MFT Digital Designs Day!!

What is 'Digital Designs Day' you ask? Well, today, MFT is releasing five new digital designs ahead of the October release. To see what the Creative Team has for you, be sure to check out Kim's blog after 11:00am--she'll have the list.

Here's what's being released right now:

Halloween Dotty Papers

Bird House Template

Full Circle Treat Box Template

All-Season Wagon Template

Pumpkin Box Template

All of the templates come in a zip file that includes several formats: PDF for traditional scissors cutting, and all of the popular electronic cutter files.

I am so thrilled to have three of my designs in that list and I hope you'll be as excited about them as I am. So, you wanna know what I've got for you? Well, I just happen to have a Halloween themed birdhouse. I just LOVE how this turned out! There are lots of pictures, but I wanted to give you a tutorial on how to put this cutie together. First, though, let me show you my house. I've used some older MFT sets and lots of dies to decorate it.

Here's the front view using Wendy Alphabet, Too Cute To Spook, Trick or Treat With Who's That Girl, and Banner Day, Sheltering Tree Leaf Trio, and Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics dies.

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On this side you'll see the Sheltering Tree die cut and some images from Ghoulish Labels (out of stock).

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Here I'm using Sheltering Tree leaf dies and images from Totally Witchin' and Fred Bear Goes Camping (see the fire under the kettle?)

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And here, Flopsey makes a cameo appearance (I couldn't resist--you know I love me some Flopsey!)

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And look--the top comes off and is a treat or gift box. You can put the "door" at the bottom if you wish--or not at all, or draw one--it's totally up to your imagination!

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OK, now I'm going to show you how I made it. Please excuse the pictures--I took these at my work table and the lighting is not the best for photos but I think you'll get the "picture" ;-)

First of all, cut out all the pieces, either using the Print and Cut version or whatever cut file your electronic cutter uses. For this house, I used my Silhouette, so no score lines were indicated. If you use an electronic cutter version, you need the Print and Cut version to show you where the score lines need to go.

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I wanted my walls to look like a creepy old stone house, so I used some light gray card stock and drew in the stone blocks with a Copic marker--W3. Then I went back over the lines with W1 to blur them a bit. You can use patterned paper, too, but make sure it's sturdy enough to support the roof.

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Next you'll want to score, fold, and apply a really strong adhesive (such as Scor-Tape or Red Line tape) to the flaps on the front and the back pieces.

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And then attach the side pieces like this:

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Next, you'll want to attach the base. I used a piece of card stock here, but you might want to use a piece of lightweight chipboard covered with card stock for more stability. Just add adhesive to the bottoms flaps, center it over the base, and stick it down. I didn't want to overwhelm you with too many pictures, so I'll just tell you that I cut another piece of my base card stock to fit the inside--it covers up those flaps and just makes it look neater.

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OK, on to the roof. Score where indicated and then "fit" it to the house. The easiest way is to put a bit of adhesive on the little flap area, then put it on the house to get the correct "pitch". After you do that, add some extra adhesive to reinforce it.

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Here you see what it's supposed to look like so far.

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The next step is putting shingles on the roof :) I used my Jumbo Scallope Die-namics die to cut my "shingles". For the ridge pole section, you need to die cut on both sides and score it down the center, long way.

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And attach it like this. I found it to be easier to start at the top and work down to the eaves, rather than the other way around.

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Then add more runs of shingles--these only need to be die cut on one side, but you'll need to cut them so the "fish scales" are staggered, like this:

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Next you'll need to cut your "boxing". I used my Scalloped Scallop Die-namics die for this.

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Trim the boxing strips to fit up under your shingle edges and covering the folded down edges of your roof base and adhere. As a finishing touch, I sponged some green Distress ink here and there to simulate moss :)

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And there you have it! Now you can go to town decorating your house to the nines! And this is only the beginning--think Santa's Workshop, Snow Cottage, Easter Bunny's house, a school, add a steeple and it's a church--the sky's the limit with where you can take this little house! I hope you'll share what you've made with us--we'd love to see your creations!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Wendy Alphabet, Totally Witching, Fred Bear Goes Camping, Who's That Ghost and Ghoulish Labels (both out of stock), too Cute To Spook, Trick or Treat With Who's That Girl (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream, Orange Fizz, Hot Fudge, and Black Licorice card stock (MFT); Soft Stone (PTI); Eerie 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Crushed Olive Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Banner Day, Sheltering Tree Leaf Trio, and Fresh Cut Grass, Jumbo Scallop, Scalloped Scallop Die-namics dies; spider web, branch, bat punches (Martha Stewart); buttons, twine (PTI); Copic markers; jewels (craft store); Scor-Tape

Count your blessings - CTD #112

Woohoo! It's Color Throwdown time! This week I'm the host and I've picked some nice fall colors. 'Cause you know I love fall, right? We also have a sponsor this week: Pixie Petals, an Etsy store with really, really cute embellishements and who is giving a nice prize. Get the deets at the Throwdown blog.

Aren't they some purty colors? ;-)

I decided to do a Thanksgiving card with these colors. Mostly because I had this patterned paper in my stash that had all of 'em in it, LOL! The image and sentiment are from PTI's First Fruits set, stamped on Very Vanilla and sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The seam binding and that gorgeous fabric flower are both from Pixie Petals. Simple and I'm liking it.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use the link service to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. And please include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD112 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
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter--Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Silke Ledlow - My Life

Thanks for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: First Fruits (PTI)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive (SU!); patterned paper from stash
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive (SU!); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)Accessories: seam binding, flower (Pixie Petals); sewing machine; Corner Chomper (We R Memory Makers)

Harvest Time - FTTC #86

[Just a note to say that I have added more stamps sets for sale here. Many of them are new, all of them in great shape. I just don't have time to use them and I need the space. I'll be adding lots more in the next few days. Thanks!]

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC86)! It is the end of the month so we have a challenge host! This month's host is Debbie Marcinkiewicz! Debbie is challenging us create a card, project or gift set with a fall/harvest theme using green, brown, orange/russet, and cream! We would love to see what you create!

OK, first off, I spaced on the color combo part--but I'm SO into the harvest part ;-) Other than pumpkins, and Indian corn, and gorgeous leaves, nothing much says fall to me like chrysanthemums. So, I'm using Flourishes A Year In Flowers set 3 for my project. I had this gorgeous Heidi Grace paper in my stash and when I saw it I guess it blew any other colors out of my brain, LOL!

The card design is really pretty simple--I tried to keep the patterned paper to a minimum so the image would be the focal point and still be enough to show how it tied in. I stamped the image on Classic Ivory card stock with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and coloring it with Copic markers. Then I cut it out and popped it up on Pop Dots. The only other thing it needed was some twill and some buttons. The sentiment was stamped on a Spellbinders Tag Trio die and tied on with the button. Oh, and of course I did some sponging with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink and some stitching. I have to make myself NOT use both of those on *every* card, LOL.

Now, be sure to go see how my team mates used the RIGHT color combo today!

• Betty Wright - Team Coordinator
• Cindy Haffner
• Dee Jackson
• Makiko Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Thanks for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Year of Flowers Set 3 (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic Ivory card stock (Flourishes); Bravo Burgundy (SU!); patterned paper (Heidi Grace)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft);Tag Trio die (Spellbinders); twill, Pop Dots (craft store); buttons/twine (PTI); sewing machine

Make a Wish

How about another Taylored Expressions card today? This is another image from the Make a Wish set. Make a Wish is the latest addition to Taylored Expressions' Giving Tree series! If you're not familiar with the Giving Tree, each quarter TE introduces a new stamp set to support a different charity. When you purchase the Make a Wish stamp set during the months of September, October, and November, TE will donate $7.00 to a national children's charity. You can get all the details here at Taylor's blog.

I'm using Taylor's Sketch #129 but I flipped it. Patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness 6 x 6 pad and I'm using Riding Hood Red card stock. I stamped the image on Very Vanilla card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic markers and added some Sakura glitter pen to the star. I cut the felt balloons using Taylor's balloon dies--so cute!! Then I added some twine strings tied together with a red Pearl cotton bow. Finally, I added a twill bow and some flat backed pearls.

Ok, that's it for today. Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Make a Wish (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red (SU!); Togetherness 6 x 6 pad (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Supplies/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Petite Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Make a Wish Balloon Dies (Taylored Expressions); Copic markers; twill; twine, felt (PTI); red felt (MFT); sewing machine; border punch (SU!); flat back pearls (craft store)

Bling it up! C4C #56

[Just a heads up that I have some stamps sets for sale here. Many of them are new, all of them in great shape. I just don't have time to use them and I need the space. I just have a few listed now, but I'll be adding lots more in the next few days.]

This week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge is again brought to us by Joycelyn, and she's decided she wants to see some bling!

I'm just getting started playing with my new PTI set, Wreath For All Seasons, so here's another one. Instead of stamping the holly berries, I used some flat backed red pearls, and I'm not sure if you can see it or not, but this Be Merry Memory Box paper has some built-in glitter.

I stamped a sentiment from another new PTI set, Inside and Out: Holidays on the inside. These two sets are going to make mass-produced cards easy this year :)

Sooooo, NOW, be sure to check out the samples by the rest of my crazy girls...er, I mean the Crazy 4 Challenges team ;-)

• Angela Wood
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lynda Benden
• Maria Bell
• Silke Kittmann
• Silke Ledlow
• Tammy Hershberger
  

THEN, you know what to do--we'd love to have you come along and play with us. Just do your thing with the challenge and link it to Mr. Linky on the Crazy 4 Challenges blog. Please link directly to your project. And, if you upload to a public gallery, please use the key word C4C56.

Thanks so much for dropping in today!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Wreath For All Seasons, Inside and Out: Holidays (PTI)
Paper: Soft Suede (SU!); Red Hot (MFT); Stamper's Select White (PTI); Be Merry 6 x 6 pad (Memory Box)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Shoots
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Pop Dots, red flat backed pearls, ribbon (craft store)

Fall Wreath - Stamp Simply #158

Today Sharon has an inspiration challenge for us. Here' what she says:

Sept. 24 - ssnotime158 - Bridal Inspiration - I fell in love with this photo when I saw it! This is a bridal sari for an Indian wedding. I absolutely LOVE the colors, the texture, the shimmer of the fabric, the beading, the patterns. Today's challenge is to use this photo for your inspiration and just run with it -- take what speaks to you from this photo and show us all your FAB creations! Can't WAIT to see what you all come up with! And PLEASE, share with us what did speak to you from this gorgeous photo!

And here's the photo:


It is indeed beautiful, isn't it!? I let the gorgeous rich colors inspire me--I thought they'd make for a great fall card. Did I mention I love fall? ;-)


I just got this new set from PTI--Wreath For All Seasons--and couldn't wait to use it. I love bittersweet wreaths and this one is gorgeous. My patterned paper is from Kaiser Craft's Peachy Keen collection, that can be found in Sharon's store here. Pretty simple layout and stamped simply, for sure.

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 the link to your project on Sharon's blog using Mr. Linky. Please use the keyword ssnotime158 if you upload to a public forum. Don't forget to check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also I'm sure you'll be seeing some fabulous examples of how this technique *should* look from the design team, including our Guest Designer for the rest of the month, Chrissie Stokes of Simply One of a Kind.

Barb Schram

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

Deb Neerman

Thanks for dropping in! I always love it when you do!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Wreath For All Seasons (PTI)
Paper: Rustic Cream, Ocean Tides (PTI); Peachy Keen 6 x 6 pad (Kaiser Craft)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Terracotta Tile, Vintage Ink Duo (PTI)
Accessories/tools: button, ribbon, twine (PTI); sewing machine

Birthday Wishes - CTD #111

[If you're looking for my MFT VIP Blog Hop post, please scroll down to the next post. Thanks!]

