Paper Pursuits

Love Yourself–MFTWSC #59

2012-02-15T12:00:00.001-05:00

Are you ready for another MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge? Here’s this week’s 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 Design Team will be on hand to provide plenty of inspiration to get you started.

I was a little intimidated by this sketch at first, but once I got started on it I had a ton of fun! I think it was the block-y elements and once I figured out how to soften them I was very happy with this layout. I can definitely see me using it again.

OK, so after I got my layers figured out and stitched in place, I proceeded to create my focal image using the Die-namics Four Point Frame and Own Your Story Stamp Set. Then I stamped the sentiment on a First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die cut and nestled it under a Pretty Posies Die-namics flower. I had to add some Upsy Daisy Die-namics leaves, of course ;-) A little baker’s twine and a button finish it off!

Here’s the inside with the notebook paper image and another sentiment stamped on top. Sweet message, don’t you think?

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

And that’s it! Thanks SO much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Own Your Story (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream; Smokey Shadow (PTI); On the Bright Side - Two 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Smokey Shadow (PTI)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Four Point Frame, First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies (MFT); baker’s twine, button, sewing machine, foam dots

You Make the World a Better Place–CTD #179

2012-02-15T02:00:00.001-05:00

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Happy Wednesday! It’s Color Throwdown time! Today Kristin is our hostess and she’s got a fun color palette to challenge us today:

I’m using two recently released MFT sets, Vertical Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set and Finishing Flourishes. Both of them are going to get a lot of use from me, I can assure you, so get ready to see them ;-)

First of all I cut out the Vertical Greetings Die-namics and then cut it again with the paper on which I planned to stamp my sentiment. I made it just a tiny bit smaller, using the technique I explain in this post—works for a lot of different dies. Then I stamped the sentiment and adhered the two layers together. You can see an easy way to stamp these vertically oriented stamps in this post. To finish off the focal panel, I stamped a flourish from Finishing Flourishes. OK, I have some extra colors in there, LOL, but I do have all the required colors and I made sure to bring out the Kraft with some corrugated cardboard and some twine. And I HAD to add a Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics flower to the mix, along with leaves using Upsy Daisy Die-namics. What would I DO without my Die-namics? I really don’t know, LOL!

Here’s the inside with more flourishes and a sentiment from Finishing Flourishes.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD179 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.

Barbara Anders (<--- You are here!)
Broni Holcombe
Danielle Kennedy
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Keva Brown
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Tammy Hershberger
Wanda Cullen
Jenny Peterson (February Guest Designer)

That’s it for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back a little later with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Vertical Greetings, Finishing Flourishes (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Sweet Tooth, Sour Apple; Poppy Parade (SU!); corrugated cardboard; Fine and Dandy - Tickled Pink 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Blushing Bride (SU!)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Vertical Greetings, Rolled Scallop Flower, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, sewing machine, foam dots

MFT February Creative Challenge–Baby

2012-02-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

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Hi, all, welcome to MFT’s February Creative Challenge. This is where the Design Team is issued a different challenge each month to inspire you :)

This month we’re challenged to create a baby project—a gift, a card, anything at all!

Since most of my friends are grandmothers, I decided to give grandmothers a little attention with my project today. I’m using two sentiments from My How You’ve Grown WTG, one outside and one in, and I used my By the Letters Die-namics to create the focal image, spelling b - a - b - y. I stamped my sentiment on the large fishtail from First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics, and popped it up on some twine tied in a bow.

For the inside, I stamped the second sentiment and then adhered a sweet little onesie from the Notched Tag Die-namics set. I thought this sentiment carried out the theme of my card really well.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you back tomorrow for my MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge card for this week.

~Supplies~
Stamps: My How You’ve Grown WTG (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Pink Lemonade; Fine and Dandy - Tickled Pink 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); First Place Award Ribbon, By the Letters, and Notched Tag Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, foam dots

Be Mine Banner

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

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Since Valentine’s Day is almost here, I thought I’d show you this project that I did for the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Team last year. I’m using all MFT dies and stamps, and lots of pretty paper and embellishments.

Here are a few close ups:

Here are the dies I used on this project:

Thanks so much for stopping by! Happy Valentine’s Day!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Love (MFT)
Paper: red, black, silver glitter paper, silver metallic cardstock, Crush 6 x 6 pad (Bo Bunny), Red Hot, Black Licorice (MFT), Pretty In Pink (SU!)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories/tools: ribbon, buttons, bling, baker's twine, bird punch (Martha Stewart), seam binding, lace, glittered chipboard alphabet, metallic cord; 1 /4" Rosette, Perfect Bracket Edge, Decorative Doily, Dainty Doily Border, Rolled Rose, Mini Rolled Roses, Little Scalloped Border, Jumbo Scallops, Scalloped Scallops, Mini Banner Strip, Hearts A Plenty, Flower Trio & Leaf Trio, Layered Label Die-namics dies

Have a Happy Birthday - MFTWSC #58

2012-02-12T11:03:00.001-05:00

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As soon as I saw this sketch I thought of my Flower Silhouette Die-namics and Stamp Set. I stamped it, cut it out, and colored it with some Copic markers, then popped it up on foam dots on an assortment of patterned papers. I added the sentiment on a flag from First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics and attached it under a twine-tied button. I think this could work for a guy, too. What do you think?

Here’s the inside with another sentiment from the set:

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love it when you do!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Flower Silhouette (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Tangy Orange; Smokey Shadow (PTI); Gathering 6 x 6 (Authentique)
Ink: Versafine Sepia
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Flower Silhouette and First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, button, Copic markers, foam dots, sewing machine

Always Have High Hopes–C4C # 123

2012-02-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

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Happy Saturday! Since it *is* Saturday, that means it’s time for the Crazy 4 Challenges challenge! Today Lynda is challenging us to use this sketch:

I love sketches so this was fun! I used patterned paper from my new Follow Your Heart – Be Amazing paper pad from MME. SO sweet! And I used the new Up, Up & Away Die-namics dies and the previously released Inspired by Up, Up and Away stamp set for my focal image. There’s also bling, seam binding, and a twine tied button—what more could one want, right? The sentiment, also from the set, was stamped on the small fishtail die cut from the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics set, the ends cut off and popped up on another First Place Award Ribbon fishtail die cut. Add some machine stitching and some sponged edges and you’re done!

Here’s the inside with more images from the set:

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

And that's all for me for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Inspired By – Up, Up and Away (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream; Baja Breeze (SU!); Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake (SU!); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Up, Up & Away, First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies (MFT); bling, seam binding, button, twine, sewing machine, foam dots

Flourishes February Sneaks, Day Three

2012-02-10T01:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to day three of Flourishes February Peeks! Today we’re showing you a simply stunning set by Marcella Hawley called He Is Risen. A set full of Easter images and sentiments that you will love!

For my card today, I stamped the image on Classic White Card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with these Copic collections:
Poppy Collection:
Evergreen Collection: Warm Neutrals Collection: Robin’s Egg Collection:

Gerbera Daisy Collection:

Then I cut it out and popped it up on a Classic Oval Nestabilities die cut from Classic Ivory card stock, matted with a black Classic Scalloped Oval die cut. I stamped the sentiment on patterned paper, added some lace, this Iridescent Ivory ribbon, and a few pearls for balance. The pearls were white to begin with, but easily colored with a Copic marker. And that’s it! Don’t you just love how simply elegant that cross is? Perfection, pure perfection.
Now, be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you today...
Barbara Anders (<--you are here!) Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence Christine Okken Danielle Kennedy Dawn Burnworth Stacy Morgan Tammy Hershberger Sharon Doolittle Jan Marie Caruso
Beate Johns

...because ONE of them is the

for today :) Now, here's a few things you'll want to know about this release:

Take advantage of a special limited time only deal and grab all of the new sets for January in the New Release Bundle at 10% off the total price. Get all the details HERE.
Don't forget the B & W + 1 Challenge is still in progress.
AND, don't forget to check the Flourishes Blog for today's Noon Time Challenge--another way to win a prize!!
All winners will be announced on Saturday, February 11th, at Noon CST on the Flourishes Blog.

OK, I think that's all from me! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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~Supplies~
Stamps: He Is Risen (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White Card Stock (Flourishes); Basic Black (SU!); Follow Your Heart – Be Happy (MME)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur, Classic Oval and Scalloped Classic Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); pearls, lace, ribbon, Copic markers

Flourishes February Sneak Peek–Day Two

2012-02-09T01:00:00.002-05:00

It’s Day Two of Flourishes February Sneaks and have we got a sweet little set for you today.

Tiny Tags is chocked full of familiar images and sentiments on a tiny scale designed to work with the new Classic Tags Spellbinders dies:

I decided to use several of the images to make a colorful border on my card. Using Classic White card stock, I cut the edge of a panel with my Spellbinders Classic Triple Scallop Edgeabilities die and stamped a flower image in each of the scallops. Then I masked each of the flowers and added leaves on either side before coloring the images with Copic markers using these collections:

Evergreen Collection

Sunflower Collection

Lenten Rose Collection

Hollyhock Collection

Delphinium Collection

Flesh Tones Collection

Warm Neutrals Collection

Then I embossed another panel, tied a ribbon around that, added the sweet little tag with the sentiment, and put it all together on my base card. A sweet little card that could be used for lots of occasions!

Now, be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you today...

Barbara Anders (<--you are here!)
Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Jan Marie Caruso
Beate Johns

...because ONE of them is the

for today :) Now, here's a few things you'll want to know about this release:

Take advantage of a special limited time only deal and grab all of the new sets for January in the New Release Bundle at 10% off the total price. Get all the details HERE.
Don't forget the B & W + 1 Challenge is still in progress.
AND, don't forget to check the Flourishes Blog for today's Noon Time Challenge--another way to win a prize!!
All winners will be announced on Saturday, February 11th, at Noon CST on the Flourishes Blog.

OK, I think that's all from me! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope to see you back again tomorrow when I’ll have another sneak for you!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Tiny Flowers and Tags (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur machine; Classic Triple Scallop and Classic Tags dies (Spellbinders); ribbon, button, twine, Copic markers

Flourishes Noon-Time Challenge–Pinterest Inspiration

2012-02-08T13:00:00.001-05:00

Hi, all. I’m back again with Flourishes Noon-Time challenge! You can get all the details at the Flourishes Blog. Today’s challenge is an inspiration challenge using an image from Pinterest and here it is:

Gorgeous piece, is it not? I was lucky to find the perfect paper in my stash—bits and pieces of an old retired paper pack, but enough :) I stamped the smaller image and the sentiment on Classic Ivory card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and again, colored only the ribbon with my Poppy Collection Copic markers.

I loved how it looked on the inside of my earlier card so I did it again. Then I cut it out with a Spellbinders Petite Oval Nestabilities die and matted it with a Petite Scalloped Oval Nestabilities die cut and added tiny white pearls to each scallop. Some pink and white ribbon finished it off!

Thanks so much for stopping by again! Hope to see you back tomorrow when I’ll have Day Two of Flourishes’ February Sneaks!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Calla Lilies (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic Ivory (Flourishes); Basic Black (SU!); Sabrina (retired - Making Memories)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur machine, Petite Oval and Scalloped Petite Oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders); pearls, ribbon, Copic markers, foam dots

Flourishes February Sneak Peek, Day One

2012-02-08T01:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the first day of Flourishes’ February Release Sneaks! Today we’re previewing a brand new set by Marcella Hawley that will fill the gap in many stampers’ arsenals: sympathy cards. I’m sure you’ll reach for this gorgeous calla lily set with it’s comforting sentiments over and over—I know I will.

I stamped my callas on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored them with these Copic collections:

Poppy Collection
Spring Greens Collection

Sunflower Collection

Evergreen Collection

Then I fussy cut it out and popped it up on a Spellbinders Picot Edge Circle Nestabilities die cut and added some sweet pearls to each picot.

I stamped the sentiment in the lower right corner and tied a ribbon on by punching a slit out of the top fold. Then I popped the focal panel up on foam dots and it was done!

Except for the inside. I stamped another image from the set on the inside along with another sentiment. I chose to color only the ribbon on this image.

So, there you have it—the first sneak of the February release!

Also being released today is February’s 1, 2, 3 Create Kit – Bonjour. It’s available right now.

Now, be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you today...

Barbara Anders (<--you are here!) Julie Koerber Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Jan Marie Caruso

...because ONE of them is the

for today—the winner wins the set previewing today :)

Now, here's a few things you'll want to know about this release:

Take advantage of a special limited time only deal and grab all of the new sets for January in the New Release Bundle at 10% off the total price. Get all the details HERE.
Don't forget the B & W + 1 Challenge is still in progress.
AND, don't forget to check the Flourishes Blog for today's Noon Time Challenge--another way to win a prize!!
All winners will be announced on Saturday, February 11th, at Noon CST on the Flourishes Blog.

OK, I think that's all from me! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll see you back later with the noon-time challenge and again tomorrow with another sneak!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Calla Lilies (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur machine, Picot Edge Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ribbon, pearls, foam dots, slot punch, Copic markers

Hello, Friend–CTD #178

2012-02-07T23:59:00.001-05:00

Are you ready for another Color Throwdown Challenge? This week’s hostess is Keva with a color combo that really challenged me. I mean, there’s no GREEN? This is two weeks in a row with no GREEN? Are you serious? ;-)

But, I decided to gave it my best shot and thought CAS might be the best way to go. So CAS it is. First, I stamped the flourishes from MFT’s new Finishing Flourishes stamp set on the card front, then made my flowers. Obviously, I can’t get enough of MFT’s new Botanical Beauty Die-namics ;-) I played around with the arrangement for a while and decided where to put my sentiment, also from Finishing Flourishes. I stamped it on a Layered Labels Die-namics die cut and popped it up on some foam dots for interest, then I adhered my flowers and was pretty much done with the outside.

Here’s the inside with more images from Finishing Flourishes. I stamped the flourishes off once before stamping and over-stamped with the sentiment.

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD178 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.

Barbara Anders (<--- You are here!)
Broni Holcombe
Danielle Kennedy
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Keva Brown
Kristin Eberline
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Tammy Hershberger
Wanda Cullen
Jenny Peterson (February Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love it when you do!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Finishing Flourishes (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Botanical Beauty, Layered Labels Die-namics dies (MFT); foam dots, hot glue/gun

MFT February New Product Tour

2012-02-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

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Welcome to my stop on MFT’s February New Product Tour! What a fabulous release this is! But then, they all are ;-)

You might have guessed that I’m all about some home décor projects and you would be right. Inspired by Lighthouses was just too pretty to NOT frame, IMO, so that’s what I did :) My home office has a bit of a nautical theme into which this will fit just perfectly :)

I stamped the lovely light house on some cream paper and colored it with Copic markers. I decided to have a bit of beach on the shoreline with the sea in the background. After I colored everything, I masked off the foreground and lighthouse, airbrushed in the sky, and then sponged the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Before I put it in the frame, I cut a piece of acrylic cardstock to put in front of it for protection.

I made my flowers from canvas using the Pretty Posies Die-namics and I’m going to show you how I did that in just a minute. But first, I’ll tell you a few other things about this project.

My frame is an unfinished frame from the $1 bin at Michaels. Gotta love that ;-) I stained it with Weathered Wood Distress Stain, distressed it up with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, and sanded the edges.

After I did that, I stamped my sentiment where I wanted it with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I tried several inks on the back of the frame to see which one would give me the best image without bleeding into the wood grain and Onyx Black won, hands down.

OK, so here’s the 411 on the canvas flowers. I cut them out with my Pretty Posies Die-namics dies from canvas duck that I got at Joanne Fabrics. A little tip: the natural canvas is more “dense” or tightly woven than the white or any other color so it may take several more back and forths to get a good clean cut. They all take several; the natural may take more.

Now, this stuff is a little floppy and I wanted to be able to “mold” my layers for dimension.

I had an “aha” moment when it occurred to me that I could

use spray starch for this. It worked like a charm! The only drawback is that you have to plan in advance—I let my flowers dry overnight and then put them together and it worked perfectly. Here’s what I did.

I laid each layer out on some paper and gave them a good soaking with the spray starch.

Then I started to “mold” them just like I do with paper only I worked with these a little longer.

Here’s what they looked like when I was done—they’re still pretty wet here. I set them aside to dry overnight.

In the meantime, I cut leaves out with my Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies. I was totally surprised that the score line showed up so well in the canvas. Just a happy bonus :)

So, here are all the layers, shaped and dry—see the dimension?

I wanted to distress them to go along with the frame. So, on the natural ones I gently sponged on some Frayed Burlap Distress ink…

…and I used Weathered Wood and Brushed Corduroy on the white ones.

Then I proceeded to assemble them as normal, with hot glue and a twine-tied button center. I also added a couple of “driftwood” branches using the branch from the Branches With Leaves Die-namics set. Before I adhered the flowers and leaves, I added a sailor’s knot for more of that nautical feel. Dare I say I love this project, too? Ahhh, yeah, I do :)

Thanks SO much for stopping by! I hope you were able to get a little inspiration from this project and will attempt some out-of-the-box projects of your own! MFT Die-namics Dies—not just for cards :)

~Supplies~
Stamps: Inspired By Lighthouses (MFT)
Paper: Cream Perfect Paper Panel; acrylic card stock (Flourishes)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen, Weathered Wood Distress Ink, Weathered Wood Distress Stain (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Pretty Posies, Upsy Daisy, Branches With Leaves Die-namics dies (MFT); natural, light green, dark green, Khaki, and white canvas duck, twine, cotton yarn, hot glue/gun, spray starch, buttons, Copic markers, wooden frame, sanding block (Tim Holtz)

MFT February Die-namics Feature and Pep Rally!

2012-02-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

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Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to shop for your favorite Brand Spankin' New products from MFT.
But first... it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally!

Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last.
We've taken an in-depth look at this month's Die-namics, while re-visiting the amazing sets being released tonight at 10 PM EST RIGHT HERE in the MFT Boutique.
And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new? Head over to the MFT Blog to print out a shopping list.
Here are the details about the upcoming release on February 7th at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
You have just a few more hours to submit your entry for this month's guest designer contest. Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the designers' posts for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on February 7th just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Welcome! I have a photo tutorial for you today with lots of pictures, so settle back with a cuppa and enjoy! It looks like a lot of steps, but once you get one flower done you’ll see how easy it is.
If you stop by here very often, by now you should know how much I love flowers, and since it’s still too cold to *grow* flowers, I’m going to show you how to *make* this gorgeous bouquet :) I swear, IRL this looks like a bowl of zinnias! I might have to do another set of bright yellows and oranges for summer, I love it so much! I have this sitting on a china cabinet and it adds such a nice touch of color this winter.

First of all, I started by cutting out lots of layers with my Botanical Beauty Die-namics dies, which will be available tonight at 10pm! Make sure you put this on your shopping list so you don’t forget it—it’s amazing what you can do with this die set!

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The next thing you’ll need is some covered florist wire. You can get that at any craft store and probably at Wal*Mart. Here’s what it looks like:

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You’ll need to straighten it out and then put some right angle bends in the center of each wire like this—about 1/4” apart. I use an old hemostat, but needle-nose pliers should work just fine.

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Next we’ll assemble the flower base. First I shaped each petal a bit with my fingernail and then layered them up on the foam block on which I do my paper piercing. Then I poked two holes in the center, about 1/4” apart. You know where this is going, right?

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Yep, you got it—then I put the wire ends through the holes like this.

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This next step is not essential but it will help keep you from tearing your paper when you do the next step. Just bend the wire “legs” in opposite directions from where they are…

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…and start twisting the two “legs” to form the stem.

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After I had them twisted, I wrapped the newly formed stem with florist’s tape. This is also not “essential” but will give you a nicer finished product. If you’re not familiar with florist’s tape, you can also find this at craft stores. It’s a little sticky and will adhere to itself if you stretch it a bit as you’re winding it down the stem.

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OK, now it’s time to add the centers. I like to put my center layers together with hot glue, but you can use any adhesive you prefer. One reason I like the hot glue is that with it you can get even more dimension by essentially using a paper tole (layering for dimension) technique. Before I start to adhere the layers, I bend the “stamens” up—this makes it easier to shape them, after the center is assembled, by breaking up the fibers.

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I put a dab of hot glue on the bottom of the smallest layer and place it on the next one—but don’t press it all the way down—leave it popped up a bit. Just make sure it’s even and let it set up, which takes only a few seconds. Repeat with the third layer and your center is done! I hope you can see the dimension between the layers in this picture.

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The next step is to attach the center to the base. Simply apply a dab of hot glue right on the florist’s wire and position your already-assembled center on that. The wire would make the center “rock” without the hot glue, but it lets you level it out perfectly.

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Now, I knew I wanted to add some leaves to these flowers, but the largest layer is a pretty good size and none of our existing leaves were the right scale. So, I looked around at my dies and EUREKA! I spied the perfect thing!! I knew I could make the football in the All-Star Die-namics set work! Here’s what I did: I simply cut it out as usual and trimmed a little off the larger side! Voila! A larger leaf, complete with center score line! To give it even more dimension, I gently “cupped” it along that score line to shape it—you can see that in the picture directly above. Some of my flowers only have two layers and the large leaf from Upsy Daisy Die-namics worked great with them. Ah, MFT Die-namics—they open up a whole new chapter in paper crafting :)

The only thing left to do now is to attach your leaves under the flower with more hot glue. I tried to make sure I stuck the pointed end of at least one leaf on each flower in the space between the flower and where the wires started to twist—this added a lot of stability to the finished flower.
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Here’s the finished project again. Can I just say I’m in love with it? ‘Cause I am, and I hope you are too and will give it a try--I’d love to see what you come up with.

Here are all the Die-namics dies I used on this project:

Thanks so much for stopping by!
~Supplies~
Stamps: None
Paper: Gumdrop Green, Sour Apple, Jellybean Green; Daffodil Delight (SU!); 6 x 6 (Crate Paper)
Ink: None
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Botanical Beauty, All-Star, and Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); hot glue and gun, florist’s wire and tape, paper piercer and mat, needle-nose pliers

MFT February Teaser, Day Six

2012-02-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Day Six of MFT’s February Teasers! Here are the details about the upcoming release on February 7th at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on February 7th just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Today we’re previewing:

Pure Innocence

Firefighter Boy
Firefighter Girl
Purrfect
Blowing Bubbles
Violin Girl

Anyone who knows me well knows I love me some kitties! So when I saw the PIs for this month it was a no brainer—I had to use PI – Purrfect :) Happily, I had some of this paper left, which was also purrfect. I stamped the image, paper pieced her dress, and colored the rest with Copic markers. My black kitty, Jet, is my heart cat so I had to color this kitty black for him :) I used a white pen to dot in the ears, eyes, and nose and then colored over the white so the color would show up.

Then I added a border with the cool buckle and fish charm that’s in this month’s Pet Charms Die-namics set. For the “collar” I simply stitched around some patterned paper and attached the charm with a brad.

Here’s a close up of that:

And here’s the inside with an adorable sentiment and another sweet little image from the set:

Here’s a peek at the Die-namics die set:

And that’s it! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’ll be back tomorrow with my project for the Die-namics Feature and Pep Rally—you won’t want to miss it!

~Supplies~
Stamps: PI – Purrfect (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice; Neenah Classic Crest Cover, Solar White Smooth, 130lb; Max and Whiskers 6 x 6 (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Pet Charms Die-namics dies (MFT); brad, sewing machine, Copic markers

What’s the 411?–MFT February Teaser, Day Five

2012-02-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on February 7th just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

*******

We have two à la modes for you today:

Girl Talk
Rock Star

I’m showing your Girl Talk. First of all, I stamped her and did some Copic coloring, then I paper pieced her outfit. I don’t know about you, but these girls are so skinny it’s hard to find patterned paper with a small enough scale to suit me, soooo… I was looking through my paper stash and came across something that worked perfectly. Like most paper pads, Fancy Pants has some samples on the cover. But UNLIKE most paper pads, Fancy Pants is smaller in scale than the real thing. So, I proceeded to use some strips from the cover for my girlie and I love how it turned out.

OK, so after I colored her and got her dressed, I cut her out and popped her up on a new Die-namics die. This month you’ll be seeing Oval Decorative Doily Duo. I used the largest die from the Duo stacked on the original Oval Decorative Doily Die-namics for a nice little back drop. I used some corrugated cardboard for the top layer--it adds lots of texture.

I also used the corrugated cardboard for the center of my Botanical Bloom Die-namics flower. Yep, used it again—I love it! I love how the die cuts those little “stamens” out of the corrugated cardboard perfectly even though it’s thick!

I used the new Chat Bubbles Die-namics for my outside sentiment but altered it a little bit. I wanted to use that shorter sentiment but if I did, there’d be some blank space. So, let me show you how I shortened the Chat Bubble die cut to fit.

First of all, I cut out the one I wanted, which was the narrower one for this card. Then I lightly stamped the sentiment I’d chosen on the BACK of the die cut. This was a guide so I wouldn’t have to guess at how long to leave it.

Then I replaced the die cut back into the die and let the excess hang over the end. I secured it in the die with a bit of removable tape.

Then I ran it through my die cutting machine, placing the cutting plate over the area needing to be cut, but leaving the other end exposed.

And here’s what it looked like after it was cut.

Here’s my altered Chat Bubble die cut compared to the original size.

And here’s the inside of the card with another sentiment on the full sized Chat Bubble die cut.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks SO much for stopping by! I’ll be back tomorrow with another teaser—it’s PI time! Just sayin’ ;-)

~Supplies~
Stamps: à la modes in Girl Talk (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Black Licorice; Neenah Solar White 130#; It's the Little Things 6 x 6 (Fancy Pants Designs)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Chat Bubble, Oval Decorative Doily Duo, Oval Decorative Doily Duo, Botanical Beauty Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, sewing machine, Copic markers

Chase Your Dreams–MFT February Teaser, Day Four

2012-02-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

Vertical Greetings
Ring Me
Finishing Flourishes

I’m using Vertical Greetings and Finishing Flourishes on my card today. Vertical Greetings has four sentiments and there is a coordinating die that will sell separately.

I stamped the sentiment on a Vertical Greetings Die-namics die cut and added some patterned paper to the bottom part of the die cut. I LOVE the size of these sentiments and the vertical orientation—PERFECT for the focal element. I popped it up on top of some bling and gingham ribbon/bow.

I found that when I was stamping these images, it was easier for me (I have small hands) to turn the die cut on it’s “side” and mount the stamp the same way. Then I just stamped like I do with longer sentiment stamps. Make sense?

Here’s the inside of my card using Finishing Flourishes. The sentiment is from the set as are the flourishes. Sweet, no?

Here is the soon-to-be-released Vertical Greetings Die-namics die I used on this card:

And that’s it! Hope to see you back again tomorrow for another teaser!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Vertical Greetings, Finishing Flourishes (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Hot Fudge; Pretty In Pink 6 x 6 (Glitz)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Vertical Greetings Die-namics die (MFT); bling, ribbon, foam dots

Mr. Fix It–C4C #122

2012-02-03T23:59:00.001-05:00

It’s Crazy 4 Challenges day! Since it’s the first Saturday in the month we have a new host. February’s host is Lynda and for her first week she’s challenged us to “Make a Scene”. Another “right up my alley” challenge :)

I’m using a soon-to-be-released set from MFT called Fix-It Fred for my scene. I started with some blue patterned paper for my sky and went from there, adding some torn-edged Kraft card stock for the background and grass cut with the Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics die. Fred (How CUTE is he?? Look at that tool belt!!) was stamped and colored with Copic markers then fussy cut out and popped up on foam dots after the red baker’s twine was added. Clouds, using Flat Bottom Clouds Die-namics and a sun, using the Sunshine Die-namics die were added and the sentiment was stamped on some Mini Pennant Die-namics die cuts and “hung” from more baker’s twine.

One the inside of the card there’s another sentiment from the set and new dies! This is Tool Charms Die-namics and will be available for purchase on February 7th at 10 PM. How stinkin’ CUTE, right?

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

And that's all for me for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Fix-It Fred (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Sweet Tooth, Wild Cherry, Perfect Paper Panel; Silver Metallic (SU!); Candy Shoppe Collection Dots & Stripes and Country Drive 6 x 6 pads (Echo Park)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Sunshine, Flat Bottom Clouds, Fresh Cut Grass, Mini Pennant, Tool Charms Die-namics dies (MFT); Copic markers, baker’s twine, silver pen (Pentel)

Flourishes Pre-Release Challenge–B & W + 1

2012-02-03T01:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Flourishes’ February Pre-Release Challenge! This month’s challenge is one I love: Black and White and another color. Fun and so much scope for creativity!

Get all the details at the Flourishes blog.

I usually go with red when I do black and white but I pulled out my Hearts and Flowers set that had never been inked up and decided to use the sweet daisy heart. I stamped it on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic markers, using these Copic collections:

Then I cut it out and popped it up on foam dots on top of several designs of patterned paper and a Labels Eighteen Nestabilities die cut. I tied some matching yellow ribbon around in a bow and then added a flag, using a die from the Nested Pennants set.

So, that's it for me. Be sure to take a look at what the rest of the design team has for you.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Hearts and Flowers (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Basic Black (SU!); Meadowlark 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur, Labels Eighteen Nestabiltities, Nested Pennants (Spellbinders); Copic markers, ribbon, foam dots

Always Kiss Me Goodnight–MFT February Teaser, Day Three

2012-02-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

Clearly Sentimental about Romance (January’s Triple Scoop Set)
Clearly Sentimental about Pets (Triple Scoop Set)

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Clearly Sentimental About Romance will be available on it’s own with this release and it has become a favorite of mine—I especially love the sentiment I used on the front. I’m using it with the Layered Labels Die-namics dies—love the many looks you can get with this set of dies. I’m also using the new Monarch Border Die-namics die (if you think this looks familiar, last month MFT released the Jumbo Monarch Die-namics die—same look, different size) and I couldn’t resist using the new Botanical Beauty Flower Die-namics die again.

Here’s another sentiment from the set on the inside of my card:

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

OK, that’s it for me! Thanks so much for stopping by! See you back tomorrow with another teaser!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Romance (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream; Cherry Cobbler (SU!); Kissing Booth 6 x 6 (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Botanical Beauty, Monarch Border; Layered Labels Die-namics dies; twine, sewing machine

The Sky’s the Limit–MFT February Teaser, Day Two

2012-02-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

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You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

Inspired by Lighthouses Stamp Set
Inspired by Up, Up & Away Die-namics dies
Fix-It Fred Stamp Set

I’m showing you the Up, Up & Away Die-namics dies. This die set was designed to coordinate perfectly with the previously released Inspired by Up, Up and Away stamp set. For my card, I chose some patterned paper with a sweet landscape that worked well with the balloons. I made my card front just like usual, then decided where to place my balloon dies, taped them down with removable tape, and ran them through my die cutting machine. Then I taped the card together with more removable tape and proceeded to stamp the balloon images from the set through the die cut openings. I’ll admit to holding my breath the entire time since I don’t have much of this paper left, LOL! But, happily it worked flawlessly. I waited to add my twine until this point. You see the stamped balloons through the openings in the card front and when you open the card you see this on the inside--I added the sentiment and it was done!
Here’s a look at the new Up, Up & Away Die-namics dies:

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope to see you back tomorrow when I’ll be previewing February teaser, Day Three!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Inspired by Up, Up & Away (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Sweet Tooth, Gumdrop Green; Butterfield 6 x 6 (Memory Box)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Up, Up & Away Die-namics die (MFT); twine

Happy Birthday–MFTWSC #57

2012-02-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

I wasn’t sure about this sketch when I first saw it but now I love it! It was really fun! I flipped it and decided to use black and white with a pop of color. And I used a black rhinestone flourish to take the place of the three “bead” elements on each end. I’ve been wanting to see how well Die-namics dies would cut out glittered card stock and the answer is VERY WELL :) I used my Pretty Posies Die-namics for the flower and added Upsy Daisy Die-namics leaves. And for the flower center I dug out a designer thumbtack from my stash—I haven’t used these in a while but I thought it was perfect for this. Simply cut off the tack part and adhere the head in the flower center. Dressier than a button or plain brad or pearl :) The sentiment is from More Essential Sentiments and was stamped on a Clearly Sentimental Label Die-namics die cut.

Here’s the inside with another sentiment from the set:

And here are the Die-namics dies I used:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I’ll be back tomorrow with day two of the February teasers!

~Supplies~
Stamps: More Essential Sentiments (MFT)
Paper: Black Licorice, Sweet Tooth; pink and green glitter paper; Meadowlark 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Upsy Daisy, Pretty Posies, and Clearly Sentimental Labels Die-namics dies; bling, designer thumbtack

The Key To My Heart–CTD #177

2012-02-01T02:00:00.001-05:00

It’s time for this week’s Color Throwdown challenge! Kerri has chosen a really fun inspiration piece and colors for this week:

I decided to bring out another set I haven’t used in a while: From the Bottom Of My Heart WTG. She’s colored with Copic markers and paper pieced and popped up on a Dizzy Doily Duo Die-namics die and some patterned paper. The sentiment was stamped on a First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die cut and attached with baker’s twine and a button.

Here’s the inside with another sentiment and image from the set. The balloons were paper pieced, as well.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used today:

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD177 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, including our February Guest Designer, Jenny Peterson.

Barbara Anders (<--- You are here!)

Broni Holcombe
Danielle Kennedy

Joan Ervin

Kerri Michaud

Keva Brown
Lori Tecler

Lynn Put

Tammy Hershberger

Wanda Cullen

Jenny Peterson (February Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back a little later with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

~Supplies~
Stamps: From the Bottom Of My Heart WTG (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice, Razzle Berry; Be Mine 6 x 6 (Echo Park)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Dizzy Doily Duo, First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies (MFT); baker’s twine, button

Let’s Chat Soon–MFT February Teaser, Day One

2012-02-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of the month—MFT February Teasers start today!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on February 7th at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on February 7th from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on February 7th at 10 PM EST. You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

*******
Today the Design Team is showing you Let’s Chat – this month’s WTG. This set is just perfect for a card I needed to make—for an old, old friend with whom I want to get in touch with again. We truly have been friends since phones had cords so this sentiment was a no brainer—and it totally cracks me up!!

I stamped WTG and then paper pieced her clothes—love this chevron pattern for her sweater. The rest of the image was colored with Copic markers. You’ll see I’m using FOUR new Die-namics dies on this card. One of them is this gorgeous flower: Botanical Beauty. I REALLY love this flower and the dimension that you can achieve, as you can see in this close up:

Isn’t that center awesome??!! I’m also using a new border: Monarch Border Die-namics, and the smaller of the new Chat Bubbles Die-namics dies.

And, look at this—Ring Me Die-namics die is a telephone! There’s also a stamp set to go with it but I’m using only part of the die set on the inside of this card, along with another sentiment from Let’s Chat.

Here are all of the soon-to-be-released dies I used on this card:

So, that’s it for today’s teaser! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back later with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Let’s Chat (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Black Licorice, Perfect Paper Panel; Kraft Funday Happy Days 6 x 6 (MME)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Vintage Touch Chamomile Ink (PTI)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Ring Me, Monarch Border, Chat Bubbles, Botanical Beauty Die-namics dies (MFT); twine

MFT February Creative Chat–The Creative Process

2012-01-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum. This month, we were challenged with the following:

Show us your creative mind at work. Take us on a journey through a card-making session, start to finish.
How do you select colors, layout, embellishments, and overall design?
Share your creative process with us.

Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge and get ready to delve into the minds of our creative team.

OK, so are you ready for lots of pictures? I’m going to walk you through how *I* go about designing a card from a sketch. I pretty much do the same things no matter what my starting place is. If I’m working on a color challenge, or an inspiration piece, I almost always start with my layout. Mind you, that layout may change in the process, but that’s where I start. The exception to this rule is when I have to use a particular stamp set, say, for teasers. Then, obviously, I start with the set, but my next step is to find a sketch that will work with that set. So, let’s get to it, shall we?

*******
I’m going to show you how I designed my card for MFT’s Wednesday Sketch Challenge #56. First, I pulled up the sketch on my computer—I keep it in front of me the entire time I’m working.

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I knew I wanted to make a Valentine card so next I got out all my Valentine paper to see which one “spoke” to me the most.

*******

I decided to go with MME ‘Love Me’ collection and then worked on choosing papers. I pulled out several designs and card stocks and switched them all around until I decided this was the arrangement I liked the best.

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Then I decided on what stamp set I wanted to use. I chose to use Inspired by Love, which hadn’t see any love lately ;-) I went with the fancy heart as my focal image.

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My next step was to see what Die-namics die I wanted to use for that circular element. So, I tried out the image I’d chosen from the set to see what die I liked best for this image. I chose the Dizzy Doily Die-namics die for this one.

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But…I think the heart looks a little lost on the large die and it was too large for the sketch, as well, so…

*******

…I tried it out on the largest of the Dizzy Doily Duo Die-namics dies and it was “just right” :)

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Next, I roughly laid out all my elements to see if this was really the way I wanted to go. This is where I’ll adjust a sketch a bit if necessary…

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This is where I decided on my sentiment. Since I was going to use the flag from First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die set, the sentiment had to fit on the flag. I tried several out but decided to go with this one from Clearly Sentimental About Romance.

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…and then I firmed up my design but don’t put it together yet.

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Now I needed to decide on some embellishments. To do this, I brought out several things I thought might work…

*******
…and then rejected them all for this. I felt I needed a little more aqua blue on the card so first I tried some turquoise baker’s twine. But, it was too dark so I went with red and a dark aqua button. I think this balanced it out nicely.

*******

I was happy with that so the only thing left to do was put it together and here’s the finished result. Sometimes I decide to sew on a card—actually, I have to make myself NOT sew on a card sometimes, LOL! I fear they’ll all look alike if I do that, so I mix it up. This one seemed to *need* sewing so I did it.

So, that’s it! That’s the way I go about creating a card. I hope I’ve given you a few tips for making the creative process easier for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

Happy birthday, Friend–Card Patterns #150

2012-01-29T00:00:00.002-05:00

Hi, everyone, I’m back today with a card using Card Patterns’ Sketch #150. MFT is sponsoring Card Patterns this week so I thought I’d play along. Here’s the sketch:

I fiddled with the sketch just a little, but I think you can see it. I’m using Vintage Cameo Die-namics & Stamp Set for my card. I stamped the silhouette image then cut the frame from patterned paper, adhered the image panel, and popped it up on foam. I’m also using the Crown Border Die-namics for the zigzag element and the sentiment was stamped on a First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics die cut and attached to a button and some twine. Three sweet roses using the Mini Rolled Rose Die-namics set and Upsy Daisy Die-namics for the leaves finish it off. I really love how this card turned out!

And here’s the inside with another sentiment from the set:

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on my card:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Vintage Cameo (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream, Gumdrop Green; Rustic White (PTI); Splendid 6 x 6 (Authentique)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Mini Rolled Roses, First Place Award Ribbon, Vintage Cameo, and Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, twill, button, foam dots

All You Need Is Love–C4C #121

2012-01-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

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Happy Saturday!! Since it’s Saturday it must be Crazy 4 Challenges time! Today is Joanne’s last challenge for this month and she has picked one right up my alley! She wants us to “Layer it on. Lots and lots of layers and embellies.” Ok, I can do that ;-)
And, we’d like to announce some changes in the design team. Maria Bell has had to step down and we welcome Kelli Hull as our newest member! Welcome KJ!!!
I’m using MFT’s Clearly Sentimental About Love for my card today. Valentine’s cards are easy to layer and embellish the heck out of, KWIM? In addition to all the paper layers, I added a bling-y flourish, a layered die cut for my focal element, and twine, a dimensional flower, and die cut leaves :) The sentiment was stamped on a die cut using the Well Worn Greetings Die-namics set and that was layered on an Oval Decorative Doily Duo Die-namics die cut. My flower was made with my new favorite rolled flower, Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics and, of course, the leaves were made with the Upsy Daisy Die-namics.

Here’s the inside with another sentiment from the set:

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

And that's all for me for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you!

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 C4C121.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
~Supplies~
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Love (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Black Licorice; Head Over Heels 6 x 6 pad (Lilybee Design)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Vintage Touch Chamomile (PTI)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Well Worn Greetings, Oval Decorative Doily Duo, Rolled Scallop Flower, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, bling, foam dots

Flourishes Friday–Focus On Angelic Love

2012-01-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Flourishes Friday!

Here at Flourishes, the design team is picking up one of our older sets to give it a little attention! With the season of love upon us, we thought Angelic Love should be in the spotlight! So, in addition to getting some fantastic ideas today from the design team on how to use this stamp set, we're having a one day only sale! Buy today and you get 15% off! Simply use the code ANGEL in the coupon code box at the time of checkout.

I decided to make a Valentine card for a friend. I stamped the image on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with these Copic Collections:

Then I cut it out with a Classic Heart Nestabilities die and my Grand Calibur machine and popped it up on foam dots. I’m using Crochet White lace and some sweet gingham ribbon, from which I hung the locket image. A button, some twine, and some stitching finish it off.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the team has to show you:

Barbara Anders (<--you are here!)
Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Angelic Love (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Riding Hood Red (SU!); Paper Hearts 6 x 6 pad (Crate Paper)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur, Classic Heart Nestabilities die (Spellbinders); lace, ribbon, button, twine, Copic markers, sewing machine

Always Kiss Me Goodnight–MFTWSC #56

2012-01-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

I KNOW I’m going to be going back to this sketch over and over and OVER!! I love it! It’s just classic! After I chose my papers and got them on the base, I added a Dizzy Doily Duo Die-namics die cut. Then I stamped the heart from Inspired by Love, cut it out by hand, and popped it up on foam. I tied some baker’s twine around with a button and then added the sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Romance, which is this month’s Triply Scoop set, using a flag from the First Place Award Ribbon Di-namics set. I also added some stitching. It’s a very simple card but that heart is so elegant it totally dresses it up.

Here’s the inside with a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Love.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Inspired by Love, Clearly Sentimental About Romance, Clearly Sentimental About Love (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Wild Cherry; Love me 6 x 6 pad (MME)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Basic Grey (SU!); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Dizzy Doily Duo, First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies (MFT); baker’s twin, button, foam dots, sewing machine

Love–CTD #176

2012-01-25T02:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this week’s Color Throwdown challenge! Today’s colors were chosen by Joan and here is her inspiration piece:

Don’t you just love that image!! And what a gorgeous color palette!

I decided to make another Valentine card with it using MFT’s Clearly Sentimental About Love. I stamped the sentiment on a Layered Labels Die-namics die cut and popped it up on several layers. I have an Open Scallop Doily Duo Die-namics die cut and a Simply Scallops, Medium Die-namics border going on :) And, of course, a Pretty Posies flower with Upsy Daisy Die-namics leaves on to of a double twine bow.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD176 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.

Barbara Anders (<--- You are here!)
Broni Holcombe
Danielle Kennedy
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Tammy Hershberger
Wanda Cullen
Stacy Morgan (January Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back a little later with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Love (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Hot Fudge, Whip Cream; Head Over Heels 6 x 6 (Lilybee Design)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Layered Labels, Simply Scallops, Medium, Open Scallop Doily Duo, Pretty Posies, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); button, twine, sewing machine, foam dots

I Remembered Your Birthday–MFT and Scor-Pal Joint Blog Hop!

2012-01-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the MFT and Scor-Pal Joint Blog Hop! MFT and Scor-Pal are joining up today to bring you some fabulous inspiration. To see a complete list of participating designers from both teams, head on over to the MFT Blog.

Sadly enough, I’m often, shall we say, “tardy” in sending out birthday card? So I thought I’d make a belated birthday card to keep on hand ;-) I’m using MFT’s Textile Greetings Die-namics and Stamp set for my main image and sentiment. I stamped the hounds tooth image and cut it out with the die using my tutorial that you can find HERE. Then I stamped the sentiment and border then cut it out by hand and popped it on on the main label die cut. I used my Scor-Buddy to make the “pleated” element under the sentiment element using THIS tutorial from SCS and Scor-Tape for my adhesive.

Here’s a close up of it.

I finished it off with a flower made with my Pretty Posies and Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies. Here’s the inside with the rest of the sentiment :)

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Textile Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Black Licorice; Sahara Sand (SU!); Blissful 6 x 6 (Authentique)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Textile Greetings, Pretty Posies, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); button, twine, foam dots, Scor-Buddy, Scor-Tape

Thank you for your generosi-tea

2012-01-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

I needed another thank you card so I took this opportunity to use MFT’s Always Time for Tea Die-namics and Stamp Set. I cut the teapot and the spout, lid, handle, and bottom from coordinating patterned paper and popped it up on an Open Scallop Doily Duo Die-namics die. I stamped the sentiment on a First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics flag and popped it up on foam, too. Some stitching and some twill tied in a bow finished off the outside.

For the inside, I stamped a teapot and the rest of the sentiment.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps; Always Time For Tea Die-namics and Stamp Set (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Gumdrop Green; Ooh La La (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Leaves, Rose Bud
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); First Place Award Ribbon, Open Scallop Doily Duo, Always Time For Tea Die-namics dies (MFT); twill, sewing machine, foam dots

Superstar–C4C #120

2012-01-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to this week’s Crazy 4 Challenges challenge! This week Joanne is challenging us to make a child’s birthday card and MFT is sponsoring the challenge this week.

I decided to ink up MFT’s All-star Die-namics & Stamp Set which makes a perfect little boy birthday card. I’m also using a recent MFTWSC sketch, #54, for my layout.

The dies in this set do half the work for you! And the perfectly coordinating stamps do the rest!

On the inside I stamped the sentiment, from Just My Type Die-namics and Stamp Set and added “2u” using the By the Numbers Die-namics and By the Letters Die-namics dies. I used the Open Zig Zag Border Die-namics under the basketball and made a little flag with a new Mini Wavy Pennant Die-namics die on the pole from Wavy Pennants Die-namics.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

And that's all for me for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: All Star Die-namics and Stamp Set, Just My Type Die-namics and Stamp Set (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Tangy Orange; School Spirit Collection 6 x 6 (Crate Paper)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and Potter’s Clay
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); By the Numbers, By the Letters, All Star, Open Zig Zag Border, Mini Pennants, Mini Wavy Pennants Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, button, sewing machine

My Best Bud - Flourishes Friday Free For All

2012-01-20T01:00:00.001-05:00

Hi, all, welcome to Flourishes Friday Free For All! Today I have another card using two of the recently released sets. The gorgeous filigree heart is from From the Heart and the sentiment is from Heartlines. Pretty clean and simple and I think this would work just great for a guy—in fact, I think this is going to be my Valentine to my sweet DH this year—after all, he *is* my best bud.

I stamped the heart image on Classic White card stock with Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink, then the sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I matted it with black card stock and tied the red and black gingham ribbon around before adhering the three heart-shaped pearls.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Flourishes team has for you!

Barbara Anders (<--you are here!)
Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Jan Marie Caruso

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: From the Heart, Heartlines (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Basic Black (SU!)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rhubarb Stalk
Accessories/tools: ribbon, heart pearls

I just can’t thank you enough–MFTWSC #55

2012-01-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

Back again with what will become an often used sketch, I’m thinking. I love this sketch! PERFECT for sentiment only cards.

So, I stamped a border and sentiment from Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set and cut it out. I matted that with a Well Worn Greetings Die-namics die cut and popped that up on the stitched and blinged up card base. Finally, I added a flower made with the Fringed Perennial Die-namics die. Seriously, folks, MFT has so many fabulous flower dies it’s hard to decide which one I want to use. I love them all!

Here’s the inside with a sentiment from Thanks a Bunch.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set, Thanks a Bunch (MFT)
Paper: Whip Cream, Gumdrop Green; Splendid 6 x 6 pad (Authentique)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Fringed Perennial, Polka Dot Greetings, Well Worn Greetings Die-namics dies (MFT); sewing machine, bling, hot glue, glue gun, foam dots

Thank U–CTD #175

2012-01-18T02:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday! I’m back with this week’s Color Throwdown card. This week Danielle is our host and here are her colors and her inspiration piece.

I went pretty simple with my card. First of all I embossed the green background with some large dots. Then I added a die cut panel using MFT’s Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics die using some salvaged corrugated cardboard. Using an image from Thanks a Bunch, I stamped it on a flag from the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics set. Then I cut a “u” from By the Letters Die-namics and popped it up beside the “Thanks”. Then I tied some Maraschino Red baker’s twine around and added a patterned paper Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics flower to finish it off.

Here’s the inside with another sentiment from the set:

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD175 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.

Barbara Anders (<--- You are here!)
Broni Holcombe
Danielle Kennedy
Joan Ervin
Kerri Michaud
Lori Tecler
Lynn Put
Tammy Hershberger
Wanda Cullen
Stacy Morgan (January Guest Designer)

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Thanks a Bunch (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream, Wild Cherry, Gumdrop Green; For the Record 6 x 6 pad (Echo Park); salvaged corrugated cardboard
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); First Place Award Ribbon, Polka Dot Greetings, Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics dies, baker’s twine (MFT); embossing folder (Provocraft); foam dots, glue gun, glue stick