MFT Rolled Rose Die-namic Video Tutorial

There's one thing I *don't* stock up on in my crafty stash.... and that's pre-fab flowers. I'm always worried I won't have the right color, what paper will it match with, will it be too big? Too small? So, instead, I just don't buy them....

The great news, MFT's Die-namics make it easy to create custom embellishments to match whatever paper you're using. And with the wide assortment of shapes that MFT is always creating... there are TONS of possibilities.


You've seen me use this Rolled Rose Die-namic before on a pillow and on a lampshade, but I know that so many of us are visual learners.... so when I put this little rose together I videotaped the process so you can see how easy it is to make a custom little bloom.

I've used felt for mine. I recommend a wool blend felt, versus the acrylic stuff. The acrylic is cheaper, but it leaves those icky stringy hairs when you cut. The wool felt cuts up like buttah! Conveniently MFT sells felt too. Nice right? I've cut mine with my Cuttlebug, but really these dies will work in any die-cutting machine. MFT has cutting stack information here. If you're not having good luck with your dies, try adding a shim to your stack (that's an extra scrap piece of cardstock) to increase the pressure between your die and your cutting material.

My little video tutorial on how to make these pretty blooms is embedded below, or you can find it on YouTube HERE. Drop me a note with any questions, I'm always happy to help!

Splitcoast Stampers Tutorial

I'm so excited to let you know that my rolled paper flowers tutorial is now available! I wrote it for the Splitcoast Stampers weekly tutorial, and you can find it over HERE.

You'll of course see a bit of my new favorite, Die-namic Jumbo Scallop in felt on the front of this card. I'm not usually a fan of purple and plum, but let me say I love this paper! Its more of the My Minds Eye Quite Contrary line (and yes, I'm totally obsessed with this paper!) Everything is matted with Hot Fudge cardstock, and I used an ivory cardbase. I love the pop of contrast on this color combination, and I'm guessing I'll give it another whirl soon!

The sentiment is from the Clearly Sentimental line at MFT, "Clearly Sentimental about Mothers." Kim at MFT is actually selling Felt and Cork now for your projects, and you'll just love the fun color assortments that she's put together. You can find the felt here and the cork here.

This is the card that I gave to my mother for Mother's Day, and let me say that it just BARELY fit int an envelope. Giggle. So, if you like to make practical, mailable cards, this might just not be the technique for you. HA! But it sure did make for a pretty card!

You Make the Grade and Paper Piecing Tutorial

Are you excited that today is the preview day for My Favorite Things February release for Pure Innocence?

This month, there are three new sweeties for you to scoop up, and I adore all of them.... but today I'm here to share "You Make the Grade!"

I happened to have just one sheet of this October Afternoon apple patterned paper left, and I thought it was just perfect for a school-ish card. I'm so glad I'm a paper hoarder, because then I always have the one I need...lol!!

I decided that it was time for me to work on a little video tutorial for Paper Piecing. After all, it is one of my most favorite techniques.

(Can I just say that somehow, iMovie always picks the worst frame ever to make the still frame -- am I right? I look frightening in this shot... how nice!) If you'd prefer, you can also view the video on YouTube here.

Paper Piecing is a wonderful way to add texture, pattern, color and dimension to your projects. And little details make all the difference. Don't just add the clothes, and leave elements like body parts, sunken... trim out all the extras for a perfectly pieced look! If you're not familiar with the process you can see all the details on my little video right above!

Be sure to stop by the MFT Blog today after Monday at 11 am EST for a full list of designers participating in previews for Pure Innocence today!

And, for your chance to WIN the full March Release and join the Design Team for one month, be sure to check out this month's Guest Designer Contest hosted by Frances and Cindy! Entries are due by Tuesday night - so ladies... get stamping!! You'll find the full challenge details on the MFT Member Company Forum!

MFT's Wednesday Stamp Club

Kim asked me last week, if I'd host the Wednesday Stamp Club for MFT, and of course, I was more than happy to oblige!

Wednesday Stamp Club is fairly new, so I thought I'd mention it here just in case you hadn't yet stopped by.

Its a great chance to play along in weekly challenges, sometimes hosted by Kim, sometimes by girls on the team. There's a prize offered weekly, and the girls on the MFT Forum are always there to chat, give encouragement or just make you laugh! Here's a direct link to this week's thread

Here's a quick peek at my project - which is my sample for the challenge. The challenge, is to create a piece of altered art or home decor. I hope you'll get inspired by the challenge, and play along - you can add your sample to the Mr Linky on Kim's blog until Tuesday, February 2nd at midnight EST.

I'll admit, I'm crazy addicted now to playing with iMovie. So I've done a little video tutorial that will show you more details on my little altered canvas.... You'll spy a few of my favorite products on here, MFT's Bling Bet, Glitzy Glitter, and MFT's Perfect Plaid Ribbon.

And here's a tip, if you plan to become hopefully addicted to your Bling Bet, or your Bling Bers, do yourself a favor and grab a Hot Fix Applicator. Latley I love using mine for custom sentiments, and while I certainly can use my bet and bers without it, I think it would speed it up to just have the right tool on hand. And lets be real.... we know, its all about the tools right?

...just a little tutorial.... Watercoloring!

Please be sure to scroll down on the page to visit my other posts today. I have the finished project my "Beloved Box" as well as a new challenge with blog candy being offered!

Watercolor Tutorial

So, at long last, here is my video tutorial for watercoloring. I do hope that its helpful to anyone that hasn't tried the technique before, or for anyone that's new to the technique. It is super important to use a waterproof ink, as well as watercolor paper.

My ink choice is Brilliance. Stazon would work, but it doesn't work well with acrylic stamps. And watercolor paper allows the reinker to blend so nicely! Regular paper will pill up and create holes where you've used too much water! My brush of choice is a Niji waterbrush.

This morning I woke with a scary thought... did I repeat myself enough times that you must walk away from the project and let it sit in between each "layer" of ink? I'm not sure if that point came across enough in the editing. While the project looks QUICK here, I was making this in stages (alternating with making my dinnner). If you don't wait between steps, your inks will bleed across the wet paper. Just make sure you give each layer proper drying time before moving on!!

I've written a separate post with the details on my "Beloved Box" which you'll find just below! I'm now off to post a challenge with some Pure Innocence Blog candy! Be sure to check this post!

If it is easier for you, this video is also available on YouTube here (the version on YouTube will be larger and easier to see! )

Please note: If you have any questions, be sure to add them to my C-Box on the right hand sidebar! I'm happy to help!

Glitzy Flake Tutorial

Hi girlies! I've got a quick tutorial for you today showing you how I put together my Glitzy Flakes that I've been having so much fun making lately!

You can use any diecut, or snowflake punch. I've been partial to my new Martha Stewart punch. They are easy, but glue + glitter does happen to = MESSY so please forgive the picture of my gross glitter tray. It is a gluey mess, but that's why I only use that tray for glitter and glue.

To begin, I punched out a snowflake with my MS punch. The type of paper doesn't matter because the Glitzy coverage is so complete you won't see it.

I added a dimensional booster to the center, where I'll later attach my button. The important part here is to NOT remove the covering tape on the top. Leave that little hexagon on top - you'll work around it!

Next, I coat the entire top of the flake with my Mono Tombo Adhesive - remember, this is where you work around the dimensional booster, don't glue over the top of that! I use the applicator on the bottom of the container and just rub all over the surface of the snowflake.

Then, I place it in my little tray (or over a piece of scrap paper) and coat it heavily with Glitzy from The Cat's Pajamas.

Using the either a pen, or my paper piercer, I gently lift out of the glitter pile and... walk away and let it dry. Yes this is hard for me. I want to play with them right away. But, its not a good idea. Trust me here. *giggle*

At this point, I can either use the "glitter pile" to make another flake, or funnel it back into the test tube. I've made a TON of projects with my silver glitzy and still have more than half the tube left. This glitter has amazing coverage!!

Once the glue has dried, you can peel of that top layer of the dimensional booster and apply your button. I use a pre-threaded button rather than fooling with it once it is on top of the snowflake. Here's a quick hint, I think the teeny buttons work best on the center of this sized flake.

I love that once they are dried you can bend and manipulate the "arms" of the snowflake to curl them right up around your button. Personally, I love them as part of a button trio, or added to the top of a ribbon bow. (If I'm doing that, I use a jumbo glue dot, or a dollop of Zip Dry Glue to the top of the ribbon.)

Today, I used my glitzy flake to be the dot on the top of the letter "J" on my gift tag. Now, if I had my act together I'd be able to spend today and tomorrow making tags for all my gifts. But, that is SO not going to happen. I have so much wrapping to do. But at least I got to make one sweet little tag for my niece. I love making things for her, I get to let my love for PINK shine!

This fun paper is Collage Press - Joyride and I'm lovin it! So sweet! I've used this adorable penguin stamp from "Give a Little" as well as the Coolvetica alphabet.

Buttony Bow Tutorial

If you've been over to Blogabella you may have seen the news that this week's challenge from Stamping Bella is Floral/Nature. The great news is that you have until NEXT Thursday the 22nd to submit your sample (Emily has a few tradeshows this week and next!)

I had fun playing with my Ketto's Pot O Flowers with that challenge in mind... I'll have a new flowery creation for you next Friday!

After coloring my image, I went back and added my black glaze pen to each of the polka dots on the pot for a little extra "oomph."

This is the card that I used to put together a little bow tying tutorial. I get lots of questions about my Buttony Bows, so I thought I'd try to show you exactly what my process is.

My first hint is a nice firm ribbon that will keep shape, and my second hint is to use a LOT of it. Being stingy with the ribbon will make it super hard to tie, and come on, we all hoard the stuff, what good does it do you on the shelf, put that goodness to USE!

So, is official, you all can laugh at me, and how much ribbon and twine I use on my cards. (Note to self, I'm running low on twine! Yikes!)

My husband was teasing me about making this, because he says its just like tying a shoe. However, I will say, he was SO helpful being my camera man, and then showing me how iMovie works (uuum, amazing love it!)

I'm known to fuss and fuddle with these a lot to get them to look all floofy and "just right." But on the video I show you how I fiddle with them to get them exactly how I like them.

Its strange listening to your own voice and all, but I hope this is helpful to you all.

Please let me know what you think, and remember while I might be good at bows....I'm new to video. *giggle*

I'll get working on another fun thing I like to do with ribbon, a faux bow.

I've also uploaded to You Tube if that is easier for you. You can find it HERE.

Now, I'm running and hiding because I'm embarrassed. Be kind, okay?

My Cuppa Joe - Paper Piecing Tutorial

Hooray for Friday the day I'm most likely to be able to squeeze in a trip to Starbucks! I've had this adorable set "My Cuppa Joe" from Gina K Designs on my mind lately and finally had some time to play around a little.

I know that for many of you, you're already experienced paper-piecers.  

But, I asked for advice around my blogaversary, tutorials were certainly on the list of things you all wanted to see, and paper piecing was one of them. So, if you know how to do it, you can scroll down to the finished card and ignore the n

ext few minutes of yadda-yadda going on over here.

First I selected the papers that I wanted to use for my project, grabbed my trusty scissors, Memento ink, my Quickie Glue Pen and the stamp set I had in mind.

Then I stamped the coffee cup twice to the Base Weight Gina K Luxury Cardstock in white and then twice to the patterned paper I had selected (in this instance, Collage Press)

I then carefully trimmed out the first cup from the white cardstock.  Some people might only just adhere patterned paper to the cup, and then leave the lid alone.  

But, I'll admit, I'm sort of nuts about paper piecing.  I like the order of the layers to be correct.  So, in this instance, the lid needs to be 

on TOP of the cup to actually seal it shut, right? 

 

For me, the extra few seconds to stamp a second lid and apply it is worth the effort to get the layers done correctly.

Next I take the coffee cup I had stamped to the patterned paper, I trimmed all along the sides, and then across the bottom.  If you look closely, you'll see that I left a small lip of paper with the lid pattern on it. I like to make sure that my lower layer has a bit of overhang.  I don't like it when the edges of two pieces don't meet up correctly and you can see a seam.  I will be adhering a coffee lid directly over it to hide that seam, and it will leave a nice even edge. 

On the second white cup, I trimmed off the lid and applied that over the edge of the patterned paper to seal up my cup properly!  See, wasn't that easy, while you can't see it here, in the finished piece, its much more nicely finished.  

Then I colored in the tiny coffee cup image on that second white cardstock coffee cup. Remember to always color first, then cut or else the tiny pieces will frustrate you!  Then I very carefully trimmed out the inner circle. Note:  If I had a circle punch small enough, I would have used that, but I didn't.

Using the teeniest of my circle punches, I punched our the slightly larger circle on the coffee cup using the orange patterned coffee cup that I had stamped.   Then I assembled those two circles together and applied them to my finished coffee cup.

Since this card is going to a very good 

friend, and fellow Starbucks addict, I had to be sure to give the card lots of finished details.  

All the panels were stitched together using my Janome - I even gave the main nestie panel a whirl through - the circular stitching was fun, I just had to sew much slower than usual to get it to work correctly.  

Then I airbrushed the tag with my Copic Aircan to get a nice rich look to the sentiment.  Lately, I've been bending one of those sides of the slider over and adhering to the back.  Then lastly, added a nice big loopy bow.

Now, I'm off to get a coffee!!

Note Box (My First Tutorial!)

