Monday, January 31, 2011

MFT February Teaser, Day Four


It's day four of MFT teasers and have we got some pretties to show you today! We have the next set in the Inspired by...line, Inspired by Butterflies and Enjoy Every Minute, from the Jolinne line. But first:
  • The February Guest Designer Contest ends at 10 PM EST tonight, so get your entries in! The winner will be announced at the release party. Get the deets here.
  • Teasers continue and will be daily through Tuesday, February 1st. Head on over to Kim's blog to see what the rest of the team has come up with for today's teasers. Every day there will be a prize hidden on two of the Creative Team's blog posts. Leaving a comment on every designer's blog post will give you the best chance of winning every day :) Check the MFT blog daily for the winners.
  • The February Hop and Shop will begin at 10:00pm February 1st, with the hop also starting at Kim's Blog.
I went in sort of a clean and simple direction with this card. I stamped this butterfly from the set with Encore Silver pigment ink on vellum, head embossed with silver detail embossing powder, then cut it out. I dry embossed part of the top white layer with a leafy design and then arranged some swirly bling over that for butterfly trails.


Then I tied black ribbon around, stamped the sentiment from the set and added some silver cord. Very simple design, but that butterfly provides a very dramatic effect, I think. There are more butterflies and more sentiments in this set--a real classic that I know I'll be going to over and over.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Tomorrow I'll have the last teaser for February's release and the release party and Hop and Shop is tomorrow night! Can't wait!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Inspired by Butterflies (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Encore Silver
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Leafy Branch embossing folder (Provocraft); ribbon, silver cord, bling (craft store); Silver Detail embossing powder (Ranger); heat tool
 

Sunday, January 30, 2011

MFT February Teaser, Day Three


 So, what do you think of the MFT February teasers so far? *squeal*, right? Today is Pure Innocence day and we've got five new ones for you to drool over: Pure Innocence - Primrose, Pure Innocence - You're so Tweet, Pure Innocence - Butterfly Kisses, Pure Innocence - Believe in Magic, and Pure Innocence - Out on a Limb. I'm showing you PI - Butterfly Kisses, but first,
  • The February Guest Designer Contest continues and ends on Monday, January 31st at 10 PM EST. The winner will be announced at the release party. Get the deets here.
  • Teasers continue and will be daily through Tuesday, February 1st. Head on over to Kim's blog to see what the rest of the team has come up with for today's teasers. Every day there will be a prize hidden on two of the Creative Team's blog posts. Leaving a comment on every designer's blog post will give you the best chance of winning every day :) Check the MFT blog daily for the winners.
  • The February Hop and Shop will begin at 10:00pm February 1st, with the hop also starting at Kim's Blog.
Just look at this little sweetie!


I stamped her on a Perfect Paper Panel (temporarily out of stock) with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, colored her with Copic markers and paper pieced her outfit. I stamped the wings separately from some iridescent vellum, cut them out, and put them behind the main image for a little more dimension. Here's a close up of the sheen on the vellum:

When I stamped the sentiment, I left off the word "fly" and substituted a banner to complete it, using a Banner Day Die-namics die. Then I stamped the letters on the banner segments with the Wendy Alphabet set and sewed the sections together. I left some thread ends to add another shabby touch. I added some patterned paper strips along with a strip of twill, distressed up the edges and added some buttoned seam binding and it was done!


Here are the Copic markers I used.


Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with Day Four teasers and you won't want to miss them! Just sayin'...

~Supplies~
Stamps: PI - Butterfly Kisses, Wendy Alphabet (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Hot Fudge, Perfect Paper Panels (MFT); Lullaby 6 x 6 pack (Webster's Pages); vellum (craft store)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Banner Day Die-namics Dies (MFT); seam binding; button (PTI); linen twine (TCP); distressing tool (Tim Holtz); sewing machine; Copic markers

Saturday, January 29, 2011

MFT February Teaser, Day Two and C4C #72


Weren't yesterday's teasers awesome?! We're back with day two today and I'm telling you it's just as good :) Today we're showing you Jolinne - Catch a Star, Flopsey - Smooth Sailing, and Twisted Foursome. I'm showing you Twisted Foursome, but first, this:
  • The February Guest Designer Contest continues and ends on Monday, January 31st at 10 PM EST. The winner will be announced at the release party. Get the deets here.
  • Teasers continue and will be daily through Tuesday, February 1st. Head on over to Kim's blog to see what the rest of the team has come up with for today's teasers. Every day there will be a prize hidden on two of the Creative Team's blog posts. Leaving a comment on every designer's blog post will give you the best chance of winning every day :) Check the MFT blog daily for the winners.
  • The February Hop and Shop will begin at 10:00pm February 1st, with the hop also starting at Kim's Blog.
So, on to my card. When I saw this sentiment, "High maintenance" doesn't even begin to cover it..." I KNEW right then I'd have to use it. 'Cause see, that's me in that chair, LOL! I love my monthly pedicures and every other week nail appointments, plus my occasional spa day. And don't forget the hair ;-)


I stamped WTG from Girls Day In on a Perfect Paper Panel (temporarily out of stock) with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and mostly paper pieced the image, with a little Copic coloring. I used the Faux Crochet Border Die-namics die on the card front edge, added some lace, ribbon, and some elegant blingy swirls to bring this card a little vintage feel. And the roses, made with the Mini Rolled Roses Die-namics die, finished it off.

This card is also for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge for today. For all the details, check out the blog.

Here are the Copics I used.


Thanks for dropping by! See you back tomorrow for another teaser - it's day three so that means Pure Innocence!

~Supplies~
Stamps: WTG Girls Day In, Twisted Foursome (MFT)
Paper: Perfect Paper Panels, Fossil card stock (MFT); Ocean Tides (PTI); Linen Closet 8 x 8 pad (DCWV)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Mini Rolled Roses and Faux Crochet border Die-namics Dies (MFT); lace (craft store); Copic markers; leaf punch (Martha Stewart); bling (Prima); ribbon (PTI)

Friday, January 28, 2011

MFT February Teaser, Day One and February Guest Designer Challenge


Are you ready? It's time to start MFT February release teasers! If you've been seeing the Freeze Frames over on Kim's blog you might have gotten the idea that this month's release is another fabulous one! I don't know how MFT does it, but every month gets better than the last and this one is no exception. Today we're showing you Clearly Sentimental about Time (previous Triple Scoop set), Fred Bear Out West, and Die-namics Companion - The Great Outdoors. They will all be available for purchase at 10pm EST on February 1st. Before I show you my card, there are a few things you need to know:
  • The February Guest Designer Contest begins today and ends on Monday, January 31st at 10 PM EST. The winner will be announced at the release party. Get the deets here.
  • Teasers begin today and will be daily through Tuesday, February 1st. Head on over to Kim's blog to see what the rest of the team has come up with for today's teasers. Every day there will be a prize hidden on two of the Creative Team's blog posts. Leaving a comment on every designer's blog post will give you the best chance of winning every day :) Check the MFT blog daily for the winners.
  • The February Hop and Shop will begin at 10:00pm February 1st, with the hop also starting at Kim's Blog.
OK, I'm showing you Die-namics Companion - The Great Outdoors. This set of sentiments is designed to compliment the outdoor elements Die-namics dies, such as the clouds, the sun, the grass, etc. So, I created a little scene--you know how I love to do that :)


You're seeing some different clouds on this card and a kite, right? Well, guess what? They're new dies!!! YES!! Flat Bottom Clouds and Fly a Kite Die-namics dies! LOVE. Pure and simple. And I used the Sunshine and Fresh Cut Grass dies, as well. The sweet little sentiment is from the new set. Other MFT products I used are Sweet Tooth and Fossil card stock, and the blue gingham paper is from the Spring Collection digi paper.




I've also got a card for the Guest Designer Challenge for this month. The challenge is to make a Valentine with a recipe: 1 patterned paper, 2 colors of card stock (base card does not count), and three embellishments. 


I'm using patterned paper from Basic Grey's Sugar Rush collection and blue and Sour Apple card stock. Embellishments are Dew Drops, twill, and baker's twine. I stamped the image from the Polka Dot Greetings Frame Die and Stamp Set with Versamark and heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder, then I carefully cut out the center with my craft knife to create a frame. Then I stamped the sentiment. from Clearly Sentimental About Love and popped it up behind the frame. I'm using another new die on the bottom of the blue card stock: Simply Scallops Die-namics die. It's a medium sized scallop and is going to become a favorite of mine, I know. So, I hope you'll all join in on the Guest Designer challenge - the winner gets all of the March release sets and will join the design team for the month!


Thanks so much for stopping by! See you  back tomorrow for another teaser!

~Supplies (Up, Up and Away card)~
Stamps: Die-namics Companion - The Great Outdoors (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth and Fossil card stock, Summer Collection digi paper (MFT); English Garden 8 x 8 pad (Memory Makers)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Fly a Kite, Flat Bottom Clouds, Fresh Cut Grass, Sunshine Die-namics dies, button, twill (MFT); twine (PTI)

~Supplies (Forever Love card)~
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Love, Polka Dot Greeting stamp set (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth and Sour Apple card stock (MFT); Marina Mist (SU!); Sugar Rush 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Versamark
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Simply Scallops and Polka Dot Greetings Frame Die-namics die (MFT); Dew Drops; twill, baker's twine; Clear Detail Embossing powder (Judikins); heat tool

Flourishes Friday Focus

I'm so excited to be posting my first official card as a member of Flourishes Design Team!! Today is Friday Focus day and you can read all about it on the Flourishes blog.

My card uses the January Flower from A Year In Flowers, Set 1, crocus. I always love to see my crocus popping up in late winter--they tell me Spring is not far away! And this little image is so much fun to color. I stamped it on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and after I colored it with Copic markers I cut it out and popped it up. I wanted a lot of white space so the image would show up nicely. so I simply embossed  the top part of more Classic White card stock, stamped the sentiment on the bottom, and added some white lace and a buttoned bow. I'm thinking a whole set of these cards would make a wonderful gift, how about you? Hmmm, might have to do one a month. At the end of the year I'd have a gift for a very special person :)

Thanks SO much for stopping by! Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has for you:
       And Laura Fredrickson is joining us for a last week and she has FAB blog candy!
    Here are the Copics I used:

    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: A Year In Flowers, Set 1 (Flourishes)
    Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Rich Razzelberry (SU!)
    Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
    Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Victorian embossing folder (Provocraft); ribbon, button, cord, lace, silver flat back pearls (craft store)

    Thursday, January 27, 2011

    Happy Birthday Wendy Blog Hop

    Today's card is for a birthday blog hop organized by Karen Motz in honor of Wendy Bond's birthday! Wendy is on MFT's Challenge team and is such a talented stamper. If you got here from Nancy McKinney's blog you're right on track. If not, you really should double back to Karen's blog 'cause that's the beginning and you don't want to miss a thing! If you happen to get lost along the way, Karen has the entire list of all hop participants on her blog.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WENDY!!!!!


    I decided Wendy needed a little bling for her birthday :) 'Course I'm lovin' any excuse to use some bling :) Patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Delovely line. I used the Little Open Scallop Strip Die-namics die on the side and Layered Labels Die-namics set for the sentiment, which is from the recently released More Essential Sentiments set. My bling was originally clear, but I colored it with a Copic marker.



    The next stop on the hop is the super sweet, super creative MFT Lady herself, Kim van der Sanden! Can't wait to see what she's got, so I'll race you over there!

    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: More Essential Sentiments (MFT)
    Paper: Sweet Tooth (MFT); Raspberry Fizz (PTI); Delovely 6 x 6 pad (Cosmo Cricket)
    Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
    Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Little Open Scallop Strip and Layered Labels Die-namics dies (MFT); bling (craft store); Copic marker

    Christmas Pursuits Challenge - Embellished JOY Letters

    Last week I challenged myself to embellish the JOY letters that I covered with scrapbook paper several years ago and never got finished. A couple of sets I did embellish, like these, and I love them:




    I never got around to several sets, like JOY. They were "OK" like that, as you can see here:



    But rather bland. So, I gussied them up a bit and I love them. I decided these needed some bling, among other things, and this is how they ended up:


    Oh, yeah, MUCH better :)

    For next week I'm challenging myself to do my NOEL letters.

    Thanks for stopping by! See you next week for the Christmas Pursuits Challenge!

    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: Holly Jolly (PTI)
    Ink: Memento Pear Tart and Rose Bud
    Paper: Perfect Paper Panel (MFT)
    Accessories/tools: snowflake punch (Martha Stewart); buttons (PTI); bling, gold cord, ribbon (craft store)


    Wednesday, January 26, 2011

    Thinking Of You - MFTWSC #4 and Color Throwdown #126

    Are you ready for another MFTWSC and Color Throwdown all wrapped up into one card? 

    First the sketch.You can find the sketch on the MFT blog and also in the MFT forum on SCS, as well as in the weekly newsletter.  The Challenge and Design Teams will be on hand to provide plenty of inspiration to get you started. 

    And, Danielle is the Color Throwdown host this week and chose these colors:


    Perfect for Basic Grey's Marjolaine paper.

    I stamped little PI - Because You're Special on a Perfect Paper Panel (temporarily out of stock) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored her with Copic markers and paper pieced her sweet little dress. Then I cut her out, popped her up on a patterned paper circle matted with a Dainty Doily Die-namics layer in Blue Bayou. I tied a big ol' green bow around the base card and added the sentiment flag. Adorable, no?!

    Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use the link service to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. And please include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD126 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there! Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week! I can't believe this is the last week in January so it's Lori's last week with us. Be sure to show her some love! Thanks, Lori! We've enjoyed having you with us so much!

    LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings
    Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
    Danielle Kennedy - Wild Dragonfly Designs
    Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
    Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
    Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
    Cathy Indelicato - Crafty Thoughts...
    Lori Tecler, January guest Designer - Inking Aloud

    Here are the Copic markers I used.


    Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow :)

    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: PI - Because You're Special (MFT)
    Paper: Sweet Tooth, Perfect Paper Panel (MFT); Blue Bayou (SU!); Marjolaine 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
    Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
    Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Dainty Doily Die-namics die (MFT); Classic Circle Nestabilities die (Spellbinders); ribbon (May Arts); Copic markers


    Tuesday, January 25, 2011

    Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

     

    I'm glad to have the chance to enter this month's PTI blog hop. The challenge is to use an un-inked stamp set. Ha! Noooo problem! Lots of choices for that here!

    One set that hasn't seen ink is the Outline Alphabet. Another is All About You Additions. I used both of them on this card.


    Using MFT's Textile Rectangle Frame Die-namics die and a Petite Oval Nestabilities die I made a frame from red glitter card stock. Then I stamped the sentiment, using the Outlines Alphabet, colored it with Copic markers and framed it. The flourishes are from Mat Stack 1 collection, and the "You" is from All About You Additions. The scalloped border was cut with PTI's Medium Scalloped Border die.

    Thanks so much for stopping by! If you got here on your own, be sure to head on over to Nichol's blog to see who else is playing!

    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: Outlines Alphabet, All About You Additions, Mat Stack 1 Collection (PTI)
    Paper: Stamper's Select White, True Black (PTI); red glitter card stock (craft store); Crush 6 x 6 pad (Bo Bunny)
    Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
    Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Textile Rectangle Die-namics die (MFT); Petite Oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders); Medium Scalloped Border die (PTI); ribbon, red cord, rhinestones, pop dots (craft store), bird punch (Martha Stewart); Copic markers

    Monday, January 24, 2011

    A Reminder and an Update

    Hey, everyone! Just a reminder to add your email address to your comment if you want to be eligible to win the blog candy :)

    And, I've added a few things to my Stamps for Sale page and my Etsy shop if you're interested :)

    See you back tomorrow with a new card!


    Sunday, January 23, 2011

    Another Milestone and Some Blog Candy

    Hi, everyone! I realized a few days ago that I'd passed the 300 mark on followers and the 300,000 mark on visits to my blog!! Yowzas!!!! I didn't see that coming, LOL! I want to thank all of my loyal readers for visiting and for your always sweet comments. So, in order to do that, I've gotten together a few things to give away to one lucky visitor.  



    The Rules 
    Yeah, I know, they're a pain, but a necessary evil.

    1. Leave a comment on this post 

    2. You don't have to become a follower. I'd love for you to, of course, but really only if YOU want to :)

    3. You MUST leave some way for me to get in touch with you if you win. That makes sense, right? I've tried this a couple of ways, and the way it works best for ME is for you to leave your email address in your comment. If you don't want to do that, I totally understand, but I don't have time to go looking for it, so you won't be eligible to win. It must be in plain sight in your comment. If you want to enter it like this: janedoe [at] whatever [dot] com that's fine, but it must be in the comment. Please don't email me and tell me this is a bad rule (yes, that did happen last time) because it is what it is ;-)

    4. Commenting period ends at 11:59pm EST on January  26th. I will choose the winner on January 27th and notify him/her by email, requesting mailing address. If I don't hear back within 48 hours of email notification, I'll send one more email, and if I've not heard back within 24 hours of that email, I'll choose another winner, using the same procedure.

    I'm trying to cover all bases up front here, so please bear with me--I have to make this easy for me ;-)  This is not a "contest", as my critic kept calling it the last time. It is simply a giveaway. I'm offering this stuff FREE to a randomly selected winner so I get to make the rules, KWIM? :)

    Again, thank you all for your amazing support, and here's to another 300/300,000!

    Saturday, January 22, 2011

    Happy Heart Day- C4C #71

    Happy Saturday, everyone! Are you ready for another Crazy 4 Challenges challenge? Maria continues as our host for the month and she's challenging us with a sketch this week.



    You knew I wasn't going to do a square card, didn't you? ;-) I decided to put some more of my Taylored Expressions January Key Ingredients kit to work for another Valentine's Day card. I used the Taylored Expressions stamp set Love Everywhere for the sentiment and the pink hearts behind the popped up hearts on the focal image. I thought they'd make a cute background. All card stock and patterned paper are from the kit.


    Then I added the lattice hearts (I backed them with some solid hearts from the kit), some ribbon, and some buttons, all from the kit.


    Taylor is offering the following special for NEW 6-month subscribers (you've never been a subscriber before):

    NEW SUBSCRIBER SPECIAL

    During each month of your 6-month subscription, we'll send you a FREE GIFT with your kit! And we're even telling you what it is so if you want to be surprised then try to forget before these arrive on your doorstep! *grin*

    JANUARY: Free Animals in Love A la Carte Stamp (of our choice)
    FEBRUARY: Free Multi-colored Tiny Twinkles
    MARCH: Free package of Choice Cardstock (10 sheets)
    APRIL: Free jar of glitter (color of our choice)
    MAY: Free package of cardstock that coordinates with the March kit (10 sheets)
    JUNE: Free Perfect Package Card Box

    This comes to over $20.00 in free products during the length of your subscription! What do you need to do to get these goodies? Just purchase a 6-month subscription from the TE Store before January 31st and we'll automatically send your gifts each month of your subscription!

    RENEW OR EXTEND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

    Are you a previous or current subscriber to the Key Ingredients kits? We appreciate your business and we want to pass along some freebies to you as well! If you renew or extend your subscription for 6 months by January 31st, you'll receive the following free goodies for the next three months:

    FEBRUARY: Free Multi-colored Tiny Twinkles
    MARCH: Free package of Choice Cardstock (10 sheets)
    APRIL: Free jar of glitter (color of our choice)

    What do you need to do to get these goodies? If you're renewing your subscription (i.e. you've been a subscriber before, but not currently), just purchase a 6-month subscription at the TE Store and your free goodies will be automatically shipped to you! If you're a current subscriber and would like to extend your subscription for an additional 6 months, send an email to kits@tayloredexpressions.com and we'll update your profile and make sure the freebies are automatically shipped to you!
    Sooooo, NOW, be sure to check out the samples by the rest of my crazy girls...er, I mean the Crazy 4 Challenges team ;-)
    THEN, you know what to do--we'd love to have you come along and play with us. Just do your thing with the challenge and link it to Mr. Linky on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Please link directly to your project. And, if you upload to a public gallery, please use the key word C4C71.

    Thanks so much for dropping in today! 
    ~Supplies~
    Stamps: Love Everywhere (Taylored Expressions)
    Paper: January Key Ingredients Kit (Taylored Expressions)
    Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and Rose Bud
    Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Petite Oval and Scalloped Nestabilities (Spellbinders); buttons, ribbon, hearts (Key Ingredients Kit); baker's twine