Confessions of a Ribbon Addict

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

True Love Stories - WSC 60

Hello! Today I have a card to share I made for this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club #60. This sketch is perfect for a sentiment, and I chose to use two sentiments from At the Movies to adorn my card. One was stamped on the Mini File Tab Die-namics for a little added emphasis on the main sentiment. This is a very clean and simple card, with a little added ZING in the form of a crystal bling. I added a sweet, pink Open Scallop Edge Die-namics.

Remember, you can get all the details by visiting the MFT Blog and the MFT forum on SCS (look for the most recent WSC thread). You'll need to upload your card in the SCS gallery using the keyword shown on the sketch. You will have the chance to win up to $20 in MFT money. One winner is chosen at random each week!

Go get sketchy with MFT!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Howdy Y'all - Wrangle the MFT VIP Collection Today

Howdy y'all and thanks for moseying on over today. The brand new Country Charms MFT VIP Collection is available NOW, so head over and buy it HERE before it sells out. These usually sell out FAST, so act quickly. As a special perk, you'll receive a FREE mini stamp set full of ADORABLE sentiments, which I used on my cards today. I adore the cute Pure Innocence Cowboy and Cowgirl. They are SO cute!
First up, my card using Cowboy. I wanted a simple layout for this one.

After I laid the colored image over the patterned paper it looked a little too crisp, clean, and pristine to me, so grabbed my ink splatter tool from SU and spritzed some Basic Gray ink over the colored image. Cowboys are dirty. I used the cute star charm from Country Charms Die-namics. Some random stitching completed the focal panel.

The charm includes a charm loop and some fun embossing detail.

I used the ADORABLE "Much Obliged" sentiment on this one. I can just HEAR him saying it. SO cute. I roughed up the edges and ripped it to add a distressed look. As I mentioned before, Cowboys have to be dirty. It's what they do.

I finished off the inside with more patterned paper from the pack (MME) and another sentiment from the FREE VIP sentiment set.

This is the patterned paper pad I used from MME. I wanted to snap a quick pic to show you my Copic color matches. I have explained before that I color match my patterned paper pads and jot them on the cover so next time I use it, I can skip that step.

B: 99
BG: 72, 75, 78
YR: 12, 14, 16, 18
G: 93
R: 24, 27, 29
Y: 21, 26
T: all

While I was making my Cowgirl Pure Innocence card I needed a Tab Die-namics and decided to snap a photo of my "tab method" for you. I have 2 of each tab, and when I need one, I go ahead and grab all of them, lay them out on my cutting mat on card stock, and cut eight at once. Then I throw them on my desk and grab one when I need it. I also cut them from Kraft and Cream when the time calls for it. This saves me a step next time, AND provides inspiration for later.

Next up we have Cowgirl Pure Innocence. She has definite flair in her bright orange hat, boots, and belt. I created a "roping rope" and hot glued it to her. Her skirt is paper-pieced from denim patterned paper.

The sentiment was stamped on the Oval Tab Die-namics.

These roses were made with the new Royal Rose Die-namics. For the teal flower, I used two die-cuts to make a larger flower. I completely rolled the first one, snipped off the "base" then started the next flower. It's a quick way to make a more substantial flower. I used leaves I had in my "felt Die-namics extras" drawer. Yep... I have a drawer for everything. LOL

I finished the inside with another sentiment from the FREE VIP Mini Sentiments set. LOVE this one. The boot is another charm included in Country Charms Die-namics.

Here is a look at this month's Country Charm VIP Collection. Go buy it HERE or click on the graphic below to be redirected.

The included Die-namics are so cute!

I LOVE this new Royal Rose. It's so fun!

Tabs... a stamper's staple!

Want to see what the rest of the team came up with using these cute stamp sets? Head on over to the MFT blog for the complete, linked list of participating designers.

Grab the new VIP Collection HERE (or click the banner below)

See you soon for another Wednesday Stamp Club!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Simple LOVE - WSC 59

Hi all! It's time for another installment of MFT Wednesday Stamp Club, and this week it's time for #59.

This might be THE lightest (in weight) card I have EVER made. No metal, no ribbon, and just a "couple" layers (8 to be exact, but who's counting). It's sweet and simple! I wanted the patterned paper to shine, and wanted to incorporate the colors in the papers with my ink choices. Once I had that all together, I couldn't add anything else without it being too much... so I went with "less is more" on this one.
The word "love" was stamped with the Monogram Alphabet, which coincidentally, I LOVE. The small fishtail banner is from First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics.

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Gift for a New Mom: I'm Here for You!

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Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative side using a specific theme, product, or technique. This month, "It's All About Baby" Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have taken the challenge.

Hi all and thank you for stopping by today. As I mentioned above, it is time for this month's MFT DT Creative Challenge and this month it is all about babies. ANYTHING baby. Baby shower, new baby, new mommy, pregnancy... you get the picture. Thinking about "baby" got me thinking of the times when *I* was pregnant and/or had a new baby (three times) and what I needed during those times. I think one of the most frightening things about being pregnant or having a baby is the feeling that you don't know what to do, and that you need help and advice. It's something that is MUCH easier with help from others. As a young mother I think that was especially true for me and I know how much I appreciated having someone to call and ask, "WHAT do I do?", or even, "When I go in to labor, will you be there for me?". I decided to center a small gift around that idea. Having someone who will be there for you when you need someone... PRICELESS.

I started with the new Ring Me Die-namics and Stamp Set. I just love the fun, fresh look of this stamp set and die! It's SO versatile and fun to use. I love picking out the colors for my phone. :)

I went for a soft cream and baby blue color combo. It would be great for someone expecting a baby boy.

I used SU linen thread and a needle to create some X stitches to add a little something extra.

Having someone offer to be available is a gift that most mothers would LOVE.

To cement the message, I included "I'm Here for You" inside the card on a Chat Bubble Die-namics.

I also made a notebook that can be used to jot down helpful advice prior to gifting it, and can be used by the new mom to jot down memorable moments throughout the new baby's firsts.

I wanted to keep the color palette nice and muted, so I created a flower using the Botanical Beauty Die-namics in kraft card stock and added a wood button to the center. I used the fishtail banner from the Mix & Match Banner Die-namics to stamp "Hello". The word "baby" was spelled out using By the Letters Die-namics.

I added plenty of pages inside, and made dividers from card stock. I added some blank Tab Die-namics so each section can be labeled. I didn't want them to stick out, so I left them flush with the pages. To create the notebook, I used a cover cut from chipboard, some copy paper I had cut at the local print shop to my specifications (I take a piece of paper with lines drawn where I want the cuts made), and my Cinch machine.