Time for another Color Throwdown! Today Broni chose these colors to challenge us:


And these colors definitely were a challenge for me! Hmmm, I'm saying that a lot lately, LOL!

Luckily I found some Webster's Pages patterned paper in my stash that would work, and I'm loosely using Mojo Monday #157 for my layout. I did some stitching and distressing on the patterned paper layer, stamped a sentiment from Verve's Wishful Elegance set, cut/embossed it with a Labels Four Nestabilities die, and added some flat backed pearls. I wound some twine around on top of the lace and lastly added a Prima flower that I sponged with River Rock and Melon Mambo ink.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. So, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use the link service to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. And please include a link in your post to the Color Throwdown. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD111 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
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Kristin Beuter--Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs
Silke Ledlow - My Life

Thanks for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Wishful Elegance (Verve)
Paper: River Rock, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point (SU!)
Ink: Melon Mambo, River Rock (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Labels Four Nestabilities die (Spellbinders) lace (MFT); twine (PTI); pearls (craft store); sewing machine; flower (Prima)

Winter In the City - MFT October VIP Hop

It's time for MFT's October VIP Blog Hop! If you got here from Sherrie's blog you're right on track--if not, double back to Kim's blog 'cause that's where all the fun begins.

This month's WTG set is called Winter In the City and you can get it right now, right here: October VIP. The set shows WTG walking down a winter sidewalk and there are several cool sentiments and some snowflake images included. This is a ONE DAY ONLY product (will be available through September 22nd at 11:59 PM EST), that gives you the opportunity to purchase the WTG set TWO WEEKS early.

And don't forget that the two new à la modes sets, Miss You a Latte and Candy Cane Kisses are also available right now, too, right here!



I decided to make a shaker card for my VIP project. I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel and colored with Copic markers and did a little paper piecing. Then I used this tutorial from SCS for the shaker part. It's hard to see in the picture (no matter how I tried to get a good one, the acetate gave me a glare), but I put some Liquid Applique on WTG's coat cuffs and hem, some Glitzy Glitter on the snow bank, and used some Martha Stewart glitter flakes as the loose snow. See those snowflakes on the outside? Guess what? They are from the new Let It Snowflake Die-namics die! Be still my heart!! You get these two and a larger one in the set. Gawjus, as we say down here in the South, just gawjus.

And see this sentiment on the inside of my card? AND those three stamped snowflakes? THEY are from a mini set called Noel Sentiments and it's EXCLUSIVE to this VIP package. They will not be offered again! Period! This is your ONLY chance to get this set! I'm just sayin'... Other MFT products I used are Wild Cherry and Whip Cream card stock.





Here's what you get in this VIP package:

Is that not YUMMY?? So, what are you waitin' for!? Go get your VIP package and then head on over to the uber talented Melody's blog to see what she's cooked up with this set. I'm SURE she has all kinds of inspiration for you!

~Supplies~
Stamps: WTG Winter In the City (MFT)
Paper: Perfect Paper Panel, Whip Cream, Wild Cherry card stock (MFT); Mitten Weather 6 x 6 pad (Cosmo Cricket); clear card stock (Flourishes)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Sage Shadow (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Snowflake Trio Die-namics dies, Glitzy Glitter (MFT); Classic Square Nestabilities and Tag Trio die (Spellbinders); twill; buttons, baker's twine (PTI); sewing machine; Liquid Applique; glitter flakes (Martha Stewart); foam tape (3M); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Heat and Stick powder (SU!)

Miss you a latte - à la modes

So, what did you think of yesterday's à la modes? Pretty adorable, right? Well, today's is just as cute! This one is called Miss You a Latte - à la modes and I love it! It, and Candy Cake Kisses, that was previewed yesterday, will be fully released tonight at 10:00pm, along with MFT's October VIP package. You won't want to miss that, trust me. But for today, be sure to check out Kim's Blog after 11:00am--she'll have a list of the Creative Team members that will be showing you this set today.

Sooooo, I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. I used the Die-namics Open Scallop die (temporarily out of stock) for my border on the outside, and the Perfect Bracket Edge die on the inside. The sentiments are both included in the set, along with some others. Other MFT products that I used are Fossil and Black Licorice card stock.

I almost didn't use this sentiment--it occurred to me that maybe that would be too many lattes--then I decided you can't have too many ;-)

Thanks for stopping by today! See you back tonight for the VIP hop. This month's is gonna knock your collective socks OFF!!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Love You a Latte - à la modes (MFT)
Paper: Fossil, Black Licorice card stock (MFT); Sage Shadow (SU!); Venice 6 x 6 pad (7 Gypsies)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Perfect Bracket Edge and Open Scallop Die-namics dies (MFT); Petite Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); flat back pearls (craft store); Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, OMS, blending stumps

Celebrate Fall - FTTC #85

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC85)! This week Dee Jackson is the challenge host. Dee is challenging us to create Celebration cards! Celebrate anyway you like! You can choose Baby, Birthday, Friendship, Holiday, or come up with your own reason to celebrate! We would love to see what you create!

Since September 23 is the official first day of Fall in the Northern hemisphere, I can think of nothing better to celebrate today!! It's still pretty warm during the day here in South Central Virginia, but the nights are getting cooler and there's just that fall feel in the air. I spent last weekend putting out my Fall decorations--just looking at them makes me happy :)

For my card I'm using the Falling Leaves set. I stamped a selection of the leaf images on Kraft paper with Versamark and heat embossed with Copper Detail embossing powder. Then I popped it up on foam tape on a base card of Kraft with a layer of Chocolate Chip. The sentiment is also from the set and was stamped on Classic Ivory Card Stock with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, cut/embossed with a Deckle Edge Oval Nestabilities die. Before popping it up on Pop Dots I sponged a little Antique Linen Distress ink around the edges. I wanted to keep this CAS to show off those gorgeous leaves, so I kept the embellishments low key--ribbon and a twine tied button. I did add the double acorn image, which was colored with Copic markers and cut out, to the sentiment piece.

Now, be sure to go see what my team mates are celebrating today!

• Betty Wright - Team Coordinator
• Cindy Haffner
• Dee Jackson
• Makiko Jones
• Silke Ledlow

Thanks for stopping by!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Falling Leaves (Flourishes)
Paper: Classic Ivory card stock (Flourishes); Kraft, Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Ink: Versamark, Memento Rich Cocoa; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Deckle Edge Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ribbon, Pop Dots (craft store); buttons/twine (PTI); foam tape (office supply)

How about a little à la Mode?

My Favorite Things has two more à la modes sets for you this month and if you thought they couldn't get any cuter...well, you'd be wrong ;-) They will release tomorrow night, September 21, at 10:00pm, along with the September VIP.

Today we're previewing Candy Cane Kisses - à la modes. Be sure to check Kim's blog after 11:00 am today for links to all of the Creative Team showing this set.


Isn't she adorable?! I colored her with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils and added a little Liquid Applique to her boot tops and the tassel on her hat. This Be Merry paper collection, by Kaiser Craft, contains a sheet with the Wish List layer--I squealed out loud when I came across it and I thought it would be perfect to use with the Notebook Edge Die-namics die.

Here's the inside:

Those two sentiments were simply made for each other, so I used a blinged up ampersand from Bling 'Ber to tie them together. Other MFT products I used are Sweet Tooth and Red Hot card stock.

Thanks for stopping by! I'll have another à la modes preview for you tomorrow morning, and then VIP tomorrow night!!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Candy Cane Kisses - à la modes, Bling 'Ber (MFT)
Paper: Sweet Tooth, Red Hot (MFT); Soft Suede (SU!); Be Merry (Kaiser Craft)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft); Notebook Edge Die-namics die (MFT); Label Trio (Spellbinders); bling (craft store); Designer Label and Large Oval punches (SU!); Copic markers; Prismacolor pencils, OMS, blending stumps; Liquid Applique