My Favorite Things–July Hits & Highlights: Sun, Sand & Water!

Hola my friends!!

I’m playing along with this month’s Hits & Highlights Challenge over at the MFT Design Blog!!  This month’s challenge is Sun, Sand & Water!  I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to try something that I’d been thinking about with the Aquarium Die-Namics.  We have a new Dollar Store in town, and I just happened to drop by during the grand opening.  While I was wandering the aisles, I found some aqua colored hair gel – and a light bulb went off.  First of all, it’s a dollar!!  Hello!!  And it’s the perfect color for the water in an aquarium, and the bubbles are so real life!!  Check it out!

I mean, come on!!  Could that hair gel be more perfect for the bubbly liquid in an aquarium?!!  I placed a very small amount into a 3.5” x 3.5” ziplock baggie that I just happened to have in my stash (what can I say – I’m a sucker for baggies! LOL).  When I say a small amount, I mean just enough for a very thin layer of gel so that when the bag is zipped shut, the baggie lays flat.  I placed a panel of acetate behind the aperture of the aquarium.  And then I adhered two layers of foam tape on the back of the panel, around the left, right, and bottom outside edges of the aquarium aperture.  And then, once I finished embellishing the “aquarium” (rock bottom created by the Stitched Snow Drifts Die-Namics, Kraft card stock, and my Copic Markers; seaweed made using the Grassy Edges Die-namics and some green vellum that I had in my stash; and the fish are from the Gill Friends Stamp Set and coordinating dies), I adhered the front panel to the card base, and dropped the baggie of hair gel into the “pocket” (the space between the front image panel and the card base).  The two panels hold the gel in place and protect it from leaking or exploding.  Brilliant, right?!!  Here’s a closeup of the gel and the life-like bubbles:

I’ve listed and linked the products that I used below – and who doesn’t need to make a stop at the Dollar Store for some hair gel?!!  It’s a dollar, people!!  LOL

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other awesome Sun, Sand & Water themed projects that my teammates have created for you!  No doubt you’ll be amazed by what you see!

That’s it for me today, friends!!  I’ll be spending the day in my craft room filming a couple of upcoming videos for you!  But I’ll be back very soon with more crafty goodness to share with you!  Until then, thanks so much for stopping by and have an awesome day!

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My Favorite Things–Confetti Flinger Video!

Hello friends!

Just wanted to pop in quickly to let you know that the video I made showing how to assemble a Confetti Flinger mechanism is now live and can be viewed over at the MFT YouTube Channel!  I also made up a PDF with the measurements, scoring, cutting and punching for the mechanism for easy reference, and have included it below.

Lastly, I’ve listed and linked the products that I used for my video below.  If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to leave me a message below!

Have a great Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!  I’ll be back soon with more crafty goodness!  Toodles!

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My Favorite Things–Birthday Project: Confetti!

Hello again!

The theme for this month’s Birthday Project Challenge is Confetti!!  Well, I saw this as my perfect opportunity to create another Confetti Flinger card!!  I also made a video showing my process, but I won’t be sharing that with you until next Wednesday (July 25th)!!

This is what the front looks like, and on the inside, there’s a Confetti Flinger mechanism that shoots confetti when you open the card.  I made a little short clip of the confetti explosion for you – as a sneak peek of what’s to come next Wednesday!  Stay tuned!

My project features many of the components from the Blueprints 26 Die-Namics.  The confetti was created using the Balloon Shaker Window & Frame Die-Namics.  And the sentiment is the Handwritten Happiness Stamp Set – one of my all time faves! I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Challenge Blog to be linked to the other Birthday Project designs that my teammates have created!  While you’re there, why not link up your own birthday project design featuring confetti?!!  You’d be eligible to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique if you do, and it’s a random draw, so you’ve really got nothing to lose!  Right?!

That’s it for me today, kids!!  I know that your time is precious, so I’m ever so grateful that you spend part of your day here with me!  Thank you so much for that!  I’ll be back soon with more crafty goodness!!

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My Favorite Things–WSC394!!

Hello again!

I’m popping in again today to share a project that was inspired by this week’s Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at the MFT Challenge Blog!  I love this week’s sketch and had a couple of ideas as to how to execute it!  But I finally decided on a literal interpretation of the sketch.  Here’s the sketch:

And this is my interpretation of the sketch:

I just love that funny little cow from the Party Animals Stamp Set.  He was the perfect fit for the Stitched Mini Scallop Square Die-Namics that I used for the grid element of the sketch.  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Challenge Blog to be linked to the other fantastic projects that my teammates have created using this week’s sketch as their inspiration!  While you’re there, we’d love for you to link up your own take on this week’s sketch challenge for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique!  It’s a random draw, so what do you have to lose, right?!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’m back in my craft room for a bit today, and then headed to visit with some friends that we haven’t seen in ages!  Should be a fun afternoon!  Hope you have some great plans for your Wednesday!  Thanks for spending part of it here with me!

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My Favorite Things–MFT & Friends!

Well hello!!

Have you missed me?!!  I’ve been extraordinarily busy being super Gramma!!  We had youngest granddaughter until last Tuesday, then oldest granddaughter from Friday to Monday! All of my Gramma tricks are long used up, and Gramma needs a few days to refresh!  LOL  But I did have time to create while the littles were sleeping!

I’m sharing a project that features the new Playful Peacock Stamp Set and coordinating dies.  I stamped the Magical Mandala Background Stamp onto a Smooth White Panel using Grout Gray Dye Ink.  Then I stamped the peacock from the Playful Peacock Stamp Set onto some Smooth White card stock, and then again onto some masking paper.  I trimmed out a mask negative and used some distress inks and finger daubers to blend some blues, greens and purples on the peacock image.  I die cut it using the coordinating Playful Peacock Die-Namics.  I blended the same inks onto a scrap of Smooth White card stock and stamped the sentiment from the Playful Peacock Stamp Set using Black Licorice Hybrid Ink.  I die cut it using the Slanted Sentiment Strips Die-Namics.  I added a stitched border around the image panel using the A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX Set 1 Die-Namics, and mounted the peacock and the sentiment strip onto the panel using foam squares.  The assembled image panel was mounted with more foam squares onto a Limelight card base.  I added some blue, purple and lime green jewels for embellishment.  I’ve linked and listed all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other fantastic projects that my teammates have created, along with some of MFT’s most talented friends, using more of this month’s new release!  There’ some good stuff in store for you, I promise!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’ll be back soon with a project for this week’s sketch challenge!  Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day here with me!  I hope you’ll come back again real soon!

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My Favorite Things–Wednesday Sketch Challenge #393!

Hello my loves!

I’m back again today to share another project that was inspired by this week’s sketch challenge over at the MFT Challenge Blog!  It’s a good one, friends, so I hope you’ll play along!  Here’s the sketch:

And here’s my take on the sketch:

I stamped up a few of the beautiful images from the new Painted Prints Stamp Set and clustered them together for my focal image.  The sentiment is from the new Playful Peacock Stamp Set.  The rest of the design is true to the sketch – clearly, I took a bit of creative license with this one.  But that’s the point of these sketches – to give you a jumping off point to spark your creativity!  The rest is up to you!  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Challenge Blog to be linked to the other fabulous designs that my teammates have created for you!  And while you’re there, we’d love it if you’d link up your own design inspired by this week’s sketch challenge!  If you do, you’ll be eligible to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique!  And since it’s a random draw, what do you have to lose?!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’m working away in my craft room today – lots of upcoming crafty stuff to share with you very soon!  So I hope you’ll come back to check them out!  Have a great day!

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My Favorite Things–July New Product Launch!

Yahoo!!

The time has finally come for the July Release products to make their way to your shopping cart!  I’ve had so much fun designing with this month’s release products, but there’s one set that really spoke to me. One of my favorite movies of 2018 has been the “Greatest Showman”, so the new Greatest Show Stamp Set and coordinating dies is the perfect set for creating those circus themed occasions!!  I loved the movie, and immediately downloaded the soundtrack to listen to whenever I needed a happy pick-me-up!  If you haven’t seen it yet, then figure out a way to add it to your movie list – it’s so good!

I think this would make a super fun kids’ birthday card.  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other New Product Launch projects from my teammates!!  While you’re there, be sure and leave some love along the way for your chance to win one of TWO $100 Gift Vouchers to the MFT Online Boutique!!  You can find all of the new July Release products by clicking on the widget below NOW!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’ll be hanging out in my craft room today to catch up on some deadlines before my next granddaughter arrives for a long weekend!  I’ll be back again tomorrow with more crafty goodness, so I hope you’ll come back again soon!

 

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My Favorite Things–July Release Countdown Day 1!

Oh my goodness!!

We’re almost ready for the July Release!!  Are you as excited as I am?!!  I’m here today to share one last project, this one featuring the new Painted Prints Stamp Set and coordinating dies.  This is a beautiful set of two and three step flowers and leaves that make up some of the most gorgeous images! I’m madly in love with this set! My project also features the new Brushstroke Expressions Stamp Set – another lovely stamp set full of gorgeously scripted sentiments. Both sets pair beautifully together!

I stamped up a bunch of the flowers and leaves and clustered them together around a partial stitched circle to create the focal area.  I stamped the sentiment inside the circle.  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other spectacular July Release Countdown projects from my sweet teammates!  While you’re there, please be sure and leave some love along the way for your chance to win a $75 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique. All of the new July Release products will be available on July 10, 2018 at 9:00 PM EDT!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’ll be on the road today to return my granddaughter to her parents.  We had a super fun weekend together, and I’ll miss her desperately.  But luckily they’ll all be back in a couple of weeks, so I’ll get more Lucy snuggles then!  Thanks so much for stopping by today – I sure do appreciate it! Come back again tomorrow for the July New Product Launch!

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My Favorite Things–July Release Countdown Day 2!!

Well, hello again!!

We are sooooo close to the July Release that we can almost taste it!!  Today’s project features the new Cross-Stitch Bookmark Die-Namics!!  Aaacckkkk!!  Be still my heart!!  You all know how much I love stitching on my projects, so to say that I’m thrilled to little bits that we now have a bookmark in the Die-Namics collection makes my heart skip a beat or two!!

Bookmarks are so easy to make, and the themes really are endless!  My grandson is reading this summer to earn a trip to the water slide park.  So I thought it would be fun to create some bookmarks to help him keep his place in the many books that he’s reading!  The PacMan characters were super easy to chart out and stitch.  Here’s what it looks like in one of the books that he’s reading.

I think that any incentive to get kids reading these days is a worthwhile effort, don’t you?!!  I’ve listed and linked and linked the products that I used below.  And I believe that you can find this pattern, as well as other fun patterns for the new Cross-Stitch Bookmark in the Printable Resources section of the MFT Design Blog HERE.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other July Release Countdown projects by my teammates.  While you’re there, be sure and leave some love along the way for your chance to win a $75 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique!  All of the July Release products will be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 9:00 PM EDT!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’ve got my youngest granddaughter here for a couple of days, so we’ll be down at the lake feeding the ducks and playing at the park.  Thanks so much for dropping by today!  I’ll be back again tomorrow with another July Release Countdown project for you!  So I hope you’ll come by again real soon!

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My Favorite Things–July Release Countdown Day 3!

Well hello again!

I’m popping in again today to share another project using a super fun new shaker die and pouches for Day 3 of the July Release Countdown!!  I think you all are going to love it as much as I do!!

The new Gift Shaker Window & Frame Die-Namics and the new Gift Shaker Pouches are just what the doctor ordered for more fun and innovative shaker cards!!  I also added a bow from the new Stitched Beautiful Bows Die –Namics.  The sentiment is from the new Brushstroke Expressions Stamp Set.  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other July Release Countdown projects that my teammates have created for your inspiration!  While you’re there, please be sure to leave some love along the way for your chance to win a $75 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique.  The new July Release products will be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 9:00 PM EDT.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’ll be hanging with my grandkids this weekend, but I’ll be back tomorrow with another July Release countdown project!  Have a great day!

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My Favorite Things–July Release Countdown Day 4!

Hello again!

I’m back again with another July Release Countdown project!!  Today’s project features the new Happy Birthday Candles Stamp Set and Happy Birthday Candles Die-Namics.  Both of these products appeal to my graphic loving soul, and I had a blast playing with them!

Both of these new products are amazingly versatile for any birthday occasion, both feminine and masculine alike!  Which is a big fat bonus in my book!!  I’ve listed and linked the MFT products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other fabulous projects that my teammates have created for your inspiration using the new July Release products!  While you’re there, be sure and leave some love along the way for your chance to win a $75 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique.  All of the new products will be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 6:00 PM EDT!

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’ll be back again tomorrow with another July Release project, so I hope you’ll come back again soon!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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My Favorite Things–July Release Countdown Day 5!

Hello my loves!

Can you believe it’s already time for the July Release Countdown to begin?!!  Where did the month of June go?!  Sheesh – time really flies when you’re having fun!  LOL  So, I’m so excited to be here to share a project for Countdown Day 5, featuring the new Queen for the Day Stamp Set and the Crown Die-Namics.

This new stamp and die combo are perfect to shower your favorite queen with the love and adoration that she deserves.  I’ll be using it often – you can count on that!  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other fabulous projects that my teammates have created for your inspiration using this month’s new release products.  And while you’re there, be sure and leave some love along the way for your chance to be eligible for a $75 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique.  No doubt you’ll be itching to get your fingers on these new products.  They’ll all be available for purchase on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 6:00 PM. EDT.

That’s it for me today, friends!  I’ll be back again tomorrow for more July Release Countdown goodness!  I sure hope you’ll come back again soon!

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Happy 50th Birthday, Kim!!

Hello, friends!!

I’m popping in today to share a project that I created to celebrate MFT’s fearless leader and beloved friend, Kim van der Sanden’s 50th Birthday!! Kim is one of the kindest, most generous, most caring, and most thoughtful people I have the great honor of calling my friend.  She’s always thinking of others, giving back, not only to her employees but to her community.  She loves passionately, gives enormously, and cares beyond measure.  She’s one of a kind, and I feel blessed to have this woman in my life.  Wishing you the most amazing 50th trip around the sun, sweet lady!  I have a feeling you’re going to make turning 50 look like a cake walk, and will show us all how to do it in style!  I love you, girlie, and wish you all the blessings that the universe has to offer!!

Please click on through to the MFT Design Blog to be linked to the other fabulous birthday cards that my other teammates have created to celebrate Kim!  And while you’re there, be sure and leave your own wishes for her birthday celebration as I know she’ll love every single message!  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Thanks for dropping by today!  I’ll be back tomorrow with the first countdown day for the July Release!  There’s some good stuff coming your way, so I hope you’ll drop by again real soon!

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My Favorite Things–Wednesday Sketch #392!

Hello friends!

Happy 4th of July to my visitors from the U.S.!  In honor of this very patriotic day, I’ve created a project that is celebratory and very 4th of July-ish in answer to this week’s sketch challenge!

Truth be told, this card is also for my daughter, who turns 30 on July 5th.  I was having excruciating labor pains as hubby drove me to the hospital to deliver her, while fireworks were going off in the distance! It was a crazy sight, but one I will never forget.  I can’t believe my baby is turning 30!  Anywho, hopefully she’ll feel properly celebrated with this card!!  I’ve listed and linked all of the products that I used below.

Please click on through to the MFT Challenge Blog to be linked to the other spectacular creations that my brilliant teammates have created in response to this week’s sketch challenge!  And while you’re there, be sure and link up your own answer to the sketch for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the MFT Online Boutique!  It’s a random draw, so what do you have to lose, and we’d really love to see how this sketch inspires you!

That’s it for me, friends!  I’ll be back very soon with more crafty goodness.  Until then, know that the time you spend here at my blog makes me the happiest girl on the earth!  Have a great day!

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My Favorite Things–Summer School 2018: Repetition!

Hello friends!!

I’m so excited to be participating in this year’s Summer School Session!  Today is Day 3 of the five-day session of Summer School!  I absolutely love these opportunities for learning more about card design and the principles behind making cohesive projects!  My subject was Repetition, and I made two cards to demonstrate this principle.  The first one features repetitive stamping of a sentiment to create a rhythm but to also formulate the foundation for the focal image.

My second project demonstrates repetition using die cuts.  In this one, the die cut is the same, but the colors are situated in rainbow order.

For more information and all of the details of Summer School 2018, please click on through to the MFT Design Blog! You’ll find a link to the video that I created, the other Summer School lessons for this session, as well as information about how you can play along for your chance to win lots of great prizes!  I’ve listed and linked the products that I used below.

That’s it for me today, friends.  I hope you’ll drop by again soon as I have lots of crafty stuff coming up!  Have a great day!

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Thanks A Latte:

I’m So Sorry: