Joy!

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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I wanted to create another Christmas card for my stash, so I've pulled out Clearly Sentimental about Christmas. It doesn't really show in the photo, but the mix and match banners and my sentiment label are sprayed with pearl glimmermist. I've used By the Letters to spell out "joy" and the mistletoe comes from last month's ornament set. 

This card is 5 x 5 inches, so the embossing folder doesn't quite cover the whole thing. I just emboss twice and use a layer to cover the join. 

Inside I've used some off cuts of paper and another sentiment from the set.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog. 

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

 

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: Clearly Sentiment about Christmas (MFT Stamps) Paper: Season's Greetings (Echo Park) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Real red (SU) Dies: Simply Scallops Large, Layered Label, By the Letters, Mix & Match Banners, Christmas Ornament, Oval Open Scallop Doily Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Other: Ribbon, Eyelets, Hemp Twine, Brad, Snowflake Embossing Folder

Love You Snow Much!

It's day six of MFT teasers, and that means it is Pure Innocence day! Frosty is back this month and I've used him to create a clean and simple (and easy to post!) Christmas card.

I lightly shaded Frosty with B0000 and B000 Copics. Sparkly fluff was added to his scarf and his hat is popped up for a bit of dimension. To create the snow effect I simply dotted around the image with a glaze pen.

The sketch for this card is SCS SC361.

Inside I've stamped another sentiment and shadow stamped frosty.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

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

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: PI - Frosty and Fabulous (MFT Stamps) Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Real Red (SU) Dies: Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Other: Sparkly Fluff, Glaze Pen, Copic Markers

Hot Cocoa Cutie!

It's time to show you the adorable new a la mode stamps for the month - both sets are just too cute! I've used Hot Cocoa Cutie for my card today and went paper piecing wild!

My focal image is all paper pieced, even the coloured copic parts to get the layering right. I've used one of the new Mix & Match Banner Die-namics to add my sentiment and finished the card with a seam binding bow and lots of stitching.

Inside I have stamped a sentiment and shadow stamped the image as usual - I also added a big "yum" with the By the Letters die-namic.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

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

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: à la modes - Hot Cocoa Cutie (MFT Stamps) Paper: Nordic Holiday (Basic Grey) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Weathered Wood and Fired Brick Distress Ink (Ranger) Dies:Solid Bracket Border, By the Letters, Mix & Match Banners Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Seam Binding, Baby Brads, Copic Markers

Time for Tea

I so look forward to seeing the amazing stamp set and die-namic combos MFT have every month, and I just know you're going to love them as much as I do! Today I'm using Time for Tea and I've created a card with a little pocket to hold a couple of teabags.

Isn't that teapot die adorable?! it comes with so many pieces to customise your pot. I've cut mine from patterned paper and embellished with some paper roses.

I've also used the wonderful new alphabet die-namics, I know I'll use these a lot, the font is so cool!

Inside I've used a sentiment from Time for Tea, as well as the wonderful flourishes in the set. The birthday sentiment is from Polka Dot Greetings.

The pocket was created by simply scoring an inch from the bottom of the card on my scor-pal. I added a Simply Scallops Medium strip to add a little height to the pocket.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

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

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Stamps: Time for Tea, Polka Dot Greetings (MFT Stamps) Paper: Random (Crate Paper) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Dies:simply Scallops Medium, Time for Tea, By The Numbers, Well Worn Greetings, Double Scallop Border Die-namics (MFT Stamps)Other: Roses and Pearl Swirl (Zva Creative) Sewing Machine

Fred Bear Gives Comfort

It's day two of MFT teasers and this month Fred Bear is back! Fred Bear Gives Comfort is just adorable, he's perfect to brighten the day of someone feeling not too hot!

I've coloured Fred with Copics and paper pieced his blanket, the bowl and tissues (so that everything was stacked correctly). I've used a mini tab again, expect to see lots of these! I've cut an Open Scallop Border from MFT felt and finished the card with some stitching and brads.

Inside I've shadow stamped Fred and added a sentiment over top - I love the cute font used in these sets!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 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 Gives Comfort (MFT Stamps) Paper: Vanity Fair (MME) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Shabby Shutters Distress (Ranger) Dies: Mini Tabs, Open Scallop Border Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Felt (MFT Stamps) Copic Markers, Brads

May I Have this Dance?

Yay, MFT teasers for December start today! I have a sample using the newest in the WTG series, May I Have This Dance? You'll also see a couple of fab new die-namics!

Isn't that image just darling? I am in love with this new Skyline Border die-namic, isn't it awesome?! I had big plans for this card, I'd pulled out patterned paper and was going to do a bucket load of layers, but when I saw the image and skyline border on the white card base it just screamed to be left as is! I love the dreamy effect of the buildings surrounding the dancers.

I coloured the image with Copics and the dress has a layer of spica glitter pen. My sentiment was stamped on an adorable Mini Tab - love these!

Inside the card I have used the negative space left from cutting the skyline border to sponge a cityscape. I love this effect!

This month the Guest Designer contest is Play Tag - so I wanted to show you a gift topper tag I made recently, I hope you'll play along with the contest, being a MFT designer for the month is awesome!

I've used the Own Your story set, some distress inks and flowers and a pearl swirl from Zva Creative for a vintage look.

Lots of stamping and over stamping on this tag - it was nice to get back to my stampy roots! The seam binding was hand dyed with distress inks.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

• You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th 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 December 6 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 December 6 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

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

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Tips for cutting intricate dies

Good morning! I'm back with another video ahead of tonight's start to MFT teasers!

Recently I had a couple of questions about cutting intricate die-namics in the big shot and what it means to "shim" when you cut. I've made a quick video with a couple of tips, and my new best friend when it comes to cutting, this adapter plate.

Keep in mind, most die-namics won't need this extra shim to work perfectly, but if your machine is having trouble getting a clean cut - try some shim, it works wonders!

View full size on YouTube

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Creative Chat - Desk Set-up

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 your desk.  How do you have things set up, and why?  

What are your "go-to" tools?  Tell us what you can't live without.

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Here's a quick video of my stamping desk - you'll see what I keep on hand and how I have everything organised :-)

View a larger version on You Tube here.

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.

 Thanks for stopping by!
 

Zva Creative November DT Blog Hop!

Zva Creative and our talented Design Team welcomes you to join us this November for a blog hop that we feel is always extra special because it is the first hop for many of our new 2011-12 team members!  We also thought it would be more fun to add even more chances to win our blog hop prize!  See details below.

 

As you know, Zva offers many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals.  We want to make sure that they shine bright for you, so each designer was asked to share a creation using a specific color or color combination on their blog hop project.  If you like Zva's products you can find a list stores and online retailers that sell Zva HERE.

 

The Blog Hop begins at Windy Robinson's blog. She will have the complete list of all blogs that are participating in case there is a glitch along the way. If you would like to play along, just follow along the blog path.  I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way!

 

Hidden on FIVE of the blogs is a Zva Creative prize package! Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over, so it's important to leave a comment on as many blogs as you can along the way.

 

The Blog Hop starts today, November 28th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, November 29^th.  

The 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 30th on each of the five winning blogs. The full list will be found on Windy Robinson's blog as well. We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to all of the blogs once again on Wednesday... plus, you never know what kind of inspirational creation that you may find there.

 

All you need to do is leave a comment on this Zva Blog Hop post...you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. However, the more times you leave a comment along the blog hop path though, the more chances you will have to be one of the lucky winners.

 

To increase your chances of winning:

* Comment to let us know that you posted on your Facebook page about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you "tweeted" about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products.  If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry

So you have FOUR chances on each blog to win one of our FIVE prizes!  That's a lot of chances to win!

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Today I'm working with the most gorgeous irridescent jewels. They're so unique and shine in a way photos can't do justice too!

I wanted to create a simple card that really let the jewels stand out, with some simple sponging and stamping I created a one layer card to act as a base for all that sparkle!

I sponged the circle with Antique Linen, Old Paper and Tea Dye distress inks before stamping the snowflakes with Soft Sky and Marina Mist ink from SU. The snowflakes all got a gorgeous Zva Creative center - I've used rhinestones CRW-04CB-123, and a bow in Marina Mist ribbon tops it all off! 

I wish you could see this in real life, those jewels really do make for a simple but elegant Christmas greeting.

If you need to start at the beginning, the blog hop begins here: Windy Robinson.

 

Thank you for joining us!

 

P.S. Next month's blog hop will be happening one week early so mark your calendar to join us on Monday, December 19^th for another inspiring Zva blog hop!

 Thanks for stopping by!