Paper Playhouse

Skip a Beat

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

After three days of Christmas cards I've skipped right into summer with this one...pardon the pun, but I just could not resist that one!

When I saw the Splitcoast sketch SC369 last week I knew it was perfect for Pure Innocence Jump for Joy from MFT.

I pulled out my October Afternoon Sidewalks patterned papers because the colours are just perfect for summer, and I set to work paper piecing her dress. I coloured the rest of her with copic markers...still working on the hair but I'm really liking the result today! I needed to "ground" her a little and I thought the fresh cut grass Die-namics was a good choice, so I cut it out of sour apple felt.

I needed a little space for the sentiment so I stamped it on the ticket tab Die-namics and tucked it under the image panel. You know when a card just makes you smile? Well this one does that for me. :-)

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Snow Day

2012-01-29T02:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC151.

There are plenty of fun, seasonal images I could have chosen to use, but I decided to use the wintery Pure Innocence Snow Day set from MFT, and create card #6 for Project Christmas 2012. I don't know why, but I really enjoy using the Sweet Sunday Sketches for my Christmas cards throughout the year.

I went totally girly with a pink and red colour combination. I added some pink rhinestones for her buttons and white liquid appliqué for the fur trim and pompoms.

The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 paper pad and I cut out a cream strip with my crown border Die-namics for a decorative edge. The first place award ribbon Die-namics was perfect for the sentiment, as always, but what can I say? When something is perfect like that I use it all the time! I used the two larger sizes of snowflakes from the let it snowflake Die-namics and the bottom one is cut from strawberry ice cream felt.

I hope you'll play along with the sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Vicki Burdick
Anita Madden - Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper
and Karen Giron

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Happy Holidays

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have a quick card to share with you today. I've been busy working on new MFT projects for teasers which start on Wednesday, but when the Clean & Simple FTL175 sketch popped onto my computer screen yesterday I knew I could whip up something quick.

I saw snowflakes as soon as I looked at the sketch, so that's what I went with. This is card #5 for Project Christmas 2012. I know I just posted a Christmas card yesterday (and, shhhhhhhh....don't tell anyone, but I have another one for tomorrow's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge) but there will be weeks later in the year when I'm sure I won't have one to post, so this will help me stay on track.

I used Clearly Sentimental about Christmas from MFT along with the let it snowflake Die-namics. I cut the larger snowflake from blue skies felt then added some silver brads for a little shine. The sentiment looks like it was cut out using the larger banner from first place award ribbon Die-namics, and it was...kind of. The banner wasn't quite long enough so what I did was I measure the width of the die (which is 3/4") and cut a strip of paper 3/4" wide. Then I stamped the sentiment. Next I lined up the strip of paper inside the die and cut the fishtail end. The important thing to remember is to tape your card stock to the die so it doesn't move, and, most important of all...don't run the die all the way through the machine! Just run it through enough to cut off the one end then back it out, otherwise you'll cut off the end of your sentiment.

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!!
Karen

Let it Snow

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm back today with a Stamping Bella card for the Bellariffic Friday challenge. I'm a total sketch junkie so I'm loving that the Bella Babes have sketch challenges more often this year! Thanks girls!!!

I went with my Snowman Circle image and created card #4 for Project Christmas 2012. So far so good...I'm on track for completing one Christmas card per week all year long. Yay!

I coloured the snowman with copic markers and added a coat of clear glaze pen to the buttons to make them shine. After I layered up all the circles I decided to bling it out with a rhinestone circle. The yellow scallop layer was cut using the open scallop doily duo Die-namics.

I stamped the "let it snow" sentiment before embossing the red layer with my snowflakes embossing folder. The patterned paper is from the Fancy Pants Saint Nick 6x6 paper pad. I love non-traditional colours for Christmas cards! I dusted off my old photo corners punch from Stampin' Up! for the corner accents and added a little bling to jazz them up.

Don't forget to hop over to Bloggabella to see all of this week's entries along with the fabulous samples from the Bella Babes. Oh, and hey, Stamping Bella gives you two chances to win with every Bellariffic Friday challenge because you can play along on Splitcoast too! Go check out their forum for details.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Thank You {MFTWSC56}

2012-01-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 56.

This is another sketch that has plenty of options, and I chose to use the sweet Pure Innocence Chrysanthemum set.

She's a little larger than the circle I wanted to use but that was easy to fix...I simply coloured her up and then cut her out. Her dress is paper pieced with one of the patterns from the My Mind's Eye Happy Go Lucky paper pads. I just love the purples in this collection.

The circle behind her was cut out using the larger size of the dizzy doily duo Die-namics. I used the open scallop border Die-namics to cut out the white scallop strip and the sentiment is stamped on white that I cut out using the first place award ribbon Die-namics.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC56. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT / Scor-Pal blog hop

2012-01-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

The design teams from My Favorite Things and Scor-Pal have teamed to bring you a fun blog hop showcasing products from both companies. Be sure to head over to the MFT Blog for a complete list of participating designers from both companies.

If you're a regular blog reader here then you already know that I ❤ MFT, but you may not know that I also ❤ my Scor-Pal and I use it for every project I create.

Normally I use my Scor-Pal to score the fold of my card, and I use the Scor-Mat to line up all the layers when I adhere them together, but today I took it one step further and used my Scor-Pal to essentially create my own debossed patterned paper. I basically followed this Grid Technique Tutorial on Splitcoast, but instead of using a background stamp I simply inked the paper with Antique Linen and Tea Dye distress inks. Notice how the debossed lines don't pick up the colour, therefore creating the grid look. Once my paper was just the way I wanted it I stamped the flower from Inspired by Flowers 3 with Memento Tuxedo Black.

On the kraft base layer I created a frame around the edges by scoring all four sides at 1/8" from the edge. Then I added a simple decorative strip which I cut out with the faux crochet border Die-namics and a coordinating bow.

On the inside I used the large double ended banner from the first place award ribbon die-namics for one of the sentiments from Inspired by Flowers 3, and I layered it onto two of the pieces from the sweet stack labels die-namics. For the grid paper along the bottom I did exactly the same technique as on the front of the card EXCEPT I did it on the reverse side of the card stock so the embossed lines really pick up the colour and stand out.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

You're the Best!

2012-01-22T14:41:00.000-05:00

I came down to my stamp room today with no idea what I wanted to create...ugh. I'm never a happy camper when that happens, but I decided to go through my google reader and maybe I'd be inspired.

When I came across Sketch 149 on the Card Patterns Sketch blog I knew it was for me. The weird thing is though, I rarely ever make shaped cards, so I have no idea why this one spoke to me, but it did, and this card is the result.

A simple card with a simple sentiment and a pretty flower embellishment. The sentiment is from More Essential Sentiments from My Favorite Things. I cut the double scallop border die-namic from pink card stock then stitched it onto the patterned paper (Echo Park Victoria Gardens) and the white base. The flower was created using the prima donna petals die-namics and I used the fancy flourish die-namic for the green accent. A little bling and this one was done!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

"Create" Framed Art

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

I have a fun framed art project to share with you today. This was a little gift I sent to a friend for Christmas and I had a blast creating it. My only regret is that I didn't make two of them so I'd have one to keep. ;-)

I started with an 8x10 black shadow box frame from the craft store and patterned papers from the My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary line (still one of my faves!).

I didn't really have a clear vision of what I wanted to create right from the start, but I definitely knew I wanted to use the sweet Pure Innocence - You Color My World set from MFT. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured her with copics. I thought the polka dot paper was perfect for paper piecing her little apron, and I added a coat of clear glaze pen to the paint colours on her palette to make them look wet.

Once I had her cut out I started playing around with placement and that's when the scene came together and I decided she should be painting a rainbow in a field. I used the rainbow die-namics die to cut out a few different papers then I pieced them back together. I added some puff cloud white felt clouds, which I cut out with the clouds trio die-namics. For the little butterflies I cut out the base layer from strawberry ice cream felt using the butterflies die-namics and cut the top layer from patterned paper using the slightly smaller butterfly die from the notched tag die-namics.

I used two of MFT's gorgeous flower dies to create the flowers from strawberry ice cream felt: the rolled scallop flower die-namic and the loopy bloom die-namic. The sour apple felt leaves were cut out using the flower and leaf trio die-namics and I used some pink and green ribbon for the stems.

The letters were super fun to embellish. I wanted them to be nice and sturdy so I used my by the letters die-namics to first cut out the letters from thin chipboard, then I cut them out again from pink card stock and glued the two layers together. Then I did the faux epoxy technique (which I seem to be doing a lot lately!) which is a layer of crystal Stickles (let it dry completely) then a thick layer of glossy accents.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

You're 45!

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

I made a scrappy masculine card to share today using the awesome By the Numbers stamps and die-namics from MFT. Bet you can't guess how old this person is turning! LOL!!!

I started with papers from the My Mind's Eye Out of the Blue 6x6 pad and added in some corrugated cardboard for plenty of texture. The layout is Jen's January Sketch For You To Try.

The circular focal point started as a circle of corrugated cardboard but I ended up covering most of it as it evolved. I'm ok with that though because I love the end result. I used the notebook edge die-namic for the orange strip and bent up the tabs a little. I tied the button on with some honeydew twine. For the blue vertical strip I used the mix & match banners die-namics and Lisa's clever trick for extending the length of them. Thanks Lisa!!!

On the inside I paired a couple of sentiments from the set and stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black then finished it off with a strip of green which I cut out with the open zig zag border die-namic.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Great Catch {MFTWSC55}

2012-01-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 55!

This week's sketch is nice and simple and works for just about any image! So no excuses...play along!!!

I inked up the fun Fred Bear Goes Fishing image. Isn't he just so freaking adorable!!!

He's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I gave him a base coat of E21, then I added the rest of the browns by dotting the colour on, and finally I went over it all again by dotting on more E21 to help blur the lines a little. I also added in all the grass so I could ground the tree, otherwise it just seemed to be hovering over the pond. The trunk of the sheltering tree die-namic is cut from patterned paper and the leaves are cut from sour apple felt. The patterned papers (except the tree trunk) are from the October Afternoon Campfire pad.

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC55. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT VIP - Pure Innocence Classic Kids collection

2012-01-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this month's MFT VIP collection! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a complete list of links to all designers showcasing this month's collection.

This month we have two more adorable Pure Innocence images in the Pure Innocence Classic Kids VIP collection. This is your chance to purchase upcoming stamps and die-namics a full three weeks before they're released. But there's a limited quantity, so act quickly!

The Pure Innocence Classic Kids VIP collection includes:

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, a $9 value, FREE)
Monarch border die-namics die

all this for just $26.50.

I have two cards to share and I think I'll start with Pure Innocence Violin Girl.

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and done up with a combination of paper piecing and copic colouring. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair 6x6 pad. I added a kraft card stock flower which I cut out with the upsy daisy die-namics. I cut the monarch border die-namic from striped paper and for added interest placed rhinestones in the negative area of the border. The sentiment from the set fit perfectly on the file tab die-namic.

On the inside I stamped the girl again with Memento Potter's Clay ink then I stamped one of the sentiments from Classic Kids sentiments mini, with black.

Next up is Pure Innocence Blowing Bubbles.

I always LOVED blowing bubbles as a kid, especially out at the cottage, where they'd land on water and create pretty colours from the soap when they popped.

I couldn't resist paper piecing this little cutie either, so I chose cheery papers from the My Mind's Eye Life of the Party 6x6 pad. The rest of her is coloured with copic markers. The layout is SC367.

Here's a detail shot of the bubbles. I stamped them as a subtle background on the blue paper but I also wanted to add them to the image panel to look like they're coming right off the bubble wand. I stamped them with black, cut out three of the circles and glued them down. Then I did the faux epoxy technique...a layer of crystal Stickles which I let dry completely, then a nice thick layer of glossy accents.

On the inside I did the same layout as my first card, which adds a fun touch but still leaves space to write a message.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Flurry of Love

2012-01-15T02:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC150. Just a reminder, the Sweet Sunday Sketches are every two weeks now so you have plenty of time to play along.

I made a Christmas card...card #3 for Project Christmas 2012. I really love inking up my winter images all throughout the year, and it's so productive to get cards made ahead of time.

I used the adorable Pure Innocence Flurry of Love set from MFT and turned the sketch into a 5.25" square card. The patterned papers are from the Echo Park Winter Park 6x6 pad.

The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I added plenty of bling for the snow. The red accent was cut out with the larger banner from the first place award ribbon die-namics but it was a little too short so I simply cut it in the middle and pulled the two ends apart until it was the right size. You'd never know it though, because the "mechanics" are hidden under the image panel. I also added a decorative bracket border using the solid bracket border die-namic.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Have you heard the news about MFT going mobile??? If you have a US cell phone number you can now OPT IN to receive text alerts from My Favorite Things!! Simply text JOINMFT to 46786. You'll receive a special offer just for opting in, new release alerts, MFT VIP reminders and occasional special offers.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Bellariffic "Bee" Day

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!!! I played along with this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge, which was a sketch...sweet!!

I made a birthday card using BEEday Huggabugg. It's been way too long since I inked up one of the cute Huggabuggs from Stamping Bella.

The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I added a little sparkle to the presents with a couple of Spica glitter pens then I added plenty of bling around the image for sparkle.

The patterned papers are from the October Afternoon Sidewalks paper pad. For the sentiment I cut out a banner using my first place award ribbon die-namics, stamped the sentiment, then folded the banner to create a little dimension.

In case you haven't heard yet, Stamping Bella is back on Splicoast with their own forum. So in addition to emailing your card to Em to be featured on Bloggabella, you can upload your cards to Splitcoast using a keyword for each Bellariffic challenge. This week's keyword is BELLARIFFIC0112. Have fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sunny Days {MFWSC54}

2012-01-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch #54.

It's another fun sketch this week, and I customized mine a smidge by adding the flower and using the mirror image of the sketch. But that's what sketches are for, right? Feel free to do a little customizing of your own if it works for your project.

I used à la modes - I Spy. This poor little stamp was released last fall and this is the first time I've inked her up. Shame on me! LOL!!

The patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Picadilly 6x6 paper pad and I added two coats of clear glaze pen to the lens on the magnifying glass. The mini pennant die-namics were perfect for the beginning part of the sentiment.

I used the new jumbo monarch border die-namic and cut a strip of hot fudge card stock for the horizontal strip, but it needed a little pizzazz so I added the red ribbon and a flower which I cut with the upsy daisy die-namics.

On the inside I used the sweet stack labels die-namics for the ending of the sentiment.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC54. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Creative Challenge - make it masculine

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the monthly MFT Design Team Creative Challenge. Head over to Kim's blog for a full list of all participating designers.

This month's challenge was to create something masculine. Don't groan...guys need cards too and many of them (like my hubby) ooh and aah over the cards we give them. And masculine doesn't have to mean difficult, but you do need to get into a bit of a different frame of mind.

Here are a few guidelines I like to follow when making a masculine card:

I usually reach for darker colours for men, but I definitely gravitate to brighter, fun colours for boys.
Most embellishments/hardware are appropriate for a manly card as long as they don't sparkle, but no flowers. (buttons, brads, eyelets, staples, etc...)
Ribbons and twines are fine, but not tied in a bow.
I like to add texture to help bump up the interest factor.
Definitely nothing scalloped.
Most of all, just have fun with it! :-)

I used Just the Ticket stamps and die-namics set for the main focal panel and I stapled the tickets in place (although you can't really tell).

The mini ticket strip die-namic was a perfect compliment for the large tickets and I stamped the small candles from Birthday Flopsey onto each of the tickets, just to help reinforce the birthday theme. The open zig zag border and stacking stars die-namics are two more of my "go to" dies for masculine cards because the shapes are perfect for a guy...no frills, but they still add fun elements to a card. The patterned paper is from the Paper Loft Hooked on Fishing 6x6 pad.

I hope you'll take on this months challenge and make it manly!!!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Sweet on You {MFTWSC53}

2012-01-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 53.

***Did you play along last year with any of the 52 MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketches? If so, you'll want to head over THIS POST in the MFT Splitcoast Forum and register for the end of year prize party. But hurry, you have to do it by Jan 7th for a chance to win.***

For my card today I used the adorable new Pure Innocence Berry Sweet set.

I did my best to give her strawberry blonde hair and it was quite the little experiment with colour. In the end I ended up using YR01, E95 and E15. What do you think?

The patterned papers are from the October Afternoon Sidewalks paper pad. I used the narrow banner from first place award ribbon die-namics for the sentiment and added a fun circle of bling around the main image panel.

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC53. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here's the die-namic I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT New Product Tour

2012-01-03T22:00:00.000-05:00

After seven days of teasers, the release is finally here and it's time to shop. But before you head off to fill your cart, the MFT design team has more inspiration with a recap of all the new stamp sets released tonight.

You'll find everything in the Brand Spankin' New section.

Be sure to start at Kim's blog for a complete list of all participating designers, and there's blog candy hidden along the way, so leave comments for the best chance to win. And don't forget to leave your contact info in your comments so we can get in touch with you if you're the winner!

I worked with my favourite little pilot from Pure Innocence Plane Amazing.

Her cute little jumpsuit was paper pieced and I added a little shadowing with T2. The rest of the image is coloured with copics and I added two coats of clear glaze pen to the lenses on her goggles.

The patterned papers are from my new Glitz Happy Travels 6x6 paper pack. Aren't the airplanes perfect!! The layout is SC363, flipped to fit the image. I added the blue border which I cut out with the new jumbo monarch border die-namic. I added two layers of felt clouds using the flat bottom clouds die-namics and some rain cloud and blue skies felt. The sentiment was stamped onto one of the mini tabs foursome die-namics...a perfect fit!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!!
Karen

MFTeaser - Die-namics Pep Rally

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day seven of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

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 February 7th at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th 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 February 7th 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 February 7th just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

I went a little shabby-chic with my card today and used three of the new die-namics: layered heart, Eiffel tower, and paper dolls border. I visited Paris a long time ago...on a four-week European backpacking adventure with a few girl friends, and I can still remember when we arrived in Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time. What an amazing city!! On a backpacker's budget, we couldn't afford the ticket price to go up the tower, but I did go up the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. (SO not the same thing!!) LOL!

The sentiment is from Who's That Parisian Girl? The patterned papers arrived in my mailbox while I was back in Canada over Christmas and I thought this card was perfect for cutting into the Glitz French Kiss 6x6 pack.

Here are the die-namics I used:

See you at the release party tonight in the MFT forum!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Pure Innocence Paper Dolls

2012-01-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day six of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

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.

There's plenty of Pure Innocence sweetness today and I couldn't resist using Pure Innocence Paper Dolls, along with the new Paper Doll Border die-namic. AH-DORABLE!!!

I kept the layout really simple to allow the paper dolls to shine.

The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I used one of the shapes from the layered labels die-namics to cut her out...it just seemed like a perfect fit! The larger of the oval decorative doily duo die-namics was cut from pink card stock and layers nicely under the image panel.

I cut the paper dolls border die-namic from chocolate card stock and layered it onto one of the patterned papers from the My Mind's Eye Life of the Party patterned papers.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Sparkle SSSC149

2012-01-01T02:00:00.000-05:00

***please scroll down for my MFT teaser post***

Happy New Year and welcome back for another year of Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenges. We're starting the year off with fabulous sketch 149, SSSC149.

This week's sketch is sponsored by Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps. There are so many sweet stamps to choose from but I used one of the adorable wintery images, Snowbunny Lucy. This is officially the first Christmas card I've made in 2012, but it's card #2 for Project Christmas 2012. :-)

I coloured her with copics and added some white liquid appliqué to the furry parts. I covered the liquid appliqué with glitter and let it dry for a couple of hours before heating it, which helps get smaller 'puffs', which are more realistic looking on small images.

The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 pad and I love all the non traditional colours. A little stitching, a perfect white bow (thanks to my Bow Easy) and this card was done!

Be sure to link your creation on Karen's blog because Sparkle is giving away a prize of FREE STAMPS to the winner of this sketch!!! Now it's time to hop around to see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.

Sweet Sunday Sketches will be every two weeks from now on, so the next one will be on January 15th.Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

MFTeaser - à la mode Dip Me In Chocolate

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Welcome to day five of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers. We're ringing in the new year with two fun à la mode sets. I've used à la mode Dip Me In Chocolate and the sentiment on my card says it all, IMHO. ;-)

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 image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I paper pieced the wrapper to break up all the solid colours. The patterned paper is from the Authentique Splendid 6x6 collection.

The sentiment, Chocolate = Happiness is stamped onto a blue piece which I cut out with the file tab die-namic. You can also see a new die-namic tucked along the bottom....the jumbo monarch border die-namic. The layout is Sweet Stop Sketch 138.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Monogram Alphabet and At the Movies

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day four of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

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 you'll see samples created using the awesome new Monogram Alphabet and At the Movies stamps and die-namics set.

I ended up using both sets on one card! It didn't start out that way but the two sets just seemed to fit together perfectly once I had the front done. The front of my card features Monogram Alphabet.

I stamped the circles with Memento London Fog ink and the letters with Memento Rose Bud. The white squares measure 1 3/4" so that gives you an idea of the size of the circular border. Instead of just stamping an "o" I used the hearts a plenty die-namics to cut out a strawberry ice cream felt heart and topped it with a fuchsia button. The patterned paper is from the Echo Park Be Mine collection from last year.

On the inside I featured just one of the fabulous sayings from At the Movies stamps and die-namics. And look at those fabulous dies!!! The gorgeous big negative is perfect for the large sayings in this set and the movie elements like the reel and camera are perfect accents!!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Clearly Sentimental about Romance

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day three of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

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 all about sentiments since we're featuring Clearly Sentimental Pearls of Wisdom and Clearly Sentimental about Romance.

You might recognize CS Pearls of Wisdom from last month's release since it was the Triple Scoop set, but now it's available for purchase. Clearly Sentimental about Romance is this month's Triple Scoop. What's the Triple Scoop you ask? Well, it's a full size stamp set that changes each month and it's yours FREE with a qualifying $60 order (before taxes and shipping). All you need to do is add the set to your cart and it'll arrive with the rest of your order.

I used Clearly Sentimental about Romance for my card today, along with plenty of die-namics.

I started with the new Layered Heart die-namic and cut it out of red and cream card stock. Then I pulled out the circles from first place award ribbon and sweet stack labels die-namics to create the circular element. The sentiment is stamped with Memento Tuxedo black onto a piece of sahara sand that I cut out with the large banner from first place award ribbon die-namics. I needed a pretty backdrop for this heart so I pulled out my high tea doily die-namic. I honestly can't recall the last time I used this die, and I don't know why because it's so detailed and pretty. The patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Love Me 6x6 paper pad.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Bunch of Hearts Flopsey

2011-12-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day two of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

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 you'll se projects created using Bunch of Hearts Flopsey and he's so darn cute!!!

I started by stamping Flopsey onto sahara sand card stock then I added some shading with grey markers. I wanted the hearts to be bright and cheery so I stamped them on cream card stock and coloured them with copics.

But bright hearts just wasn't enough...I needed dimension too. To achieve this effect I stamped the hearts three times, coloured them, then cut them out and layered them with foam boosters. I adorned the top heart even more by coating it with a layer of stardust Stickles, then a coat of glossy accents once the Stickles was dry.

Check out that giant heart, cut from patterned paper thanks to the new Layered Heart die-namics. I used the largest heart to cut out the patterned paper, then I used the layered heart as a template to add the perfectly spaced rhinestones. To create this effect, simply line up the layered die onto your cut out heart and use a mechanical pencil to mark the holes (because the pencil lead is thin enough to fit into the pokey holes). But if you don't have a pencil with a small enough lead, just cut out the layered heart and you'll be able to used the card stock heart as a guide, and the holes will be bigger. :-)

The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye Love Me and I used the first place award ribbon die-namics to cut out the double ended banner for the sentiment. The dainty dots border was perfect for cutting out some strawberry ice cream felt and stitching it to the bottom.

Here are the die-namics I used.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

XO {MFTWSC52}

2011-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 52. Can you believe we've already gone through an entire year of sketches?!? Well fear not, because the weekly sketches will continue in 2012. Woo Hoo MFT!!!

I pulled out Pure Innocence Love You with all my Heart for today's card. She's such a cutie holding that big heart!!!

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I paper pieced her dress with one of the patterns from the My Mind's Eye Love Me 6x6 pad. The super sparkly heart was first coloured with a pink copic marker, then I covered it with Fruit Punch Stickles and set it aside to dry.

I used the by the letters die-namics to cut out the X and O from patterned paper (and the pattern on the paper is X's and O's). The tiny little scallop along the image panel is one edge of the scallop ribbon die-namic. It coordinates so well with the little open scallop strip die-namic I used to cut out the grey scallop edge. And finally, the larger banner from the first place award ribbon die-namic was perfect for the horizontal strip.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC52. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Who's That Parisian Girl?

2011-12-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day one of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!

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 we're going to Paris with Who's That Parisian Girl?. She's so stylish walking down the street in her pretty top and patterned skirt, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

That Eiffel Tower image is a separate stamp in the set, so you can also have her walking down the street without the tower in the background. I coloured her with copic markers and paper pieced her skirt. I used the larger of the new Oval Decorative Doily Duo die-namic as a layer behind the image.

The flower is the gorgeous new Scallop Rolled Flower die-namic with a rhinestone in the center. I stamped the "merci" sentiment onto one of the new Mini Wavy Pennants and tucked it under the flower. A little pleated seam binding adds texture and the faux crochet border die-namic cut from black card stock coordinates perfectly with the decorative oval. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Sunshine 6x6 pad.

On the inside and stamped the poodle from the set and cut out the tower with the new Eiffel Tower die-namic. I added another "merci" on a different Mini Wavy Pennants die-namic and 'flew' it from the top of the tower.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.

I truly appreciate that you take a few minutes out of your day to stop by my blog and all the wonderful comments you leave keep me inspired and creative. It really makes my day knowing my creations make other people happy. Thank YOU!!!

I whipped up a quick Christmas card with Inspired By Christmas from MFT, using Mojo220 for the layout. I stamped Santa with versamark ink onto kraft card stock and heat embossed him with vanilla embossing powder. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas 6x6 paper pad. I cut out the lacey strip with my faux crochet border die-namic and added a strand of pearls for the vertical element.

This card just happens to be card #1 to kick off Project Christmas 2012...and the Christmas card making cycle begins again. :-)

Enjoy the holiday!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Pocket Birthday {MFTWSC51}

2011-12-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 51.

This week's sketch has a tilted panel...hmmm. I think I'm actually getting used to tilted panels. Still not saying I love them, but they're growing on me. I admire people who can place things tilted on their own, without a sketch. Unless a sketch calls for a tilted panel, I seem to be stuck placing everything nice and straight. But I think these weekly sketches have really helped me grow in that respect. :-)

For my card today I reached for Pretty Pocket stamps and die-namics. I haven't used this set in ages and it was calling out for a little stampy action.

These fun patterned papers are from the Basic Grey Picadilly 6x6 pad. I'm loving this paper pack with all the bright colours. I started by cutting out the pocket with the Pretty Pocket die-namic then I stamped the stitching lines with black ink around the pocket. I embossed the pocket with my swiss dots embossing folder for a little texture.

To decorate the pocket I pulled out my prima donna petals die-namics. I cut the largest flower from puff cloud white felt and the other layers are cut from card stock. The leafy flourish die-namics was perfect for cutting out the green accent under the flower.

I adhered the pocket with foam tape so I'd have space to tuck a tag inside. I turned this into a birthday card by stamping one of the sentiments from Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays onto blue card stock that I cut out using the largest of the well worn greetings die-namics.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC51. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT VIP Collection - Pure Innocence In the Air

2011-12-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this month's VIP collection from My Favorite Things and it's another cute one with two Pure Innocence sets!!! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a complete list of all the designers participating in this New Product Tour.

Here's what you'll get with the Pure Innocence In the Air VIP Collection for just $25.95:

Pure Innocence Jump for Joy stamp set
Pure Innocence Plane Amazing stamp set
In the Air Sentiments mini set (a VIP exclusive stamp set - will never again be offered for sale, a $9 value absolutely FREE)
Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics die

The Pure Innocence In the Air VIP Collection is limited quantity product, so don't hesitate to place your order. This is your chance to purchase these brand new products two full weeks before they're released in the MFT Boutique.

I'll start with Pure Innocence Plane Amazing. A little pilot...just like me!!! Except I've never worn a jumpsuit, but it would be fun! Don't you just love the little wings on her suit?!?

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I added clear glaze pen to the lenses for a more realistic look. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Fly a Kite 6x6 pad.

The layout is Jen's December Sketch For You To Try and I used the airplane shape from the You Move Me die-namics to cut out the orange and green planes. I stamped the sentiment onto a white tab that I cut out using the ticket tab die-namic.

On the inside I used the new skyline border die-namics with another airplane and the flat bottom cloud die-namics. I stamped another sentiment from the set directly onto the skyline border.

Now it's time to skip along to Pure Innocence Jump for Joy. When I was little I used to skip up and down the street in front of our house, and played plenty of jump rope at school recess. This little sweetie just makes me smile!!!

You might notice that my image looks a little different than the image in the stamp set. Well that's because I inked the image but omitted the jump rope so I could add a honeydew twine rope down by her feet. Her legs are perfectly placed for the rope either going over her head (like the stamp) or going down under her feet (like I've done).

I paper pieced her dress with one of the patterns from one of the old My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary collections (which I still love!) and the rest is coloured with copics. I used the oval open scallop doily die-namic to cut out the pink layer.

The new rolled scallop flower die-namic was perfect for creating the three floral accents and I stamped the sentiment onto one of the new mini tabs foursome die-namics. Oh, and the crown border die-namics is tucked under there too.

On the inside I used one of the sentiments from the VIP exclusive In the Air Sentiments mini set stamped onto pink that I cut out with the sweet stack labels die-namics.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Happy hopping and shopping!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Christmas

2011-12-18T02:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC148. This is going to be the last sketch of the year since we're taking a little break for the holidays.

I made this card back on Nov 30th...the day I received this fun Echo Park Winter Park 6x6 paper pack. I knew right away that the snowmen would be a perfect backdrop for a Christmas sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Christmas by MFT.

I used my let it snowflake die-namics to cut out the snowflake embellishment from Cherry on Top and Puff Cloud White felt.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.

Here are the die-namics I used:

See you back here on January 1st for the next sketch!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Quick Gift Tag

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I needed to wrap a gift last weekend, at the last minute, of course, and I couldn't send the gift off without a cute tag on the bag, so I whipped this one up in about 15 minutes using supplies from MFT. The gift bag itself was large and shiny silver, so I didn't photograph the entire bag, just the tag itself.

I used the tag you're it die-namic to cut out the base of the tag from My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas patterned paper. Then I layered some pink card stock and another patterned paper which I cut out using the scallop ribbon die-namic. A strip of green ribbon and the base was complete.

To adorn the base I reached for my Christmas Ornaments stamps and die-namics set. I created a 3D ornament by cutting out five of the same die, folding them in half and adhering the sides together. So simple, yet quite effective! I "hung" the ornament with a rhinestone strip then added the "Holiday Cheer" sentiment beside it. I attached the tag to the gift bag using a clothes pin that I covered with patterned paper.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Christmas in the Heart {MFTWSC50}

2011-12-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 50.

Wowzers!!! Fifty sketches...that means there are only two weeks left in the year. Can someone please tell me where this year has gone?!?

I'm doing a good job squeezing in some last minute Christmas cards for my stash. And this is another one that's nice and flat...easy for mailing.

I used Clearly Sentimental About Christmas and the layered labels die-namics for the focal point. The dizzy border die-namic was perfect for adding a lacy touch along the edges of the center strip. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas 6x6 pad. A little stitching, some paper piercing, and this card was done. Quick, easy, and pretty!!!

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC50. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

This makes card #46 for Project Christmas 2011.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Creative Challenge - Mitten Ornament Gift Card Holders and a Tutorial

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for the monthly designers creative challenge with My Favorite Things. This month's challenge was to "Wrap It Up" so I created some fun mitten shaped ornaments that are perfectly sized to hold a gift card. I created a pattern for the mitten and uploaded it at the end of my post, and there's a photo tutorial too.

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!

Let's start with a group shot of the three mitten ornaments. I didn't use any stamps on this project but I used plenty of die-namics to adorn the mittens.

I made this first one out of corrugated cardboard. I just love the texture and feel of it.

I decorated the cuffs of each mitten the same way. First I cut a piece of felt using the small scallop border die-namic (I used puff cloud white felt on this mitten), then I layered on a strip of ribbon and rhinestones.

To create the bird accent I cut out the bird from cherry on top felt using the homespun birdhouse die-namics. The leaves were cut out of sour apple felt using the leaves from the upsy daisy die-namics.

And here's the inside, showing the gift card.

Next I made this blue mitten using blue skies felt on the front and blue card stock on the back for a little stability. The pink border on the cuff is cut from strawberry ice cream felt and the patterned paper is My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas.

I created the snowflake embellishment using the let it snowflake die-namics, strawberry ice cream felt and white card stock. I topped it with a corduroy button and some blossom twine.

Here's the inside and a tip: felt is a little more slippery than card stock and the gift card tends to sink down into the bottom of the mitten on this one, so you may want to put a dab of adhesive on your gift card to keep it in place.

Next I made this red mitten from card stock. I ran the front piece through my swiss dots embossing folder to add a little texture before stitching the front and back together. The patterned paper on the cuff is Echo Park Season's Greetings and the hanging loop was created with maraschino red twine.

To create the embellishment I used the fancy flourish die-namic to cut out the green flourish and the flower was done using the upsy daisy die-namics.

Here's the inside.

And now for a photo tutorial:
First you'll want to print the pattern and cut out the two pieces. This is a really primitive, hand-drawn pattern. Nothing fancy here, but if you follow the tutorial it'll all make sense. (I hope this downloads and prints properly.)

Trace around the pattern and cut out the front of your mitten. Note that you'll cut the front piece slightly shorter than the back to reveal the gift card.

Trace around the pattern and cut out the back of your mitten.

Here are the two pieces all cut out, showing the front piece is shorter than the back piece.

And here they are all stitched together. You can also use adhesive around the edges to assemble the mitten.

Next fold your card stock for the cuff and line up the edge of the pattern on the fold of the card stock. Trace around and cut out.

This is what you should end up with.

Then just embellish as desired and attach the cuff to the back of the mitten. I didn't add a closure to the front of mine. If you want to hang it as an ornament, simply punch a hole in along the fold of the cuff and add a twine loop.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Wishes

2011-12-11T02:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC147.

I kept the layering ultra simple today and followed the sketch exactly...no flipping this week! LOL!!!

I used Uptown Girl Quinn in her Boots from Stamping Bella and squeezed in another Christmas card, which brings my total to 45 for Project Christmas 2011.

I coloured her with copics in earthy tones to coordinate with the patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas 6x6 pad. I love how this turned out! I added some tiny rhinestones to her coat for a little sparkle and white liquid appliqué to her hat. The sentiment (which is included with the image) was stamped onto kraft card stock that I cut out with the say what? die-namics from MFT. I toyed with adding a snowflake embellishment in the lower left corner area of the image panel but it didn't look right with the talk bubble above it. So, this card is completely naked of embellishments, and nice and thin to mail!

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Looking for Mary

2011-12-09T11:20:00.001-05:00

I'm looking for Mary (Queen Mary), who left a comment on this post. I'd love to answer your questions Mary, but I have no way to respond to you since I can't find an email address for you anywhere. Please email me at karen (underscore) motz (at) yahoo (dot) ca. Or you'll find a link to my email address in my sidebar under my profile.
Thanks!! :-)

Christmas {MFTWSC49}

2011-12-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 49.

This is a nice, easy sketch which will work with plenty of images. I decided to use Pure Innocence Stocking Girl, so I flipped the sketch to work with the orientation of the image.

I paper pieced her pajamas, the stocking, and her slippers with patterns from the Echo Park Winter Park paper pack and added some white liquid appliqué to the stocking.

The mini tabs foursome die-namics was perfect for adding a little sentiment. I doodled around the image because I forgot to stitch it before I adhered it to the card, and it looked a little plain without anything around the edge. I do like how the doodling turned out though. It's great because you really can't mess it up! LOL!

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC49. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here is the die-namic I used:

This is card #44 for Project Christmas 2011. Now I'd better get them addressed and mailed!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Release Time!

2011-12-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

It's release time at MFT and that means we have a New Product Tour for you. Be sure to start at Kim's blog so you don't miss any of the fabulous eye candy!! You'll find all the new products in the Brand Spankin' New section.

There's blog candy hidden along the hop, so be sure to leave some love as you hop around.

I worked with Pure Innocence Frosty and Fabulous for my card tonight. I {heart} snowmen...I collect snowmen...they make me very happy. :-)

I stamped him on fossil card stock for a change and coloured his body with a white prismacolour pencil. I gave his scarf a base coat of red with a copic marker, then I covered it with Christmas Red Stickles. Love all that sparkle!!! His hat is paper pieced with one of the patterns from my Echo Park Winter Park 6x6 pad. The wonky scallop border die-namic was perfect for cutting out a puff cloud white snowy hill and I used the banner from my first place award ribbon die-namics for the sentiment.

I decorated the inside with the icicle border die-namic and letters from the By the Letters die-namics. I know I'll have a lot of fun using these alphabet dies in the future.

Here are the die-anmics I used:

This makes card #43 for Project Christmas 2011!
Happy shopping, and thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Die-namics Feature

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back for day seven of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!! The release is just a few short hours away now, tonight at 10pm EST.

Today you'll see plenty of creative ways of using the new die-namics in this release.

For my card I decided to pair Pure Innocence Ice Princess with the All Star stamps and die-namics to create a feminine sporty card. The sentiment on the top of the card fit perfectly inside the banner from All Star stamps and die-namics...sweet!

Do you have a figure skater in your family? Then this trophy idea might be for you. I started by inking the feet of the Pure Innocence Ice Princess and cutting out the skates to use on top of the trophy stand from All Star die-namics. The oval open scallop doily die-namic cut from chocolate card stock was a perfect backdrop for the tropy, and I added light green rhinestones all the way around it for some sparkle. I also added the same rhinestones to bling up the trophy stand.

The "perfect score" banner was super fun to create and it just kept evolving as I went along. In the end I ended up creating faux epoxy letters...so FUN!! I started by cutting out the banners using the Mix & Match Banners die-namics, then I cut out the letters using the By the Letters die-namics. Next I coated the letters with Crystal Stickles and set them aside to dry. Once dry, I coated the letters with a thick layer of glossy accents and set them aside to dry again. Voilà...super sparkly and shiny faux epoxy letters!!

I used the full image of the skater on the inside along with another of the sentiments from the set.

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 December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Pure Innocence Day!

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day six of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

It's finally here...Pure Innocence day!! You had a peek at a couple of these cuties a few weeks ago in the VIP collection but there are still more to show you.

I created two cards for today and I {heart} them both SO much! Can I say that? I actually had to do the 'eanie meanie minie mo' game to decide which one to post first.

Allow me to introduce you to Pure Innocence Heart Warmer...swoon!!! Isn't he adorable with that snow suit and holding the snowball!!

I envisioned him standing on a street, in front of his house, getting ready to throw the snowball at his friend's snow fort, so I did my best to recreate the scene. He's coloured with copics and I added glitter to the snowballs and a little white liquid appliqué to his hat.

I didn't use any new dies on this card, but I did reach for the sheltering tree die-namic, woodgrain fence die-namic, and my 'go to' for sentiments, the banner from the first place award ribbon die-anmic. The patterned papers are from the Echo Park Wintertime collection.

Next I'd like to introduce you to Pure Innocence Cause for Celebration. LOVE that big bow on her dress!!!

These little sweeties are so fun to "dress" and right away I knew her bow needed to be dark red. The patterned papers on this card are from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas 6x6 pad.

I used three of the new dies on this card: oval open scallop doily die-namic, skyline border die-namic, and the fringed perennial die-namic. The flower is cut from sour apple felt.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used today:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Cocoa

2011-12-04T02:00:00.000-05:00

***Please scroll down for my MFT teaser post***

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSS146.

We have yet another fabulous sketch (I think I say that every week, but I mean it!) which I decided to flip, for no particular reason. My image would have worked just as well using the sketch as is, but I'm a rebel. LOL!

This image is another MFT teaser for à la mode day, and will be available on December 6th at 10pm. The set is called à la mode Hot Cocoa Cutie. She's wearing the cutest UGG style boots too, but I had to crop them off to work with the sketch.

She's coloured with copics and I paper pieced the mug with one of the patterns from the Jillibean Soup Christmas Eve Chowder mini pad. I used the larger size of the open scallop doily duo die-namics to cut out the chocolate layer under the image panel, and the little open scallop strip die-namic was perfect for the straight scallop detail. I used the new fringed perennial die-namic to create the flower from strawberry ice cream felt.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Sketchers created.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - à la mode Ski Bunny

2011-12-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day five of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers.

Today is à la mode day and there are two cuties to swoon over. I used à la mode Ski Bunny because I {heart} skiing. It's the only winter activity that has me secretly wishing for snow. Oh, and now that we live in Ohio, I'd settle for a decent ski hill too (everything is a flight or a days drive away)...Vermont is no longer "just around the corner". Can anyone move a mountain for me?

I used the Splitcoast sketch SC359 because it was perfect to highlight not only this cute à la mode, but it worked great to share the new Mix & Match Banner die-namics and the By the Letters die-namics. The banners are sized to work perfectly with the letter dies.

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I added some white liquid appliqué to her hat for a furry look. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 pad.

On the inside I created a little ski hill and stamped one of the sentiments from the set.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Time for Tea

2011-12-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to day four of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!!!

Today I want you to sit back and relax because I've prepared a pot of tea for us to enjoy using the new Always Time for Tea stamps and die-namics set.

I used the dies to cut out the teapot from Basic Grey Picadilly patterned paper. I love that the die-namics set comes with both a full tea pot and tea pot "parts", so I was able to add blue accents to create this pretty tea pot. Don't you just love that sweet little tea bag too! It's also part of the die-namics set. I layered the tea pot onto an oval I cut out using Nestabilities, which just happens to layer wonderfully onto the new oval open scallop doily die-namic...sweet!

On the inside I used the layered labels die-namics to highlight one of the fabulous sentiments included in this stamp set. There are so many gorgeous stamps in this set, I know you'll see plenty more fabulous creations from the rest of the design team.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Clearly Sentimental

2011-12-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome back for day three of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a full list participating designers.

Today I have two cards to share that I made using the new Clearly Sentimental Pearls of Wisdom set, which is this month's Triple Scoop set.

What's the Triple Scoop you ask? Well, it's a full size stamp set that changes each month and it's yours FREE with a qualifying $60 order (before taxes and shipping). All you need to do is add the set to your cart and it'll arrive with the rest of your order.

The first card I'm sharing uses the Mojo214 sketch and patterned papers from the My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Blush 6x6 pad. I used the new Fringed Perennial die-namic to create the gorgeous flower and I used the larger of the dizzy doily duo die-namics to cut out the circle element in the background.

The sentiments in Clearly Sentimental Pearls of Wisdom are so pretty, I couldn't resist creating a second card and the typewriter from Just My Type stamps and die-namics seemed like a perfect pairing to showcase the sentiment. The small flower accent was created by layering two of the 'centers' from the Fringed Perennial die-namics. The patterned papers on this card are from the Authentique Free Bird Nest pad.

I also created a quick and easy tag using the previous triple scoop set, Clearly Sentimental about Christmas, which will be available for purchase with this release! This is my sample for the Guest Designer Contest. The link is in the paragraph below, so be sure to check it out and play along for a chance to win a ton of MFT goodies and design alongside the team for the January release.

I used the following die-namics to create my tag: tag you're it, first place award ribbon, and by the numbers. The papers are from the My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly 6x6 pad.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Fred Bear Gives Comfort

2011-12-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day two of seven fabulous days of MFT Teasers!!! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a full list participating designers.

I made a card using the sweet Fred Bear Gives Comfort. I adore Fred and I know this card will make someone smile when they're going through a rough patch.

Fred is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair 6x6 pad. I grounded him with a little strip of grass which I cut from sour apple felt using the fresh cut grass die-namic. The layout is SSS136.

Do you spy any new die-namics? That's right...the sentiment is stamped on cream card stock which I cut out with the new Mini Tabs Foursome die-namics. These smaller versions of the original tabs are perfect for smaller sentiments!!

Also, that's a new flower called the Fringed Perennial die-namic. It assembles like the prima donna petals so the dimension is built right in. I added a pink rhinestone to the center for a little sparkle. If you like these new die-namics, just wait til you see the inside...

...look at the gorgeous new By The Letters die-namics!! Swoon!!! The possibilities are endless for these alpha dies!!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Little Christmas {MFTWSC48}

2011-11-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 48.

This week's sketch is perfect for creating a quick and simple card, and that's exactly what I've done. This makes card #42 for Project Christmas 2011.

I reached for Inspired by Christmas and the well worn greetings die-namics. To get started I cut out the two main focal pieces from My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly patterned paper then I stamped the sentiment with black ink. If you look closely you'll see the faint image of the bells, which I stamped with Old Paper Distress Ink. I inked the edges of all the layers with Antique Linen Distress Ink and omitted sewing to really keep this card simple. I cut out the scallop ribbon die-namic from brown card stock then cut it in half lengthwise to get the small scallops along the middle panel. I paired the let it snowflake die-namics with puff cloud white and blue skies felt to create the snowflake embellishment, and topped it with a red rhinestone brad.

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC48. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Who's That Girl & Guy

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to day one of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a full list participating designers.

Today we're showcasing the new Who's That Girl set, and she's brought her man into the picture with Who's That Girl & Guy - May I have this Dance.

What a gorgeous set for just about any special celebration like anniversaries and prom, or just when you want to let that special guy in your life let you know how wonderful he is.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured it with copics. Her dress is paper pieced and all the patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Sunshine 6x6 pad. Isn't the new skyline border die-namic amazing!!! I used the file tab die-namic for the sentiment and added a couple of black rhinestones for a little sparkle.

On the inside I used the sweet stack labels die-namics to highlight another of the sentiments from the set.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the die-anmics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Creative Chat - my desk area

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum. This month, we were asked the following questions:

Show us your desk. How do you have things set up, and why?

What are your "go-to" tools? Tell us what you can't live without.

Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge and get ready to delve into the minds of our creative team.

Here's an overall shot of my desk area. I'm lucky to have a rather large solid wood table to work on (which I affectionately refer to as "the heirloom table", although it's really not and I don't freak out if I get glue on it). Yes, that's a bright pink desk chair...isn't it fabulous! And so comfy too!!!

I like to work on my scorpal, and when it's time for me to score a piece of card stock I simply slide the mat down to reveal the score lines. Once I'm done scoring I slide the mat back up and continue creating. My computer is always on my desk too, and when it's time to type a blog post or reply to an email, I just move the scorpal and slide the computer forward. You can also see my paper trimer to the right of the scorpal, copic markers at the back, my ott light, a tv for entertainment and my adhesives on the right.

My die-namics are always out on my desk and I don't even bother closing the case anymore because I reach for them for just about everything I make.

My Big Shot is just to the left of my desk, on top of some white cubes. It's the perfect height for me and I like to think of it as a little exercise, having to get up to cut once I've chosen my shape.

The revolving cube holds things like extra scissors, my crop-a-dile, small hole punches, my corner chomped, a roll of foam tape and a spray bottle of water (for crinkling up seam binding). You can also see my nesties in their case.

Another "can't live without it tool" is my phone, WITH headset. That way I keep my hands free for creating while I chat with friends. :-)

My beloved copic markers and various other small items like Twinkles rhinestones, brads and buttons, Stickles, etc.

The right side of my desk is my adhesives and the basket of tools that I reach into all the time. My clear blocks are in this basket, along with various scissors, inks, bow easy, foam boosters, glue dots, stamp cleaner spray, etc.

To the right of my desk (I can swivel my chair to get at these things so I consider them part of my desk) is my tool turnabout with all kinds of brushes, cutting pens, bottled adhesives, pliers, rulers, and yes, knitting needles. I have no idea why those are there...I don't knit and I've never used them. My copic chart is in the background and I reach for it every time I colour an image. There's also a little stack of previously released sets that haven't seen ink yet (shame on me).

To the right of the turnabout I have a bunch of pens and pencils (this is an office after all...wink) and a glass of water (must remain hydrated...yes, it's an ugly green plastic cup but it was the first cup I unpacked when we moved in and it's become my go to cup for water), along with my iPhone for ~~being distracted~~ playing games. The blue container in the back holds my neutral card stocks for stamping images and making card bases, along with a stack of sketches waiting to be turned into cards. I also use the top drawer of this cube all the time...let me show you what's in it...

My stamp cleaner, stamp positioner, sanding blocks, more adhesives, etc.

So that's a glimpse into my work space. I know I have a lot of things "at hand" in my stamp room but frankly, if you asked me to choose just a couple of items I couldn't live without, I wouldn't be able to. I use all of these things just about every time I create something. And I don't even have my sewing machine on my desk...but I use that a ton too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Holiday Cheer

2011-11-27T02:00:00.034-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC145.

I kept this one pretty simple and used the Christmas Ornaments Stamps and Die-namics set from MFT.

I love how easy these ornaments are to assemble. I cut them from patterned paper and added the stamped parts with Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink. The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye Merry Days of Christmas 6x6 pad. I also reached for my icicle border die-namic and the first place award ribbon die-namic for the sentiment. For the snowflake embellishment I layered a ghost snowflake with the paper one I cut using my let it snowflake die-namics. What I love about this card is how flat it is for mailing...sweet!!! I should have made more than just one. LOL!!

I hope you'll play along this week and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Here are the die-namics I used:

This is card #41 for Project Christmas 2011.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Happy 50th {MFTWSC47}

2011-11-23T12:00:00.033-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 47.

This week I stuck exactly to the sketch and created a card for my parents. They're celebrating their 50th anniversary on Friday. We did a big party for their 40th, and earlier this year we had a surprise party for my dad's 80th birthday, so this celebration will be much more low key.

The by the numbers die-namics were the first thing that came to mind when I thought about making this card. The 50th anniversary is the "gold" anniversary so I used papers from the Authentique Blissful 6x6 pad to pull in the yellow and black shades. The 'happy' word is from the Vintage Cameo set...a perfectly fancy font for this card. I used the faux crochet border die-namic to cut out the cream strip and of course the tag you're it die-namic is the main focal point.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC47. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Flopsey and a Sewing Tutorial

2011-11-20T02:00:00.063-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC144.

I used the fun Flopsey Fishing from MFT to make a long overdue thank you card. A while back one of the guys at hubby's work gave us some walleye fillets...YUM!! I grew up fishing for walleye (we called it pickerel but it's the same thing) at the cottage with my dad and brothers. We didn't always come home with a good catch, but on the rare occasion we did, boy did we savour those mild, sweet fillets. Needless to say, I was SUPER excited when hubby brought the fish home because it's been years since I had any. Thanks Joel!!!

I flipped the sketch again this week...completely upside down...so I could use the horizontal strip as waves, using my catch a wave die-namic and cutting out three waves for a more realistic look.

Flopsey is coloured with copics and his hat is paper pieced. The pink on his ears and cheeks isn't quite as bright in real life as it is in the photo, but I couldn't seem to get the proper colours during my photo editing. I traced around the inside of the nestie with black marker to create a little frame. I used the flat-bottom cloud die-namics to cut out the white felt clouds and used the first place award ribbon die-namic to cut out the white sentiment strip. I used the darkest blue marker just to colour the two little rhinestones beside the sentiment. The patterned paper is Basic Grey Marjolaine.

I kept the inside simple and left lots of space to write a note.

Here's a short video tutorial on how I sew the zig zag border around the patterned paper layer. You can view it on You Tube by clicking here.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Bellariffic Mistletoe

2011-11-18T06:00:00.025-05:00

Happy Friday! I played along with this week's Bellariffic Friday challenge...it was a fabulous sketch!!!

My friend Leslie is here visiting and she brought me some Stamping Bella goodness in the form of Uptown Girl Eve Under the Mistletoe. Love the Uptown Girls, and this card makes #40 for Project Christmas 2011!!

I did have to chop off her legs though in order to fit her onto the sketch, but I still love her. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 pad and I added some black glaze pen for her buckle. For the fuzzy parts of her darling little outfit I used white liquid appliqué and sprinkled on some glitter. Before heating it though I let it dry for a couple of hours...it gives a much smaller 'puff' that way.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Wish {MFTWSC46}

2011-11-16T12:00:00.039-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 46.

I've added to my Christmas card stash yet again today...card #39 to be exact. Yay!

I used the sweet Pure Innocence Precious Little Lamb - Upon a Star set. His outfit is paper pieced with patterns from the MME Signature Christmas 6x6 pad and the rest of him is coloured with copics. You probably noticed too that I completely flipped the sketch upside down.

I inked the word "wish" from one of the sentiments and stamped it onto the end of one of the layered label die-namics to get that tiny tab. The stacking stars die-namics were perfect for cutting out the layered star and I used the wonky scallop border to separate the starry sky.

Here are the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC46. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT VIP Collection

2011-11-15T22:00:00.075-05:00

It's that special time of the month for the MFT VIP Collection. This month we have something a little different for you because instead of a Who's That Girl, the VIP collection is Pure Innocence sets!!!

Pure Innocence Winter Cuties VIP Collection $37.95

Pure Innocence Ice Princess stamp set

Pure Innocence Holly Girl stamp set

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

Oval Open Scallop Doily Die-namics Die

Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for the full list of designers.

I couldn't resist creating a card with each of sets from the Pure Innocence Winter Cuties VIP Collection. I'll start with Pure Innocence Ice Princess.

Her dress is paper pieced and the skirt is covered with red Stickles.

I cut out the blue patterned paper with the new oval open scallop doily die-namic (part of the Winter Cuties VIP Collection). The sentiment is from the Winter Cuties Sentiments mini and I stamped it in two parts...on the front and the rest is on the inside.

The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 pad. The layout is MFTWSC36 and the let it snowflake die-namics were perfect for the snowflake embellishment.

Up next is the adorable Pure Innocence Holly Girl.

I paired her with the perfect holly paper from Jillibean Soup's Christmas Eve Chowder mini pad.

The layout is SC357 and I used the faux crochet border to decorate the horizontal strip. The sentiment on the front is from the Winter Cuties Sentiments mini (only available in the Winter Cuties VIP Collection).

On the inside I used the oval open scallop doily die-namic and a sentiment from the PI Holly Girl set.

Be sure to grab the Pure Innocence Winter Cuties VIP Collection quickly because something this cute won't last long!!! And this is your only chance to get the sets a full three weeks before they're officially released!!!

Here are the die-namics I used:

These two cards are numbers 37 & 38 for Project Christmas 2011.
Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Season

2011-11-13T02:00:00.038-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC143.

This is yet another fabulous and versatile sketch that I'll be reaching for again and again.

I used Hangin' Out at the North Pole from Taylored Expressions. This is card #36 for Project Christmas 2011...I'm getting there...little by little!

The image is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 pad. I used my MFT first place award ribbon die-namic for the sentiment then added two rhinestones for just a little bling.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what that rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Ski Chick {MFTWSC45}

2011-11-09T12:00:00.045-05:00

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 45.

Have you started working on your holiday cards yet? Well, if you haven't, tick tock...there's only six and a half weeks til Christmas day! This card makes #35 for my Project Christmas 2011. I'd better pick up the pace a little (or revise my mailing list! LOL!!).

I used the new Pure Innocence Ski Girl because she's so freaking adorable!!! The skis are a separate image so I did a little masking to get them 'behind' her. She's paper pieced with patterns from the My Mind's Eye Be Merry 6x6 pad and coloured with copics.

Surprisingly, I didn't change a thing about this sketch, and even used the tag you're it die-namic (which you can now purchase without the stamp set) for the focal point. The new icicle border die-namic was perfect for the top strip, especially with a little Stickles along the bottom edge to make the icicles shimmer. The polka dot strips were cut out using my simply scallops medium die-namic and I added a snowflake accent with the medium size of the let it snowflake die-namics.

The inside is super simple with the sentiment and two of the other images in this set.

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC45. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Creative Challenge - Vintage

2011-11-08T00:01:00.037-05:00

It's time for this month's creative challenge with MFT and we're going vintage. I always love how people create vintage cards but it doesn't come naturally to me so this was a real challenge.

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, we're exploring the lush vintage style. Please visit the MFT Blog to see exactly what we've been up to, you'll find a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge!

I used Inspired by Summer and Thanks a Bunch to create a fall thank you card. I inked the image with SU markers, starting with the lightest colour and working my way up to the darkest colour. I worked in that order so I didn't contaminate the tips of the light colours with dark shades. To give it a vintage feel I inked all the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink then roughed up the edges before adding a little stitching. On the image panel I rolled all the corners to get crease lines that help it look aged. Lace is a perfect vintage accent and so is seam binding, so I used both on my card. You can just barely see the crown border tucked in behind the image and the sentiment was stamped on a red panel cut out with the oval tab die-namic. The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye Sunshine.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Snowboarder

2011-11-06T02:00:00.047-05:00

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC142.

Karen created yet another fabulous sketch for us this week. I'm sure I'll use it over and over, but for this card I flipped it upside down so I could use the horizontal strip as snow.

I used the adorable new Pure Innocence Snowboard Boy from MFT. This little guy totally reminds me of my nephews, all decked out in their ski gear. I think this is going to be the perfect card for one of their birthdays in the new year.

There's lots of paper piecing on this image and the rest is coloured with copics. The patterned papers are all from the Echo Park Wintertime collection. I used the new wonky scallop border die-namic and some white felt to create the moguls. The snowflake accent was done with the medium size of the let it snowflake die-namics and the sentiment is stamped on the notched tag die-namic.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen