Polar Love--MFT Sneak Peek

[Note: If you're looking for my Crazy 4 Challenges project, please scroll down to the next post. Thanks!]

On November 4, My Favorite Things will be having a huge release! And we're doing things a little differently this month. Sneak peeks start today and we'll be showing you select sets each day until the release on Wednesday, November 4th. Today's set is Polar Love and will be available for purchase at 10:00pm November 4th. I {heart} these sweet bears, don't you?


For this card I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, colored it with Copic markers, and added paper pieced scarves. Then I cut it out an adhered it to a Soft Sky panel that I'd run through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder and then swiped over with my Whisper White Craft Ink pad. The sentiment was cut/embossed with Classic Oval Nestabilities and popped up on 3M foam squares. A couple of punched out snowflakes with buttons tied on with Pearl cotton finishes it off.

You can get more details at Kim's blog here. And check out what the awesome DT has been up to with this set:

Amy Sheffer

Cindy Haffner

Michele Boyer

Susan Liles

Natalie Dever

Joanne Basile

Jessica Rone

Frances Byrne

Don't forget the contest over at the Member Company Forum on SCS--there's still time to get your entry in for this week!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Polar Love (MFT)
Paper: Chocolate Chip; Soft Sky (MFT); Dew Frost 6 x 6 pack (Memory Box); Perfect Paper Panel (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Oval Nestabilities; 3M foam square, Pearl cotton; Vintage Buttons (PTI); snowflake punches (Martha Stewart)

Have a Spooktacular Halloween--Crazy 4 Challenges #9

Told you I'd be back soon with another accordion card ;-) Dang, these are fun! You *have* to try one! For you scrappers, these would make awesome little albums, too!

Okey dokey, this week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge is to make your finest Halloween creation. I had so much fun making an accordion card for yesterday's Stamp Simply challenge that I made another one for today. You can check it out in the post below this one for specifics.

My BOO letters were made with MFT's Bling 'Bet and rhinestones and cut out with Standard Circle Nestabilities dies. Other stamp sets are Too Cute to Spook (looks like it's not available right now), Who's That Ghost Flopsey, and Ghoulish Labels Set, all by MFT. Card stock is Basic Black and Tangerine Tango and patterned paper is from the Eerie 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey. All images were stamped on MFT's Perfect Paper Panels and colored with Copic markers. After I stitched around each panel and adhered it to the base card stock, I added black grommets to the top of each panel and tied ribbon through them. Then I added some punched images and a sentiment and called it done. I love how this turned out!

NOW, be sure to check out the samples by the rest of the Crazy 4 Challenges team!

Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich--taking this week off
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden--taking this week off
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vicki Garrett

THEN, you know what to do--we'd love to have you come along and play with us. Just do your thing with the sketch and link it to Mr. Linky on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Please link directly to your project, and not your blog. And, if you upload to a public gallery, please use the key word C4C9.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Too Cute to Spook, Ghoulish Labels Set, Bling 'Bet, Who's That Ghost Flopsey (MFT)
Paper: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango (SU!); Eerie 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Standard Circle Nestabilities; ribbon, grommets, rhinestones (craft store); witch, bat, and cat punches (Martha Stewart)

Autumn Blessing Accordion Card--Stamp Simply #111

Are you ready for another Stamp Simply challenge? Well, Sharon's got a REALLY fun one for us this week. She's challenging us to make an accordion card. Here's what she says:

Friday, Oct. 30 - ssnotime111 - 3 Panel Accordion - Accordion cards are some of my favorite things to make, and that's just what we'll do today. We're taking it easy with just 3 panels today. Your accordion may be as large or as small as you like it. It may serve as table decor or it may tie closed as a little gift waiting to be opened. Anything goes -- just do a 3 panel accordion card. But beware -- they are ADDICTING!!! Be sure to check out all the DT girls links to get some GREAT ideas and to get your juices flowing!

Let me tell you, I've been meaning to make one of these for some time and just have never gotten around to it. So this challenge is "a [very] good thing."

I started by cutting my base card stock to 4.25" by 10.5", then scored it at 3.5", flipped it and scored at 7" to create my valley and mountain folds. Then I marked where I wanted to to make the angled cuts and cut them all at the same time. It took some measuring and mistakes to get my other two layers, but before I put everything together, I made templates for all three layers to save time the next time--and there definitely will be a next time :) And there definitely will be layers ;-)

OK, for this project I used Chocolate Chip (SU!) and Ripe Avocado and First Fruits (PTI) papers. I'm using the Vintage Picnic set by PTI, so I stamped these two images together on a MFT Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed it--and the Ripe Avocado (PTI) layer--with Classic Oval Nestabilities and added a Vintage Button tied on with Rustic Button Twine (both PTI).

For this panel, I used brown ribbon, Vintage Buttons, and some punched out oak leaves (using more Ripe Avocado, and More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie card stock from SU!) to highlight the sentiment (from Autumn Blessings). I also sponged the edges of all images with Vintage Touch Ink (PTI).

I decided to leave this panel relatively simple: another image from Vintage Picnic colored with Copic markers and another Vintage Button tied on with ribbon. This paper is so gorgeous I didn't want to cover much of it up!

I hope you like my accordion card as much as I do. Give it a try--I'll bet you'll love them, too!

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play and take us up on the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime111 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team:

Amy Rohl - October Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Barb Schram (filling in for Jennifer Buck who is taking some time off)

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

We're saying good-bye to Amy today. I've so enjoyed her being with us this month--don't be a stranger, Amy!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Sharon's right--these cards *are* addicting. You'll see what I mean if you check back tomorrow ;-)

~Recipe~
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Vintage Picnic (PTI)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!); Ripe Avocado, First Fruits (PTI)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Vintage Touch Ink (PTI)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Oval Nestabilites; ribbon (craft store); buttons/twine (PTI); leaf punch (Martha Stewart)

Just Rite Sympathy Card

Sadly, I found myself in need of a sympathy card. I never seem to have one on hand so I had to make one that would be quick to do. This JustRite stamp came in so handy for that--it's from the Thinking Of You set. I stamped it on Very Vanilla with Versafine Onyx Black ink, then I cut/embossed it with my Petite Oval die and the other llayers with my Labels Eight Nestabilities. I'm using K & Company Black and Ivory paper and Basic Black. A strip of black satin ribbon and rounded corners lend an elegant touch, I think. VERY quick and easy. Just the ticket. I need to sit down and mass produce a few of these to have on hand--it would be gorgeous in dark blue, burgundy, or dark purple, too. Hmmm :)

Thanks for dropping in today--be sure to check back tomorrow for my Stamp Simply card--Sharon has a super fun challenge for us this week!

Stamps: Thinking Of You(JustRite)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black (SU!); Black and Ivory (K & Co.)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: 3M foam squares, ribbon, flat backed pearls (craft store)

Wisteria Tea Kettle--Color Throwdown #66

WHERE is the time going???!!! It's Wednesday again already so that means it's Color Throwdown day! Our very lovely and talented Miss LeAnne chose the colors today and they were a REAL challenge for me, LOL! Elegant Eggplant, Rich Razzleberry, and Bordering Blue. Wowza!
So, here's what I came up with. I'm using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #45 for my layout--love it! My little tea kettle image is an October My Favorite Things release called In the Background. Patterned paper is from the Wisteria 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey. I stamped the tea kettle on one of the designs and cut it out, popping it up on a Nestabilities Label Four mat with Dimensionals. The rest of the card is pretty straight-forward.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. And don't forget--there's a chance to be chosen as Featured Stamper, which makes you eligible to become a Guest Designer. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily and so you'll be eligible to win (only directly linked entries will be considered for Featured Stamper--see the sidebar on the blog for all the details). And please include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown--failure to do this will also disqualify you from winning. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD66 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week!

Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Lisa Kind/October Guest Designer--Kind Creations

Thanks for dropping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: In the Background (MFT)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, Whisper White (SU!); Wisteria 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Labels Four Nestabilities die; Dimensionals, template (SU!); ribbon, flat backed pearls (craft store); border punch (Martha Stewart); paper piercer (Ornare)

Thinking of you--JUGS #4

This card is for Just Us Girls Challenge #4--to make a 3-D flower. I chose to make a flower like Dawn McVey did here. I cut out three sizes with my Nestabilities Blossom set in Barely Banana (SU!) and Melon Berry and New Leaf (PTI). I stamped on the Barely Banana layer with Barely Banana ink and a stamp from Polka Dot Basics II, left the Melon Berry unstamped, and stamped on the New Leaf layer with Mellow Moss with an image from Guide Lines. Then I tied them together with a sweet little flower button and twine, both from PTI. Patterned paper is from the Earth Love mini deck from Cosmo Cricket and card stock is Barely Banana and Soft Suede. A little stitching, a little lace, and a sentiment from Vintage Picnic Sentiments and it's done!

Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow's Color Throwdown day!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Vintage Picnic Sentiments, Polka Dot Basics II, Guide Lines (PTI)
Paper: Barely Banana, Soft Suede (SU!); Melon Berry, New Leaf (PTI); Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Barely Banana, Mellow Moss (SU!); Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Blossom Nestabilities dies; lace (craft store); button/twine (PTI); sewing machine

Thinking of hoo--MTSC #44

Just under the wire again for Mercy's sketch this week. Sigh. Seems to be a trend here, doesn't it? This post will be a quickie ;-) I did this card with images from this month's kit from My Favorite Things, Thinking of Hoo and I'm using patterned paper from the new Nutmeg line from Cosmo Cricket. I stamped the main image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink twice, and then I stamped the limb image on patterned paper. I colored the owl image, cut it and the limb out and paper pieced them on the original stamped copy. The rest is pretty simple. I need to point out that the ribbon in real life is BROWN gingham--it's showing up black on my monitor, but it is dark brown. I love how this turned out and it was super easy!

Thanks for stopping by today! And don't forget the contest at MFT Member Forum at SCS:

So You Think You Can Stamp?

Here are the general contest rules:


*Weekly themes will be posted on Wednesday, starting October 7th

*You may enter ONE card/project for each theme, and MFT Stamps must be the primary stamps used on your submission.

*Entries must be uploaded by the Monday AFTER the challenge is posted. (You have 5 days to complete each weekly challenge)

*1 Finalist will be selected each week based on the votes from our 3 Panel Judges including 1 Weekly Guest Judge

*Each Weekly Finalist will be paired with an MFT DT MENTOR that will work with them the last week of the competition

*If you are NOT chosen as the current weeks FINALIST, you may play again the following week!

*One FINALIST will be selected each week, and join us on Week 7 to play for the GRAND PRIZE. As a FINALIST, you can certainly play along with us each week, but will only be selected as a FINALIST one time.

*There will be a total of 6 FINALISTS competing on Week 7 for the GRAND PRIZE

What IS the Grand Prize?

ONE lucky (VERY LUCKY) winner will receive ALL the upcoming New Releases from Dec 2009 through May 2010! (Sets will be sample sets, sans packaging).

Good luck!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Thinking of Hoo (MFT)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky (SU!); Melon Berry (PTI); Nutmeg mini deck (Cosmo Cricket); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Petite Oval Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares (craft store); button/twine (PTI); ribbon (May Arts); sewing machine

MFT Sponsors Card Postioning Systems!!

This week's Card Positioning Systems' challenge is sponsored by My Favorite Things. I decided to use this Sweetie Pie Flopsey set for my card. I *swear* I can't get enough Flopsey! I stamped him on a Cream Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored him with Copic markers before cutting him out. I used the cream because I didn't know exactly what I was going to do with him when I started but I knew I was going to use this patterned paper. In the end it didn't matter since I cut him out ;-) See that pumpkin button? I've had it literally for YEARS. As soon as I decided on this paper, I thought of this button and started looking for it. I can't believe I found it in about 3 minutes! Ah, organization ;-)

So, head on over to CPS and join in on the challenge! And don't forget the contest at MFT Member Forum at SCS:

So You Think You Can Stamp?

Here are the general contest rules:


*Weekly themes will be posted on Wednesday, starting October 7th

*You may enter ONE card/project for each theme, and MFT Stamps must be the primary stamps used on your submission.

*Entries must be uploaded by the Monday AFTER the challenge is posted. (You have 5 days to complete each weekly challenge)

*1 Finalist will be selected each week based on the votes from our 3 Panel Judges including 1 Weekly Guest Judge

*Each Weekly Finalist will be paired with an MFT DT MENTOR that will work with them the last week of the competition

*If you are NOT chosen as the current weeks FINALIST, you may play again the following week!

*One FINALIST will be selected each week, and join us on Week 7 to play for the GRAND PRIZE. As a FINALIST, you can certainly play along with us each week, but will only be selected as a FINALIST one time.

*There will be a total of 6 FINALISTS competing on Week 7 for the GRAND PRIZE

What IS the Grand Prize?

