MFT Creative Challenge-On a Roll, and a tutorial

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!

I decided to use rolled flowers to create custom push-pins for a message board. I have a complete photo tutorial in this post so you can whip up some floral push-pins too...they're super easy!!!

I started with a blank cork board from the dollar store, decorated it with patterned papers, and I stamped the Pure Innocence-Making a List girl in one corner with Stazon ink. 

Then the fun began creating the push-pins. I used the Rolled Daisy and Rolled Rose die-namices along with three colours of felt. If you've ever created a rolled flower then you know they have plenty of dimension, so they worked perfectly to wrap around clear push-pins. 

Tutorial

Supplies: rolled flower die-namics (I'm using the rolled daisy for this tutorial), felt, clear push-pins, strong glue.

Cut the die-namic shape from the felt then apply glue to the center part of the push-pin.

Begin wrapping the end of the rolled flower around the push-pin, taking care to make sure it adheres to the glue.

Continue wrapping the entire flower. Once you get to the end, push the felt circle end onto the pin of the push-pin.

Apply glue to the base of the push-pin and press the felt circle down onto the glue. You can twist the felt circle at this point to "tighten" your flower. Set it aside to dry.

Finish the center of your flower. I used a 1/4" circle of brown cardstock and a rhinestone. 

Here are the die-namics I used today:

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

Sweet Sunday Love Life

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC125.

I decided to flip the sketch so I could use one of the new Pure Innocence sets - Water Lily -  from this month's MFT release.

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo black and done up with a combination of copic markers and paper piecing. I tell you, these little sweeties are the most fun to dress with patterned papers!!!

I used the dizzy doily die-namic for the circle element and cut it from Hot Fudge cardstock. Then for the bottom detail I used the scallop ribbon die-namic cut from Bubblegum cardstock and added a little green ric rac from my stash. I used the Notched Tag stamp set and die-namics for the sentiment element and topped it with a button and some Honeydew twine.

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Now it's time to hop around and see what the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kalé
Vicki Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Memory Becomes a Treasure {MFTWSC27}

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch #27.

This sketch is so versatile...definitely another go to one for me. I thought about flipping it and using one of the new PI images, but I decided to stick with it just the way it is and follow it exactly.

I used the new Clearly Sentimental About Sympathy set, which is this month's Triple Scoop, and used my well worn greetings die-namics as the backdrop. The open bracket border die-namic added just the right touch for the center strip and the butterflies die-namics cut from cork is a quiet touch to go along with the sentiment. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Stella Rose Hattie collection.

Here are all the sketchy details:

There's a prize each week for one participant, chosen at random. You may use any stamps and supplies that you wish. Each week a keyword is assigned to the sketch, and this week's keyword is MFTWSC27. All you need to do to enter is upload your card to the gallery at Splitcoast and enter the given keyword in the keyword box during the upload process. After the deadline (noon Eastern on Tuesday) we randomly choose a winner from that week's entries and the winner will receive a $15 gift voucher. If the winning card uses MFT stamps, the participant will earn a $5 bonus, for a total of a $20 gift voucher!

Be sure to head over to Kim's Blog to view the entire list of design team participants...there's plenty of inspiration for you with today’s sketch!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Hop and Shop!

It's finally time to go shopping, but first the MFT gals have just a little more inspiration to share using the newest stamps and dies. Click on the Brand Spankin' New section to see all the new products in one place!

Be sure to start the hop at Kim's blog so you don't miss a thing!

I used You Move Me stamp set and die-namics for my project today and I actually created a set of four cards. I used the same sentiment for each card but switched up the colours and images. I have a feeling I'm going to need more than just four cards like these once we move from Massachusetts to Ohio next month.

The patterned papers are all from the Echo Park Little Boy collection and I paired them with solid cardstock in Lemon Drop, Orange Fizz, pacific point, kiwi and teal. I used the mini ticket strip die-namic as an accent...my thinking was that I'll need a ticket to head back and see my friends (or for them to come to me!).

There's blog candy hidden somewhere along the hop so be sure to leave some love as you hop around! Now you're off to see what wonderful creation Melody has to share! Happy hopping and shopping!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeasers-Day Four!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Today is a wonderful day to celebrate with family and friends and maybe have  a little picnic in the park, so I decided to showcase the picnic basket image from the new Inspired By Summer set from MFT.

I kept the layout on this card super simple, frankly, because every embellishment I tried to add really just detracted from the cute little scene. Sometimes less really is more! LOL!! The plaid paper is from the Doodlebug Nifty Notions collection. I used my sunshine die-namic to cut out the sun from Lemon Drop cardstock and added some tiny white clouds using the new You Move Me die-namics.

On the inside I stamped the tree image from Inspired by Summer and added the sentiment in black ink.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on July 5 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on July 5 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available July 5 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Sweet Sunday Greetings

It's time for this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, SSSC124.

I did a little teaser today and my Sweet Sunday Sketch card is actually in my previous post, so scroll down just a smidge to see it.  :-)

I hope you'll play along with this week's sketch and link your creation on Karen's blog. Be sure to hop over to the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers to see what they created.
Dana White
Jen Tapler
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale
Vicky Burdick
and Karen Giron

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeasers-Day Three!

It's Pure Innocence Teaser Day at My Favorite Things!!! There's no better reason to look forward to the first Sunday of the monty, IMHO.  :-)

I used Pure Innocence - Sweet Greetings for my card today, and can I just say, she IS sweet!!!!

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I paper pieced her shirt with one of the papers from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party. I added some pink flower soft to add texture on the candy floss.

So you see the new solid bracket border die-namic I cut from Berrylicious cardstock? Isn't it fabulous?!? I also used the new  file tab die-namic for the sentiment panel, and the Upsy Daisy die-namic created the perfect floral focal point.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on July 5 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on July 5 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available July 5 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Taylored Expressions Release Day!

Release Day!

• All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven category and Taylor's Blog for all the deets!
• More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you.  Just follow the link list below.
• Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog
• Another chance to win... head on over to our forum and tell us your favorite stamp set from this release. We'll be choosing one person to win their favorite set FREE!  You have until Saturday July 2nd at 6 pm PST to enter to win.

First let me wish all my Canadian friends a Happy Canada Day!!! Since I'm a Canadian living in the US, does that mean I get a super long weekend with July 4th on Monday? ;-)

Ok, enough about the holiday weekend...you're here to see a card, and I can't wait to show you my "Blimpy" Flower card!

My friend Leslie is here visiting this weekend to help me with our big garage sale tomorrow, and she had the brilliant idea to use one of the blimps from In the Clouds as the petals of a flower. Then the set was sitting upside down on my table and I looked at the image that's supposed to be the bottom of the blimp, and it totally looked like a cute little bug so I ran with the entire idea and this is the result!

I used patterned papers from the Lily Bee Designs Picket Fence collection, stamped the sentiment on a strip of intense kiwi to form the stem, then added some black rhinestones to the flower center and the bug. I can't stop smiling when I look at this card...it's so far out of the box and the little bug is just darling!!

Check out even more inspiration from the rest of the Baker's Dozen then have fun shopping and enjoy the long weekend!!

• Charmaine Ikach
• Danielle Lounds
• Jami Sibley
• Jodi Collins
• Karen Giron
• Melissa Sauls
• Melody Rupple
• Nancy McKinney
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Tori Wild
• Wanda Guess

Thanks for stopping by!

Karen

MFTeasers-Day One!

Are you all set for five fabulous days of sneak peeks with MFT?

For my card today I used Clearly Sentimental - About the Journey. The sayings and quotes are so wonderful, and this particular one is one of my faves.

I used the largest die from You Move Me die-namics to cut out the cream piece and layered it onto the larger of the Dizzy Doily Duo die-namics. The patterned papers are all from Echo Park's For the Record collection. I used the Large Rolled Rose die-namic to create the flower, which adds plenty of texture and dimension, so this is doubling as my sample for the guest designer contest too. I layered it onto a green patterned piece I cut with the leafy flourish die-namic. I also tucked the solid bracket border die-namic in there by cutting out a strip of Berrylicious cardstock.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on July 5 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on July 5 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available July 5 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen