9/28/12

Want to be MFT'S next Guest Designer?

Would you like to be MFT's next Guest Designer? The winner of this contest will win over $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, AND have the opportunity to play along with the design team for the next release and all the Wednesday Stamp Club Challenges for the next month. MFT always has amazing stamp sets around the corner and getting (and stamping with) them early is a special treat.

The challenge this month is a Sketch Challenge. You can find all the details about the challenge at Splitcoaststampers right here. The deadline to enter is October 15th at 12pm EST. 

Today I am sharing a card I made using the sketch for inspiration. 


I am using the Always Time for Tea Die-namics and Stamp Set, one of my favorites. After die cutting the teapot I stamped the flourish in Amuse Ink. I used the Rounded Banner STAX Die-namics to cut out the background the teapot is mounted on. I used the Simply Scallops Large Die-namics at the top and the smaller die in the Dainty Duo Die-namics, cut in half, at the bottom. 

Then I added lace, ribbon, and machine stitching. I used MFT cardstock in Steel Grey and Pink Lemonade.


I added a sentiment from the set and pearls to the corners of the scallops.


On the inside I stamped another favorite sentiment for the stamp set and another teapot.






Thanks for stopping by. Happy Friday!! Hope you have time to make a project for the challenge.

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9/26/12

MFTWSC91

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today. I have another fun sketch challenge today. It's week 91 of our MFT'S WSC Getting Sketchy Challenge. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money.


I am using the Pure Innocence Li'l Pumpkin for my fall card. My papers are from Simple Stories Harvest. I used the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics  for my flag, cut from patterned paper, and the Scallop Ribbon Border Die-namics for the scalloped border that runs down the left side. 

I add machine stitching, corrugated paper and three MFT Buttons threaded with Hemp Cord. I love the Hemp Cord for buttons. It is the perfect thickness for buttons but it has enough weight that you don't have to get your needle out to thread the buttons.


She is colored with Copics and the shading and grass are done with Prism Colored Pencils. Her dress is paper pieced. I added a sentiment from the set and cut it out with dies from the Circle STAX Die-namics

I used MFT cardstock in Hot Fudge and Tangy Orange


On the inside I stamped another sentiment from the set.




You can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread).  You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch, MFTWSC91. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!


Thanks for stopping by and I  hope you get a chance to play along.
 
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9/25/12

Taylored Expressions September Studio Challenge


It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge.  This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.

The question for September is:
Within Arm's Reach - What do you keep within arm's reach at your stamp table?  Show us what you have access to without leaving your seat.  What organization methods do you use?  Tell us which ones you love and which ones you'd like to change.



After raising four daughters I finally have an office/craft room of my own. I have been in my room for about nine months now. I still need pictures on the walls, and some personal touches, but I am thrilled to have a place of my own. I have two work areas and I can roll my chair between them. I also work from home at times and I need the room to be a functional office as well. 

I did clean my room before I took these pictures so it is neater than usual! But I always clean up between each project, even if I am going to start another one. I drives me crazy when I am spending time looking for things. I have lots of drawers and storage so I look fairly organized at least on the outside!



On the far right of my desk I have two stacking paper trays. Each one holds the stamps and dies for new releases I am working on at the moment.  Next is a Lazy Susan that holds many of the tools I use all the time, like paper piecers, pencils, glue pens, scissors, glitter and gel pens. 


Next is another desk organizer that holds stamp blocks, my Crop-A-Dile  and corner rounder, punches, a sketch pad, etc.





I couldn't live without my OttLite. The large dome gives great light for coloring and creating and I like the styling of the lamp.

I also keep my laptop on my desk. Need it for work but love to watch my favorite shows on it while I am coloring and creating!



keep my Copics to the left of my desk. I have them divided into color families in pencil cups from Staples and long with my Copic Chart for matching colors. I like that I can grab the cup of Copics I want to work with and set them next to me on my desk.




At the moment I am storing my inks in a drawer in the main desk. I like having them close, but I am considering purchasing a unit to store my inks in. I have trouble keeping this drawer organized. Tim Holtz inks are favorites of mine to sponge on the edges of paper. 



The next desk drawer down houses all my favorite, can't live without adhesives! 



The bottom drawers on each side of the desk are file drawers and contain my 81/2 x 11 cardstock. I added file tabs to help me locate the color I am looking for, especially at night. 



Next to my desk I have a storage unit that stores my dies. On the top in cups are my border dies. My drawers are divided into categories like doilies, flowers, outdoor themes like the sun, clouds, grass, etc.  I do plan to label the drawers when I have a chance.


I can turn and roll my chair over to my sewing machine and my Big Shot, certainly two tools I couldn't live without. I keep threads and needles in the drawer on the right. 


I keep 6 x 6 paper pads in small containers I got at Micheals. According to the holiday or season at the time, I keep my red bucket full of papers and embellishments. Right now I am working on Halloween and Fall projects so my bucket contains paper pads for the season, bingo cards, black and orange twine, ribbons, buttons, etc. I take a little time at the beginning of the season to go through my stash to look for items that might work for that time of year. 


Off to side of my desk is my paper cutter and Scor-pal. We all know we can't live without those tools!

Well, that is it for me. Now we will see how long my desk keeps this clean! Be sure to visit the other Baker's Dozen Blogs for even more inspiration!



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9/24/12

Make a Wish!

Hi Everyone and thanks for stopping by! I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the first days of fall. I got a little time in my stamp room and have a birthday card to share with you made with Taylored Expressions Bake Me a Cake Die Set


First I die cut the cake from white glitter paper. The rest of my papers are from Authentique - Lively 6x6 Bundle. I added machine stitching, crinkled seam binding, and lace. The sentiment if from the Take the Cake stamp set.



It was so fun to decorate this cake! I used the rest of the dies in the set to add my frosting pieces, and the glued on some pearls and a small Prima rose. Pretty quick and easy with the die and I love the finished card.



Thanks for stopping by!

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9/19/12

Best Witches

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today. It's week 90 of our MFT'S WSC Getting Sketchy Challenge. We have another fun sketch for you to play with this week!


I needed a couple more Halloween cards so I am using the Pure Innocence Little Witch stamp for my take on the sketch. I used papers from Authentique - Enchanted and I added a small bingo card. My borders are cut with the Harlequin Die-namics, and the sentiment is stamped on a doily cut with the smaller die in the Dainty Doily Duo


She is colored with Copics and her dress is paper pieced. I added gold glitter pen to the  buckles on her hat and shoes.


I stamped another cute sentiment for the stamp set on the inside.




You can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread).  You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch, MFTWSC90. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!




I hope you get a chance to play along!

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9/18/12

Hello!

Hi Everyone and thanks for stopping by today. I  have a card to share that I made with Taylored Expressions new stamp set, Let's Chat, and the Let's Chat Phone Dies.


For inspiration I am using Jen's Deconstructed Sketch Challenge No. 69. My papers are from My Mind's Eye, Gnome Sweet Gnome.


I colored the phone with Copics and cut it out with one of the dies in the Let's Chat Phones Die Set. The sentiment is from the stamp set and I just LOVE it.  I added a doily cut with the Small Layering Die behind the phone.

Machine stitiching, ribbon, and a button finish off my card.


On the inside I stamped another sentiment from the Let's Chat Stamp Set.



Thanks for stopping by!

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9/17/12

Wishing You Happiness

The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to create a card or project with no patterned paper.  Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers who have a project to share with you today. 


So guess what! This challenge was a lot harder than I thought it would be! I guess I have become dependent on my little 6x6 paper pads and all those great small patterns. There were a couple of projects that were trashed before I decided on this card for the challenge. 

I stamped the rose for the Inspired By Flowers Set #2 in Memento Rich Cocoa Ink. I created a frame to go over the rose with circle dies from the Circle STAX 1 and 2 Die-namics. I used a Cuttlebug Folder to had a little texture to the card.


The image is colored with Copics and I sprinkled on a little glitter to the edges of the flower. The sentiment is from the stamp set. I added a flourish up the side that is cut with the Small Leafy Flourish Die-namics. I added a few small rhinestone and a MFT Button. 

I used MFT Cardstock in Kraft, Jellybean Green, and Pink Lemonade and coordinating ribbon and a button in Pink Lemonade. Love the way everything goes together!


On the inside I stamped a sentiment I just love from the Clearly Sentimental about Audrey Hepburn stamp set.




Thanks for stopping by! Be sure stop by the MFT Blog for links to all the designers sharing projects today. I am sure you will be inspired!!

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