Tuesday, January 3, 2012

My Favorite Things - Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally

Greetings!!  Today I'm here with the My Favorite Things New Release Pep Rally. Over the last six days, you've seen all the new stamps and Die-namics releasing tomorrow night.  It's just so fun and exciting!  I hope you've been enjoying as much as I have!! 
Today I have just a couple of really simple tips that I've learned along the way that I'd like to share with you during this awesome Die-namics Feature today! 


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.

I'm going to start by sharing with you how I created my stuffed felt strawberry that I showed you yesterday.  But first - I must tell you that I used Jody's amazing video with help learning how to put the strawberry together.  You can check out her video right here.   (it's AWESOME)  And it's the exact way I closed my strawberry up only instead of using liner tape I used hot glue since I was working with fabric. 

But first I started by getting out all of my supplies:
I simply LOVE all the gorgeous details of these amazing Die-namics:
I'm showing you the close up of the dies so that you can really see the embossing that will happen when you cut your fabric or paper.

Ok - cutting time! 

I kept my photos small for this portion as there are lots of them.  I use my Bigkick with the cutting plates all stacked according to the directions.  I then place my cutting surface, then my Die-namics die facing up, then my felt, then my top cutting plate, then a thin piece of cardboard (shim) just to add a bit of extra pressure so I really get those embossed strawberry seeds pressed into the felt. 
Here is how it looks when it comes out of the cutting machine.  Look at all of those awesome strawberry seeds!!  (sorry about the paper fuzz on the felt.  It brushes off so easily but is totally trapped in all of the cuts and scratches of my embossing plates)
Here is how the strawberry hull came out using the same technique:
For the hull, I used my sewing machine and after popping the center of the hull out, I used white thread and a straight stitch.  I started at one point and went straight across to the next one until all of the scored lines were stitched white.

Because felt is rather spongy in nature the deeply embossed seeds will, over time, puff back up and lose a bit of their dimension.  In order to make my hand sewing easier and not having to worry about getting to the seeds before they become faint, I took my black Copic marker and dotted each one so that I'd have a template of where to stitch. 
(would you believe I get a manicure every 10 days?  The cold here in the North East is just brutal on my hands!)

Now that I have my seeds marked, I took black embroidery floss and a large needle and started to stitch each seed. 


 After I was finished stitching both the hull and the body of my berry I used a bead of hot glue on the flap to hold the strawberry together.  I used three jumbo cotton balls to stuff the berry with.  And, using Jody's amazing video, pulled it all together with soft, green yarn and a green button. 
And my berry was complete!  

Now I have another very quick trick to show you.  I LOVE using Die-namics and transforming them into faux-chipboard embellishments.  This is one of the easiest things to do ever!  I did this on Day One of the Teasers with the Eiffel Tower:
And I did it again today using my very favorite Bracket Tab Die-namic and I'm going to show you how to do that right now.

First gather your supplies:
Any Die-namics die, cardstock or DP (your choice) and Glossy Accents.  Depending on the thickness of my paper I will cut five or six of the same die.  I use Glossy Accents as my adhesive of choice.  It holds superbly and allows for a bit of wiggle room when you start stacking the dies on top of one another.  
Regardless of the shape of the die, I only put the Glossy Accents in the center and not too close to the edges.  You don't want your adhesive leaking out of the sides.  It will just look messy.  

Start layering your die cuts one on top of another adding another layer of Glossy Accents each time until you have used all of your pieces.  When you are done, the thickness of the layers will then resemble a chipboard element!  It's so cool and adds such great dimension to any project.  My tip to you, use the best cardstock or designer paper you can to achieve the best chipboard look possible.  
Here is how this piece looks in the project I posted yesterday for the PI Teaser:
Thanks so much for coming by today!!  I hope you have enjoyed!!  "See" you tonight at the Release Party!!!  

And a HUGEEEEEEE thank you to Kim, Jody, Joanne and the rest of the AMAZING MFT Design Team for having me this month.  It has been an experience unlike any other.  A crafter's dream come true!

Now for all of the administrative bits and bobs!  Have a GREAT day and a fabulous time tonight!!
  
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.
  • 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 January 3rd just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

    Fabulous Pre-Release Party Hugs!!
    Meredith

48 comments:

Ana Carolina Little said...

Very COOL projects Meredith, thanks for sharing!!!

zehra said...

Wow, so much stitching, love the look, thanks for the tutorial

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

Wow, that is a lot of work, so cute though

StampOwl said...

love your felt strawberry

Crystal R said...

Great tutorial on using the die-namics. I always find these useful.

Papercrafting Beach Bum said...

Thank you for the fantabulous tutorial. You outdid yourself with this felt berry! I love how you put so much effort that you even added stitching on top of the black copic-colored seeds. You rock!

Sarah Gough said...

Love your felt strawberry, so adorable girlie!

Gabby said...

Fun felt strawberry! Thanks for the video tutorial and the tip from yesterday's card. :)

Inge Groot said...

Such a cute felt strawberry and what a fun tip to color the seeds with a copic marker! Gorgeous card too!

tanja said...

It's such a lovely things you made love it xxxx tanja

Beth said...

This is fab! I love the cute strawberry but I especially love your tip on making faux chipboard! So simple yet so effective! Thanks for the inspiration this week!

Love Beth xx

Lisa H. said...

beautiful work, Meredith. love how you added the copic to the felt. thanks for the step by step.

Susan said...

Great projects! Love your colored berry box.

Angel said...

ADORABLE! so cute to attach to a present! great job on the sneaks, Meredith!

Kristy Hansen said...

All the stitching really adds to your strawberry. How cute! ksh

Annheidel said...

Wow, your felt strawberry is the most adorable thing ever! Thanks for the tutorial. :)

Miriam Prantner said...

I LOVE how you made the strawberries with the black stitching! So cute, it looks fabulous!

stampingbowd said...

VERY pretty!!! TFS your wonderful work!!!

Debbie Carriere said...

Wowsers, Meredith!! That is a gorgeous strawberry!!! Fantastic ideas! And love the stacked die-namics, too! BTW, my hands are about 10 times worse than yours - LOL! I don't think I will ever be able to make a video unless I find a hand model :)

Jan Garber said...

Fantastic projects! Thanks for the tips and tutorial! It's been great seeing your cards this week!

Elle said...

Thanks you for the instructions. I LOVE your stitching!

jan farnworth said...

wonderful project

Karen Giron said...

This is so cute! I love that you made the strawberry box out of felt and stuffed it, LOL! What a super fun idea! Thanks for the tip on the homemade chipboard too! You rock!

Shannon said...

Love the strawberry!

Unknown said...

FABULOUS post my friend! This strawberry is freaking awesome, and I love the chipboard tip! Gotta love recycling!

Tanya said...

so sweet! I think this die is amazing!

Marta said...

Wish I was as clever as you! I am going to have to get myself this strawberry box die. Too cute!!!

Marta
sassyscraps1@yahoo.com

Dawn said...

Such a cool idea Meredith! Love it!

Meghan said...

Amazing projects. I can see why you were chosen as a guest designer!

JessicaK said...

thanks for the visual walk through of the Berry die - Love that it has the "seeds" incorporated for easy marking. These projects are both fantastic.

JessicaK said...

thanks for the visual walk through of the Berry die - Love that it has the "seeds" incorporated for easy marking. These projects are both fantastic.

Lisa M. (aka. Lisa @ Farm Fresh) said...

Amazing projects...love the stitching and that patterned Eiffel Tower!

Kimberly Gajewski said...

Fantastic project Meredith! What a sweet strawberry! Love your chipboard technique too! Wonderfully done! :D

Teresa said...

Cool idea for the felt strawberry...gives it a great texture! Thanks for the idea on your faux chipboard. I will be using this for sure!

Sparkly Engineer said...

Lovin' this strawberry die and the little innocent that goes with. Thanks for sharing your tips on the chip board that's going to come in handy as is the directions for the strawberry.

Fiona said...

fabulous strawberry...and a great tip for layering...

Fi
x

Trisha said...

Totally adorable strawberry. Amazing that you hand stitched all the seeds. Great card, also.

Darlene L said...

Very detailed strawberry and thanks for the tip on the homemade chipboard too!

Anonymous said...

What a cute strawberry! It reminds me of a basket my grandma used to have in her kitchen with little fabric strawberries in it. I love your tip on making faux chipboard too, I'll have to try that one out!

Katico Crafts said...

Love the strawberry! There are so many cute things to choose from!

Anonymous said...

That strawberry is absolutely ADORABLE!!! :-)

Michele Boyer said...

Wow! What great ideas! I LOVE the stitching on the strawberries!

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