MFT / Scor-Pal blog hop

The design teams from My Favorite Things and Scor-Pal have teamed to bring you a fun blog hop showcasing products from both companies. Be sure to head over to the MFT Blog for a complete list of participating designers from both companies.

If you're a regular blog reader here then you already know that I ❤ MFT, but you may not know that I also ❤ my Scor-Pal and I use it for every project I create.
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Normally I use my Scor-Pal to score the fold of my card, and I use the Scor-Mat to line up all the layers when I adhere them together, but today I took it one step further and used my Scor-Pal to essentially create my own debossed patterned paper. I basically followed this Grid Technique Tutorial on Splitcoast, but instead of using a background stamp I simply inked the paper with Antique Linen and Tea Dye distress inks. Notice how the debossed lines don't pick up the colour, therefore creating the grid look. Once my paper was just the way I wanted it I stamped the flower from Inspired by Flowers 3 with Memento Tuxedo Black.

On the kraft base layer I created a frame around the edges by scoring all four sides at 1/8" from the edge. Then I added a simple decorative strip which I cut out with the faux crochet border Die-namics and a coordinating bow.

On the inside I used the large double ended banner from the first place award ribbon die-namics for one of the sentiments from Inspired by Flowers 3, and I layered it onto two of the pieces from the sweet stack labels die-namics. For the grid paper along the bottom I did exactly the same technique as on the front of the card EXCEPT I did it on the reverse side of the card stock so the embossed lines really pick up the colour and stand out.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

You're the Best!

I came down to my stamp room today with no idea what I wanted to create...ugh. I'm never a happy camper when that happens, but I decided to go through my google reader and maybe I'd be inspired.
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When I came across Sketch 149 on the Card Patterns Sketch blog I knew it was for me. The weird thing is though, I rarely ever make shaped cards, so I have no idea why this one spoke to me, but it did, and this card is the result.

A simple card with a simple sentiment and a pretty flower embellishment. The sentiment is from More Essential Sentiments from My Favorite Things. I cut the double scallop border die-namic from pink card stock then stitched it onto the patterned paper (Echo Park Victoria Gardens) and the white base. The flower was created using the prima donna petals die-namics and I used the fancy flourish die-namic for the green accent. A little bling and this one was done!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

"Create" Framed Art

I have a fun framed art project to share with you today. This was a little gift I sent to a friend for Christmas and I had a blast creating it. My only regret is that I didn't make two of them so I'd have one to keep.  ;-)
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I started with an 8x10 black shadow box frame from the craft store and patterned papers from the My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary line (still one of my faves!).

I didn't really have a clear vision of what I wanted to create right from the start, but I definitely knew I wanted to use the sweet Pure Innocence - You Color My World set from MFT. I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured her with copics. I thought the polka dot paper was perfect for paper piecing her little apron, and I added a coat of clear glaze pen to the paint colours on her palette to make them look wet.

Once I had her cut out I started playing around with placement and that's when the scene came together and I decided she should be painting a rainbow in a field. I used the rainbow die-namics die to cut out a few different papers then I pieced them back together. I added some puff cloud white felt clouds, which I cut out with the clouds trio die-namics. For the little butterflies I cut out the base layer from strawberry ice cream felt using the butterflies die-namics and cut the top layer from patterned paper using the slightly smaller butterfly die from the notched tag die-namics.

I used two of MFT's gorgeous flower dies to create the flowers from strawberry ice cream felt: the rolled scallop flower die-namic and the loopy bloom die-namic. The sour apple felt leaves were cut out using the flower and leaf trio die-namics and I used some pink and green ribbon for the stems.

The letters were super fun to embellish. I wanted them to be nice and sturdy so I used my by the letters die-namics to first cut out the letters from thin chipboard, then I cut them out again from pink card stock and glued the two layers together. Then I did the faux epoxy technique (which I seem to be doing a lot lately!) which is a layer of crystal Stickles (let it dry completely) then a thick layer of glossy accents.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

You're 45!

I made a scrappy masculine card to share today using the awesome By the Numbers stamps and die-namics from MFT. Bet you can't guess how old this person is turning! LOL!!!
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I started with papers from the My Mind's Eye Out of the Blue 6x6 pad and added in some corrugated cardboard for plenty of texture. The layout is Jen's January Sketch For You To Try.

The circular focal point started as a circle of corrugated cardboard but I ended up covering most of it as it evolved. I'm ok with that though because I love the end result. I used the notebook edge die-namic for the orange strip and bent up the tabs a little. I tied the button on with some honeydew twine. For the blue vertical strip I used the mix & match banners die-namics and Lisa's clever trick for extending the length of them. Thanks Lisa!!!

On the inside I paired a couple of sentiments from the set and stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black  then finished it off with a strip of green which I cut out with the open zig zag border die-namic.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

Great Catch {MFTWSC55}

It's time to get sketchy with the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club and sketch 55!

This week's sketch is nice and simple and works for just about any image! So no excuses...play along!!!

I inked up the fun Fred Bear Goes Fishing image. Isn't he just so freaking adorable!!!
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He's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with copics. I gave him a base coat of E21, then I added the rest of the browns by dotting the colour on, and finally I went over it all again by dotting on more E21 to help blur the lines a little. I also added in all the grass so I could ground the tree, otherwise it just seemed to be hovering over the pond. The trunk of the sheltering tree die-namic is cut from patterned paper and the leaves are cut from sour apple felt. The patterned papers (except the tree trunk) are from the October Afternoon Campfire pad.

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 MFTWSC55. 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!

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT VIP - Pure Innocence Classic Kids collection

It's time for this month's MFT VIP collection! Be sure to hop over to Kim's blog for a complete list of links to all designers showcasing this month's collection.

This month we have two more adorable Pure Innocence images in the Pure Innocence Classic Kids VIP collection. This is your chance to purchase upcoming stamps and die-namics a full three weeks before they're released. But there's a limited quantity, so act quickly!

The Pure Innocence Classic Kids VIP collection includes:

• Pure Innocence Violin Girl stamp set
• Pure Innocence Blowing Bubbles stamp set
• Classic Kids sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again, a $9 value, FREE)
• Monarch border die-namics die

all this for just $26.50.
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I have two cards to share and I think I'll start with Pure Innocence Violin Girl.

She's stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and done up with a combination of paper piecing and copic colouring. The patterned papers are from the My Mind's Eye Vanity Fair 6x6 pad. I added a kraft card stock flower which I cut out with the upsy daisy die-namics. I cut the monarch border die-namic from striped paper and for added interest placed rhinestones in the negative area of the border. The sentiment from the set fit perfectly on the file tab die-namic.

On the inside I stamped the girl again with Memento Potter's Clay ink then I stamped one of the sentiments from Classic Kids sentiments mini, with black.

Next up is Pure Innocence Blowing Bubbles.
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I always LOVED blowing bubbles as a kid, especially out at the cottage, where they'd land on water and create pretty colours from the soap when they popped.

I couldn't resist paper piecing this little cutie either, so I chose cheery papers from the My Mind's Eye Life of the Party 6x6 pad. The rest of her is coloured with copic markers. The layout is SC367.

Here's a detail shot of the bubbles. I stamped them as a subtle background on the blue paper but I also wanted to add them to the image panel to look like they're coming right off the bubble wand. I stamped them with black, cut out three of the circles and glued them down. Then I did the faux epoxy technique...a layer of crystal Stickles which I let dry completely, then a nice thick layer of glossy accents.

On the inside I did the same layout as my first card, which adds a fun touch but still leaves space to write a message.

Here are the die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen