Introducing Die-namics!

MFT is proud to introduce Die-namics, its own exclusive, American-made line of steel dies!

Here are the three Die-namics dies being released MAY 5!

MFT Die-namics Clouds (element die) (one die, with three different sized clouds on it)
Small – 1.25” wide and .70” tall
Medium – 1.89” wide and 1.06” tall
Large – 2.51” wide and 1.41” tall

MFT Die-namics Jumbo Scallops (Edge die) 6” long, with each scallop measuring 1.5”

MFT Die-namics Scalloped Scallops (Edge die) 6” long, with each scallop measuring 1.5”

This was the "surprise" in the VIP packages last week -- now everyone can have them! :)

They are so easy to use, and they cut beautifully! I have tried them with both the Cuttlebug and Big Shot. Here's how to use them with the Big Shot:

1. Place the die (here I'm using the Jumbo Scallop die on sandpaper) face-down against the edge you want to cut.

2. Now flip it over and place into the "sandwich" in this order (bottom to top):
All Purpose Platform (completely closed)
Cutting Mat
Die (cutting surface face-up)
Material to be cut (face-down against the die)
Cutting Mat

3. Run it through your machine, and voila!

If you're using a Cuttlebug, here's the "sandwich" order (bottom to top):
A Plate
C Plate
Die (face-up)
Material to be cut (face-down)
B Plate
Extra piece of cardboard

You can cut so many materials with these dies! Here are just a few (click on photos for a closer view):

Acetate

Cardboard


Cardstock

Photo Magnet Sheets (I have big plans for this one!)

And of course, patterned paper (shown here with the Scalloped Scallops die)

So, do you want to see what I made with these fabulous dies? I created a frame for one of my very favorite photos. These are my oldest two children when they were younger, many years ago, on our first family trip to the beach!

I created three rows of Jumbo Scallops out of sandpaper and patterned paper, then I inked the edges. The sentiment is from Clearly Sentimental about Babies.

I used white craft ink on the edges of the acetate clouds, then I adhered them with a couple dots of glue from my Quickie Glue Pen.

I just love how this project turned out, and I can't wait to use these dies again! If you're looking for more fun with the new Die-namics, head over to Kim's Blog after 11 am. She will have a list of designers who have samples for you!

Tomorrow is the first day of May, and it's also the first day of MFTeasers! There's so much going on, and I hope you'll stop back to see it all! Thank you SO much for visiting today! :)

Have a Fantastic Friday!

Christina

CPS and MFT!

Hi there! This week's sketch at Card Positioning Systems (CPS) is sponsored by My Favorite Things! It's a fun one -- check it out HERE. I just had to play along! My card measures 3.25" tall x 6.25" wide. The patterned paper is Wild Raspberry by K&Company. This Flopsey from What's the Story? was perfect for the long layout! I colored with Copics, then I cut out and popped up the image.

Be sure to stop by CPS this week and link your creation -- you just might win some MFT goodies! :)

That's all for now -- thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina

Earth Day + 1

Hello! Happy Earth Day + 1! I really intended to make this card yesterday, ON Earth Day, but that just didn't happen! So, here it is, better late than never!

This week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club (WSC) is all about Earth Day Fun. Here's my card, on which I used Cosmo Cricket Earth Love paper and MFT's Grow Love Plant a Tree stamp set. I paper pieced the tree and added a trio of buttons.

Shortcut Tip: Since I knew I was going to cover the ends of the branches with buttons, I didn't worry about all that fine cutting on the ends when I paper pieced (take a look at the image in the stamp set, you'll know what I mean!) :)

The layout is this week's Sketch Challenge 277 at Splitcoaststampers. It's a great one! I didn't do any machine stitching on this card (shocking, I know!). The patterns on the papers are busy enough, and I didn't want to make things more complicated! Plus, it's an Earth Day conservation of electricity! I did distress and ink the paper -- I couldn't just leave it alone! ;)

That's all for now -- thank you so much for visiting today!

Have a fantastic Friday!
Christina

It's VIP Time!

Hi there! It's time for the MFT VIP Blog Hop! I hope you started at Kim's Blog -- if not, go back and catch up! :) Each month, the VIP package is available for ONE day only, weeks before it's scheduled to be released! This month, this is what you'll receive in your VIP package:

Top Shelf VIP $34.85
Top Shelf stamp set (WTG)
Top Shelf ribbons (7/8” grosgrain in white, black, wisteria, grey, sunflower)
MFT NEW EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT. This is a “BLIND” addition to the kit. You will be one of the FIRST to receive and use this product! It’ll be a happy surprise!
Top Shelf Sentiments FREE ($9 value)

As if that wasn't enough, there is an additional release!

Sheltering Tree stamp set $17.95
Sheltering Tree digi paper pack $3.95

Here's a look at the Sheltering Tree set and digi papers. I created a fun little scene with them! I cut out the tree and owls, and I distressed and inked all the paper and cardstock.


I finished the inside of the card with an image and sentiment from the set and more digi paper.


The digi papers are SO easy to download and print! Try them if you haven't already! Remember, the VIP package will be available only until tomorrow (April 21) at 11:59 pm! You won't see it again until the May 5 release, so what are you waiting for?? ;)


That's all for my stop! Next you'll be visiting the mega-talented Cindy Haffner. I can't wait to see what she's created!


Thanks so much for hopping by!

Christina

Happy Monday!

Hello! Happy Monday! The kids returned to school today, and life is back to normal (whatever that is!). We had a good spring break -- we spent some time visiting my brother in Charlotte, NC, and we also went to the Biltmore. Our weekend was spent playing catch-up, so I don't have anything stampy to share with you today! I'll definitely have something fun for you tomorrow night when we have the MFT VIP Blog Hop! I hope to see you here then!

Greetings from the Biltmore House! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

MFT's Greatest Hits: Who's That Girl

Hi, everyone! Today we're taking a look at some of MFT's Greatest Hits! Several of us on the DT are inking up some of our favorite Who's That Girl? images. We hope you'll think of a few WTG's in your stash that need to see some ink, too!

I wanted to use Gifty Girl so I could make a gift card holder -- I'm sure I'll need one soon with birthays, Mother's Day, and graduations on the horizon! I pulled out some of my favorite retired SU! paper and got busy!

I started with a half sheet of cardstock (11" x 4.25"). I scored at 4.25" and 8.5", leaving 2.5" for the top flap.There are a LOT of layers on this card -- it's pretty thick when closed! I stitched around the panels and I used ribbon to tie it closed.

I stamped a sentiment on the inside, but there is still some room for a personal message!

Stop by Kim's Blog today to see who else inked up some Who's That Girl? images! I'm sure you won't be disappointed! I'd love to see some of your WTG cards and projects, too! :)

That's all for now! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Have a fantastic day!

Christina

You Make Me Smile

Hi there! I hope you're having a great weekend! It's been beautiful here -- we've spent lots of time outside, doing yardwork and just hanging out. I had to force myself to come inside and stamp something! :)

Jen's Sketch for You to Try this week is a great one, and it was just what I needed to get the juices flowing! I used sweet Millie the Mouse, a new character from My Favorite Things (she's already sold out, but she'll be back soon)! I paper pieced her body and bow, then I added some pink to her body with a Prismacolor pencil. I stitched and inked all the paper panels.

My kids are on spring break this week, so we'll be spending some time visiting my brother and his family. I have a couple things ready to post while I'm gone, so please stop back! :)

Thank you so much for visiting today -- have a fantastic day!

Christina

Stamps: Millie the Mouse (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Touch Duo (PTI) Cardstock: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Wild Raspberry (K&Company) Other: Circle Nestabilities, Blossom Nestabilities, So Saffron ribbon, button, twine, Prismacolor pencil, Diamond Lace punch, dimensionals, sewing machine Card Size: 5.25" x 5.25"

Shop and Hop with MFT!

Hello! It's time for the MFT April Shop and Hop! If you came here by way of Amy's Blog, then welcome! If not, you'll want to go back to Kim's Blog and start from the beginning! :) The set I used for my project is Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays. It was last month's Triple Scoop set, but it's now available on its own!

I used Mercy's sketch for this card, and the paper is Kioshi by Basic Grey. I distressed and sewed the panels, and I inked around the image circle. I added four Baby Braddies to the panel behind the circle.

All of the MFT April releases are available right HERE, right now! It's time to do some shopping! :)

That's all for my stop! Next you'll visit the amazing Cindy Haffner! Thanks so much for hopping by!

Christina

Oh, Baby -- More MFTeasers!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! It's the final day of MFTeasers, and today's sets are all about babies and mothers. I have a lot to share today, so let's get started! :)

I used the sets Baby Bump and Baby Bump Additions to make this gift set for a mother-to-be. The paper is BasicGrey's Green at Heart.

I paper pieced the bags and her top, and I colored the rest with Copics. The ribbon is from Birthday Blast Ribbons.

I made some lavender soaps and placed them in a flat bottom gusset bag, then I attached the tag. I placed a row of Baby Braddies in the scallops on the tag. I just *love* those braddies! :)

My next project is a card featuring a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Babies. This is one of my favorite quotes about children and motherhood. Whether your kids are babies or teenagers, it is SO true! The sketch is for today's Wednesday Stamp Club -- Cindy and Frances always have such great sketches to play with!

I used some of my beloved October Afternoon paper, and I did a lot of machine stitching. I added four Baby Braddies to the corners, and I used Cuttlebug dies to make the flower.

Be sure to stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of all the MFT designers who have teasers today! I can't wait to see what they've done with these great sets!

TONIGHT is the Release Party -- I hope to see you there! I'll be back here tonight for the Shop and Hop as the sets go live at 10:00 pm!

Thank you for stopping by today! I do appreciate it so much! See you all tonight! :)

Christina

My Last ATS Preview... and a Goodbye

Hello, and Happy Tuesday! I have one last All That Scraps preview for you. Christine has created two more adorable Swiss Pixies this month! This is Nora on a Swing (the other is Birgitta on a Tree Stump). The sentiment is from Beach Sentiments by AmyR Stamps. I colored the image with Copics and added some Stickles to the butterflies. You can't really tell from the photo, but I paper pieced her legs so they would have just a bit of dimension. The paper is Green at Heart by BasicGrey.

When I told you that I have one last All That Scraps preview, I meant it really is my last All That Scraps preview. A couple weeks ago I made the very difficult decision to step down from the ATS Design Team. I had put off emailing Christine as long as I could, but I knew it was time. Life as of late has been taking time away from stamping, and something had to come off my plate. I'll be "retiring" from ATS after this month.

Nearly three years ago, Christine and Amy took a chance on this unknown stamper when they put together the first ATS Design Team. It was my first DT spot, and I will forever be grateful. It's truly unbelievable how my life has changed since then! I will SO miss my ATS teammates -- they are some of the kindest, most supportive, and most talented women in the business! I'm honored to have worked with them! Love you, girls! :)

I will still find time to stamp with the ATS images I've come to love so much -- those Sugarplums and Swiss Pixies will definitely be part of my "fun" stamping, so you will still see them here! :)

Now, back to business! Be sure to stop by the ATS Blog for more previews of these Swiss Pixies, and see how you can win your own stamps! Don't forget that all of the ATS releases will be available tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 10 pm!

I'll be back tomorrow with the last day of MFTeasers -- I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for the visit today!

Wishing YOU a sunshiney day! :)
Christina

Birthday Princess

*Scroll down if you're looking for my ATS preview!*

Hi there! I'm back with my second post of the day! It's today's MFTeaser, and it's new Pure Innocence! :) My niece is celebrating her first birthday next week, so Birthday Princess was exactly what I needed to make her card! I colored the image with Copics and paper pieced her dress. The paper is from the Ducks in a Row collection by October Afternoon.

I used Glitzy Glitter on her crown and on the cake icing. The satin ribbon is from the Birthday Blast Ribbons. I also added a trio of Glittered Garnishes.

I finished the inside of the card, and I used the "1" from Bling 'Bers. I put more Glitzy Glitter in each of the dots.


Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for the list of everyone who has MFTeasers today! I can't wait to see all the cuteness! :) All of the new sets will be released Wednesday night at 10:00 pm -- all the details of the Release Party can be found HERE.


That's all for today! I'll be back with more tomorrow!


Thanks so much for visiting -- have a great day!


Christina

The Previews Continue!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and a wonderful Easter! I'm back with more previews today -- it's another day with two posts! My first post is an ATS preview of the new sets by AmyR Stamps, Big Words and Handy Additions. These two sets are so perfect together, and there are many, many possibilities for combining the sentiments! This is a birthday card for my sister-in-law.

Go over to the ATS Blog to see more samples of this set and find out how you can win one of your own! All of the new sets will be released Wednesday, April 7 at 10:00 pm at All That Scraps!

I'll be back in a bit with my MFTeaser for today! Thanks so much for visiting!

Christina

Stamps: Big Words, Handy Additions (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry (SU!) Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink (SU!), Whip Cream (MFT) Paper: Sweet Celebrations (Bella Blvd) Other: Cuttlebug, flower dies, Birthday embossing folder (Provo Craft), border punch, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, dimensionals (SU!), button (BasicGrey), twine (PTI) Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

Easter Previews, Part 2

This is my second post today! Scroll down for the ATS preview! :)

Hello again! I'm back with today's MFTeaser! Today we're previewing two NEW characters, and I know you're going to love them! Meet Fred Bear. The set is called Fred Bear in Flight. Isn't he adorable?

I was thrilled that I had some of this Cosmo Cricket Lil' Man paper to use with him. The airplanes were just perfect! I took a strip of October Afternoon Night Light paper and pleated it, then I stitched over it. I colored the image with Copics, and I paper pieced his scarf.

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of the designers who have previews today! Don't forget about the MFT Release Party Wednesday night! Also, you can be the next MFT Guest Designer -- go HERE to see how! :)

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope your Easter is happy and blessed!

Christina

Easter Previews, Part 1

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you have something wonderful planned for your day! I have TWO posts scheduled for today -- I told you it was a busy preview week! My first preview is of a new image by Sweet November Stamps. It will be released Wednesday at All That Scraps. This is Darby -- she and her caterpillar friend Chenille are illustrated by Amy Young. The sentiment is from the set Handy Additions by AmyR Stamps, also being released Wednesday.

I colored the image with Copics, and I used a Prismacolor pencil on her cheeks. The paper is from the Hometown collection by October Afternoon.

Be sure to stop by the ATS Blog to see more samples and to find out how you can win a set of your own! I'll be back in a bit with today's MFTeaser! Thanks so much for visiting!

Until later,
Christina

Let the Previews Begin!

Hello! Happy Saturday! Buckle up, everyone -- I have previews every day from now until Wednesday! Get ready for lots of cuteness! Today I have a MFTeaser of the set A Bunch of Bots. I love the adorable robot images and fun sentiments in this set!

This card is 4.25" x 4.25". I thought this paper from The Boyfriend Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket) was perfect for a robot card! I colored with Copics, and I made one of my Glitzy Gears for the corner.

If I could, I would enter this card in the MFT April Guest Designer Challenge. The theme is M&M -- Masculine and Metallic! Get all the details on the MFT Member Company Forum HERE. The winner will be announced during the Release Party Wednesday night!

Be sure to stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of designers who have MFTeasers today! You won't want to miss them! :)

I'll be back with another preview tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day!
Christina