MFT Previews - Pure Innocence is here!

Oh my goodness, am I ever SO excited about big news from My Favorite Things stamps. A new illustrator has been added to the mix and I'm just head over heels in love with these images!

Today I have two samples from the new Pure Innocence line to share- if you didn't see the other one, be sure to click on my blog header so that you see the other one!! The first is My Balloon and awww isn't she sweet? I plan on loading up a stash of these to use for all my little girlfriend birthdays with all mixes of sweet patterned papers.

I'm in stamp love, really I am!

Get this, not one, but FIVE of these sweeties will be available on Wednesday night. And of course, because I'm in looooove... I had to make another.. I'll have her here for you tomorrow!

I can't wait to hop around and see what the girls have been up to with these little cutie pies! And, um, I bet YOU can't either right?

You'll find previews today from Kim, Amy,Cindy,Michele, Frances, Susan, Kirsten, Natalie, Kathy, Jessie, Christina, Jody,and Barbara and Melody our guest designer this month!

I'll see you tomorrow with another sweet little winter preview!

Hello Dolly!

Sometimes do you create something that just makes you smile? I just love this sweet little dolly and I had SO much fun making this card!!! And really, when it comes right down to it, that's what its all about. Right?

Since the Bellariffic sketch this week is from Shannan, I took the liberty to fool with it a little - I flipped the placement of the embellies from the left to the right... it just worked better for me. But I know she won't mind because, she's the queen of just tweaking sketches - right?

This image is the recently released Ketto called "Dolly" from Stamping Bella. Isn't she sweeeeeet? And I paired it with more of the fun paper from October Afternoon that I've been having a blast playing with! Here's a hint, you'll find lots of October Afternoon paper HERE.

My fantastic friend and fellow Bellariffic Babe Karen dropped off a glaze pen (love that girl!) the other day and of course, I couldn't wait to give it a try on the hearts on Dolly's dress. Um, love it!

I hope you'll join us over at Blogabella today to see all the samples from the Babes, as well as all of the submissions sent in from Bella fans! Don't forget, there's a chance at prizes for submitting, as well as a prize given to someone in the Peanut Gallery!

Whatever.....

I know you're all familiar with the Bellas, and of course, those fun and funky Kettos. You know, I love those Turtles too! wink.

But, I finally picked up some stamps from the Jessica Rose Vol. 25 line at Stamping Bella. (That's where my fun little typewriter last week came from too...)

I love that there are so many lines over at Stamping Bella - I've got such a variety of options depending on my "stamping mood."

I went nautical with the color palette here...and added some twine accents. I'm in sort of a corner rounder mood lately... bemoaning that I didn't pick up that Corner Chomper at CHA. But guess what, Emily has it here in case you've been in a corner rounding mood lately too.

You can't see it here, but I covered the waves in Stickles (yes Karen, stickles! Can you believe it!) so that the waves are shimmery in real life. I've decided Stickles are okay so long as I'm sure I won't fidget with my card and smear them all over my finished project. Go ahead, ask me how many cards I've ruined with a Stickles then last minute adjustment.

I bought lots more of these Vol. 25 Stamps, and I'm looking forward to sharing another one with you next week! Be sure to stop back tomorrow, I've got a sweet little Ketto for you for Bellariffic Friday. Speaking of which, if you haven't submitted YOUR card for this week's sketch, they are due Today by 5pm!! See all the details HERE on Blogabella.

How 'bout them Apples?

I've had this sheet of Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper sitting on my desk for a few weeks now, and it was just waiting for the right image to present itself.

Truth be told, I was saving it, because I had only one piece, and I wanted to admire it a while.....this fun green pattern is actually the flipside. I wish I knew in advance which papers I'd fall the most hopelessly in love with so that I'd have the sense to buy MORE. Giggle.

Well, today I finally got brave enough to cut it.. because I decided to pair it up with ... with this sweet little Hugabugg Appley Bowl image.

I stamped the image twice so that I could color that sweet bowl of apples and pop it up one layer for a bit extra dimension.

I think this sweet little bug likes apples about as much as my boys do. I can't keep enough of them in the house to keep the boys satiated, they LOVE them. But its okay, there are many worse things they could love than apples right? I'll just be happy when we can go picking and buy a BUNCH of them versus shelling out the bucks for them at the supermarket. Yikes, those boys are expensive.... but I sure do love to see them make healthy choices!

Edited to add: Someone asked me where I get my Cosmo Cricket Paper. I actually bought this early bird as part of a recent order from Stamping Bella - you can see their collection of cosmo here! I also pick it up at my local scrapbooking store - Right at Home Scrapbooking. Cosmo Cricket also just added what I think is an amazing new feature- you can order online through Cosmo Cricket and your order will be fulfilled through your local retailer. Read more about that here.

Reading and Writing Gift Set

I can't believe that the school year blew by so quickly!  I'm so excited for fun adventures with the boys new bikes, and going to the pool club, but I also want to be sure that my little guy doesn't loose all the great skills he's learned this year.

I wanted to make a special card for him to celebrate all that he's done this year, and to let him know how really special he is to me.  

In a way, he's a little bit sad that school is already finished.....  He had a great teacher and an amazing class this year.  He loves his friends, and really has a great time at school each day.  Isn't that sweet?

I stamped Ben Paper Dolls to an MFT Perfect Paper Panel and colored in just his head and neck. Then I stamped the super hero costume onto a separate piece of paper, colored it with Copic Markers and trimmed it out.  Using a quickie glue pen, I paper pieced his outfit right in place.   A fun trick I discovered is that by doing this, I pulled up on his cape to give it some added dimension. I investigated all sorts of camera angles to show you, but it didn't work.  So, let me just say that when you see the card in real life, the cape is actually billowing out behind Billy in the breeze. its pretty cool, even if I do say so myself. Giggle.  

For the inside, I added the chipboard letters "SUPER" because I think that's exactly what my little one is! 

I love that when we read stories at night that he can now read a few pages, then I read a few pages.  He's worked really hard on his handwriting to make everything nice and neat.  He loves to draw and write stories.  

I saw these fabulous composition notebooks from Mead that are specifically developed for K-2nd grade (you can find them HERE.) I just knew that I had to pick a few up.  The top of the page is empty for my little artist to draw a picture, and then there are the dotted lines for penmanship.  

I'm going to have him keep a journal every day over the summer.  I thought it would be a great activity to keep track of all the fun things we'll do, and to keep all his new skills fresh!  I also love that this ties in so nicely with the book we're reading right now  "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

So... that means, he needs a matching  book mark to help keep his place!  Right?  

I stamped another image from the Ben Paper Dolls set and punched it out with a nestie circle.  It fit right inside this fun Scenic Route die cut.  

I actually hand sewed a button right through the die cut and through the ribbon pull for extra security. I didn't think a pop dot would be strong enough for repeated use.  I love the flexibility of clear stamps, I placed my sentiment "You Rock!" from Essential Sentiments on the block in a curve to match with the shape of the circular diecut.    

I hope you liked my little Reading and Writing Gift Set! Thanks for stopping by today!

Hello to my Peeps!

Good morning!! I hope you've all had an amazing weekend!  Thanks to Natural Candystore.com and Vermont Nut Free Chocolate. I was able to find Easter treats that both my boys with their various food allergies could enjoy!  And bless my sweet grandmother who filled the eggs for today's egg hunt with change - I nearly had a panic attack when I first saw them, then after shaking a few realized that they were full of money instead of candy!  Love that woman!!

If you can believe it, we actually got snow for a few hours on Saturday, ugh, come on people, its APRIL!  Makes me even that much more envious of some certain blog readers of mine that happen to be in sunny Arizona right now hanging out at the pool and golfing!  ....smiles....

This week's Who's That Girl challenge is to use the recent release "Hanging with my Peeps" along with the Summer Patterns pack.  You can use the digital download, the actual printed papers or even simply pull from the color scheme, red, rose and aqua to come up with your own!

And as always, if you don't happen to have this particular set, that's fine too! just use any MFT set that you do own, we just want you to come and get inky us.

This card has actually gone postal out to one of MY favorite peeps!  Hope this cheery color palette puts a smile on her face. 

Its going to be another busy week for MFT.  We're down to SIX finalists for the MFT Stamping Idol contest, and they've been working so hard, they're getting a week off to rest!  So, this week, everyone else has a chance to get in the game.  You can read all the details on this thread on Splitcoast.  There's still time to play along, and the contestant with the most votes from the judges will win this month's VIP Package!!

You'll also be seeing MFT previews over the next few days for our mid month launch!  Two new sets will be available on Wednesday!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

For the love of Flopsey

I've been a bad blogger this week.  (hangs head....)  I'm actually head down working on my creations for this months Dirty Dozen Gallery.  I can't believe that its already April, and my last gallery to fill.  The time has simply flown by.

I've also been busy finishing up my final kit over at Right at Home Scrapbooking. Tomorrow I hope to stop by the store, and pick out some ribbon and embellies to finish my projects.  They're looking a bit naked right now as I didn't select accessories to go with the paper I'd selected.  I also am dreadfully behind on some custom card orders. They're my *assignment* to myself to get cranking on tonight!

So, for the next few days, I might be on and off again, but I've got lots of good things in the works.  

So that I don't leave you without a little eye candy, here is the second card that I created for my class at Stamp New England!  I love coloring in that Flopsey.  (Note to self, need to reorder refills on my copics, we colored a few of them bone dry that day.....)

Cupcake Flopsey was colored with Copic markers and then we colored in the top of his little tasty treat with Pink Shimmerz.  I truly adore this Bella Boulevard paper! 

Do you love Flopsey as much as I do? Which one is your favorite?  Here's a link to him at MFT.

Tutu-rific!

I had a wonderful weekend with my family skiing, but I will admit, I was very happy to get back to my stamp table! 

Card Positioning Systems is sponsored by My Favorite Things today and tomorrow so naturally, I was thrilled to be able to play along. (In linking this up,  realized that they featured Gina K Designs the other day, so you can bet I'll be giving this sketch a try again....)

Last week, this adorable set Paperdoll Sayings of sentiments for Isabelle Paperdoll was released, and I hadn't yet had a chance to play.  So, as soon as I saw this sketch, I knew this sweetie with the sentiment "tutu-rific" would be a perfect match.

Isabelle is stamped in Memento Ink, then colored with Copics, and given all over glimmer to her tutu with Shimmerz.  

I'm on a new "paper diet". I've got loads and loads of paper in my stash, on my desk etc etc.  I'm not buying any new paper for a while and having fun rifling through to see what I can come up with.  In this little card I've got two papers from Pink Paislee in here, and one scrap of Scenic Route.  Usually I stick to papers all from the same collection - but I've done a few cards lately mixing among brands and collections and its been fun, so I'm going to try to mix it up and see what I come up with. 

I've got a little paper diet disclaimer to announce.  I do have a little Stampin Up paper on order which will be here soon, and two pieces that I've already had held aside for me at my LSS.  But, aside from that I'm going to give this diet a try and see how good I can be with the existing paper in my collection. Which seriously, is a LOT.

I hope you'll come play along in the CPS fun this week!  

Feeling Warm and Fuzzy?

I simply adored Asela's "Framed Friends" from last month's release, and was so very excited when I first got a little peek of this month's "Warm & Fuzzy."

I have two cards to share with this set, and I literally was betwixt and between unable to decide.. so twist my arm, I'll share both today!  

(See, this is why I never have "extras" to share at the release party!)

I wanted to do one card that you could put together quickly, but then also show that you can use these adorable images for more complex creations too.  I have a third one all stamped out, just needs to be assembled, ah ha! Maybe I will have extras at the party after all??

So first, my quick card.   This is a piece of Gina K Pure Luxury Cardstock as my base, and then I used some patterned cardstock from Amuse for my cardfront.  The card itself is 3.5x5.  I cut an oval nestie diecut and stamped the image with Memento ink.  My very favorite ink for Copic work. Fast drying, non smearing and I can get directly to work!

Then I colored the bird with my Copics, and then attached a ribbon bow to the top of the oval.  

The second card uses some patterned paper that I recently picked up from Sassafrass Lass.  I love the fun edges that make for an instant decorative treatment, no fancy punches required!  

I added the sentiment "Love is Warm and Fuzzy" to a Nestie slider diecut - and then used my Copic aircan to spray a little bit of E31 while the diecut was still nestled inside the die, giving it just a warm fuzzy glow.  

Added a bow of what is my very favorite ribbon that I use whenever I get a chance!  Admittedly, these bows aren't exactly mailable, at least not with standard postage and all....

I stamped the image of the doghouse two times.  Once to a rectangular piece for my main panel, and then again to some scrap paper.  I colored over my little dog house with a pencil to give some wood paneling to the dog house. Then I colored in the scrap bird and dog and popped them up one level.  

I hope you liked my little previews today, but don't forget to visit Gina's Blog to see previews of BOTH sets that are being shown today.  You'll also see samples from the following team members:

Jessica, Theresa, Kurtis, Erika, Donna, Emily, Melanie, Cammie, Asela, Cindy

and our spotlight designer this month Mary Anderson.

Need a challenge?

I've decided to hold a challenge once a month on the Gina K Member Company Challenge Forum, just a little way to get all those Gina K stamps a little inkier, and to play with the great customers that always come to the release parties.  My favorite card from last month's challenge was made by Brenda Turner and she's sampling for me for this month's challenge!   

You can see Brenda's samples, and find all the details on the challenge here, but the gist of it is to "Keep it Clean."  I'd love to see you over there, come stamp with us!!  I'll be choosing a favorite again this month to join me in sampling for the February challenge!

I used a minimal amount of designer paper for my card, just a scrap of Basic Grey Urban Prairie, and some ribbon I've had for I think a YEAR?  This sweet little snail image is from Asela's "Framed Friends" and they are just darling to color. Even though its a small little image, I used 10 copics on this little image.  Clearly, you can do it with a lot less, but I loveeee to blend.  

I scalloped the bottom edge of my Gina K Pure Luxury Cardstock and added scored line with my Scor Pal - added the xoxo little stamp in a line just above that, then added another row of scoring and paper pierced just above that.  

Lastly, I coated the little postage stamp with my newest Shimmerz which I picked up Friday at Ink About It.  Now, let me digress for one moment to say.....I seriously, seriously love Shimmerz.  They're just the right amount of shine, and super fast drying.  I know that lots of you love another glitter product, but I'm not big on mess, or waiting around for glitter to dry. This stuff stays where you put it, and dries fast.  And that, I love!

Have you tried Gina's Pure Luxury Cardstock yet. Oh my goodness, its aaaahhhhmazing!  I turned my friend Karen onto it, and she's on her second pack already, just enabled her friend Dana on it - who's patiently waiting on hers in the mail.  Its rich, available in two weights, one for your layers, and one for your card bases. This stuff is strong, and while you can't see it here, really holds deep embossing and scoring.  No bleed with Copic markers, so if I'd wanted to make this fully a one layer card, I could easily do that!  If you're not sure what I'm talking about, check out this fantastic review by Jody.

I've also just announced a new swap for the month of January - only one space left, so if you're interested, get going!

Its time to Hop!

Thanks for hopping on over my way for the My Favorite Things blog hop for the January release.  If you just happened to trip across this little blog hop, you'll want to start over at Kim's blog to find your way all the way through so that you don't miss anything.  

I've got two previews for you today because I've really just had a blast with the new releases, I couldn't step away from the stamps!

I love browsing Stephanie Fizers blog, her owl paintings are among my very favorites.  I was so thrilled when I found that I'd get to stamp with them in the new "Owl for All Seasons" stamp set which will be released Wednesday night from My Favorite Things Presents. 

Its just freezing here in Massachusetts, so, I'm loving springy stamping to cheer me up!  I had the idea to make a sweet set of Valentines Owls.  I grabbed a handful of Prismacolor Pencils and my Sonoma Paper from Scenic Route.

I stamped the owls directly to my die cut, and then stamped the bodies twice more.  

I popped up their bodies one level, and then their sweet little faces another level on top of that.

The Pearlescent Chocolate ink from Brilliance was heat set with clear embossing powder and the background and the owls were colored with pencil, then blended with OMS and blending stumps.  Oh goodness, it seems I can't make anything without a button, bow combination. Giggle.  

Another adorably cute and irresistible critter will be released tonight, and that's Valentine Flopsey. 

I mean really, how SWEET is this little guy?  Flopsey comes with a variety of sentiments that you can pop onto the lid of his little candy box.  

This little buddy was stamped with Memento Ink, then colored with my Copics and then die cut with my Labels Two Nesties.  I used my Rouge paper from making Memories, it is just such a sweet color!  Its finished off with, you've got it, a button and gingham bow. 

Thanks so much for hopping by today, your next stop will be the ever talented Jody - I'm off there right now to see what she's cooked up, she always amazes me.  I just love Blog hop days to see what everyone has come up with.  

Hope you'll join us tonight on the My Favorite Things Member Company Forum tonight for release party fun, challenges, and as always, loads of new previews!

Loving Thee...

I've been having so much fun with my new My Favorite Things stamps the last few days.  While I do totally adore the knight and the dragon in this set titled "Good Knight"  I was so drawn to the castle that I went in a totally different direction than I'd originally planned.

So, I scrapped my original idea, grabbed my eclipse masking tape, this beautiful piece of  Collage Press designer paper and got to work!

I stamped the castle image four times, and I popped up the various layers to add lots of dimension to the castle.

I created a soft background by masking my first layer, and then sponging with inks to create the background scene.  

I've been loving all the banners that Anna Wight has been making, and I used her technique to echo the shape of the flowing banners on top of the castles to place my sentiment.  

This time, instead of the ribbon/bow combination that I've been hooked on, I used a paper flower, button, twine bow and then the last of my Mark Richards self adhesive pearls.  I just love those...    I did actually use ribbon on the card, but it is the super wide width SU Pink Pirouette ribbon, that I used as a layer instead of tying it at all.  

All of this month's stamps are just so fun to play with!  I tell you Kim manages to out do herself every month!  What's YOUR favorite so far?  

Starting tonight at midnight, we'll have a Blog Hop where many of the Design Team members will have previews for you, and I always love bopping around to see what everyone has done.  Just one more sleep till they'll be available for sale!  

MFT Monday

Hope you're all excited for the next round of My Favorite Things previews! I've had a blast working on my samples with the four new sets, and I can't wait to see which one is YOUR favorite.

This one, "Maid for You" is personal favorite....  It totally cracks me up, and I love coloring in all the details with my Copic markers.  You'll see that I went very neutral with the wall and floor colors and I really wanted that dress to POP off the page.  

I mean really, if I were dressed like that you can bet my husband would not be sitting there watching the TV with his feet up.  Giggle.  I was roaring with laughter when I first saw the set, the sentiments are absolutely hilarious.  Just perfect for a card for your special someone this Valentines. 

I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of white cardstock, and punched each edge with my SU Key Tag punch, then I hand cut a black border to go all the way around, and secured a piece of SU Hodgepodge to each of the sides to thread my ribbon all the way around the card base, then secured with a scrap of black and white stitched ribbon. 

If you can believe it, I've had this pink and black designer paper in my stash box for so long, that I'm not even sure who its from... Chatterbox maybe?  

Have fun blurfing around this morning to see what the other MFT Designers have come up with, I can't wait to check out all the samples myself!  I've got more samples to share, so be sure to pop back to visit me tomorrow and Wednesday for the official Blog Hop! 

My Favorite Things will be releasing four new sets on Wednesday night, and of course don't forget about all the MFT "What's Up Wednesday Fun" including challenges, tutorials and the release party Wednesday night from 9-10pm in the My Favorite Things Member Company Forum. 

Heart to Heart

Yesterday, I posted with Mel's very first set for Gina K Designs, today I'm sharing a card made with her most recent stamp set "Hand in Hand"!  

I shared this at the Gina K launch party last month, but then totally forgot to ever share it here! Giggle.

I've just loved watching Melanie customize these hands - she's added mittens on one card, fingernail polish on another but I think my favorite yet, was the one where she paper pieced a little sleeve onto the baby hand here.  I also adored Kurtis's card where he drew in a sweet vellum sleeve and made it a wedding couple.

As always, Melanie gives you so many options to customize your stamps, making for just the best value for your stamping dollar!

You can see all the stamps that Melanie has designed for Gina K Designs HERE.

Don't forget to stop by Melanie's blog every day from now till Tuesday to see what her daily giveaway is!  Today's giveaway is from The Paper Temptress.  Be sure to also check out the following designers who are also posting for the big Melaversary today!  

Gina

Carolyn
Donna  
Jessica 
Lee 
Michelle 
Theresa  
Carolina

Jessie 

Playing with New Toys!

My house is completely over run with the boys new things from Christmas, and we've been playing new board games, reading new books, assembling new legos etc etc.  But finally, I was able to squeeze in a little stamping time after everyone in my house fell asleep the last night. 

My sweet sister bought me a Copic Airbrush starter kit, and I simply couldn't WAIT to try it out.  My "Home Tweet Home" stamp set from Gina K was calling my name, in particular that adorable little picket fence and birdhouse image.  

I colored in the grass and the birdhouse and then stamped a mask for the birdhouse and the picket fence.  Once they were covered up I used a light blue marker and the airbrush to color in the background.  Voila, a perfectly white picket fence!  I'm looking forward to more practice with this tool, but what a fun first attempt!  

This paper has been in my stash since this summer, it is the Chick a Doo from SEI

and finished off with a bow of what was left of my Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon.  The card base is made with Gina K's Pure Luxury cardstock.  I just bought two new packages because I'm finding I'm completely addicted to it.  It is finished off with a little coordinating cardstock on the inside too.

If you've got a little stamping time to play then come on over to the Gina K Member Company Forum. 

Gina is holding a different challenge each day - lots of fun ideas to get your creativity working over the holidays!

I've also started a little challenge using bows and buttons (my favorite embellishment combination) and at least one item on your card must be askew. The challenge is open till January 2nd!  

Snowmen with Shimmerz on a Snowy Snowy Day!

I've always loved Alli Miles work, and I've long been a favorite of the clean and simple cards that she makes from time to time using Nesties strictly for embossing.  You can see a recent example of what I mean on this post.  

So here I am, shamelessly emulating one of my Design Idols, and former Design Team buddies!  ((hugs Alli!))

This sweet little snowman is "Made of Snow" from Paper Trey Ink.  I adore that you can totally customize your snowman.  There are choices of scarves, choices of hats, and then various heads, bodies, faces etc so that you can completely design it however you'd like.  And, of course, since they are clear acrylic you get perfect placement every time.

I colored in the snowman's accessories with my B00 and B52 Copic markers, and added a shadow with my W1 marker.  Using my craft knife, I created an opening just large enough to thread through some of my striped Baja Breeze grosgrain ribbon from Stampin Up and then secured a bow.  I finished off the inside of the card with some scraps of Ski Slope designer paper.  I loved the sweet sentiment, but since I'd gone with a 4 1/4 square card, it was just too long for my design. So instead, I stamped it onto the envelopes - equally cute.  

I thought about using my B000 copic marker to color in a background for this sweet man of snow, but then had a true a-ha moment. Shimmerz!! I grabbed an aquapainter and I added a glistening coat of shine all over my Frosty's.  I just love that stuff, its mess free, quick drying and was just the right touch!  I'm frequently lugging my supplies upstairs to work where my hubster is watching TV, so being able to work without making a big old mess is ideal for me.  He's always laughing at me coating myself in glitter! 

Liquid applique was used to give some "puff" to the pom pom, hat brim and all the polka dots on the scarf.  I love that stuff, so fun!

We had a big road trip to celebrate Christmas with my in laws today, but a big snow in the northeast has precluded the trip.  Its so beautiful outside right now... and I love being all nestled up with a hot chocolate, and of course some stamps too!

Have a wonderful day!

Hopes, Dreams and Wishes. Make them come true

While I know that this year has been exceptionally difficult for so many of us, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on all the good things that happened this year.  What was your proudest moment, your happiest moment, or your greatest memory from 2008?  

This year was certainly not without challenges, but I will say that so many of my dreams became a reality for me this year.  I'm so happy to have been able to share it with all of you each day. I'm looking forward to the next year, and the many adventures that each new day promises. 

Let YOUR dreams come true this year. What are you wishing for in 2009?  I'd love to know..... 

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I thought I'd take a little break from Christmas items to share a card I made for the Gina K Designs launch last week.

This set, titled "Take Flight" is the One Free with Three set this month.  I stamped the butterfly with Brilliance ink, then applied clear embossing powder and warmed it with my heat tool.  I just love the extra touch of shine all over to bring this butterfly to life.  

Then I colored the remaining portions with my R11, R20 and E33 markers.  I did stamp the butterfly also directly to the patterned paper so that I could pop up his wings for some extra dimension.

I'm hooked on creating cards with my image panels askew lately.  Just creates new spaces to include embellies, tie ribbons etc.  

I used a fun tip that I picked up from my buddy Karen.   I call it "Karen-ing It" and by that, I mean that I used my Copic marker to outline the debossed edge of my nestie - creates a nice faux layer.

Have a great day, and a wonderful weekend. I'll be back with my Christmas card on Monday. By then, they should hopefully have all reached their destination.   

Elves? Martinis? I'll take some of both!

I'm so relieved to have my cards done, it was a labor of love for sure, and I'm very glad I made them, but its been fun to get to just play a little too!

This is, a giant card.  Its 5 1/4 x 6 1/2, but I really really wanted to use "Merry Christmas?" from MFT because this so epitomizes how I'm feeling right now, and I wanted to use the fabulous MFT Sketch Challenge #60.  In order to get the proportions right, I had to go big.....

