What's Cooking?

Hello everyone and thanks for popping in today.  It is day 2 (of 2) of MFT teasers and RELEASE DAY!  Tonight, at 10 PM EST, the 2 new à la modes stamp sets AND the VIP collection will be available for sale.  You do NOT want to miss it.  The VIP collection is in short supply and there are some A-MAZING products in it this month.  New die, new sets, lush paper.  *drool*

Today, we are previewing the 2nd new à la modes stamp set, What's Cooking?.  I am in LOVE with this adorable stamp set.  My project today fills a need in my life: Meal Planning.  I am not the best meal planner.  I am hoping this keeps me better organized, and helps me with my grocery shopping as well, so I can make sure I have everything I need, on hand.  *crossing my fingers*

Presenting, my Meal Planning Calendar:

Yep, I whipped out the Cinch again to create this.  I cut chipboard covers, and decorated the front cover with patterned paper, my image, and some ribbon and embellishments.  I spelled out M E A L on Rounded Banners, cut from my Rounded Banner Die-namics dies (plural).  Recently, I decided to purchase FIVE of them so I can spell things out and not have to crank so many times.  Yes, I am spoiled... and I have to say my project today reinforced the idea that it was SO worth it.  :)  I first glued the ric rac along the banners with The Best Glue Ever (literally that is the name of it LOL) and then I stitched along it so it holds up over the next 15 months as I am dutifully using it (STOP LAUGHING).

The What's Cooking? à la mode was colored with Copic markers.  I stitched on a sentiment from the set.

I stamped the word Calendar from the Make the Date stamp set in Brilliance Black ink.

I used the Large 2010 and 2011 MFT Printable Calendar for the inside of my planner.  Each square is big enough for me to jot down my dinner plan, so when I am making my shopping list I can add what I need, AND not have to stress about what to make for dinner every night.  I also printed out the Perpetual Calendar, To Do List, and Recipe Card templates so I can continue to get myself organized in style.   

Just to prove to you that I am actually going to USE it, I wrote the first couple entries in it before I photographed it.  By the way, the Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas were FAB! 

Here is a shot of the back cover.  I added some of the patterned papers I used on the front, to the back cover.

Ready to see what the rest of the team came up with using this precious stamp?  Head over to Kim's blog at 11 AM EST for the complete list of participating designers.

Remember, I'll see you TONIGHT at 10 PM EST for the blog hop and VIP/à la modes release.