perfume at Ross! Inspiration is everywhere if you get out and look! Please enjoy!

Supplies:

Gina K. Pure Luxury Good as Gold (3 ¾” x 5”), White (3 7/8” x 5 1/8” and scrap approx 7/8” wide by 2-3" long), and Blue Lagoon or Passionate Pink (3 5/8” x 4 7/8”and A2 sized cardbase, 4 ¼” x 11”,  scored at 5 ½”) cardstock

Tsukineko Versamark pad, Gina K. Blue Lagoon or Passionate Pink ink pad

gold embossing powder

Adhesive, MISTI or acrylic blocks, heat gun, sponge dauber, scissors, adhesive foam squares

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp-n-Foil Hop!

Good morning, everyone!  Welcome to our Stamp-n-Foil Hop with the Gina K. Designs team! The new colors, patterns, and collections of stamps, dies and detail sheets are unbelievably fabulous! The coordinating stamp images and detail outlines that can be foiled really take foiling AND your stamping to another level! Please enjoy our inspiration today and comment for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the Gina K. store.  Winner will be announced on StampTV in the Big news Forum a few days after the hop!

Here is one with the Time to Celebrate collection! The stamped and foiled two step pieces for festive cakes, balloons and gift boxes are SO fun!! 

  

The details here are all foiled with Gold Sequins Fancy Foil. I recommend die cutting the cake and gift images first before stamping just so you see where to place the bold stamp, it's a little different than stamping inside the balloon outline for example, which makes the exact placement more obvious. I was a little off I realized when I die cut them after stamping, because I hadn't seen them layered before.  (Used them anyway, it's all good!) Cardstock is Ocean Mist to match the stamped cake and balloon, part of greeting and remaining balloon are stamped in GKD Bubblegum to match the foiled, patterned Bold Backdrops (the new Bubblegum Fancy Foil!), I LOVE these big dots!

When I ran the details page through my laminator for this next card, I gasped at how gorgeous these floral elements from the Where Flowers Bloom Collection were when they came out the other side! Like, the way you gasp the first time you see metallic embossing, but so. Much. Better!

 I used the Sparkling Silver Fancy Foil for the outlines (after I stamped my bold colored images on the detail sheets, per the instructions on pack), and the shimmery outlines look ULTRA luxe!! Flowers are stamped in Bubblegum, Blue Raspberry with Blue Denim on the centers, and Peach Bellini with red Hot for the two step.


For my Butterfly Kisses card, I foiled all the butterflies with Gold Sequins after I did my stamping (these butterflies are GKD Wild Dandelion to match the Pure Luxury card base). I used a patterned piece from the new Foil Mate Vibrant Vines pack to make a border (foiled with Grass Green Fancy Foil)  Aren't these butterflies so pretty cut with the matching dies?  Last I added a few Nuvo Drops in Ebony Black and Dandelion Yellow around the stamped sentiment.

Finally, because I already had the pieces foiled and cut (and where flowers bloom, so do butterflies!), I made a 4th card to show how nicely the flower and butterfly collections coordinate. 

Where Flowers Bloom detail sheet was foiled with Sparkling Silver Fancy Foil.  Cardstock is Peach Bellini, Black Onyx and White. Stamping for flowers and leaves was done in GKD Peach Bellini, Red Hot, and Jellybean Green.  Butterfly is foiled in the Gold Sequins Fancy Foil and stamped with GKD Jellybean Green to match the stamped leaves.

Here are all the yummy new goodies now available in store and the collections I used today!




Let's go see what the rest of the design team has for us with these lovely products!  Remember to comment along the way for more chances to win the gift certificate!  (It is NOT necessary to comment on every blog to win the prize, but we appreciate your feedback and every comment you leave is an extra chance for you!) :) Thanks for hopping with us today!


Gina K.
Beth Silaika
Cathy Tidwell
Donna Idlet
Karen Hightower
Laurie Schmidlin (coming soon!)
Lisa Hetrick
Melanie Muenchinger-you are here!
Rema Deleeuw
Sheri Gilson
Susie Moore
Theresa Momber

Video: Distress Oxide Lilac Background

Hello all! I'm baaaack with a new video!  It's been awhile, I'm so sorry!  Been broadsided with a few things last few weeks that were making it so so hard for me to create and turn the camera back on! I really missed it though and am looking forward to the ones to come!  Today I have a card I made when my set Stately Flowers 12 set first came, using a couple Distress Oxide ink pads to create this glowing distressed floral background in no time! Greeting and  hearts are from the current Incentive set You Get Me.  Also a peek of a new product coming this week to Gina K. Designs, the Tidy Towel! Please enjoy!

Pardon me for getting a little flustered at the end: I usually ask you to tell me *which* card you like better, but I looked down at my cards and noticed they were the same lol!  I guess because, no coffee this morning, it wasn't until I turned off the a camera that I realized I forgot to turn the layout sideways and change it up for another option! Doh!  That ever happen to you? (You can totally picture it though, right?  Just turn the card and greeting!)  I'll be back on my game next week, I promise! (Or try harder, at least!)

Supplies: 
Gina K. Stately Flowers 12  and You Get Me stamp set
Gina K. Pure Luxury White (4" x 5 1/4") and Black Onyx (4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2") Cardstock
Gina K. Memento Tuxedo Black ink pads
Distress Oxide ink pads
sponge daubers and Distress Sprayer, Gina K. Tidy Towel

So like I said, coming this Thursday to Gina K. Designs: The Tidy Towel is a lint free towel that measures approximately 6" X 8". The color is called slate and when wet, it turns black. It can be used with just water or you can add a little stamp cleaner when necessary. The Tidy Towel is packaged damp and can be stored damp however, if it is left out and gets completely hard, it will reactivate by soaking it in water for a few minutes. 


 

Frisky Felines and Playful Pups Hop!

Good morning! Welcome to our February inspiration hop, featuring awesome sets from Gina K.'s daughter, Alicia Krupsky! Ready to get your cat and pup on?  Here we go!  As exciting as it is to get to that next blog for more eye candy, be sure to comment on the blogs as you hop because Gina has a $50 gift certificate to give away!  Winner will be randomly drawn from all comments and announced on StampTV a few days after the top! Check the Big News Forum.

The first card features Frisky Felines.  (Love the dies for both these sets to quickly make a dimensional critter!) I stamped up a background with the paw and yarn, stamped my sentiment and cat, and added one peeking out, ya know, the way cats DO! Cat lovers recognize these little cat "quirks" and behaviors and will make your cards extra fun!  Cardstock is GKD Pure Luxury White and Innocent Pink.

 Frisky Felines

The second card features Playful Pups. Playful, indeed!  I stamped the Inspiration Mosaic frame to give me a nice layout for these little guys and a perfect spot to pop in the darling greeting.  Just add puppy treats!  I masked these stamped dog bones in GKD Kraft ink into 4 of the mosaic sections, and then colored and popped up the stamped and die cut puppies.  Cardstock is Pure Luxury White and Kraft.

Playful Pups

I made a third card for today's hop because I couldn't resist mixing the two sets when I saw how perfectly the belly rub pup and standing pose cat went with the "...when I knead you" greeting for the cat set! I die!!

Nothing like those two little paws kneading accompanied by contented purring to make all your troubles melt away!  I colored in the borders of my stamped Holiday Frame with Spectrum Noir markers and masked in some paw prints at the bottom and top.  Base and die cut heart (from Gina's Double Stitched Circle die set) are Pure Luxury Red Velvet.

Bundle Frisky Felines-dies and stamps

Bundle Playful Pups-dies and stamps

Ready for more furry inspiration?  Let's see what the rest of our talented Gina K. Designs team has today!
Gina K.
Beth Silaika
Cathy Tidwell
Donna Idlet
Karen Hightower
Laurie Schmidlin
Melanie Muenchinger- you are here, thanks for visiting!
Rema Deleeuw
Sheri Gilson
Susie Moore
Theresa Momber
Lisa Hetrick

Share the Love with Foil-Mates Blog Hop!

Good morning, all! How about a quick hop to inspire with the new Fancy Foil and Foil-Mates products from Gina K. Designs? :) Please enjoy our ideas showcasing all the fabulous products and leave a comment on each blog as you hop for more chances to win a $50 gift certificate to Gina K. Designs.  Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on StampTV. Check the Big New Forum a few days after the hop.

I just love the XO design as a background and these new tags! I used the Gina K. Designs Fancy Foils™ 6" x 8" • Bubblegum Pink and coordinating Pure Luxury Bubblegum cardstock for my card base.  The fun XOXO background is included in the 

Foil-Mates™ Backgrounds • Love and Kisses.   Round tag is from the Gina K. Designs Foil-Mates™ Sentiments • Sweet Expressions  pack. I cut it out with one of the Double Stitched Circle dies, and matted both on Pure Luxury Black Onyx to really POP!

 Gina K. Designs Fancy Foils™ 6" x 8" • Bubblegum Pink 

Foil-Mates™ Backgrounds • Love and Kisses. 

Gina K. Designs Foil-Mates™ Sentiments • Sweet Expressions  pack. 

Double Stitched Circle dies

I also want to point out how much I like how Gina has spaced these Foil-Mates designs.

Not just with dies in mind, you can quickly crop the sentiments into rectangular mats with just a couple swipes of your paper cutter, and they are ready to make some quick foiled cards!  Foil once, then cut twice, so easy! The background pieces you see here are from one piece of foil and one Foil Mate sheet.  Ready to go on 3 cards!

Last, I want to share something fun I discovered, a happy accident! I love the smooth, shiny looks that foil creates, which is so amazing on these designs, but found by mistake you can create some really cool gungy or weathered looks if spots of the toner are showing through!  With proper use, you should not get spots, and I knew my Foil *should* work because it always had for me before, but when I wasn't getting good results for the first time when I started making some cards for this hop, I thought, maybe my laminator (Scotch) wasn't working properly anymore?   Thankfully, before I ran out and got another laminator, I realized I must have accidentally flipped the switch when I was getting off the shelf, from 5 to 3mm!  Well! This makes a HUGE difference (and it does say 5mm on the back of the Foil-Mates pack in the instructions, thank you, Gina)! So glad I figured it out, BUT no way am I throwing out the spotty pieces!   Spotty design below:)
I think they look TEErrific with these tags and greetings, especially since I almost always use black in my designs!  Kind of like, "foil for guys"! "Distressed foil"! Anyway, be sure to check that if you are suddenly ( or have never!) not achieving good results with your laminator.  It is NOT the Fancy Foil's fault! And hopefully just a setting like in my case! :)

Foil is hard to photograph, but hopefully you can see the spots and texture in the foil in these two photos of this pink and red card.  These are the "goofs"! The Red Velvet sponging adds another layer of texture and interest,  and in my mind, makes the imperfect foiling make more sense, if you will. Cardstock iS GKD Pure Luxury Red Velvet and Bubblegum Pink.

Ready to see more from the team? Let's go!

Gina K.
Beth Silaika
Cathy Tidwell
Donna Idlet
Karen Hightower
Laurie Schmidlin
Melanie Muenchinger- you are here, thanks for visiting!
Rema Deleeuw
Sheri Gilson
Susie Moore
Theresa Momber
Lisa Hetrick

Video: Simple Valentine with Stately Flowers 12

Hello! Today I am sharing a lovely valentine with the mayflower image from my Stately Flowers 12 set. This clean and simple design requires very minimal supplies, can be whipped up in no time, and adapted to any *season* or occasion switching out your main color. The gray stamping is soft and elegant and lends extra drama and punch to your colored flower. I also have a few tips for borders with the days of the week for the calendar and bold butterfly to create LACE, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Please enjoy!

Be sure to watch to the end for a peek at the Distress Oxide card I'll be demonstrating with this set in my next video, along with a fun mani score from Dollar Tree (mo' money for craft supplies, woo hoo! You're welcome!) ;)

Supplies: Gina K. Designs Stately Flowers 12 stamp set Gina K. Moonlit Fog and Memento Tuxedo Black ink pads Gina K. Pure Luxury Red Velvet 4 ¼” x 11”, score at 5 ½”) and White (4” x 4 ¼”) cardstock Spectrum Noir DR2 (optional DR3) marker Gina K. Connect glue, acrylic block

Have a good one! I really do think about you-my readers, customers,friends and viewers, every day!

Hugs,
Melanie

Video: Vintage Calendar with Stately Flowers 10 and 12 and Amazing Inspiration!

Hello! Today I am sharing another beautiful way to frame the mini calendar from Stately Flowers 12: the seed packet from Stately Flowers 10!  I also demonstrate quick coloring for this new violet from Stately Flowers 12 with Zig Clean Color markers, incorporates greetings from both stamp sets, and show a simple way to decorate the inside, back of your card, and envelopes for perfect coordination.  Please enjoy, and PLEASE watch to the end for a short story about why I made today’s special card*. You will LOVE it!

Supplies:

Gina K. Stately Flowers 10 and Stately Flowers 12 stamp sets

Gina K. Jellybean, Lovely Lavender and Memento Tuxedo Black ink pads

Gina K. Pure Luxury Lovely Lavender or Wild Lilac (A2 sized card base) and White (4” x 5 ¼” and scraps for butterfly and packet image) cardstock

Zig Clean Color markers: Yellow, Lilac, Light Violet, Emerald Green, Light Green

Gina K. Connect glue, scissors, foam tape, MISTI and acrylic blocks, envelope (Gina K. Jellybean in the video)

 Stately Flowers 12

Stately Flowers 10

* Did you watch? I want to also share a few more things about meeting Lori, not in the video, because I was running out of battery, finished nick of time!!  I'd been crying with a friend a few hours earlier that morning in a cafe because I was SO down from recent tragedy, perceived slights, and maybe hormones. We prayed together and my AMAZING friend Andrea asked God for miracles in all areas of my life that need help and healing and for me to know and feel how much people love me and how "amazing" I am.  (Her words, I just want to feel loved, I don't have to hear "amazing!") Later I went in to volunteer afterwards because I knew the thrift store needed extra help, and am usually energized by being there, but had to leave because it was so hard for me to focus and a few situations almost had me in tears again.  Again, my AMAZING friend/assistant manager Heather gave me a huge hug and told me to go home and rest, and if I felt like it, and ONLY if I felt like it, to come back because they would be short staffed from 4-6 PM.  Well, I did go home and rest, and although not sure if I was "feelin' it", I always want to help them out, so I went back up to the store. I met Lori at 5 PM.   If I hadn't gone BACK, to serve, I would have missed that great blessing, divine appointment, and answer to my prayer.  When WE show up, GOD SHOWS UP!  Isn't He AMAZING?! <3 font="">

Have a blessed day and week!  Go bless someone and you will be doubly blessed!  Again, here is Lori's Instagram to read about all the ladies she met the past year! Could you help me wish her a happy birthday by leaving some love for her over there? :)

January New Release Blog Hop- Day 3

Hello, everyone! Welcome to our third day of hops with the design team for our January release stamp sets, thanks for coming back! Today we are featuring Gina's newest StampTV Kit-Hearts & Flowers! (It's like my favorite kit ever I think!) Be sure to comment on each of the blogs as you hop because we will be going away three $25 gift certificates to Gina K. Designs, one each day!  Comment for more chances to win! Check StampTV Big News Forum a few days after the hops conclude where the winners will be announced. Here we go!

Isn't this flowering guitar pretty?  I wanted a vintage looking background to go with this romantic image and sentiment, so I stamped the guitar in Kraft and sponged the edges to age it.  Next I embossed the guitar in gold on the GKD Black Onyx cardstock die cut. I had some heart eyelets that I knew would be perfect to add to the guitar, popped it up with foam squares, and then stamped a bunch of bold hearts in GKD Red Velvet swirling out and around the greeting.  These stamps are music to my eyes!

Next, what a gorgeous floral image and die! I stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers. After stamping the greeting, I trimmed out the birthday in Dusty Rose cardstock, and popped up this and the flower on a White GKD Pure Luxury base.

I loved all these heart images so much, so I stamped a collage background on Ivory in GKD Red Velvet, Black Onyx, Turquoise Sea, and Innocent Pink.  I left a space to stamp one of the sentiments, and added the birds perched on two of the hearts. Cardstock is GKD Pure Luxury Turquoise Sea, Black Onyx, and Ivory.

Finally, I wanted to play with these lovely floral layering stamps.  I used Innocent Pink, Red Velvet and Black Onyx for the flower elements, and Jellybean and Grass Green for the leaves. Chevron patterned paper is from the GKD Bold & Blooming pack, and I used the Gina K. Black Fancy Ribbon to make a bow. Card base is GKD Pure Luxury Dusty Rose.




Finally, one more sample from me with the "You Get Me" Incentive Set. Love thee two fonts and the messages so I will be using these a LOT, as you've seen throughout our hops this week!  Here is one I made with my Stately Flowers 12 set. 

I stamped the violets in GKD Applemint and the colored them in pinks, for a subtle no line colored look. See the tiny hearts in the flower centers?  So fun for a valentine, and to go with this "you have my heart" sentiment!  

I added some of Gina's  Black Fancy Ribbon to balance out the greeting, and make it *extra fancy*.  Cardsotck is GKD Pure luxury White, Black Onyx and Innocent Pink. Sentiment is stamped in GKD Black Onyx. I just adore this little border of whimsical hearts that's included!  This set is free for a limited time, with a $75 order!


Ready for more inspiration from our design team?  Let's hop to it!

Gina K.- Introducing the Hearts & Flowers StampTV kit and the new Your Get Me Incentive Set
Beth Silaika
Cathy Tidwell
Claire Brennan
Donna Idlet
Karen Hightower
Laurie Schmidlin
Lisa Hetrick
Melanie Muenchinger -you are here! Thanks for visiting!
Rema Deleeuw
Sheri Gilson
Susie Moore
Theresa Momber
Guest Designer Sean Fetterman