My Little Creative Escape

some Clean and Simple...live in the sunshine

2012-01-31T00:00:00.002-05:00

I made two cards for yesterday's CAS challenge over on SCS (I'll share the other one on Friday!). Love that challenge. This week it was an inspiration photo. My eye went right to the Adirondack chairs and then my mind went right to the Inspired by Summer stamp set by MFT.

I stamped the scene in Basic Grey ink, and highlighted a few of the lines with a W-1 copic marker. I also inked the edges of the circle with some vintage cream ink. The sentiment was done in Barn Door Distress ink.

Check out that paper....SWOON!!! It's new My Minds Eye....Dilly Dally from the Ms. Caroline line....I.Am.In.Love. I have to admit, I was going through new paper withdrawl....trying to be patient for the new CHA releases is hard. Why do we always want it NOW?!!! lol! These new papers (I got 5 new packs yesterday....thanks to a pre-order from Scrap Castle) will keep me busy.

I added a little SOLID BRACKET BORDER Die-namics to the CAS layout. Some buttons, and twine and a decorative punched corner finished this one off. Easy Peasy!

Guess what else???? Tomorrow starts MFT Teaser days......stay tuned, I'll be back tomorrow with NEW goodies!

MFT-Card Patterns Sketch

2012-01-30T09:02:00.000-05:00

GUESS WHAT???? MFT is the sponsor for this week's Card Patterns Sketch challenge. How fun! You have a chance to win an MFT Gift Certificate for playing along. Go read all the details HERE. I played along.....you know I'm a sucker for a great sketch.
Here's what I did with it. I used the beautiful set, Own Your Story stamp set and matching Four Point Frame Die-namics. I layered the text background stamp included, the Be Brave sentiment AND the beautiful flourishes in the set.

Here's a closer look at the center frame details. I just LOVE the distress look of the stamps included in this set.

You can also here a bit of the Postage Stamp edge Die-namics I used along the top of the brown floral print paper. I added some zig zag stitching for the ric rac design on the sketch. Speaking of the sketch...here's a look at it. Head over to the Cardpatterns Blog to see the rest of the samples made with this layout.

Hip Hop.....and Unity CHA!

2012-01-26T01:00:00.009-05:00

wow! Can you believe it's that time again....time for another round of CHA! Are you like me...dying to see all the new stuff that's coming???? I've been drooling over sneak peeks this past week! Now it's Unity's turn to whet your whistle!!!
I have to admit...I was a slacker with this weeks Hip Hop theme. I hope you'll forgive me. We were supposed to create something that inspired us from Pinterest....should have been easy to do..... BUT I got wrapped up in all the new UNITY CHA GOODIES RELEASING NEXT WEEK that I forgot. Ooops!

BUT I do have card I made with new and Oh-So-CUTE Unity stamps to share! This is from the new Co-Brand with Bella Blvd.....Let the Spoiling Begin. LOOOOOVE that little monkey. I colored him up with copics and embellished with some buttons and twine. Perfect for any new mom! Papers are by Lilybee designs, Picket Fences.

You should be able to find all the NEW UNITY WINTER CHA releases on the website tomorrow....You'll want to check it out tomorrow, anyway....We've GOt something special planned JUST FOR YOU!

Off you go to Maria's Blog. Check out what she has in store for you today!

CAS-ual Butterfly

2012-01-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

Sliding one in before the cut off on this past week's CAS-ual Friday Challenge. It was a penguin suit challenge.....what's that you ask? We were to create a CAS card that is ALL black and white (last week was National Penguin Day?). I was inspired late last night to put together this elegant card.

I used MFT Inspired by Butterflies set and Decorative Doliy Die-Namics. Gosh....I love how vibrant that Brilliance Graphic Black ink pad stamps. I added a gorgeous black rhinestone flourish to complete the look. Sorry the photo is so dark....lack of sunlight really doesn't help my photo sessions.

WSC56-Hugs and Kisses

2012-01-25T12:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Happy Hump Day! Let's glide into the rest of the week with another fabby sketch by MFT! It's an easy one and you'll have fun doing it up in lots of pretty ways.

I was a bit of a rebel with this one. I used the LAYERED HEART DIE-NAMICS in place of the scalloped circle, AND I flipped it. I really wanted that heart to take center stage. I cut some corrugated cardboard and painted it up with some white acrylic paint. It's pretty shabby chic, dontcha think?

The hugs and kisses (x's and o'x) were stamped from the super coolio new alphabet, MONOGRAM ALPHABET. That's the FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON DIE-NAMICS at work, again.

If you look closely, you'll also see the pretty SOLID BRACKET BORDER done up in Sno Cone cardstock. I was excited to use the new-to me Peppermint twine.

Head on over to Kim's blog for today's inspiration from the DT with the sketch.

MFT and Scor-Pal....A Message for you

2012-01-24T12:00:00.037-05:00

Welcome, welcome! What a fun surprise, huh? Seeing My Favorite Things pair up with Scor-pal.....two of MY favorite things.

You are in for a TREAT....the two design teams are joining forces today to share some crafty goodness. Head on over to KIM'S BLOG for all the details.

You know I love MFT and use their stamps and Die-Namics ALL THE TIME, but I don't speak of my love of Scor-pal products as much as I should. They are a kind of "behind the scenes" product I used on almost ALL of my project. In my opinion, Scor-tape is by far the best adhesive for attaching embellies and chipboard to projects...the fact that you can tear it is why I love it so much! I also use it when when I'm making 3-D boxes or packages....it's strong!

Here I show you that I also use it on the back of my panels to hold button thread in place. I stitched on my button and didn't want the bulk of a knot on the back of my panel, so Scor-tape holds it in place and keeps it FLAT.

Today I made a sweet little file folder card. I saw Beate make one a few weeks back and I loved the look of it. Quick and Easy when you have a Scor-pal (I actually have the Scor-buddy and adore it's cute size!).

I started with a 3.75 inches x 12 inches piece of textured kraft cs. Using your Scor-pal (or Scor-buddy) score at 1 inch and 6.5 inches.

Using a corner rounder, round the corners of the 1 inch flap. This creates your file folder, then go ahead and decorate as you wish.

I stuck with the "office theme" and inked up the oh-so-cool JUST MY TYPE stamp set and matching Die-Namics. You can also see strips of the NOTEBOOK EDGE DIE-NAMICS AND MEDIUM SIMPLY SCALLOPS.

Today I also thought I'd share with you how I line up my stamps that have matching die-cuts. I LOOOOVE not having to cut things out by hand, so any stamp that has a die to match, I'm all over it. But sometimes it's tricky to line up the stamp to fit the die cut piece. I follow a tip THE OH-SO-CREATIVE JODY shared with me....ALWAYS stamp first, then die cut!

Here's how I do it......

Flip your die over and Trace Around it with pencil. Don't worry, the pencil lines won't show up in your final project, the outside of the die is larger than the actual cut piece. You'll see. On this example, I did not trace around the piece of paper on the die, since it cuts separately, I didn't need to include it for my guide.

Using the pencil lines as your guide, go ahead and stamp your image directly in the center of the trace lines.

Line up your die again with the pencil marks you drew the first time, cut side down. I then tape it down with "washi tape". Any low tack, or repositionable tape (you can even de-stick tape by sticking it to your clothes a few times to remove some of the tackiness of it) will work.

Run it through your die cut machine and Wa-La! A perfectly placed stamped image every time!

I also did up the inside of my file folder. Take a look.

More NOTEBOOK EDGE and SCALLOPS.

I also added a bit more ribbon and some fun score details to my inside message. It's another fun accent you can create with your Scor-pal.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll send you on your way.

Hop on over to Kim's Blog for the list of bloggers today and don't forget to hop on over to the Scor-pal blog as well! LOTS to see today! Have fun.

**click any of the graphics below to be taken directly to the product**

try it, it's fun.

Feel Better....are you up for a Challenge?

2012-01-23T08:55:00.000-05:00

One of my dear stampy friends, Kristin Moore has started her own color challenge. Kristin and I met through Stampin' Up! and a swap group we were a part of. We roomed together (without ever meeting each other IRL....boy you should have heard the concerns our husband's had....lol!) at Convention and right away we had an instant bond! She's amazing AND sooooo talented and just loves to share her love of stamping- no design teams, no agenda.....she does it just because. So, when she asked me to play along, ummmmm, NO BRAINER! The colors you'll need to work with are: Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant, and Marina Mist (of course I threw in a little kraft).
Here's my card. I used a Unity Stamp by Nikki Sivils, Under the Weather.

I stamped the main image on one of the layers from the MFT Layered Lable die-namic with momento ink and then colored with copics. The cute little monster is pieced with some oooooold SU pattern paper. The polka dotted background is Distressed dots by Unity.

Do you recognize the sketch? It's from Jen's ASFYTT. Can't wait to play again this year. Love her sketches. Now I need to make another one with some of my TCP stamps...they are this month's sponsor!

I hope you'll consider playing along....it's all for fun. At least stop by and check out Kristin's blog.

