It's Teaser Time!

Hello everyone and welcome to the start of MFT Teaser Time!  On August 4th, there will be a NEW release and it is packed with MFT goodness!  14 stamp sets, 4 new Die-namics, a new Triple Scoop Set, 4 Templates (one from me!), new felt, and SO much more!

Today, we are previewing 2 new stamp sets: Clearly Sentimental about Gardens & How Your Garden Grows. 

Here is what you need to know this week:

• Each day, there is at least one new stamp set being given away on a designer's blog.  To be eligible to win, you'll need to have commented on that designer's blog for that particular day.  Make sense?  For your BEST chance to win a set, comment on ALL the teaser posts EVERY day. :)  Check Kim's blog every day for the winner(s). 
• You can see a list of all participating designers on Kim's blog at 11 AM EST daily. 
• The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• The release party is on August 4th from 8-10 PM EST in the forum HERE.

Now, let's get to the cards!  I have a card to share with each set that is being previewed today! 

First up we have my "green" card using the stamp set, Clearly Sentimental about Gardens.  I let the set be my guide and used the Basic Grey Origins patterned paper and the older stamp set, Grow Love (which I STILL LOVE).  I tethered on the sentiment with some wooden buttons from the Earth Girl Collection.  I LOVE those little buttons!  *swoon* 

By the way... this sentiment is innocent enough, right?  Well, when I was stamping this card, I was thinking of all the hilarious things you could do with it: legs sticking up out of dirt, buried remote controls, buried (insert anything you want to oust from your life).  Who has the courage?  LOL  Any takers?  *wink*  Maybe a fun dirt cake type of thing for Halloween?  Put on your thinking caps! 

My next card used How Your Garden Grows, the coordinating digi paper pack (will release on August 4th) with the same name, AND the Brand Spankin' New Die-namics die set: Flower Trio & Leaf Trio.  BOTH dies come in the set for only $11.95.  It's a steal.  And the leaves are TDF!

Let me disclaimer about this card: this card looks WAY better in person than it does on the screen.  I have the hardest time photographing bright red/orange.  *sigh*  PLEASE forgive my poor photography and focus on the cute little image.  :)  She is adorable and the flowers are too cute.  This set also lends itself to cards using just the flowers, which are both solid AND line images.  It's super versatile!
*end of disclaimer*

A peek inside showing you the solid flowers and stems.  They will make fun and easy cards!

Here is a peek at the new die set: ($11.95)

Remember to head over to Kim's blog at 11 AM EST to see the list of participating designers and remember to leave a comment on each one for your chance to win the How Your Garden Grows stamp set!

I'll see you tomorrow with even more teasers!  A little hint: tomorrow is all about Fred Bear for me and O M G I am in LOVE with the stamp set AND the die that I used with it.  *yay*

Until then...

Who just started singing the OLD song "Hammer Time" by MC Hammer?  *raises hand*

Have A Cuppa

Hello there!  Happy Friday!  I hope you have a fun weekend planned!

Today, I have a card with my TCP set, A Cuppa.  This is PJ the bear.  Isn't SHE cute?  (Carole says it's a boy in touch with his feminine side, but I have to say it's a girl (this time).  LOL

Don't miss the details:

• Sakura Clear Glaze Pen on the eyes and nose
• paper-pieced apron and cup
• pink felt buttons cut out with the Buttons CutUps (new die line by TCP)

I'll see you tomorrow for the start of MFT Teaser Time!  5 days of NEW stamp sets!  *yee haw*

The Little Movie Box That Could

Hello everyone! The title of my blog post says it all. Today, I am sharing the story of The Little Movie Box That Could with you. You may think I am crazy obsessed weird, but I think about stamping quite a bit. Even if I am otherwise occupied doing something, such as watching TV, some part of my brain is thinking about something else... and this week... it was the little movie box that could. I was watching a movie with my girls and all the sudden, I had the idea to use my cute TCP set, Good Friends, to make a kiddie-pack type movie box and fill it with all the things listed in the set. I asked my daughter to get me a pen and paper and sketched out my idea immediately. That night, I thought about how it might work, and then the next night I got started on my project. Now, typically I am a night-owl stamper. When I started the project it was about midnight.

First, I had to figure out how to make the base of the box. To do this, I grabbed a piece of copy paper and ruler and decided how big I wanted my base to be. I decided on 4 X 6 and then started plotting out my score lines, paper sizes, etc. I am a very math-oriented person, so this is actually FUN for me. LOL Then, I grabbed an ugly color of card stock. I know some of you are gasping... YES, I use REAL card stock when I am figuring out a template. I just choose a color that I know I don't use much of (gable green LMAO). Copy paper does not behave like card stock and it's far too flimsy. So, I go for it... and cross my fingers. It doesn't always work the first time, and this time was no exception. I had to work with each part of my movie box about 3 times, so this project was a big Gable Green card stock waster (OOPS). After several hours of playing with it, I had it just right, so then I began brainstorming about what was going to go in the little slots. I didn't want to go with the typical popcorn, candy, and Coke. I wanted to envelope the parts of the TCP stamp set, Good Friends. To do that, I needed:

• remote
• popcorn
• tissues

First, came the remote. That came together pretty easily, really. I just plotted out my size and score lines and it only took me a couple tries to get it just the way I wanted it. Then, I used my remote as a guide, and mimicked the buttons on it using various punches and a couple different colors of patterned paper. The remote is a box with a "crayon box type" lid. Inside, you can put some hard candy or something. :) Maybe a gift card to the movies, or Blockbuster.

Then, I was thinking I could add a mini pack of Kleenex in the "popcorn section" of the box. The problem was, I didn't have any mini packs of Kleenex. I SO wanted to get the box done, so I grabbed my car keys and drove to the gas station that is 1/2 mile from my house in search of them. They didn't have any. I came home, defeated... and decided to make the matching card to the set. :) After I was done with that, I decided it was time for bed.

The next day, I went to Walmart and bought some mini Kleenex packs. I came home, and guess what? They don't fit in the space! *growl* At least now I have 8 mini packs of Kleenex for my girls. LOL At that point, I had no choice, but to grab a little pile of tissues, roll them up and shove them in the "cup portion" of the box. Done. It's not what I envisioned, but sometimes, you just have to let it go. LOL Then, I remembered I wanted to buy mini bags of popcorn from Walmart, so I got BACK in the car and headed over there to find them. (stampers determination LOL) I was SO excited when I found some. It said MINI on the box, so I was ASSuming they would be small bags. WRONG! They are the SAME size as the "normal" microwave popcorn, just in a shorter bag! LAME!

I was SO annoyed. LOL It was expensive ($4 for 10 bags, when I normally buy 24 bags for $5) AND the wrong thing. I tried to put the bag in the box and it looks RIDICULOUS! LOL So... My final plan is to stack the bags of popcorn underneath the box, with the remote full of candy and Kleenex in it and just enjoy the cuteness of it.

This box just about drove me crazy, BUT I finished it... and I like it... AND it made my girls coo like babies, so I call that SUCCESS. :)

What's in my mailbox this week?

I had some super-duper goodness in my mailbox this week.  I got a big ol' package from TCP (The Cat's Pajamas).  Let's dig in!

First up, all three CutUps (their new die line): Flower Buttons, Buttons, and Wave

Next are these 2 adorable bunny sets: Birthday Bunny and Forget About the Cake

Two TEA-RIFFIC Tea sets: Toni's Tea Set and Ship Happens

The ultra-cute: Good Friends and A Cuppa

And last, but definitely not least (he's my FAVE), A Whale of a Time

I also got the wood veneer paper, but could not, for the life of me, get it to photograph, so here's a LINK.

That's it for this week!  I hope you enjoyed peeking into my mailbox. 

Good Friends Pass the Popcorn

Hi everyone!  I'm back with another card using the adorable new set from TCP, Good Friends.  This time I went with a girly color combo.  I am pretty sure they are watching Made of Honor... LOL

I remembered I had a Film Frame Sizzix die, so I dug that out to use with this card.  I adhered patterned paper in the open space.  Of course, no girly card is complete without the awesome ruffled ribbon from MFT!  *swoon*  I want that couch... how about you? 

Tootles for now.  See you tomorrow.  I'll be showing you what was in my mailbox this past week. :)

You Make Life Sweet

Hi there!  Last week I was the Featured Facebook Fan on Card Positioning Systems.  YAY!  You can find sketch 175 right HERE, which is the sketch I was assigned to work with.

I REALLY struggled with the grid pattern on the background, but thought of a fun and different way to incorporate that into my card: a glitter grid!  To do that, I used sticky sheets, and cut the mat into 9 symmetrical sections (with a type A stamper, it's all about symmetry you know? LOL).  Then, I removed one section of the layer at a time and glittered all outer sections with a different color of glitter (which is no problem when you have TONS of glitter like I do LMBO).

I used the Pure Innocence stamp set, Make Mine a Double for this card.  I wanted to use sweet little girl colors, so I grabbed my Basic Grey Kioshi.  Little know fact: I hardly EVER use purple.  I just don't...  I added glitter to her hair barrette and the heart on her dress.  I added 2 mm Swarovski crystals to the buckles of her shoes. 

Here, you can see the distinctive colors of glitters on my mat.  It was a fun (and messy) addition to my card. :)

I made a flat, folded, paper bow thingy and added a 3 mm Swarovski crystal to the center of the center. 

My daughter, Madeline, ADORES ice cream.  Her fave (and preferred brand) is Blue Bell ice cream.  She loves Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and eats it by the gallon.  LOL 

Question of the Day: What is your favorite brand/flavor of ice cream?

A cup of tea...

I am a HUGE fan of tea stamp sets.  I can't even say that I am big hot tea drinker... I'm not.  I enjoy the occasional cup of hot tea in the winter, as it brings back fond memories of my grandmother, but as a general rule I am all about the sweet tea.  YUM! 

This new stamp set from TCP, Toni's Tea Set, is a GORGEOUS tea stamp set.  I love the cup style, the steam stamp... and the adorable sentiments.  PS: the steam from the tea set works well as "blow hole water" from the whale in A Whale of a Time stamp set. :)

The image was stamped in Memento black and mostly paper pieced.  I did color the tea (E31, 33) and the tea bag (E50).  Again, I used the Wood Veneer paper to mimic a kitchen table.  You can even sew on it.  CRAZY!  The flower was a gift from my friend, Michele.  THANKS, girlie. :)  In the center of the flower, I added a cork button (Button CutUps die from TCP) cut with MFT cork (currently out of stock) and then added a brad in each hole to stick with my pink brad theme.  :)

I just love this dainty trim and have NO idea where I got it.  LOL   OOPS!  I have just about all my ribbon in baggies, nicely rolled.  That was three weeks of my life I'll never get back.  LMBO

Have an awesome day! 

Question of the day:  How do you drink your tea? 

Good Friends Cry at the Same Movies

Hi everyone!  I am back with another TCP (The Cat's Pajamas) card today.  This image really speaks to me.  I LOVE movies.  In fact, while I stamp, I watch movies.  I enjoy romantic comedies, crude humor, and comedy for stamping.  While I made this card, I was watching the newly-released Bounty Hunter with Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston.  It's cute.  :)  Movies to steer clear of while stamping: The Notebook (hello sob fest), Click (tears), Marley & Me (being a pet owner now, this one gets me LOL)... so, keep it light and fun to keep your mojo in check. 

This stamp set, Good Friends is perfect for movie/TV lovers.  I went with a traditional "movie color combo": red, black, yellow, and white.

Don't miss the details:

• Hardwood floor ala Thin Wood Veneer Paper  Please note I actually STITCHED on it, and it was FINE!  YAY  It's literally wood... and paper... strange and cool at the same time.
• Sparkly Fluff "rug" (used sticky sheets as my adhesive)
• Sakura clear glaze pen on the penguins eyes and the remote buttons (which I colored in a bright green to mimic the back lighting)
• Plaid ribbon

 Thanks for stopping by!  I'll see you soon.  I have a bunch more cards to share.

Question of the day: Do YOU watch movies while stamping?  What are some of your favorites? 

Freshly Picked BERRIES Just For You

Welcome to the MFT VIP Hop &Shop.  If you've just happened upon the hop, you can start at the beginning HERE. 

It's that time of the month again, when customers have the chance to get the newest Who's That Girl set two weeks early on the ONE DAY ONLY sale.  This month's VIP features Who's That Harvest Girl.  You can get your MFT VIP kit HERE.

The WTG set includes an EMPTY basket and several things to fill it with.  I chose strawberries.

To get the texture on the basket, I colored the basket brown, grabbed a piece of scrap grosgrain ribbon, saturated it with some Copic colorless blender refill, and then dabbed it on the basket.

The next part of my project is SO exciting for me.  It is a new MFT Template, designed by ME.  I was SO inspired by the set, that I wanted to make something gifty to go with my card and this is what I dreamed up.  I first designed the strawberry carton, and then created pyramid-shaped strawberries that are sized PERFECTLY for the carton.  4 strawberries fit inside, but I like to make an extra one to lay on top... just for fun.  :)  Because the strawberries are pyramid-shaped they fit in nicely and don't shift once you have all 4 in there.  The BEST part about this template is that it comes in MANY formats, all for one low price.  Included formats are:

• PDF for traditional print & cut
• Ai (Adobe Illustrator) and DXF – used by Pazzles, KNK, and Wishblade Machines
• GSD – for Silhouette
• SVG - for Cricut with Make the Cut and Sure Cuts A lot

If you'd like to see my step-by-step tutorial using the Make The Cut software, My Cricut Expression, and the template click HERE.

Here is my strawberry carton and strawberries.  I used Who's That Harvest Girl and Banner Day Alphabet to create my label.  I wrapped red Perfect Plaid ribbon around the carton.

The Sunshine Die-namics die is PERFECT for the top of the strawberries.  I cut them out in My Favorite Felt.

I used a polka dot Cuttlebug folder to mimic the seeds of the strawberries.

Here is what it looks like with all 4 packed neatly in the carton.

Ready to see what comes in your VIP kit?

August VIP (July 20th 10 PM EST through July 21st)



Who’s That Harvest Girl? VIP $36


Who’s That Harvest Girl?


Girly Net Ribbon Collection (2 yards each of netted ribbon in Lipstick Red, Cool Green, White Tulle, Sassy Black, Girly Pink)


5 yards 5/8” Black Saddle Stitch Ribbon


Olivia Basic Grey 6 X 6 patterned paper pad


Set of 10 Scalloped A2 Note cards in Black Linen


Garden Goodness mini stamp set (FREE, $9 value)


Additional release tonight:


Strawberry Carton and Strawberries Template $3.95

You're at the end of the hop!  Thanks for hopping along.  Now go grab your VIP kit and Strawberry template.

Thanks for "hopping" by and I'll see you soon!

Make The Cut: How to import an SVG file, size, and cut

I recently told you I got a Cricut Expression (Walmart - $249) & Make The Cut software and I am now ready to start my tutorial series.  I will be showing you a TON of uses for MTC software.  Everyone person that I have shown it to... has purchased it.  It's THAT awesome.  TRUST ME!  I get SO excited using it.  I am not a software pro by ANY means, but this is so easy that I can use it. :) 

So many companies (including MFT) have started offering their templates in SVG format and it makes using them SO much easier.  Imagine not having to cut them out by hand?  It is AMAZING.  It is precise, professional, and AWESOME. :)

You can buy the software HERE. 

A couple things to know about Make The Cut:

• compatible with all Cricut machines (even Cricut Cake)
• also compatible with Silhouette and Wishblade (and more)
• Use it to import SVG, SCUT, and PDFs
• Cut any True Type Fonts you have on your computer (WOW)
• Export shapes YOU create to share with friends
• The image on your screen matches your mat size for the Cricut
• SO much more... but we'll get to those things later

Now for the first (of many) tutorials showing you to use this amazing software.  I used screen shots to make it as easy to follow as possible.  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me (posted over in the left side-bar of my blog).

I am using MFT's Berry Ensemble template for this tutorial. (SVG file)

How to import an SVG file, size it, and cut

1. Over on the right hand side of your software, you have a VISUAL MAT tab.  There, you can choose your mat size (match to the size of mat you are using - I am using a 12 X 12)
2. Zoom in or out to what you are viewing on your mat (to make it easier to see everything at a glance).  I zoomed out a bit, so you could see the whole mat.  Just slide the slider until you get it the way you like it.

This is what my screen looks like before we get started. 

Next, I am going to import the SVG file of the Strawberry Template.  Click on FILE, IMPORT, then SVG FILE

You'll locate where you saved the SVG file and double click on it to import.

Now, your SVG file will be on your mat.  The awesome thing about SVG files is that they can be sized to ANY size your electronic cutter can handle.  The MFT Berry Ensemble instruction document gives the recommended size (which makes it SO easy to do).  One way to re-size, is to drag one of the red arrows in the corner until you get the size you want.  The awesome thing about the MTC software, is there is a built-in ruler along the side, that helps you see exactly what size you are dragging it to.  If you want an EASIER way to do this, you can simply type in the measurement you want along the top tool bar.  You can type in EITHER the height OR the width that you desire, and it will keep the image proportionate and size it properly.  In this case, the width is 5".  Just type 5.0 in the width box at the upper right and press enter.

Here is the strawberry, after you press enter.  It is 5" wide.

To have enough strawberries for the carton, we'll need at least 4.  Let me show you an EASY way to duplicate what is on your screen!

Right click on the image on your screen (you need to be able to see the blue box around the image), and click DUPLICATE

A box will pop up, prompting you to enter the number of times you want the image duplicated.  The number you enter INCLUDES the shape already on your screen.  Type in 4 and click OK.  4 identical strawberries will pop up on your mat.

The strawberries on the mat would be easily cut out on a 12 X 12 mat, using 12 X 12 card stock.  But, let's say you have an 8 1/2" X 11" piece of card stock, and still need 4 strawberries.  You can click on each shape individually and move them around on your mat until they are "squished" enough that they will fit on your card stock.  Remember to use the rulers on the mat to see how big a piece of paper you will need.  Click on one shape at a time and move them.  If, when you try to move one shape, they all move... click OFF the shapes, then try again.  Hover your cursor over the shape you are trying to move.  The outline of the shape turns RED.  That is how you know what will move. 

A couple tips:

• Be sure that your "bounding box" is not outside of the cut-able space on your mat.  No part of that box can be on the green-shaded space of the mat on your screen. 
• Don't overlap the shapes.  What you see is what you get, so anywhere there is a solid blue line, you will get a cut.  To see a one dimensional shape of what you are cutting, click on the double magnifying glass icon at the top, to see exactly what will cut out (it will show in bright red). 

Here are my 4 strawberries laid out to fit an 8 1/2 X 11" piece of paper.

Now, click on the scissors in a circle icon in the top tool bar (or click on cut project - also in the top toolbar).  A box will pop up that will give you a couple options including speed, pause, and start.  For more detailed images, reduce the speed.  I usually keep it at medium for most things.  It also includes a status area.  For your Cricut to cut, you need to make sure of a couple things:

• Your cricut needs to be plugged into your computer tower with a "printer cord".  I had one laying around that was extra, and used that and it works fine.  It was for a printer I no longer have.  I plug it into the front USB port on my tower, but you may need to plug yours into the back.  It's very easy.
• You need to have your Cricut mat loaded into the machine (with the paper on it of course)
• You need to have ANY cartridge in the machine (not sure why, you just do LOL)

If you have all those things done, you'll have 3 "green lights" and you can press START to cut. 

As the Cricut is cutting, you'll be able to see on your computer screen what exactly it is cutting.  That is the red line in the small box below.  You'll see your shape "taking shape" as it goes.  It doesn't take long at all.  Maybe a minute or 2... and you don't get hand cramps cutting with scissors!  LOL

You'll follow the same procedure to cut the strawberry carton.  Import the SVG file.

Type in 7" in the width field in the upper toolbar to re-size.

Here is the re-sized version that pops up on your mat.

Click on the scissor in a circle icon to cut.

Press START.  Watch the shape as it cuts (yay). :)

Now, all that is left is unleashing your creativity to assemble and decorate the die-cut shape.  This is only ONE of MANY things this software can do.  JUST the fact that is cuts template precisely and professionally is fun enough.  :)

Here are a couple shots of the Cricut in action as it cuts out the template: (HOW FUN!)

Stay tuned for more tutorials in the coming weeks/months.  If there is anything you would like to learn how to do, please e-mail me with your suggestions for future tutorials. 

Again, if you'd like to purchase the software (I purchased JUST the download), HERE it is.

If you'd like to purchase the template I used today, HERE it is. 

If you need any help, or have questions, please feel free to e-mail me! (address in the left side-bar of my blog)

Here is the completed project using the template:

See you soon!