MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club - Week Four

I told you I'd be back shortly!  =)  Here I am playing along with this week's MFT sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch we were given to follow!

Cool, isn't it!??  So I set to work.  I don't have any of the doily dies (yet!) so I improvised and used my brand new Rainbow Die-Namics that I purchased during this last release.  It's AWESOME!!!  

I used the rainbow as my circular focal point in lieu of the doily.  As you can see I used seven different papers for my rainbow.  I wish I could do the rainbow justice but if you need help you MUST check out this amazing post by MFT Superstar Jody.  She simply rocks!!

I also flipped my card up on it's end as that's the orientation I preferred for this creation.  I then hit my new paper stash from Michael's.  I have to say that they have come a LONG way in terms of their designer papers and cardstock.  All papers you see on this card, except for the card base which is SU!, is from the Recollections line from Michael's.  I started with my background paper which as you can see is sponged around the edges in Poppy Red acrylic paint.  I was inspired by MFT's ongoing paint challenge here! 

After I had my background selected I worked on my rainbow.  See Jody's fabulous post as mentioned above on how to maneuver around with different papers in your rainbow die.  It's so awesome!!!   I added my flat bottomed clouds to the ends of my rainbow. 

I then started layering more and stitching and painting adding each piece like a puzzle.  That's what I love so much about sketches!  I used my Sweet Stack Die set to create my central focus layer using a sentiment from Well Worn Greetings.  I added my fun, felt embellishment using the rolled daisy die.  

A bit of ribbon, a bit more paint, some stitching and voila!!  =)

The interior is a bit simpler but still so fun!!!  I used my Well Worn Greetings set and more paint to create my background of my die stack. 

I used my jumbo scallop punch, a bit of SU! ribbon and a few staples to complete the masculine look.  I KNOW my hubby is going to love this card for Father's Day!!!

Here is a complete link list to all of the dies and stamps used in this project:

• flat bottomed cloud
• rolled daisy
• rainbow
• sweet stack
• well worn greetings
• notched tag die

I hope you all enjoy too!!  If you want to play along you can find the thread here on SCS!  

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

MFT- Wednesday Stamp Club - Week Three

Good Evening Everyone!!  I'm popping in tonight to catch up on a couple of MFT sketch challenges that I have yet to have time to post!!  =)  The challenge thread for this sketch can be found here on SCS. 

Here is the MFT sketch I was working with:

As you can see, I've flipped the sketch to make it work for the shape card I needed.  I've used DCWV mat stack papers.  I found the DP and the Cardstock stack at...get this MARSHALL'S of all places?!!  Who knew?  Well...I knew!!  LOL!  They *sometimes* carry a small amount of crafting supplies in the aisle with the frames, photo albums and journals.  Anyhoo...I was able to grab up both 8x8 packs for $3.99 each.  A total steal.  

I pulled out my favorites for this project and set to work recreating the sketch.  I very rarely don't do an image on the front of my cards but I'm branching out of my comfort zone and am loving trying new things.  So in lieu of an actual image I've gone with my sentiment from the MFT - Well Worn Greetings set.  This card is for my son's totally AHHHHHHHHHHMAZING preschool teacher.  

I purchased this set (it comes with amazing stamps!) last month with birthday money and let me tell you...it has been SOOOOOOOOOOOO well used!!  It's an MFT must have!!!  

After lots of layering, color and pattern mixing and stitching I stamped my sentiment using Colorbox ink.  I added some circular bling and an aged tag in the background for more visual interest. 

I'll be back in a bit with this week's MFT sketch!!!  And I double dipped as well with their new paint challenge!!

Hope you've been inspired and have enjoyed!!

Tiddly Inks Challenge #54 - Simplify

Good Morning Friends!!!  I'm totally LOVING this week's Tiddly Inks Challenge and I know you will too!!  Our challenge to you is to SIMPLIFY!  Create a one layer card - use or ribbon, twine or fibers is ok but no layering!!  GULP!!  I have to admit this was a challenge for me.  A serious challenge.  I've worked hard over the years to add interest, volume, and lots and lots of UMPH to my cards (LOL) so to bring it back to a single layer without all of the STUFF that I feel makes my creations mine was rather difficult.  

So as I usually do, I started with choosing an image.  I was drawn to Colorful World.  I'm finding that with school winding down and summer ramping up we're having an obvious shift in our schedules.  We are a family of artists.  My dining room has completely been converted into a full time art studio.  For all of us.  There's either coloring, puzzle making, play-doh, drawing, painting, collage making, you name it...at any given time of day and in many stages of completion.  So I wanted to start the summer off right with a creation that embodies all of our inner artists.  

I colored my image using my Copics.  I glittered and glazed up her jumbo paintbrush and flocked her floppy artists hat.  I set her aside overnight to dry.  I added a sparkly gem for a little bling.  I then carefully trimmed her out and set her aside. 

I cut my yellow card base out of Bazzill textured cardstock, using one of my Spellbinders Nestie Circles.  Using a fabulous "doily-esque" stamp from The Paper Source, Versamark ink, and clear embossing powder I created a beautiful background.  I then stitched the perimeter using a zig zag stitch in bright green thread to match her hat.  I stamped my "sentiment" over top of the background image in Momento Ink.  It says the following:

"Fear Less, Hope More
Eat Less, Chew More
Whine Less, Breathe More
Talk Less, Say More
Love More...
And All Good Things Will Be Yours.
-Swedish proverb"

After that was dry, I added my trimmed out image to the right hand side of the card.  She snuggled in just perfectly.

I was very happy with how pretty and full this card is considering how little is used on it!  I hope you have fun with our Simplify challenge!!  Come play with us here!!! 

Crafty Hugs!

Meredith

Vintage Bombshell Birthday

Hello Lovely Crafty Friends!!  I'm here with you today to bring you a Vintage Bombshell creation that I made as a custom order for a darling friend.  I started with Bombshell Angel.  A classic, a treasure and the most fabulous "go-to" in my Bombshell Collection.  

I started by trimming out a few different ovals using my Cricut.  I decided on the size that I needed and stamped Angel in Momento ink.  I then colored her completely using my Copics.  I decided to paper piece her bathing suit so I then stamped her onto purple embossed cardstock.  I trimmed out her suit, ran very lightly over it with a paper nail file to bring out the embossing a bit, popped it into my Xyron sticker machine to evenly apply adhesive to the back and then adhered it on.  Once I looked at it I realized that it was SCREAMING for me to glaze up the suit!  To continue on with her super glam look I took my quickie glue pen and glittered up her shoes in sparkly red SU! glitter.  I added a tiny pearl to the gorgeous purple flower in her hair and VOILA!  A gorgeous Bombshell!!!

After I assembled my background using a mixture of G45 - Fashionista paper along with some sparkly purple cardstock, lots of stitching and some super vintage embellishments I worked on my sentiments.  My Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Banner Sayings set.  I stamped it on ivory/tanish cardstock - paper that kind of looks like old pirate map paper.  I shaded and colored the corners and glazed it up.  I then trimmed the banner out and placed it just above the "bombshell" stamp so the entire sentiment says "Happy Birthday Bombshell".

I set her aside overnight for everything to dry.  I added some beautiful pearls, a vintage key and my favorite vintage white with red stitching ribbon in a big fluffy bow. 

I continued my theme for the inside  keeping it simple yet fun.  I used three different Nestie circles using matching papers from the front and dark stitching to pull in the front. 

 

 I added a stamped flower colored in the same tones to match the flower in her hair.  I added a larger pearl as an added little touch.

I hope you all enjoy my vintage creation today!!  I had so much fun especially since this was a custom order!!!  

I hope you all enjoy and have been inspired!!!  

Crafty Hugs!

Meredith

June Bombshell Sketch Challenge

Greetings!!!  It's Bombshell Sketch Time!!  And as you'll see, I had SUCH a fun time with this month's sketch.  Well, who am I kidding...I do EVERY month.  I do so love a sketch!  I find them always to be so helpful and it takes a lot of the pressure off of creating something fabulous.  It's like a great puzzle that all you have to do is put the pieces in the right place!

(click on photo for enlarged close up view)

For this month's sketch, I decided to "double dip" so to speak along with our Player's Hand - June Challenge presented by Ms. June - the fabulous Emily!  You can read all about the challenge if you click on the challenge info above.  Emily's challenge is Wild Thing.  So I combined the sketch along with this challenge and came up with my Summery Bombshell Beach Bunny!

I first started with what may very well be my favorite Bombshell set of all time - Rise and Shine.   I stamped her twice.  Once on my white cardstock and again on hot pink.  I trimmed her bathing suit out of the hot pink, ran it through my Xyron machine and set it aside.  I then colored my Bombshell with my Copics. 

I then took the backing off of her bathing suit (courtesy of the Xyron) and adhered it to my main image.  I then added individual rhinestones to her waist as a beautiful accent for her sexy one piece suit!

As you can see, I trimmed off the upper portion of the image leaving only my hottie in her hammock.

I have a digital image from TGF that has bunny ears on it.  I printed it out and trimmed off the bunny ears, colored them with my Copics and coated them with Crystal Glaze.  I set them aside for 24 hours to dry.  Once dry, I adhered them to my Bombshell's head as if she was wearing a headband.  I also trimmed out a beach ball image from my Imaginesce DP using one of my many circle punches and added it on top of her left foot as if she were casually bouncing it up and down. 

Once I had my main image set and done, I then set to work on my background.  Using LOTS of designer papers, MFT felt and flat bottomed cloud Die-namics, a large rhinestone flourish purchased from Michael's, my circle Nesties and my sewing machine I whipped up a whirly-dervish of a background IMO!  lol!  

Behind my main image, I added tiny paper bag enclosed in which is a manila tag for an extra little bit of love to the recipient.  I distressed the twine attached to it by running it through my chocolate brown ink pad a few times and smooshing it around with my fingers.

I do so hope you come and play with us and this fabulous sketch!!  Here is the link to both the forum and the Bombshell blog for all of the pertinent information!! 

I hope you all have a beautiful and crafty day!!

Tiddly Inks Challenge #53 - Going Goth

Happy Happy Tiddly Tuesday everyone!!  Welcome to another fabulous week of Tiddly Ink Challenges!  This week's theme is Going Goth!  Create a goth-esque or dark card!  In lieu of using one of Christy's many many adorable Goth Cuties or Pin-ups, I decided to go with one of my all time favorite Gothic Tiddly Inks images - I Love You Down To My Bones.    It's a fabulous set as it comes with this delicious skully cupcake and four awesome sentiments!!! 

My first instinct was to print this cutie cupcake four times.  Once on white cardstock and then again on my gold, blue and lime green.  I was feeling not only goth"ish" but also a little 1980's punk - hence the bright, florescent colors.  I paper piece the entire cupcake starting with the cupcake liner and working my way up.  I used my Quickie Glue Pen just above the cupcake liner and added Doodlebug Glitter in Chocolate for the actual cupcake part.  

After I pieced and glittered, I HEAVILY glazed up my double tier frosting.  =)  I set it aside and let it dry overnight.  

I then layered my card starting with one of my favorite and basic Christy images - spiderweb!  Available as a freebie below!!!  (just click on it and save it to your computer! =)

I printed it out on light blue paper and used it as my main background.  I then used Hambly and G45 papers to layer and scallop the background of the card.  On the left hand side I have a panel that has a scallop, stitching, bling and my favorite skully patterned ribbon (from Michael's).  I have a panel on the right (B&W stripes) that holds my YUM banner.  The letters are sparkly stickers and the banner is die cut (MFT).  This entire panel is popped up using foam adhesive as is my TI cupcake!!

I do hope you've enjoyed my punk goth creation today!!  Please come and play along with us this week!  It's always oh so fun to have a chance to win!!! 

MFT - Guest Designer Challenge - Personalize It!

Yep!!  It's time!! Time for what you ask?  Well...time for the MFT Monthly Guest Designer Challenge!  You can check out the thread to learn all about it here!  This month's theme is Personalize It.  So fun!!

My DD had a luscious spa birthday party to attend this weekend at a local Apothecary.  The girls made scented lotion, soap and perfume.  Adorable.  So I thought it only fitting to use MFT's - PI - Lather. Rinse. Repeat. set.  

There are a lot of photos so grab a cuppa somethin' and settle in to enjoy!  ;)  I started by stamping my main bubbly image onto white cardstock.  I then stamped it again onto pink Bazzill stock and then again onto the blue and white DP (not sure which brand it is).  I paper pieced out her shower cap and the tub basin, ran those pieces through my handy Xyron and set them aside.  I stamped my sentiment first, that way if I messed up in anyway, all of my work isn't wasted.  I then colored my entire image using my Copics.

After I colored, I added my paper pieces as well as my Crystal Glaze for the bubbles.  I then set the entire panel (which I had cut out with my circle nesties) aside to dry for an entire 24 hours. 

Using my MFT Banner Day Die-Namics, I created a tri-color banner for the birthday girl's name.  I used a basic alphabet set that I've had in my collection for years.  The beauty of this banner die is that you get all pieces cut fast and easy out of one run through your die cutting machine!  So when I used three different colors of cardstock I had so many different options for the backing, front layer and scalloped ribbon accent on the top of the banner.  And I had lots left over for another project!!  I used individual rhinestones to add some zip in between each flag of my banner. 

After finishing off the banner, I added double Nestie circles behind my main panel.  I have both the smaller set of Spellbinders circles as well as the extra large circle set that goes with my Grand Calibur.  Seriously...such a fabulous investment! I added two rows of scalloping tied with a super satiny turquoise bow.  I've also tucked in some light blue flat bottomed clouds (I also ran them through my die cut machine using my Swiss dot embossing folder) that I've cut using my Flat Bottomed Cloud Die-Namics.  I think they look JUST like bubbles!!

Behind all of that is a small paper bag that I've distressed with PTI Berry Sorbet ink.  I then grabbed an office tag that I bought in a huge pack at Staples.  I distressed it as well as the twine that is attached to it with the same PTI Hybrid ink.  On one side I've used the same papers and the cute rubber duckie that comes with the PI set to embellish and add another MFT sentiment using the Who's That Birthday Girl set. 

On the reverse side, I've used my delicious Basic Grey paper along with the PI bubbly girl inked up with my Momento Ink on SU! Shimmery White cardstock.  I've intentionally left the image blank so my DD's friend, the birthday girl, can color her in. 

I, of course, had to complete my creation by finishing off the interior.  I've used all of the same papers to keep everything harmonious =)  I've used my apron and large scallop punches as well as my Swiss dot embossing folder.  The sentiment is from MFT's Simply Said (I think, retired?) sentiment set.  (I've had it for literally YEARS!).  The number 6 is from the Who's That Birthday Girl set as mentioned above.  And my sentiment stacked die cuts are all from the new MFT - Well Worn Greetings set. I had an absolute blast creating for my Daughter's little friend!  I hope you all enjoy and come over to the SCS thread to see the absolute gorgeous personalized creations!!

Just as an aside...my children LOVE creating with me.  And I love it as well!!  My daughter wanted to create a card just like Mummy for her friend.  I am bursting with pride to show you my sweet girl's creation!!  

 

She did this all by herself!!  Well, I did the paper trimming for the card base and layers, glaze and the machine stitching but other than that it's all her own work!  Stamped, cut, Xyroned (yes...she has her own! lol!) and paper pieced.  She even chose her own papers, colors, stickers etc.  She truly amazes me.  

I hope that everyone has a beautiful and inspiring week!!!

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club - June Week One and Two

Evening Everyone!!  I'm back on track and SEEM to have my schedule back in order.  We were caring for two orphaned Robins that were found in the yard last Thursday.  Sadly, after four days of care, they both passed.  They were SO tiny and struggled so much.  We tried our best but Mother Nature had other plans for them.  So I've *kind* of been off of my crafty groove for a spell here.  But I feel back in the swing!

I have two cards to show you today.  Both are for MFT challenges.  The first is LAST week's sketch challenge.  Above is the sketch.  Here is my interpretation:

I've used a Flapper Doodles set - I Love Us.  Isn't it just the SWEETEST???  I first cut my circles using my Nesties.  I then paper pieced and colored my handsome couple.  I gave her pink hair just because!!  She is paper pieced with Paper Source DP and he is paper pieced with Basic Grey - suit and hat.

I then did a lot of layering and stitching with PTI cardstock, Paper Source DP, Basic Grey DP and Bazzill Cardstock.  I added a bit of bling and some sweet and quiet vellum to my background circles.

I slipped this into my hubby's lunch yesterday and he has it now sitting proudly on his desk at work.  He he!!

My next creation is inspired by this week's sketch.  You can find the current thread on SCS here if you'd like to join!!

I reached for my brandie new Fred Bear Plays Indian set.  I just scooped him up with a truck ton of other AHHHHHHHMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGG goodies for my birthday!! 

I needed a card for a birthday party for my son's friend this weekend.  So I figured, I may as well put my talent to good use and play along AND have a fun card to give to his friend!  So I started with basic boy colors - green, royal blue, orange, yellow.

I used a 5.5 x 5.5" cardbase in super bright orange.  Followed by a light green gingham check paper.  I still need another layer IMO so I took my PTI Lemon Tart cardstock and inked up the Tepee that comes with the Fred Bear set and inked it up an stamped it over and over.  I then colored them all in with my Copics essentially creating my own DP!  I love how subtle it is as it just hangs out creating a cool border in between the green gingham and chocolate brown that my individual squares are mounted in.

I used Kelly Green polkadotted and Royal Blue Gingham for my squares.  Mounted first onto white mattes then onto Chocolate Brown mattes.  All layers are stitched by machine.  I used the sentiment "How..." inked in Harbor Blue Colorbox ink and then coated in clear embossing powder and heat set.  I did the same for the interior sentiment.

My scallop row is bright orange shimmer paper tied with orange seam binding.  It is then knotted with natural linen twine and embellished with a navy blue Notched Die-Namics tag.

Here is the interior I've created to gently mimic the front - not adding as much detail but keeping it consistent.  I used the same papers as on the front - making my squares larger and fusing them into one sheet.  They are backed with MS shimmery chocolate colored cardstock.

Fred Bear is inked and left blank so as to not detract from the sentiment of "old are you?" - also heat embossed as mentioned above.

I am so glad I got to play along this week and I hope you do as well!!