I figure, back in the day, when I bought cards at Hallmark, cards were bigger than this anyways.

The background is cuttlebugged with the folder with all the ornaments on it, I had to run it through two times to get this full panel done, but its okay, the seam is behind the vertical striped panel!  

After I cuttlebugged, it, I crumpled it all up then flattened it out again to give it an worn look.  Then sewed everything down.

This paper is Fa La La from Making Memories along with a package of coordinating ribbon I tripped across this afternoon during a cleanup (whoops.) 

Today is a new release day for MFT's "BcDzns" line and lots of girls on the team will have previews for you, you can begin the blog hop over on Kim's blog. Don't forget to check out this month's Hot to Trot Designer Jana Hull along the way!

Its also Wednesday which means you'll find a new Challenge, Tutorial and of course, the Wednesday Hookup!  Get going on over on the Splitcoast Member Company Forum for My Favorite Things to check it all out! 

Gina K Launch Day - Take Flight

We used to have a butterfly bush right outside my kitchen window which I loved, it smelled so lovely, and attracted a zillion butterflies, I loved to smell it and watch those beauties from my kitchen window as I washed dishes.... but can you believe that **someone** chopped it down because it interfered with his lawn mowing pattern.  That was three years ago, and yes, I'm STILL not over it.

Given how much I love those winged creatures, can you believe I don't have a single butterfly stamp till now? I know, shocking.  This lovely set is titled "Take Flight" and it is the "One Free with Three" set from Gina K Designs this month.  Both the images in this set are so beautifully and realistically illustrated.  What an amazing set to earn for FREE when you pick up three stamp sets at Gina K!! 

I stamped the image once to my Top Note die, and then once to another piece of Pure Luxury Carstock.  I colored with my copic markers, and then coated the entire butterfly with my pearlescent watercolors.  You can't see it here, but trust me when I tell you this is sooo shimmery in real life. I trimmed out the second butterfly's body, bent the wings up, and added him to my Top Note with a dimensional.

I must say, I'm so truly impressed with the variety of images across the spectrum of this months releases. So many different artistic styles, each with such attention to detail.  All from the same amazing company, with just the greatest customer service, and might I add - lightening fast shipping.

Today is the last day of previews, tonight is the launch party over on the Member Company Forum - you can find all the fun HERE beginning tonight at 7pm CST!

Gina's so generous, there are always three different challenges posted to play along with over the next few days, and three "questions" where you've got to look around for the answers.  Each contest comes with the chance at a free set!  Sweet!  And of course, the party will have lots of previews from the design team.  

Till then, you can keep yourself occupied by looking around at every one's blogs to see their beautiful butterfly creations:

Erika, Theresa, Donna, Kurtis, Jessica, Mel, Emily, Cammie, Asela, Carolina (our In the Spotlight Guest Designer this month) and, of course, GINA!

MFT Challenge Time

What's Up?? Its Wednesday!! 

I can't even believe what I'm about to say... I have 60+ cards finished, addressed, stuffed, signed and just ready to have a stamp slapped on and put into the mail!  I have another 40 for my husband signed and ready for HIM to address, stuff and tuck into the mail! He thinks he'll need another 20 to complete his list.  But considering I've got the bulk of the job done, I'm taking a wee little break..... 

Actually first I tore apart my stamping area, and re arranged some furniture down here... then once everything was cleaned up, I let myself play a little..... I just love that!!

So, while I was playing, I cranked out two cards, one you'll see here today and one card I'm saving for Friday!

I played along in the color challenge on Splitcoast the colors are Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Taken With Teal.  I'll admit it, Taken with Teal frightens me. There, I said it....  So, I squeezed it into my project by using it for my cardbase, then covered up as much of it as possible. Giggle!  I ran the Baja Breeze layer through my Cuttlebug and then I softened it with some white craft ink.  

I just realized that I've combined so many challenges here.... this image "Baby Its Cold Outside" along with a little edge distressing qualifies this card for Monday's Who's That Girl challenge.

Since I added a generous helping of Diamond Dust to finish off the card, it also works for the sparkle challenge announced today!  

Jessie has posted a fantastic tutorial on how to make a Gift Card on the How'd They Do That section of the MFT Member Company Forum. Be sure to drop by to pick up a few tips and tricks.  

Thanks for looking, and have a fantastic day!