Introducing MFT's Pretty Pocket!

I know, for sure, that I'm not alone when I tell you that I'm always scrambling at the last minute to make cards for my boys friend's birthdays.  Right?

It usually goes something like this. "Oh my goodness, so and so's birthday party is tomorrow and I don't have a card!" (I've usually had a similar panic attack about the gift a few days prior to this...) and then I sit with my guys and figure out which stamp set they'd like me to use. And well, let's be honest, my style is too girly for them.

And as my boys get older, its a little harder to pick the right gift for their friends.  In the past, I've always known their friends moms really well, and knew what their favorite toys were.  But as their kids get bigger, I don't always know the moms...  they're school friends.  And its harder to know what toys these boys might already have at home, so we don't duplicate.  And I know my two LOVE gift cards. Being able to go to the Lego store and pick out their very own present, or to Barnes and Noble to buy their own books.  So.... Pretty Pocket to the rescue!  Only, on this sample, I didn't go "pretty" for my pocket.  

I cut the pocket from this fun Bo Bunny patterned paper that is jean-ish, and then stamped the sets of stitching marks.  And used my distress inks to rough up all the edges.  I *adore* the tiny tag that is part of this Die-namics.  There are bunches and bunches of sentiments, I selected "hello" for today's project.  A Dainty Dots strip and some Bakers Twine are my only accents - save for a lot of stitching. 

Easy peasy, a pocket front card, just great for a little tucked gift you know, like the green stuff, a gift card, or a little note.  I know this one will be replicated again and again for birthdays! Heck, my crafty boys might even be able to replicate pieces of this with limited assistance! (sweet.)

but, since its called the Pretty Pocket, 

I thought I might give it another whirl and show a totally different sample....

Using the Die-namics Pretty Pocket I cut the pocket from a piece of canvas.  (note: I have a Vagabond so it will cut canvas... but I'm not *positive* you can do that with other machines, you'd have to investigate for yourself....) and I cut the little tab on the side out of kraft paper.   Using Brilliance Ink, I stamped the stitch marks, and then the adorable scribble heart.  As a mom of boys, I don't get to buy those embellished embroidered jeans.... but I sure can craft them.

I colored the center of the heart with my R85 Copic and then reached for my pink embroidery floss and a needle.  I simply stitched over all of the stamp marks, fully covering the stamped portion of the heart.  (My only caution would be not to pull too tightly, I seem to have puckered the fabric just a little bit.)

I didn't go too crazy with the layout, just a little mixed stitching and a cappucinno twine bow.  The pocket is popped up on foam tape so that you could use it as an enclosure - maybe a gift certificate to a nail salon?

One of my favorite features of this set is the tiny tab and all the fun little sentiments you can use to personalize your project.  Fun times!

I'm already looking forward to making more Pretty Pockets!  I can't wait to see what you all fill your pockets with! See you tomorrow with more MFT Teasers!  Be sure to stop by the MFT Blog for a full list of designers with samples for you today!