July Previews Day 1

Welcome to the first day of previews for GinaK Design's July Release!

Tonight, we are previewing 3 stamp sets, but I couldn't help put a little peek of an image from the next card kit stamp set too - so, you get to see 4 of the new stamp sets tonight on my blog!  My first card uses three new sets... the new card kit set called Seeds of Kindness (for the focal image and sentiments), Melanie's new Fun Year Round large background image (more about that in a bit), and Tami's new stamp set called Stitches.

I was going for a shabby 'chic' layered card on this first card with Melanie and Tami's images and needed a large focal image for my 5 1/2" square card, so I pulled out these potted plants and stamped them on Ivory cardstock and colored with Copics in a 'sketchy water-colored' look.  Then, I cut the image out and layered on the inked paper background that I edged with my favorite stitched image Tami included in her stamp set - it seriously looks like I pierced those holes in the line, but it's all the stamp!

Here's a closer look so you can see some of the stamped images a bit better...

Card Details
Stamps: Seeds of Kindness; Stitches; Fun Year Round
Ink: Memento; Distress
Cardstock: GinaK; Basic Grey Capella
Other: copic markers, buttons, sponge; corner rounder; marker spritzer & water based markers

Next, let's look at a card I made using that same background image in Melanie's Fun Year Round stamp set, along with a couple of floral images she included in the set.  This time, it was all about the bright colors - nothing shabby about this card!  lol!

The focal images were shaded with copic markers and then 'blinged' up with Crystal Stickles... love those Stickles!  The paper flower was inked to match the cardstock with some Distress inks and blending foam.

Card Details
Stamps: Fun Year Round; Stitches (on the inside)
Ink: Memento
Cardstock: GinaK; Basic Grey Sugar Rush
Other: Sewing machine; ribbon; ranger inks & paper flower; copics, stickles

Tami's Stitches stamp set made an appearance again on the inside of this card - love using these long images with the long acrylic grid block.  It's easy to line everything up straight if you have a grid line on the acrylic block, isn't it?

My next card uses a couple of images from Theresa's beautiful new Aloha stamp set.  The images Theresa included in her set are so fun - I can't wait to see what everyone else will be showing tonight with it!

I decided to go clean and simple with my card and used a basic layout that you'll probably see at least one more time as it's perfect for a large focal image such as this one.  Once again, I pulled out my Ranger Alcohol inks, blending solution, and felts to create the 'beachy' scene and then stamped the images in Black Stazon ink and set aside to dry.

The technique is called Polished Stone and can be made with any dye based reinkers, rubbing alcohol, and cotton balls.  I personally like to use Ranger's alcohol based inks (including the metallic ones) as they were specially formulated for techniques just like this one.  You could also use Copic refill inks, but I don't have any of those yet.

Here's a closer look at the focal image - check out the silver threading throughout the polished stone.  If you use any other metallic inks, they usually don't dry (due to the formulation of the metallic ink) but the Ranger inks, dry almost immediately!

Card Details
Stamps: Aloha
Ink: Stazon; Ranger Alcohol inks
Cardstock: GinaK; Glossy' Basic Grey Sugar Rush
Other: Rnnger blending solution and felts; rhinestones

 Now, for even more samples with the stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these designer's links:

• Gina Krupsky
• Theresa Momber *illustrator of Aloha
• Melanie Muenchinger *illustrator of Fun Year Round
• Tami Mayberry *illustrator of Stitches
• Jessica Fick  *you are here*
• Nina Brackett
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Carolyn King
• Donna Baker
• Kurtis Amundson
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Asela Hopkins

We'd also like to invite you to attend our Release Party this Thursday, July 1st starting at 7 pm central on StampTV! There will be challenges, contest questions, and more samples from our designers on all the new stamp sets being released this month!  We'd love to have you join in on the fun!

Happy Hopping!  See you tomorrow night with Rupa and Asela's new stamp sets!
Jessica