WSC Sketch #21

Hello there! TGIF! Have you seen this week's sketch for the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club? I finally had a chance to play with it. It was quite a challenge, but I tackled it, and I'm happy with the way it turned out. That's what a challenge is all about, right?

I've had school on the brain lately. Kyle graduated last week, and my girls will be finished next week. But I think the biggest reason I'm thinking about school is that, after 19 years at home, I'm returning to teaching next year. I just accepted a job teaching 6th grade at my girls' school. :) So, with all this in mind, I pulled out my October Afternoon Schoolhouse paper and got to work on the sketch.

Die-namics used:

So, will you play along? Upload your card to SCS using keyword MFTWSC21. We'd love to see what you create!

Here's the sketch -- now get to work! :)

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a fantastic Friday!

Christina

Stamper's Dream/JustRite Blog Hop!

Hello, friends! Long time, no blog, huh? Let me just say it's been busy here. Graduation, dance recital, subbing, graduation party... lots going on. :) Anyway, I've been itching to get inky, and the Stamper's Dream/JustRite Hop was the perfect reason!

The amount of inspiration you will get today during the Stamper's Dream/JustRite Design Team Blog Hop is amazing!! So grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage, get comfy, and enjoy all the JustRite Projects from this fabulous group of designers!! And while you're visiting each blog be sure to leave a little love, because along the way we have Three Mystery Blog Candies hidden somewhere! For your chance to win one of the fabulous prizes you must leave a comment on the mystery location blog post. All 21 Locations are eligible locations for the Mystery Blog Candy!!

On my card I used the Elegant Frames Cling Set, and I paired it with some October Afternoon Modern Homemaker paper. I embellished with some crochet ribbon, red burlap string, and a red button.

Here's the lineup of designers who have JustRite products to share with you today!

JustRite Inspiration Blog http://justritestampers.typepad.com/
Becca Feeken http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/
Michelle Rodgers http://www.stampersdream.blogspot.com/
Eva Dobilas http://evafromca.blogspot.com/
Kazan Clark http://nunutoolies.blogspot.com/
Arlene Cuevas http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/
Mona Pendleton http://cupcakescreations.blogspot.com/
Amy Sheffer http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kellie Fortin http://www.murdocks.typepad.com/
Michele Kovack http://chelemom.blogspot.com/
Tosha Leyendekker http://stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com/
Kathy Jones http://inspiredtostamp.blogspot.com/
Mariana Grigsby http://marianagrigsby.wordpress.com/
Barb Schram http://barbschram.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Kraft http://handkraftedbystephanie.blogspot.com/
Teresa Kline http://enjoythevasunshine.blogspot.com/
Heidi Blankenship http://embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/
Christina Fischer http://flowersandink.blogspot.com/
Angela Barkhouse http://snippetsofpaper.blogspot.com/
Lea Lawson http://leascupcakesandsunshine.blogspot.com/
Sankari Wegman http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com/
 
Now it's time to visit Angela! Thanks so much for hopping by!
 
Have a great day!
Christina

Happy Birthday, Bar!

Hello there! Happy Friday! Today we're celebrating the birthday of the wonderful and talented Barbara Anders! I hope you arrived here from Vicki Garrett's blog. If not, be sure to start with the party planner herself, Tammy Hershberger! :)

I created a sweet and happy card for Bar -- because that's the kind of person she is! The stamps are from the Family Garden Cling Set by JustRite Stampers. I used Classic Oval and Big Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, and the papers are Lime Tart - Life of the Party by My Mind's Eye.

The party continues at the next stop with Jodi Collins!

Happy, happy birthday, Bar -- may your day and your year be filled with joy and blessings! HUGS!

Christina

For My Graduate

Yesterday was Kyle's high school graduation. Even as I type it, it still doesn't seem real. The last four years went by much too quickly. They have brought us some of our happiest and most difficult times, and I wouldn't trade any of them. I made this frame to remind Kyle (and me) that graduation isn't the end... it's the beginning. We are looking forward to his future and the start of a new chapter in his life.

I combined three MFT sets: Own Your Story, Pure Innocence - Graduation Boy, and Typewriter Alphabet. 

A few closeups:

I'm sure I'll have this displayed at his graduation party, along with other photos and memories from his high school days.

Congratulaions, Kyle -- and the rest of the CCH Class of 2011! :)

June VIP Hop!

Hi there! You've made it to my stop on the MFT VIP Hop! The VIP package is your chance to purchase the newest Who's That Girl? set two weeks before its release, plus you get all the other goodies exclusive to the package! If you haven't seen all of the Hop projects so far, go back to Kim's Blog and start from the beginning!

Enjoy the Ride

I used some Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup papers, along with the Die-namics Decorative Doily Duo and Die-namics Pretty Posies.  I colored with Copics and paper pieced her shirt. I finished the inside with a sentiment from the mini set, which is only available in the VIP package!

Here's what you'll receive in your June VIP package:

Now it's time to visit the sweet and talented Lisa Henke! Thanks so much for hopping by!

Christina

à la modes - I Treasure Our Friendship

Happy Tuesday! Today's card features the new à la modes set, I Treasure Our Friendship. I love this sassy little pirate! :)

In the past, we've released our à la modes images in cling rubber; however, this month, we're releasing both of our à la modes in clear photopolymer, just like the rest of our stamps.  This means that we can bring them to you a slightly lower price point than usual - $9.00 each!  How fabulous is that?!  Since our clear stamps are made in the USA, they are of the highest quality, so you'll have the same great image quality that you're accustomed to with any of our other clear stamps!

Ahoy Matey!

I combined the image with October Afternoon Seaside papers, Die-namics Dizzy Doily, and Die-namics Fishtail Banner. I colored with Copics.

Visit Kim to see the lineup of designers who have previews of this set. Then be sure to stop back tonight at 10:00 Eastern for the June VIP Hop! :)

I'll see you later tonight! Thanks for visiting!

Have a great day!
Christina

à la modes - I Need Some Face Time

Happy Monday, everyone! It's time for the MFT mid-month release, and that means new à la modes! Both new à la modes plus the June VIP package will be released tomorrow night at My Favorite Things! :)

In the past, we've released our à la modes images in cling rubber; however, this month, we're releasing both of our à la modes in clear photopolymer, just like the rest of our stamps.  This means that we can bring them to you a slightly lower price point than usual - $9.00 each!  How fabulous is that?!  Since our clear stamps are made in the USA, they are of the highest quality, so you'll have the same great image quality that you're accustomed to with any of our other clear stamps! 

Today the Creative Team is previewing the set, I Need Some Face Time. We all need a little face time with family or friends, even if we do it via our phones and computers! :)

I used some My Mind's Eye Lime Twist papers and the Die-namics Double Scallop Border.  I colored with Copics and distressed the edges of the cardstock and paper. I stamped each word of the sentiment separately so I could arrange them in a circle. That's one of the benefits of using clear stamps! :)

I stamped the image again in watermark style on the inside, then I added another sentiment.

Stop by Kim's Blog to see the list of designers who are previewing this set today. Then be sure to come back here tomorrow for a look at the other à la modes set being released tomorrow night!

That's all for today! Thank you so much for visiting!

Have a great day!
Christina

A Post... Finally.

So, I had every intention of posting this two days ago. And then Blogger went spastic. And then, when Blogger finally quit spazzing, I was gone all day visiting the University of Kentucky with Megan. So now I'm home, and I'm finally posting. :)

I used stamps from JustRite's Friendship Blooms Cling Set, stamping them in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and inking the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I cut and embossed the frame and sentiment with Labels Eighteen and Classic Circle Nestabilities. The paper is from The Thrift Shop by October Afternoon. I embossed the background with the Cuttlebug Fleur de Lis folder, and I embellished with Black Rhinestones, Natural Burlap String, and a Peridot Love Letter Rose. I took off the bottom two labels of the rose to make it a bit smaller so it didn't overwhelm the sentiment.

Tip: Don't be afraid to play around with your embellishments to make them more suitable for your project. Color them, cut them, change their shape -- make them work for you! :)

After a few days of heat and sunshine, the rain is back. Looks like soggy soccer games today! Thanks for visiting today -- have a great day!

Christina

MFT DT Creative Challenge: Monochromatic Coloring

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's time for the monthly MFT DT Creative Challenge. I'll yell you, this month's challenge was truly a challenge for many of us! Joanne asked us to do monochromatic coloring. Now, I 'm all about making monochromatic cards, but the coloring was the challenging part. ;) I chose to ink up Flopsey Fishing, and I colored him to coordinate with the October Afternoon Seaside papers.

I colored Flopsey with Copic markers (BG10, BG13, BG15), and I sponged the edges of the image panel with a combination of SU! Soft Sky and Bashful Blue inks. Hmmm... I think he looks a little seasick, yes? ;)

Stop by Kim's Blog to see which brave designers accepted the monochromatic coloring challenge! LOL! We'd love to see you play along, too!

I'm so glad you took the time to visit today. Thank you so much! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a great weekend. We celebrated several things this weekend -- my nephew's First Communion, Mother's Day, and my brother's birthday. I made this card with these happy occasions in mind. I used the MFT Happy Thoughts set paired with some fun MME Lime Twist paper, and the layout is Jen's May Sketch for You to Try.

I took a couple liberties with the sketch -- I hope that's okay, Jen. ;)  I made the main circle a bit smaller to accommodate the sentiment, and I used several lengths of Cappuccino Twine in place of the narrow vertical panel. I like this clean design, suitable for any happy occasion.

Tip: Have some "generic" happy cards available in your stash, then customize the inside as needed to fit the occasion. It will save you from those last-minute card making sessions before you run out the door. ;)

Tomorrow is our monthly MFT DT Creative Challenge... and it was quite a challenge, I'm telling ya! I hope you'll stop by to check it out. Thanks so much for the visit today. :)

Have a great day!
Christina

A Prayer for You

Sympathy cards are always difficult to make. Unfortunately, I needed a couple of them this week. Lately I've been trying to stay away from traditional, dark colors, and I'm opting instead to focus on life and hope.

I used the Hugs to You Oval Set by JustRite Stampers.  The colors and butterflies in this Happy Go Lucky paper by My Mind's Eye just seemed to remind me of hope. I gave the purple panel some added dimension with the Cuttlebug Fleur de Lis embossing folder.

I finished the inside, adding a sentiment from the JustRite Just Because Mini Sentiments.

The sun is out here today, at least for a little while, so I'm hoping for a good day. :) Whatever your plans are for this Saturday, I hope you have a great one. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Christina

May Release Hop!

Hello! You've made it to my stop on the MFT Release Hop! I hope you're enjoying all the projects so far -- this release is FULL of goodness! You can find all the new products right HERE at the MFT Boutique! :) Tonight I'm featuring the new Claire Keay set, You Had Me at Woof.

There's a reason I chose this set to share with you tonight. As some of you know, we have an English Bulldog named Roscoe. Most days, he and I are not exactly friends. Don't get me wrong, he does make me laugh, and he is very sweet, but he and I are a lot alike -- we're both very stubborn. We're still trying to figure each other out. For my kids, however, it was love at first sight. Especially for my little girls. He definitely had them at woof. :)

On my card I wrinkled, tore, and distressed the papers because, well... that's pretty much what Roscoe would do if he got a hold of them. I colored with Copics and placed a cork heart behind the sentiment.

Roscoe's new favorite treats are these peanut butter flavored hearts, so I made him a little treat bag. I used the Die-namics Notched Tag create the tag, then I stamped the bone image and sentiment.

Before I send you on your way, I just wanted to share a couple photos from a recent trip to the park. Here's Roscoe with his best friends. :)

And here he is getting a well-deserved drink. 

