A Day in the Life

Center Stage Spotlight Team Blog Hop

Gina K — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:48:00 GMT

Welcome to our very first Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop!

Jessica Fick, our Design Team Coordinator for GinaK Designs has issued a challenge to all of our past and present team Center Stage Spotlight team members to make a Christmas card using one of these fun sketches:

Here is my card for this sketch challenge.

For my card, I used the Holiday Cheer StampTV kit. I embossed the trees and greeting using Stampendous fine detail embossing powder.

I love the scalloped element of Jessica's sketch. I would have never thought to run my strip of patterned paper over the scalloped circle and under the main focal image.

I chose the embellished version of the sketch but instead of two flowers, I used a small cluster of the Pure Luxury Neutral Buttons.

And remember, you don't always have to use thread to use buttons. Stick them on with glue dots and they make an adorable embellishment with very little work.

Card supplies: (All Supplies available at www.ginakdesigns.com)
Patterned paper- Cosmo Crickett Jolly by Golly
Card Stock- Pure Luxury White, Night of Navy
Embellishments- Pure Luxury Neutrals Button Assortment
Stamps- StampTV Kit- Holiday Cheer, Holiday Greetings
Other- Nestabilities, Stampendous Fine detail white embossing powder

This is a really fun sketch and one I will use over and over again.
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So now, it's time to hop and see what the past and present CSS team has created!

First, here are the links for GinaK's Current CSS Team Members:
Deb Felts Diana S. Queen Karen Knegten Melissa Cash Sharri Seffens Sue VanDeVusse

CSS Design Team alumni members participating:

Brenda Turner, Carla Suto, Carolina Buchting, Charlene Merrick, Dawn Lusk, DeeMarie Kelemen, Geri Utterback , Giovanna Smith, Janice Melton, JenMarie Taylor, Jennie Harper, Joy Hadden, Kay Simmons, Linda Payne, Lori McAree, Melisa Waldorf, Pam Imholz, S elma Stevenson, Shannon Bracken, Shelly Wilson, Sue Walsh, Tina Gilliland

Some of GinaK's Senior Design Team Members and Illustrators wanted to get in on the fun tonight too: Asela Hopkins Carolyn King Cindy Lawrence Jessica Fick Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Melanie Muenchinger along with Nina Brackett's Guest Designer: Lisa Hjulberg

All of these gorgeous cards from the entire team will be added to the StampTV gallery throughout the next few days with the tag CSSJF1

This is also our sketch challenge for this week, so be sure to check out all the information in the discussion in our Challenge group over on StampTV Thursday morning. We'd love to see the beautiful cards that you make using this sketch too!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Gina K.

Glaze it up!

Gina K — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:48:00 GMT

This week on StampTV, Glaze it up with Sakura Glaze Pens. These inexpensive little pens really pack a punch- allowing you to create shine and dimension to your cards in the smallest places with complete control.

My favorite glaze pens are clear and black. Clear is awesome for applying over any coloring because it allows all of the shading to show through but really makes it pop!

And, the black is perfect for things like reindeer noses, snowman eyes and mouths, and any other spot where you need a little black shine.

To see this week's episode, click here- Sakura Glaze Pens

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Gina K.

Introducing Signed with Love

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:25:00 GMT

The newest " One Free with three" stamp set, Signed with Love will be available at www.ginakdesigns.com tonight at 10:00 PM central time and is only available with the purchase of any three stamp sets purchased together in one order.
(A $19.95 value- yours free with the purchase of any three sets.)

We hope you have enjoyed the preview this week. Stay tuned throughout the next few weeks for the design team blog hops where the team will be showing you many more ways to use these fun new stamp sets.

Have a wonderful evening.
Hugs,
Gina K.

Introducing Winter Friends

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:23:00 GMT

The newest set by Rupa Shevde, Winter Friends, will be available at www.ginakdesigns.com tonight at 10:00 PM central time.

More to come~

Introducing Vintage Borders

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:22:00 GMT

The newest set by Nina Brackett, Vintage Borders, will be available at www.ginakdesigns.com tonight at 10:00 PM central time.

More to come~

Introducing First Christmas

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:20:00 GMT

The newest set by Asela Hopkins, First Christmas, will be available at www.ginakdesigns.com tonight at 10:00 PM central time.

More to come~

Introducing Festive Frame

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:16:00 GMT

The newest set by Melanie Muenchinger, Festive Frame, will be available at www.ginakdesigns.com tonight at 10:00 PM central time.

More to come~

In just under an hour...

Gina K — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:08:00 GMT

Our release party is just under an hour away! The party is actually a thread at Splitcoaststampers where we all gather to chat about stamps, techniques, see samples, play games and more.

To find the party - click here on this link:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465494

That is the link to the party thread at Splitcoaststampers. Scroll through the thread to see beautiful samples by our senior design team, look for the posts in big red letters to find contests, challenges and other news. Scroll through the thread to see full stamp set reveals or stop back here at my blog throughout the night to see the sets in full. And chat with all of your friends who love GKD products too!

If you have trouble getting into the party link, contact daven@splitcoaststampers.com and let him know what happens when you try the link. He will help find a way to get you in to join the fun.

See you soon!
Hugs,
Gina K.

Preview Day 3

Gina K — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:39:00 GMT

ETA: This contest is now closed. The winner of preview day 3's contest is:

scrappintlc wrote:
Those samples are adorable. What a fun set to use with all the different sentiments for the sign. Your snowmen do look cozy. Thank you for a chance to win.

Congratulations! Send your shipping address to info@ginakdesigns.com and mention Winter Friends.
We'll get it right out.

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Today is the final preview day and I am so excited to show you the newest set by Rupa Shevde.

Introducing Winter Friends

Winter Friends is such an adorable set filled with penguins and snowmen and other little friends that will warm your heart when it's cold outside.

Designed to be used as an all-occasion set, Winter Friends will help you create sweet birthday, thank you, celebration, and of course, holiday cards.

This cute penguin's little sign is empty and you can fill it with whatever you want to say. For this project, I decided to create a small 4 1/4" square thank-you card. The patterned paper is the Jolly by Golly 6 X 6 patterned paper pack that we hope will be arriving soon in our store soon. The base is Pure Luxury Rocket Red and Pure White.

For my final project of the release, I decided to use all of the new release sets in one card!

Remember when I said that I love how all of these sets seem to work so well together? Well, here is my example.

I decided to make a 5 1/2" square card to give as a first Christmas card to friends who recently got married. In the background, you can see that I used Festive Frame by Melanie Muenchinger.

Then, I used the snowman and snowgirl from Winter Friends by Rupa Shevde. I colored them with copics and put dots of blender pen all over their sweaters and hats to make them look cozy. That's how I achieved the texture.

I added the greeting from First Christmas by Asela Hopkins. And, I backed it on a soft stamped print of the musical score from Vintage Borders by Nina Brackett. Music notes always seem to work so well with holiday projects.

And last but not least, I used one of the stamps from the new One free with 3, Signed with Love.
I used Christmas as the date so they can remember their first Christmas every time they look at this card.

This free set is the perfect way to sign all of your hand-stamped, scrapbooked, hand-drawn or fresh baked projects. And a couple of the images have the copyright symbol for those of you who use our images in hand-stamped products that you sell at craft fairs and etsy shops.

So, what do you think of Winter Friends?
Would you like to win one?
Leave a comment here and I will randomly choose a winner who will win this adorable new set!

To see the winner from preview day 2, click here.

Ready for more?

Check out our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews tonight. Here are their blog links:

Karen Knegten

Sue VanDeVusse

Then, stop by these GinaK Designers' blog for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Carolyn King Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Donna Baker Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Melanie Muenchinger Theresa Momber

Our Release party will be held tomorrow night over on SCS in GinaK's Forum from 7-10 pm CST. We'd love to have you join in the fun! There will be contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots more samples from our designers throughout the party!

I will be back tomorrow with more info about our party so stop back for more details!
Have a great evening~
Gina K.

Preview Day 2

Gina K — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:07:00 GMT

ETA: This contest is now closed.

The winner of First Christmas is:
Kath wrote:
I love bears of all descriptions, and have a few in my stamp collection, but am sure I could make room for more.....would love to be in with a chance to win this set...

The winner of Vintage Borders is:
Christina Bower wrote:
The music stamp is just inspired! Love it! There is really no limit to the applications of that stamp! Thanks again for another lovely chance to win!

Congratulations! Send your shipping address and stamp set name to info@ginakdesigns.com

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Asela Hopkins draws such beautiful images. And this set is no exception.

Introducing First Christmas

First Christmas is beautiful heart-warming set that can be used to make gorgeous holiday cards, scrapbook pages and more.

The sweet face of this bear reminds me of the bear that the Hospice Care Center gave me when my Dad passed away earlier this year. So, this card will go to my Mom for Christmas and she will know, when she looks at the sweet smile on this bear's face, that my Dad is smiling down on her this holiday season.

Take a look at this close up-

There are five new products right in this shot! First, we have our newest button assortment called Neutrals Button Assortment. This collection of buttons contains beautiful white, ivory, black, gray, caramel, sand and tan buttons to coordinate with all of your neutral projects.

I chose a small ivory button for my card and tied it using our new Jute Twine. Our Jute Twine is a 50 yard roll for only $1.99! It's thin and soft enough to go through even our smaller buttons. It's also perfect for holiday packaging when you are going for a rustic or natural look.

Also, you can see a new patterned paper. This is a piece from the new Basic Grey Nook and Pantry 6 X 6 patterned paper pack.

And stamped on top f that patterned paper is that beautiful scalloped border which is in the stamp set I will be previewing in my next project below.

Last but not least, you can see a tiny peek of brown card stock. It's one of our new Pure Luxury card stocks called Tan Leather.

For my project above, I used a piece of plain Tan Leather card stock and then sponged the entire surface with Vivid ink in Tuscan Tan to give it a richer look. You can use several different colors to change the depth or leave it plain for that gorgeous soft leather sofa look.

My next project features the newest stamp set by Nina Brackett that every stamper will want in their collection.

Introducing Vintage Borders

Vintage Borders is a collection of borders along with this beautiful greeting that can be used during the holiday's or any time of the year. (See the scalloped border in the bear project above for another stamped image from Vintage Borders.)

In this project, I stamped the music stamp and trimmed it to fit my card. Then, I sponged the edges with Vivid Ink in Taupe to give it an aged look.

The buttons are from the Neutrals and Holiday Button Assortments and they are tied with Jute Twine.

In this view, you can see another new car stock color- Pure Luxury Kraft.

You will love the rich and sturdy feel of our Kraft Heavy Base Weight card stock. It's such a gorgeous color and makes fabulous clean and simple cards.

Exciting news!

Our Tan Leather and Kraft card stocks are just two of the new colors in the Neutrals Assortment pack of Pure Luxury card stock. Another new addition to our line is Smoky Slate which I will debut tomorrow.

In this card stock assortment pack, you get 5 sheets each of Tan Leather, Kraft, Smoky Slate, Chocolate Kiss and Black Onyx. These colors will also be available in single color packs of 25 sheets like the rest of our Pure Luxury card stock line.

So what do you think of these two new stamp sets?
Would you like to win one? Check out these prizes!
Leave a comment here and I will randomly choose two winners who will each win one of these stamp sets and a pack of Pure Luxury Neutrals Card Stock Assortment, a Neutrals Button Assortment along with a roll of our new Jute Twine!

To see preview Day 1's winner, click here

Ready for more inspiration?

Visit the Illustrators of the stamp sets featured tonight:

Asela Hopkins: First Christmas Nina Brackett: Vintage Borders

Tonight, we have several of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews. Here are their blog links:

Deb Felts Sharri Seffens Melissa Cash

Finally, stop by these Senior Design Team Member's blogs for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Carolyn King Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Donna Baker Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Melanie Muenchinger Tami Mayberry Theresa Momber

Our Release party will be held Thursday night over on SCS in GinaK's Forum from 7-10 pm CST. We'd love to have you join in the fun! There will be contest questions, challenges, chatter, and lots more samples from our designers throughout the party! We hope to see you there!

And tomorrow, our final preview day with two more fun stamp sets!

Make it a great day!
Hugs,
Gina K.

Preview Day 1

Gina K — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:09:00 GMT

ETA- this contest is now closed.
Thie winner of Festive Frame is:

Betty Benton wrote:
What gorgeous poinsettias and pine cones and such a wonderful sentiment! I love to be the lucky stamper to win this one!!

Congratulations! Please send your shipping address to info@ginakdesigns.com and we'll ship it right out.
________________

I am so excited to be able to begin the previews for the Gina K. Designs holiday release- part two!

A very long time ago, this stamp set was born along with it's two sisters, A Year of Flowers and Arranged with Love. It's been a long time that this set was waiting back stage to be debuted and now it's time has finally come!

Introducing, Festive Frame.

This set is not only the perfect frame for any holiday greeting but it is also a beautiful way to make photo Christmas cards, holiday thank you cards and gorgeous focal images for scrapbooking your holiday gatherings.

This set is so much fun to color using either colored pencils or Copic Markers. It's got some beautiful bold images yet it's not too complicated so you can do it quickly and easily.

This set contains a large variety of greeting that fit perfectly in the center of the oval, or you can cut the oval out with the Tim Holtz knife and create the perfect picture frame or shaker card.

As you can see, I had to glitz the entire thing up with Sakura Stardust Pens. It sparkles even more in real life!

Don't you just love the first stamp set?
Would you like to win one of your very own?
Leave a comment here and I will announce the randomly chosen winner tomorrow evening right before preview day 2 posts.

Ready for more inspiration?

Start by visiting the Illustrator of the Festive Frame stamp set Melanie Muenchinger's blog.

Then, check in on our CenterStage Spotlight Designer, Diana Queen who has prepared a fabulous project for us.

And of course, check out the senior design team joining in on the preview blog hop tonight:
Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Theresa Momber

Tomorrow, I'll be back with two new stamp sets for preview day 2!

Make sure you stop back. It's way more fun with you!
Hugs,
Gina K.

This week in Stamping Lifestyle Weekly

Gina K — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:22:00 GMT

It's another "Meet the Design Team" issue! This week, meet Cindy Lawrence. Take a peek into her beautiful stamp studio and read about how crafting is an "all in the family" hobby at the Lawrence house.

Click here to download your issue- Stamping Lifestyle Weekly

And later tonight, the previews will begin so make sure you stop back for preview day 1!

Hugs,
Gina K.

Snippet #5

Gina K — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:17:00 GMT

I love this release because everything goes so well with everything else! You will see as the previews unfold how well this months stamp sets all work together.

Soon, you will be able to easily leave your mark on every type of project you create, whether it's a card, a gift or a scrapbook!

This is the final snippet and on Monday night at 10:00 PM, the previews will begin!

Hugs,
Gina K.

Snippet # 4

Gina K — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:07:00 GMT

Baby it's cold outside and it reminds me of the weather to come! There's nothing like having some cool winter friends to keep you company in your stamp room all winter long! Can you guess the artist?

More to come~
Gina K.

Snippet #3

Gina K — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:24:00 GMT

I couldn't be more excited about this new stamp set and it will be one of those sets that has a little something that will work on just about every project you make! Where have you been all my life?

More to come~
Gina K.

Warm Winter Blog Hoppin'

Gina K — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

ETA: This contest is now closed.

The winner of Warm Winter Wishes is:
Debbie Gray wrote:
What an adorable card....

Congratulations Debbie! Send your shipping address to info@ginakdesigns.com and we'll get it right out!
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Carolyn King created this adorable Warm Winter Wishes card!

I absolutely adore Carolyn's newest set- Warm Winter Wishes. Carolyn is donating her profits from this set to the Alzheimer's Association in her Grandmother's memory. This set is so fabulous because, although you can use it to create fun, whimsical holiday cards, you can also use it into Valentine's Day and beyond! Love that versatility!

Leave a comment here and I will randomly choose a winner who will win this set and post the winner's name here on Friday.

Start your hop over at Cammie's blog and follow the links from there! You will LOVE what you see!

Then, scroll down here to see snippet # 2!

Have a great day!
Gina K.

Snippet #2

Gina K — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:42:00 GMT

This new stamp set touched my heart the moment I saw it.
The Christmas Bear reminds me of my Dad.

When my Dad passed away at the Hospice Center in January, they gave each member of our family a bear. This bear stamp looks just like my Hospice Bear and I am going to use it to make my Mom a Christmas card this year. She will know right away why I used the bear.

My Dad will smile down and he'll love that I reminded her that he is always with her, especially on Christmas.

Tomorrow, I will be posting our new Center Stage Team over at StampTV. Make sure you stop by the forum at www.stamptv.com tomorrow to meet the team. I will show you the projects earned them this prestigious position for this release.

Hugs,
Gina K.

Snippet #1

Gina K — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:11:00 GMT

I can't believe we are right around the corner from our October release! You will just love what we have in store for you this month!

Let's get started with the first of 5 new snippets!

This snippet is just a tiny piece of a huge stamp that can be used in a variety of ways. Can you guess the illustrator?

More to come~
Gina

This week on StampTV

Gina K — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:36:00 GMT

Learn the elegant and simple technique of Tone on Tone Embossing and create beautiful quick cards that need no embellishing!

Click here for the Tone on Tone Embossing Video- Click

Then, learn to make perfect bows EVERYTIME with the new Bow Easy. New to the Gina K. Designs store, the bow easy will help you create beautiful single, double and even triple loop bows!

And, learn my little extra trick that makes these bows look like you hand tied them around your whole project!

Click here for the Bow Easy Video- Click

Also, don't forget to download the new issue of Stamping Lifestyle Weekly for a Gina K. Designs Coupon and a great article on getting crafty with your kids!

Click here for the magazine- Click

I'll be back this evening to announce the winner of our Special Delivery Blog Hop.

Make it a great day!
Hugs,
Gina K.

Special Delivery Blog Hop

Gina K — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:48:00 GMT

ETA; This contest is now closed. The winner of Tami's Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addtion stamp sets are:

Deb Else wrote:
I love these blog hops. They give so much inspiration for the stamp sets & I love the totally different styles of all of the design team. Thanks for giving me so many examples of what to do with my stamp sets!

Congratulations Deb! Send your shipping address to info@ginakdesigns.com and we will ship your prize right out!
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Look at this simply beautiful card created by Tami Mayberry!

Well, tonight's blog hop features the clean and simple style of our wonderful and newest Illustrator.

Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addition stamp sets are two of my favorites in my collection and the senior design team along with some guests have created a fabulous blog hop full of inspiration for you!

Tami invited a couple of her friends to join in on the blog hop tonight, so click on their blog links to see the projects they've created for us tonight:

Keri Sereika

Jeanne Streiff

Then, check in on these GinaK Designer's participating in the Blog Hop tonight:

Tami Mayberry (Illustrator) Carolyn King Donna Baker Erika Martin Jessica Fick Lee Murphy Melanie Muenchinger Theresa Momber Kay Simmons

After you're done hopping to all the Designer's blogs stop by GinaK's Idea Center here: Special Delivery & Special Delivery Addition for lots more ideas on how to use Tami's stamp sets.

And, don't forget to leave a comment here because on Wednesday, I will randomly draw a winner who will win these two fabulous stamp sets!

Have a great evening and happy hopping!
Hugs,
Gina K.