Just Keep Swimming!

TGIF!! Today at All That Scraps, our Friday Review is of the sets Underwater Adventure and Underwater Sentiments. I have to say that I really *love* all the summer/beach/ocean Sugarplums that Christine has created! :)

This is a simple design, but I gave it some fun elements! I had spied this burlap netting in a stash of things I got from our crafters garage sale. It's perfect with Mermaid Emma! I distressed the edges of the paper and cardstock, and I added some Dew Drops bubbles. I had a lot of fun with Emma's hair -- first I colored it with Copics (E31 and E33), then I colored over it with Spica pens (Sand and Chocolate). It's SO sparkly IRL! :)

Julie will be posting more Friday Review samples on the ATS Blog later today, so stop by to see what the other girls have created! Thank you so much for visiting me today! :)

Have a fantastic Friday!
Christina

Stamps: Underwater Adventure (C.C. Designs), Underwater Sentiments (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Soft Sky (SU!) Cardstock: Summer Sun, Elegant Eggplant (SU!), C.C. Designs Copic Quality white cardstock Paper: Snorkel: School's Out (Cosmo Cricket) Other: Copics, Spica Pens, Dew Drops, Cutter Kit, burlap netting, sponge, dimensionals

Inside and Out!

Happy Thursday! This week's My Favorite Challenge is to finish your card Inside and Out. You may have noticed that more designers are finishing the inside of their cards -- it's a great way to kick things up a notch! My niece's birthday is next week, so I pulled out my beloved Flopsey and got to work on her card!

I did some distressing and machine stitching, and I used the Candles border punch on the inside. It's perfect with the sentiment, don't you think? :)

I have many samples to work on for upcoming releases, so I need to get to work! I'll be leaving for CHA in just a few days, so I'm running out of time! I hope you have some stamping planned for your day, too! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!

Christina

Stamps: Birthday Flopsey (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: CC Designs white cardstock, Melon Mambo (SU!), MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Lime Rickey 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, Cuttlebug, Bloom Dots embossing folder, Prima Caboodles, SU! Organza ribbon, Candles punch (EK Success), sewing machine, dimensionals

ATS Challenge: No Patterned Paper!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Another late post from me -- it's been another weird day! Our phone line and Internet went down last night, just before I was going to post this. The phone repairmen didn't get here until 2:30 this afternoon, and it was fixed in 5 minutes!!! Geez!!

Anyway, I'm here with this week's All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge. This one was a tough one for me -- no patterned paper!! Yikes! I made my own patterned background with the martini glass image from Gingersnaps Celebrate!. I turned the martini into a Cosmopolitan, and I used my yummy new SU! Melon Mambo cardstock and ribbon.

Play along with us! Use keyword ATSDTC57 when uploading. You can see some DT challenge samples on the ATS Blog.

I'll be back tomorrow with this week's My Favorite Challenge -- I hope you stop back! Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Gingersnaps Celebrate! (C.C. Designs) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Melon Mambo (SU!) Cardstock: C.C. Designs Copic Quality white cardstock, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Summer Sun (SU!) Other: Copics, Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder, Fleur de lis punch (EK Success), Melon Mambo ribbon, button, linen thread, Prima Caboodles, sewing machine, dimensionals

It's Celebrate MFT Day!

Hello, everyone! It's the 2oth of the month, and that means it's Celebrate MFT Day! Beginning this month, We'll celebrate with a Customer Blog Hop! You can see all the details about it HERE. Joanne is leading off the hop, so be sure to stop by and check it out!

I wanted to create something fun for Celebrate MFT Day, and I had Feelin' Fruity? still out on my counter, so I made this little container. Actually, I've had this idea in my head ever since I laid eyes on this set, and I'm so glad I had a chance to make it happen! :) I filled the Perfect Packaging Jar with orange slices candy (one of my favorites!) and created an orange-themed gift treat!

Here's the front...

...and the lid.

I'm posting this kinda late -- it's been another busy day. Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers for my niece -- each day she's taking baby steps toward getting better, but she still has a long way to go.

There are a few more orange slices left in the bag -- I think I'm going to finish them off now! ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by -- have a fantastic night!

Christina

Stamps: Feelin' Fruity (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pumpkin Pie (SU!) Cardstock: Very Vanilla (SU!) Paper: Bloom & Grow (My Mind's Eye) Other: Copics, Circle Nestabilities, Curved Rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Scallop edge punch (SU!), May Arts ribbon, linen thread, Cup o' Buttons (MFT), sponge, dimensionals

Fruity Friends

Lookie! I stamped something! Thanks for being patient with me while I've been MIA. Let me fill you in... our 4-year-old niece Jenna has been in ICU since Tuesday. She was in septic shock because of a strep infection, and her little body has taken quite a hit. She is hooked up to a ventilator, dialysis, and MANY bags of medicine. She is now taking baby steps toward getting better, but she is still a very sick little girl. If you wouldn't mind sending up a few prayers for her, I'd really appreciate it!

Anyway, Jenna's hospitalization plus a few other family things have really zapped my mojo. Today I woke up and just needed to stamp something happy. And this set makes me happy! :) It's the just-released MFT set Feelin' Fruity?, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer.

Although Joanne and Jody were sweet enough to tell me to take the week off, I just couldn't stay away from the My Favorite Challenge this week. It's all about texture -- crumpling, tearing, ripping, distressing, embossing -- however you can get it! I crumpled the dp into a ball and smoothed it back out. Then I machine stitched it to the cardstock. I distressed all the edges of the cardstock and paper. I did some masking when stamping the fruit images, then I colored with Copics. I sponged the Perfect Plaid Ribbon, the image panel and the sentiment with Creamy Caramel ink. The card design reminded me of an old fashioned fruit stand (maybe it was the Fruit Stand paper by Flair Design that gave me the idea!), so I made the sentiment into a little sign.

Okay, so I think this happy card just might have jumped started things for me again! Thanks so much for stopping by today -- I really do appreciate it SO much!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Christina

Still here!

Hello, everyone! I apologize for the lack of posting the last couple days. My niece has been very sick in the hospital, and my thoughts (and mojo) have been elsewhere!

I'm hoping to get some stamping done this evening. Until then, I do have something fun to share with you! Over at All That Scraps, Christine has released her first stamp kit! It is full of adorable autumn images featuring her Sugarplums characters. It will be available for a limited time, so get it while you can! :) You can see some projects with the kit HERE on the ATS Blog.

Thanks for hanging in there with me -- I hope to have something to show you tomorrow!

Have a wonderful day!
Christina

Garden Journal and Seeds

ETA: I used Random.org to choose the Blog Candy winner -- congrats to #50, JenMarie!! JenMarie, email me or PM me through Splitcoaststampers so I can give you the code for your free mini set! :)

Hi there! You've made it to my stop on the My Favorite Things Release Blog Hop! If you've just come from my friend Carole's blog, welcome! If you haven't seen all the projects so far, go back to Kim's blog and start from there!

I used Spread a Harvest of Hope (illustrated by Annie LePoint) to create this garden journal and seed pack.

I covered a 5x5" art journal with paper and sanded the edges. The other panels on the front were distressed, and I added some machine stitching too. I colored the image with Copics and sponged around the edge of the image panel. The ribbon is from the Summer Collection Ribbon Nest, and the buttons are from the Cup o' Buttons Summer Collection.

I used my gift card holder template to make the seed packet. I used the same paper as on the journal, and I did some more machine stitching.

Inside the packet is a small cello bag filled with seeds. These are cilantro seeds, harvested from my own plants last year. It's a great way to "Spread a Harvest" to friends and family! :)

Well, you've made it through the MFT Blog Hop! I'm your last stop! Now it's time for the BLOG CANDY!! Just leave a comment here on this post for a chance to win! I'll randomly choose someone to receive a code for a free Mini Set ($9 value). Just think -- Bubble Bunny or Spread a Harvest of Hope could be yours free! Tomorrow (Wednesday, 7/15) at 9:00 pm Eastern I'll post the winner on the MFT Member Company Forum!

Thanks so much for hopping along with us! :)

Christina

Harvest of Hope

Happy Monday! Today's MFTeaser is of a new set by Annie LaPoint called Spread a Harvest of Hope. Isn't it beautiful? I colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the image panel. I cut the handles "out of the box." I did add some Spica pen to the flowers, although it's not easy to see in the photo. I really like the "country garden" feel of this card -- I have more ideas for garden-themed projects with this set! :)

To celebrate My Favorite Things's 3rd birthday, we’ve decided to throw a Bubble Bin $3 Bash! This week only, through July 19th, all sets in the Bin are $3!!!! All the sets in the bin are retiring, so they're available while supplies last! There are 15 sets in the bin for only $3 each! That's an AMAZING deal! :)

Check out this week's Bubble Bun HERE.

I'll be back tomorrow night at 10 pm for the Release Blog Hop! I hope you'll stop by!

Have a great day! :)

Christina

Stamps: Spread a Harvest of Hope (MFT Presents) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pretty in Pink (SU!) Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Wild Raspberry (K & Company) Other: Copics, Spica Pens, Prima Caboodles, Perfecct Plaid Ribbon (MFT), Cup o' Buttons (MFT), linen thread, Fleur de Lis punch (EK Success), sewing machine, sponge, dimensionals

Bubble Bunny

Hello! Happy Sunday to you! My Favorite Things is releasing three new sets this Wednesday, and here's a peek at Bubble Bunny. Seriously, this just might be the cutest Flopsey ever! :) I just had to create a little bath set, complete with homemade lavender-scented bath salts!

I colored Flopsey with Copics, and I used Stardust Stickles and Dew Drops on the bubbles. I paper pieced the tub, and the buttons are from the Cup o' Buttons Spring Collection. I sponged the flowers with Perfect Plum ink.

One of the *many* things I love about this set is that it coordinates so well with Time for the Bubbly and Girls Day In. On the jar I used the wine glass from Time for the Bubbly -- what's a relaxing bubble bath without a glass of wine? ;)

I know it's Sunday, but instead of a Sunday Supper recipe I'll give you the recipe for the bath salts -- I hope that's okay! ;)

Lavender Bath Salts

1 cup Epsom Salts

1 cup Sea Salt

10 drops Lavender Fragrance

5 drops red coloring

5 drops blue coloring

Mix together well and pour into an airtight jar. Shake once a day for about a week. Enjoy!

That's all for today -- I'll have another MFTeaser for you tomorrow! Thank you so much for spending a little time with me today!

Have a wonderful day! :)

Christina

Stamps: Bubble Bunny, Time for the Bubbly (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Perfect Plum (SU!) Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Whisper White (SU!), MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: 29th Street Market (My Mind's Eye) Other: Copics; eyelet border punch, organza ribbon, linen thread Pretties Kit, stamping sponge, stampin' dimensionals (SU!); Prima flower; Dew Drops (Robin's Nest); Icicle Stickles (Ranger); sewing machine

Christmas in July

Happy Saturday! I hope you have a good weekend planned. Chris is taking Kyle and Megan to my brother-in-law's farm today and overnight, so I'll be hanging with my two little girls at home! I think they already have some miniature golf on the agenda! :)

It's been hot and humid for a couple days, but that didn't stop me from playing the Ways to Use It Challenge -- Christmas in July. I had been itching to ink up these new stamps from American Art Stamp, and the challenge was perfect! :) I paired Paisley Bird with Ornaments with a sentiment from Greetings Words. I colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the image panel. I had a little fun with the ribbon and machine stitching, and I love the way it turned out!

Well, I'm going to see what my girls have planned for today! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Paisley Bird with Ornaments, Greetings Word (American Art Stamp) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), So Saffron (SU!) Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Wassail 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, BasicGrey button, linen thread, paper piercer, 1 1/4" striped grosgrain, sewing machine, sponge, dimensionals

A Monster Door Hanger!

Happy Friday, everyone! Another week has flown by! This week's My Favorite Challenge is child-themed -- use those My Favorite Things stamps to make something for a child. The challenge thread has some inspiration pieces to kick start your ideas!

The monster inspiration piece led me to the set Monsters Ink, and I used it to make this two-sided door hanger for a kids' room. The letters were made with Bling 'Bet. You'll know whether your little one is in or out of his room when you look at the sign! :)

I used two chipboard coasters, and I covered each with the dp. Then I glued them together before inserting the Jumbo Eyelets. I paper pieced the monsters. I found these little red jingle bells in my stash, and I added them to the monsters so there would be a little noise when the door opens!

That's it for today! Thank you so much for visiting! :)

Have a fantastic Friday!

Christina

Stamps: Monsters Ink, Bling 'Bet (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise (SU!) Paper: Lime Rickey 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: chipboard coasters, Circle Nestabilities, grosgrain ribbon, Jumbo Eyelets, jingle bells, linen thread

Faith

Hi there! Happy Thursday to you! I have one last sample to show you from the recent Verve Stamps release. I used the new Hebrews 11:1 Plain Jane as the focal point of this card. The butterfly is from Floral Whimsy. I machine stitched around the yellow paper panel, and I sponged around the sentiment. The butterfly is cut out and popped up on a dimensional.

We're expecting more rain today -- UGH! It just hasn't felt like summer! Megan has a swim meet tonight, so I hope it isn't a wash out!

Thank you so much for visiting today! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Hebrews 11:1, Floral Whimsy (Verve Stamps) Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron (SU!) Cardstock: So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Urban Prairie (BasicGrey) Other: Rectangle Nestabilities, organdy ribbon, Prima Caboodles, eyelet border punch, sewing machine, sponge, dimensionals

MFT Kits - Just Add Color!

My Favorite Things is pleased and proud to introduce something fresh, fun and completely distinctive - MFT Kits! Each month, a new Kit will be revealed, complete with an exclusive, unreleased stamp set, and the items you'll need to complete a very special project(s).

The set included with your MFT Kit is a brand new, unreleased set, and will not be available for a period of at least 3 months after the release of the MFT Kit containing the set.

By The Seashore Kit $25

Kit contents:
*On The Pier (mini stamp set)
*6 die-cut tall gable boxes in ocean blue
*15 yards of hemp in natural
*6 Perfect Paper Panels
*5 yards, 3/8” twill in natural
*100 aged copper brads
*Memento Dew Drop in Rich Cocoa
*Project sheet download

Purchase the MFT Kit between 7/8-7/14 and you will receive a discount code good for a free digi paper download (2.95 value) as well as a coupon for a future order.


You can see a fabulous project with this month's kit in Michele's Weekly Spotlight post. This set coordinates perfectly with By the Seashore, so you have a lot of design possibilities! :)

For even more inspiration, check out Kathy's How'd They Do That? tutorial on the MFT Member Company Forum at SCS!

Thanks for stopping by today -- have a fantastic day!
Christina

3x3 Note Card Set

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today's project is one I made for the June Verve Stamps release, but I hadn't shared it here yet! It's a 3x3 box and notecard set made with 1 Peter 5:7. I used the Leaves Plain Jane for the envelopes.

The tutorial for the 3x3 box can be found HERE at Splitcoaststampers.

I used Bloom and Grow patterned paper on the notecards and the box. It coordinates perfectly with Tangerine Tango cardstock.

I really love the way this set turned out! It is easy to make, and you could fill the box with any small gift!

Thanks for taking the time to visit today -- I really do appreciate it!

Have a fantastic day! :)

Christina

Stamps: 1 Peter 5:7, Leaves Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) Ink: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango (SU!) Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Bloom and Grow (My Mind's Eye) Other: Circle Nestabilities, scallop edge punch, Prima flowers, Branch Punch (Martha Stewart), adhesive pearls, orange two-tone ribbon (May Arts), sponge, dimensionals

ATS Release Tonight!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! Our Fourth of July was rainy, cold, and generally miserable -- many of the fireworks displays were postponed until last night. Since there wasn't much to do around here Saturday evening, we took the girls to see Ice Age 3. SO cute! :) The sun finally came out late afternoon yesterday, so we did finally get to see some fireworks around our home last night! Also yesterday our son Kyle returned from his retreat in Wyoming. He had an amazing trip and couldn't wait to show us all his photos! :)

Tonight is the release of the new sets at All That Scraps. This preview is of two new sets: Underwater Adventure by C.C. Designs and Underwater Sentiments by AmyR Stamps. I just love this image of Mermaid Emma! I colored with Copics and Spica pens and sponged the edges of the image panel and sentiment. I cut out Emma and popped her up on dimensionals. I glued some real miniature shells onto the scene for a realistic touch! :)

Here's a closeup of the sparkle from the Spica pens...

You can see more samples of these two sets on the ATS Blog HERE and HERE. Join us on the ATS Forum tonight from 8-10 pm Eastern time before the sets are released! :)

I hope you enjoyed the ATS Previews -- these new sets are just so much fun to play with! :) Thank you so much for visiting today!

Have a fantastic day! :)

Christina

Stamps: Underwater Adventure (C.C. Designs), Underwater Sentiments (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Cool Caribbean (SU!) Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Cool Caribbean, C.C. Designs white cardstock Other: Copics, Spica pens, Cuttlebug, D'vine Swirls embossing folder, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, Inkssentials white gel pen, dotted organdy ribbon, sea shells, sponge, dimensionals

MFT Birthday Bash!

Happy Saturday, everyone -- and to my US friends, Happy Independence Day! We have plans to attend a parade this afternoon, but it looks like it might rain! Last night we celebrated early with Chris's family at our house, and the little ones (and some of the teenagers, too) had a great time with sparklers and pop-its! :)

Here's some fun news from My Favorite Things:


MFT turns 3 this weekend, so we are celebrating ALL month long!

