Indulge Yourself

Hello!  It's Friday!  I've enjoyed my first week of school.  Not my schooling, but my kids are in school and I've been doing the happy dance every morning at 8:30.  Haha!   I had some stamping time today and made a quick card using the August Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions. I used Moka Jenn and I think she's just the cutest with her little baby bump. The layout is MOJO256, which I loved with all the little fishtail banners.  I stamped Jenn in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then colored her with Copic Markers.   I popped her up with some Foam Tape and then added one of the Prima flowers from the kit for a fun little accent.

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

You can find these items in the TE Store:








recipe - 
stamps: moka jenn (te)
paper: doodle deux (prima), bazzill from August KI Kit
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: copic markers, prima flower from August KI Kit, oval/scallop spellbinders dies, fishtail flags stax die-namics (mft), sewing machine, thread, foam tape 

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club

Hello!  It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another fun sketch challenge from MFT!  Here's a look at the sketch:

I made a card using Pure Innocence Violin Girl.

I stamped her in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic markers.  I used Kraft Cardstock for the base of my card and then layered some paper from The Sweetest Thing Bluebell 6x6 by My Mind's Eye.  The flower is the Pretty Posies Die-namics with a Sno Cone Button and thread - love that die! 

The inside is stamped again in Memento Desert Sand and then I stamped the sentiment over the top of the image in Tuxedo Black.

Don't forget to hop on over to the MFT Blog for a complete list of designers playing along in this week's Stamp Club!

You can find these fun items in the MFT Boutique:








recipe - 
stamps: pi violin girl (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), sno cone (mft), choice snow white  (te), the sweetest thing bluebell (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand
accessories: copic markers, sno cone buttons (mft), ecru perle thread, sewing machine, thread
die-namics: pretty posies (mft), little open scallop strip (mft), mini tabs foursome (mft), rectangle stax 1 & 2 (mft)

Taylored Expressions Studio Challenge

It's time for the Baker's Dozen Studio Challenge. This is a monthly opportunity for us to share what makes our stamping studios hum.  Each month we will have a fun, crafty question so we can share our favorites, some tips and tricks, stamping advice and more.

The theme for August is:

PROJECT RUNWAY!  Do you watch this show?  It's perfect for creative types like us!  On PR, the designers are given crazy challenges each week and asked to maintain their own personal style or point of view in their creation.

So, what's your stamping style or point of view?  Would you consider your style to be CAS (Clean and Simple), Cutesy, Graphic, Vintage, Elegant, Layers & More Layers, or what?  Describe it any way you like, it's your style after all!  Today's challenge is to show us a couple of different projects using the same supplies.  Show us one CAS card and one Fancy Fold card while still retaining your own personal style as much as possible.

I would describe my style as very clean and somewhere between CAS and Layers & More Layers.  I love layering patterned papers with cardstock and die cuts, but I think I keep my cards on the simple side.  I always admire the cards out there with lots and lots of embellishments and details, but when I try to copy the look, I definitely over-do it.  So my theory is keep it simple and move on.

My first card for today's challenge uses Life is a Circus and it is definitely CAS.

I do struggle with CAS cards.  I always want to add another layer of patterned paper, but since we were challenged to make a CAS card, I jumped in with both feet.  The card base is Kraft Cardstock and then I popped up a layer of Choice Snow White Cardstock with Foam Tape.  I stamped the sentiment and tickets in Memento Lady Bug and then cut out the sentiment with a circle Spellbinders die and fussy cut the tickets.   I added the Star Border Die underneath and then called it good!

My next card uses the same cardstock and stamp set and I made a Side Step Card.  I've never made one of these before and I was surprised how easy it was!

I stamped the elephant and lion in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then fussy cut them out after coloring them with Copic Markers.  I stamped out the tickets and little pedestals for the elephant and lion, then cut them out as well.  Then I simply glued them to the little layers of the steps.  So fun!

You can see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen have been up to and see if you can guess their style:

• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Jodi Collins
• Melody Rupple
• Regina Mangum
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess

You can find these fabulous items in the TE Store:










recipe -
stamps: life is a circus (te)
paper: kraft (te), choice snow white (te), life of the party 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento tangelo, memento lady bug
accessories: copic markers, circle/scallop spellbinders dies, star border die (te), seeing stars dies (te), sewing machine, thread, foam tape 

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 166

It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use the InLinkz button down at the very end of this post to enter your card. The links will close in two weeks, next Friday at 10 PM (Mountain Time). Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC166 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

WANT TO BE A GUEST Sweet Sunday Stamper?  I'll be picking my favorite card or project after each challenge and that winner will have a special guest spot as a designer on a future Sweet Sunday Challenge.  I'm SO excited about this!  You can enter as many different cards as you'd like before the following Friday deadline, so get stampy!

I will be announcing the next Guest Sweet Sunday Stamper later this week, so be sure to check back to see if you will be joining the design team for SSSC167!

I made a card using all sorts of Die-namics with a sentiment from Let's Toast.

