Beautiful Backgrounds

It's time for the monthly MFT Design Team Creative Challenge where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific product, theme or technique. This month we were challenged to do some background building using MFT stamps and Die-namics. Be sure to check out the MFT blog for a list of participating designers.

I created two birthday cards with stamped backgrounds for today's challenge, but the backgrounds are completely different from each other.

First up is this subtle background card using Darling Dots and Pure Innocence Being Cute is What I Do.

I started with a card base of Sweet Tooth then added a layer of Berrylicious. Next I cut a rectangle of Kraft and stamped it with the medium size dots from Darling Dots, using Memento Desert Sand ink. I love the subtle patterns. Normally I probably would have used an embossing folder for this layer, but the dots are so fun!

I stamped Pure Innocence Being Cute is What I Do with Memento Tuxedo Black onto X-Press It Blending Card and coloured her with copic markers. I paper pieced her shirt with one of the patterns from the Lost and Found 3 Oliver collection by My Mind's Eye. The Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics were perfect for cutting out the Sweet Tooth flag for the sentiment. The layout is FMS65.

On the inside I repeated the layout from the front of the card and stamped the large dots from Darling Dots along the bottom of the Kraft layer before adding two sentiments from All Occasions Sentiments.

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Next up, this background is way more colourful and fun, and just a little "in your face", but in a good way, I think.

I used two different flowers from the Pretty Pocket stamp set to create this background. I started by stamping the larger outline flower in an organized random pattern onto X-Press It Blending Card. By organized random I mean I worked in triangles. So if you look at any of the flowers you can see a triangle with two other flowers. I really like the organized random look. I coloured the flowers with copic markers, then I stamped the smaller blue flowers with Memento Summer Sky in between all the yellow flowers (which also creates a triangle pattern with the blue flowers).

I used the same patterned paper from the Oliver collection to paper piece three of the largest flowers from Pretty Pocket and I added clear rhinestones to the centers, then coloured them with B06 copic marker. The colour scheme for this card is CDT222. I used the Designer Labels 1 STAX Die-namics to cut out the light blue shape behind the flowers then just trimmed off one edge. The Fancy Flourish Die-namics was perfect for cutting out the yellow flourish.

I used the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics to cut out two Sweet Tooth flags then stamped 'happy birthday' from the Vintage Cameo Frame stamp set. I wanted a cursive font to coordinate with the sentiment I planned on putting on the inside.

Speaking of the inside, I used the Designer Labels 1 STAX Die-namics again to cut out the white layer then added the sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays.

I hope you'll play along and dig into your stamps and Die-namics to create fun backgrounds.

Here are the supplies I used on the Adore card:

InLinkz.com

Here are the supplies I used on the Happy Birthday card:

InLinkz.com

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFTeaser - Grandfathers

Welcome to day three of seven fabulous days of MFT teasers!

Today's teaser is all about sentiments and I worked with Clearly Sentimental about Grandparents, which is the Triple Scoop set for this release. In case you don't already know, you earn the Triple Scoop set FREE with a qualifying $60 order, and the set changes with each monthly release.

I have two cards to share and I went masculine for both of them. I know I've said it before, but masculine cards are becoming so much easier (and more enjoyable) to create with the wide range of MFT Die-namics. This release adds to the masculine Die-namics category with the Retro Squares Die-namics and the Lead the Way Die-namics.

I chose patterned papers from the Echo Park This & That paper pad and paired them with Hot Fudge card stock. I cut out the open Retro Squares from patterned paper then cut out the solid Retro Squares from Hot Fudge card stock and adhered them together. I heart is perfect with this sentiment so I used the heart from Homespun Birdhouse Die-namics to cut out a piece of burlap, then I added a Spearmint Button. The Lead the Way Die-namics was perfect for cutting out the arrow.

This next card also uses papers from the Echo Park This & That collection but it's much more colourful.  First I cut out the open Retro Squares from Hot Fudge card stock then I cut out the same strip again from Orange Fizz, Sour Apple, and blue patterned paper in order to get the centers of the squares. Then I simply adhered them in the middle of the Hot Fudge open square strips. I think it's a fun look!

I used the Rectangle Squares 1 STAX Die-namics to cut out the sentiment panel and added an Orange Fizz tab which I cut out with the Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics. The layout is the DS61.

Here are the details about the upcoming release:

• You can attend the New Release Party on August 7 from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can WIN PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on August 7 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is going on now!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers 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 August 7 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen

MFT Release Time - Special Person

It's finally time to head over to the MFT Boutique and fill your cart with all the fabulous new stamps and Die-namics from this release (and whatever you already have on your wish list). You'll find all the new products in the Brand Spankin' New section.

The design team has a fun recap of all the new stamp sets and Die-namics, so start at the MFT Blog so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget to leave some love as you hop around because there's blog candy hidden somewhere along the way!!

I used the new Clearly Sentimental About Anniversaries set, which is this month's Triple Scoop set. That means it's FREE with a qualifying $60 order (just be sure to add it to your cart).

I got a bit of a jump on the anniversary card I'll need in June, and made this one for hubby, so I kept it pretty frill-free. I used my favourite sentiment on the front of the card...it's perfect for the two of us! I cut out the yellow lined layer with the Circle STAX 2 Die-namics and used the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics to cut the patterned paper accent. I used Michele's layering tip to create the layered fishtail. I thought a heart was appropriate for this card so I pulled out my hearts a plenty Die-namics and cut one from denim fabric. The layout is Mojo222 and the patterned paper is from the Authentique Free Bird collection.

I personalized the inside with our anniversary number, which I cut out using the by the numbers Die-namics and I layered it onto the largest heart from the hearts a plenty Die-namics. I used the new Chevron Stripes Die-namics to create the zig zag divider between the cream and patterned papers, then stamped another sentiment from the set.

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen