MFTWSC56

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hi again! there's another awesome MFT sketch up for the week- find all the details here!
the sewing machine is hard to get to with all the purging & packing going on around here lately- thank goodness for white gel pens- made faux stitching fun & easy!

here's a peek at the inside:



i popped up lots of layers on this one using Jody's fab boosters: the background panel, the doily & flag sentiment, and cutie PI spa girlie:



here's a close up of the main image too- after coloring with copics, i added a thin layer of liquid pearls over top of her robe pocket, robe edges, belt and slippers to make them shimmery like satin- it's a little blown out in the photo, but i really wanted the effect to show:




it's so nice to have another valentine made- MFT sketches make it so easy & fun!
thanks for looking!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^

deets:
stamps: MFT's Spa Day, MFT's More Essential Sentiments
ink: memento tuxedo black, fired brick distress ink (tim holtz)
paper: XPressIt Blending card, hot fuge scalloped note card (stash), Pink Lemonade cardstock (POP-Tone), BoBunny dp(crazy love 6x6 pad) and Making Memories dp (old 8x8 pad stash)
accessories: copic markers, opal liquid pearls, dk brown baby brads (stash-old MFT kit), opaque white gel pen, MFT's open scallop doily duo die, MFT's first place award ribbon die, jody boosters

MFT WSC29-another great sketch!

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hi everyone! i had time to play this week with MFT's Wednesday Sketch Club! all the details can be found at this post on the MFT blog- check it out & play along- it's another awesome sketch!

i stamped the sweet PI girlie (Being Cute Is What I Do) 3 times to paper piece her- once on xpress it blending cardstock, again on some Basic Grey patterned paper to piece her bohemian-style shirt, and a final time on a stamped denim texture from MFT's Well Worn Greetings set to make her jeans!
she's colored with copics. i added a little tiny heidi swapp bling flower to her shirt too. i pierced some holes around the image before i mounted it to a double mat. the new file tab dienamic was perfect for my sentiment! i used the little open scallop strip die on some cork and the upsy-daisy die for a fab flower embellie! can ya tell that i love my dienamics?! i also jazzed up some cardstock scraps for this one using cuttlebug embossing folders.

anyway- it's such an awesome, easy sketch that i'm going to use again & again! you should totally go & save this one too!


deets:
stamps: MFT's Being Cute is What I Do (Pure Innocence line), MFT's Well Worn Greetings
ink: memento tuxedo black, CTMH Spring Iris (sentiment), tsukineko yellow dauber duo
paper: XPress-It blending cardstock, MFT cardstocks (Fossil, SnoCone, Hot Fudge), Basic Grey patterned paper (Out of Print 6x6 pad), MFT cork sheets (temp out of stock), fossil scalloped notecard (my stash from an old MFT kit)
accessories: copic markers, cuttle bug embossing folders (swiss dots, polka dots), heidi swapp mini bling flower, MFT dienamics (file tab, upsy-daisy, little open scallop strip)

thanks so much for looking!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^

teacher gifts, K graduation, center step card & more!

this is a photo heavy, jumbo-long post- so fill up your beverage & hang out for a bit!

hi friends! i hope all is well! i finally have a few minutes to catch up & share some time with you! is it just me or has the last month or so just blown by in a total blur?! i'm still spinning!

i made an altered clipboard & a thank you card for my daughter's teacher as an end of the year gift. i was one of the room mom's this year & i loved every minute that i got to spend with Mrs. McClain and Mimi's class- all of the kids touched my heart-love 'em all!

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this set was so fun to make! once i colored the images (to match one of my daughter's uniforms) i adhered everything to the clipboard with mod podge-- man, i forgot how cool that stuff is! i know this photos's a little blurry- i was lucky to even get a pic snapped before i had to rush off & deliver it on the last day of school-the glue was barely dry! LOL

here's the inside of the thank you card:


deets:
stamps: MFT Pure Innocence You Make the Grade
inside card sentiment is from: MFT Pure Innocence Apple for You
ink: memento tux black
papers: XPress Blend-it cardstock, MFT cardstocks (banana split, wild cherry), Scenic Route patterned papers (all are from the Appleton line)
accessories: copic markers, mod podge (glossy), asst colors of mini ric-rac (from stash), MFT baby brads, nesties, clipboard (target), jody's dimensional boosters


here's the card i made for my daughter's kindergarten graduation:

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this turned out so cute- no?! gotta love that Fred Bear!! inside we tucked a game stop gift card & we also gave her a Nintendo DSi XL as a gift! she was a super-happy, Pokemon lovin' girl ;)

deets:
stamps: MFT Fred Bear Graduates, the year is made from the MFT Typewriter Alphabet, mini tag, sentiment & embellies were created using MFT's Notched tag die & stamp set
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: XPress blending cardstock, scalloped green notecard (stash), Bazzill dark blue cardstock, MFT banana split cardstock, Crate patterned paper (from School Spirit 6x6 pad)
accessories: copic markers, MFT twine, MFT baby braddies, button, Jody's dimensional boosters

here's a shot of my sweet graduation girl- just after she received her diploma:



then i had an AWESOME birthday weekend in Disneyland, CA with my family- it was the best!



we love the teacups!!

now back to cards!! LOL!
Fabulous MFT designer Frances Byrne (StampOwl on SCS) recently posted this amazing tutorial on how to create a center step card- i was so inspired by her gorgeous creation- that i made my mother-in-law's birthday card early- WOOT!


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i was inspired by Frances' colors and butterflies and started right away! i FINALLY took the plunge into trying my hand at LIQUID PEARLS. I've been drooling over fab liquid pearl projects by stamp heroes Sankari Wegman and Danielle Lounds for a long, long time & have always been afraid that i would ruin my cards if i messed up! well- i'm now a liquid pearl maniac & am putting them on everything LOL! if you've been wanting to try them too i'm telling you- totally go for it- it's really fun!! :)

side view of the center step card:



close up of the mega-shimmery stickle wings & glossy shoes!
here's the inside of the card:


deets:
stamps: MFT Pure Innocence Butterfly Kisses
inside sentiment is from MFT Pure Innocence Heart Stripes
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: MFT cardstocks (bubble gum, fossil, hot fudge), Basic Grey patterned paper (Sweet Threads 6x6 pad)
accessories: copic markers, copic spica glitter pen (mint) stickles (diamond), liquid pearls (buttercup), glossy accents, MFT dienamics (butterflies, rolled flower (out of stock), doily duo), nesties, jody's dimensional boosters, MFT felt

ok- there's more to share but dear daughter wants to swim, swim swim LOL!
so for now...

"That's All Folks!"
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^

Happy 2011/MFT WSC1

hi & happy new year! hope this post finds you well! we are back from an amazing New Year's weekend in the deep snow. we went to Bryan Head, UT- MAN i am SO glad we don't live in the frosty freezy-freeze cold anymore (we grew up in Maryland)- but it sure was great fun to visit Utah! it was our daughter's first real snow trip- so we went sledding, snowshoeing and tubing at the slopes. we enjoyed tons of hot cocoa and made snow angels & a mini snowman too! the hubs enjoyed some snowboarding & i had a blast in the hip-deep powder playing with my family! here's a couple quick shots i took of where we stayed-the Grand Lodge at Byran Head- it was so pretty! i'll post more pics as i download & edit them!

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school started again last week, but of course, my daughter caught a bad cold/cough (such timing i tell ya!) so i kept her home for a couple of days- but even a sickie kiddo couldn't stop me from enjoying some Wednesday Stamp Club fun!

This year, MFT's WSC will have a weekly sketch to help make it easier for everyone to play! i LOVE LOVE the MFT DT sketches- they always rock- so i had to jump in! You can find all the deets and play along in this post on the MFT blog. PLEASE play with us- everyone is so fun & friendly at MFT!! You can find the MFT forum on Splitcoast too- if you're not a Splitcoast member, sign up- the inspo & resources are amazing!

OK- on to the stamping! here's my first card. i stuck to the sketch with this one and made a super fun valentine using MFT's Game Night Spinner Die & Stamp Set Duo & MFT's You Spin Me (additional stamps for teh Game Night set). the sketch helped this one come together so quickly! & the spinner really spins on this one- super cool right?!



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here's a look at the inside- simple but finished:


deets:
stamps: MFT's You Spin Me (Addtions for Game Night)
paper: MFT fossil scalloped notecard, MFT pink bubblegum, hot fudge and wild cherry cardstocks, Bo Bunny patterned papers (crazy love collection)
ink: CTMH Holiday Red
accessories: MFT Die-Namics: Game Night Spinner Die & Stamp set duo, MFT Die-Namics Scalloped Scallop, cuttlebug embossing folder, tim holtz sprocket gear, tim holtz long fastener, martha stewart heart punch, jody's awesome boosters, glossy accents, corner rounder


i was so excited about this sketch, i made a second card! i've had this little PI cutie colored & all cut out just sitting on my desk for sometime, so i finally put her on a card! i thought it would be cute to have it rain candy hearts. i will totally be using this fab sketch again & again!


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here's the inside of this one:


deets:
stamps: MFT's My Umbrella (Pure Innocence)- temp sold out, MFT's You Spin Me (Addtions for Game Night)
paper: MFT fossil scalloped notecard, MFT's pink bubblegum, fossil and wild cherry cardstocks, cosmo cricket patterned paper (the boyfriend collection), sei pattern paper
ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH ink pads in: holiday red, spring iris, honey, bubblegum, spring breeze
accessories: MFT Die-Namics: cloud trio (temp sold out), hearts a plenty, button quartet, layered label, copic markers, cuttlebug embossing folder, glossy accents, TCP linen thread, jenni bowlin valentine mini bingo card, martha stewart silver metallic mini ink pad (silver lining on clouds), quickie glue pen, jody's awesome boosters.

thanks so much for looking!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^

MFT Teasers Day3- Adorable New PI's

Yippee!! Today is the day the Dec team gets to share teasers of the newest, soon to be released Pure Innocence cuties! i adore the entire line of PI stamps, and these 4 new images are definitely all MUST haves! i have 2 cards to share with you today so let's get right to the cuteness:

First up is Pure Innocence, Love You With All My Heart


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isn't she just precious? she comes with the 3 of the sweetest sentiments and 4 tiny extra sayings that can fit inside the heart she's holding- how i LOVE that! since this valentine is going to someone out of town, i chose to stamp 'Miss You' inside her heart. i also used the soon to be released Hearts A Plenty dienamic, along with a couple of others-the button quartet and the little open scallop strip. the music paper is digi-paper from MFT's Take Note collection. Simple, sweet and sure to make you smile- that's what i love so much about PI's!!

i added some glossy accents and a bling closure to her shoes-my daughter has an identical dressy pair:


here's the inside: can't get enough of my dienamics!


Stamps: Pure Innocence Love You With All My Heart
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH dye ink in Hollyhock (sponging)
Paper: MFT creme paper panels, MFT fossil notecard, MFT wild cherry cardstock, MFT Take Note digi-paper, October Afternoon patterned paper (Modern Homemaker)
Accessories: copic markers, MFT swarovski crystals, MFT Dienamics (Hearts a Plenty, Button Quartet, Little Open Scallop Strip), nesties, cuttlebug embossing folders, glossy accents, cotton candy twine (TCP), dimensionals.


next up, is the super sweet Pure Innocence, Splish Splash


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Isn't he just super cute splashin' with his little pup-EEK! i just love him and he's fun to color!
lately, i'm enjoing making tent cards! Here's an awesome tutorial from Beate on Splitcoast, if you'd like to try one! i had to include my Cloud trio dienamic, and i also used the Small Scalloped Border, and the button quartet dies. In addition to the sentiment that i used, the set comes with the 'Splish Splash' words too. i think it's such a positive & perfect message to include on a card that sits out on a desk/shelf for someone to enjoy!

here's a side view:


Stamps: Pure Innocence Splish Splash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper: MFT paper panels, vellum, white and brown cardstock scraps (for base and button), My Mind's Eye patterned papers (True Blue)
Accessories: copic markers, MFT Dienamics (Button Quartet, Small Scalloped Border), nesties, MFT skinny ribbon (retired) glossy accents, Jody's dimensionals.

thanks so much for looking! i sure am having fun on the MFT Temp Team this month- hope you're lovin' everyone's eye candy- i know i sure am! be back soon with more YAY!!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^

MFT WSC9.15-Seeing Stars!

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MFT has another awesome Wednesday Stamp Club challenge up this week- it's all about stars- find all the details in this post & play along! i've been sick since last week, but i had to play along with this fun theme!

here's a close up taken in the sun so the color's a little better:


i don't have the star nesties...yet ;) so i made my own stars in illustrator, printed, cut them & then traced onto cardstocks. the jpg's are below if you might need some stars too.
note to self- next time draw shapes in Make the Cut and have my cricut do the work for me- DOH!!


i had fun making my own patterned paper with the tiny T-Rex image from MFT's Wyatt and His Wagon- you can't help but make the 'rawr' noise each time you stamp him (hope it's not just me!!).

my MFT dies, cork, felt & adornments made embellishing this card easy and the dies always work great! i glued on a toothpick to turn the MFT banner die shape into a pennant flag!

i have a 7 year old nephew and a big-kid hubs ;) who would love this one- gonna have to flip a coin to see who gets it!

deets:
Stamps: MFT's Wyatt and His Wagon, the RAWR sentiment on the flag is from MFT's Little Loveosaurus
Ink: Memento tuxedo black, Memento Rich cocoa
Paper: MFT cardstocks in Jellybean Green, Sour Apple and Wild Cherry; GinaK 80lb white pure luxury, Basic Grey PP (basics white paper pad)
Accessories: copic markers, krylon gold leafing pen, MFT Die-Namics: Banner Day die, Jumbo Ric Rac Die and Star Border die. MFT princess pearls (black), MFT cork, MFT felt, dimensionals, colored pencil, toothpick, Best Ever white glue (temp sold out at MFT.)

Here's the JPG star files for you- right click the images & save them to your computer:
smaller stars for decorating:

card base shape:


thanks for looking- i'm off for more tea- cross your fingers that i don't lose my voice- it's been a rough few days already!
Please join in the WSC fun with us if you get a chance- i'd love to see your creations too!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^0^

EDIT: OOPS! so sorry, i forgot a look at the inside (told you i was under the weather!) here ya go:

it's been a long time!

sorry about that- lots going on during our first 3 weeks of school!
Labor Day weekend our sweet baby girl turned 6!! SIX?! holy cow this kiddo's getting to be so big now! we had a big party for her just this past weekend & i have lots of pictures to drag off my camera & share but i haven't been feeling well enough. the past few days have me fighting a terrible cold- my sinuses are so swollen that it hurts to touch most of my face!i have zero energy which is a total bummer because around here, MOM really can't afford to go down! needless to say, not much crafty time happening at my house! ugh!

i never shared my 1st week of school/thank you teacher gift/card, so here it is:

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MFT's super cute apple card template and a sweet school themed MFT Pure Innocence stamp made this one so fun to create!!
i set the card on top of a bag of yummy truffles (just for HER to enjoy) and i used some fun school book MFT digi-paper to wrap a chocolate bar for her kiddos (So they didn't eat hers LOL!) YUM! it all turned out really cute and my daughter's teacher just loved it!

Here's all the deets:
stamps: MFT's Pure Innocence line, You Make the Grade
sentiment on chalk board is from MFT's Pure Innocence line - Apple for You

ink: memento tuxedo black, clear embossing ink

paper: ginaK pure luxury heavy weight cardstock, bazzill red cardstock (textured) MFT cardstocks in wild cherry, sour apple, jellybean green, MFT school collection digi papers

accessories: copic markers, white embossing powder, MFT felt & MFT rolled flower dienamic, MFT glittered garnishes, cuttlebug & embossing folders (swirls and swiss dots), glossy accents, MFT Caramel Apple template.

Here's the inside:

my daughter dictated the words then signed it.
i'm telling you i am beat just from this easy post- so i'm off to make more hot tea & rest a bit! hope to be back soon!
{{GIANT HUGS}}
-g
^o^