Lovely Shelf Blog Hop!

Good evening!

I'm thrilled to be joining in on Nina Brackett's Lovely Shelf Blog hop tonight! I have lots of cards to show off tonight but I thought I'd start my post by sharing some of the background behind my projects you'll be seeing from me this week.

We have 3 Illustrator blog hops this week, so while I was working on my cards this weekend for all these events, I decided to share one of my favorite tips on how to 'mass produce' cards. Most people who know me and my card-making style like to tease me about how many cards I get done when I sit down to stamp. Admittedly, I can be quick when I make my projects (I made well over a dozen cards on Saturday & Sunday afternoon) but part of the reason for that is because I like to repeat certain elements and products on my cards when I sit down and play.

So, on the cards you'll be seeing from me all week - it's going to look like I was in a 'stamping rut' because you are going to see the same basic sketch along with many of the same elements and papers. I've tweaked each card a bit but basically the cards for Nina, Melanie, and Theresa's hops are all going to be essentially the same! I hope you won't get too bored with them ... *wink*



My first card tonight is the only card that I used GinaK's Cranberry Crisp card stock on - all the others were made with GinaK's Kraft card stock... I can't get enough of both of these colors lately!

Watch for these elements on each card - border punches, the edges being corner rounded, white ink, Basic Grey Wassail patterned papers & embellishments, pearls & rhinestones.


Another thing I'm 'known' for is finishing off the insides of my cards. This is so quick and easy to do and it really only takes a couple of minutes. I use the scraps on my table and some coordinating images and within minutes the entire card is done and ready to be sent out.

When I first started making cards, my family would comment on how pretty the outside looks and then ask me why I didn't finish off the insides as well. It got me thinking and now it's pretty much impossible for me to send out a card that isn't decorated on the inside. It also helps cut down on trying to think about what to say - there's room for me to jot a quick note and sign my name to most of my cards... *wink*

Next up is a fun vintage card that I really like but as you can see from the photos, I got a little heavy with the sanding block in the upper right hand corner of the card... oops!


and the inside - I used Nina's vase and some flower punch-outs to make a flower pot... notice the paper pierced stems? Love that - I have to do that more often because it's such a fun look!


My last card uses a Sizzix die and a sentiment from Warm and Wonderful ...

Isn't that snowflake sparkly? It's die cut from glitter sticker paper.

and the inside scene made with Nina's set...


For even more inspiration with the Lovely Shelf stamp set, please visit these designer's blogs:

Nina Brackett {illustrator}

Theresa Momber

Donna Baker

Emily Giovanni

Lee Murphy

Peggy Wainman {CSS designer}

Cheri Weston {CSS Designer}

Vanessa Menhorn {Nina's Guest Designer}

The StampTV Idea Center is also a valuable resource for tips, samples, and tutorials on how to use all of GinaK's stamp sets. Check out the Lovely Shelf stamp set discussion HERE. The Lovely Shelf Card Kit information can be found there as well.

And, finally remember to check in on GinaK's blog tonight to leave your comment on her Lovely Shelf post so that you can be entered to win Nina's stamp set or any stamp set designed by Nina valued at $23.95 or less!

Before I let you go, I thought I'd share 3 alternative to my Lovely Shelf card kit project...

Whew ... what long post from me tonight - thanks for hanging in there with me! I'll be back on Wednesday night joining in on another GinaK blog hop. We'll be featuring Theresa Momber's Life is Good stamp set and you'll see 2 more cards using some of the same basic elements as my first 3 cards tonight.

See you then!
Jessica