I started by cutting out all the die elements - the triangle banner was created with the Banner Day Die-namics and Wild Cherry, Berrylicious, Cotton Candy, and Pumpkin Pie cardstock and I added some small Sour Apple Buttons with Flax Twine on the ends of the banners to make it look like the buttons are holding them all together.  The sentiment is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and then I cut it out with a Circle STAX Set 1 Die-namics die and layered it over the Award Seal Die-namics for a fun look.

I do hope you will play along - it's such a fun sketch and you can find more inspiration from the Sweet Sunday Stampers:

• Becca Whitham - our fabulous guest stamper
• Dana White
• Dawn Easton
• Jackie Pedro
• Karen Motz
• Lori Tecler
• Lynn Put
• Melissa Hubert
• Sarah-Jane Kalé - she's off this week, but she'd love for you to stop by
• Tracy Clemente
• Vicki Burdick 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You can find these fun items in the MFT Boutique:








recipe - 
stamps: let's toast (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), berrylicious  (mft), pumpkin pie (su!), cotton candy (mft), wild cherry (mft), choice snow white (te), hootenanny 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: flax twine (the twinery), sour apple buttons (mft), sewing machine, thread, foam tape
die-namics: banner day die, circle stax set 1, award seal

Bloom

Good morning!  I have a fun card for you using the August Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions.  The stamp is from Oops a Daisy, which has a coordinating set of Oops a Daisy Dies - no fussy cutting necessary!

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then colored it with Copic Markers.  Then I cut it out with the Oops a Daisy Dies and popped it up over the circle die cut.  The polka dot strip is Washi Tape, which I added to a strip of white cardstock so the polka dots really stand out.  I mad the bow with the Bow Easy and then added a Mini Tag Die with a sentiment from Hydrangea Bouquet.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a fabulous day!

You can find these fabulous items in the TE Store:








recipe - 
stamps: oops-a-daisy (te), hydrangea bouquet (te)
paper: doodle deux (prima), bazzill from August KI Kit
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: ribbon & washi tape from August KI Kit, mini tags dies (te), cicle/scallop spellbinders dies, copic markers, oops-a-daisy dies (te), sewing machine, thread, foam tape 

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club

Hello!  It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another fun sketch challenge from MFT!  Here's a look at the sketch:

I made a card using Pure Innocence Picture Perfect.

I adore this little PI - she's so sweet in her boots and skirt.  Love her!  So, I just couldn't put down my new The Sweetest Thing Bluebell 6x6 papers from My Mind's Eye.  I think I just made about 10 cards using it, so you'll be seeing here quite a bit, haha!  I stamped this sweet girl in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with Copic Markers.  Instead of a flower accent, I used the little tag and heart from the Notched Tag Die-namics. and added a Lemon Drop Button.

I stamped the image again on the inside in Memento Desert Sand and then stamped the sentiment over the top of it.

Be sure to stop by the MFT Blog for a complete list of all the designers playing along this week!

And then hop on over to the MFT Boutique, you'll find these fabulous things there:










recipe - 
stamps: pi picture perfect (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), night of navy (su!), choice buttercream (te), the sweetest thing bluebell 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand
accessories: copic markers, lemon drop buttons (mft), ecru perle thread, sewing machine, thread, foam tape
die-namics: rectangle stax sets 1 & 2, notched tag, pinking edge

MFT {Pure Innocence} VIP New Product Tour

Hi!!  It's time for the My Favorite Things VIP New Product Tour!!  The Pure Innocence Costumed Cuties VIP Collection is available NOW - right HERE!  This collection is a LIMITED QUANTITY product that gives you the opportunity to purchase upcoming stamp sets and a new Die-namics die TWO WEEKS early.

So, what is included in the Pure Innocence Costumed Cuties VIP Collection?   For only $31.95, you will receive:

• Pure Innocence Prehistoric Girl stamp set
• Pure Innocence Owl Costume stamp set
• Costumed Cuties Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)
• Peek-a-Boo Trio Die-namics

I made 2 cards for today's tour - this card uses both Pure Innocence Prehistoric Girl and Pure Innocence Owl Costume:

I'm really excited about this new Peek-a-Boo Trio Die-namics!!  What a fun way to make quick and easy, CAS cards.  I cut out the Peek-a-Boo Trio Die-namics in Kraft Cardstock and then placed it over a strip of cream cardstock, marking the circles with pencil.  Then I stamped the two PI images inside the marked circles and erased the lines before I colored them.  I found out the hard way a while ago that pencil does not erase once you color on it with Copics. After I colored the images, I glued the kraft to the cream and then stamped the Trick or Treat sentiment inside the middle circle.  The sentiment is actually a single line, but I stamped the Trick, cleaned the stamp, then inked up 'or Treat' and stamped it underneath.  The beauty of clear stamps!  I used By the Letters Die-namics in kraft cardstock for 'boo' and then added a Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics in The Sweetest Thing Bluebell 6x6 paper.  The layout is MOJO254.

On the inside, I stamped the PI Prehistoric Girl in Memento Rich Cocoa and added another sentiment.

Next up is Pure Innocence Prehistoric Girl:

How fun is she??  I am loving this paper for her little cave girl dress too!  It's the same MME Bluebell paper and this time I used some luscious Hot Fudge Buttons with Flax Twine and I used Jen Shults' DS65.

