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! :)

MFT DT Creative Challenge: For the Kids

Happy Tuesday, everyone! It's time once again for the MFT DT Creative Challenge. Joanne has challenged us to make a gift item for kids. I created a Kids Garden Kit, perfect for budding gardeners (pardon the pun -- I couldn't help it!).  It contains three mini grow kits, plant labels, and a marker.

I used Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup paper and Sour Apple cardstock to make the band for the pail. I embellished with some bling, Honeydew Twine, and felt Posies.

I used Pure Innocence: Mud Buddies for the lid and the sentiments. I colored with Copics and paper pieced the boots. I added some dots for seeds. :)

Stop by Kim's Blog to see the which designers have created projects For the Kids! We'd love to see your kids' gifts, too! :)

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

Have a great day!
Christina

Get Physical with MFT!

Hello! It's time for the MFT January Release Hop and Shop! If you've just happened upon my post, be sure to go back to Kim's Blog and start from the beginning! This release is full of goodness, and you won't want to miss a thing! :)

I am SO excited about the set I'm sharing with you tonight. It's this month's Who's That Girl? set, Let's Get Physical. Just in time for all those New Year's Resolutions, right? As soon as I saw this sentiment from the set, I thought of this photo of my daughter Megan. It was taken during her freshman year when she was running track. I set to work creating a frame for the photo!

I started with an unfinished Michaels frame, and I covered it with papers from the October Afternoon Seaside 8x8 pad. Megan's school colors are blue and gold, so I pulled patterns in those colors. 

I colored the image with Copics. You might have spied the NEW Die-namics Dainty Doily behind the image -- I {love} it! I also added a rhinestone flourish for a fun touch -- I thought it was perfect for this sentiment! :)

I added her school initials using the Die-namics Banner Day Die and Alphabet, and I applied MFT Crystal Adornments between the letters.

All of the Brand Spankin' New stamps and dies can be found right HERE, right now! Next, I'll send you to visit one of our fabulous new Design Team members, Arlene Cuevas! She is sure to WOW you with her project! :)

Happy shopping, everyone! Thanks so much for hopping by!

Christina

January MFTeasers - Day 3

Happy Sunday, everyone! Today's MFTeasers are of the new Pure Innocence sets! You all are in for a treat, because this month's images are fabulous! My first sample is of Carnation, which features January's flower of the month. Knowing that there will be more PI monthly flowers in the future (hint, hint), I made a calendar which can be changed each month. The 6x6 calendar page covers the photo opening in the frame and hangs from two small nails.

I started with an unfinished Michaels frame, and I gave it a coat of Tattered Rose Distress Crackle Paint. I took a page from the Restoration 6x6 pad and matted it with Blue Bayou cardstock to create the background for the calendar and image. The calendar is from the 2011 Calendar Templates. I used the new Die-namics Layered Label die to create the frames for the sentiments.
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I colored and cut out the image, and I popped it up with some of Jody's Dimensional Boosters.  

Look at these roses -- they were made with the NEW Die-namics Mini Rolled Roses die and some My Favorite Felt. Aren't they SO sweet?

My second sample features Ladybug. I paired her with some papers from the October Afternoon Modern Homemaker 8x8 pad.

I colored with Copics and applied some Stickles to the wings. I placed a Prima black swirl behind the image panel, and I used two Die-namics: Perfect Bracket Edge and Flower Border.

 I finished the inside of the card, placing the sentiment there as well.

Head over to Kim's Blog to see which designers have Teasers for you today! Leave a comment on each designer's post for a chance to win some Teaser Prizes! Also, be sure to stop by the MFT Member Company Forum for details about the Guest Designer Challenge and Tuesday's Release Party!

I'll have another Teaser tomorrow, so I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!

Christina

MFT's Greatest Hits: a la modes

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today the MFT DT is back with our monthly installment of MFT's Greatest Hits! This time we're inking up our favorite a la modes! I chose to work with What's Cooking?, so I made a recipe box for my favorite holiday desserts and treats.

I started with a cardboard recipe box I found in the $1 bin at Michaels. I used several patterns of October Afternoon Modern Homemaker paper -- SO perfect for this project! :) After adhering the paper, I sanded all the edges and inked them with Tea Dye Distress Ink. I love the aged look! I gave the entire box a coat of Mod Podge to protect it, then I adhered the ribbon around the top.

I colored and cut out the image, and I paper pieced her pants. I popped her up on dimensional boosters so the lid can easily open and close behind her head! :)

I made a coordinating recipe card using the Recipe Card Template and Die-namics Notebook Edge Die.  I stamped the image on the card with SU! Soft Sky ink.

Now, if I had thought about it before I took the photo, I would have written down a recipe for you. Since I didn't, I'll just point you in the direction of one of my favorite treats to give as a gift during the Christmas season -- Peppermint Bark. It's easy peasy and my kids love it! You can find the recipe HERE!


Christmas Come Early Promotion
MFT loves to spoil our customers and this week is no exception. Christmas has come early for YOU. From December 7 though December 9, our MFT Santa will be slipping a little something extra into your "stocking". With each order of $25 or more (not including tax or shipping) placed during the promotion period, you will receive a FREE surprise gift with your order. We have a ton of gifts under the tree, and we'll pick one out just for you. It could be a stamp set, ribbon, or other crafty product. It'll be a surprise, so please don't send Santa a list. *wink*
 
 
Stop by Kim's Blog today after 11 am to see which designers are playing MFT's Greatest Hits today!
 
Thanks so much for visiting! Have a great day!
 
Christina

It's a Wrap!

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a good weekend! We had two Christmas parties to attend, so I spent some time making hostess gifts. I was inspired by Bev Rousch's Felt Cup Sleeve Tutorial at Splitcoaststampers, so I created a candle wrap. It looks a little like Santa's coat, don't you think? :)

To create the wrap, I took two layers of My Favorite Felt and machine stitched them together. On one end I sewed two buttons, and on the other I sewed two ribbon loops. 

Then I moved on to the tag. I used three Die-namics dies: Textile Rectangle, Decorative Doily, and Let It Snowflake Trio. I embossed the Textile Rectangle with my Cuttlebug and Victoria embossing folder before I added the other layers.  The sentiment is from the Merry & Bright set.

That's all for today! The MFT DT will be have this month's Greatest Hits for you tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina

November Release Shop & Hop!

Hi, everyone! You've come to my stop on the MFT November Release Blog Hop! All of the new stamps and dies are available NOW at My Favorite Things! Just click HERE to see what's Brand Spankin' New! :) If you came here by way of my friend Kerry, then you're right on track! If not, you'll want to back to Kim's Blog and start from the beginning!

Tonight I get to share with you a set that is sure to be a go-to set for me, Clearly Sentimental about Teaching (this month's Triple Scoop set). As soon as I saw this sentiment, I knew I wanted to decorate and fill a pail to make a teacher gift. I filled it with -- what else -- Smarties! :)

I used ink and embellishments to coordinate with the October Afternoon Report Card paper. The gingham ribbon was too white for the creamy paper, so I "tea dyed" it with some Antique Linen Distress Ink. I just laid the ribbon flat on a sheet of paper and applied the ink directly to it, wiping the pad across in short strokes. The ruler ribbon was a lucky find in my stash!

Here's a closer look. The sentiment is stamped inside the Die-namics Polka Dot Greetings Die. I hand-cut the double mat, and I used the Die-namics Jumbo Scallop Die for the polka-dot scallops.

Now I'll send you on to see what the amazing Jen del Muro has created for you! I'm sure it's something jaw-dropping! :)

Thanks so much for hopping by! Happy shopping!

Christina

November MFTeasers, Day Four

Happy Tuesday! It's Day Four of MFTeasers! I have two sets to share with you today! The first is Jolinne - Winter Recital. This year, Anna and Caroline are taking dance for the first time. I thought this set would be perfect for some wall hangings for their room! This is Caroline's:

I covered the wooden letter (purchased at Michael's) with some My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary paper, then I sanded the edges. I stamped, colored, paper pieced, and cut out the images.

