Buttoned Up!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today's My Favorite Challenge is to use buttons on your project! For Joanne and me, that's never a problem! ;) I used the set Grow Love Plant a Tree, and the paper is Lemonade by BasicGrey. I stamped the tree on three different patterns of paper, then I cut out the parts and paper pieced them.

Other products used: Oval Nestabilities, corner rounder, buttons, twine, ribbon, dimensionals, sewing machine.

I inked up only part of the sentiment, placing the words horizontally instead of vertically. That's one of the things I love about clear stamps -- you can adjust your sentiment to suit your layout!

Well, that's it for now! I'll have more stampy fun for you tomorrow, so I hope you'll stop back! :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit today! Have a great day!

Christina

Thanks a Latte!

Happy Thursday! Today's My Favorite Challenge is an MFT Rewind! We want you to use one of your first MFT purchases! My first MFT set was Hot Stuff, and I used it to make this thank you card.

It's pretty simple -- some Copic coloring, paper piecing, and a punched border. I wanted to let this gorgeous 29th Street Market paper (My Mind's Eye) speak for itself! The button and ribbon are from My Favorite Things.

That's it for today! I'm going to try to get some laundry done and clean up my kitchen before the kids get home from school! Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!
Christina

Heavy Metal!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Joanne is this week's My Favorite Challenge hostess, and the challenge is to use metal -- embossing powders, embellishments, containers, whatever! I created this tin full of chocolates for my sample.

I filled the Rectangular Window Tin with Hershey Nuggets (wrapped in silver -- more metal!). The images on the label are from the Ghoulish Label set. I cut out the tombstones, gave them some color with Copics, and popped them up on dimensionals. I distressed the edges of the cardstock layers. The ribbon is from the Halloween Ribbon Nest, and the metal brads are from the just-released September Kit. The paper is Boo Crew by Bo Bunny, and the colored cardstock is from SU!.

I'm happy to have a head-start on my Halloween treats! I think I'll make some more of these for the girls' teachers! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a great day!

Christina

My Favorite Challenge: MFT Colors

Happy Thursday, everyone! This week's My Favorite Challenge is to use the MFT Colors -- Pink, Black and White -- on your project. For my sample I used the just-released MFT set Too Cute to Spook, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer.

I embossed the background paper with the D'vine Swirls folder to mimic the curls in the tree branches. I paper pieced the little witch's dress. The image is cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

I have some All That Scraps samples to show you this weekend -- the release is Monday, September 7. I know it will be a busy few days, since it's the holiday weekend here in the US, but I hope you'll stop by! Thanks for taking the time to visit today! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Too Cute to Spook (MFT Presents) Ink: Basic Black, Memento Tuxedo Black Cardstock: C.C. Designs white cardstock, MFT Perfect Paper Panels, Basic Black Paper: Porcelain Dot (Bo Bunny) Other: Cuttlebug, D'vine Swirls embossing folder (Provo Craft), black ribbon (PTI), black brads, sewing machine

It's Ornamental!

Hello! Happy Thursday! Even though it's not quite autumn yet, this week's My Favorite Challenge is to think Christmas! The challenge is to create an ornament or holiday decoration. I used a paperboard star from Michaels to create this Joy ornament. I covered it with BasicGrey Wassail paper and used Bling Bet and MFT Adornments for the letters. I embellished the top with ribbon, Martha Stewart branch punch, and more crystals.

I used ink to antique the edges -- I really like the vintage look it gives. I used Papertrey's Ink's Chamomile Vintage Touch tea dye ink .

This is the star before antiquing. Okay, but plain.

Here is the star after sponging on the tea dye ink. Much better! :)

I hope you can play along with our Ornamental challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a great day!

Christina

So Much MFT to Celebrate!

Happy Thursday! It's the 20th of the month, so it's Celebrate MFT Day! It's also time for another My Favorite Challenge and another Sketch Challenge! That's a lot of MFT to celebrate! :)

Joanne is this week's hostess for the My Favorite Challenge, which is to use a set that hasn't been inked yet. It's hard to believe I have any MFT sets that haven't seen ink, but I did find Window Shopping hiding among the rest of my sets. I'm glad I finally showed it some love, because I had a lot of fun with this card! :)

This image makes me smile. I can see myself, face pressed against the window, longing for those shoes I just can't afford... does anyone else feel my pain? ;) I colored with Copics, and I paper pieced her dress. I DO love this October Afternoon paper -- I can't seem to get enough of it!

I made this Cupcake Flopsey card for this week's MFT Sketch challenge. The paper is from American Crafts. I colored and cut out Flopsey, then I mounted the image on dimensionals. I popped up the cupcake frosting, too. This card is already in the mail to a very special friend whose birthday was yesterday! It's going to be late -- sorry! :)

Now, if this isn't enough MFT fun for you yet, I have a NEW challenge to share with you! Beginning this month, we have a MFT Kit Challenge! There has been a lot of excitement about the kits, so we want to see what everyone can do with them! You can get some great ideas for getting the most out of the MFT Kits in Jody's How'd They Do That? tutorial.

Well, my kids are all back to school today. I have big plans for my three hours of solitude each day -- stamping, laundry, stamping, clean the house, stamping... ;) Actually, I know the time will be filled with all the things that life throws my way, but I am hoping to get a little more ink on my fingers!

Thanks so much for stopping by today -- have a fantastic day!

Christina

Back to School!

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today's My Favorite Challenge has a Back to School theme. I used my new October Afternoon paper, which I picked up during my CHA shopping spree with Joanne. The dictionary and apple patterns are perfect for a back to school card! I combined two MFT sets, The Poppies and Teacher, Teacher Label Set.

A week from today, all my kids will be back in school! Where did the summer go? We still have to shop for shoes and school supplies!

Thank you so much for visiting today! I always appreciate it when you stop by! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: The Poppies, Teacher Teacher Label Set (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Kiwi Kiss (SU!) Cardstock: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Cherry Hill: Tea Towel, New Apron (October Afternoon) Other: Copics; Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain, Eyelet Border Punch, black hemp twine (SU!); Cup o' Buttons summer collection (MFT); sponge, dimensionals

Black and White

Happy Thursday! It's time for another MFT My Favorite Challenge! This week's challenge is to make something Black and White. The image may have color, but everything else must be black and white.

While Joanne and I were shopping at the CHA Supershow, I picked up this fun salt and pepper paper, and it was the inspiration for the challenge. I paired it with Who's That Grillin' Guy?. I colored and paper pieced the image, and I popped up the hot dogs. I {heart} this ribbon -- it's from MFT's Perfect Plaid Ribbon.

I feel like I'm finally getting back into a groove after being gone last week. Why does it take so long to get back to a normal routine again?!? Anyway, I'm so glad you took time to stop by today -- thank you so much! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Who's That Grillin' Guy? (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: C.C. Designs white cardstock, Basic Black, MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Haute Cuisine: Salt and Pepper (Teresa Collins) Other: Copics, circle punches, scallop edge punch (SU!), MFT Perfect Plaid ribbon, button, twine (PTI), dimensionals, sewing machine

My Favorite Challenge: Clean and Simple

Happy Thursday! Joanne is your hostess for this week's My Favorite Challenge, which is to make a Clean and Simple (CAS) card. You can find the challenge details on the MFT Member Company Forum. I struggle with CAS cards, so this was a great challenge for me. This sweet, simple image is perfect for a CAS card, and I really like the clean design. Of course, this fantastic Cosmo Cricket paper definitely helps! :)

Tomorrow I'll have another pre-scheduled post, since I'm away at CHA! It's an All That Scraps preview of a CUTE new set! Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Feelin' Fruity? (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Real Red (SU!) Paper: Early Bird: Cherry Pie (Cosmo Cricket) Other: Copics, MFT Summer Ribbon Collection, MFT Cup o' Buttons, linen thread

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

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

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

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

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

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)

My Favorite Thursday Challenges!

Hi, everyone! Happy Thursday! Joanne is hosting this week's My Favorite Challenge on the MFT Member Company Forum. The challenge is to make a gift card holder.

I had fun making this card. The images are from the set Let's Hear It for the Boys, and the papers are from the Kaleidoscope collection by My Mind's Eye. I paper pieced the chair, then I popped up the arm and footrest on dimensionals. I also popped up the TV. I machine stitched around the paper panels.

Quick Tip: When paper piecing, use a marker on the edges of the paper pieced images to create dimension.


To make the gift card holder, I used a template that I rely on quite often. Gina K. has a great tutorial for how to make it HERE on her blog. I used a Word Window punch to create the opening for the gift card. When presenting the card, the gift card would actually be facing the other way, but I turned it around here so I could show you the inside of the card! :)

The other card I have to share today is for this week's MFT Sketch Challenge. I made this for my daughter Megan. She left last night on a plane with a group of about 30 girls from her high school -- they are on a 9-day tour of France. It was NOT easy putting her on that plane, but I know she's going to have the experience of a lifetime (you all keep reminding me of that, okay?)!

The background paper is a map of France -- courtesy of Mapquest! I printed it out on SU! Whisper White cardstock. Megan begins her tour in Paris and ends in Nice -- I made sure both were pictured on the map (Paris over WTG's right shoulder, Nice next to her suitcase). I stamped the skyline image on the panels in Watermark ink by Clearsnap, and I heat embossed with SU! clear EP. The white crystals, ribbon and button are from My Favorite Things.

Whew -- it's been a crazy couple of days! Between the MFT release and Megan leaving, I'm about ready for a nap! No rest for the weary, though -- I have more stamps that need to see some ink! I'm off to see what I can get done today!

Thank you SO much for visiting today and every day -- I really do appreciate it! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

My Favorite Challenge: Trifold Card

Hi, everyone! It's Thursday, so that means it's time for the MFT My Favorite Challenge! This week, Joanne and I challenge you to make a trifold card. You can find all the challenge details HERE on the MFT Member Company Forum. For my sample, I made a gatefold card with the set Flopsey's Flowers.

I colored with Copics and cut Flopsey out. I added glitter to the flower petals, and I adhered rhinestones to the flower centers.

On the inside of the card, I stamped just the flowers three times along the bottom of the white panel. I veeerrry carefully inked up the flowers before stamping, but a few extra lines got inked as well. I camouflaged them by doodling some squiggly vine-y looking things before I colored them! :)

I just realized that yesterday's card and today's card were both thank you cards with flowers! I guess I needed to stock up on thank you cards, huh? ;)

Thanks so much for visiting today! It's always great when you stop by!

Have a wonderful day!

Christina

Stamps: Flopsey's Flowers (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Organic Laurel (Bo Bunny) Other: Copics, Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug, D'vine Swirls embossing folder (Provo Craft), Caboodles, Got Flowers? (Prima), Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!), Gemstones (Hero Arts), dimensionals

A MFT Party Hangover

Hi, everyone! I'm posting later than usual this afternoon! I'm in between a busy morning and a busy afternoon, and I was wiped out after last night's MFT Release Party!! It was a fun night -- we welcomed two new members to the MFT Sweet 16 -- Kathy Daume' and Barbara Anders! When you get a chance, hop over to their blogs and congratulate them! :)

Beginning last week, we changed the weekly MFT challenges just a bit. There is no longer a Who's That Girl? Challenge on Monday -- it is now the My Favorite Challenge, and it is posted on Thursday, along with the MFT Sketch Challenge for the week. I'm thrilled to still be co-hosting the My Favorite Challenge with Joanne!

Here are the MFC details at a glance:
*A new My Favorite Challenge and Chatter thread is posted every Thursday
*Complete the challenge by the following Wednesday at 10:00 AM
*ONE winner will be awarded $10 in MFT Money each week (not good on bubble bin sets)
*This will NOT be a random draw
*The winner will be chosen by Joanne, Christina OR the guest judge of their choice
*The winner for the week will be posted after the challenge is posted the following Thursday

More MFC details and this week's MFT Sketch Challenge can be found on the My Favorite Challenge Week 2 thread HERE.

This week we're challenging you to use three different patterned papers from three different collections. They can be from the same manufacturer, just not the same line! On my card, I used Parisian Specialty dsp (SU!), Craft Fair (American Crafts), and Ski Slope (SU!). the image and sentiment are from Tea for Two.


Here's my card for the Sketch Challenge. I used the just-released set Let's Picnic, and the paper is SU! Bella Rose.You can find out how I made my flowers in the MFT Tips & Tricks thread.

That's all for now! I'm headed to a dentist appointment, and then Chris and I are going to see COLDPLAY tonight!! I can't wait! :)

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a fantastic Friday!

Christina