Many Thanks!

Gina K. Designs has done it again! They have created a stamp set that I can return to time and again for wonderful stamping options! A few posts back I used a pumpkin from this same stamp set, Autumn Splendor. As you can see, it is quickly becoming one of my new favs!

For me stamping is a great deal about things that make me smile. And just like my recent posts about the leaves of fall, I remember these little maple tree seed pods with fondness as well. I think it is so cool how these little seeds are designed with wings that assure they will get to just the right spot and then grow into strong trees on their own. But isn't that really the way with everything in creation? God designed such a perfectly complex world with each part working in such beautiful harmony. It makes sense that he thought of all the little details, including how this little seed would make it to the ground and have a chance to grow. Why wouldn't it be that way with us? After all every hair on our head is counted. Here's hoping you have a wonderful day and take some time to drink in the beauty of creation.

Lori



Card Design

5 X 7 Inches

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Bo Bunny Roughin It In the Woods
Making Memories - Distressing Tool - used on edges of designer paper
Ink - Edging of designer paper - Memento - Desert Sand
Ink - Edging of image - Memento - Desert Sand
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copics - YG23, YG25
Stamp - Image and Sentiment - Gina K. Designs - Autumn Splendor
Punch - Fiskars
Ribbon - Offray - Verano Tan - 1 1/8 in (cut to size desired)
Die Cuts - Standard Circles Large

It's all about the leaves...

I have to confess... as a child I LOVED to jump into piles of freshly raked leaves! I'm not sure that my Mom knew I was doing this. I feel pretty sure the dog got blamed a lot for my mischief! :-) There is nothing quite like just diving into those leaves and scattering them everywhere.

I spotted this idea over at the Scrap Bitz blog. Suzanne used a paper bag to punch leaves out as an embellishment. I took it a little further and actually incorporated a paper bag not only into the embellishments but the design itself.

This stamp from Magnolia captures the innocence of childhood so well. Who says you have to give up jumping into a pile of leaves just because you're over twenty? I may have to test this theory... LOL... Have a wonderful day!

Lori



Card Recipe
Finished Design
5 X 7 inches

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K.
Designer Paper - Reminisce - Autumn Forest - Jumpin in the Leaves
Stamp - Magnolia - Tilda in Autumn Leaves
Stamp - Sentiment - Hero Arts
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ink - Paper Bag - Ranger - Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Walnut Stain
Paper Bag (background and punched leaves)
Ribbon - Offray
Punch - EK Success - Oak Leaf
Ranger Diamond Stickles

Happy Harvest

Have you ever had a color combo you struggle with? I love the look of black and orange together and particularly at this time of year but I just can't seem to get it right! Either I have too much black or too much orange and my card just looks downright scary! In the right context, that might not be a bad thing, right? LOL... So when I got out this Gina K. Designs stamp set, I decided to pull out some decidedly Halloween toned paper and take it more toward a harvest theme... Not sure if it worked out but I like it! And I hope you do too! Hope your week is starting off well! Make it a great one!

Lori

Card Recipe

Finished Design 5 X 7

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Heidi Grace - Halloween Flowers with Glitter
Stamp - Image and Sentiment - Gina K. Designs Showtime Stamp Kit - Autumn Splendor
Dies - Nestabilities - Standard Circles Large, Eyelet Circles
Ink - Image & Sentiment - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Coloring - Copic
Ink - Background - Memento - Desert Sand
Ribbon - Unknown
Punch - Martha Stewart



Copic Coloring

Pumpkin

First Layer - Y15
Second Layer - Shading from top to bottom and bottom to top - YR02
Third Layer - Shading from top to bottom and bottom to top (smaller amount) YR07
Fourth Step - Blend above layers with chisel on Y15 Marker
Fifth Step - Blend above as needed with chisel on YR02
Final Layer - E25 - Lightly shadow on dark spots
Blend with chisel tip YR07

Color stems with YG23 and YG25
Shadowing C1 and C2

Summer remembered

We are barely into the month of October and I find myself missing summer already! Bet this winter will be long! LOL... Ironically, the weather here as been unseasonably warm. Yesterday the thermometer in my car read 85 degrees! Pretty warm for the 9th of October... I guess we are enjoying what some folks call "Indian summer"...

I took advantage of the nice weather to work in my flower beds. This year was the first year my hydrangea actually bloomed. It was such a treat to see all the fun colors. Mine actually had blue, pink and purple all on it at one time. I guess the soil wasn't perfectly alkaline or acidic... more like Switzerland, unsure what to be??? LOL

Well my hydrangeas are long since past their prime. They have dried into a nice shade of pale purple. So in honor of their past glory I created a card to celebrate their prime! Blessings and enjoy!

Lori

Card Recipe

Design 5 X 7

Card Stock - Bazzill
Card Stock - Image - Gina K.
Designer Paper - Unknown
Stamp - Image - Hero Arts Hydrangea
Stamp - Sentiment - Gina K. Designs
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Image - coloring - Copic
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Grape Jelly
Ink - Background - Memento - Summer Sky
Punch - Martha Stewart - Eyelet
Ribbon - Offray - Satin 5/8 Purple
Punch - Ionic - Ticket Punch



Copic

YG17, YG67, Y04
V12, V15, V17

Bags are unpacked... finally!

Hooray! I think I may be at home for a while... Got back from Nashville late Thursday and back to work on Friday. Thankfully this week will be my short week (I have Friday off) so maybe I can recover a little bit...

Had a wonderful time and got a chance to truly experience the Music City. The photo above is one I snapped from my hotel room of the Tennessee State Capital. We stayed in an awesome place downtown with close proximity to all the hot spots! While we were there Lady Antebellum was filming their latest music video a block away. My traveling companions actually got to see the filming. I was a little under the weather that night and decided to stay in my room! :-(

Some of the folks at this training were actually extras in the video. I can't wait to see the final product. Also Queen Elizabeth was staying in our hotel. Never got to see HRH but thought it was cool that she was in the area...



But my favorite excursion was to The Grand Ole Opry. It was even more special seeing that it had only been open for a week after being refurbished. If you remember, Nashville was flooded earlier this year and after seeing the devastating photos, it was amazing to see them back open in such a short time. The stage was under 4 feet of water! WOW! On the night I was there Josh Turner was performing. He started out with "Long Black Train"... one of my all time favs...

Well on to crafting...

This card is actually a repeat image from last week. I love using pumpkins in my fall cards and this one will be a Copic class project I am teaching Monday night. The card design is a little smaller than what I usually go with... 4 X 5 1/2 inch....

Lori



Card Recipe

Card stock - Bazzill
Card stock - image - Gina K. Pure Luxury
Designer Paper - Reminisce - Autumn Forest - Jumpin in the Leaves
Stamp - Image - Inkadinkado
Stamp - Sentiment - TPC Studio - Autumn Harvest
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ink - Background - Memento Desert Sand - Sponged on lightly
Ink - Markers - Copic
Dies/Embossing - Spellbinders Nestabilities - Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Standard Circles Large
Punch - EK Success - Oak Leaf
Glitter Glue - Ranger - Stickles - Diamond (Pumpkin Vines and Leaves, Grass)
Adhesive - Scotch Brand Foam Adhesive, Herma Dotto



Copic Colors

Pumpkins - Y15, YR02, YR07, E25
Vines - YG17, YG 25

I'm back....temporarily...

This week has been hectic. I traveled to Louisville for our statewide SHRM conference. Tuesday night we were treated to a lovely dinner on the Belle of Louisville. If you ever get the chance to see Louisville this way, DO! We were treated like kings and queens... unfortunately this lady ate ENTIRELY too much over the week so I have to make some serious time with the treadmill. I snapped the above photo of the skyline as we were cruising Tuesday. A great time was had by all!

My blog will be quiet for at least another week, so please don't forget me... lol... I motor out Tuesday for several days of training in Nashville. Maybe I will make it big! OK... that will not happen since I can't carry a tune in a bucket... Singing is not my talent... :-P

Blessings to you and if not before we will chat late next week!

Lori



Card Design

Finished Design 5 X 7 Inches

Card stock - Image - Gina K. Pure Luxury, Other - Bazzill
Designer Paper - Stemma - Fall Into Autumn
Ink - Image - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Rich Cocoa
Ink - Coloring - Copic - Pumpkins - YR02, YR07, YR15, E25; Vines - YG17, YG25
Stamps - Image - Inkadinkado
Stamps - Sentiment - TPC Studio - Autumn Harvest
Punch - Martha Stewart
Ribbon - Gina K. Designs
Button & Floss - Unknown
Adhesive - Dotto & Scotch Brand Adhesive Foam



Copic Coloring

Pumpkins - YR02, YR07, YR15, E25
Vines - YG17, YG25

Boo!

I don't do Halloween! But many people do! Interestingly enough, Halloween is the number two seller for decorations and home decor. At my home we choose to celebrate the harvest season. I love the colors that you see this time of year. A friend who does celebrate Halloween asked me to create a spooky card for a gathering she is hosting. Hopefully this will fit the bill!

Here's hoping you have a wonderful week!

Lori



Card Recipe

Finished Design 5 1/4 by 5 inches

Card stock - Bazzill
Ink - Sentiment - Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ink - Background - Close to My Heart - Moonstruck, Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue
Ink - Moon - Close to My Heart - Sunflower, Autumn Terracotta
Die Cut - Provocraft - Cricut Lite - Celebrate with Flourish
Stamp - Sentiment - Studio G

Directions -

1. Cut mask (circle) for moon. Place negative on white card stock (circle cut out) and
color.
2. Place cut out of moon over colored moon to protect the image and color remainder of
card stock with blue inks as desired.
3. Adhere desired die cut (4 inch cut in this case) and stamp sentiment.