Happy Monday!

RCC36-Forever in your Heart

2012-01-22T09:54:00.001-05:00

I'm up over on the Unity Blog today! It's a Mixed Media Sunday post. I pulled out some acetate, burlap and twill ribbon to make this card. It's always fun to play with some materials you might have forgotten about in your stash.

I used the super cute sketch from the Ribbon Carousel Challenge. In stead of the square panel, I used a Layered Heart die-namic to hold my sweet Unity Heart and button from the set, The Time is Now.

That cool burlap ribbon is from the Ribbon Carousel store...so is the twill ribbon and button twine are also from their store. Love the fast shipping and GREAT selection of ribbons! That burlap wired ribbon is really cool, I love the stitched edges of it.

To read all about the details on this one, please head over to the Unity Blog. I'll meet you over there. Happy Sunday!

Thanks...Unity FWF!

2012-01-20T08:17:00.001-05:00

I have a Unity card, just because, today! How about THAT!!! I inked up a few images from the Jan. 2012 KOM and paired with this week's SCS sketch challenge. I actually made it on Wednesday, but needed a few days to find some time to post. Plus, I wanted to share it on today's FWF post over on the Unity Blog.

I do love this day....remember when it used to be called Hip Hop Hangover??? That seems forever ago. I think it's great that on Friday's we have our own little space to share our love of Unity....just because!

You can find the sketch HERE. Have something made with Unity stamps??? Want to share it? Use the Linky tool on THIS post to show off your creation. It's fun, and there is a chance at a prize.

For my card I used the Oct. Afternoon, Farmhouse papers. I added some texture with some cotton twill tape and I pieced up the sweet birdies on the sentiment oval. Everything is edged with some tea dye ink!

Here's a close up of the stamp and the fun banner strips I made (Mix&Match Banner by MFT. I used my trick to make them longer).

Enjoy your Friday! See you back here real soon! DON't FORGET.....Ang's BIRTHDAY promotion....39% OFF ALL STAMPS....only a few more days left to save!

Sweet Sunday Sketch...love is worth the wait

2012-01-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

I just adore Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketches. I love that she is now giving a little extra time to play and actually link up your cards. I work better with a two week time frame, than I do with a 1 week limit on these types of challenges. You can see her latest sketch HERE!

I pulled out some pretty, Head Over Heels papers by Lilybee. Those colors are beautiful. I hadn't inked up the most recent INSPIRED BY FLOWERS set 4 stamp set by MFT, so I used that today. I decided to stamp the flower in a neutral color, Crumb Cake, since the papers were so vibrant. I then pulled out some Tangerine Tango ink and added the sentiment right over top of the flower. TIP: When layering stamped images......Always stamp your background image in the lighter ink and add the darker, vibrant ink over top.

I did sneak in a few pretties with some buttons and twine and couldn't resist sneaking in a kraft heart I had on my desk (it's from Homespun Birdhouse and it was the die cut piece from the heart negatives I used on my love card earlier this week!). Check out that gorgeous kraft lace....it's by Kaiser and I think it's divine!

Oh, and of course the fishtail banner bit is from the FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON DIE-NAMIC. Yep, those are two of my most used die-namics, at least right now.

See you soon!

WSC55-Slam Dunk Birthday

2012-01-18T12:00:00.071-05:00

I've been busy, busy making LOTS of boy cards. Aside from my own kids's birthdays coming up, A LOTof their friends are celebrating birthdays, too. My 10 yr. old informed me that I can't give his friends cards with "those little kids" any more....soooo I'm it's ALL-STAR to the rescue. It's a good thing all his friends are sports fanatics....this set it perfect!

Instead of an image for the main panel, I used a mix of sentiments from the ALL STAR stamp set and BY THE NUMBERS to created a fun text panel. I first stamped the happy birthday in Tangerine Tango and positioned the words where they would really stand out. Then in a lighter ink, Crumb Cake, I filled in with the rest of the words.

I used the STACKING STAR S die-namic along with the basketball die from ALL-STAR die-namics to complete the corner embellishment.
I also tucked in a strip of the POSTAGE STAMP BORDER behind my main panel. I like how it completed the seam between the two patterns of paper (Outta the Blue-lime twist, by MME).

Here's this week's sketch. Come join the fun and play along.....you just might win a prize!

Hop on over to KIM'S Blog for the full line up of this week's inspiration with the sketch.

MFT VIP! Cassic Kids

2012-01-17T22:00:00.149-05:00

Welcome to the MFT mid-month release with the Classic Kids VIP collection!!! Yep....two more PI's can make it to your house THREE weeks early AND you get a FREE mini stamp set AND a fabulous die-namic die all with this moth's kit. Don't miss out...there are only a Limited Quanity of these kits. Once they sell out, you'll have to wait until our February Release to get your hands on them.

Pure Innocence Classic Kids VIP Collection $26.50

Pure Innocence Violin Girl stamp set

Pure Innocence Blowing Bubbles stamp set

Classic Kids Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)

Monarch Border Die-namics Die

I know how much you love thse Pure Innocence stamps.....AND it's awesome that once again this month, you can get two of the newest cuties in your hot little hands early. Thanks to some tips from my fellow MFT DT gal pals about stream lining our stamping and trying to craft "faster", I decided to give it a go. One of the tips that really resonated with me, was making multiple cards with similar products. That's what I did today. I used the same colors schemes and sampe papers (My Mind's Eye-), but I was able to come up with three different samples for you today....AND I love them.
First up is my VIOLIN GIRL card. I used my trick for extending the length of my MIX & MATCH BANNER PIECE.

You can see my picture tutorial over on my Creative Challenge Post, to learn how to do this.

I also tied in the same banner piece along the bottom to hold my sentiment. Just stamp it and cut it out into smaller rectangles, then attach them to the banner piece.

I just love this next little sweetie. My kids loooove blowing bubbles. I always dread pulling out the jar of bubbles, because it ALWAYS spills....but, once you get past that, it's always so much fun.

I used an older, Deconstructed Sketch for my card and I was excited to show off the new size of the MONARCH BORDER DIE-NAMIC (included in this month's VIP kit!). The sentiment fit perfectly on the larger fishtail banner strip from FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON.
You can also see that I added some Crystal Effects to accent my bubbles and give them that life-like look to them. Don't forget to add this product LAST, and then set your card aside to dry.
I also played up the circle theme of the bubbles and the MONARCH BORDER DIE and used a large circle die to cut out my main image and added a corrugated cardboard circle and a few buttons to accent. I love carrying out a design element like circles through out my cards.

Before I tucked my supplies away, I made up a quick tag so I had a good excuse to show off one of the cute, heartfelt sentiments included in the FREE mini set you'll get with this months kit. The quote was stamped on the inside of the FIRST CLASS FRIEND postage die-namic.

A PRETTY POSIE FLOWER, TWINE, and a button finished off the details of this tag.

KIM's blog has all the VIP release details...plus the list of beautiful samples by the DT.

Say What? I Love You!

2012-01-17T09:57:00.001-05:00

It feels like a Monday, but I'm happy it's Tuesday....love those short weeks. We had a lazy Monday, hanging out in our jammies till late hours of the afternoon. That also means I got some stampy time, while the boys were busy playing with some friends.

I was eager to jump into this week's CASE study challenge. You can check that out here. There is a beautiful card by Jen Rzasa. I'm still in a lovey card mood, and I have been waiting to use my new Peppermint twine I just got from the Ribbon Carosal. I also wanted to play with the fun stamp set and matching die-namics by MFT, Say What? Isn't that speech bubble so fun?!!!

I impressed some polka dots with my PTI Polka dots impression plate and added a few hearts with the perfect sized, heart die-namic from Homespun Birdhouse. I used Jody Boosters to pop up the kraft layer and I placed some designer paper underneath the die cut holes to help add color and pattern. I stamped the sentimet with some Regal Rose ink.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back tonight with the MT VIP post. That's at 10 pm.

In the mean time....check out these MFT products I used today. Click the links and you'll find yourself in the MFT Boutique.

Brand New Ippity!

2012-01-14T17:06:00.000-05:00

FINALLY....it's HERE!!!

The NEW ippity release

AND

it's all simplified, now....

HOW???

Order your Ippity directly through Unity

Just click a chick and shop!!!

Here's my card with the new Ippity set, WISE GUY!!!

I just LOVE him!!!

AND....lucky you...it's Angela's Birthday weekend

SO THERE'S a SALE!!!

Read all about the Ippity details over on the Unity Blog!

Happy Hip Hop Thursday

2012-01-12T01:00:00.008-05:00

It's Thursday...that means tomorrow is Friday AND then the weekend. It's even better since it happens to be a weekend. My kids have an early release from school tomorrow and no school on Monday! I can't wait to sleep in.
Thursday also means that it's my turn to share a little Unity with you. The Unity DT got to talking and we wanted to add in a little "theme" to hip hop. Last we and this week, we are sharing some New Year's Resolutions. I am not one to make resolutions. Never have, don't think I ever will. That's not to say I don't set some quit, keep to myself goals.

This is one of them......Did I tell you yet? I've decided to do Project Life. I love to scrapbook, but I just don't have the time like I used to and I was starting feel burried and overwhelmed with all my photos piling up. So for me, Project Life will be a great way to keep up. I am NOT doing the photo a day approach. Mine will be more like a week at a glance, maybe even a month at a glance, depending on what is going on. I am going to try hard to capture and include more day-to-day activities. What I love about PL is that I can do it anyway I want to.

Unity has LOTS of great stamps that will help me embellish my album. I started with these Simple Story co-brand, Year O'graphy Banners, to add a little pizzaza to one of the spaces in my title page.

I also added touches of other crafty things I love....corrugated Jillibean letter, scallops, button, and twine. I even added in a few tiny staples....love that Tim Holtz Tiny attacher. I'll be showing the completed PL title page in another post.

SOMETHING NEW for Unity.....Have you Heard the NEWS??? There is a Stamp of the WEek and YOU WIll want them!!!! Click HERE to sign up!

Here is the first stamp available NOW!!! Just Sign up and it will arrive at your doorstep.

FOllOW YOUR HearT

It's Hip Hop Day...so off you go to Maria's Blog.

Be sure to head over to the Unity Blog, too.....Angela will have all the details about ALL the FANTASTIC and NEW stuff happening.

WSC54-Happy Soccer

2012-01-11T12:00:00.064-05:00

Thanks for joining me again this week. I have so much fun with these sketches. We are showing off our second sketch of the year. You should play along for a chance to win a weekly prize. It's easy and FUN!

This week I am showing off the birthday card I made for DS. Yep, my oldest joined the double digit club. I seriously can't believe how fast the last 10 years flew by. If you read my post on FB yesterday, you'll know that I mentioned how teary eyed I got thinking about the next 8 YEARS and how fast THOSE will fly by.

My kids know I make a LOT of cards. It's just who I am, so they never really say much about them. BUT J got a big smile on his face when he opened this one and said, "this is really cool, mom!" I gave a BIG smile, right back.

He's a very talented soccer player, so I knew right away I wanted to use the newer ALL- STAR SET for his card. The little flag is the awesome new WAVY PENNANTS flag on the post from MINI PENNANTS. You NEED both sets of die-namics, trust me!

You'll also see I used STACKING STARS, and some MFT TWINE. I used BANNER DAY ALPHABET for the number 10 and the stamped Happy Birthday border is from BY THE NUMBERS STAMP SET.
Here is the sketch for you. Give it a try.

Kim's blog has all the WSC challenge info. Please hop on over there and then join us in the SCS forum to play along this week!

MFT Jan. Creative Challenge

2012-01-10T00:01:00.093-05:00

**please scroll down for my TCP Blog Hop card**

Hello again. It’s time for another Creative Challenge with the MFT design team. I was pretty excited about this month’s challenge. We are getting in touch with our Masculine side and sharing some tips and tricks about making masculine cards.

I know a lot of you probably cringe when you think about making a boy card, or a card for a man. I used to, as well. Thanks to all the males in my household, I had to get over this fear pretty quickly. LoL! Plus I think there are TONS of great products out there now that cater to men.

There are a few RULES (and I use rules loosely, here….I don’t usually create with too many rules) I follow when making cards for the men in my life.

Find a good male themed paper. This is usually how I kick start my mojo on a boy card. I almost always start with the paper. Stick with Polka dots, stripes, and plaids.
Use a simple layout, with clean lines.
Kraft card base. I create with kraft a lot, I know, but I almlost always use it on my masculine cards. If it’s not the base, you can almost always find it somewhere on my card. I realize I say this, and here I have a card without…..again, these are general rules I follow.
Twine and twill. I loooove ribbon, but a big frilly bow does NOT cut it on a boy card. With twine or twill you can still add a bow without it being overbearing or girly.
Stick with basic shaped dies and embellies. You can see from both my cards I use STARS a LOT . Circles are great, too. When a border is needed, I usually always pull out my ZIG ZAG dienamic. Pointy, instead of curved (I put my scallops away for boys cards). Metal brads and even staples can add just the right accent to your masculine card.

Of course, a masculine card comes together easily when you have the right stamps! I am sooo happy with all the choices in the MFT BOUTIQUE that make a great boy/man card.

Today I chose to work with the AWESOME new AT THE MOVIES stamp set and die-namics. I needed to beef up my boy birthday stash, so I used this challenge to do that. I used the film strip lable die to hold my sentiment.

Check out the shine and texture I gave to it, simply by covering the cardstock with Versamark ink and giving it 2 coats with clear embossing powder. I also cut two strips of the MINI FILM STRIP die-namic and ran those up the side of the panel.

Twine and stars, along with a few other die cut elements from the AT THE MOVIES set, tie it all together.

I have one more to share today. My favorite boy papers by My Minds Eye, Outta the Blue were my inspiration for this card. I used the TAG YOU'RE IT die-namic and the very cool, MIXED & MATCH BANNER DIES.

You'll notice my two banner pieces here are longer than the actual die. I used a trick I believe Meredith showed on her a blog a few weeks back. It's a trick that is really quite simple. You just line up your die a little over the edge of the cutting plate, so it doesn't actually cut into the paper.

Let me show you quickly how I did it.

cut a long strip of paper, and line your die up with decorative edge towards the bottom

Move your paper and die, up towards the edge of your cutting pad, making sure the edge is just over the end. Tape it down with washie tape (or low tack, repositionable tape)

This is what your cut will look like after you run it through your die-cut machine.

Line up the cut marks with your cutting blade and continue the cut for the whole length of the cardstock (or as long as you want your tab to be).

Here's the finished, long banner piece. Cut to fit your project accordingly.

Here is a closer look at my tag detail. I love all the little extras with the Stacking Stars and the zig zag stitching and the twine. Oh, and the number 11 is stamped on the circle die-cut from Homespu birdhouse, it was the perfect size.

Now head on over to Kim's blog....there you'll find the line up of everyone playing along with this month's Creative Challenge.

Feel Free to click on the graphic below to go directly to the product.

TCP Blog Hop

2012-01-10T00:00:00.036-05:00

It's Release day!!! WHOOT! I had so much fun all week long. It was such an honor to stamp along with the Cat Pack and show off all the new Spring Release Stamps and Cut Ups! You can SHOP HERE!

But....before you do, you might want to join us for this months Blog Hop. You'll see lots of the new TCP goodies in action. Hopefully you just came from Lori's blog.

If not, Julie is kicking things off, so start there.

We are showing off all the new goodies. And it's Tuesday....so there's a new TCP TUESDAY challenge up, we've all got some embossing going on!

I've got two cards today. I ued the same hearts embossing folder on them both, it's from the Paper Studio. First up is the CAS card I made for yesterday's challenge (CAS152) over on SCS. The challenge was to use die-cuts....ummm, not challenge for me. I use them on almost all my cards. AND with all the AMAZING new CUT UPS just released, you'll have no problem playing along too.

I used the new HEART ROSETTE CUT UP and then added the sentiment (from LOVE STINKS) on a Heart Trio cut up. Papers are b Oct. Afternoon-Farmhouse. It was a clean and simple challenge, so I left off all the extras I WANTED to add, lol! It's cute just the same and came together in a snap.

Next is a blue Valentine with my FAVE set from this release. FEELING CUPIDY is just the cutest set. I love that flying bunny. I added a bit of the QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER CUT UP along the bottom and prettied this one up with the Tinsle Seam Binding ribbon. It fits the embossing TCP TUESDAY CHALLENGE since I added a fossil panel of embossed hearts. Papers on this one are Authentique.

I'll send you on your way...there is still LOTS to see. Leigh is up next! I'll meet you there.

Here is another look at the NEW TCP stamps and cut ups I used on today's blog hop samples. Thanks for joining me this week and thanks again to Alma for the woderful opportunity.

TCP Sneaky Peek-Bingo

2012-01-09T00:00:00.006-05:00

It's the last day of our sneaky peeks with the soon to be released TCP Spring Release stamps and cut ups. Tonight is the big release party in the SCS forum....sure hope you'll join us for the fun.

Before that.....we've still got some fun looks at a super cool and new stamp set, called Build-A-Bingo Card. It's super cool and fun to work with. I used it here with a few fun Cut Ups. I stamped it in Brilliance black ink and clear embossed it on fossil cardstock. I also used last week's TCP TUESDAY Inspiration challenge to build my card. I love the kraft color with the pinks and reds and the texture of the felt.

The sketch comes from Deconstructing Jen's (a new to me sketch challenge....I really like her layouts).

I pulled some of my favorite papers from last year, by Girls Paperie and My Minds Eye and the beautiful ribbon is from the Ribbon Carrosal. You can see I also tucked in a HEART ROSETTE CUT UP behind the bingo card and a two sweet felt hearts from HEART TRIO CUT UP. I was super excited to finally get some of those bling flourishes and I couldn't wait to see them. Aren't they pretty???!!!

You can see I also added the word, "Lovey" to a little vintage tag. This stamp set is full of lots of different mini images and words that work for lots of different holidays and events. I can see this set being used as a fun accent for many cards.

Oh, yeah...I almost forgot to mention the red scallop border along the bottom....that's the new QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER cut up.

Now off you go to the TCP Blog for all the details about today's Sneaky Peeks.

You're Stinkin' Cute!

2012-01-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

We are getting so close to the wrap up of the Spring Release Sneaky Peeks for The Cat's Pajamas. Release party is tomorrow night and you can purchase the new goods on Jan. 10!!! It's sooo exciting!

Today's peek is showing those silly penguins. This month they are showing a little love! or are they????....depends on which sentiment you use on your project. LOL. There are some good ones included! The new set is called, LOVE STINKS.

I loooove a good punny card. When you read the sentiment and look at the image, and then you give yourself a little chuckle. That's what I did with this set. I just adore the one holding the fishie! I almost went with him, all by himself and using the sentiment, "love stinks", but I didn't.

Instead I was feeling the love with this set.

I stamped those cuties in Brilliance Black ink...wow! that ink rocks with solid black images, it's so bold and vibrant. Why did I wait so long to try it. I colored up the fish and heart with copics and touched them up with some stickles glitter. They are mounted on a giant heart (layered hearts die-namic) with some pop dots.

I added a touch of burlap for texture and then added in a row of hearts and with the new-soon-to-be-released QUEEN OF HEARTS CUT UP. See those white teeny tiny heart between the two penguins? Those are the popped out ones from the die. I glued them nexted to the stamped hearts and added a touch of stickles to them.

I prettied it up with some buttons and that yummy gingham ribbon and a bit of Divine Twine. SWOON!

Now head on over to the TCP blog to see today's line up.

TCP Sneak Peek- Color Me Hoppy

2012-01-07T00:00:00.017-05:00

I'm so glad you are back, I've got another cutie pie, TCP Sneaky Peek for you today. Release day is on Jan. 10 and I hope you're getting your credit cards ready. There is a great line up of stamps and cut ups just waiting to come home to you!

Today, It's another bunny!!! I just love these guys....they are too, too sweet. The name of this set is called Bunny Side Up. I stamped him on x-press blending cs and colored him up with copics.

I put this week's SCS sketch challenge to work with this card. I just loved those row of circles. I used So Random papers by Crate Paper and even added a sweet Easter Basket to my main image panel. Did it catch your eye? Well it should....it's a new cut up.....Eggs in a Basket. The embossing detail is sooo cool and it even comes with it's own egg die.

I made a few of my own to tuck inside that sweet basket.

Be sure to stop on over to the TCP Blog for all the Sneaky Peek details.

There is also the IN it To Win It thread....YOU don't want to miss out on that! See you back here tomorrow....same time, same place! Happy Saturday!

What's Up? more TCP Sneaky Peeks.

2012-01-06T10:29:00.001-05:00

Happy FRIDAY! I’m back with the TCP Cat Pack and the Sneaky Peeks for the Spring release. We are getting closer to release night. I’m sure you are getting excited, but hang on…..there’s still LOTS more to see.

I loooove today’s peek. If I remember correctly, this new line of stamps debuted last winter and I fell in love. There is something so unique and special about these images. Today’s stamp set is called WARM FUZZIES. I also used the new QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER cut up. I wanted to show how cool this die is and what it looks like when you use both sides together (remember I told you it’s like 2 dies in one, well, my math was off….it’s really like 3 dies in 1). The look is so cool this way, with the designer paper peeking through.

I pulled out some of my favorite papers, Portrait by Crate Paper. I just love the aqua , corals, and chocolate browns in these papers. I wanted to used a sweet little banner to hold my sentiment, so I matched up the die with a sentiment that would fit. It’s one of the benefits of clear stamps. I love how it’s simple, and to the point. That’s when I decided to add another little birdie, like they are chirping to each other. I pieced them up with some coordinating papers.

Some divine twine, SU ribbon and a button finish this off. I should also note, this card is a little taller than a standard A2 card. It measures 4.25 x 6inches. It’s amazing how much an extra s inch will will help with spacing on a card.

Head on over to the TCP blog. You’ll find more inspiration from the DT with this set.

Also, are you playing along with the IN it To Win IT thread over on SCS???? If not, be sure to pop on over there, you could be a lucky winner and score one of the new sets for FREE!

I’ve got another sneak peek for you tomorrow. It’s another cutie…..see you there!

More Sugar!

2012-01-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome back....how about another cutie pie bunny from TCP today??? It's day 3 of the Cat's Pajama's Spring Release and I've got a sneaky peeky for you.

Today's set is called Sugar, Sugar. Of course I had to sneak in another NEW CUT UP, too. I know how much you loved the lacey snowflake last release, now there is a flowery one being added to the store. It's called LACEY FLORAL DOILY CUT UP.

I told you I ♥ these guys and look at this sweet one. Don't panic....yes, this is an Easter Card...but it's NEVER too early to get started right, or start thinking about it. I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch along with Farmhouse, Oct. Afternoon papers.

I pieced up the colored the bunny and eggs with copics and pieced the basket with some fossil cs. The eggs and bunnies arm are cut out and pieced too (I stamped them a second time on scrap paper, colored them and then cut them out). I had to layer up the image in order, for a more realistic look.

I added a few pearls to the center of the new LACEY FLORAL DOILY CUT UP . The card was prettied up with some beautiful Rose Seam Binding ribbon and some kraft colored lace.

Now hop on over to the TCP Blog to see the line up of Sneak Peeks, today. I know you'll be in for a treat!
See you back here tomorrow for another look at a new stamp set.

There is also the IN it To Win it thread over on SCS.....you don't want to miss the fun over there....plus a chance to WIN!!!

You're a Doll-MFTWSC53

2012-01-04T12:00:00.005-05:00

Bring it on!!! it's a New year and we have a whole nother set of FABULOUS sketches in store for you. I didn't want to get behind, so I made sure I worked ahead on this one.

I used a BRANDSPANKIN' NEW MFT stamp set, a sweet Pure Innoncence-PaperDolls.

I pieced up those fun dollies she's holding. I colored her up with copics, and cut her out. She's mounted on an Open Scallop doily die-namic. I added a pretty simply chartrues bow to the left side.

I kept this one simple, keeping the focus on the sweet image. I simply stamped the sentiment along the bottom left. There is a touch of crystal effects to her shoes....she was calling for a pair of Patten leather Mary Janes. Plus a dab of stickles on her barette.

Kim's (MFT BLOG)got the line up for today's inspiration with the sketch. As always jump on over to the SCS forum to play along and upload your creations.

Start the year out right with a little MFT Wed. Stamp Club. Click the graphic below to head straight to the MFT Boutique.

Feeling CUpidy!

2012-01-04T10:26:00.001-05:00

I've got another Sneaky Peek for you today. It's day two of the TCP Spring release peeks. AND....my favorite bunny is back. I can't tell you how cute I think this little guy is and each month the stamps are even cuter!
This time he's playing cupid. The new set is called Feelin' Cupidy . Look close, you'll spy another new cut up, too. It's an awesome new rosette, called HEART ROSETTE. It's really easy to make one of these, they are done up just like the other rosette's TCP carries. There's a how-to video over on their site. I just love the little cut out hearts and the pretty scalloped border.

Here's a closer look at the sweet cupid bunny. I colored him up with an RV00 copic marker and pieced his wings. You can also see I added the Pinking border cut up. I cut it in felt.....playing up the sentiment, I went with a pointy edge and a soft feel.

I made a sweet sentiment circle, à la Joanne B style. Some gingham, twine, button and another heart stick pin finish the embellies on this one.

Head on over to the TCP blog for the line up of today's Sneaky Peeks.

Also, don't forget about the In IT to WIN it thread over on SCS....you could be a lucky winner of one of the new sets releasing next week. Thanks for hangin with me today. Stay tuned....there is more tomorrow (plus another 1 today).

Welcome to the MFT New Product Tour

2012-01-03T22:00:00.091-05:00

I'm so happy you are back with me tonight. I've had a great week showing off all the fabulous Brand Spankin' NEW MFT products. Well we've got ONE more chance to show off all the goods. It's time to join us for the new product tour. To find out all the details and who is showing what tonight, be sure to hop over to Kim's Blog to see the list of the DT members, as well as all the info about tonight's release. Don't forget to visit everyone's blogs and leave comments along the way.......there's blog candy up for grabs and shhhhh, it's a secret as to who has it!

I've got the beautiful new Triple Scoop set-CLEARLY SENTIMENTAL ABOUT ROMANCE, to share tonight.

I just adore all of the MFT sentimental sets. AND it's even better if you can earn them for FREE. YES, spend $60 or more and you can have this HOT LITTLE number in your hands for FREE! It's all part of the Triple Scoop promotion. You can read about it HERE.

With all the lovey sets being released tonight, I've had romance on the mind. As soon as I saw this set all bout romance, I thought having a reminder about it might be helpful. With a house full of 3, active and young boys, romance is often the last thing hubby and I are thinking about. Now we have a reminder every day. I made a sweet little framed home decor item. I placed in on hubby's nite stand....sometimes just a gentle reminder is needed.

I was inspired by a project I saw in my Oct. issue of Scrapbook Ect. magazine. With all my heart die-namics I was able to pull this project together fast and easily.

I started with the new LAYERED HEARTS DIE-NAMIC. I cut 1 large heart from vellum (I wanted it to be hidden behind all the smaller hearts). This large heart was my guide to keep the heart shape.

Then I cut out LOTS of our smallest hearts from the NOTCHED TAG DIE-NAMIC. Lots, meaning approx. 26. I chose to work with the pretty papers from Oct. Afternoon-sidewalk. I mixed up the text and flower prints for my hearts.

I also cut out 6 larger hearts with the HOMESPUN BIRDHOUSE DIE-NAMICS. I know I keep telling you, that heart is THE PERFECT size. Each heart was edged with some tea-dye distress ink. It just gives an extra pop, to help keep each heart separate from each other.

I did a lot of pre-planning with this project. Laying it all out BEFORE you adhere anything down will save you a TON of time.
I made the sentiment stand out by using our other heart die-namic set, HEARTS A PLENTY. This time the medium, scallop heart was the right size for the job. I stamped the sentiment onto a fishtale banner from FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON and added a button and twine for my final embellie.

I'm so excited about how this turned out and I can't wait to give it to hubby! I'm sure he won't be as excited about it as I am, but he is appreciative of the craftiness I add to our home.

That's it from me tonight. Thanks for sticking with me and Thank-you for all your kind words and support all week.

Now head on over to Kim's Blog for the full line up of tonight's NEW PRODUCT TOUR! You can do all your shopping HERE!

The Cat's Pajamas...Spring Release

2012-01-03T08:32:00.000-05:00

**Please Sroll down, or CLICK HERE for my MFT Pep Rally post**

I've started the New Year out with a BANG! I've been busy, busy creating not only for my DT gigs, but I also am fortunate enough to be hanging with the Cat Pack this week. It's time for the Spring Release with The Cat's Pajamas.

Last month I was named the December Swankiest Stamper and boy did I win BIG! I got the whole Spring Release and I've been having a blast working with the adorable characters. I can't wait to show you what I've done with them. Thank-you Alma for this opportunity and honor.

Today is the sneak peeks of the news kitty cat set, Give Me Some Sugar! There is so much cuteness packed into this one sets. I just adore these little banners. There is ALOT of piecing going on here. Designer paper is from My Mind's Eye.

That pretty scallops peaking out from the ribbon are a new cut up....QUEEN OF HEARTS BORDER. You get 2 borders in one...LOVE that. Plus, all these teeny tiny hearts pop out and you could use them elsewhere on your project. I'm collecting a nice pile and have lots of ideas floating around in my head for them. They are just too cute, not to use.

I've also added some fun texture and shine with some stickles glitter (Ms. Meowy's collar) and Crystal Effects (to the treat jars).

I tied it all up with some beautiful seam binding ribbon. Everytime I tie a bow with this stuff I swoon! I don't think you can tie a bad bow if you tried. A bit of twine shows off the banner.

Head on over to the TCP Blog to see all the details about this month's release AND today's sneaky peeks.

There is A Lot going on here on the blog-o in the next ~~24 hours~~ week, actually....be prepared for a post fest! Ha! It's all good and I'm so excited to share with you.

It's MFT Pep Rally Time

2012-01-03T00:00:00.090-05:00

Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to shop for your favorite Brand Spankin' New products from MFT.

But first... it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally!

Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last.

We've taken an in-depth look at this month's Die-namics, while re-visiting the amazing sets being released tonight at 10 PM EST RIGHT HERE in the MFT Boutique.

And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new? Head over to the MFT Blog to print out a shopping list.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
You have just a few more hours to submit your entry for this month's guest designer contest. Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the designers' posts for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

I've got a berry sweet treat to show off today. I know you saw those awesome berry boxes yesterday and I decided to same mine for today's Pep Rally Post!

I was inspired by the new PI-BERRY SWEET and the oh-so-fun (not to mention easy) STRAWBERRY BOX DIE-NAMIC to make this adorable gifty for a friend. I used more of the yummmy Dove Dark Chocolates to fill the little boxes....see, I didn't eat ALL of them ;)

The berry pint box was cut with a Silhouette file (it was one that used to be in the MFT store that Jody created. Sure glad I had it saved). I accented it with strips of the WONKY SCALLOP BORDER and edges the sides with a bit of white craft ink.

Let me show you how easy the strawberries are to make. The detail in the die is awesome! Here it is cut in paper. Aren't those seeds awesome!!!!

I made mine with MFT Felt. I loved the softness the felt adds to my whole project. Plus, the felt cuts like buttah and I love running it through my die cut machine with my die-namics.

BERRY BOX ASSEMBLY TUTORIAL

Either way, with felt or paper, the berry box asssembly is the same.

Add a bit of adhesive to the little tab. I use score-tape

Pull the tab and attach it to the inside of the opposite side. This will create the base of your Berry Box.

Decide what you want to use to tie up your Berry Box. Here I'm showing you ribbon, but on my finished project I used twine. You will want to double up on your ribbon and fold it in half (this will allow you to tie a pretty bow when you are done). The trick for me is to make the knot big enough so it won't slip through the holes that the die cuts. I had to double know this piece of ribbon and actually triple knot the twine.
Pick a hole to start with and thread your ribbon through, with the knot on the inside
.
Next thread your ribbon through the flap directly across from the first hole.
Continue to another hole and at this point you will want to add your goodie. I tucked in a piece of choclate.
Then finish off threading your ribbon through the last hole, closing up the box completely.
Add your topper (also cut from felt, here) and I like to finish mine off with a button.

To make the ribbon fit through the button holes. Use your ribbon scissors to snip a narrow, pointy end to the ribbon. This will allow it to thread through the button holes easier.

And here is my finished BERRY BOX. Ahhhh, it's soooo CUTE!

I made a matching tag to tuck inside my pint box. I just love this darling PI. The tag was cut from my fave TAG YOUR'RE IT die-namic.

I added a new SCALLOP ROLLED FLOWER cut from some canvas. I love how the scallops help add to the texture of the flower. I've also tucked in a few LEAFY FLOURISHES. They seemed a little large to use all on their own, so I took my paper snips and cut the flourish down to a size I felt appropriate for my tag. Plus, I only had to cut 2 with my die cut machine.

The sentiment was added to a fishtail banner from the First Place Award Ribbon. The pieces in this set are so versatile.

Here's the finished project, again. Now to decide who to give this too. Someone, Berry Sweet!

Stop by Kim's blog for all the Pep Rally Day goods! There's a whole big crafty line up, you won't want to miss!!!

MFT day 6 Teaser Time

2012-01-02T00:00:00.007-05:00

Yeah! Only one more day until our BIG MFT Jan. release.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Today is our Pur Innocence teaser day. It's always one of my faves. Here is the line up of cuties being released this month: Plane Amazing, Berry Sweet, Paper Dolls, Jump for Joy, I Love You This Big, PLL Fill My Heart with Joy.

I'll start the fun today with the PI boy- I LOVE YOU THIS BIG. IN a house full of boys, I'm always partial to the boy stamps. THis one was no different. So I'm showing him off today.

I kep this one kind of simple by coloring him up with copics and pieced up that giant heart with some Lime Twist, My Mind's Eye papers.
Two new die-namics were paired up on this card. I hand stitched on the MINI WAVY PENNANTS and stamped the sentiment on those. AND, tucked in behind my main image is the JUMBO MONARCH border. A bit of ribbon a few rhinestones help embellish my boy card.

Following the heart theme....I inked up the newest Precious Little Lamb-FILL MY HEART WITH JOY.

He's pieced up and colored, too, but this time with some

Lilybee-Head Over Heels paper. Look how cool the JUMBO MONARCH border looks layered up. I've also added a SCALLOP ROLLED FLOWER . I tucked in a LEAFY FLOURISH and a few stick pins.

The inside is completed with this one, too. More of the same papers and the JUMBO MONARCH border. I stamped the sentiment along the bottom and added a few hearts from the new FLOPSEY and At THE MOVIES stamp sets.

Kim's blog has today's line up. Hop on over there to get a look at the full sets we are teasing you with, today.

HUGS!

Day 5 with MFT teasers...and Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.027-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope you all had a fun and safe New Year's Eve. We were home bodies and just invited some neighbors over. Hubby worked until around 8pm, so we were here waiting to celebrate with him. Although my kids begged and pleaded....we did NOT make it to the strike of midnight, which is just FINE by me. I ~~LIKE~~ LOVE my sleep. LOL! How about you? Did you ring in the stroke of midnight?

Glad you are here sharing a little bit of the New Year with us. In case you haven't jotted down all the release day details.....you can read up on them here.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Now let's jump in with our à la mode previews. As always, there are two new cuties joining the line up. This month's ALM are: Dip Me in Chocolate, and Genie.

I've did up a treat bag full of DOVE Dark Chocolate....YUM!!!! I recylced a kraft bag (thanks, Inge!) and decked it out with some stamps, a belly band and a tag using the new Dip Me in Chocolate à la mode.

I started by cutting two strips of Farmhouse (Oct.Afternoon) designer paper and attaching them end to end to create a long, 12inch strip. I roughly wrapped it around the bag to measure where the folds would be. The edges are decorated with strips of the Solid Bracket Border and stitched in place.

Check out the bag. I used the open hearts from the new Bunches of Hearts Flopsey Set to add some stampy detail and then gave it a good spritzing of the new Mister Huey's Calico White spray.

I tied a bow with plum pudding grosgrain and added another element of detail by slipping in the larger oval decorative doily duo die-namics, behind the tag.

Now look at the tag. I used some more of the solid bracket border with stitching, but this time to some polka dot dp (Picket Fences-lilybee designs). The sentiment was added to the File Tab die-namic. I also gave my candy bar a real-foil-like look with a Glitter Gel Pen.

I attached this to the decked out kraft bag with a button and some twine! Ahhhh, I'm thinking I might just need to rip into this bag and eat those chocolates. You would think I would learn to NOT buy the candy I like. I already finished off the rest of what was left.

Hop on over to Kim's Blog for the list of today's teaser posts. Happy New Year!

MFT Day 4 Teasers

2011-12-31T00:00:00.142-05:00

Welcome back to another fun filled post with MFT Teasers! Can you believe it's the final day of 2011! Such a great way to ring in the New Year....Hanging with the MFT peeps!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Today's teasers are showcasing the At the Movies and Monogram Alphabet sets. I used the Monogram Alphabet set along with some die-namics. I'm an alphabet junkie....always have been. So I was suuuuuper excited to see these bold, chuncky letters. In case you were wondering, they do NOT fit in last month's By The Letter die-namics......BUT they sure do coordinate. Let me show you.

I decided to add another Valentine card to my stash. I used the new LAYERED HEARTS and made a sweet heart shaped card. THIS is one of the reasons I was so excited about this larger size heart, I adore making shaped cards.

Here's how I do it.

Fold a piece of cardstock in half and place the die, just over the edge of the fold. (you can also see here, how I lable all my die-namics. I write the name on the back)

Run it through your die cut machine (I use a Big Kick). You'll have a heart shaped card, with a flat, fold at the top.
Next, cut 2 more full hearts, one from a solid piece of cardstock (I used fossil) and another in a pattern you like.
Adhere the pattern heart to the solid piece of cardstock.
Then adhere the completed heart (both layers) to the top of the heart shaped card, lining up the edges and the bottom, covering up the flat, folded top.

You can see here, that the flat, topped heart is now "hidden" and the card will now be a full, completed heart shape.

Embellish as you wish.

I cut the top heart layer from more fossil cardstock and embossed the new MONOGRAM ALPHABET with clear embossing powder. The letters were first stamped in chocolate chip craft ink.

TIP: when stamping words, to get the spacing correct, I start by stamping the middle letter and then stamp each letter out to the left and right until the word is complete. Here, I lined up the "v" with the shape of the heart, since I knew the embellishment would be off to the right.

The stamped circle is included with the alphabet and it fits nicely in the circle from FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON.

The "u" is from BY THE LETTERS. See, I told you the letters work well together. The small heart is that perfect sized, favorite heart from HOMESPUN BIRDHOUSE.

Kim's Blog has all the Teaser info....hop on over there.

NEW die-namic used:

Already available die-namics-click the graphic to go straight to the MFT Boutique.

MFT teasers.....Day 3

2011-12-30T00:00:00.068-05:00

The getting is good and the good is getting better! Each day I get a little more excited as the MFT January release date approaches. Today you get to be inspired by the two Clearly Sentimental sets being released.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

The two sets are called: Clearly Sentimental about Romance, and Pearls of Wisdom.

Pearls of Wisdom was last month's Triple Scoop set (that means you got it for FREE with a $60 purchase) and this month you'll get the CS about Romance. You'll want it, trust me! And if you missed out on the promo set last month, then be sure to add it to your cart this go round.

I've got a sample from each and they show off some of the new die-namics!

Let's jump in with the newest set, CS about Romance. YOU will fall in love with the beautiful sentiments included in the stamp set. I did. This one is one of my FAVES. I'm tucking this card away for hubby for V-day!

Not only do I loooove the quote, I also am sooooo happy to have this HUGE Layered Heart. It is such a great focal point for any image. I cut the solid larger image out of red felt and then chose a coordinating pattern from the My Mind's Eye pack to cut out the smaller, detailed heart.

Those little holes were begging for some twine, so I quickly stitched it up with twine and then added some Scor-tape to adhere it to the felt. Here's a few close ups to show how I did it.

TIP: Using a craft needle, helps the stitching come along quickly. Trust, me, use the needle. While the holes are large enough to thread the twine through by hand, the needle really helps speed the process.

I further accented the sentiment by stamping it on the CLEARLY SENTIMENTAL LABEL, and added a few fun buttons (by My Mind' Eye) and some distressing (I'm still using the Tim Holtz Holiday distress inks....love the berry red included in the trio).

Next up, I went with the pretty blue and grey combo from the October Afternoon, Farmhouse papers. I cut the card base to a 4.25inch square, allowing for some extra room at the top for the new layered OVAL DECORATIVE DOILY DUO DIE-NAMIC. These are the two newest sizes to round out your oval collection in this style. They are always perfect for housing any sentiment.
I added a new SCALLOP ROLLED FLOWER and some LEAFY FLOURISHES (love those, always love those).

You should spy one more new die-namic on this card.....I just think it's so fun. It's the PAPER DOLL BORDER. I thought it was a cute accent to add with the quote reminding us how to live life.

Hop on over to Kim' s Blog.....the teaser line up and full peeks at the new sets are up! See you back here tomorrow for more MFT TEASERS.

BUT.....before you go.....here's a look at the new die-namics along with the ones you can already find in the boutique.

CLICK THE GRAPHICS TO GO DIRECTLY to the MFT Store!

Unity...hip hoppin' towards 2012!

2011-12-29T09:16:00.000-05:00

**Please Scroll down for MFT TEASER Post**

Woohoo! It's another happy Thursday with the Unity DT.

It's also a great time for me to say

THANK-YOU

to Angela and the Unity family for

letting be a part of their fabulousness!

I also want to say Thank-you, all my

readers for hanging with me

week, after week!

YOU make this all worth while.

So this card is for you!
I love the sentiment.....
I think it is so true of all of us.
I love the words of encouragement as we hop on into 2012.

PLUS, I love this set....so I'm enabling you....

GET THIS!

TIME IS NOW

Don't forget about Maria...

she's up next on the hop

click the button and off you go!

If you get lost along the way....

Start back at the Unity blog.

MFT Teaser Time....Day 2!

2011-12-29T00:00:00.014-05:00

Wasn't yesterday's teaser soooo cool? I love that new Eiffel Tower die-namic and the fun French sentiments. Some day I'll get to Paris. If you missed out, be sure to see my sample from yesterday.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and forum fDie-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.

The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the or details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Today the sweet, bunny returns....It's Bunch of Hearts Flopsey.

I'm also excited because I got my hands on some Mr. Huey's Callico Shine (thanks, Becky!). Check out all the pieced hearts I added. yep, call me crazy....I stamped the hearts from this image on to mulitple papers from the MME pack and cut each one out. Before I added them to the final Flopsey image, I gave it all a good spritz. This stuff is waaaay cool!

I'm super excited to show off the cool new Mini Wavy Pennants, too. I also spritzed my banner posts (those come from the orginal MINI PENNANT die-namic set. Helps give a realistic ,metallic look.

Kim's Blog has the line up for today's teasers. Be sure to check it out. You have a chance at an MFT gift certificate just by leaving comments.

Here's a closer looksie at those amazing new pennants!

WSC52-final MFT sketch of 2011

2011-12-28T12:00:00.033-05:00

We interrupt the regularly scheduled TEASER TIME post to bring you this week's WSC sketch.....
Scroll down to see a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW stamp set and die-namics.

WOW! That seems unreal....we blew through 52 WEEKS of sketches. BOY was it fun! Stick with us, cuz 2012 is going to be bigger and better! BUT......Before we start talking about 2012, let's stay in the present and finish out the year with a BANG!

Check out this week's sketch:

AND here is what I did with it......

I've got one more tea card for you (I warned you the other day, LOL! so don't be mad). For a coffee drinker, I sure am diggin' this Always Time For Tea stamp set and matching die-namics. Again I follwed the sketch pretty much to the tea (ha-ha, PUN was intended!). I used more of those homey-feeling Farm House papers by OCT.

I did up the tea pot with a sweet little Upsy Daisy flower. Here I only layered mulitple petals from the same, smallest flower.

There's a bit of Small Scallop border and a piece of the larger First Place Award Ribbon fishtail banner. Some twine and a few pearls finish out the sketch and all it's elements.

Check out Kim's Blog to see who is playing this week.

Also don't forget to pop on over to the SCS forum to join all the chit chat and fun. It's a happening place over there.

Love my die-namics....here's the Upsy Daisy set.

MFT Teaser Time!

2011-12-28T00:00:00.030-05:00

Welcome!! I'm so excited to have you stopping by today and all week. It's time for the teasers for the Janurary My Favorite Things release. Nothing like bringing in the New Year.....2012 with some brand spankin' new stamps and die-namics.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

We are starting the week off with an uber cool, WTG.....Who's that Parisian Girl? Wait until you see all the beautiful things the DT has done with her.

I did a bit of background piecing on this ditty. It's all done with some of my fave MyMind'sEye papers. They have such a french feel to them with all the flourishes, so I knew they were prefect. Plus, I loved the browns and blues with a touch of olive. I ♥ earth tones.

I stamped her 4 times, three on pattern paper, and once on x-press blending cs. TIP: always start from the back and add your pieces, building towards the front. So here, I added my background pieces first, then I colored my WTG with copics, and added her skirt last. I cut her out and pieced her on top of my backgrounds. Don't forget to add in some shading with your copics to help her "pop" off the page and give that more realistic look and feel.

When I designed this card, I also wanted to give a travel feel to it, so I went with a post-card-ish look. Easy to do with the cool, First Class Friend die-namics (I also snuck in a few of the stamp elements from that set...the cancellation stamp). I placed the beautiful new Eiffel Town die-namic in the middle and added the sentiment flag (First Place Award Winner die-namic) with some foam dimensionals attached with a brad. It's curved a bit to give the feeling of it waving in the breeze. I'm sure it's quite breezy atop the Eiffel Tower.

You can also see I tucked in the newest border die-namic releasing this month. It's the Jumbo Monarch. I love those giant dots at the end of each piece. Some seam binding and a vintage brad help give the finishing touches to this card.

Hop on over to Kim's Blog. You'll be able to find all the details about this coming release over there.

Before you go, here is a look at the new die-namics releasing this month.

amd here are the other dies I used that are already available.

Just click the pics to be taken to the MFT Boutique.

A Cup of Tea

2011-12-26T09:40:00.000-05:00

Happy day after Christmas. Are you like me.....staring a the mess to be cleaned up? YIKES! But I'll veg out a little longer before I jump in and start picking things up. We had a wonderful weekend with family. AND the boys were super excited about Santa.....Christmas morning started early here in the Henke household. We were all in bed by 9:30 last night. Christmas is exhausting, lol!

I just love this aqua, grey and yellow color combo. This is the Always Time for Tea stamp set and matching die-namics here again, today (enabler alert....you'll be seeing one more card this week with this set).

I also really like the High Tea Doily paired with this set. It is helps complete the "tea" theme of the card and it's just oh-so pretty. TIP: while you can cut the doily from lots of different materials....I find it works best when you just cut it from THIN cs (like SU Whisper White or Very Vanilla-used here). It is such a beautiful die-namic with lots and lots of detail. Don't forget the Doily Pop Out tool.

The sentiment was stamped on lemon tart cs cut from one of the layered labels die-namics.

Head on over to the MFT Boutique......there's a SALE going on. It's the Splitcoast Stampers Shop Hop SALE. If you click the links below you'll be directed right the product in the boutique.

WSC51-Tea-riffic

2011-12-21T12:00:00.020-05:00

I spent some time getting crafty with the gorgeous ALWAYS TIME FOR TEA stamp set and die-namics. I was inspired by some new October Afternoon papers......Farmhouse. I tried not to order these papers, but I'm a sucker for OA.
Also new for me on this card is the cotton fabric tape I used to stamp the sentiment on. It added a nice bit of texture and a fun, unexpected element to my card. I added it in at the last minute, right over top of the FILE TAB DIE-NAMIC. I added lots of tea dye distress ink to all the edges.

The ALWAYS TIME FOR TEA die-namics were so easy to work with. I was able to piece together the focal image in a snap. I layered on two gorgeous stamps from the set to dress up my tea pot.

Oh, and I forgot how fun the orginal MFT JUMBO SCALLOPS die-namic is. There is NO cut edge along the top, straight edge of this die.....soooooo, you can make your scallop border as wide as you'd like. LOVE that.

Here's this week's sketch. We sure hope you'll come play along.

Kims' Blog has the details and list of bloggers.

Here are the die-namics I used today. Click the graphics to order yours today.

Time to be an MFT VIP!

2011-12-20T22:00:00.056-05:00

Welcome to our December VIP new product tour. We love this time of the month.....you get to see some new MFT goodies and order them two weeks early! We are keeping you guessing and drooling, AGAIN this month..... as we have 2 more of the beloved Pure Innocence stamps in the kit. This kit is a LIMITED QUANTITY product! Once they are gone, you won't be able to order the product until the Jan. release! SO ACT FAST!!!

Here's what you get with this month's purchase of the:
Pure Innocence In the Air VIP Collection $25.95

Pure Innocence Jump for Joy stamp set

Pure Innocence Plane Amazing stamp set

In the Air Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)

Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics Die

I'm jumping right in with my PLANE AMAZING card. Her sweet flight suit is just adorable. I stamped her on x-press blending cs and colored her with copics. I went a little die-namic crazy-not hard to do when there are so many fun ones that coordinate with this set.

The WONKY SCALLOP BORDER in felt gives the feeling of the clouds and I supported that with the plane and small cloud die-namics from the YOU MOVE ME die-namic set. Here's a closer look at some of those details.

I loved adding the sentiment to the larger fishtail banner from FIRST PLACE AWARD RIBBON and adding a touch of pretty with a pop of color from the SCALLOPED ROLLED FLOWER (included in the VIP kit). This is a great addition to the family of rolled flowers in the MFT collection.

Moving on, you can see I used more of those awesome flowers on this fun little girl card. I got to show her off with Jen's last ASFYTT of the year.

Here's the close up on the flowers. I cut them from Fossil cs and distressed them with some tea dye ink by Tim Holtz. I tucked in a few glittered dew drops to their centers and wanted to soften them up with some felt leaves (from the PRIMA DONNA PETALS and SHELTERING TREE die-namics).

TIP: I love that you can alter the size of your bloom a bit, depending on how much you let the flower un-ravel after you roll it up.

The sentiment on this one is from the FREE VIP MINI STAMP SET you'll be receiving when you order tonight. It was just perfect with these fun playground themed papers by My Little Shoebox . I stamped it on the FILE TAB DIE-NAMIC.

I've also got a small OPEN SCALLOP DOILY DUO on this card.

Here is the kit......it's a must have!

Treat yourself to an early holiday gift! You deserve it!

Head on over to KIM's Blog for the VIP New Product Tour info and bloggers.

Heart Warmer

2011-12-19T08:34:00.000-05:00

I've had this one saved up from release week. With a house of boys, the PI Boy images always hold a special place in my heart. This cutie is no different. He's called LITTLE HEART WARMER. Go check it out! There are 4 fun sentiments to pair up with him. I used one of the long, straight sentiments and cut it up to make it fit on my heart (homespun birdhouse die-namic). Then I tucked in a snowflake (LET IT SNOW) and added a strip of the ICICLE border. Some microfine glitter helped ice it up. I added some to the snowballs, too.

Love doing up the inside of my cards to match. Always easy and quick (well, usually) when you use most of the same products you used on the outside. It also gives me a chance to say a little more. Here I added some hugs and kisses with the BY THE LETTER DIE-NAMICS. The sweet little tab is part of the MINI TAB FOURSOME. I inked up the words "heart" and "warmer" separately and stamped them on top of each other to make it fit my tab.

Hope your week is off to a great start and that all your holiday preparations are almost complete. Mine are, and it feels GREAT!

Just a reminder.....click the graphics to be taken directly to the MFT Boutique!

Flowers in December

2011-12-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday! How about some flowers in December? This card is for my MIL. Her birthday is the day after Christmas and I always like to make sure we keep it all separate from the Holiday Hooop-la! I also like to make her a card that in far from holiday-ish.

Some pink and grey Authentique free-bird paper (mine is almost gone....can't say I've almost used up a whole paper pack ever) and the beautiful Fringed Perennial fit the job perfectly.

I love that I can make all these flowers turn into......

These beautiful blooms. Wow, right! They really don't take long to assemble, either. I think the more you layer these flowers, the more beautiful they are. Plus, I love all the scored detail on each petal.

When I used this die-namic during teaser week, I turned the petals down. Today I decided to give them more of a "cupped" look, so I gave them a slight curve up. That's easy to do, too. I just use my bone folder and my finger to apply a slight pressure as I pull up on the petal.

Here's the finished panel on the card. The sketch is Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch from this past week. I added some embossed hearts with a new folder I picked up from Hobby Lobby.

The sentiment was stamped on the Oval Tab die-namic. I recently added the CS about Mothers set to my stamp collection, so I pulled that out to make this card for my MIL. I am blessed to have married into a wonderful, caring family. Thanks for stopping by today! Enjoy the weekend.

Happy Hip Hop Thursday!

2011-12-15T01:00:00.030-05:00

It's almost the weekend!!

Wooohooo!

How about some fun

NEW

UNITY

to get things movin?

I've got a sweet lovey card

with one of the new itty bitty's.

This elie

LOve YOu TONs

is adorable and I can see him done up

sooooo many different ways.

He'll be nice and easy to paper piece.

I added subtle coloring with an

RV01 marker.

I just out line the inside of him in pink

and then add a little light blue shadow around him (BG00).

I used the Sweet Stop sketch for this one.

The sentiment is cut up and perched on a

corrugated cardboard heart die-namic.

Embellished with some white acrylic paint and a

sweet lil' button.

It's also Dec.15

and that means the

MONTHLY THEME CHALLENGE is up.

This month we are showing off our gifty side.

Here's the bag I decorated for my son's teacher.

I loaded it up with some yummy carmel corn

(the bag is wax lined so it won't leak through).

I pulled out an almost forgotten Unity favorite,

distress dots background.

I also used the Jillibean Countdown to Christmas set

and the Nov. KOM-take your time birdie stamp

to make the pretty tag.

Oh and that cool, giant snowflake is from the

stamp and die duo:
Winter Joy.Peace.Love.

The top is a little oval open scallop doily die-namic cut in felt.

I've added some twine, a button, and my fave jingle bell.

Go see the Challenge Blog NOW!

Don't forget about Maria...

she's up next on the hop

click the button and off you go!

WSC50....Wintery Wishes

2011-12-14T12:00:00.044-05:00

It's time to dig in with our Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I've got the new Ski Bunny à la mode for you today. I was a bit of a rebel and decided to use an image instead of just the sentiment panel.

I added a mini tab foursome to do up my sentiment and then added a few embellies....more glittery snowflakes, a bow, and some fun jingle bells! This card is off to a special someone! I can't wait for her to receive it!

The outside is embellished with the Let it Snow dies (I cut them in felt and added stickles glitter to them....I ALWAYS add glitter, especially stickles, at the very end, so I don't smudge it! then give it plenty of time to dry).

I added a pretty pink panel the inside, along with another fun, sentiment from the set. I love how you can use the same tab, but NOW in the two different sizes. Here, on the inside I used the original Oval Tab. A few extra snow flakes and some zig zag stitching and this was ready for mailing!
Check out Kim's Blog for all the challenge details. You can also find the fun and some chit chat over in the MFT forum.

Don't forget to see all the Brand Spankin' New products in the boutique.

click the photo to shop for the die-namics

Dec. Creative Challenge-It's A Wrap

2011-12-13T00:00:00.046-05:00

The time is here again for us to share our Monthly DT Creative Challenge. This month we are focusing on holiday gift giving and making the packages oh-so-pretty!

In 2011, MFT is working harder than ever to inspire you, and we have come up with something we think you'll really enjoy. Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a new monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, "It's a Wrap" Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have creative gift solutions for you today!

I did up a sweet little gift card holder. I've done mitten shapes in the past BUT this time I was inspired by the darling, new PI-Stocking Girl. So for today's challenge I made a stocking. Not only are these great gift card holders, they also serve double duty and can be re-purposed as an ornament. I always add a large loop of twine to the corner.

These are really easy to make, I'll show you how.

draw and cut a template on copy paper.
Make sure you are making the template wide enough to hold your gift card. I just placed mine on top to give me an idea of how wide it needed to be.
double up two pieces of felt (I used the beautifu MFT felt-a cherry on top) and lay the template on top. Hold (you can pin it if you need to) in place while you cut around the edge. I cut just a bit larger than the template, to ensure extra room for the gift card after sewing.
stitch around the edge of the stocking with a sewing machine, about a 1/4 of an inch from the edge.
Using a blanket stitch in a contrasting color of crochet thread, stitch around the edge of the sewn stocking, using the machine stitched as a guide.
Here's the completed, stitched stocking.

6.Cut two strips of the Wonky Scallop border die in white felt. Attach to top of stocking with scor-tape. Trim to fit the edges.

7.Embellish the finished felt stocking any way you'd like. I love adding ribbon and a tag.

I used the Clearly Sentiment Label for the base of my tag. I added some Echo Park, Season's Greeting holiday paper to the background and stitched on the tiny scallops. I made those with the scallop ribbon die-namic. I only had to cut one piece of that, and cut it in half to fit the top and bottom of my tag. I stamped the sentiment up the side and added some Tim Holtz Holiday distress ink (evergreen bough) along the edges.

The sweet PI-stocking Girl was stamped on x-press blending cs, colored with copics and her pj's were paper pieced. A bit of stickles glitter was added to jazz up the stocking.

The whole tag is finished off with a Let it Snow die-namic, some jingle bells, candy cane striped ribbon and twine.

To give it stability and allow the whole project to be used as an ornament, go ahead and stitch on the tag to the top of the stocking. Just keep the knots on the inside, they'll never be seen.

Kim's Blog has the line up for this month's challenge. Go over there and Check it out.

did you know.....

click the photos to find the die-namics in the boutique

TCP188-around the tree

2011-12-12T14:37:00.001-05:00

Have you checked out the most recent TCP Tuesday Challenge? I love their color challenges. The graphic alone is toooo cute! Here are the colors you need to work with this go round.

I squealed with delight when I opened my drawer that holds my TCP stamps and I discovered this holiday cutie I picked up during a sale earlier this year. I tucked it away and forgot about it.

It's Your Gift. I pieced up the tree, colored in the bunny, and even left one of his feet "un-glued" so it would look like he was balancing on that ladder. The message is so sweet.

The snowflake lace die and beautiful tinsel seam binding is by TCP, too! Of course I couldn't let all those cut snowflakes go to waste, so I used them as extra embellies, topped off with some glittery dew drops.

Have a great Monday!

the Magic of Christmas

2011-12-11T19:55:00.006-05:00

I'm trying to get in the rest of my holiday stamping before it's time to put those beautiful holiday stamps away for the year. I was looking through my list of challenge blogs and decided to jump in on this week's CASE study. Amy Sheffer is one of my stamping idols and she's the Dec. Muse over there. Check out that challenge Here.

Plus I got in on the Ribbon Carousel Peppermint Twist challenge. I've been dying to use this ribbon I bought from there, so I did. I kept the card all white and red, like Amy's, and added lots of layers and texture, too. All products are My Favorite Things!

I layered up the Open Scallop doily duo and made a pretty loopy bloom (made with MFT felt). I just love tucking little goodies in the middle. This time I added a twine bow and a few jingle bells hanging. I stamped only part of the "Believe in The Magic of Christmas" sentiment from the Inspired by Christmas set. Seriously, go check out that stamp set, I know you'll love it. A few dew drops finish off the card.

Until next time......HUGS!

Mixed Media Sunday with Unity

2011-12-11T09:44:00.000-05:00

I have this project posted over on the Unity Blog.

Go check it out!

It's stamped all with this S.M.A.K. kit.

Love the birdhouse?

It's by My Favorite Things

go see the

Homespun Birdhouse die-namics

Here!

The "a" Returns!

2011-12-09T12:43:00.001-05:00

Finally! I was so excited to show you my layout again with the correct By The Letter "a" included with it. I was "keeping it real" when I showed it to you all on release night. When you work really hard on something and end up being really proud of it, only to find out that a small detail was going to hold you back, well....I went ahead and shared it anyway with the "stand-in" letter.

Now that my new set of dies arrived and I cut out the "a" and added it back in, I wanted to show it again. Just because....like I said, I LOVE how this one came out. Thanks to all the Brand Spankin' New Product now available in the MFT Boutique. Happy Friday!

You can see the orginal post HERE!

MFTWSC49-O, Holy Night!

2011-12-07T12:00:00.012-05:00

Woohoo! We made it! Teaser week was fabulous and now it's time to dig in with our Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I have a card made with one of the new, just released MFT stamps! It's the Precious Little Lamb-In A Manger. I really, really love these images and that they have a bible verse included, makes it even better. The sentiment is nestled in one of the Mix & Match banner pieces and I added a crown border to the left side. The twine is the gorgeous blue, denim color.

I added some small stars from Notched Tag. (betcha thought I was going to say stacking stars,huh?!! although I did sneak one of those in, too. ) They were the perfect fit for the brads I used in the upper right corner.

I have a matching inside.....stamped only the baby lamb and added the beautiful verse from Luke 2:12 on the clearly sentimental label. I carried over a star and the crown border!

Here's the sketch for this week! Good luck and have fun!

Hop on over to Kim's Blog.....she's got the line up!