I bunched up some tulle and adhered it to her tutu. Then I applied a little bit of Stickles to both images.

I used the Die-namics Rolled Rose Die and Flower & Leaf Trio to make the paper roses, and I sprinkled them with Glitzy Glitter. I *love* the way they turned out!

My second sample is a tag I made with the set Merry and Bright. This set has several Christmas and holiday sentiments in a variety of beautiful fonts! It's perfect for all those holiday cards and tags!

I really enjoy making tags -- it's fun to add lots of layers and details to a small canvas! I topped the tag with the Die-namics Snowflake Trio and a Neutral Baby Braddie.

Stop by Kim's Blog today after 11 am for a list of designers who have teasers for you! Leave a comment on each post for a chance to win Teaser Prizes! Kim has been posting the winners each day on her blog -- see if your name is there! :)

Don't forget that the Guest Designer Contest ends tonight at 10 pm! There's still time to enter!

Tomorrow is release day! I can't wait! Join us for the Release Party and the Shop and Hop!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I always appreciate it! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

November MFTeasers, Day 1

Hi there! Happy Saturday! It's time for MFTeasers! This is my favorite time of the month! The MFT DT will be having teasers each day from now until Wednesday, November 3. Just check Kim's Blog each day after 11 am for the complete list of designers who have previews that day. Leave a comment on each designer's post for a chance to win Teaser Prizes! :)

Today we're previewing Wyatt - Just Chillin', Emma Celebrates the Season, and Mini Banner Day Alphabet and Die. My first sample features Wyatt - Just Chillin'. The paper is Jolly by Golly by Cosmo Cricket. I paper pieced the hats, scarves and mtten, and I applied some Icicle Stickles to the snowman and ground. You'll see two Die-namics here: Let it Snowflake Trio and the NEW Littlle Open Scallop Strip!

My next sample features the NEW Die-namics Mini Banner Day Alphabet and Banner Strip Die! It's also a sample for this month's Guest Designer Contest - Supply and Demand! Kerry and I are your hostesses this month, and we want you to incorporate school or office supplies into your design! You will find all the challenge details HERE on the MFT Forum!

To make this pencil holder, I altered a wooden box and covered it with October Afternoon Report Card paper. I colored just the apple on this Pure Innocence Apple for You image. I inked all the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

The Mini Banner Day Alphabet and Die-namics Banner Strip Die are SO fun! They are such a great way to personalize any project! :)

Okay, so here's the 411 on this month's Release!

• Teasers run from October 30 to November 3. Stop by Kim's Blog each day after 11 am for the list of designers who have previews that day.
• The November Guest Designer Contest starts today! Find all the details HERE on the MFT Forum!
• Join us for the Release Party Wednesday, November 3 from 8-10 pm. Read about it HERE!
• Get ready to Shop and Hop with us when the sets are released at 10:00 pm Wednesday night!

That's all for today! I'll have another MFTeaser for you tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day, everyone!
Christina

MFTeasers - Day 2

Happy Sunday! It's Day 2 of MFTeasers! Today we're previewing Fred Bear Goes Fishing, Emma Playing Mommy, and Wyatt the Conductor. I just had to ink up sweet Emma -- she reminds me so much of my girls playing house and dress-up! I decorated a pail for my daughter Anna (Caroline will get a matching one, too!). She can fill it with her hairbows, necklaces, or other accessories!

I covered the bottom and lid of the pail with paper from The Girls' Paperie. Of course, I had to add some Die-namics Jumbo Scallops!

On the tag I paper pieced her dress and applied adhesive rhinestones to the necklace and flower.

Notice anything NEW here? It's the Die-namics Rounded Banner Trio Die AND the Wendy Uppercase Alphabet! I also used the Flower Trio Die to cut some My Favorite Felt, and I placed an Adornments crystal in each center.

Don't forget to visit Kim's Blog to see a list of designers who have previews today! The Teasers continue through Wednesday, and then the Release Party will be Wednesday night from 8-10 pm right HERE! How would you like to be next month's MFT Guest Designer? The challenge details can be found HERE!

That's all for now! I'll be back with another Teaser tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina