Happy 2012 - MFT January Teasers, Day Four

 Welcome to Day Four of MFT's January Teasers! Today we're showing you At the Movies Die-namics and Stamp Set and Monogram Alphabet.

I decided to play around with Monogram Alphabet today. I have two cards, each very different in style. First up is a Happy New Year card. I stamped the letters for "happy" on some Mix & Match Banners Die-namics die cuts with black pigment ink and then heat embossed with black fine detail embossing powder. I cut out another shape banner and layered under the letters for a little contrast, then attached them to some silver cord and then to the card front, popped up on some foam. I cut the numbers from glitter paper with my By the Numbers Die-namics, also popped up on some foam.

My second card is a little more "vintag-y". Yep, that's a word ;-) I thought the letters would work well on a teacher card.

First, I cut out a piece of Kraft card stock with my Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics die, then I stamped the "a b c" with Versamark then over stamped that with a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Teaching. I added a Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics flower with some Upsy Daisy Die-namics leaves, and used my Simply Scallops Die-namics die for my border.

Here's a close up of the sentiment panel.

And here's the inside with more Versamark letters and another sentiment from Clearly Sentimental About Teaching.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used for these cards:

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! See you back tomorrow to see a teaser of another fabulous set!

~Supplies~

Card 1:

Stamps: Monogram Alphabet (MFT)

Paper: Whip Cream, Black Licorice, Razzledazzle; glitter paper; Meadowlark 6 x 6 (MME)

Ink: Basic Black Craft Ink (SU!)

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Mix & Match Banners, By the Numbers Die-namics dies (MFT); bling, silver cord, black fine detail embossing powder, foam dots

Card 2:

Stamps: Monogram Alphabet, Clearly Sentimental About Teaching (MFT)

Paper: Fossil, Hot Fudge, Wild Cherry; Handsome Hunter (SU!); Off To School 6 x 6 (Fancy Pants)

Ink: Versamark; Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Upsy Daisy, Rolled Scallop Flower, Simply Scallops, Polka Dot Greetings Die-namics dies (MFT); twine, foam dots

Flourishes Focus On Tins - Celebrate!

Hi, all, welcome to Flourishes Friday Free For All. this week, The Design Team was challenged to design a project using these little tins. You know what a thing I have for banners, and since it looks like I won't have time to do one of my larger, more elaborate banners for the New Year I think this sweet little number will fill in just fine.

First of all I covered the top of the tin with black card stock, then with a layer of Classic White that I embossed with stars. Then I cut white and black card stock with my Nested Pennant and Lacey Nested Pennant dies--five of each. I stamped the image from Birthday Pennants on all the white ones, adhered them to the black layer, and punched holes in each upper corner. I tied that cute little gingham ribbon knots on one and popped it up on the top of the tin. Then I adhered some Dew Drops in colors to match my banner and added the sentiment.

For the banner, I strung the remaining four pennants together and tied bows on each end, then glittered up some chipboard numbers and attached them to the pennants. Fan-folded, they fit in the tin with room to spare for some tissue paper. That is, IF I could bring myself to give it away ;-)

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has for you using these darling tins:

• Barbara Anders (that's me!)
• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber - D T Coordinator
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Jan Marie Caruso

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Birthday Pennants (Flourishes)

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

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories/tools: Grand Calibur, Nested Pennants, Lacey Nested Pennants (Spellbinders); Dew Drops, ribbon, glitter, chipboard numbers, Xyron X Sticker maker, foam dots, tin

Look After My Heart - MFT January Teaser, Day Three

 Welcome back to MFT's January Teasers, Day Three! Today we're showing you two Clearly Sentimental sets: Clearly Sentimental about Romance (Triple Scoop Set) and Pearls of Wisdom (previous Triple Scoop Set). I'm using Clearly Sentimental About Romance for my card today. I'm not a Twilight addict, but I love this sentiment A LOT! I stamped it on the smaller of the new Layered Heart Die-namics dies and layered it with the larger heart as my focal image. You can see I'm using the awesome Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics die again. I do {heart} that flower. And some leaves using Upsy Daisy Die-namics. I finished it off with some twill ribbon and some clear Dew Drops for balance. Sweet.

I stamped another sentiment from the set on the inside of my card.

Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Thanks for stopping by! See you back here tomorrow for my Day Four teaser!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Romance (MFT)

Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream; Smokey Shadow (PTI); Head Over Heels (Lilybee Design)

Ink: Smokey Shadow (PTI); Memento Tuxedo Black; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Layered Heart, Rolled Scallop Flower, Upsy Daisy Die-namics dies (MFT); twill, Dew Drops, foam dots, glue gun

From the Heart - MFT January Teaser, Day Two

My main bunny Flopsey is back in Bunch of Hearts Flopsey!!! Oh, I do love that rabbit! This time he's bringing us a bunch of love :) I'm also using the new Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics die for this card. I love this flower!!! It's super easy to assemble and as you can see, I couldn't stop with one ;-) My girl Jody Morrow has put together a little video to show you how simple it is and you can see it HERE. I tried it with hot glue like Jody did and it's simply amazing how well it works! I confess to have been a little rolled flower (especially the roses) challenged so I'm going to try it on one of them to see if I get better results than glue dots. I'll let you know :)

OK, back to Flopsey. He's colored with Copic markers and I stamped one of the sentiments on the front, overstamping "Heart" with an open heart image, also from the set. Then I added a Simply Scallops Die-namics border some baker's twine, and the rolled flowers. I must have leaves for my flowers so I added some cut with the Upsy Daisy Die-namics set.

Here's the inside with another sentiment and all of the open heart images in the set.

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Here are the Die-namics dies I used on this card:

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Thanks SO much for stopping by! See you back tomorrow for Day Three January Teaser!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Bunch Of Hearts Flopsey (MFT)

Paper: Black Licorice, Wild Cherry, Sweet Tooth; Smokey Shadow (PTI); Yours Truly 6 x 6 (Echo Park)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Upsy Daisy, Simply Scallops, Rolled Scallop Flower Die-namics dies; baker's twine, Copic markers, sewing machine, glue gun; foam dots

...because it has a song - MFTWSC #52

Are you ready for this week's 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.

I brought out the very first set in the Inspired by line - Inspired by Caged Bird. That set started my love affair with the Inspired by line and it's never wavered. 

I pretty much kept the sketch intact this week for a change ;-) I stamped the cage, matted it, and popped it up on foam. I added a Little Open Scallops Strip Die-namics to the vertical element and used wide striped ribbon for the fishtail element. I stamped the bird in flight, cut it out, and popped it up, as well. Everything was sponged with some Antique Linen Distress Ink to keep the Vintage feel going.

Here's the inside with another stamped bird and a well-loved sentiment from the set.

Thanks SO much for stopping by! See you back tomorrow for another January teaser!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Inspired by Caged Bird (MFT)

Paper: Fossil, Whip Cream, Black Licorice; Times & Seasons (Echo Park)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger)

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Little Open Scallop Strip Die-namics die (MFT); ribbon, pearls, foam dots

Je t'aime - MFT January Teaser, Day One

Ooo-la-la! WTG has gone international! Who's That Parisian Girl will WOW you with the images and sentiments that work so well with the new Eiffel Tower Die-namics die. How cool is THAT?! 

I stamped WTG, paper pieced her skirt and colored her very very chic sweater with Copic markers. Then I matted it and popped it up on foam, adding the Eiffel Tower die cut, some Flat Bottom Clouds, and a new Mini Wavy Pennant Die-namics die cut. These pennants work with the pole from the previously released Mini Pennant Die-namics set and give you added versatility with that set. I'm also using the new Jumbo Monarch Border Die-namics, embellished with some hot pink gem stones and some matching gingham ribbon. I like the contrast between that ribbon and the sophistication of the gems and the image.

Here's the inside of my card, with more images from the set.

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

Here are the details about the upcoming release on January 3rd at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 3rd from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 3rd at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Thanks SO much for stopping by! Hope to see you back later today for this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge and I'll be back again tomorrow with another teaser!

~Supplies~

Stamps: Who's That Parisian Girl (MFT)

Paper: Black Licorice, Whip Cream, Razzleberry, Perfect Paper Panel; Smokey Shadow (PTI); Be Mine 6 x 6 (Echo Park) 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud

Accessories/tools: Vagabond (Tim Holtz); Eiffel Tower, Jumbo Monarch Border, Mini Pennant, Mini Wavy Pennant, Flat Bottom Clouds Die-namics dies (MFT); bling, ribbon, foam dots; Copic markers

It's An After Christmas Sale at Flourishes!!!

We hope you enjoyed the holidays and we hope you felt the blessings we wished upon you and your family! We’ve been busy at home base trying to go through all of our shelves to prep for our end of year inventory. After walking through the warehouse, it was clear…. FLOURISHES NEEDS A SALE! 

So, if you have Christmas money to spend, we’ve got a great deal you won’t want to miss! From now through Friday, everything in the store is 25% off. Even the goodies on our sale page that have already been reduced for quick sale are 25% off the sale price!

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SALE….. Simply use XMAS11 in the coupon code box at the time of checkout.

 Be sure to hit the recalculate button on the page so that your total adjusts to the sale price. Keep in mind, there are no rain checks or back orders. Once some of these items are gone, they will be gone for good! So, shop early for the best selection!

December MFT Creative Chat - Embellishments

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:  


Show us how you store your embellishments.

What are your absolute favorite embellishments?

Any tips or tricks on how to use embellishments on stamped creations?

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 the tour? Let's go! I keep flat things like chipboard letters in a drawer in a Sterlite cabinet.

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I love canning jars and use them for all kinds of storage. I use them for canisters in my kitchen and buttons in my stamp room. These are the little pint jelly jars and I use the replacement white plastic tops instead of the lids and rings. Each of these jars contains one color of buttons. A little further back you'll see pint jars with color collections.

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The little 4 oz jars are perfect for brads. I don't use brads a lot, but I want them handy when I do. You'll also see some smaller button collections in these little jars. I keep all the jars on lazy Susans so I can see everything easily, at the touch of a finger.

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Here I have some Prima flowers, sorted by color, and all of my stick pins in one pint jar. I probably should sort them out into smaller jars.

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In this set of medium Sterlite drawers you'll see...Big Brads, LOL! It's even labeled! These are larger brads and Basic Gray Brads.

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In this set of medium Sterlite drawers I keep my bling.

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Bottom drawer has all my pearls.

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Middle drawer is gem stones.

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And top drawer is for my flourishes, gems and pearls.

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I also love Dew Drops. I keep my little bottles of them on a turntable handy to my stamping area. and...

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...also close by I have this nifty box of dispensers that I got on eBay. Lots of colors, conveniently packaged and also handy on my table.

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OK, that's it for storage. As for my favorite embellishment...well, it's a toss up between buttons and Dew Drops/pearls. I love buttons on ribbons, on twine, or simply by themselves--always with twine, never naked, LOL. I love them because you can use them with ANY style project--from CAS, to Vintage, to primitive, to, well, anything!

I love Dew Drops/pearls because they give the look of brads without the hassle. I never seem to be able to line brads up straight and then you've got the problem with the "legs" between layers. With Dew Drops or pearls, aligning them is much easier than brads for me. I did figure out a way around the "leggy" problem, though, and it also helps with lining them up. Sometimes nothing will do except a brad, KWIM? I'll show you how I manage them with a few pictures.

First, cut the legs off your brads as close as you can down inside the cap. I keep some wire cutters hand for this purpose.

Then, push the "stumps" down into the cap as far as possible. I use a hemostat but small needle nosed pliers or jewelry pliers would work. And sometimes I just smack it with the flat side of my wire cutters ;-)

Next, fill up the cap with liquid glue or Crystal Effects (my preference).

Don't overfill or it will leak out around your brad when you adhere it into place. Voila! No legs to deal with and you can move them a tiny bit if necessary for neatness.

And that's it for embellishments from me--thanks so much for stopping by! I hope I gave you a few things to think about when organizing your embellishments.

January teasers start tomorrow, so I'll be back with Day One and then later on with this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge! Hope to see you back!