Let's Grab Drinks

Oh hooray! I can't really believe it, but it is already time for the next round of previews for the upcoming release from My Favorite Things.  Today we're jumping in with a new and really FUN Who's That Girl titled Let's Grab Drinks.  

I used this wood panel paper for the background, this reminds me of the wood paneled walls from a recent pub visit with my college pals.  And, in honor of my friend Kim, today's WTG is featuring an Apple-tini her very favorite. Oops, I guess it's been "five o'clock" a lot lately?

This image is easy as pie to paper piece, I am using one of the new My Mind's Eye 6x6 sized pads, which are just a fabulous scale for card making.  My layout is a slightly modified version of Karen G's recent Sweet Sunday Sketch.   

You will love the huge variety of sentiments included in this stamp set.

Check it out....

I love using large flag shapes like this in my card making, but I can never seem to cut these perfectly no matter how I measure it out.  I'm really, really excited to be able to add wide banners to my projects with ease now thanks to this fun new Die-namics.  Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics is a six piece stacking Die-namics. Whether I need skinny banner elements, or wide banners like the one above, I've now got exactly what I need for perfectly cut ends. YEAH! 

Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a full list of designers with samples for you today!

Mark your calendars because teasers will continue until the new release on 

Tuesday, April 6th at 10pm EST.....

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!

Teaser Time Day Three - Clearly Sentimental

Today we're up to our third day of Previews for My Favorite Things. My first sample today is with this month's Triple Scoop Special: Clearly Sentimental About Family.

The Triple Scoop Special is your gift with a $60 purchase (excluding tax and shipping) - you can read all about the Triple Scoop Promotion here.

This stamp set comes with a variety of sentiments - but in particular, I love that you can stamp in the word "family" with a separate color ink. Here's a look at the set in action.....

I've paired the sentiment with the Well Worn Greetings Die-namics and the fabulous new Prima Donna Petals Die-namics and my beloved Solid Bracket Border along with this pretty My Mind's Eye Lost and Found II pattern papers.

You'll see, that again I'm using the "Ripped And Rolled" theme for this month's Guest Designer Contest. Be sure to add your Ripped and Rolled entry to the Splitcoast Galleries for your chance to join us on the MFT Design Team during the month of September.

I also have a sample using Clearly Sentimental about All Smiles. This was last month's Triple Scoop Set, but in just a few days, it will be available as an individual stamp set. I've paired this pretty stamp set with the Echo Park Victoria Gardens Patterned paper collection and a bit of stitched ribbon. I tell you, my nails are taking a beating with all of this paper edge rolling, but I really love the effect....

Be sure to check the MFT Blog today for a full list of designers participating in previews. And, if you leave a little love on each of the designers participating in previews today, then you have maximized your chances at winning a Teaser Time Prize! See you tomorrow with another set of previews!

Feeling Sketchy?

For me, a sketch is like a crossword puzzle, or even like a jig-saw puzzle.  I love printing out the weekly sketch, and figuring out what stamps and paper are going to come together to finish the puzzle.

This week I was feeling a little "scrappy" and I did a little bit of stamp combining, and played with some remnant pieces of patterned paper.....

I've got my favorite flourish element from Own Your Story as well as the new Die-namic and Stamp combination from Just the Ticket. The teeny, tiny heart is from the Notched Tag Die-namic and of course, a bit of trim using Simply Scallops (Medium)

Lots of rolled edges and distressing here, and since you can't run those seams through your die-cutting machine I cut them off, and use them as a bit of trim.  

Hmmm. I'm going to have to raid the boys bureau and see what jeans they've outgrown so I can use more denim in my projects.

Here's the original sketch for this week's Wednesday Stamp Club - you should seriously play along each week - after all there is a $15 prize each week for one participant selected at random. And, if that participant has used MFT stamps, well woo-hoo that $15 becomes a $20 voucher to the MFT Boutique. 

......just add your sample to the Splitcoast Stampers Gallery using the listed keyword

by next Tuesday the 23rd by noon EST. 

Wednesday Stamp Club - Tomato Time

Okay Friends, it is August, and that means tomato time.  I participate in a crop share at the local farm, and tomato time is when that really pays off.  Of course, it means a lot of tomato processing time in my kitchen, but it also means a lot of tasty tomatoes in my tummy.  Mmmm.

This week's Wednesday Stamp Club challenge is a sweet - and might I add easy one?  I pulled these fun summery papers from Simple Stories and stitched them all up. The text paper piecing on the shirt is something I've been seeing on line lately, and I like it. :)  And, it keeps the focus on that tasty basket of tomatoes.   The image is Who's That Harvesting Girl - i love that you can switch out what's in her basket depending on what's in season.... 

 

My sample today leans towards the simpler side, but hey, I'm okay with that.
Besides, I've got tomatoes to be eating. *giggle* 

Be sure to play along in the Wednesday Stamp Club challenge each week for
YOUR chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the MFT Boutique!

you'll find a list of all the MFT Designers with samples for you today on the MFT Blog

Happy Birthday

How is it possible that my eldest son will be nine tomorrow. NINE? Really? That's not possible, he was just born like five minutes ago?

Goodness, its true, it really does go by in the blink of an eye!  He's having a fun time teasing me that this is his last year as a "single digit!"  I'm very excited to give him this card tomorrow, its built upon his very favorite color - orange!

I'm using the new Tag, You're It Die-namic as well as the By the Numbers Stamp Set and Die-amic, and embellished with the Stacking Stars Die-namic too.  The number nine was cut out of corrugated cardboard for a fun masculine look.

I think these two are going to be a GREAT birthday pairing for me for those last minute birthday card needs - I know I'm not alone in never having one ready when I need it right?

SFYTT - Hi-YA!

A new month means that its time for the next SFYTT sketch challenge, and yeah, so far I haven't missed one! Woo- hoo!  Did you know that Jen posts the sketch for the SFYTT followers on Facebook on Friday night? So, if you wake up early and want to stamp while everyone else is sleeping, you're in business!

I didn't get a chance to ink up Karate Girl for the MFT new release this week, so I've had her ready and waiting for her turn.  I paired it with the new Authentique pattern paper, I've got to say, I'm surprised by how much I love this yellow one in particular! Not normally a go-to color for me, but its fabulous!

You'll spy my handy Simply Scallops Die-namic and I've added a sentiment with the fish tail element included in the First Place Award Ribbon.  I love mixing and matching up all my Die-namics!

By the way, MFT Headquarters is on vacation this week but they're
having a free shipping deal - be sure to check out the details HERE

Hope you have a great weekend and get some fun stampy time! 

I DARE you, Get Dirty!

Splitcoast Stampers is for me, where my obsession with stamping began.  To be able to search for a particular stamp set I'd just purchased, and see *so* many gorgeous cards with it.  I loved participating in the daily challenges, and with each one, I became more confident in my ability to create.  I met so many wonderful people on Splitcoast and learned from all of the oustanding Tutorials written each week.

What I didn't know, is that it would literally, change my life.  Sounds crazy, but its true.  I'm now blessed three days a week that my "hobby" has become my job. That I've met some of my very closest of friends.  That I now consider myself - an artist? 

I never would have dreamed that I'd be lucky enough to be asked to join the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen, these girls were my stamping HEROES and now, I'm pleased to count so many of them as my dear friends.

Serving on the dozen was a HUGE accomplishment for me, what a huge honor to have my work recognized. I enjoyed every single moment and challenged my creative boundaries and grew so much during those six crazy months.

This week, Splitcoast is holding the Dare To Get Dirty - a series of challenges hosted by present and former "Dirty Girls."   Did I mention there are PRIZES - if you complete all of the challenges before August 10th, you're in the running for a prize, selected at random from all those that complete ALL the challenges.  (and yes, you can combine them.)

You've got to be a member of the Splitcoast Fan Club to participate in the challenges - but I can't recommend the Fan Club enough.  Here's a few reasons

1) Access to the monthly Dirty Dozen Gallery - you'll have over 100 amazing - totally drool worthy projects to inspire you.  You'll also have access to all the previous Dirty Dozen Galleries - learn from the best of the best and pick up some new ideas!

2) Instant upload privileges! Your uploads to the Galleries will *instantly* be visible - you won't have to wait for moderator approval. Which means - Sunday uploads are a-okay.  I'm an "instant gratification girl" so this is a big deal for me.

 3) You're supporting the greatest Stamping Community ever!  Splitcoast is THE place for cardmakers and stampers - help support this amazing community!

4)  As I mentioned above, these challenges are FABULOUS and you're going to learn SO much, try new things in your projects, and you'll have FUN too.

Okay, so my sample for my challenge I'm hosting is below, but you've got to head on over to the forum set aside for the Dare to Get Dirty challenge!

I'm having lots of fun with the new Just the Ticket Stamp set and Die-namics from MFT.  I also reached for the Open Scallop Duo (the larger of the two) and ran through a piece of corrugated cardboard for a real rustic look.  Pattern papers are from Authentique. 

Have fun and go ahead, I DARE you to Get Dirty!

 

Smile!

Its time for another Wednesday Stamp Club sketch! I was excited to play with this month's Triple Scoop Set of the Month, All Smiles.  What a fun all purposes set, for those "just thinking of you" type cards.  This set is free with your $60 purchase (excluding tax & shipping) during the month of August!

This sketch is a fun one, and I promise I stuck to it, and then just embellished with some seam binding and a wooden bow. (ugh I cleaned up, and put them away somewhere and now can't find them again! YIKES) So, my little side to side element is tucked in there.....

Here's the original sketch from MFT for the week, what fun papers have you been itchy to play with?  Lots of creative possibilities for that circle panel. Can't wait to see what you pick!

Be sure to add YOUR version of the Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch to the Splitcoast Galleries by Tuesday, August 9th at noon EST for your chance at a $15 prize selected at random for one lucky participant.  And most of all, have FUN!

Its time to HOP and then SHOP with MFT!

Welcome to the MFT August Shop Hop!

I've had a blast working with this month's release from My Favorite Things! Tonight all the newest stamps and accessories are available in the shop, but we've got a fun HOP planned for you featuring work from each of our talented designers...

If you didn't start up at the MFT Blog, you'll want to pop up to the beginning, because you've already missed half of the gorgeous samples. :)

I am working with à la modes: Bundle of Baby and put together a card for my sweet friend Taylor who is expecting.  I've paired it with the larger of the two Doilies in the Open Scallop Doily Duo do you see it just peeking out up over the corner?  

and I will admit to being "sentimentally challenged" so I'm loving the new Bracket Tab Die-namics.
I am quite sure that his will get SO much use from me.

Down the very bottom of the card, you'll see a layer of the Simply Scallops Medium Die-namic.

I'm loving rolling forward the edges of my patterned paper, that double sided paper is pretty on *both* sides so why would you want to tack it all down and hide it.

I think my favorite part of this card is the little baby bundle itself, I paper pieced it, stamping the blanket twice so that the pattern on the "fabric" would turn the way a real blanket would in a swaddle.

Oh sweet baby swaddles, my boys always *loved* to be snuggled up in a swaddle.

This cutie-patootie paper is October Afternoon's Ducks in a Row - my favorite ever for baby cards. Its finished off with a bit of Baker's Twine, lots and lots of sewing and a little snippet of Vintage trims.

Don't forget to stop by the MFT Boutique to peruse all the latest goodies. This is a fantastic release - and surely you'll find a little something that *needs* to come to live at your house!

Your next stop on tonight's hop is my super sweet, and uber crafty friend JESSIE! Have a blast!

My Type of Chick....

Today I've got a little something to share with you for the Wednesday Stamp Club. I pulled this together last week before I headed off to Chicago for the SuperShow with my girlies at My Favorite Things.

We only get to see eachother once, maybe twice a year, and its been TWO years since I've seen my sweet friend Jody. I talk to either Kim or Jody every single day, sometimes a FEW times a day, so I was beside myself with excitement that we'd all be together!

I wanted to tuck a little something special for each of them in my bag...  and this is the card I brought along for Miss Jody!  I just picked up a little Authentique paper for both of us, and I was itchy to put this pretty yellow and grey patterned pack to use.  Of course, there is a lot, and lot of stitching on this card.  Lately, I've been putting lots of my layers flat together, but flat SEWN together.

The stamp set that I've used today is Own Your Story - its a favorite, a go to for me.   The Die-namics that I've used are the Pretty Posies Die-namic and the Simply Scallops Medium Die-namics! 

Did you pick up the VIP kit?  If yes, then you're also receiving this amazing Open Scallop Duo!  I'm telling you, always be sure to pick up that VIP you're crafting with new goodies before they're available to the general public. Woo-hoo!

Now that you've heard me babble, here's this week's Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch.  I think its pretty fabulous and you'll have a lot of fun....  Be sure to add your sample to the Splitcoast Galleries by Tuesday, August 2nd by noon EST for your chance to be selected at random to win a $15 gift certificate to the MFT Boutique.  If that card selected at random uses MFT Stamps - then woo-hoo the prize becomes $20!  

Be sure to check the MFT Blog today for a full list of designers playing along this week!

Showing my MFT Spirit!

Today the MFT Designers are showing their team spirit with an award ribbon made using our CHA-exclusive stamp set, My Heart Belongs To. It pairs well with the previously released First Place Award Ribbon and will give you many new options in creating gorgeous works of art.

MFT wants YOU to join in the CHA festivities with a special opportunity to own My Heart Belongs To. When you purchase $50 or more, we'll send you a FREE CHA-exclusive stamp set valued at $9. This special is good through July 24th, or until we run out. Here are the details, at a glance:

* Promotion dates: July 19, 10 PM through July 24
* Spend $50, and we'll include the CHA-exclusive stamp set, My Heart Belongs To, in your order (limited supply)
* The free set will be sent to ONLY the first 500 orders over $50 during the promotional period
* Your order must require shipping (digital-only orders will not qualify)

To get you inspired, many of us on the Design Team have samples made using the new My Heart Belongs To.

Up first is the medallion that I'll be sporting this week while I'm working at the MFT Booth!  

I'm using the First Place Award Ribbon, the 1/4 Rosette Die-namics and the Open Scallop Doily. I've attached a pin-back so that I can add this to my CHA Lanyard!

How about another one?  I made a second so that Kim  (a.k.a The MFT Lady)
would have one to wear too.
Since she's the boss, she can pick whichever one she likes best!

I've used all the same supplies, but substituted in my Dizzy Doily Die-namics.
Don't you love how all these element work together? Fun stuff!
By the way, I love using Jean Scraps on these award ribbons!

But, you know, this isn't *only* for medallions and ribbons.  

How about a sweet little giftie bag that I put together for one of my daycare clients? 

Do you spy the little bit of Solid Bracket Die-namics.  I {heart} that die....

I hope you love this sweet set - remember it is only available two ways - you can come visit the MFT Booth and do our Make and Take if you're at the Supershow in Chicago.  We'd love to see you there! OR you can earn it for free with a a $50 purchase at MFT Stamps. But remember, supplies are limited to the first 500 orders! Happy Shopping!

De-stressing with Inspired by Summer

I hope you're all having a great weekend and an amazing start to your summer.  I've been a little crazy around here, trying to get work done with my two boys at home, is always well, um...  a challenge?

I carved out some crafty time for myself last night because I was feeling particularly stressed out.  Luckily, I'd had the forethought to ink up this beautiful Inspired by Summer stamp set from My Favorite Things earlier in the day with my Brilliance Ink to watercolor paper.  I always like to stamp for a watercolor image far in advance to make sure that ink is really dried.  Because if it isn't, and you go to watercolor, hello, what a mess!

I try to get as many samples done for the new release as humanly possible each month, but we were in California for a week, and I had to stamp everything before I left....so I didn't get done as much as I usually do.  So, I'll be making my way through the remaining elements in the release.  If you've been on vacation like I was, you'll want to check out the latest release. There are some truly outstanding stamps and Die-namics included.  Kim did a re-cap of some of the designers projects, which you'll find here:

The great thing about watercoloring an image for me, is that it is uber relaxing.  It is a huge de-stresser for me.  I covered the leaves of the tree with Kiwi Kiss reinker with my waterbrush and tucked it aside to dry.  Then I layered in Always Artichoke re-inker for some shadows.  The tree trunk and limbs were done with Close to Cocoa re-inker and the ground with River Rock re-inker.  I used a very light wash of Soft Sky re-inker for the background.

Pattern papers are a jumble here. Some very old My Mind's Eye - Quite Contrary - its one of those scraps that I give a happy sigh when I trip across it in my stash.  The woodgrain is also from My Mind's Eye, but it is this year's collection Stella Rose. 

I do adore this new Solid Bracket Die-namic from MFT. It is such a nice finishing touch to any unsightly seams between paper patterns. :)

Because my cardfront was feeling pretty full already, I opted to finish off the inside.  After all, it was necessary because I'd used a Hot Fudge cardbase!  The inside is pretty neat and clean....

 

I hope you have a truly fantastic day, thanks for stopping by! I'm hoping to squeeze in a little more crafty time this weekend so I'll have a few new things to share with you this week! 

MFT's New Release - Its time to HOP!

Hi everyone! I hope you've had a BLAST following along with Teasers for this months Release at My Favorite Things. I just love release week, its so fun to stamp up all the new goodies to share with you!

If you've just popped into the middle of our New Release SHOP HOP then please start up at the MFT Blog so that you don't miss a single thing!  You'll want to leave a little comment at each stop on tonight's hop, after all you never know who might be our secret blog candy holder tonight!

I'm tickled pink to share with you the latest image from our Claire Keay line - titled Ahoy Matey! I've paired my little scallywag with the Die-namics Catch a Wave, the Clouds Trio, the Stacking Stars Die-namic and the new File Tab Die-namics.  (Oh my goodness, its a must have and SO reasonably priced!) I've also used a bit of Bakers Twine and the Black Gingham ribbon included in the Black Ribbon Collection.

You can see I was in a patriotic, fourth of July preparation with my paper selection!  Pattern paper is from Basic Grey Life of The Party, with a bit of this text print that I had in my scrap pile....

The next stop on tonight's Blog Hop 

is my sweet friend Karen

she's an amazing stamper

and lots of fu, so you're in for a TREAT!

Clearly Sentimental About Sympathy

Before I get to my sample today please join me in wishing
Kim - a.k.a the MFT Lady a very, very happy birthday! 

We hope you'll all join us at tonight's
New Release Cocktail Party on our Forum on Splitcoast Stampers!
The festvities begin at 8pm EST, with the doors opening at 10pm for some shopping.  

Today I have a sample of this month's Triple Scoop Set - Clearly Sentimental about Sympathy. It isn't my normal "cutesty" type card, but it is one that every cardmaker, sooner or later, will need to make.

And while they aren't fun to give, you want to make sure that you're giving something thoughtful, elegant, and tasteful.  I love that this set has so many things to say, when really, there is nothing you can say.  You know what I mean, right?

I went for a very quiet, uncluttered layout here, I've stamped the sentiment to a round panel, matted it and added it to a fairly clean cardbase.  I've added a strip of the new Die-namics Solid Bracket Border cut from a woodgrain pattern.

I added just a simple Seam Binding Bow all scrunchy for a soft vintage touch.  I love the understated effect of this bracket border, I added it with just one row of zig-zag stitching.  I think I'll be using this one a lot, its nice and clean looking. 

Be sure to check the MFT Blog today for a full list of participating designers!

By the way....if you're not familiar with our Triple Scoop Reward, then here's just a quick note. 

Triple Scoop

Our Triple Scoop reward is a full-sized stamp set offered to you absolutely free with a qualifying purchase of $60 or greater (before shipping and tax).

The set changes with each monthly release, and is not yet available for individual purchase, so there is always a good reason to spoil yourself with MFT!

• Simply add the Triple Scoop product to your cart using the "add to cart" button, and it will be shipped with your order.
• Digital products are excluded and do not count toward your purchase for rewards.
• You must add the Triple Scoop product to your cart or it will not be included with your order.

See you tonight for the SHOP HOP and New Release Cocktail Party!