Love Grows Here

Hello! Happy weekend to you all! Today I have a card for this week's MFT WSC Sketch. You can see the sketch and the WSC details HERE in the MFT Forum at Splitcoaststampers. I have had this card in my head for a while, and the sketch was just perfect for it! :)

 

It's a pretty simple sketch, so I kept things pretty clean and simple. The papers are from Lime Twist Life of the Party 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. Cardstock is Sour Apple, Wild Cherry, and Sweet Tooth. The woodgrain pattern paper was exactly what I needed for the Die-namics Branch with Leaves. I used Die-namics Notched Tag Die to cut the felt hearts, and the large heart was cut with Die-namics LJD Rustic Hearts.  I stamped the sentiment from LJD Homespun Hearts in Black Licorice Premium Dye Ink. I added some Die-namics Simply Scallops and finished with a button and Honeydew Twine.

Next on my to-do list is some Valentine decor for the mantel. I'll have pics as soon as it's finished! Thanks for taking the time to visit today. I hope you have a great day!

Christina

80th Birthday

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Yesterday's day off was such a welcome break, and I accomplished much at my house! That pile of laundry is quite a bit smaller, papers are graded and lesson plans finished, and I had some extra time for stamping! I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch to make a birthday card for my father-in-law, who turns 80 this week.

I love this simple sketch by Carole, and I thought it was perfect for a CAS masculine card. The papers are from the Lost and Found Two: Breeze 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. Cardstock is Hot Fudge and Kraft. I used three Die-namics on this card: By the Numbers, Mix & Match Banners, and Let's Toast. The sentiment (also from Let's Toast) was stamped in craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

That's it for today. I hope your week is off to a good start! Thanks for visiting!

Have a great day!
Christina

Clean and Simple Valentine

Hi there! Happy Monday to you! I have a CAS Valentine to share with you today. This was so quick and easy to make -- but of course I had just the right MFT stamps and Die-namics for the job! :)

I used negative space to highlight this heart from Die-namics LJD Rustic Hearts. I cut a small square of paper (from Lost and Found Two: Blush by My Mind's Eye) and popped the smaller white panel over it using white dimensional boosters. I rounded just one corner for a little interest. The stem and sentiment from LJD Homespun Hearts were stamped in Black Licorice Premium Dye Ink. I finished the card with some Wild Cherry Ribbon. I told you, quick and easy! :)

That's it for today! I'm enjoying the day off today, then it's back to school tomorrow!

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. Have a fantastic day!

Christina

 

 

You're a Stitch!

Hello there! I hope you are having a good weekend so far. It has been a marathon of basketball games for Anna so far this weekend, as her team has advanced in two tournaments. She played one game last night, two today, and we're looking at two more tomorrow! After today's games I spent a little time decompressing with some stamps and Die-namics. I made this card for this week's MFT WSC Sketch. You can find the sketch and all the WSC details HERE.

 



Papers are from the Lost and Found Two: Sunshine 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. I did very little stamping - just the sentiment from Sew Nifty. I kept a clean layout, but I couldn't resist adding a cork flourish and rose. :)

Here's a list of Die-namics used:
Oval Decorative Doily
Dizzy Border
Sew Nifty
Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose
Fancy Flourish

I'm looking forward to the extra day off this weekend! Maybe that ginormous pile of laundry will shrink just a little. And just maybe I'll get a little more time for stamping. ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great day!

Christina

Butterflies

Happy Saturday! Today I received my new goodies from My Favorite Things, and I couldn't wait to get busy! Since it's 65 degrees today (yes, 65 degrees in the middle of January in northern Kentucky!), I went with a springlike card. :)

I kept things simple, so I'll just list the supplies I used below. I will tell you that I used MFT's new Premium Dye Ink in Wild Cherry. Let me just say, the coverage is amazing! LOVE!

Other supplies used:
You Make My Day stamp set
Die-namics Leaf -Filled Flourish
Die-namics Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX
Die-namics Butterflies
Sweet Tooth Cardstock
Wild Cherry Cardstock
Sour Apple Cardstock
Lime Twist Life of the Party 6x6 paper (My Mind's Eye)
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
Adhesive Rhinestones
Corner Rounder
Sewing Machine

I'm going to go breathe in some of that springlike air before it's gone. I hope you're having a good weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

Christina

Martinis on Me

Happy Thursday! I'm back with a card for this week's MFT WSC Sketch. You can get all the details HERE. It's a simple sketch, but I just couldn't keep it simple! :)

I used papers from A Happy Heart 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. The cardstock is Pink Lemonade and Black Licorice. I stamped the image from a la modes Martinis on Me on X-Press It Blending Card and colored with Copics. I created the roses with Die-namics Rolled Rose and Mini Rolled Roses cut from felt. The sentiment is stamped on one of the Die-namics Mini Tabs Foursome.

To finish the card, I added a rhinestone flourish and some Hemp Cord. I also added a little sugar rim to my pomtini (my fave!) using Diamond Stickles.

That's it for today! I don't know about you, but it's been a long and crazy week so far. I needed some stamping to keep me sane! :)

Thanks for stopping by -- have a great day!

Christina

Live for Today

Happy Saturday to you! I'm thankful for a free afternoon, because I was able to create another card for the MFT Guest Designer Contest. It's such a great sketch! You can get the contest details HERE on the MFT Forum at Splitcoaststampers. This card is quite a bit different from my first entry -- I went with a distressed look and subtle colors. The papers are from the Paris & Co. 6x6 pad by My Mind's Eye. I paired them with Sno Cone and Hot Fudge cardstock.

This Die-namics Jumbo Snowflake is beautiful enough on its own, but I gave it a coat of Diamond Stickles to really make it the focal point of this card. The sentiment is from Clearly Sentimental about New Beginnings. I anchored the sentiment with a Kraft Button and some Hemp Cord. There's something I really love about the contrast of the earthy elements with the bling.

My resolution for 2013 is to recommit myself to the people and activities that make me a better and happier person. Stamping is definitely something that takes me to my "happy place" -- and I've really missed it! I had put it on hold to take care of other things, but I know now that I'm really not "me" without it. So I'm recommitted to making it a part of my life again. And, as the sentiment reads, I'm going to "Live for Today." :)

I hope you all are having a great weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Christina

MFT Guest Designer Contest

Happy New Year's Eve! Chris and I will be spending a quiet evening at home with Anna and Caroline while Kyle and Megan are celebrating elsewhere. It has become a tradition with the girls on this night to get in our PJs, enjoy some appetizers, play games and watch the NYE programs on TV. I'm going to enjoy these evenings while I can, as I know how fast time flies!

I hope you all are well, and I hope your holiday season was filled with family, fun, and blessings. I did do a bit of papercrafting during the Christmas season to create some fun packaging and tags for gifts, but I was working on the fly and didn't take a single photo! They were cute, though! ;)

Today I spent some time making a card for the MFT Guest Designer Challenge. It is such a great sketch -- you can find all the contest details HERE. Here's my entry:

I just *love* these papers from Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934 Mini Deck, and I had fun mixing the patterns and colors. I used two Die-namics: Gift Card Pocket - Vertical and Hearts a Plenty. I stamped the sentiment from Gift Card Greetings in Watermark ink and heat embossed with vanilla scented (yes, scented!) embossing powder. The heart was cut from Red Hot felt and topped with a Kraft Button and Hemp Cord. I did some piercing and machine stitching, and I added mini black brads to the corners of the center panel.

I'm headed over to SCS to upload this to the gallery, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I SO miss designing with my fabulous friends and the amazing products at My Favorite Things! :)

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit. I wish you all a happy, healthy, and blessed 2013.

Happy New Year!

Christina

Christmas Tag

Hello! Happy Tuesday! I am enjoying my day off for Election Day (I hope you all got out to vote!), and I decided to start on my Christmas tags. I think this year I'm going to keep the wrapping simple and let the tags do all the work! :)

I used this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch #96 for the layout. Papers are from Lost and Found Christmas 6x6 by Mind's Eye.

Here's a list of MFT products used:
Seasonal Sentiments
Die-namics Traditional Tags STAX
Die-namics Jumbo Banner Day STAX
Die-namics Dainty Dots Border
Die-namics Let It Snowflake
Kraft Cardstock
Whip Cream Felt
Kraft Button
Hemp Cord

I cut the Dainty Dots Border from a cork sheet, and I cut one of the cork circles from the border to fit perfectly over the punched hole. I embellished with lots of adhesive rhinestones.

That's one tag down, many more to go! It just might be time to play a little Christmas music and get to work! :)

Thanks for stopping by today -- have a great day!

Christina

Thankful

Hello! Happy Sunday to you!

Now that Halloween has come and gone, I am fully in Thanksgiving mode. I truly love Thanksgiving. It's the one holiday where you can focus on family and blessings, without wrapping paper flying across the room. KWIM?

Anyway, I was inspired by my fabulously talented friends on the MFT Team, and I created a banner for our fireplace mantel.

 

I used quite a few MFT products:

Die-namics Fishtail Banner Stax

Die-namics By the Letters

Die-namics Open Scallop Doily Duo

Die-namics First Place Award Ribbon

Hot Fudge Cardstock

Whip Cream Cardstock

Kraft Buttons

Hemp Cord

I sponged the edges of the Whip Cream Cardstock with Tea Dye ink, and I machine stitched around the individual banners. I added a bit of adhesive rhinestone bling -- I love the combination of homespun and shiny touches. :)

This project has me ready for more holiday crafting. I can't believe it's all just around the corner! Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great day!

Christina

You Are My Anchor

Hello there, friends! I hope you are well! I definitely hit the ground running when school started, and I haven't had much time to breathe since -- but I'm slowly carving out more "me" time. :)

I was itching to play with my MFT stamps, and I found the perfect reason -- to make a card for the MFT Guest Designer Contest. I certainly would love to work with my old friends again, even if just for a month! I miss them all so much! You can get all the details about the contest HERE.

My daughter Megan is a freshman at the University of Kentucky this year, and she has fully embraced college life. She pledged a sorority, and her initiation is next week. I made her a card with her sorority's mascot, an anchor. This sweet a la modes You Anchor Me set could not have been more perfect! The sorority's colors are blue and pink, so My Mind's Eye 6x6 Dwell papers were just what I needed.

I used three Die-namics as well: Rounded Banner STAX, Jumbo Banner Day STAX, and Double Scallop Border. I colored and paper pieced the image, then I cut her out and popped her up on the embossed panel. I distressed the edges of the paper and cardstock and did some machine stitching. The scalloped border was cut from a cork sheet. The letters on the banners were stamped with the Banner Day Alphabet.

I'm excited to see the new stamps and Die-namics from MFT when they're released October 16! Maybe I'll see YOU at the Release Party! :)

Thanks so much for checking in today -- have a great day!

Christina

JiFFy Time!

Happy Thursday! I'm so happy to be posting with my JiFFy friends today! Here's a little reminder of how it works: one of us sends the paper to everyone, and another of us chooses the image. We don't know what we're getting until it's in our hands. Sometimes it's a good combo, and sometimes it's a little bit tricky, but it's always Just For Fun. :)

This month Michele chose the paper, "Hide and Seek" from October Afternoon's Sidewalks collection, and Lori chose the image, "Ramona Fishing" from Stamping Bella.

I *love* this sweet image. She reminds me of my Caroline. :) Since the image is "sketchy" in nature, I colored a bit "loosely" and left some white spaces here and there. I colored and cut out a second heart and popped it up at the bottom of the fishing line. I distressed, sponged with Antique Linen ink, and did some machine stitching. I finished with corrugated and felt hearts, a button, and some twine.

Be sure to visit the other girls to see what they've done with this adorable image and papers!
Amy
Lori
Michele

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a great day!

Christina

Gettin' Dirty!

Hi there! It's certainly been a busy summer, but it's finally winding down, so I took a little time to get inky! Last week the Dirty Dozen, past and present, presented their challenges during Dare to Get Dirty over at Splitcoaststampers. It's always so much fun to hang out and get chatty with the Splitcoaststampers Design Team, and I'm honored to be a part of such an amazing group! Fan Club members can find all the challenges at the DTGD thread HERE -- there's still time to play along!

I combined the challenges of my good friends Joanne (Basilefamily) and Lisa (Lisahenke) to create this sweet card. This sweet Pure Innocence image just reminds me so much of a summer day! You can find her HERE at My Favorite Things. I used a couple Die-namics plus some twine, brads and a button to embellish, and I colored with Copics.

That's all for now, but I'll be back soon with something stampy! I hope to see you then!

Thanks so much for checking in -- have a fantastic day! :)

Christina

Getting Inky Again!

Hello, friends! It's been WAY too long since I've posted anything here. Thanks so much for being patient with me. I hope you all are well! :)

Much has happened since my last post -- here's the Reader's Digest version:

I hinted that I had a special date in my future, and many guessed that I was expecting. I was. Shortly after that last post, however, I miscarried at 15 weeks. It was a difficult time, but we were surrounded by lots of love and friendship which saw us through. I've learned that one of life's certainties is its uncertainty. I've also learned that God gives us so many blessings in the midst of sadness.

And I've learned that life keeps moving forward, so you'd better grab on and hold tight! These last several months have been busy with many things: Kyle's first year in college,  Megan's high school graduation after a wonderful senior year, and countless games and activities for Anna and Caroline.  Not to mention my first year back to teaching! The school year has finally ended, and now I'm digesting all that has happened in such a short time. I definitely kept my head down and plowed through, but something was missing.

I missed my creative time. I'm just not complete without it. So these last couple weeks have been spent getting my hands dirty in the garden and crafting with the girls. AND I STAMPED AGAIN!! Which brings me, finally, to the reason for today's post. :)

There's nothing better to get my mojo going than a MFT WSC sketch! This week's sketch (you can find it HERE) is a great one, and it gave me a chance to use one of my latest MFT purchases, Let's Grab Drinks. I gave Who's That Girl a pomegranate martini (my fave!) and paper pieced her dress. The scallops below the image were made with Die-namics Simply Scallops Medium. I colored with Copics and machine stitched around the panels.

Well, I think I can say it... I'm BACK. And it feels good.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. There's nothing like visiting with old friends! :)

Have a great day -- see you again soon!

Christina

Just For Fun!

Hello there, friends! Long time, huh? It's been an interesting few months here at the Fischer house. The job is going well, and the family is fine. We have been thrown a bit of an unexpected curve ball, but more on that later...  :)

I am SO happy to be posting today! My sweet stamping friends just couldn't let me stay away for long, so they asked me if I'd be willing to dust off my things and stamp once a month, Just For Fun. Yep, I'm back with the JiFFy girls! :) Here's how it works: one of us picks the image, and another picks the paper, and we all put them together and see what happens! And it's always Just For Fun.

This month, we've combined this beautiful Flower Basket paper from Pebbles' Fresh Goods collection with TCP's Admit One set and Big Ticket Cutups die (so generously donated by the very sweet Alma!). I had fun pulling ink colors from the paper, and I sponged the edges of the ticket with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The numbers on the side are actually a very important date in my near future (part of that curve ball I mentioned earlier...). Cryptic enough for you? ;)

Anyway, be sure to check out what the other JiFFy girls have created -- I'm sure there's plenty of eye candy in store!

Amy
Carole
Lori
Michele

I'll be back soon -- I'm so glad you stopped to visit!

Have a great day!

Christina

Snuggle Time - MFTWSC52

Hi there, friends! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Has it really been almost three months since I've posted a card here??? I decided it was finally time to get inky again. :)  I took advantage of my time off work to get sketchy with MFT's last Wednesday Sketch of 2011! You can get all the details HERE. We've been having plenty of snuggle time and hot cocoa this week, so this a la modes Hot Cocoa Cutie was the perfect choice for my card!

I paired her with some My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas papers. I also used a few Die-namics, too! Oh, how I've missed them! :) Coloring was done with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, and I paper pieced the mug. I used Liquid Applique on the marshmallows and I did some machine stitching, too.

I think this bit of stamping has jump-started my mojo. I mean, a working girl has to have a creative outlet, right? I promise to be back soon -- thanks so much for stopping by!

Christina

A Sad Farewell...

Hello, friends!

It's been a while since I've been here, I know. My job and my family have taken much of my time over the last few months, and creative time is at a minimum. I have decided to step away from stamping and blogging for now. That also means I had to make the very difficult decision to resign from the MFT Creative Team. I can't even tell you how much it makes me sad to leave Kim and all my amazing friends there. But they deserve more than I can give right now. :(

Stamping and blogging have been such an important part of my life for several years. I am so thankful that this "hobby" has brought me so much happiness and has allowed some of my best friends to enter my life. I have had an amazing ride as a designer -- when I started stamping, I never dreamed I'd have the opportunities with which I've been blessed!

And you, my friends and readers -- you have made it all SO worth it! You all understand this obsession we call stamping, and you share in my joys and inspire me to keep creating. THANK YOU!

As I told the MFT team, I will not consider this a "good bye," just a "see you later." After this first year of teaching is behind me, and Megan finishes her senior year of high school, I'm hoping to be back doing what I really love, with all the time I need to do it well. I hope you'll be back when that time comes!

I'll still be lurking around in blogland or over at SCS, and I hope to carve out the occasional time to get inky, so I won't let the cobwebs settle on this blog. :)

Thanks again to all of you for sharing this part of my life with me -- big hugs to you all!

Until later...

Christina

MFT October New Product Tour!

Hi there! It's time for the MFT New Product Tour! This month, like every month, the stamps and Die-namics are must-haves! You'll want to begin the Tour at Kim's Blog so you don't miss a thing! :)

Tonight I have a card featuring Clearly Sentimental about Abundance, this month's Triple Scoop set. Our Triple Scoop reward is a full-sized stamp set offered to you absolutely free with a qualifying purchase of $60 or greater (before shipping and tax). The set changes with each monthly release, and is not yet available for individual purchase, so there is always a good reason to spoil yourself with MFT! You can get all the details about the Triple Scoop promo right HERE!

I thought the fall colors in this My Mind's Eye All Spice 6x6 paper were perfect for the abundance theme. I distressed the edges of the paper and cardstock. I added the bird from the new Die-namics Contempo Cage, and the new Die-namics Vintage Flourish was used to create the cork flourish behind the flowers. A little bling finishes the card.

Don't forget to take the rest of the New Product Tour! Kim has the list of designers who are ready to share the new stamps and dies with you!

Thank you so much for stopping by tonight! Happy shopping! :)

Christina

October VIP New Product Tour!

Hello!! I'm so glad you're here! It's time for the October VIP New Product Tour! The VIP is your chance to purchase the newest Who's That Girl set two weeks before its release! This month's set, Who's That Girl Chooses Hope, is one which is sure to be special to many of you.

I used My Mind's Eye Happier 6x6 paper, which is filled with shades of pink. I paper pieced her top and colored with Copics.

Since I had plenty of detail on the front, I kept the inside clean and simple. I truly LOVE this sentiment.

Here's what you'll get in your VIP package:

Who's that Girl Chooses Hope VIP Collection $29.90
Who's that Girl Chooses Hope stamp set
Choose Hope Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)
Rolled Gardenia Die-namics Die
 
This is a LIMITED TIME offer, so run, don't walk over to KIM'S BLOG to go on your New Product Tour!
 
Thanks so much for stopping by! :)
Christina

MFT DT Creative Challenge: No Coloring!

Hi there! I'm so glad you stopped by today! I'm here with this month's DT Creative Challenge, and it's another fun one! We hope you'll play along with us!

In 2011, MFT is working harder than ever to inspire you, and we have come up with something we think you'll really enjoy. Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a new monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, we're all putting down the markers, pencils and paints and sharing projects with No Coloring! Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge!

I chose this sweet new a la modes Blue Without You set and paired it with some My Mind's Eye Blink of an Eye 6x6 papers. papers. I know the challenge is no coloring, but the star is paper pieced, not colored, so technically I didn't break the rules, right? Plus, that big ol' star was just begging for something, you know? :) The sentiment is stamped on the new Die-namics Dog Tag.

Inside, I stamped the image and another sentiment, then I placed a Die-namics Star Border along the bottom. Clean, simple, and no coloring!

Don't forget to stop by Kim's Blog to see the list of designers who have accepted the No Coloring challenge! Thanks again for the visit today! I really appreciate it! :)

Have a great day!

Christina