Okay, get ready... I'm sending you to visit one of the newest members of the MFT DT, my Dirty Dozen Sister, the incredibly talented and wonderfully sweet Jackie Pedro!

Thanks for hopping by! Happy shopping! :)

Christina

MFTeasers, Day Five

Hi there! It's the final day of Teasers before tonight's big release at My Favorite Things! Do you like what you've seen so far? Judging from all the wonderful comments you've left, you like it all! :)

Today the Creative Team is previewing two sets: Who's That Girl - Girls Rule and Clearly Sentimental about Friendship (this month's Triple Scoop set). I used the Clearly Sentimental set to create this card. Thanks to some serious enabling by my friend Eva, I received some new My Mind's Eye papers in the mail yesterday, and I had to use them right away! :)

I placed the sentiment inside the largest of the Die-namics Well Worn Greetings dies, and I hand-cut the mat. I distressed the edges of the cardstock and paper. Of course, with this sentiment, I had to use the Die-namics Rolled Rose die to create the felt rose. :) I embellished with Honeydew Twine, adhesive pearls and a rhinestone flourish.

Tonight's the night! Join us for the Release Party from 8-10 pm EDT here on the MFT Forum. There will be lots of chatter, prizes and fun! Then join the team for the Release Hop & Shop when the new products are released at 10:00!

To see the list of designers who have previews today, head over to Kim's Blog now! Be sure to leave a comment on each designer's post for a chance to win a voucher to the MFT Boutique. Kim has been posting the winners each day on her blog -- see if your name is there! :)

I'll see you back here tonight! Thanks so much for visiting today!

Christina

May MFTeasers, Day Four

Happy Monday! The Teasers continue as we countdown to tomorrow night's release at My Favorite Things! Today the Creative Team is previewing Inspired by - Up Up and Away, Claire Keay - You Had Me at Woof, and Just My Type. Just My Type is a Die-namics Duo - stamp set and die set. The dies cut the typewriter and a sheet of paper, and there are many fantastic sentiments to use with them.

The paper is from The Thrift Shop by October Afternoon.  I also used the new Die-namics Decorative Doily Duo. These are smaller versions of the Decorative Doily, and they are designed to stack perfectly. They can be used together or separately, so you can have one, two or three Decorative Doilies on your project. So many possibilities. :) Here I used the larger of the Duo on the front and the smaller one inside.

Here's a little refresher for you, in case you missed some of the Release details:

• The MFT release is on May 3 at 10 PM EDT. You can attend the Release Party from 8-10 PM EDT here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available on May 3 at 10 PM EDT, and you can Hop & Shop with us when the sets go live!
• Have you entered the Guest Designer Contest yet? You have until 10 pm EDT tonight! Check out the forum here for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the Teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments on each post as you go for a chance to win one of two $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Tomorrow's the final day of Teasers! I'm glad you stopped to visit today!

Have a great day!
Christina

MFTeasers: Pure Innocence

Hello there! Happy Sunday, and Happy May! Today the MFT Creative Team has Teasers of the new Pure Innocence sets, and every single one is SO adorable! I used Pucker Up for my card. As soon as the weather gets warm each year, my girls are always asking to have a lemonade stand. This set reminded me of them. :)

These Jillibean Soup papers could not have been more perfect for this set -- I was thrilled to find them in my stash! I colored the image with Copics and sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I used two NEW Die-namics: Scallop Ribbon and Rolled Daisy. How cool is that yellow felt daisy? :)

I finished the inside by stamping the image again in Kiwi Kiss ink and adding another scallop ribbon.

Here are all the release details:

• The MFT release is on May 3 at 10 PM EDT. You can attend the Release Party from 8-10 PM EDT here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available on May 3 at 10 PM EDT, and you can Hop & Shop with us when the sets go live!
• Have you entered the Guest Designer Contest yet? There's still time! Check out the forum here for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the Teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments on each post as you go for a chance to win one of two $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

The Teasers continue tomorrow, so I hope you'll stop by again. Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!
Christina