the creative closet by cindy lawrence

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

Gina K Preview Day One!

Hey everyone~

It's time for another fabulous release from Gina K Designs!  Today, the design team is previewing Melanie's newest set, Festive Frame, which will be available for purchase on Thursday evening right after the release party.  Melanie really knocked it out of the park with this gorgeous poinsettia frame and beautiful sentiments!  I embossed mine in gold on watercolor paper, and colored with re-inkers and a water brush.

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Festive Frame

Papers:  Rocket Red, Pure Luxury White, Good As Gold, Watercolor

Inks:  Vivid Vintage Green, Brick Red, Real Red (SU), Straw, VersaMark

Accessories:  Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Bling, Gold Cording, Red Organdy Ribbon, Niji Waterbrush, Gold Paint Pen, Dimensionals, Retractable Knife

For even more inspiration tonight, please visit the Illustrator of the Festive Frame stamp set Melanie Muenchinger's blog. Then, check in on our Center Stage Spotlight Designer, Diana Queen who has prepared a project for us tonight too. After that, check out these GinaK Designer's joining in on the Preview blog hop tonight: Gina Krupsky Cathy Tidwell Cindy Lawrence Erika Martin Emily Giovanni Jessica Fick Kurtis Amundson Lee Murphy Lynn Mercurio Nina Brackett Theresa Momber

Have a fabulous Tuesday, my friends!

See you tomorrow for preview day two! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Warm Winter Wishes

Hello Stampers!

As you may or may not have noticed, I missed a day in my usual daily blog posts.  Well, I've been down with a stomach bug for the past couple of days...yuckO!  There has been so much stuff going around at work, and I seem to catch it all.  I think I'll start wearing a mask around the office...maybe like this one:

That should do the trick, don't ya think?!

I am feeling better this evening, however, and I do have a sample to share with you. :)

That sweet snowman is from Gina K's Warm Winter Wishes set, designed by Caroline King.  I colored the image with Copic Markers and added Clear Chunky Glitter to the snowman to jazz him up a bit.  I am saving this card to give to one of my kiddos one day this winter...just because.  Those are my favorite kind of cards to give. :)

Here's the supply list for my card:

Stamps:  Warm Winter Wishes

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

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Red Double-Stitched Grosgrain (Stamp TV Holiday Cheer Kit), Snowflake Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Label & Petite Oval Nestabilities, Heart Rain Dots, Dimensionals, Chunky Clear Glitter

For even more inspiration visit Carolyn King - the Illustrator of Warm Winter Wishes and the Idea Center gallery HERE.

Then, check in with Carolyn's special guest designers:

Charlene Merrick

Tina Gilliland

Deb Anton

And, finally stop by these GinaK Designer's blog participating in the hop tonight:

Cathy Tidwell
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Jessica Fick
Kurtis Amundson
Lee Murphy
Nina Brackett
Melanie Muenchinger
Tami Mayberry
Theresa Momber

and our CenterStage Spotlight Team:

Joy Hadden
Kay Simmons
Linda Payne
Lori McAree

GinaK will be giving away a copy of Warm Winter Wishes on her blog tonight - so pop over there to leave your comment on her blog for your chance to win the set for free! (If you've already purchased the stamp set, we can swap it out for another GinaK stamp set valued at $19.95 or less.)

Have a fabulous day, my friends!

See y'all tomorrow! :)

Hugs~
Cindy

Stamp TV Color Challenge!

Hello Stampers!

It's my turn to hostess the Stamp TV Color Challenge once again, and I have a rich color combo for you.  I went with blue, gold and green this time.  I really like how it turned out! :)

I used Gina K's Lord of the Season stamp set, which was illustrated by Nina Brackett.  Isn't that a beautiful image and sentiment?

If you'd like to play along with the Stamp TV challenges, and win some fabulous FREE product, click HERE for all the details!

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Lord of the Season

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Good as Gold Metallic, Fresh Asparagus, Watercolor, Wisteria Designer Paper from Basic Grey

Inks:  VersaMark, Antique Linen Distress Ink from Tim Holtz, Brocade Blue, Vivid Straw, Vivid Olive, Vivid Vintage Green, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  Niji Waterbrush, Gold Embossing Powder, Corner Rounder, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Buttons & Striped Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Gold Cord, Label & Petite Oval Nestabilities, Dimensionals

Hope your Monday is FABULOUS, my friends!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

Fifteen Minutes...

Hello Stampers!

Today I have a quickie sample for you.  In fact, I made this one in just 15 minutes, which made me a very happy girl indeed! :)  Heck, I waste more than 15 minutes in a day (esp in front of this, ahem, *machine* that I am currently typing on...); so it is good to have such a productive 15 minutes.

This one was made for yesterday's color challenge over on SCS.  I really, really like this combo, and will definitely have to try it again soon!  All of my supplies for this project can be found at Gina K Designs.

I embossed the trees in white detail powder, added "snow" with a white gel pen, and gave the effect of mountains in the background with VersaMark ink and a sponge dauber...easy peasy!

Here's the full recipe:

Stamps: Holiday Cheer Stamp TV Kit

Paper: Fresh Asparagus, Pure Luxury White, Soft Sand

Ink: VersaMark, Vivid Olive

Accessories: White Detail Embossing Powder, White Gel Pen, Sponge Dauber, Stitched Green Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Green Button (Stamp TV Kit), Linen Thread

Have a lovely Wednesday, my friends!  Did you know there are only 11 more weeks until Christmas???  Yikes!  Better get crackin' on that shopping list!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

You Melt My Heart

Hello Stampers!

Today I have another Gina K Designs sneak peek for you.  This adorable stamp set is called Warm Winter Wishes, and was illustrated by the fabulous Carolyn King. 

My sample also uses some of Emily's yummy new Vintage Holly digi paper.  I colored the snowman in with Copic markers and added some heart-shaped Raindots to finish it off.

Here is the full recipe:

Stamps:  Warm Winter Wishes

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Cranberry Tart, Vintage Holly Digi Paper

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Snowflakes Cuttlebug Folder, Cranberry Brads, Heart Rain Dots, Cranberry Satin Ribbon (Stamp TV Kit), Cranberry Button (Stamp TV Kit), Label Nestabilities, Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

Hop on over to the rest of the design team blogs, and check out their fabulous creations!

• Jessica Fick
• Cathy Tidwell
• Carolyn King - illustrator
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kurtis Amundson
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Bracket
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Lori McAree - Center Stage Spotlight Designer
• Joy Hadden - Center Stage Spotlight Designer
• Gina Krupsky

Have a fantastic Thursday, friends!  Hope to see you tomorrow evening at 7pm CST at the Gina K release parTAY!  It is always a ton of fun! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day 3

Hey everyone~

It's day three of Gina K's sneak peek blog hop!  Are you enjoying all of the fabulous samples from the design team?  This is going to be an AWESOME release...so much fabulousness being unveiled all at once! ;)

Today we're showcasing the newest Stamp TV Kit, Holiday Cheer.  Love the images and sentiments in the stamp sets in this kit, as well as the yummy papers, ribbons, buttons, and other embellishments.  It really is a fantastic kit!

Here's the recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Holiday Cheer Stamp TV Kit

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Rocket Red, Watercolor, Good as Gold, Deck the Halls Digi Paper

Inks:  Staz-On Black, Vivid Straw, Vivid Taupe, Vivid Vintage Green, Vivid Olive, Vivid Brick

Accessories:  Petite Oval Nestabilities, Fancy Tag Nestabilities, White Satin Ribbon with Gold Trim (Stamp TV Kit), Gold Cording, Gold Brads, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Piercing Tools, White Gel Pen, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals

Now, check out the fantastic creations from the rest of the design team:

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

Have a fantastic Wednesday, friends!  It's the last day of September...oh MY, where does the time go?!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Preview Day 2

Hello Stampers! :)

Today's sneak peek is Gina K's Lord of the Season stamp set designed by Nina Brackett.  I LOVE the sentiments in this set...which I haven't shown you here on this card; but I will show them to you soooooon.  I had to whip out a quick card for today...so much to do, so little time!  I used Theresa's gorgeous Deck the Halls digi paper as well...yumm-O!

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  Lord of the Season

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Rocket Red, All Spruced Up, Deck the Halls Digi Papers

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Accessories:  Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Rhinestones (colored with Copic Markers), Dimensionals, Satin Ribbon (another sneak peek from Gina K)

Check out the rest of the design team creations:

• Jessica Fick
• Cathy Tidwell
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Kurtis Amundson
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Brackett
• Theresa Momber
• Janice Melton - Center Stage Spotlight Designer
• Gina Krupsky

That's all, folks!  Gotta keep it short and sweet...just got in from my very last SU workshop, and need to finish preparing for my last demo class, which is tomorrow evening.  What the heck was I thinking cramming all of this into the end of the month?!  Nothing like going out with a bang, huh? :)

Have a FABULOUS day, friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs~
Cindy

Gina K Sneak Peek!

Hey everyone~

Today I have a sneak peek from Gina K Designs for you!  This gorgeous vintage-style stamp set is called Very Merry Christmas and was designed by Theresa Momber. 

The fireplace image reminds me of home.  We have five fireplaces, and the one in the living room is always hung with stockings at Christmas-time.  It's one of my favorite holiday traditions, for sure!

I colored the image on watercolor paper using ink pads and a Niji waterbrush.  That awesome designer paper is another Emily original...new holiday digi paper!  Wait until you see the rest of the pack!  That gorgeous green cardstock, ribbon and red button are all new sneak peeks from Gina K as well.  This is going to be one AWESOME release!

Here's the full recipe for my card:

Stamps:  Very Merry Christmas

Papers:  Pure Luxury White, Fresh Asparagus, Vintage Holly Digi Paper, Watercolor Paper

Inks:  Staz-On Black and umpteen bazillion colors on the image :)

Accessories:  Red Brads, Green ribbon, Red Button (all from Gina's newest Stamp TV Kit), Niji Waterbrush, EK Success Border Punch, Natural Twine, Dimensionals, Spica Glitter Pens (on fire, stockings and holly garland)

Check out what the rest of the design team has done with this fabulous stamp set:

• Jessica Fick
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Linda Payne - Center Stage Spotlight Designer
• Gina Krupsky

Hope your Monday is fantastic!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hugs~
Cindy