Birthday Blog Mobbing - Team MFT Style!

Hi everyone!  Welcome to Kim's Birthday Blog Mobbing!  Team MFT is banding together to celebrate our fearless (and genius) leader's birthday!  We already spoiled her with an early birthday present (a shiny new iPad 2), so we're sure she's not expecting this, but someone so sweet deserves to be celebrated for a full month, don't you think? 

If you'd like to join the celebration, we'd LOVE you to participate! You can add a card to the Splitcoast Galleries using the keyword HBMFTLADY or, if you're a Facebook lovin' girl you can add your project to the MFT Fan Facebook page! Not yet a fan of MFT on Facebook? You can "like" it here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/My-Favorite-Things-Just-Delightful-Clear-Stamps/364057405371 and add your post! Don't have time to stamp? Just stop by the MFT Facebook page and wish the MFT Lady a happy birthday. Let's MOB her on her special day! 

I decided to make her an MFT-Spirited card and personalized notebook set. 

For the card, I used one of my favorite go-to stamp sets, Own Your Story and the Four-Point Frame Die-namics die.

I used the Happy Birthday sentiment from the First Place Award Ribbon stamp set.

I whipped out my Cinch machine to make a personalized notebook for her.  The letters are from a SU Sizzix die I have.  I coated the letters in Glitter Ritz Glitter and Razzle Berry Card Stock.  I added a scalloped strip at the top using my Simply Scallops Die-namics die.

Next you're off to Julie Dinn's blog!  Continue the hop MOB and don't forget to visit the link above and wish Kim a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

You're My Type of Chick - Welcome, Sarah!

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today. 

There's a new designer on Team MFT, and I made this card especially to welcome her to the team!  Want to find out who it is?  Go check out the formal announcement on the MFT Blog.  :)

For my card, I used the Own Your Story stamp set with Four Point Frame Die-namics die, which I grab SO often.  I LOVE that stamp set (and the new designer, too).  :)

I used the type-print background stamp, the notebook paper stamp, the flourish, paperclip, sentiment, and line of asterisks.  I love layering the different elements with different color inks.  FUN stamping, and a break from coloring, which is a welcome "step out of the box" for me. :)

I used some brads from my stash and some pretty pleated grosgrain (Maya Road).

Be sure to head over to Kim's blog and then welcome our new designer!  I'll see you in a quick 12 hours for another card... see you soon!

Wednesday Stamp Club 26 - Own Your Story

Hi all!  I have a card using MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch #26.  I haven't missed a single one!  *pats self on back*  I hope you're playing along for your chance to win a prize.  *nudge nudge*

I decided to use a sentiment for this card, but added in an unconventional way.  This stamp set was meant for the Four Point Frame Die-namics die, but instead I added it to the Open Scallop Doily.  I masked off the center of the doily die-cut and stamped the notebook paper stamp from Own Your Story and then added a sentiment from the same set. 

I added an accent created with the Hearts a Plenty Die-namics die, and a button cut from corrugated cardboard with the Button Quartet Die-namics die.

I threaded hemp around the perimeter of the Open Scallop Doily die-cut, and added the "banner tail thingy" from the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die.  A big crystal flourish finished it off.

Here is the sketch for you.  I hope you'll play along.  :)

Remember, you can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread).  You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!

Go get sketchy with MFT!

Flower Girl - Wednesday Stamp Club #25

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by today.  I have a card for MFT Wednesday Stamp Club #25 today!  We are celebrating the 25 mark with an extra prize, so be sure to read all about it in the MFT Forum (look for the WSC 25 thread). 

I used Pure Innocence Wedding Flower Girl and High Tea Doily Die-namics for my card.

She is colored with Copic markers.  I colored her to match the My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Patterned Paper Pad (I am in LOVE with the new MME papers).  The flowers I used are 3 different Prima flowers that I stacked together, and then I used some leaves from the Die-namics Upsy-Daisy die.

Here is the sketch for you.  I hope you'll play along.  :)

Remember, you can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread).  You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!

Go get sketchy with MFT!

My Heart Flips for You - MFT VIP Collection

Hi all and thanks for stopping by tonight.  It's time for the MFT Who's that Girl Hop and Shop, featuring the brand spankin' new Who's that Girl stamp set, Who's that Mermaid, which is incluced in the July VIP Collection.  She is SO fun to color.

I colored her with a mix of Prismacolor pencils and Copic markers.  The plants and bubbles were stamped in with accessory stamps.  I colored the coral with some pearly white Smooch paint, and went over all the bubbles with Sakura clear Glaze Pen.  I mounted a piece of netting behind the focal panel, that I received as a gift from Inge.

Here is what comes in the July VIP Collection that you can buy RIGHT NOW, right HERE (along with the 2 cute, new à la modes stamp sets - I've Met My Match, You Are Unrepeatable).  Check out the new, fancy graphic that includes FULL pictures of everything included in the kit.  Check out the new LARGE Rolled Rose.  Perfect for larger roses (duh) for your cards, scrapbook pages, and altered projects.

It's time to hop on over to the super sweet and talented, Dawn!  I'm sure she has something beautiful to share with you!

Sea you soon (bad pun alert) with my Wednesday Stamp Club post!

You Rock My World - à la modes

Hello, everyone!  I am back with a card for the 2nd (and final) day of MFT Teaser Time for the mid-month release.  Tonight, you'll be able to buy both new à la modes stamp sets AND the brand new MFT VIP Collection, which you'll see tonight.  :)

I had fun using this new à la modes stamp set - You Are Unrepeatable.  Being a huge iPod fan family, this set is right up my alley.  My girls LOVE receiving iTunes cards as gifts, and this set will make the perfect choice for gifting them.

She is colored with Copic markers.  I drew in the grass with Prismacolor pencils.  I found this adorable crystal frame in my stash and I remember that it was a gift from Kim Forsyth.  I LOVE it!  I need more (or similar) frames.  Anyone know where to get them?  I thought it would look cute just framing her face.  I "trapped" a Heidi Swapp mini ghost shape crown in the crystal frame on her head.  I also added a Heidi Swapp Ghost Shape flower peeking under the focal panel.  I "underlined" the focal panel with the Simply Scallops Medium Die-namics.

Here are some details about the release this Tuesday night:

• The MFT release is on June 21st at 10 PM EST.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog.

I've Met My Match - à la modes

Hi everyone and thanks for popping in today.  I am happy to kick off the mid-month release with MFT Teaser Time for one of the two newest à la modes stamp sets - I've Met My Match.  Isn't she adorable with her huge tennis racket?  I love this cute image.

She is colored with Copic markers.  The shadow was added with Prismacolor pencils and I drew in the grass with Prismacolor pencils as well.  I added a Heidi Swapp mini ghost shape and a flower created using the Flower Trio and Leaf Trio Die-namics die.  I added a piece of twine around the back panel and tied it in a simple bow.

Here are some details about the release this Tuesday night:

• The MFT release is on June 21st at 10 PM EST.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog.

Popping by...

Hi all!  I am playing along with the Card Positioning Systems sketch 222, which was sponsored by MFT.  Have you checked it out yet?  Go check out the sketch and details on the CPS Blog.

I used the newly released Pure Innocence Popping By stamp set and the new Mini Film Strip Die-namics die, which I am in LOVE with.  :)

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

Friendship isn't one big thing...

Hi there!  It's time for Wednesday Stamp Club #24.  I used this month's Triple Scoop stamp set, Clearly Sentimental about Friendship.

I used the Simply Scallops Medium Die-namics (which I am ADDICTED to).

I love using the Pretty Posies Die-namics die to build flowers.  I used three different patterns from the My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Out of the Blue patterned paper pad to make it fun and funky.  I also used the Open Scallop Doily Die-namics.

Here is the sketch for you.  I hope you'll play along.  :)

Remember, you can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread).  You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!

Go get sketchy with MFT!

Playing With Paint - Inspired By...

Hi all!  Go grab a drink and settle in... this is going to be a long one.  :)  I am participating in the MFT Designer Creative Challenge and this month we are playing with paint.  I was scared, but happy to be stepping out of the box and trying something new.  I decided to take some pictures along the way as well, so I can share the techniques I used.  I hope you'll take away a tip or two and challenge yourself to try it. 

When I thought "paint", I immediately thought of the Inspired By line, featuring more realistic and beautiful stamps that wouldn't require much coloring. 

My first card uses Inspired By Spring.  First, let me show you the finished product.  I'll go in to the details as I show you the "how to" photos.

First up, I stamped the bird's nest with Brilliance Graphite Black ink and clear embossed.  Here is a little tip when you are embossing - heat the BOTTOM of your paper, NOT the top where the image is.  This is especially helpful with fine lines or large areas and keeps your embossing powder smooth, and prevents it from melting in to the paper.  That is what I did for this image.

Next, I used my paint dabber to "sponge" the edges of the card stock.  I also used a flourish stamp from Own Your Story to stamp some decorative detail in the corners of the panel.  I used the paint for ink by dabbing it on the stamp and then stamping.

I used Smooch paint in a pearly white color to color in the eggs in the nest.

I used green Smooch paint to color the leaves.

I whipped out another type of paint, Crackle Paint, to use on the background layer.  I spread it generously on the paper and then set it aside for quite a while to dry.

Here is what it looks like after it dries.

Here is the finished product one last time.  Elegant with a touch of grunge!  I finished it off with some gingham ribbon and a sentiment from the set stamped on one of the pieces from the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die.

While I had out all the materials, I decided to make one more paint card.  After all, I needed something to do while my crackle paint was drying.  LOL  For this one, I decided to try a different type of technique and used a different Inspired By stamp set, Caged Bird.  Again, I will show you the finished product first and then go in to the details below. 

See the smooth finish of the embossed bird? That is achieved by heat embossing from the bottom of the paper instead of directly on the image.

I just love the Mini Film Strip Die-namics die.  I backed it with some patterned paper to make it stand out against the back layer patterned paper.

I used a sponge to swipe paint from my paint dabber, which I poured directly on the kraft card stock.

I sped up the drying process by using my heat gun and then stamped the diamond pattern over the paint using chalk ink.

I stamped the bird cage with Brilliance Graphite Black and then clear embossed, being sure to heat from the bottom of the card stock, instead of the top.

I distressed the edges of the card stock with my Tonic paper distresser, and added some twine to hang the bird cage from.  I kept it pretty simple to keep the focus on the paint.

If you've stayed with me all this time, thank you, and I hope you enjoyed my step-by-step pictures.

Want to know more about the MFT Designer Creative 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've all been challenged to paint! Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon.  I've been busy stamping and have lots to share with you.