How-to create longer pennants..... (with video)

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I've been seeing pennants everywhere lately, on card sketches, I've been using them in my Project Life album, and I've been on a kick using them in cards lately too. A little farther down in today's post, you'll find a video showing how I've made these long pennants with the Die-namics Mix & Match Banners.

Today I've used them with the banner end pointing UP because it worked better for my layout. I combined several paper scraps from a few different paper lines with my Just My Type Stamp set and Die-namics. I kept the largest panel light with this ledger patterned paper and then got a big punch of color from some leftover patterned paper scraps....

But wait, they're also fabulous for scrapbooking. I can't believe I scrapped! Its been a while and I'm very out of practice, but this was FUN! I'm going to add this 12x12 into my project life album. We've had a really mild winter here in New England, so my kids were beyond excited when it finally snowed!

Accents for boys can be tricky, after all I have to leave my favorite embellishments (ribbons) out of the mix... I reached for my File Tab Die-namics and my Typewriter Alphabet for the "january" and then I grabbed for my By the Numbers Die-namics to cut out the number "21" from corrugated cardboard. It was then brushed with white crackle paint.

Here's a close look at the panel. I've added "snow" with the By the Letters Die-mamics, and then added the WoNkY Scallops Die-namics above a set of long pennants with the Mix & Match Die-namics and cut a set of corrugated cardboard snowflakes with Let It Snowflake Die-namics

Okay, so now here's the deal... with this tiny little Die-namics that looks like this....

Do you want to learn how to cut longer strips? You'll use up that leftover patterned paper, and quickly create fun embellishments! Here's a quick video showing you how I did it! You can also watch the video over on my YouTube channel....

Wednesday Stamp Club - Let's Do It Again!

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Welcome to the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club!  I'm hoping to be able to play along each week this year...did you play in 2011? Did you see that there's a full set of PDF files available for download with ALL of the 2011 sketches?  They're a great resource, so be sure to click here to print them all out!!

Here's my version of the sketch for this week, and if you don't have this particular doily Die-namics no worries, just substitute a circular panel of your choice!  I've used my First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics to make the sentiment flag....

I've gone clean, simple and scrappy with this week's sketch, and added a trio of twine tied buttons within the circular panel.  I don't know about you, but I'm anxious for the influx of new patterned papers that comes along with CHA.  I pulled out my Authentique: Gathering 6x6 pad which was a gift from my sweet friend Jody!

So, whether you decide to get inky with this one and color up something for the center panel, or if you go scrappy like I did, I hope you'll have FUN and play along with us this week.

You can join us in the MFT Forum and we look forward to seeing your projects in the gallery here! Remember to add the code MFTWSC56 so that your project ends up in the gallery. Samples entered before Tuesday, January 31st at noon EST will be eligible, and one participant will win a prize of up to $20 to the MFT Boutique!

Hopping with Scor-Pal!

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Hi everyone! Today we're doing a fun hop along with the creative team at Scor-Pal.  I have to tell you, if you haven't invested in a Scor-Pal yet, then you're in for a treat! Honestly, my Scor-Pal and Scor-Mat are crucial parts of my stamping. 

That Scor-Mat in particular is my BFF!  It is my primary stamping surface, which assures me a nice evenly stamped image.  I also use the grid lines on my Scor-Mat if I'm lining up an image to make sure it is stamped straight...for instance if I'm stamping a series of letters that I want to line up....I line them up on the Scor-Mat grid and then pick them up with a block! Voila - nice and straight! Then when it inevitably gets dirty from ink and adhesive, I just take it up to the sink and give it a good scrub!  

When I need to do any scoring, I just slide the mat forward to access the Scor-Pal and then slide the Scor-Tool though one of the channels for a nice crisp score. 

Today I've combined MFT's Pure Innocence: I Love You With All My Heart with patterned paper from Crate Paper: Emma's Shoppe.  That teeny tiny Die-namics Pretty Posies is holding closed a secret panel....

The main card opens vertically, but this little flower holds closed a secret panel that opens right to left.....

this is a perfect place for a gift card enclosure or a secret little note! note: The panel measures 6 1/4 x 4 - scored at 3 1/4 to make this tiny card on front of the card.... 

Now here's a peek at the inside of the card where I've finished it off with another Die-namics Pretty Posies and an extra bit of the patterned paper. See, fun folds like this help you use up a lot of patterned paper, so you can buy MORE!

Be sure to stop by the MFT Blog for a full listing of designers from both the MFT Team and the Scor-Pal Team with projects to share today! 

Powder Day

You might remember that we had a freakishly early snow storm here in New England, in OCTOBER, but since then we've had nothing. Nada. Zip.  We sadly had to cancel a ski getaway we had planned because when we looked at the conditions and at the mountains web-cams we could see GRASS. YUCK. When I'm spending a small fortune to go skiing, I'd like to see only pretty white sparkly snow, and not any grass.

At long last we got two small doses of snow this past week.  In January, snow is pretty and lovely and sparkly. Still clean. (Not that grey gross stuff that collects on the side of the roads as it melts and combines with dirt.)

So yesterday while the snow was coming on down, I was excited to sneak away to my craft desk and get a little stampy.  I used the Deconstructed Sketch for this week as my inspiration, of course the main panel grew, and I added a little snowflake embellishment, and oops, I skipped the sentiment panel. But you see where I started from right?

For my snowflake I cut my Die-namics Let It Snowflake Die-namics from corrugated cardboard then painted it with white crackle paint.   This fun little stamp is My Favorite Things á la modes: Ski Bunny  multicolored stripe scallop was created with the Die-namics Simply Scallops.

No stamping for me today... off to cook for the big Patriots Game this afternoon!  Have a great day!

Adding Sewing to your projects....

Today's Feature Friday video is all about sewing. If you read here often, you know that it pretty rare when I don't sew on a card!  I'm often asked for some pointers, so I did a quick video today.  I'm using a Janome Sew Mini. I think it is the perfect machine for stampers. Nice and small, fits easily on your desktop, easy to operate and very reasonably priced. I've seen them from time to time on Overstock, you can also get them at Amazon.com or at Hancock Fabrics.  

I think stitching adds such charm to projects, and its really easy to do! Today's video has some pointers for you... and I've also got some notes below....

For today's project, I'm using My Favorite Things All Smiles 

and the Solid Bracket Border Die-namics.

I’ve seen many of you saying in blog posts, or on Facebook, that you already HAVE a machine and haven’t put it to work just yet. Go ahead and take that baby out of its box and let’s play! Like any other technique it just takes a bit of practice!  Some advice for newbie paper sewers….

• Go slow, there’s no rush! Consider stitching on a patterned paper that you can follow along, maybe follow along a grid line, or on a set of polka dots.  Till you get used to it, this will help you to stitch straight.
• Check your stitch setting before starting. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve been on the zig-zag stitch when I wanted to go straight, but then I was committed to zig-zagging!
• When making a turn, always stop stitching with the needle through the paper.  Then you can raise the presser foot and turn the paper while the needle is marking your place.  Then place the presser foot back down stitch away!
• When you’ve finished sewing, be sure to pull your loose ends back through the card stock and secure on the backside with tape. This will keep your card front neat and clean!
• Don’t try to stitch through too many layers at a time.  You can stitch an accent piece individually and then add it to your project with adhesive. It looks like it is sewn in place without forcing your machine to go through too many layers all at one time.
• Do not stitch directly over adhesive.  This will gum up your needle and damage your machine.  I use just a bit of adhesive in the center of my panels, then stitch around the edges.

If you’re having trouble, I suggest pulling out your spool of thread and try re-threading the machine. Even on times when I was sure it was threaded correctly, when I re-threaded, it worked perfectly!    Dust your machine. Little bits of paper will eventually collect and can damage your machine. I periodically take a bit of that “canned air” and dust!  If your bobbin is wound too loosely, that will also cause a huge mess of tangled thread.  

Just practice, practice and have fun.  I think you’ll decide that sewing adds just that extra touch and the more you do it, the better your stitching will look!  Let me know if you have any questions,  I'm here to help!  And I look forward to seeing YOUR stitched projects!

Love for the Bella!

Did you see that Stamping Bella has a new release this week?  You'll find all the new January Release from Stamping Bella HERE.   I'm dying to pick up some of those beautiful Uptown Girls. They are so so pretty.

And then I remembered that I bought a *bunch* of Stamping Bella stamps which hadn't yet seen ink. GASP!  What is wrong with me? So, of course, had to fix that immediately.  Alice from Christy Croll was ready, and waiting and dying to be inked up. 

Did you see that Stamping Bella is back as a member company on Splitcoaststampers!  You can catch up with Emily and the Bella Babes right here on the Stamping Bella Forum.  Oh, and they hold a weekly challenge too with a chance at a prize! Be sure to check the forum for all the details.

((((mwah)))) and love for the Bella!!

A Sketchy Movie Card.....

Okay folks, its My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club time! Are you ready for another one? This one is easy peasy, so you've got to find a little time to play along with us!

Hubby and I have been on a real movie date kick lately, there have been SO many good movies to see.  Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  Fabulous! Did you read the book?  I did, he didn't. I was engrossed, sitting on the EDGE of my seat the whole time.  Fabulous. Can't wait for the next one already!

Then we went to Mission Impossible 4.  Tom Cruise sort of bugs me, but the movie was great!  And then this week, we were off to see Sherlock Holmes.  I think that Robert Downey Jr. is just about perfect for the role. If I'm being 100% honest I liked the first in the series better, but it was fun nonetheless!

Of all three movies we've gone to in the last month, my favorite was Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but seriously, it is a graphic and disturbing movie... I'm just warning you!  So, what's YOUR favorite in the movie theater movie lately? Anything that I've got to schedule a sitter to get out to see?

So, with our penchant for movie dates, I was excited to pull out my new At the Movies Die-namics and Stamp Set and get a card made for my hubby. Since it's a guys card, I didn't use a flower embellie for the top portion of the sketch but used a ribbon tab and a button instead.... Patterned Paper is Echo Park Times and Seasons.

I hope you'll stamp up a little something for this week's sketch challenge. Be sure to upload your creation to the Splitcoaststampers Gallery using this week's keyword so we see your sample, oh, and so that you're entered for this week's prize! 

VIP Collection from My Favorite Things

Oh my goodness, it is VIP Kit Time!  This month, the MFT VIP Collection is loaded with two (totally adorable) Pure Innocence images.  I've had a chance to work with one of the images, and the second is patiently sitting on my desk....  by surfing around to visit with the MFT Designers, I'm sure you'll get treated to samples with both of the new images this evening!

Remember that the VIP Collection is a limited quantity product, when they're sold out, they'll be gone until the new release in early February!  This month's kit also includes a new, un-released Die-namics Die, and as always, an exclusive, never to be sold again stamp set with sentiments to coordinate with both of the new Pure Innocence cuties!

Though we've only just had our first dusting of snow, I'm excited about spring! With it being mid-January, its already on my radar screen because I'm a crazy plan ahead schedule-type girl!

We play a LOT of bubble stuff at my house (outdoors) with the daycare kids. Its a great and inexpensive way to entertain children of ALL ages.  I used paper from October Afternoon to paper piece her tiny little shirt and colored a denim skirt with my Copics.  This sketch is a great one from my friend and fellow MFT Designer Karen Giron!  Be sure to visit her each Sunday for a fabulous new sketch! 

Stop by the MFT Blog for a full list of designers with samples for you today! 

Back to Basics: How-to Make a Cardbase & a Sweet Sunday Sketch Sample

Good morning! I know lots of you have been stamping for a long time, but when I teach classes, or attend trade shows, I'm always reminded that there are constantly new people picking up this hobby.  The questions I get are usually focused on the basics, so I thought I'd try to take a few steps back and review for anyone just jumping in!

I'm often asked what size I make my cards, and with few exceptions, I'm making a standard A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) or a 5 1/2 square card.  I can't even begin to tell you how much card stock I wasted when I first started attending card making workshops at a friend's house.  For whatever, reason I couldn't figure out where to line up the paper, I had a really bad paper trimmer, that I swear would cut things crooked!

So, I've put together a quick video sharing how to make the basics, an A2 card in both a horizontal and a vertical orientation, a 5 1/4 square card, and a fun card you can make with the remnant card stock from your 5 1/4 square card!

I put together this video for the My Favorite Things Feature Friday segment, but I wanted to share it here too.  I've used LOTS of MFT supplies in my sample cards in the video.

I'll have more Back to Basics videos for you, and would love to know what topics you could use some assistance with!  For reference, my go to products for making a card base are my Fiskar's SureCut Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer, and my Scor-Pal, Scor-Mat and my Scor-Tool.

Of course, I couldn't just make a video... I also have a card to share today too!  I had all those extra card bases to fill up, and my friend Karen Giron had this fun sketch this week.  If you're just jumping in to stamping, I can't stress how amazing sketch challenges will be for you.  This is a GREAT way to jump start your creativity!  

I've reached for my Crate Paper: Paper Heart 6x6 pad again (I'm loving that one...) and my Sew Nifty stamp set.  And if you're a *newer* stamper, this is a fabulous set which you can use with absolutely no coloring required!  With a combination of open and solid stamps, as well as coordinating Die-namics dies. This is a really fun one that I highly recommend!

I've added a Loopy Bow to the sketch and subbed in two small buttons in place of the fish tail banner points.... If you're not able to get the Loopy Bow look just right, you could easily try a Cheater's Bow too...  Thanks so much for stopping by today, I'll be back at 10pm EST with this month's VIP Kit for My Favorite Things...

Project Life....

I don't know about you, but before I started making cards, I dabbled in scrapbooking.  I started by joining a monthly stamping club at a friend's house. She's make a layout, we'd come and duplicate it.  I'd sometimes work on pages on my own, but pretty quickly I fell behind.

I discovered carding, and loved how quickly I could create a project. And the "collecting" of supplies began.  Somehow, I lost all the momentum to scrapbook. And blink. Years went by.

I'm ashamed to say that I have SO many photos on my laptop, in Facebook Albums, in Shutterfly albums and none printed.  Its ridiculous. And the phone. I have so many pictures on my phone. SO many.

And I have these two beautiful boys, two busy boys, and so many stories to write down.

Enter. Project Life.  If you're not familiar with Project Life, it's a modular scrapbooking kit.  That is all based on simplicity and actually getting those pages done.  I bought a binder, the Clementine Core Kit and several sets of page dividers. I've been *trying* to be good about keeping my camera with me as we're out and about and of course taken a TON of photos on my phone.....

To me, Project Life isn't about having perfect pages, or having "perfect" photography. But capturing these moments while they're still fresh.  My boys have been loving helping me journal, and they've been writing  their own notes, and they've been drawing pictures to include in the album too.  I love that this is something we can do together as a family, FOR our family.

And, I'm loving that I can incorporate SO many of my stampy elements into my album.

I'm finding that my stamps and Die-namics are just about perfect for embellishing my pages and taking notes:

I've been using my Die-namics By the Letters and Die-namics By the Numbers for quick page accents... see my little felted AM on the top left hand picture?  I've used the Monogram Alphabet for a title on my bottom right hand side photograph....

If you've got sporty kids, the All Star Stamp Set and Die-namics Die will certainly be handy. I used it for this 4x6 panel for my eldest son - who is playing on not one, but TWO indoor soccer leagues this winter.  The Mini Pennant Die-namics and the Typewriter Alphabet was used for the mini banner accent on the top of this page.

I'll be sporadically sharing pages from my Project Life album.... I hope that this helps you think about using your stamps and Die-namics in your memory keeping!  Thanks for looking!

hb2u!

I hope you're all enjoying the long weekend. This weekend is a birthday party-palooza for both my boys. But it's all good because little boys need to stay BUSY!  I got a lot of time last night to work on my Project Life album, and I hope to have some pictures to share with you soon! 

I got scrappy with a little card for one of my six year old son's best friends.  She's a sweetheart, such a thoughtful and caring friend. They've been buddies since preschool, and now they sit side by side in first grade.  I was excited to pull together something cute and girly for her special day. 

I reached for both my By the Letters and By the Numbers Die-namics from, My Favorite Things and hopped over to Jen Del Muro's Sketch for You To Try.  I love pink and green together, and clearly don't get to use that for my boys, so I was tickled pink working on this card! Patterned Paper is October Afternoon Sidewalks.

Have a GREAT day everyone, hope you get some crafty time!

Tying a Cheater's Bow

I didn't get a chance to ink up this adorable Precious Little Lamb: Fill My Heart With Joy as part of our recent New Release festivities for My Favorite Things.  I had picked up this October Afternoon Holiday Style patterned paper and though it is beyond Christmas, I think it is still fabulous for wintery cards!  I barely colored in much of the Little Lamb, he's mostly paper pieced and I shaded his fur with a light grey marker....

There is just a bit of the Solid Bracket Border Die-namics, one of my favorites, cut from corrugated cardboard. 

I had made a Bow Tying video just before Christmas, and I'd promised that I'd also show how to make what's called a Cheater's Bow.  If you missed my original Bow Tying Video Tutorial you can find that here....

Today I've used a quick and easy, nearly foolproof ribbon tying technique referred to as the Cheater's Bow.  I learned this in one of my first ever card making workshops... and its incredibly handy if you're having bow tying trouble!

Because I couldn't seem to incorporate that sentiment into the front of the card (and also because I adore this paper) I went ahead and finished off the inside of the card.  

Is it awful to say I'm hoping for a cold weather weekend where we watch entirely too much television and I get to stamp my brains out? I haven't had one of those weekends in a while....  Have a GREAT day! Hope to see you with lots of crafty goodness next week!

Paper Heart Valentine....

Hi everyone!  I'm back for this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club challenge. I was very excited to squeeze in some crafty time this past weekend.  I'm hoping to stay on track with the Wednesday Stamp Club Challenges.  Want to join me? With the fresh start of a new year, I'm hoping to stay in the routine of getting them done.  Its a great excuse to stamp, you're always guaranteed a jump start of inspiration and did I mention, one lucky participant will win a prize?  

I picked up the Crate Paper: Paper Heart over vacation and I am in paper looooove!  I also picked up a bunch of these Cavas Corp kraft mini envelopes, that I'm having lots of fun with.  For today's sketch I went scrappy, and I've used the mini main panel as a gift card holder and for the small flag element, I paired a Hearts a Plenty Die-namics cut from corrugated cardboard.

Then I cut out an "x" and an "o" from Die-namics By the Letters which I coated in crackle paint and set aside to dry. Have I mentioned I love making lovey, dovey cards for Valentines? 

Here's this week's sketch! Have fun, can't wait to see what you do with that teeny tiny top panel.  Be sure to upload YOUR project by Tuesday of next week to the Gallery at Splitcoast using this weeks keyword!

January Design Team Creative Challenge: Masculine

If you read here a lot, then you know my style is pretty frilly and girly and pink.  But I'm the mother of two boys - the only girl in the house, so more often than not, the cards I really *need* are masculine ones.

I'm always hearing when I'm teaching that people struggle with masculine cards, so I know I'm not alone! I am blessed with an extraordinary collection of stamps and Die-namics.  So once I pushed all the "cute" ones aside I rifled through to see what I wanted to use for this month's Design Team Creative challenge.

I decided to make a card for my husband, who is so, so good to me.  I don't think I've mentioned, but I got braces (again) last week.  He's been awesome taking care of me, because OUCH I'm so sore.

I inked up Well Worn Greetings  the oval border was stamped with Marvy Matchable Black Ink. Then, I used my dew drop sized pads to selectively ink the red versus black elements of the sentiment.  You can use the detail point to only "partially" ink the sentiment.

I did use lots of patterned paper on my card, but went neutral with the majority of the panel using corrugated cardboard.  Instead of the flags I've been doing so often lately, I staggered panels of varying widths and heights.... Patterned paper is Times and Seasons from Echo Park.

You must know how badly I wanted to add a ribbon to this project, but I held off....

Be sure to visit the MFT Blog today for a full list of designers participating in this week's Design Team Creative Challenge, and good luck with YOUR masculine projects, I know you can do it!

Feeling Sketchy?

I love release week, but man that's a lot of stamping! I hope you had as much fun as we did, and I also hope you treated yourself to something special, or even, maybe a LOT of something specials. There is SO much to choose from in the Brand Spankin New Category if perhaps you missed the last week of teasers!

We're already onto week 53 of the Wednesday Stamp Club, starting off year TWO of sketches.

If you participated in ANY of the 52 sketches last year, you'll want to go and register on THIS thread on Splitcoast Stampers. 

Here's one sweet stamp set that I didn't have time to play with during the release festivities, so it was first in line for this week's sketch challenge!  This Pure Innocence: Paper Dolls is so, so cute.  I was itchy to dig into this new patterned paper pack - Crate Paper: Paper Heart.

The small flag banner is from First Place Award Ribbon and I've used just a portion of the sentiment "You're Such a Doll."  I've also added a Fringed Perennial Die-namics Embellishment. I've cut the smaller bloom twice from Puff Cloud White Felt and added a twine tied bow. I *finally* picked up a Surebonder Glue Gun and it's awesome.  Heats up super fast and adds just the tiniest bit of glue for detail work. It's awesome.

Here's this week's sketch, its a great one with that large circular panel.  

Lots and lot of creative options this week! 

Your samples are due to the Galleries at Splitcoast Stampers by Tuesday January 10th at Noon EST.

One lucky participant will win a prize of up to $20 to the MFT Boutique.