As promised, I wanted to show you a few of the items I had in my open house the other night. My guests really seemed to enjoy them. I used the Au Chocolat version as a gift to one of my hostesses.

I just love making these little note boxes, they seem to look great no matter what paper I choose! I can't take credit for the idea, my friend Erica taught me how to make them at a project class at her home before I signed on as a demo. They hold four notecards and four envelopes and come together so quickly.

Note Box:

To make the box itself you'll need one piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper. For this version, I used designer paper, but you could also use neutral and wheel or stamp a background. You'll also need a piece of designer paper measuring 4 x 6 1/2.

You will score the sheet of paper at 1" from the long edges. Then holding the paper sideways, score at 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 9 and 10 inches. Then fold on all scored lines using a bone folder.

You'll snip the edges between the 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 marks to create flaps for the side to make the box, and trim off the 1" marks from the 9" inch line to create the front flap. This is a photo of what your paper will look like once scored, snippped and cut! (I used just plain very vanilla paper here so you can see what it should look like....)

Fold up the bottom and overlap the sides - the front side will be shorter. Then using a punch, create a hole for a brad on each side to hold the box shut. I like to fold the top of the side panel down towards the inside and secure it with a glue dot.

Take a 4 x 6 1/2 piece of designer paper and fold it in half the long way. You will add this to the front flap to extend it to close the box.

Create a closure by stamping an image on a 1/14 circle, mat it on a coordinating 1 3/8 circle and attach using dimensionals on only the bottom half of the circle so that you can tuck the top flap inside.

Notecards:

Four neutral pieces of cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 (I chose Very Vanilla and I used my ticket corner on each corner)

Solid Cardstock for notecard mat 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 (I chose Real Red)

Four strips of designer paper 1/2" x 4" (I used Cerise Designer Paper)

1 1/4 punched circles with coordinated stamp (I chose the flower from Priceless and added a vintage brad through the flower center)

1 3/8 punched circles with coordinating matting (again..I used Real Red)
Assemble notecards using Snail for the neutral to the matting, for the designer paper to the neutral card, and then I popped the circular image up on a dimensional.

Again, I can't take credit for the box idea, I'm not sure where Erica learned how to make it. But I'm sure glad she taught me, and I hope you like it too! If you decide to make one, please

send me a link to your SCS gallery or you blog, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Happy Stamping!

Triangle Trifold Fun Continues

Wow. Can you tell I'm LOVIN' these triangle trifolds? They're so fun to do. And, I'm a big hoarder of designer paper. This only uses a little bit, but I think it has big impact.

I created both a boy and a girl birthday trifold today during naptime. Now a quick post while the boys watch Curious George on TiVo. (Where would I be without TiVo?)

Big thanks to "Confessions of a Naptime Stamper" and her "Wheely I Do" card. If you check out her fantastic blog, you'll see exactly where I came up with the color combos here. I was **seriously** considering selling this set because I hardly ever use it, but this was really fun to do. I just saw she did one with the "By Air" set as well, which I also have, and um. Yeah, never use.

So, if you haven't made a triangle trifold yet, check out the link to Beate's tutorial on Splitcoast a little farther down. They really are easy to make, and just so stinkin' cute.

I'm off to clean up the mess I made!

Triangle Trifold and Blog Candy Available

Have you ever designed a project in your sleep? Well, its nuts, but I did last night. I've had these trifold cards from Beate on the mind after her tutorial last week, and I woke up with a clear vision in my head of what I wanted to do. Since I already had planned the card out, it only took me 15 minutes to put it together. Probably a record for me.

I did some other stamping today, but its a hush hush secret so I can't share pictures of because it will spoil a surprise for friends of mine. Actually,hmm. Maybe this will be my first Blog Candy? I was so thrilled to see that I had a few subscribers over the weekend, and clearly, I check my own page a lot, but not 150 odd times. So, I'd like to offer up some Blog Candy (which in this case, involves some REAL candy) I'll pull a number on Wednesday the 21st (the first day of spring!). If you'd like to be included please leave a comment on this post by 8am EST on Wednesday, March 21st.

It took my poor husband literally all day to get home from Germany on Friday. First they had an equipment change, then when they finally arrived, it was in the wrong state! Instead of Boston, they landed in Bangor Maine. He rented a car, and drove through the snowstorm, arriving home at 4am. So, after that long journey, I didn't even **think** about pulling out the stamps all day Saturday.

He must love me though, because he let me sleep in this morning and when I woke up, he had assembled two shelving units for my stamps! Hooray. Pictures to follow tomorrow.