Fight like a Girl Earrings

Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to shop for your favorite Brand Spankin' New products from MFT. But first... it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally!  

Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last. We've taken an in-depth look at this month's Die-namics, while re-visiting the amazing sets being released tonight at 10 PM EST RIGHT HERE in the MFT Boutique. And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new?  Head over to the MFT Blog to print out a shopping list.

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As soon as I saw the new Girly Graphic Tee stamps and Die-namics, I knew they would make adorable earrings. When using shrink plastic, it's important to start with a nice large shape that will still be substantial when shrunk - this die definitely fit the bill!

  
I was too "in the zone" to take photos as I went, but here are the details on making these earrings:

• Die cut your shrink plastic. Make sure to keep the plastic orientated the same way for each t-shirt so they shrink the same way. 

• Rough up the plastic a little, I use my sanding block.

•  Line up the tees together and punch a hole. Remember this will shrink down too. I use the largest setting on my Crop-a-dile.

• Stamp your chosen image/sentiment. I like to use Brilliance ink for this. I used my grid paper to make sure both sentiments were in pretty much the same place on the tees.

•  Shrink. I use my heat tool - follow the instructions for your brand of shrink plastic.

•  Normally I make sure my pieces are completely flat - with these tees I left a little movement for interest.

• Once cool, cover with a coat of glossy accents or other dimensional medium. I then left these to dry overnight. I love the shine this gives.

• Turn into earrings! I've used eye pins, simply stringing glass and filigree beads before attaching to a jump ring on my tees. I went with a classic MFT pink/black/white theme - perfect to support breast cancer!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on May 1 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on May 1 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 May 1 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• You have just a few more hours to submit your entry for this month's guest designer contest.  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 designers' posts 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 May 1 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

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

 Thanks for stopping by! 

 

Stamps: Girly Graphic Tee (MFT Stamps) Ink: Brilliance Black Dies: Girly Graphic Tee Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Glossy Accents, Beading Supplies

On a Roll!

Every month the MFT design team have a creative challenge - this month's theme is "On a Roll". I created a project I've had in mind since I first saw the Large Rolled Rose Die-namic - a gorgeous felt necklace! I love that Die-namics can be used for so much more than papercrafting!

Years ago I had a jewellery business designing and making wedding jewellery and it's something I still love to do. I cut the large rolled rose from black wool felt and added jewellery findings to create an asymetrical necklace - I love the off-center look!

I have a few photos of how I made this necklace. I'm going to apologise in advance - in most of my photos the rose is lacking definition because it's so beautifully black - you can click on the photos for extra huge views so you can see what's going on! If you don't have jewellery findings in your stash, you can find them easily at your local craft store.

Begin by cutting your rolled rose out of felt. Sew it together as you create the rose, and once the base is positioned, sew around the entire base edge to make everything look lovely and tidy.

You need to attach something to your rose so you can add it to your necklace. I've used these tibitian silver necklace spacers - they're perfect because they don't have any openings that the sewn threads could slip through, and they also make the back of the rose look as good as the front! You could use smaller spacers and one of our smaller Rose Die-namics and make earrings to match your necklace!

Add jump rings (I've used jumbo rings as part of my design) and lengths of chain either side of your rose. I've used long lengths that you'll see I later cut down as I finessed the fit of my necklace.

Create accent pieces for your necklace using eyepins (pins with little loops at one end that you close with your own created loop) black glass beads and tibetian silver spacers. I created three accent pieces and strung them together in chain formation as you can see in the second photo.

Add your created chain piece to the chain of your necklace using a jump ring. Attach leather ends to two pieces of leather using pliars and a little bit of glue to keep the leather in place. Attach the leather to your necklace using jump rings.

Finally, add the clasp of your choice to the other ends of the leather using small jump rings. I've used a toggle clasp, any would work perfectly. That's it, your necklace is done!

I promise it's easier than it looks - it's all about using jump rings and other findings to string everything together. Remember, when using jump rings, open them by twisting gently open sideways - instead of pulling them open - this will weaken your jump ring!

In 2011, MFT is working harder than ever to inspire you, and we have come up with something we think you'll really enjoy. Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a new monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, we're On a Roll!  Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge!

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Boxed Chain Drop Earrings

Happy Monday (or Sunday!) It's a quiet day at our house on the hill, Shanan is home sick today poor thing, so I'm going to curl up in my favourite chair and study a little while keeping him company.

I thought I'd pop on and share a little project from the past week. I made these earrings and pillow box to go with my Mother-in-law's birthday present - I'm so glad she liked them!

It was so fun to pull out my jewellery making supplies - I haven't made a lot recently and it was a nice change of pace. These are simple chain drops featuring wire wrapped mauve pearls, crystal and those gorgeous silver filigree beads.
 

 

I wanted a simple and elegant gift box for the earrings, and turned to my trusty pillow box die - just the right size for jewellery! The box is cut from vellum. That's it from me, I have a card I'll share tomorrow!

Colour Combo: Basic Black, Lavender Lace Stamps: Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU) Dies: Pillow Box (SU) Punches: Modern Label, Word Window (SU) Other:Black Satin Ribbon, Silver Cord (SU) Rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Birthday Creations

Hi everyone! I thought it was finally time to share Michelle's birthday present with you - I haven't done a lot of creating this weekend, Shan is off work sick, and I have the beginnings of what he has, so that's not nice! In fact I've been up since 3am this morning, so it may be time for a nap once I get this posted.

I think this is the first time I've shared one of my jewellery pieces on here. I've loved beading for a long time, I had a little business I started when I was 19 making jewellery sets for brides and bridal parties - it was so much fun outfitting groups for such a special day. I loved it, but over time, beading became a job instead of a passion. I love colour - and working entirely in pearl tones got a little tiresome!

During my time off from beading I discovered stamping (along with a bunch of other hobbies!) I think I'm a much better jewellery designer now because of my love for papercraft. I'm more in tune with colour - and love just going for it and trying new designs.

For Michelle I created this pendant - she can wear it with something dressy or with jeans for a more casual look. It's a long, earthy pendant, that can be knotted if she'd like to wear it shorter.

I've used a mix of tibetian silver, frosted czech flower beads (lighter in colour than they appear here), matt black glass and silver findings. I like this one so much I think I might have to make one for myself!
Here's the card I made to match the necklace display card I created. I embossed the Upsy Daisy image and sentiment with black embossing powder. More Mustard and Old Olive matched the pendant colours perfectly! A little bit of hardware, ribbon and dotting with a black marker finishes the card off.

I've repeated the focal image on the inside layer - and inked the sentiment with markers. I'm so happy to report she loved it - and I was really pleased to hear Michelle keeps everything I make her (watch out sweetie - your mailbox will be inundated now!)

I'm off to find something for my throat and to lay down with a book. I give it five minutes before I'm asleep! See you tomorrow with my Project Tuesday creation!




Stamps: Upsy Daisy, On Your Birthday
Paper & Card: Old Olive, More Mustard & Basic Black Card.
Old Olive and Spring Break Designer Paper.
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Stazon
Punches: Large & Scalloped Oval, Scalloped Edge Punches
Other: Basic Small Grommets, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Brads
Stampin' Write Markers, Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy
Circle Scissor Plus, Medium Cello Bags, Crop-a-Dile, Jumbo Eyelets
E-mail me to purchase.

Other: Assorted Beading Supplies, Jumbo Brads