the creative closet by cindy lawrence

A Perfect Fit

Hello Stampers~

For today's sample, I used Gina K's Hand-in-Hand set by Melanie Muenchinger. I added a glow around the hands with some Gold Glimmer Shimmerz paint, and gave her a diamond ring with a clear rhinestone.  The card size is 4-1/4" square.

I made this one for the SCS Fan Club gallery in December '08.  I am so glad I have all these samples I haven't shared with you from my Dirty Dozen days.  It sure does help when you're on vacation! :)

We are enjoying the warm temperatures and time spent with my parents here in Virginia sooo very much.  Tomorrow morning, when we head out to Pennsylvania again, is going to be a sad day...don't know when we'll have a chance to see them again. :(  K....gonna stop talking about it now...getting all weepy.

Have a very blessed day, friends!  Thanks a million for visiting with me today!

Hugs,

~Cindy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stamps: Hand-In-Hand
Paper: Pure Luxury 120 lb White, Basic Grey Urban Prairie Designer Papers
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Bling from MAMBI, Piercing Tools, White Gel Pen, White Satin Ribbon (Gina K), Teal Velvet Ribbon (retired SU), Nestabilities Label Dies, Gold Glimmer Shimmerz Paint, Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch, Dimensionals

Trust in HIM

Hello from California!

Today's sample is made with Gina K's Flowers for Daisy set.  It is actually an odd size. It's a bit narrower than most cards...5-1/2 x 3-3/4. So, you ask, when you make an odd-sized card, what do you do about the envelope ? Well, I could just stick it into a regular envie and call it a day....OR I could cut my envelope down just a bit and make a new flap out of designer paper!  Can you guess which option I took?  I used SU's retired Cutie Pie designer paper to make the flap. I cut a 5-3/4" x 3" piece of dp, scored it at 1", and attached the 1" section to the envelope. I then rounded the corners with SU's corner rounder...looks so professional with very little effort.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps: Flowers for Daisy by Gina K Designs

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, and Purely Pommegranate cardstock, Soft Sky Textured cardstock, Watercolor Paper, Cutie Pie Designer Series Paper, White Medium Envelope

Ink: Black Staz-On, River Rock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Purely Pommegranate, Groovy Guava

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Scallop Edge Punch, Pommegranate Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Gingham Ribbon, Prima Flower, Sultry Brad from Basic Grey, White Gel Pen, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Black Brads

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

I'll catch you back here again on Monday!

Hugs~
Cindy

Good News and Bad

Hello Stampers~

Today I have good news and bad news to share with you.  I'll start with the bad news... 

I have made the very difficult decision to step down from the Gina K Designs senior design team.  I have been a part of the GKD team for just over a year now, and it has been TONS of fun!  You know the saying, "My cup overfloweth..."?  Well, my cup WAY overfloweth, and I needed to let something go in order to hang on to a wee bit of my sanity. :)  I wanted to open the door for a new designer who really has time to devote to GKD.  Gina is an amazing, wonderful, kind, smart, and oh-so-talented lady, and she deserves the BEST!  I will remain a GKD customer and stalker, as I love the products and the people involved. 

So... In honor of this fond farewell, I thought I'd share the very first card I uploaded for the SCS Dirty Dozen, which just so happens to be made with a Gina K stamp set, Retro Boutique.

Here is the full supply list:

Stamps: Retro Boutique

Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy, Bella Rose DP from SU, Addison DP from K & Co.

Ink: Black Staz-On, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Nestabilities, Christmas Red Stickles, Red Rhinestones from MAMBI, Red Gingham Ribbon, Piercing Tools, Scallop Border Punch, 1- 1/4" & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Dimensionals

Now, for some good news...

Well, it's good news for ME! :)

I am going to CHA in January!!!!!!!!  I was not planning to attend this year, and actually told a number of peeps that I wouldn't be there; but God is good, and I'm GOIN'!

So... If you're planning to be there, please DO look me up!  I'll be at the SCS booth on Friday and at the Our Craft Lounge booth off and on during the week.  Hope to see you there! :)

Have a super-duper happy HAPPY day, my friends!

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day 2

Hello Stampers~

Today I have two Gina K Designs sneak peek samples to share with you! :)  The first set is called Warm and Wonderful, illustrated by Rupa Shevde.  This set reminds me of an old SU set I had about a hundred years ago...except THIS one is an outline set and the old one was a solid set.  I am highly in favor of anything I can color! 

I embossed my sweater & hat set on Pure Luxury White using White Detail Embossing Powder.  Then I watercolored it using a Niji Waterbrush and some Real Red ink.  For the final touches, I sponged some red ink on the edges and added a fun pom pom to the hat.  The papers are from SU, and I thought they went just perfectly with the sweater set!  I am going to have so much fun playing with this wonderful set!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Warm and Wonderful

Papers:  Black Onyx, Pure Luxury White, Rocket Red, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Inks:  VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Real Red

Accessories:  White Detail Embossing Powder, Niji Waterbrush, Circle Nestabilities, Black Mini Brads, Black Satin Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber

My second card was made with Theresa's Life is Good set.  I soooo {heart} this gorgeous stamp set!  It is the perfect set for all of my masculine card needs!  This card will be for my sweet hubby.  I just love the sentiment! :)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Life is Good

Inks:  Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, Palette Burnt Umber, Always Artichoke, Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand, So Saffron

Papers:  Pure Luxury Ivory, Chocolate Kiss, Watercolor

Accessories:  Brown Striped Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Labels Eight Nestabilities, Niji Waterbrush, Trees Border Punch (EK Success), Autumn Buttons, White Gel Pen, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals

For even more ways to use these fabulous stamp sets, please check tonight's featured Illustrator's blog:

Theresa Momber {Life is Good}

Then, visit our Designer's blogs participating in the previews tonight:

GinaK, Carolyn, Cathy, Cindy, Donna, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, Nina

We also have one of our special Center Stage Spotlight Designer joining tonight:

Peggy Wainman

Remember, these sets will be available for purchase on Thursday evening after the release party.  Hope to see you there!

Have a terrific day!

See ya back here tomorrow! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day One!

Hello Stampers~

It's time for another Gina K release, and that means sneak peeks for you all week long! :)  The release party is on Thursday at 7pm CST in the Gina K forum over on SCS.  You won't want to miss it!

For my sample, I used Nina's new Lovely {Shelf} stamp set.  There is sooo much wonderful variety to this set!  I chose to go simple with my card, using a vase of flowers and sweet sentiment.  This will be my mom's birthday card.

The images are not the only sneak peek on my card...  Did you see that gorgeous shimmery, pearly white cardstock?  ...and how about that yummy blue I used as the base???  You guessed it...new from Gina K Designs in just THREE sleeps! 

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Lovely {Shelf}

Papers:  Ocean Mist, Mother of Pearl, Elegant Eggplant (SU), Pure Luxury White (vase of flowers), Wisteria Designer Papers (Basic Grey)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Elegant Eggplant, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Pearls, Baja Breeze Satin Ribbon (retired SU), Eggplant Twill (Stamp TV Kit), Circle Nestabilities, Dimensionals

For even more ways to use this fabulous stamp set, as well as Melanie's awesome new release (Tech Talk),  please check tonight's featured Illustrator's blogs:

Nina Brackett {Lovely Shelf} Melanie Muenchinger {Tech Talk}

Then, visit our Designer's blogs participating in the previews tonight:

GinaK, Carolyn, Cathy, Cindy, Donna, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Lee, Lynn, Tami, Theresa

We also have two of our special Center Stage Spotlight Designer's joining us with samples as well:

Cheri Weston Melissa Shultz

That's all, folks!

Have a fabulous Tuesday! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a sample made with Vintage Borders from Gina K Designs.  I love the versatility of this beautiful stamp set!  I kept it sweet and simple for this one.  My card opens from the left side and is 5-1/2" x 3-1/4".

Here's my card recipe:

Stamps:  Vintage Borders

Papers:  Soft Sand, Pure Luxury White, Deck the Halls Digi Paper

Inks:  Vivid Brick Red, Craft White

Accessories:  Petite Oval & Labels Nestabilities, Red Stitched Grosgrain (Stamp TV Kit), Rhinestones (colored with R29 Copic marker), Red Button (Stamp TV Kit), Natural Thread, Dimensionals

How about some more inspiration with the Vintage Borders stamp set? First, check in with the Illustrator of this versatile stamp set, our Senior Designer Nina Bracket and her friend Lisa Hjulberg joining in the blog hop tonight. Then, stop by these GinaK Designer's & Center Stage Spotlight blogs for even more samples:

Asela, Carolyn, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Kurtis, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, Tami, and Theresa

Deb, Melissa, Karen, Sharri, and Sue

Before you finish hopping, be sure to check in on GinaK's blog to enter your comment for a chance to win Nina's Vintage Borders stamp set. If you already have purchased Nina's set, you can substitute any GinaK Designs stamp set valued at $23.95 or less. For those of you are who looking for a quick and easy Christmas card idea, check out the Vintage Borders Card Kit available online in GinaK's store tonight. The Kit includes the step by step tutorial as well as all the card stock cut to the exact measurements needed to make 4 cards. For more details and photos of this card kit, see Jessica Fick's blog link as well as this Class Kit link.

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday!  I am sick for the third time in about a month...all the symptoms of the flu.  I wonder when my immune system is going to finally get used to working in a public place...sheesh.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure and wash your hands after you visit, so you don't catch what I have. {grin}

Hey, at least I can still laugh, right?

See y'all tomorrow!

Hugs~
Cindy

Stamp TV Center Stage Blog Hop!

Hello Stampers~

Thank you so much for all of your well-wishes and prayers over the last couple of days!  I feel so loved! :)

Welcome to our first Center Stage Spotlight Design Team Blog Hop! Jessica Fick, the Design Team Coordinator for GinaK Designs, has issued a challenge to all of the past and present team CSS team members to make a Christmas card with one of these sketches:

 

My sample is made with Rupa's Winter Friends set.  Aren't those penguins adorable?  The kids and I just watched Happy Feet again, and it inspired me to use this sweet set.

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Winter Friends

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Fresh Asparagus, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers (Basic Grey)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Circle Nestabilites, Martha Stewart Snowflake Border Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Sparkly Foam Snowflakes, Quickie Glue Pen, Crystal Glitter

I know you're going to LOVE what everyone has designed for us tonight!

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

and the links for all of the past CSS Design Team 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,
Selma 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
Gina Krupsky
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 (which stands for center stage spotlight jessica fick 1).  These sketches are 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 your cards with the sketch too!

Have a fantastic day, my friends!  I am home from work for the next couple of days, since my daughter has no school.  ...not so great for the paycheck, but I will most certainly enjoy the time with Abbi! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
Cindy

First Christmas

Happy weekend, stampers! :)

Today I have a sample made with a sweet new stamp set from Gina K Designs.  It's called First Christmas.  I love this adorable bear image!

The sketch I used is one I created for this month's Gina K release party challenges.  If you'd like to play along for your choice of Gina K stamp set valued at $24.95 or less, simply create a card using this sketch, post it on Splitcoaststampers, and reply to the challenge thread.  Remember to use the keyword GKDOCTCL and post your sample no later than Monday, Nov 2nd at 7pm CST.  If you use Gina K stamps on your project, you'll be entered into the drawing twice!  The winner will be posted in the challenge thread on Tuesday.

Here's the sketch:

Easy, right?  Now let's see your take on it! :)

Here's my card recipe:

Stamps:  First Christmas

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Pink Pirouette, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers (Basic Grey)

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Sewing Machine, Circle Nestabilities, Pure Luxury White Organdy Ribbon, Aqua Mist Buttons (PTI), Dimensionals

That's all, folks!  Have a fabulous day...and happy trick-or-treating to all the munchkins! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day Three

Hello Stampers~

It's day three of this month's Gina K sneak peeks, and do you know what that means???  Why, that means the release party is NEXT!  I'll bet you can't wait to get your hands on these awesome new sets!

The first one I'm showcasing is called Winter Friends, and was illustrated by Rupa Shevde.  It is definitely one of my favorite sets from this release!  I created a little snow scene on my card, colored the images with Copic markers, and added some sparkle to the snow.  The sentiment comes from the other set we're sneak peeking today, called Signed With Love.

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  Winter Friends, Signed With Love

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Cranberry Tart, Fresh Asparagus, Eskimo Kisses Designer Papers

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen, Sewing Machine, Cranberry Satin Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Label Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Small Oval Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Nail Heads

My second project is a quick and easy bucket of yummy caramel popcorn.  I simply wrapped some of Emily's gorgeous Vintage Holly Digital Paper around the middle, and added a decorate punched border and satin ribbon.  The tag was stamped with a sentiment from the new Signed With Love set.  I added some cardstock circles to the lid, along with some fabric flowers, foam glitter snowflakes and sparkly rhinestones.  I stamped one of the circle images from the Signed With Love set to add to the flower center on the lid.

Check it out up close here...

Not the best photo; but you get the idea.  The colored metal on the paint can was done with a Copic marker.  I LOVE the way you can make anything match with your Copics...so awesome! :)

Here's the recipe for my bucket of goodies:

Stamps:  Signed With Love

Papers:  Vintage Holly Digi Papers, Soft Sky, Pure Luxury White, Not Quite Navy

Inks:  Not Quite Navy

Accessories:  Foam Glitter Snowflakes, Turquoise Rhinestones, Fabric Flowers, Circle Nestabilities, Washer, White Grosgrain Ribbon, White Satin Ribbon, Clear Paint Can, Copic Marker, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Small & Large Tag Punches, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals

We have a couple of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers joining in the previews tonight.  Here are their blog links:

Karen Knegten

Sue VanDeDusse

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

Gina Krupksy Asela Hopkins Carolyn King Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Donna Baker Erika MartinEmily 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!  See you then!

Have a lovely Thursday, everyone!

Thanks for visiting with me today! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day Two!

Hello Stampers~

Today the Gina K design team is sneak peeking two fabulous sets for you! The first set is called First Christmas, and was designed by Asela Hopkins. 

For my card, I wanted to show the versatility of this set; so I stayed away from the "first Christmas" theme implied by the set name.  In fact, this card doesn't even have to be a Christmas card.  I could use it for just about anything! :)

I snapped a shot of the inside if this one as well:

I stamped the cardinal in VersaMark on the inside, and added the sentiment in black.  Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps:  First Christmas

Papers:  Soft Sand, Pure Luxury White, Rocket Red, Deck the Halls Digi Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers, VersaMark

Accessories:  Sewing Machine, Circle & Lattice Pendant Nestabilities, Striped Red Grosgrain & Red Button (Stamp TV Kit), Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Here's my second card:

I know...can you believe I used a bright purple?!  That would so not be my first choice of color; but since it is one of the newer colors from Gina K, I thought I'd give it a try.  ...and you know what?  I LIKE it...oh yes I do! :)  I thought it worked very well with the "regal-ness" of this card.  The stamp set I'm sneak peeking on this card is called Vintage Borders, a very elegant stamp set designed by Nina Bracket.  The possibilities are endless with this set!

I embossed my images in gold and colored them in using ink pads & blender pens.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Vintage Borders

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Good As Gold, Vibrant Violet

Inks:  VersaMark, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry, Purely Pomegranate, Lovely Lilac

Accessories:  Gold Rhinestones, Gold Embossing Powder, Gold-Edged White Satin Ribbon, Label Nestabilities, Dimensionals

For even more inspiration, please 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 GinaK Designers' blog for even more projects with tonight's stamp sets:

Gina Krupksy 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! See you then!

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy