Got Candy?

Hi all and welcome to day 1 of MFTeasers!  Today, we are featuring, "I Want Candy".  This set is a previous kit set that is now being released for sale individually (on March 3rd).  For a complete list of participating designers (posted at 11 AM EST), head on over to Kim's blog.  The release is on March 3rd.  Teaser Time will run every day prior to then, starting TODAY.

I used each of the pieces of candy in the set to create this card.  Each piece was colored and paper pieced.  I ran the pieces "good side up" through the Xyron machine and then dusted them with Glitzy Glitter.

Here is a peek inside:

Stamps: I Want Candy MFT (will be released on March 3rd)
Ink: Memento black
Paper: My Minds Eye, black, white
Accessories: May Arts ribbon, Copic markers, pewter brads, square punch, circle punch, chipboard die cut, Janome sew mini, Xyron, Glitzy Glitter, red line tape, red line dimensionals

See you tomorrow for more teasers!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Who's That Girl? Hop

Hi all and welcome to the MFT Who's That Gir? Hop. If you just happened upon the hop, be sure to head on over to Kim's blog to start at the beginning. :)

Today, we are featuring a couple different things:

• MFT VIP (one day only, limited # available)
• What's Crackin'? stamp set
• What's Crackin'? digi paper pack
• NEW Basket Template

This card uses the brand new Who's That Girl stamp set, Who's That Birthday Girl?. I used the cake she is holding and added a couple tiers to use as the main image for my card.

Here is a peek inside:

MFT VIP contents:

Who’s That VIP Birthday Girl? $32.75


Who’s That Birthday Girl

FREE Invitation Only MINI set ($9 value)

Birthday Button Mix

Birthday Baby Braddies Mix

Birthday Ribbons

Sparkly Fluff in Cotton Candy (pink)

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This project uses the brand new What's Crackin'? stamp set and the new basket template.

The basket template is easy to use. Just print it out, cut, score and assemble. I printed out the template on copy paper and then used temporary adhesive to adhere it to my card stock to avoid having any printed lines on my card stock, but it works either way. :) There is even a template for the weaving on the sides of the basket. Simply trim and adhere.

I made a coordinating card to go with my basket using the What's Crackin'? stamp set. To tie it in with the basket, I incorporated the same distressed edges, colors and twine.

Here is a peek inside:

Ready to hop along to your next stop? You are in luck! Michele (my super-sweet and mega-talented friend) is next and I am SURE she has something amazing in store for you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Girl Card
Stamps: Who's That Birthday Girl?
Ink: Memento black
Paper: white, My Mind's Eye, black
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch around the punch set, oval punch, Copic markers, corner rounder, paper piercer, red line dimensionals

Hoppy Easter Set
Stamps: What's Crackin'?
Ink: Memento brown, PTI distressing ink
Paper: White, brown, SU patterned paper
Accessories: Copic markers, Sparkly fluff, diamond glaze, paper piercer, copper brads, copper eyelet, twine, may arts ruffled ribbon, circle punch, Janome sew mini, red line tape, scalloped circle punch, Basket template

Stamp Cleaning MIRACLE

Hi everyone!  I have something SUPER exciting to share with you today!  A BRAND-NEW stamp cleaning MIRACLE!  Seriously... it is THAT awesome, that I am calling it a miracle!

I have been struggling for as long as I have been stamping to figure out the best, easiest method for cleaning my stamps.  I started with the Stampin' Up stamp scrubber and it's ok... but not great.  I experienced little fibers coming loose and transferring onto my stamps or stamp pads and then dealt with little inked fibers making their way onto my projects.  Annoying.  It also gets dirty quickly and I didn't like having to continually wash it and run it through my dishwasher.  When I cleaned my stamps and then stamped off, the stamps still made an impression with dirty inky mess from the cleaner. YUCK!

Next I moved on to baby wipes.  There are tons of baby wipes on the market and you have to be really careful when choosing one for your stamps.  You have to make sure they do not contain alcohol and worry whether or not they will leave fibers on your stamps.  Rest assured they do.  Even the expensive ones... which I purchased for years.  I just dealt with the fibers because it was an improvement over the SU Scrubber and I didn't know what else to use.  It seemed to be the best of two evils.

About a month ago, I had ruined yet another stamped image because some fiber from my baby wipe got in my ink, which got on my stamp, which got inked up with a nice shade of black, which left an impression with my stamped image.  I was FED UP.  I ripped it up (and maybe said a few choice words) and sat there and asked myself out loud (ala crazy woman), "WHAT can I use to clean my stamps that will NOT leave ANY fiber of any kind on anything?".  Then I went searching.  I am not sure why I thought I would find the answer in my house... but I was desperate.  Surely there was SOMETHING that would work and stop driving me crazy.  Then I saw it... the thing I use to dry my truck after I wash it at the car wash!  I looked at it, all stained black from dirt on my truck and figured it wouldn't hurt anything to give it a try.  I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut off a piece about 8 X 8 inches and rinsed it out in the sink with some dishwasher detergent.  I didn't notice anything "dirty" rinsing out of it, so I figured whatever was on it, was just stained.  I took that piece of "miracle" to my stamp room and squirted a little bit of my MFT stamp cleaner on it.  I grabbed the dirtiest stamp on my table and just swiped it with the material.  Then I stamped off on my scrap paper and it left NO "dirty" image on it.  It was clean as a whistle.  Seriously.  It leaves NO fibers of any kind.  In fact, it doesn't even feel fibrous.  It is more like a rubbery, foam-like piece of material.  It cleans stamps like a CHAMP.  I used the "dirty from my truck" piece of material for over a month before I decided to tell you all about it.  I wanted to be SURE that it was the miracle I have been waiting for... and it is.  :) 

The product is called the absorber.  I bought mine at Walmart for about $10 for a 27" X 17" piece.  On the package, I saw that there is also a website: http://www.theabsorber.com/ (it appears to be down at the moment, but I also found this product listed at Amazon).  This is NOT like a Sham WOW.  I thought it was, but when I went to the store to buy a brand new one for my blog post, I noticed that the Sham WOW appeared to be fibrous.  It is not the same smooth material of the absorber, and therefore I cannot say that it will have the same effect.  You NEED one of these.  REALLY... NOW... go out and buy one and see how amazing it is when cleaning your stamps.  You can find it in the automotive aisle at Walmart.  I use the MFT Cleaning solution with mine.  I like it because it doesn't lather and leaves your stamps clean and smells GREAT (citrus-like).  The piece I have been using is a yellow absorber (the color doesn't matter, it comes in a variety of colors) and is super stained with black ink.  What I have noticed is that the ink doesn't transfer to anything else (I'm sure it COULD, but I haven't had any problem with that at all).  Once I wipe off my stamp, the ink is "sucked" into the absorber and it stays there.  It can be machine washed (although I have just continued to rinse mine with a little bit of dish detergent) and with the large piece you get for only $10, you'll ALWAYS have a clean one available.

It comes in a little bag within a tube.  It is pre-moistened in the bag, which makes it pliable and "cloth-like".  After I have used it, I keep it in a baggie, sealed shut and it stays moist.  If you leave it out, it dries up and gets hard.  All you have to do is rinse it out (or wet it) and it is ready to go again.  

Here is some information from the package:

The Absorber
The original PVA drying skin
made by CleanTools

• Dries small cars in 2-3 minutes (I can vouch for this, as I use it for my truck and it dries it quickly)
• Resistant to most chemicals
• unharmed by grease and oil (which should make it safe for Stazon cleaner and Ultra Clean)
• Tough, lintless (which is a MIRACLE)
• Lasts for years with normal use
• Great as a towel on the beach or on boats
• Use it anywhere you'd use a towel, chamois or even a sponge.

Instructions:

• Before first use, rinse out thoroughly with warm water.
• May be stored damp in tube - so it's always ready to use (won't rot when kept wet in tube).
• If absorber dries out, simply re-wet.
• Machine wash with regular laundry - use liquid laundry detergent.
• Note: Thoroughly clean before storing to help avoid odor or mildew.  Odor or mildew will not affect the absorber.  If either occurs, wash as above (do not use bleach). 

I have been impressed and amazed at how wonderful this is for cleaning my stamps and I just HAD to share with you!  Perhaps some of you are having the same issues I was OR you're just looking for a better option. :)  Keep in mind that if you have been using baby wipes or a scrubber with fibers that come loose, those might be on your ink pads.  I "scraped" my Memento ink pads with card stock to remove as much of the baby wipe fibers as I could, so that I wouldn't continue having the fiber issue.  Make sure to check out your ink pads to eliminate as many of the fibers as you can. 

If you go buy one of these, be sure to come back and let me know how you like it.  I am NOT worried at all.  I LOVE using it and I am confident you will too!  :)

*Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post.  I purchased this product and am providing this review as a GIFT to YOU!  :)

Have a wonderful day!

Jody

Yum Yum

This gift set uses the newest Who's That Girl stamp set, Lovin' from the Oven. 

I started with a metal magnet board that I found in the Target dollar spot at LEAST a year ago.  I covered it with patterned paper from the Nook & Pantry collection (Basic Grey) using red line tape.  I used Alphadots to spell out YUM YUM and punched them out with 5/8" circles, which were matted on 3/4" circles.

The WTG image was stamped in Memento black, colored with Copic markers and paper-pieced with patterned paper.  I popped her apron up slighly using glue dots.  It gives it just a TAD bit of dimension, while still allowing a recipe card to lay flat on the surface of the magnet board.

I stamped, colored, paper-pieced and cut out two of the accessory images in the set and then adhered them to large Basic Grey magnetic snaps.  They can be used to hold the recipe card to the stand as you are cooking.

I was loving the color combo and concept so much that I decided to make a matching card. 

I used the same papers and colors.  I added a bit of Glitzy Glitter inside the bowl, because obviously she is making something SWEET to eat!  :)

I love making bows with my bow easy.  They are so easy (with practice) and make good lookin' bows. :)

I recently got a new Martha Stewart punch around the page set and used it to make this bottom border detail.  It is a fun thing to punch JUST the lower two corners and then the bottom border.  It adds a fun touch without having to do the entire panel.  It's a nice change from just having the straight-across decorative edge on cards.  I will do this again, and now feel the need to acquire MORE punch around the page punches.  LOL 

I finished off the inside with an accessory stamp from the set and the Clearly Sentimental about Food stamp set that was just released. 

Stamps: Lovin' from the Oven, Clearly Sentimental about Food, Alphadots

Ink: Memento black, green chalk ink

Paper: black, white, Basic Grey Nook & Pantry

Accessories: black/white ruffled ribbon, circle punches 3/4" & 5/8", Copic markers, Janome sew mini, Basic Grey magnetic snaps, Glitzy Glitter, may arts grosgrain ribbon, black corduroy brads, martha stewart punch around the page punches, circle cutter, circle nesties, diamond glaze, red line tape, red line dimensionals

Pure Innocence Thank You

Hi everyone!  :)  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  I have 2 more Pure Innocence projects to share with you today.  :) 

My first project uses Better Get Better Pure Innocence (if it's not showing on the site, it is sold out, but will return soon).  This is a Band Aid tin from Provocraft that I altered.  I used the sentiment in the set "Better Get Better" and and then used Alphadots to spell out K I T.  This will be a nice treat for one of my girls when they get sick.  I plan to put some "sick-friendly" treats in there and maybe (just maybe) it will be a little "fun" in the middle of feeling so yucky.

Stamps: Better Get Better, Alphadots
Ink: Memento black
Paper: white, My Minds Eye
Accessories: chipboard tag, gold brad, SU flower punch, May Arts ruffled ribbon, Copic markers, Sakura clear glaze pen, 5/8" circle punch, word window punch, red line tape

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Stamps: Pure Innocence Apple for You
Ink: Memento black
Paper: cream, black, red, olive, October Afternoon Report Card
Accessories: Pewter brads, Nesties, Copic markers, lace trim, Janome sew mini, paper piercer, red line tape, red line dimensionals, Prismacolor pencils, Sakura clear glaze pen

You Make the Grade

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today!

I have been stampin' away (thank goodness for adjusting to life with Puffle, right?) Speaking of Puffle... I have given her exactly 3 baths and all 3 times, she was NOT happy. Shaking, whining, and whimpering ensue... but it must be done, right? LOL This past time, I had an extra set of hands on deck (thank you, hubby) and just HAD to grab my camera and take a picture of her after her bath (and BEFORE being blown dry). She looks SO funny and adorable... right? LOL Or are you thinking this is a face only a puppy-Mommy could love. *grin*

I have 2 cards to show you today using one of the new MFT Pure Innocence releases, You Make the Grade. I just LOVE Pure Innocence girls! One of the 3 that were released is already sold out, so get over there and place your order quickly! :)

The image was stamped in Memento black and then colored with Copic markers. I drew in the ground with a fine black marker.

I even finished off the inside with another of the stamps that comes with the set.

Stamps: You Make the Grade Pure Innocence
Ink: Memento black
Paper: October Afternoon report card, blue, black, white
Accessories: Janome sew mini, silver brads, ribbon, Copic markers, red line tape, red line dimensionals, Sakura clear glaze pen, clear Spica glitter pen

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My second card uses the same image and papers. I stamped her in Memento black ink and colored a portion and then paper-pieced the rest.

Here is a peek inside:

Stamps: You Make the Grade Pure Innocence

Ink: Memento black
Paper: October Afternoon report card, blue, black, white
Accessories: Janome sew mini, Corduroy brads, ribbon, Copic markers, red line tape, red line dimensionals, Sakura clear glaze pen, clear Spica glitter pen

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Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon!

Blooming Good Day!

Here is a journal I made using the brand new release Pure Innocence stamp set, Blooming Good Day.  My daughters are forever "needing" a new journal for drawing in, jotting down their thoughts and making BIG plans.  This might make it's way into their room sometime soon. :)

The flower was made with my Blossom Nestabilities.

Stamps: Blooming Good Day PI by MFT
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday, white, kiwi kiss, black
Accessories: Bind-it-all, coil, silver brads, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, clear glitter, quickie glue pen, Sakura glaze pen, red line tape, red line dimensionals, Nestabilities, Glitzy Glitter, ribbon, die cut album pages

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!  :)

MFT February release Blog Hop & Shop

Hi everyone and welcome to the MFT release night Shop & Hop! :) All the stamp sets that have been "peeked" over the 5 past days are available NOW, right HERE! There are SO many adorable sets to choose from! :)

Make sure you check out the MFT Rewards while you are shopping!

• Earn the February Triple Scoop set (Clearly Sentimental about You) when you purchase 3, full-sized sets ($15.95 or more) OR 6 mini sets (which retail for $9 each) OR the appropriate mix of the 2 scenarios. LOL Make sense? :) The Triple Scoop set is an UNRELEASED stamp set which cannot be purchased until the March release. First and FREE... you can't beat that!
• Earn the Cherry on Top reward when you purchase 7 full-sized sets ($15.95 or more) OR 14 mini sets (which retail for $9 each) OR the appropriate mix of the 2 scenarios. When you earn this reward you can choose ANY stamp set on the set for FREE! Just add it in the comments section of your order.

If you are just happening upon the hop, make sure to go back to the beginning at Kim's blog, so you don't miss any eye candy along the way OR your chance to win BLOG CANDY (which is "hidden" on one of the DT members blogs along the way)! :) Be sure to leave comments as you go.

My card today uses a stamp set in the brand new Jolinne line. (LOVE these new stamps... SO cute!)

Jolinne is stamped in Memento black and colored with Copic makers. I drew in the grass with Prismacolor pencils. Her wings are coated with Judikin's Diamond Glaze and then Glitzy Glitter.

I finished off the inside with a sweet sentiment that comes in the set.

Stamps: Fairy Sweet Jolinne
Ink: Memento black
Paper: white, hot fudge, Basic Grey
Accessories: Janome sew mini, Copic markers, Glitzy Glitter, Prima Burlap flower, copper brads, Fiskars apron lace border punch, Sakura glaze pen (lips, necklace), SU ribbon, red line dimensionals, red line tape, SU oval punches

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Here is one more card using another of the Jolinne releases, Birthday Balloon Jolinne. I went for a more wispy look for this one and whipped out my watercolors again.

Here is a peek at the inside:

Stamps: Birthday Balloons Jolinne
Ink: Black
Paper: white, black, pink, October Afternoon patterned paper
Accessories: Janome sew mini, waterbrush, reinkers, clear embossing powder, Sakura clear glaze pen, Spring crystals, ribbon, red line dimensionals, red line tape, SU punches, Nesties

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Ready to hop along? The next stop on the hop is the SUPER-SWEET and ultra-talented Joanne. Something tells me her project is going to be AMAZING!

Thanks for stopping by! See you soon!

Clearly Sentimental about You

Welcome to day 5 of MFTeasers.  The release party is TONIGHT (February 3rd) from 8-10 PM EST in the MFT forum on SCS.  The sets will all go live at 10 PM EST in the MFT Store in the Brand Spankin' New category.

Today, we are featuring 3 different sets:

• Clearly Sentimental about You (this month's Triple Scoop set)
• Clearly Sentimental about Food
• Lovin' from the Oven

If you'd like to see all the designer's paper creations for today, be sure to click on over to Kim's blog for the complete list of participants. 

My card uses Clearly Sentimental about you and a previously released Pure Innocence stamp set.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am super sappy and sentimental and the sentiments in the Clearly Sentimental about You set are SO sappy!  RIGHT up my alley!  :)  The sentiment: Every day you make me proud is included in the new set.

The Pure Innocence image was stamped in black on SU watercolor paper and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Joanne inspired me to put away my Copics for this card watercolor.  It was fun.  It's been a while.  Maybe I'll do it again soonish.  LOL

I used another of those fabulous burlap flowers by Prima.  SO gorgeous!  I added a piece of black twine through a button to jazz it up a bit more. 

I also finished off the inside with another of the sentiments that comes in the set. 

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about You, Pure Innocence
Ink: Black
Paper: Saffron, black, white, October Afternoon patterned paper, SU watercolor paper
Accessories: Janome sew mini, waterbrush, reinkers, burlap flower, pink button, black twine, red line tape, red line dimensionals, clear embossing powder

NEW Illustrator for MFT: Jolinne

Hi all and welcome to day 4 of MFTeaser Time!  Today, we are featuring stamp sets by the BRAND NEW Illustrator to MFT.  Announcing.....  (drum roll please)

Jolinne

She is the newest member of the MFT family.  A sweet, dainty face... delicate lines and so many possibilities!  Want to see all the designer's creations for today's stamp sets?  Head on over to Kim's blog.  She'll have the entire line-up of participating designers and you'll definitely want to visit all of them!  This set and a whole bunch more will be available on February 3rd at 10 PM EST in the MFT store. 

For my first card, I chose to use Miss You Much Jolinne.  She is so cute perched on top of a stack of suitcases.  I was inspired by that and decided to make my card resemble a piece of luggage.  The front of the card is the luggage.

I cut a piece of hot fudge card stock to 5 1/4 X 5 1/4 and layered a piece of patterned paper over it.  I used the tote die cut (available in my die cut store) for the handle.  The "straps" are 5 1/4 X 3/4" and are adhered and then stitched.  I added copper brads down the center of each strap.  The luggage tag was made by googling a picture of one and then recreating it "paper-style". :)  I even added a REAL buckle from my WeRMK copper metal embellishment kit. 

The inside contains the Jolinne image and the other sentiment included in the stamp set.  She is paper pieced and colored with Copic markers.  I wanted to include embellishments on the inside, because this card is "inside out", so when I scored my card base, I allowed a 1/8" spine instead of a single score line.  This allows my card to close properly and allotted room for all the fun stuff and layers inside. 

Here is what the card looks like from a distance, so you can get the gist of how it was constructed.

So, what do you think?  Isn't Jolinne sweet?

Remember to hop on over to Kim's blog to see more paper creations using the new Jolinne line. 

Stamps: Miss You Much Jolinne by MFT (available Feb 3rd at 10 PM EST at MFT)
Ink: Memento black, PTI black
Paper: white, hot fudge, Basic Grey
Accessories: Copic markers, Janome sew mini, copper brads, punches, tote die cut, WeRMK metal embellishments, Nesties, flower punch, red line tape, red line dimensionals, paper piercer, clear embossing powder (sentiment)

Pure Innocence Peeks

Hi all and welcome to day 3 of MFTeaser Time.  Today we are featuring the brand new Pure Innocence stamps!  They are SO adorable!  There are three new I sets releasing on February 3rd at 10 PM EST in the MFT store. 

Want to see Pure Innocence creations by all the designers?  Head on over to Kim's blog for a complete list of participants.

My first card today uses the new Pure Innocence set, Better Get Better.  I envisioned making a band aid looking card and this is what I came up with. :)  I cut a rectangle out of creamy caramel card stock and then rounded the edges using my oval nestabilities.  I used a piece of plastic canvas to pierce the holes in the band aid and layered a piece of card stock over the center to make it look more like a real band aid.  :)  The image was stamped in Memento black and colored with Copic markers. 

The sentiment was stamped in black and then embossed using clear embossing powder.  I made the bow with my Bow Easy.

I also finished off the inside with another sentiment that comes in the set.

Stamps: Better Get Better Pure Innocence by MFT (Available on Feb 3rd at 10 PM EST in the MFT store)
Ink: Memento black
Paper: creamy caramel, hot fudge, white
Accessories: May Arts ruffled ribbon, black baby braddies, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, paper piercer, red line dimensionals, various punches

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This card uses Blooming Good Day.  Aren't her pigtails ADORABLE?  Awwwwww!  :)

Stamps: Blooming Good Day
Ink: Memento black
Paper: White, hot fudge, My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow patterned paper
Accessories: Janome sew mini, Copic markers, copper brads, Sugar Glass Glitter, red line tape, red line dimensionals