This weekend ONLY (July 4th and 5th), we are offering a Buy 3, Get 2 FREE promo!
Purchase any 3 full priced stamp sets (Excludes July New Releases) and we will add:
1) One set from our Get Sentimental category (we will select the set for you) AND
2) A FREE set of YOUR choice! (Excludes July New Releases)

The July New Releases are excluded from this promotion. They don’t count as either your Buy 3 sets OR the 2 FREE sets. They are:
Catch Some Rays
Puttin’ on the Glitz
Puppy Chow
Purrfect Treat

But since we know the new stuff is on your wish list, we are EXTENDING the 10% discount offered on the One-Click Collection and Buy It All Bundles on these sets through Sunday, July 5th as well!


How great is that?!? Now is the time to stock up on those "wish list" items! :) I'm off to try to finish up the rest of my ATS samples for you -- I spent way too much time cleaning my house yesterday, and I didn't get to them! Be on the lookout for a sample tomorrow! :)

Thanks for visiting today -- have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday, USA!!!!

Christina

Beautiful Butterflies

Happy Friday! For many of us in the US, the holiday weekend has already begun! :)

Today's All That Scraps preview is of AmyR's Butterfly set. The layout is this week's Mojo Monday Sketch. I stamped the butterflies onto the dp and heat embossed them with Black Detail EP. I cut them out and popped up the wings before adhering them to the white panel. I sponged around the image panel and the sentiment with Pumpkin Pie ink.

Stop by the ATS Blog to see more samples of this beautiful set! All of the new stamps will be available Monday, July 6 at 10:00 pm Eastern.

That's all for today! I still have more previews to show you, so I hope you'll be back! Thanks so much for the visit!

Have a fantastic Friday! :)
Christina

Stamps: AmyR Butterfly Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tskineko), Pumpkin Pie (SU!) Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Ambrosia 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Cuttlebug, D'vine Swirls embossing folder, Black Detail EP, heat tool, Eyelet Border Punch, black organdy ribbon, Sunflower Dew Drops, corner rounder, sponge, dimensionals

Birthdays ROCK!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Joanne is the hostess for this week's My Favorite Challenge, and you just might need to be diggin' into your trash for this one! Just kidding! But, the challenge is to "Get Green" -- re-use or re-purpose some items from your home! Think of all those empty containers, ribbons you saved from Christmas packages... you get the idea. :)

I had a total *aha!* moment with this one. I was ready to use one of the many containers I have saved in a box for just such a purpose, when I spied a pack of CDs on the counter. I was lucky enough to find the acrylic divider still in the pack, and I was in business! I used The Poppies for this rock-themed card. I stamped the notes in black Stazon, and I sponged white Stazon around the edges. I applied Riding Hood Red ink directly from the pad to the edges of the sentiment.

That's it for today! I'll have another All That Scraps Preview for you tomorrow! Thank you for taking the time to visit -- I really do appreciate it!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: The Poppies (MFT Presents) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Jet Black Stazon, white Stazon, Riding Hood Red Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Whisper White, MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Rockabilly dsp Other: Copics, Dotted Wave border punch, Circle Nestabilites, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Kiwi Kiss button, black hemp twine, Cutter Kit, sewing machine, sponge, dimensionals

ATS Challenge and a Preview!

*If you are looking for the MFT Blog Hop, scroll down one post!*

Happy Wednesday, everyone! And Happy July! I can't believe how fast June flew by! Today's ATS Challenge (ATSDTC54) is to use patriotic colors on your project. Since today is Canada Day, and Saturday is Independence Day, it's a perfect challenge! I used the new C.C. Designs July Kiki digital image. There are two images -- one with long hair and one with short hair. Of course I chose the short-haired image! :) The sentiment is from Beach Sentiments by AmyR Stamps. I colored with Copics and added some fun stars all around. I picked up both the rhinestone and foam stars at Michaels. The paper is from Creative Imaginations. You can see all the ATS Weekly Challenges HERE -- play along with us! :)

This next card is a preview of the soon-to-be-released set called Chasing Butterflies. It is by a new stamp designer, Diem Pascarella. If the name sounds familiar it is because she designs the Beautiful Day Fairies for Paper Makeup Stamps. She will be illustrating animals for C.C. Designs. Welcome, Diem! Isn't this image so sweet?

I used one of the Blossom Nestabilities for my image panel. I sponged Pretty in Pink ink on the panel while the die was still in place, and that left the white frame around the edge. I colored with Copics, then I used Spica pens on the butterfly and cat's collar. The paper is Urban Prairie by BasicGrey. I just can't seem to stop using Caboodles on my cards -- I just love 'em! :)

Stop by the ATS Blog to see samples of Chasing Butterflies, and find out how you can win a set of your own! All the new ATS stamps will be released Monday, July 6! Wait 'til you see the rest of the sets -- lots of summery fun! :)

That's all for today! It's cool and rainy here today -- looks like a good day for stamping! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!

Christina

It's Time to Hop!

Hi there! You've come to my stop along the My Favorite Things Blog Hop! If you haven't been to all the blogs along the hop so far, then go back to Kim's Blog and start from there! :)

I used one of the two new label sets, Puppy Chow, on my first project. It's a doggie treat jar made with MFT Perfect Packaging. I don't have dogs, but we have plenty of neighbor dogs, so this will most likely be going to one of them! :) The button is from the Cup o' Buttons Summer Collection.

Here's a closeup of the lid...

I combined images from the Puppy Chow and Purrfect Treats labels sets to make this tag. I stamped the images in craft ink and heat embossed with clear EP. I also combined the paw images to stamp a border around the bag window.

Here's a look at what is being released tomorrow night:

Stamps:

WTG Catch Some Rays $15.95

Puttin on the Glitz $17.95

Puppy Chow $9

Purrfect Treats $9

Products:

Polka Dot Ribbon Nest in perfect for summer colors! (5/8” grosgrain, swiss dot ribbon in bright pink, red, navy, emerald green and yellow) 5 yards each of the 5 different ribbons for a total of 25 yards. $11.95

Please join us tomorrow night from 8-10 pm Eastern for the Release Cocktail Party on the MFT Member Company Forum. There will be lots of chatter, more MFTeasers, and prizes, too!

You're finished at my stop -- now hop on over to see what the fabulous Natalie Dever has created! I can't wait to see it either! :) Thanks for hopping by!

Christina

Catch Some Rays!

Hello! Happy Tuesday! Today I have another MFTeaser, and this time the set is Catch Some Rays. It's the Who's That Girl set for July. I had a lot of fun with this set, and I have even more ideas for using it! My first project is a Vacation Fund jar. I just hope I can fill it! :) In addition to the new set, I also used Bling 'Bet, Summer adornment crystals, Summer Collection papers, and Perfect Plaid Ribbon.

Of course, once you've saved your funds and taken that vacation, you'll want a photo album for all your photos! I had picked up a pack of three mini albums at Target a while back, and I altered one of them. The paper is from the Summer Cool line by Imaginisce. The buttons are, of course, from My Favorite Things.

I'm not at the beach, but I am enjoying some gorgeous weather this week! Temperatures are cooler (80's), clear and sunny. I'm lovin' it! :)

I hope you're lovin' the MFTeasers so far! Don't forget to stop back tonight at 10 pm Eastern for the Blog Hop! Then join us for the Release Cocktail Party tomorrow night from 8-10 at the MFT Member Company Forum! Oh, and if you haven't submitted your entry for the One Click Challenge, you still have a little time -- until 10 pm tonight!

That's it for now -- I'll see you back here tonight! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

MFTeaser: Puttin on the Glitz

Happy Monday, everyone! Today I have an MFTeaser of the new Amanda Baird set Puttin on the Glitz. Isn't this image fantastic? :) I paper pieced her hat and dress and colored with Copics. I colored the ribbon and bow with a blue Spica pen and the shoes with a Chocolate Spica pen. Check out her pearls and earring -- I used tiny pearl stickers on them! I was so excited that they were just the right size! :)

This Wednesday, July 1, My Favorite Things is releasing four new sets and a Polka Dot Ribbon Nest! We'll have a blog hop tomorrow (Tuesday) night to kick things off, then the party continues Wednesday night from 8-10 pm Eastern in the MFT Member Company Forum at SCS! There will be chatting, more MFTeasers, and prizes! We'll find out who the winner of the One Click Challenge is, too!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope your week is off to a great start!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Puttin on the Ritz (MFT Presents) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Soft Sky (SU!) Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Pacific Point, Whisper White (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Marrakech 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, Spica pens, organdy ribbon, Prima Caboodles, adhesive pearls (Michaels), paper piercer, scallop edge punch, sponge, dimensionals

Sunday Supper: Easy Pot Roast

Hi, everyone! Happy Sunday! Here's a slow cooker recipe that is SUPER easy -- it takes about 10 minutes in the morning, and then you have a fantastic supper ready for your family after a busy day! I made it this week and it was a hit!

Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast (4-6 servings)

2-3 potatoes, peeled and quartered (I used several red potatoes, unpeeled)
8-10 baby carrots
1 onion, quartered
2 to 3 lb. beef chuck roast
10-3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1-1/2 oz. pkg. onion soup mix

Arrange vegetables in a slow cooker; place roast on top. Spread mushroom soup over roast, then sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cover and cook on Low for 9-10 hours.


Now that we have Megan home from her trip, we're sending Kyle on one, too! He leaves this afternoon for a trip to Wyoming with a group of 26 Juniors from his high school. They will be doing hiking and horseback riding during the day, and they will have some retreat time in the evening. He'll be gone until July 5 -- please pray for a safe trip for all those boys and their chaperones! Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I'll have a MFTeaser to show you! Woohoo! :)

Have a wonderful Sunday -- don't forget to spend some time around the supper table!

Christina

MFT Challenges!

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope you have something fun planned for this weekend! Today I have a couple MFT Challenges to tell you about. The first is this week's My Favorite Challenge, which is to use paper piecing on your project. I paper pieced the top and bottom of this cupcake from It's a Cupcake Kind of Day!. The cupcake is cut out and popped up on the Blossoms Nestabilities. I used the candles punch on the bottom, and I put an extra candle on the cupcake. I used some yellow flock on the flame.

You'll find this week's Sketch Challenge on the MFC Thread, too -- it's a good one!

Since the July MFT Release is just around the corner on Wednesday, July 1, it's time for another One Click Challenge! The winner of this challenge wins the entire release free! :)

So, you can see you have a lot to keep you busy this week! ;) Thank you so much for visiting today -- I appreciate it SO much!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: It's a Cupcake Kind of Day! (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Cupcake 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Blossoms Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Real Red grosgrain ribbon, cordouroy button, linen thread, (SU!), Candles punch (EK Success), sewing machine, yellow flock, dimensionals

Remembering

Happy Friday, everyone! I have one more Verve preview for you today! This set is called Forever in Our Hearts, and it is a must-have set. Sympathy cards are often difficult to make, but the beautiful sentiments and images in this set make the task much easier.

I used BasicGrey Urban Prairie paper, organdy ribbon, and Prima Caboodles flowers to make my card. I embossed the background paper with my Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder, then I stamped the leaf image over the embossing to create an interesting texture. I stamped the leaf again on the patterned paper to create a continuous image, then I arranged the flowers over the stamped leaves.

On the inside of the card, I used the smaller leaf image and another of the beautiful sentiments from the set.

You can see more samples of this set at the Verve Stamps Blog. While you're there, you can find out how you can win your own set! Don't forget -- all the new stamps will be released tonight immediately after the Release Party at Splitcoaststampers.

Before I go, I wanted to tell you about Megan's adventures getting home last night! She flew from Nice to JFK in New York, and she was due to arrive at CVG 7:30 PM. Due to the terrible storm that hit around 7:15, she was diverted to Indianapolis, and she was scheduled to arrive from there at 9:00. So we waited. Because of the backlog of flights which were diverted, refueling was delayed, and we watched the arrival time on the monitor change -- from 9:00 to 9:39, to 10:00, to 10:46, which is when she actually landed. Then, as we (and 30 other girls and their families) were waiting for luggage, and waiting, and waiting, we heard the announcement that their carousel was moved from #4 to #1. So, we finally retrieved her luggage and headed out of the airport around 11:20 PM! But, she's home safe and sound, and she had a wonderful time! :)

That's it for me today -- thanks so much for visiting!

Have a fantastic Friday! :)
Christina

Verve Preview #2: Just for You

Hello, everyone! Happy Thursday! It's day two of the Verve Sneak Previews, and today's set is called Just for You. This set has beautiful sentiments meant to let someone know you care. Just For You and all the new Verve stamps will be available after the Release Party this Friday night.

I made two projects with this set. The first is this card. It's a pretty simple design, but I just love this color combination! I used SU! Parisian Specialty dsp and Circle Nestabilities, and I embellished with ribbon, buttons, sponging, lace edge border and machine stitching.

I really love this next project! When I saw this sentiment I immediately thought of gift tags. Then I ran across a scrap of Let it Snow paper (Flair Design), and this Christmas tag was born! I did some sponging with SU! Close to Cocoa ink around the paper panels and the snowflakes to give it a vintage look. I pleated and stitched the ribbon on the bottom, and I added Icicle Stickles to the larger snowflake.

Stop by the Verve Stamps Blog to see more samples from the Verve Divas. While you're there, you can find out how you can win a set of your own!

There is one more day of previews tomorrow, then the release party tomorrow night! I can't wait! I'm also excited because Megan comes home tonight from France! I am really looking forward to seeing her and hearing all about her trip. We've missed her around here -- even with three kids still at home, it was a little quieter! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day!

Christina

Verve Sneak Preview!

Hi, everyone! Happy Wednesday! I'm so excited to begin my Verve sneak previews as a June Guest Diva!! :) Today's set is called Kindred Spirits. It is filled with beautiful sentiments and fleur de lis images. I used them on this altered frame I gave to Chris for our anniversary last week. This photo is about eight years old, but it's one of my favorites! It was taken at his brother's house during a family party.

After covering the frame, I sanded and inked all the edges. Then I stamped the largest fleur de lis image several times, and I added brown Swarovski crystals to the centers. I used the smallest fluer de lis to create a decorative strip along the bottom of the frame.

If you want to see more gorgeous samples from the Verve Divas, stop by the Verve Stamps Blog. All of the new stamps will be released Friday night after the Release Party on the Verve Member Company Forum at SCS.

I'll have another preview tomorrow, so I hope you'll be back! Thanks so much for the visit today!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Kindred Spirits (Verve) Ink: Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky (SU!) Cardstock: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky (SU!) Paper: Wild Raspberry (K & Company) Other: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), scalloped ribbon (May Arts), Swarovski crystals (MFT), sponge, dimensionals

Garden Photos

Happy Tuesday! Today I have some photos of my garden to share with you. I just love how the garden changes week-by-week. Some flowers are here just for a brief time, others are in bloom throughout the entire season. I guess that's the way it is in life, too -- some people are in your life for a short while, others are constant! :)

Our garden is filled with perennials and a few annuals, and it takes up the area around our backyard deck. This first photo is of a few "edible" plants I have in pots on the deck: strawberries (right), basil (left), and cilantro (flowering in the bottom right corner).

This photo is of the right side of the ramp leading from our driveway to the deck. The coneflowers are just starting to bloom. The white flower in the foreground is Gaura -- the blooms look like butterflies, and I just love its airy look.

We've had a lot of rain over the last few weeks, so my pots look greener and fuller than they usually do this time of year! :)

This area is one of my favorites. Just in front of it, not visible in the photo, is a small goldfish pond. The climatis is still blooming, and the daisies and daylilies have just begun to bloom. The Black-eyed Susans (foreground) and Russian Sage (right) will be in full bloom in just a couple weeks.

One more shot -- I love the contrast of the purple and white here!

Thanks for taking the time to stroll through my garden with me! I'll be back tomorrow to share some stamping with you!

Have a fantastic day! :)

Christina

Easel Gift Box

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a great weekend, and I hope all the guys had a wonderful Father's Day! Yesterday morning, Chris golfed with our son Kyle and my dad. In the evening, we went to Chris's parents house for dinner to celebrate Father's Day with his family. It was a good day! :)

I got a lot of stamping done over the weekend, but nothing I can show you yet! I did come across a project I had posted over at SCS but not here, so I'll share it with you today! :) I made this little gift box with Jody Morrow's Chalkboard Easel Template. She designed it herself, and you can see some great examples of how she used it on her blog HERE. The best part is that it is available as a FREE download from My Favorite Things -- you can find it HERE!

I had created this easel box a few weeks ago for the first My Favorite Challenge, which was hosted by Jody. The challenge was to use her Chalkboard Easel Template -- you can find all of the challenge projects HERE. For mine, I used Owls and Bluebells on the front, and I colored with Copics. I really like the way it turned out -- I just love the colors!

That's all for now! I still have some samples to finish, and I'm hoping to get time for some "just because" stamping, too! Thanks so much for the visit today -- I really appreciate it! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

Stamps: Owls and Bluebells (MFT Presents) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), So Saffron (SU!) Paper: Flock Together dsp (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (SU!) Other: Copics, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), So Saffron Striped Grosgrain (SU!), Cup o' Buttons (MFT)