ONE lucky (VERY LUCKY) winner will receive ALL the upcoming New Releases from Dec 2009 through May 2010! (Sets will be sample sets, sans packaging).

Good luck!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Sweet As Pie Flopsey (MFT)
Paper: Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie (SU!); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT); Holiday mat stack (Debbie Mumm)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Standard Circle and Labels One dies; 3m foam squares (craft store); ribbon (May Arts); Dew Drops; Copic markers; button (stash)

Holiday Cheer--Crazy 4 Challenges #8

Happy Saturday! It's Crazy 4 Challenges time again and Vicki has a fun challenge for us today--go geometric! We're to use at least three geometric shapes on our projects today.

I'm using square, rectangle, and circle shapes on my card. The Mojo Monday sketch for this week was perfect for it so that's where my layout comes from. And these Verve stamps--Ornamental Christmas and Snowflake Splendor--worked perfectly, too. My patterned paper is from the Frost 6 x 6 pack from Memory Box and my card stock is Whisper White, Soft Suede, and Soft Sky. I embossed the lower part of the Soft Sky panel with snowflakes, and added some clear rhinestones to the snowflakes on the ornament and the corners for a little bling.

NOW, be sure to check out the samples by the rest of the Crazy 4 Challenges team!

Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vicki Garrett

THEN, you know what to do--we'd love to have you come along and play with us. Just do your thing with the sketch and link it to Mr. Linky on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Please link directly to your project, and not your blog. And, if you upload to a public gallery, please use the key word C4C8.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Ornamental Christmas and Snowflake Splendor (Verve)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Soft Sky (SU!); Frost 6 x 6 pack (Memory Box)
Ink: Soft Suede (SU!); Vintage ink (PTI)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Squares Nestabilities/Snowflake embossing folder; 3M foam squares, clear rhinestones, ribbon (craft store)

Flourished Noel--Stamp Simply #110

It's Stamp Simply Challenge time! This week Sharon has challenged us to go square. Here's what she says:

Friday, Oct. 23 - ssnotime110 - Feeling Square - Today's challenge has to do with shape -- squares. NO rounded corners on todays card -- so that means NO oval or circular punches or die cuts -- only square shapes. The card must be square, any size, as long as it's square and
all layers added must have squared corners. Only your small embellishments can be round or oval -- so you can use buttons, brads, primas, etc. as embellishements, even though they may be round. So if you're feeling a little square, today is YOUR day!!! Have fun!!!

OK, I'm not totally sure I completely followed the directions--my ornaments are not square. But they're more or less paper pieced onto the background paper, so maybe Sharon will let them slide?

I stamped the ornaments--from a Flourishes' set called All That Glitters--onto some Cosmo Cricket Christmas paper with Versamark and heat embossed with fine detail gold embossing powder. The sentiment was done the same way. Then I added some gold flat-backed pearls and "hung" the ornaments with tiny gold cording. Everything else is square and should be easy to figure out.

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play and take us up on the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime110 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team:

Amy Rohl - October Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Barb Schram (Jennifer Buck is taking some time off)

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger--Tammy's sitting this week out--she'll be back next week

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

Thanks for dropping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: All That Glitters (Flourishes)
Paper: So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Real Red (SU!); Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: 3M foam squares, gold cord, flat back gold beads (craft store); fine detail gold embossing powder; heat gun

Feel Better--JUGS #3

Today's card is for this week's JUGS (Just Us Girls) Challenge. This week it's a color challenge. They're using PTI colors, but you can sub whatever you have. The PTI colors are Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, and Vintage Cream. I don't think I would have ever put those colors together but I love how they look! I have those papers, but not the inks, so I subbed Soft Sky, Riding Hood Red, and Very Vanilla since I knew I wanted to stamp up some background paper. I'm using my Guide Lines set for the first time, and I'm SURE I'll be using it again and again--it's so easy to make your own patterned paper with it.

OK, on to the card. I stamped the grid lines on Very Vanilla with Soft Sky ink and then filled in the images with Riding Hood Red. Then, since it looked a little plain, I added tiny aqua flat backed pearls for a little interest. I'm using Paper Craft Planet's sketch for this weekfor my layout and I think the rest is pretty easy. Some ribbon, more pearls, and a sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages and it was done. Quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Guidelines, Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Riding Hood Red (SU!)
Ink: Soft Sky, Riding Hood Red (SU!)
Accessories: 3M foam square, flat back pearls, ribbon (craft store); Oval punch (SU!)

Clickabella--Color Throwdown #65

Danielle has pulled out all the stops with today's color combination for the Color Throwdown Challenge. She's asking us to use Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, and Purely Pomegranate.

We have another sponsor this week, too: Stamping Bella. Get all the deets at the Throwdown blog.

I'm using Clickabella for my card. I love this image and it fits me to a "T", LOL! I stamped Bella on Gina K Pure Luxury 80 lb paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic markers for the most part. Her pants, however, are paper pieced. All patterned paper is from the Lemonade 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey. Then I cut/embossed the image with a Petite Oval Nestabilities die and matted with a layer of Certainly Celery. I think the rest is obvious. It's been a while since I used my Primas so I decided to pull them out for this little chickie. Ribbon, Primas, punched leaves, and Lemonade Glazed brads finish it off.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. And don't forget--this week there's a chance to win a prize or to be chosen as Featured Stamper. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily and so you'll be eligible to win (only directly linked entries will be considered for Featured Stamper or for the prize--see the sidebar on the blog for all the details). And please include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown--failure to do this will also disqualify you from winning. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD65 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week!

Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Lisa Kind/October Guest Designer--Kind Creations

Thanks for dropping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Clickabella (Stamping Bella)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate (SU!); Lemonade 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey); Pure Luxury 80 lb paper (Gina K)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Petite Oval Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares, ribbon (craft store); Prima flowers; Copic markers; Lemonade Glazed brads (Basic Grey); leaf punch (Martha Stewart)

Celebrate Fall

I'm really into fall, can you tell? This sweet wreath is from Flourishes' September release set "Seasonal Wreaths".

I stamped it on Gina K. Pure Luxury 80 lb paper with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed it with a Standard Circle Nestabilities die and matted it with Really Rust (SU!) and Oceans Tide (PTI) cut/embossed with a Labels One die. Some buttons, a bow and a sentiment finished it off. The paper is Cosmo Cricket, but I don't remember the name--it was just some pieces I used up.

Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow's Color Throwdown day so be sure and come back to see what I have for you.

~Recipe~
Stamps: Seasonal Wreaths (Flourishes)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Really Rust (SU!); Oceans Tides (PTI); Cosmo Cricket patterned paper; Pure Luxury 80 lb (Gina K.)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Standare Circle and Labels One dies; 3M foam squares, ribbon (craft store); Copic markers; Vintage buttons and twine (PTI); border punch (Martha Stewart)

Santa Baby--MTSC #43

Yep, last minute again for Mercy's Sketch Challenge. But I have a good reason--I've been out of town and couldn't get it done any sooner. Yeah, that's my story ;-)

This card is using the main WTG image from Santa Baby, new this month from My Favorite Things. I'm going to make this post short and sweet, but if you have any questions, just shoot me an email. I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and for the most part, this image is paper pieced. I did use Liquid Applique on Santa's beard and cuffs and the coloring is done with Copic markers. I flipped the sketch and I love it--another one I'll be going back to again. Patterned paper is from a Christmas 8 1/2" x 11" I got at Hobby Lobby--I just love this red, black, and vanilla for Christmas!

Thanks for dropping by today! Don't forget you have until tonight to get in your card for this week's theme for the contest!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Santa Baby (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla (SU!); Perfect Paper Panel (MFT); Holiday paper (Hobby Lobby)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: 3M foam squares, Pearl cotton, ribbon, flat back red pearls (craft store); Copic markers; 1/16" hole punch; Liquid Applique

Give Thanks--Mojo Monday #108

It's been a while since I've had time to play with my Verve stamps and they were feeling seriously unloved! So, I pulled out this Tall Oaks set for this week's Mojo Monday challenge. It's been a which since I've had time to do this challenge, too, so it felt good to get back to it. This is a great sketch--it will be used over and over, I'm thinkin'.

I also pulled out some paper I'd been wanting to use from the Autumn mat stack by Recollections. I love that bit of turquoise in this paper. I stamped the pumpkins on Gina K. Pure Luxury 80 lb paper with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them with Copic markers. Then I stitched around all the elements and sponged the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink, and the sentiment was done the same way, then cut/embossed with a Spellbinders tag die. Some turquoise twill, some buttons tied on with twine, and a few punched leaves finished it off. I'm lovin' it!

Thanks for stopping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Tall Oaks (Verve)
Paper: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Tempting Turquoise (SU!); Autumn mat stack (Recollections); Pure Luxury 80 lb (Gina K.)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Spellbinders tag die; 3M foam squares, twill (craft store); buttons (stash); Copic markers; sewing machine; twine (PTI)

Sweetest Holidays--Crazy 4 Challenges #7

Are you ready for another Crazy 4 Challenges challenge? Vicki's got a sketch for you today, courtesy of Cindy Haffner. It's a super fun sketch so we hope you'll make time to play.

For my card I chose an image from My Favorite Things' latest release, Santa Baby. These candy canes are so cute!!! I stamped them on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed the image with a Standard Circle Nestabilities die, touched the edges with a PTI Vintage Touch Tea Dye ink pad and matted it with the DP from Cosmo Cricket's Wonderland 8 x 8 pad. The rest is pretty easy to figure out, I'm thinking.

NOW, be sure to check out the samples by the rest of the Crazy 4 Challenges team!

Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vicki Garrett

THEN, you know what to do--we'd love to have you come along and play with us. Just do your thing with the sketch and link it to Mr. Linky on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Please link directly to your project, and not your blog. And, if you upload to a public gallery, please use the key word C4C7.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Santa Baby (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy (SU!); Wonderland 8 x 8 pad (Cosmo Cricket); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Bravo Burgundy (SU!); Vintage touch tea dye (PTI)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Standard Circle Nestabilities dies/Spellbinders Fancy Scalloped border die; 3M foam squares, ribbon (craft store); Copic markes; Vintage buttons and twine (PTI)

A Gatefold Card--Stamp Simply #109

It's time for another Stamp Simply challenge. This week Sharon has challenged us to do a gate fold card. While I like these cards a lot, I don't do them very often so I'm happy Sharon is getting me out of my "box". Here's what she says:

Friday, Oct. 16 - ssnotime109 - Gatefold -- Today's challenge deals with how we fold our card -- we are going to do Gatefold cards today. Fun for a change! Gatefolds are cards that fold in from each side, meeting in the middle, so it opens like a gate. The folds don't have to be symmetrical, your opening can be off center if you like. Check out all the DT samples for some great ideas with this fun fold!!!

So here's mine. I chose some gorgeous new Heidi Grace fall paper called Harvest Flower and PTI's Autumn Abundance stamp set for this card. To make my gate fold card, I used an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of So Saffron card stock and scored it at 2 1/8" from each end then folded it towards the center--which made me end up with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. Then I layered Ripe Avocado (PTI) card stock and the patterned paper on each side, after adding some burgundy ribbon. I then added a Vintage button tied on with twine on each piece of ribbon. The focal image was stamped on Gina K. Pure Luxury 80 lb paper with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. I then cut/embossed it with a Classic Circle Nestabilities die and layered it on more Ripe Avocado cut/embossed with a Labels Three die. I attached it to the left flap and decorated the inside with more patterned paper and another panel of So Saffron, on which the sentiment was stamped. Both of these layers were cut/embossed with a Labels Eight Nestabilities die.

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play and take us up on the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime108 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team:

Amy Rohl - October Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Barb Schram (Jennifer Buck is taking some time off)

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

Thanks for dropping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Autumn Abundance (PTI)
Paper: So Saffron (SU!); Ripe Avocado (PTI); Harvest Flower (Heidi Grace); Pure Luxury 80 lb (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilties dies; ribbon (craft store); Copic markers; Vintage buttons and twine (PTI)

Have you made your appointment yet?

[Edited to add: this card is now winging it's way to a woman who is just starting chemo for breast cancer. You do not want to be that woman--get that mammogram!]

For your mammogram, that is? I have, so if you haven't, please do it! Along that theme, I have another Breast Cancer Awareness Month card for you. This time I'm using Flourishes' stamps and this card qualifies for Flourishes' A Season That Sparkles Challenge. I'd love to win all the October releases! WOWZA! Hear that, Lady Luck? I want 'em, LOL! I'm also using the sketch from Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday challenge for this week, but I'm thinking I can't "double dip" IYKWIM.

My inspiration for this card was that little ribbon charm. That's what made me decide on pink and silver for my colors. Since I didn't have any pink and silver patterned paper, I made my own. The base layer is Pretty In Pink on which I stamped the Vintage Wallpaper background stamp with Versamark and embossed it with Ranger fine detail silver powder. The second element was embossed the same way using the larger flourish from the Ornamental Elements set. Finally, the focal image was stamped with the shirt from Think Pink-Fight Like a Girl set. It was stamped on Gina K Pure Luxury card stock and colored with Copic markers. The pink ribbon was done the same way, cut out, and put on the shirt, which was in turn, cut out and popped up with 3M foam squares. I think the rest is easy to figure out: ribbon, some bling, and the charm that launched this card.

Thanks for stopping by--make that appointment, y'hear?!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Vintage Wallpaper, Ornamental Elements, Think Pink-Fight Like a Girl (Flourishes)
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink (SU!); silver metallic (Office Max); Pure Luxury 80 lb (Gina K.)
Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Standard Circle, Scalloped Circle, Labels Four Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares, metallic cord, charm, jewels (craft store); Copic markers; silver fine detail embossing powder (Ranger); heat gun

Who {hearts} You? I do!! Color Throwdown #64

Time for another Color Throwdown Challenge, peeps! Today I'm the hostess and the colors I chose are: Black or dark brown, Sahara Sand, and Baja Breeze.
We also have a sponsor again this week: Simon Says Stamp! is offering another generous prize, so be sure to check out the deets at the Throwdown blog.

I'm using a set called Wise Owl Once Said... I stamped it twice--once on Sahara Sand and once on Sahara Sand DSP and paper pieced the outer area. I'm using paper from the Green Stack from DCWV, and that branch is on one of the sheets of patterned paper. So, I cut it out, glued it to more patterned paper, and perched the owl on the branch. LOVE how that turned out! The rest is pretty simple. I tied a tan and black gingham bow with ribbon from Sharon Johnson's store and stamped the sentiment on Sahara sand. Then I punched it out with the Word Window punch and added a vanilla heart shaped brad over the stamped heart in the sentiment.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. And don't forget--this week there's a chance to win a prize or to be chosen as Featured Stamper. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily and so you'll be eligible to win (only directly linked entries will be considered for Featured Stamper or for the prize--see the sidebar on the blog for all the details). If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD64 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week!

Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Lisa Kind/October Guest Designer--Kind Creations

Thanks for dropping by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Wise Owl Once Said... (Simon Says Stamp!)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Sahara Sand DSP (SU!); The Green Stack (DCWV)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: 3M foam squares, brad (craft store); ribbon (May Arts); Word Window punch (SU!)

Garden of Joy

Isn't that a wonderful sentiment? It's from one of the latest set releases from My Favorite Things and it makes me smile every time I read it :)

This was a super fun--and easy-- card to make. And I love it. It's so *me*. I stamped the main image from Garden of Joy on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored it with Copic markers. My background paper is from Webster's Pages Postcard from Paris and is just yummy! It did most of the work--other than a little paper piercing in the upper right corner and a punched out bird. Card stock is Whisper White, Rose Red and Always Artichoke.

Don't forget the contest going on at the My Favorite Things' Member Company Forum. The next challenge will be posted on Wednesday, October 14.

Thanks for dropping in today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Cultivate a Heart Of Joy (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Rose Red (SU!); Postcards From Paris (Webster's Pages); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: 3M foam squares; bird punch (Martha Stewart); Ornare paper pierce and template; Copic markers

Think Pink!

This card is for several things: first, it's Breast Cancer Awareness month, so it's a reminder to get your mammograms scheduled. Second, it's for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #42--last minute again. Third, it's for a new challenge blog calls Just Us Girls--or JUGS for short ;-) This is just the second week and the challenge is a technique challenge--to use paper piecing and with the optional challenge of using pink on the card for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

I stamped the main image, from Think Pink (which is apparently sold out at the moment), on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored it with Copic markers and paper pieced the suit and the skirt. The sentiment is from Twisted Too, also apparently out of stock right now.

Don't forget the contest going on at the My Favorite Things' Member Company Forum. You have until midnight tonight to get this week's challenge in. But don't despair if you can't make it--there are five more weeks to win a finalist spot and the next challenge will be posted on Wednesday, October 14.

Thanks for dropping in today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Think Pink (MFT)
Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink (SU!)' Porcelain 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Classic Circle Nestabilities dies; Pop Dots, ribbon, Pearl cotton (craft store); Copic markers; Vintage Buttons (PTI); sewing machine