Win over $200 in MFT Product!

The My Favorite Things Guest Designer contest is on NOW! You can find all the details here on how to participate and be in to win!

In the last couple of months three of my cousins have announced they are pregnant, yay! I'm starting to stockpile baby cards, so I made one with this month's sketch.

I used the wonderful Baby Onesie Stamp set and Die-namics. I added some teeny tiny brads as the domes on the onesie. Some gorgeous MFT Buttons add a pop of colour.

Inside I used the rest of my patterned paper, and my fave Dainty Lace Border.

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

 Thanks for stopping by!  

Stamps: Baby Onesie (MFT Stamps) Paper: Happier (MME) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Pretty in Pink (SU) Dies: Dainty Lace Border, Simply Scallops Medium, Fishtail Flags STAX, Oval STAX, Baby Onesie  Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Buttons (MFT Stamps) Twine, Teeny Brads

WSC81!

It's time for another awesome sketch from My Favorite Things! I've used the adorable new Monkey Business set for my card, which works SO perfectly with the Vine Border Die-namics.

I used the Vine Border to create my own patterned panel, cutting the vines from Sour Apple cardstock. The new Sentiment Strip Die-namics were perfect for this sketch, and the entire thing is topped off with a new Sour Apple button!

I've tried Michele's colouring method....any mistakes (or changes) are my own, and should not reflect poorly on her genius!

I noticed how cool the scrap piece of cardstock I cut the vines from looked, so I used it on the inside of my card!

Be sure to check out Kim's blog for all the designers playing along this week - you won't want to miss their gorgeous creations!

To play along with WSC, create a card with the provided sketch and upload it to SCS using the keyword MFTWSC81. A new sketch will be posted each Wednesday on the MFT blog and also in the forum. Each week one random winner will win a $15 voucher to spend at MFT, and if you use MFT stamps on your creation, you'll get a $5 bonus taking your voucher win up to $20! We'll be chatting each week on the sketch thread, so come join us in the MFT forum!  

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

Thanks for stopping by!  

 

Stamps: Claire Keay Monkey Business (MFT Stamps) Paper: Farmhouse (Crate Paper) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Early Espresso (SU) Dies: Rectangle STAX, Sentiment Strips, Vine Border Die-namics (MFT Stamps)Other: Sour Apple Buttons (MFT Stamps) Twine, Copic Markers

Picture Perfect

It's time for this month's VIP collection from My Favorite Things - available here now!!

Pure Innocence Simple Pleasures VIP Collection $33.95

Pure Innocence Picture Perfect stamp set

Pure Innocence Piggy Bank stamp set

Simple Pleasures Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)

Lead the Way Die-namics

The Die-namics in this collection are FAB! I've used two of the new arrows in my card for today.

I used the new Rounded Banner STAX as my focal layer - love this shape! PI - Picture Perfect was stamped with Memento ink and lightly coloured with Copics to match the Pink Lemonade and Berrylicious cardstock. A Pink Lemonade bow is topped with a Berrylicious button. I've used the Lead the Way Die-namics to accent my sentiment. Some white gel pen stitching finishes it all off.

Inside I've mimicked the layout of the front of the card, this time opting to stamp my sentiment directly on a Lead the Way Die-namics element.

Don't forget to stop by Kim's blog for a list of all the designers with samples for you today - but first, go grab your VIP kit before they sell out!

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

 Thanks for stopping by!  

Stamps: PI - Picture Perfect (MFT Stamps) Paper: Scraps (MME) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)  Dies: Lead the Way, Rounded Banner STAX, Simply Scallops Medium Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Ribbon, Button (MFT Stamps) Twine, White Gel Pen, Copic Markers

Christmas in July!

The MFT Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, we were challenged to kick-start our holiday projects with Christmas in July.  Be sure to check out the MFT Blog for a list of all participating designers.

I won't lie - every year I have great intentions to handmake all my Christmas cards - and invariably I run out of time. I can't seem to get them made throughout the year, and the Christmas season is just too busy. I am pretty good at making some pretty tags for gift giving though - I love to keep the wrapping on my gifts plain and fancy it up with an elaborate tag.

Today I've made a set of four vintage inspired tags using some of my fave die-namics and Christmas stamps. I've used Inspired by Christmas, Clearly Sentimental about Christmas, and the bird stamp is from Inspired by Caged Bird.

To create the tag base I've cut the largest Traditional Tags Die-namics. I stamped the images in Distress Ink, and oversprayed with a little Gold Glimmermist. This makes the images run a little - I like that look, if you don't, spray with Glimmermist before stamping.

I used similar elements and supplies on all my tags, varying the layout and how I've layered the elements to make them all different but still a cohesive set.

For the main embellishment on each tag, I've layered a Fancy Flourish with Let it Snowflake and a vintage button from Buttons Galore. The snowflake is cut from Fossil cardstock, as is the tag base.

Each tag was sponged and pierced roughly around the edge. The sentiments are stamped on a First Place Award Ribbon Die-namic.

I varied the ribbon treatment on each tag, using it as a layer, bow or an element at the top of the tag.

Don't forget to stop by Kim's blog for more Christ-massy goodness!

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

 Thanks for stopping by!  

Stamps: Inspired by Christmas, Clearly Sentimental about Christmas, I know why the caged bird sings (MFT Stamps) Paper: St Nick (Echo Park) Ink: Assorted Distress Inks (Ranger) Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke (SU) Dies: Fancy Flourish, Traditional Tags, First Place Award Ribbon, Let It Snowflake, Simply Scallops Medium, Double Scallop Border Die-namics (MFT Stamps) Other: Buttons (Buttons Galore) Twine, Ribbon, Twill

SFYTT July!

This month, My Favorite Things is sponsoring the ever wonderful Sketch For You To Try! Jen's sketches are always fab, and you could win some MFT goodness - what could be better?!

I've used the new Pure Innocence Birthday Girl set today, her dress is so easy to paper piece with lovely clean lines!

I've curled the edges of my Dainty Doily Duo Die-namics and Dainty Lace Border Die-namics for a little interest. My buttons are from Buttons Galore, Citrus Grab Bag and Victorian.

Inside I used offcuts of paper and a File Tab sentiment.

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

  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Pure Innocence Birthday Girl (MFT Stamps) Paper: Everyday Flair (MME) Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) Riding Hood Red (SU) Dies: Dainty Lace Border, Dainty Doily Duo, File Tab Die-namics (MFT Stamps)Other: Buttons, Twine, Copic Markers

Thank You!

Thank you SO much for all your warm congratulations on the birth of our precious boy! Every comment has been read and cherished, and while I do intend to answer everyone individually at some point, we're a little short on time these days!

I was lucky enough to have silent labour, not feeling extreme contractions until 5 hours after my water broke. When things started in ernest, they moved fast though! I arrived at the hospital at 8cm, contracting every minute - I wouldn't recommend leaving it that long (too late for an epidural!) Jackson arrived via emergency C-section after I was in transition/pushing for four hours, labour stalled and he became distressed.  Unfortunately, I suffered some complications and had an extended stay in hospital due to an infection. I've been home the last two weeks, and I'm slowly healing with lots of loving care from Shanan and my family.

I'm starting to get back to normal and I'll be back tomorrow with a card! Till then I wanted to share a couple of photos of our gorgeous boy - he is pure joy and I'm thankful to have such a chill, easy baby who is 100% healthy, feeding like a champ and growing like a weed!

 Thanks for stopping by!