I stamped the inside again with Memento Desert Sand for the image and Memento Tuxedo Black for the extra sentiment.

Be sure to hop on over to the MFT Blog for a complete list of all the designers playing along tonight and you can find more detail on the VIP Collection as well.

You can find these fun items in the MFT Boutique:








recipe
boo card - 
stamps: pi owl costume (mft), pi prehistoric girl (mft), costumed cuties sentiments (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), hot fudge (mft), choice buttercream (te), the sweetest thing bluebell 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand 
accessories: copic markers, ecru perle thread, sewing machine, thread, foam tape
die-namics: peek-a-boo trio, fishtail flags stax, by the letters

rockin' good time card -  
stamps: pi prehistoric girl (mft), costumed cuties sentiments (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), hot fudge (mft), choice buttercream (te), the sweetest thing bluebell 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand 
accessories: copic markers, hot fudge buttons (mft), ecru perle thread, sewing machine, thread, foam tape
die-namics: rectangle stax sets 1 & 2, oval stax sets 1 & 2, fishtail flags stax

Sweet Sunday Sketch 164 Winner

Hello!  It's Sunday and we're just relaxing today.  The kids are playing Legos and I'm taking this opportunity to steal a few moments on the computer without interruption.  Sweet moments!  It's time to announce the SSSC winner for sketch 164 and I had a tough time choosing one - the entries were out of control fantastic!  You all step it up a notch every week - wow!  Here are 5 cards that caught my eye:

Holly made this adorable merry-go-round card and I love the little tickets in the corner and the stamping on the tag.

 Kathy created this stunning card in pink and black (LOVE) and the ballerina is just darling!

 Meghan made this darling summer beach card.  The sand and cloudy background are fantastic and I adore the button sun. 

 Becca's birthday card is reason to celebrate - I love the corrugated cardboard U and the unique stitching with the sentiment flags.

Sherry's bear hug card is too cute!  I love the brad and paper flags with the tag and the paper pieced bear is darling!  I just want to squeeze him!

There is still time to play along with the current sketch, SSSC165 - the deadline to enter is Friday at 10 PM Mountain. 

OK - the winner and our next Guest Stamper is....

BECCA!

Congratulations, Becca!  I'll be contacting you shortly with your guest badge and sketch.  Woot!

Thanks again, everyone, for making this sketch challenge so much fun!  Have a wonderful day!

UR Fabulous

Good morning!  Did you know that My Favorite Things holds a guest designer contest each month?  This is your chance to win over $200 in MFT stamps and Die-namics AND have the opportunity to play along with the design team for the next release and all the Wednesday Stamp Club Challenges for the next month. MFT always has amazing stamp sets around the corner and getting (and stamping with) them early is a special treat.  You can find all the details in the MFT Forum on Splitcoaststampers.

Here is a peek at the sketch for the challenge:

And here is my card, using à la modes I’ve Got UR Back.

I love to paper piece with this image and I used some new The Sweetest Thing Bluebell 6x6 papers from My  Mind's Eye for this one.  I stamped her in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on cream cardstock and the patterned paper and then colored her with Copic Markers and added the paper piecing.  I cut the image out and matted it with some Rectangle STAX Die-namics and added the sentiment to a Mini Tabs Foursome Die-namics.   Instead of a flower, I added a large Hot Fudge Button and thread.

I stamped the image again on the inside in Memento Desert Sand and the sentiment in black.  Of course, I had to add all sorts of stitching too!

I hope you'll join in on all the guest designer fun!  Please check out these fun items in the MFT Boutique:








recipe - 
stamps: à la modes i’ve got ur back (mft)
paper: kraft (mft), hot fudge (mft), night of navy (su!), choice buttercream (te), the sweetest thing bluebell 6x6 (my mind's eye)
ink: memento tuxedo black, memento desert sand
accessories: copic markers, hot fudge buttons (mft), rectangle stax 1&2/mini tabs foursome die-namics (mft), ecru perle thread, sewing machine, thread, foam tape

Happy Birthday

Good morning!  It's Thursday, which means tomorrow is FRIDAY!  So, happy Friday Eve!  Taylored Expressions has a fantastic new Key Ingredients Kit available for August and I have a little sample of the goodies inside the kit for you today.   Taylor has matched everything to perfection and the patterned papers are absolutely gorgeous!

I absolutely loved the grid paper with the little birds and accents, so I used that as my focal point in my card.

I stamped the Happy Birthday from Oops a Daisy in Memento Rich Cocoa Ink and then layered a couple of the Prima flowers with it.   For the little flag banner peeking out, I used a little strip of the polka dot Washi Tape.  So fun!  The layout is MOJO253.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Here are the items I used on today's card, which are available in the TE Store:








recipe - 
stamps: oops-a-daisy (te)
paper: doodle deux (prima), bazzill from August KI Kit
ink: memento rich cocoa
accessories: ribbon, prima flowers & washi tape from August KI Kit, cicle/scallop spellbinders dies, sewing machine, thread, foam tape