You Spin Me!

It's day two of My Favorite Things teasers, and this month Fred Bear is back with his pinwheel! I've used Fred and a couple of fun new Die-namics on my card for today.

The new Hexagon Die-namics is so fun for making varied backgrounds! I've used the main die, and also the triangular off cuts on this card, using the off cuts to create borders for my layers. My clouds are cut with Puff Cloud White MFT felt. The lush ribbon is also from MFT.

Inside my card I've used more off cuts as well as the fantastic new Star STAX Die-namics.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on June 5 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on June 5 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 June 5 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 June 5 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the Die-namics I've used today:

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: Fred Bear and the Pinwheel (MFT Stamps) Paper: Lime Twist - Fly a Kite (MME) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Dies: Star STAX, Hexagons and Cloud Trio Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Kraft Ribbon, Puff Cloud White Felt (MFT Stamps) Copic Markers

Baby Watch 2012

Shanan with just one of the amazing knitted pieces from my Nana!

Yup, I'm still pregnant. 24 months pregnant it feels like! I had no idea this last month would feel like a year. The weeks were flying by but all of a sudden slowed to a crawl. Even with hospital and midwife appointments, antenatal classes and ultrasounds, it feels like this baby is never going to arrive!

Every night we talk to our little peanut, telling him it's ok to come home now -  his bed is made, clothes washed, hospital bags packed and our arms are ready for cuddles, but I think he's quite content where he is! I'm passing the days with lots of naps (essential when pregnancy induced carpal tunnel is keeping me up all night!) and trying to get some blog posts done ahead of time. Hopefully there should be some eye candy here for you while Shanan and I are on our "baby-moon" - our name for the two weeks paternity leave he'll have once we come home and are learning to be a family. 

Thanks for all the well wishes - I promise to let you know once our boy is finally here!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Family

Today I wanted to share with you a project I had published in NZ Paper Chase last year. Generally, I stick to card making, but for this project I broke out my Die-namics and created a home decor 12x12 layout.

I had fun going through my supplies and gathering up a bunch of different items that would work well together.  The sentiment is from Clearly Sentimental about Family and the panel was heavily sponged with distress ink.

The text paper is from SU! and the other papers are from the Lost and Found Two collection in Sunshine.

I hand dyed the seam binding ribbon, and also the High Tea Party Doily layer with Distress inks by misting with water and applying the ink pad directly before scrunching and drying. I've used some of my all time fave Die-namics on this project, including the Rosette, Faux Crochet Border and Fancy Flourish.

It might be hard to tell from the photo, but the base layer was spritzed with Gold Glimmermist. Various hardware from my stash finished off the layout.

I hope to find time to make more projects like this - I might have time when our boy starts pre-school, right?!

Here are the Die-namics I've used today:

 

Thanks for stopping by!  

Fun in the Sun VIP Collection!

It's time for another FAB VIP collection release from My Favorite Things! This is a limited quantity product and is only available while stocks last - you can grab yours HERE now!

 

Pure Innocence Fun in the Sun VIP Collection $34.90

Pure Innocence Hula Girl stamp set

Pure Innocence Sprinkler Girl stamp set

Fun in the Sun Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)

Hibiscus Die-namics

Notched Border Die-namics

 

 

I've used Hula Girl for my card today, and of course the gorgeous Hibiscus Die-namic is front and center! I added a stamen to my Hibiscus, by cutting a thin strip of cardstock and inserting it into the center of the flower. 

 

  

Inside my card the sentiments are from the exclusive VIP stamp set and I've also used the cool new Notched Border Die-namics. A piece of the Hibiscus Die-namic adorns one corner for a little added interest.

Don't forget to stop by Kim's Blog for all the designers with VIP samples to inspire you!

Here are the Die-namics I've used today:

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: PI - Hula Girl (MFT Stamps) Paper: Beach Babe (Fancy Pants) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Dies: Hibiscus, Notched Border, Rectangle STAX, Catch a Wave Border Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Brads, Rhinestones, Copic Markers

Christmas Wreath

Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique.

This month, we're creating wreaths. Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have put their MFT stamps and/or Die-namics dies to work to create a wreath for you today!

 
I've created a Christmas wreath using the Royal Leaves Die-namics and the gorgeous new Mini Royal Roses. I photographed each step - here's the how-to! (click photos for a larger view)

 Using Circle STAX, create two (or more) frames that graduate down in size.

 Layer the two circles together. This gives your wreath more strength, and also gives a little shape rather than having the form be so flat.

 Start wrapping with twine.

 I covered approx a third of my wreath, I was going for an asymmetrical look to my finished wreath.

 Cut a bunch of Royal Leaves. I love how many leaves this cuts with each pass!

 I've used Tombow glue to start adhering the largest leaves to my wreath.

 Continue layering on the Royal Leaves.

 To add the last two layers of leaves I used glue dots. A glue gun would work well too.

 Tie a length of ribbon and a big bow using satin ribbon around the top of the wreath.

 I used the smallest of the Mini Royal Roses to cut four roses from red felt.

 Group the roses on the wreath. Again, I used glue dots.

Add sticky backed pearls for a little contrast and classic shine. 

I finished my wreath with a tattered and inked banner with a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Christmas.

Here are the Die-namics I've used today:

Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about Christmas (MFT Stamps) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Dies: Circle STAX, Royal Leaves, Mini Royal Roses Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Twine, Felt, Pearls

Goldfish Girl

Yippee! It's time - all those gorgeous new stamps and Die-namics you've been drooling over the past week are available HERE now at My Favorite Things!

For today's New Product Tour I have a card using the CA-UTE Goldfish Girl Pure Innocence! I love seeing these adorable images in new situations every month!

Once again I've used the Designer Label 1 STAX as a base for my image, I just love how well they fit on the largest STAX layer. I've coloured her with Copics and added polka dots to her top. I created the fun flower with the Pretty Posies Die-namics and my fave, Royal Leaves. The ribbon is the gorgeous MFT Sour Apple.

Inside I have shadow stamped my image and curved my sentiments for a little added interest.

Don't forget to head on over to Kim's Blog to see all the designers New Product Tour creations. Leave some comment love along the way for your chance to win a gift voucher!


Here are the Die-namics I've used today:

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: PI Goldfish Girl (MFT Stamps) Paper: Country Drive (Echo Park) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Kraft (SU) Dies: Pretty Posies, Mini Scalloped Border, Royal Leaves, Designer Label 1 STAX Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Sour Apple Ribbon, Brads, Copic Markers