Medallion Motif - Flourishes Free For All Friday

In honor of World Card Making Day on Saturday, October 1st, we're kicking things off one day early in a wild and wacky fashion! Have we got a challenge for you! It's all about that inner kid and why we love card making in general - we get to be creative! So, think like a kid and share your favorite animated character. Find a picture of that character and then, be inspired by the colors for one fun-filled color challenge! We'll take entries through next Thursday, October 6th at 5PM EST. The winner of this challenge gets a fun-filled prize pack with 5 Flourishes stamp sets of our choice. Once you're done with your creation, simply link up on the Flourishes Blog using our Inlinkz widget. If you upload to Splitcoaststampers, please use the keyword FLLCWCMD11. Th-th-tha-that's all folks!

How fun is this?!! I grew up with Mickey so I just had to pick him, right? Here's the graphic I'm using for my inspiration.

 I love black, white, and red together so this was perfect for me.

I'm using the recently released Medallion Motif set. I really love this set--so many possibilities with this classic design--it even works for a cartoon character ;-) And, since Mickey's a guy, this card could very easily work as a masculine card, don't you think?

I stamped the medallion image off center towards the top on Classic White card stock with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I love the crisp image you get with Versafine. Then I stamped the dotted circle on some red card stock for the center, and popped up the sentiment on more Classic White. I matted this with more red, then black, and tied some sweet red and black gingham around in a bow. Finally, I added some black flat backed beads to the right lower corner for balance.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Flourishes Senior Design Team has to show you today.

• Barbara Anders (you are here!)
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Medallion Motif (Flourishes)

Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Real Red, Basic Black (SU!)

Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

Accessories: Grand Calibur, Standard Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ribbon, flat back beads, foam tape

MFT October Teaser, Day Three

Hi, all! I’m back today with Day Three of MFT’s Teasers for October! Today we’re showing you two more sets: Clearly Sentimental about Abundance (Triple Scoop Set) and Clearly Sentimental about Family (previous Triple Scoop Set). I’m showing you Clearly Sentimental About Abundance. So timely for Autumn, don’t you think?

After I pulled out my papers and decided on my layout, I stamped the sentiment on Fossil card stock cut out with a Sweet Stack Die-namics die cut. Then I decided to see how a rosette made with the 1/4" Rosette Die-namics would work if I tried to make it into an oval. I should have taken a picture of it before I adhered it down, but it worked out pretty well by just trimming off about 1/2" on one long side and squeezing it into an oval shape as my hot glue cooled. Then I adhered the whole thing to a burgundy layer cut with the soon-to-be-released Oval Decorative Doily Die-namics die. OVAL!!!! Do you see it??? Be still my heart--I'm in love with this oval doily die, yes, I am.

Here's the inside with another sentiment from the set.

 

Here are the details about the upcoming release on October 4 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on October 4 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available October 4 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

OK, that's it for me--thanks so much for stopping by! I'll have another MFT October teaser for you tomorrow!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Abundance (MFT)

Paper: Whip Cream, Fossil (MFT); Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy (SU!); Mirabelle mat stack (Paper Studio)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy (SU!); Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Oval Decorative Doily, Sweet Stack, 1/4" Rosette Die-namics dies (MFT); seam binding, stick pins, flat back pearls, distressing tool

MFT October Teaser, Day Two

Here we are at Day Two of MFT Teasers for October! Today we’re showing you two sets: Inspired by Autumn and Fred Bear and the Megaphone. I’m showing you Inspired by Autumn because, well, because I love Autumn!! And I love how this set just says Autumn!

I stamped the apple image on a Cream Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored it with Copic markers. I thought this paper was perfect with this image so I used several patterns, added some stitching for a kinda homespun look, and finished it off with some red gingham ribbon. A few flat backed pearls added some balance to the design.

Here's the inside with another apple crate image and a sentiment from the set. I colored the two apples for a little interest.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on October 4 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on October 4 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available October 4 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Thanks so much for stopping by! See you back to morrow for Day Three Teasers!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Inspired By Autumn (MFT)

Paper: Hot Fudge, Whip Cream, Cream Perfect Paper Panels (MFT); Apple Cheddar Soup (Jillibean Soup)

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories/tools: ribbon, pearls, sewing machine, Copic markers

Thank You So Very Much - MFTWSC #39

Yep, I’m back again with MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge! Here’s this week’s sketch. You can find the sketch on the MFT blog and also in the MFT forum on SCS, as well as in the weekly newsletter. The Design Team will be on hand to provide plenty of inspiration to get you started.

And here's my card. Not flipped for a change ;-)

I'm using a sentiment from MFT's Thanks a Bunch set for the front. I did some stitching and then added some flowers using the Upsy Daisy Die-namics set. For the large flower, I cut two of all three sizes and then snipped each petal all the way to the circle base. Then I layered them up, staggering the petals. I think this gives them a more "fringe-y" look, sort like a type of mum. For the smaller ones I used two layers of the two smaller dies. Before I adhered the flowers, I put down a couple Leafy Flourish die cuts and then added some leaves, also from the Upsy Daisy Die-namics set.

Here's the inside with another Leafy Flourish die cut and a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Harvesting.

Thanks SO much for stopping by! I'll be back tomorrow with another October Teaser!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Thanks a Bunch, Clearly Sentimental About Harvesting (MFT)

Paper: Fossil, Black Licorice (MFT); Harvest Market 6 x 6 pad (Lilybee Designs)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Leafy Flourish, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); buttons, twine; twill, sewing machine

Hope Your Birthday Is Simply Wonderful - CTD #161

Hi, everyone, back again with this week's Color Throwdown Challenge! This week's color palette was chosen by Kristin and what a pretty palette it is!

And here's my card.

I'm using a sentiment from MFT's Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set stamped on a flag cut with my First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics set and my flowers were made with the Pretty Posies Die-namics set. The leaves were made with the Upsy Daisy Die-namics die. I colored a Zva pearl flourish with a Copic marker and I added some twine-tied buttons to the flower centers.

Here's the inside, with a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays.

 

OK, that’s it for me today. Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play the Color Throwdown challenge. 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 CTD161 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

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Kristin Beuter - Mindless Creativity
Laura Pryor - Lil' Inker Designs (sitting this week out) 

Carole Burrage - Mother's Little Helper

Julee Tilman - Poetic Artistry September Guest Designer 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics and Stamp Set, Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays (MFT)

Paper: Hot Fudge, Whip Cream (MFT); Lost & Found Two: Rosy 6 x 6 (MME)

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics (MFT); pearl flourish (Zva), buttons, twine

MFT October Teaser, Day One

Oh, yeah, it's that time again! MFT Teaser Time! We have such a fabulous lineup for you this month! Today we’re showing you Who’s That Girl Chooses Hope.

I'm using some paper I picked up a month or so ago and you'll be seeing it several more times in October :) I stamped my images and colored with Copic markers and paper pieced.

Then I cut the circle out and popped it up on the larger die of the Open Scallop Doily Duo Die-namics set. I stamped the sentiment on the tag die cut from the soon-to-be-released Bon Appetite Die-namics and Stamp set--a cool new tag that you will love! Finally I added a little flag at the top using the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics set and stitched it in place.

Here's the inside with another image from the set, another sentiment, and a pink ribbon.

And here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on October 4 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on October 4 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available October 4 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

~Supplies~

Stamps: Who's That Girl Chooses Hope (MFT)

Paper: Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice, Perfect Paper Panel (MFT); Breast Cancer Awareness Paper (MAMBI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Open Scallop Doily Duo, Bon Appetite, First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics dies; sewing machine, Copic markers, button, baker's twine

My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum. 

 This month, we were asked the following questions:  

How do you store and organize your card stock?   

How do you store your scrap card stock? 

Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge and get ready to delve into the minds of our creative team!

OK, are you ready for a little tour through my card stock storage? Nothing too out of the ordinary here--I already had these two two drawer filing cabinets when I set up my Girl Cave. I set them side by side and put laminate shelving on top. It's the same height as my other tables in the room so it gives me an almost seamless stretch of work space around two sides of the room. These cabinets hold all of my Stampin' Up! card stock (except some retired packs that I have stashed away in a box in a closet).

Here you can see I have each color in a hanging file folder, bought at Office Max. I got the least expensive utilitarian style--I figured I'm the only one that's gonna see them, right? I bought all the color labels online when I first set them up, but recently I've just labeled them myself. This drawer has all of my In Colors...

...except for the last five which wouldn't fit ;-) I've put them in front of my neutrals and specialty papers in this drawer for now. 

The other two drawers hold the color families.

Obviously I was almost out of space when I started collecting MFT paper ;-) So, I bought some of these one drawer filing cabinets at Office Max for it. I cut the labels from card stock with my Stampin' UP! Word Window punch and added computer-generated names. I have this in alphabetical order.

I have all of my PTI card stock in identical file drawers. This is labeled the same and is arranged according to release. As you can see, they're all getting full. Fear not, I have another drawer like this standing empty. I knew if I didn't buy it when I got the rest, they'll discontinue them and I wouldn't have a matching line of them under the shelves ;-)

Here's how I store my scraps. I'm using two sets of Sterlite drawers for my Stampin' Up! scraps and it's sorted according to color: whites/black/grays; cream/Kraft,/browns; reds/oranges/yellows; pinks/purples; blues; greens.

I have a similar setup for my MFT scraps, just smaller.

Here's a little file box that I love. I make mostly A2 cards, so when I need a mat and I cut a sheet into quarters, I file all the unused quarters in this photo box that I picked up at Wal*Mart for less than $5. The dividers came from Office Depot and I made the labels for them using card stock and my SU! Round Tab punch. If I don't have a scrap of a color I need, I can dip into this and pull out a quarter to use and I don't have to go into my larger file drawers for a half or quarter sheet--I find it so handy to have. Anything smaller than A2 goes into my scrap drawers. This box holds my SU! and PTI A2 size pieces of card stock.

I have a smaller box for my MFT card stock but it's done exactly the same way.

In the back of my MFT box, I have card bases stored. When I cut a sheet in half for a card base, I go ahead right then and score and fold the other half and stick it in the back of the box. That way I have extras at hand and can just grab what I need. These two boxes are always at hand on my table.

OK, that's it for me today! Hope you've enjoyed your tour of my card stock organization and maybe picked up an idea that might help you in taming your card stock. I can't wait to see what the rest of the design team has to show us--I'm always in the market for a good idea for organizing my stamping supplies.

Thanks so much for stopping by! See you tomorrow for the first October teaser!!

Hello, My Pretty - C4C #106

How can it be Saturday again? I blinked and last week was gone, LOL! Well, since it *is* Saturday it's Crazy 4 Challenges time and I’m your host again this week. This week’s challenge is to make a project with a Halloween theme. If you don’t “do” Halloween, no worries, just do a card with a Fall theme. We’re easy ;-)

For my project, I'm using MFT’s September release, PI - Little Witch (which is apparently out of stock and understandably so!). She's colored with Copic markers and I'm using the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #37 for my layout, with a Simply Scallops Die-namics border.

And here's the inside:

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

• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lynda Benden
• Maria Bell
• Silke Kittmann
• Silke Ledlow
• Tammy Hershberger
• 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 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 C4C106.

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

~Supplies~

Stamps: PI - Little Witch (MFT)

Paper: Sweet Tooth, Black Licorice, Orange Fizz (MFT); Apothecary Emporium 6 x 6 pad (Echo Park)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories/tooks: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Simply Scallops Die-namics (MFT); Copic markers, ribbon, flat back beads

Hey Lady! - Flourishes Free For All Friday!

Hey, all, it’s time for Flourishes Friday Free For All! Today I’m showing you another card using one of the fabulous sets from the latest release, Feminine Charm. I stamped the image on Classic White card stock with Memento London Fog ink for a soft look. I cut it out and popped it up on several die cuts of patterned paper from Kaiser Kraft’s new Miss Nelly paper pad. I also used some lace and ribbon to dress it up. The sentiment was stamped on a circle and attached with some Pearl cotton under the bow.

Here's the inside with another sentiment from the set.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Flourishes Senior Design Team has to show you today. And don't forget that the new release bundle special ends today. Don't miss out on a savings of 10% when you purchase all three of the September releases. Check it out HERE.

• Barbara Anders (you are here!
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Feminine Charm (Flourishes)

Paper: Classic White (Flourishes); Pear Pizazz (SU!); Miss Nelly 6 x 6 pad (KaiserCraft)

Ink: Memento London Fog; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur, Standard Circle, Labels Ten, Labels Seventeen Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ribbon, lace, Prima flowers