INTRODUCING....

MFT Die-namics! We are so thrilled to be showing off these beauties! They are exclusive to MFT, American made, steel dies. If you go to Kim's blog, there's a list of participants for the die teasers.

There are three dies being released:

MFT Die-namics Clouds (element die) (one die, with three different sized clouds on it) SO fun… be still my heart!

Small – 1.25” wide and .70” tall

Medium – 1.89” wide and 1.06” tall

Large – 2.51” wide and 1.41” tall

MFT Die-namics Jumbo Scallops (Edge die) (O M G LOVE this one… perfectly smooth oval-ish scallops)

6” long, with each scallop measuring 1.5”

MFT Die-namics Scalloped Scallops (Edge die) (O M G again… pretty and perfect… the MFT way)

6” long, with each scallop measuring 1.5”

I show each of the Die-namics and a little how to in the tutorial below.

Here's a link to the video on You Tube. I don't know how to make it smaller! Grrrr.

And here are two of my completed projects, both using the plain scallop border Die-namic. Don't worry, I've been using the other two and you'll see them soon!

Here, I singed the edges of satin-y fabric (shown in the video) to make some ruffles at the bottom of the card. I used a sweet sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Mothers. I tied it all off with a pretty ribbon and a small button.

Here's a close up of the singed edges:

AND, because I was busy playing with the dies, I made another little card. You can't tell anyone, but this is the first time I inked up this set! Shhhh.... I do love it, so I'll have to ink it up again soon!

I used some pages from an old book and lined them with kraft scallops. I used a piece of this ribbon to cover the edge of the scallops and two little baby braddies on either side of my sentiment. I also went a little crazy and left my little thread ends uncut. Crazy. I know. I stamped her in Brillance ink on MFT's watercolor paper.

I can't wait to see what the other girls have come up with! Be back soon. ~megan

PI and a WINNER

Good morning!  I have a winner from yesterday's drawing for the pendant I made.  Random.org picked #1: Mandy (of Mandy and Jack--unless Jack is the one who entered).  Please contact with me with your mailing address and I'll get it right to you!  It's fun to give away stuff.  I might have to give another one away!

I have a little Pure Innocence card that I made earlier this month and never showed you!  Where did April go?!?!  Honestly.

Of course, I used MFT's watercolor wonder paper.  I can't stop!  It's a fun way to color and I just love the overall look of watercoloring.  I used a big red button from this little cutie container.  There's a Martha Stewart punch thrown in there and a fun nestie shape too.  ;)

I'm off for now, but I have a really fun post scheduled for tomorrow--you won't want to miss it!

~megan

Grow Love

Good evening to you. I have a sweet little number made with one of my ALL TIME favorite MFT sets. I don't know what it is about these trees.

I just love them.

I had a few of these scraps on my table and I thought it'd be fun to make a little pink gum drop {?!?!} tree. I paper pieced the top part with a scrap and the trunk with some kraft. I paper pleated a bit of some of this digi print paper.

This week's Stamp Club challenge is to use one of the trees {or any of the other two challenge options} and MFT is sponsoring the CPS sketch this week! Woot woot.

See ya soon. I'm off to snuggle in my warm bed! ~megan

Frigidaire SFYTT

*Note: I'm giving away a pendant, leave a comment on the next post*

This morning, I had big plans to run to a consignment event to pick up Emma a few things and then go to my LYS for a knitting class. I also had to run to the grocery store on my way home.

On my home, I yelled "Frigidaire!!" It occurred to me that, indeed again, I forgot to hit post. Card was ready. Post was not. Luckily, that was as profane as it got, then I rushed home to post this. Now!

This is the darling sketch from Jen:

I used one of my Stamping Bella stamps and watercolored it with Twinkling H2Os. I used MFT's fabulous watercolor wonder paper--which, as you know, I love!

The paper is the AWESOME MME Quite Contrary.

While I now go unload my groceries, please have a look at the proficient and timely SFYTT sisters. I apologize to them for my tardiness and it will now be IN my calendar to avoid any more cufuffles. I hope. ~megan

Susan Liles…taking a break, her husband is in the midst of a chemo treatment. Pray for her and her family
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer…taking a break this week
Leigh O’Brien
Kelly Lunceford
Megan Lock
Jenn Diercks
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph

Crafty Room and a Non-Stampy GIVEAWAY!

We moved to this house last September and I've *never* taken pics of the crafty room. It's got some yarn, fabric, beads, etc. which exempts it from solely being a stampy room, but you get the idea. I won't go into every detail, I'll just pick a couple of things out to mention. To start:

1. It is rarely, rarely this neat.

2. It's a good thing the camera doesn't show dust.

3. It's a good thing the camera doesn't pick up all the Jody booster backings on the floor. :)

-Hubby built the desk.

- The chair in the corner doesn't get much use now that the sewing machine is on the other side. I'm hoping one of yous has a solution...see below.

-There were DVDs piled on top of the player, but I cleaned it up a bit for the photo shoot. ;)

-Hubby built the ribbon shelf. Nearly 100% of this ribbon was donated to me by my Mom. She still buys ribbon.

-The white shelf has lots of miscellaneous items in it: fabric, chalk, glitter, paint, etc.

-You may see one of YOUR cards displayed here at any given moment! (Jenni, Chris, Erin, and KJ should look pretty close!)

-Hubby built this shelf too.

-Cardstock and dp is right behind the chair for ease of use.

-Hubby put up the curtain rods for punch storage.

-Cardstock/dp bins are set on top of shoe racks from Lowes. There's embellishments and scrap storage in the shoe racks.

-The cuttlebug sits on the top of an embellishment storage unit. All the nesties and other dies live up there too. Easy to use.

-Do you spy the MFT container I made a while back?

-Here's my main work space.

-Here's the quandary: I used to have the sewing machine on the other side of the desk. I'd have to walk all the way around the desk to stitch anything and it became too much. {lazy stamper, huh?} I decided to move it to my main work area because I use it so often, but the pedal doesn't reach to the ground. Any ideas on where it could go without tripped over and without it being too far away?

So last week I told you I had been working on a non-stamping craft project and I was making little pendants. Like this one:

I can't remember the name of this stone, but any geologist OR bead store worker should be able to tell you. All metal findings are sterling silver.

I thought it'd be fun to have a little giveaway since so many of you are stampers! All you have to do is leave a little comment here and I'll pick a winner next Wednesday! You can pair it with another charm or pendant or wear it alone. :)

MFT VIP Blog Hop

Welcome to the MFT VIP blog hop! If you got here from Frances' blog, you're on the right track. If not, start at Kim's blog so you can see all the goodness the DT has for you!

To start off, I've got a little sneak of the VIP WTG! She's shopping, one of my favorite things to do! In fact, as we speak, I'm off looking for a stroller and some baby clothes. ;) I'll check in on the iPhone to make sure that Blogger cooperates.

I used my favorite watercolor paper and colored the background with Twinkling H2Os. I paper pieced the boxes and her dress with some Basic Grey paper. I used some of this super satin-y ribbon and tied it up with a white button. Lots of stitching around the edges, just to finish it off. The sentiments is from the Top Shelf Additions set {which is included in the VIP kit--available Wednesday only!}.

Also being released is a darling new stamp set called Sheltering Tree. You'll be glad to note that I set aside the watercolor paper for a moment...but only a moment.

The darling blue clouds and the rolling green hills are part of a *new* digi paper pack that is also being released tonight! Here's a detail shot of the tree and owls popped up:

And the inside:

That darling little acorn is part of the set. I want to make my own dp with that little guy--he's so cute!

Thank you for joining me on the hop, you're next stop is Michele and I know she's got some goodness in store for you! :) ~megan

IHP DT April Challenge

Welcome to the i {heart} papers April DT challenge.  The challenge?  To be inspired by "April Showers Bring May Flowers."  In other words, you flowery or springy things on our projects.  I've got a few things to show you, so let's get started, shall we?

I started with a little set of note cards.  I just love Basic Grey, as do many MANY of you, and their little embellishments are just as fab as their 6x6" paper pads.  I used some of the gummies that coordinate with this beautiful paper.  I used some of this twine which is nice and thick to tie off each card.  There's 2 gummies and one button per card.

Here's the next two in the set:

Sheep images are one of my favorite things.  I'm also a knitter and wool/sheep remind me of my other little crafty interest.  This image from Unity quickly became one of my favorites and instead of coloring it, I spritzed it.  :)  First, I stamped it on kraft, spritzed/sprayed it with this fab-o shimmer, and heat set it.  I just love the effect that it has (plus, there's no paint brush to clean up).  I highlighted the wool with a white prismacolor pencil.  I also go to use my newest nestie set, peony.  

I really wanted this crate paper ribbon {there are many colors} to sit on my desk FOREVER.  I never wanted to use it.  I just want to keep it all wrapped in it's little plastic bag never to leave so I can always have it.  But, I mustn't hoard and I must show you how wonderful it really is.  It's tied off with a pink button so not one little piece escapes.  There's also a line of blingies at the bottom of the chipboard tag.

Here's a close up detail of the tag:

*IF* I were to be a 6x6" pad of paper, without a doubt, a smidgen of a doubt, it would be this 6x6" pad of paper.  The colors, the patterns, the everything.  And while it's called Bayberry Cottage, I'm very sure it's rightful name is Megan Lock.  Honestly.

And for the rest of the DT's lovely creations, check out:

Carolyn
Cathleen
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori
Lynn
Tracy
Kate

I hope y'all have a lovely day!  ~megan

It's A Cupcake Kind of Day

There's this darling little cupcake store in Tulsa that I like to visit on occasion.  They have 12 flavors all the time and then there's always a flavor of the month.  It's called Kupcakz and if you're ever in Tulsa, I recommend the Lemon Drop or the Not a Carrot in the World.  YUM.

This is one of my favorite cupcake images out there.  I stamped it on watercolor paper (MFT) and colored it with Twinkling H2Os.  This is this week's SFYTT at Jen's blog and it's GREAT!  You'll probably here me say that most every Saturday you drop by--unless the mojo has gone missing.  ;)

I really enjoyed using these colors.  I like a good pop of red amongst some more mute/neutral colors.  :)  The little flower was cut with my nesties and a little MM washer was glued in place.  I put a circle of clear glaze around it.  Here's the inside:

If I were going to Tulsa today it would definitely be a cupcake kind of day...sadly, it's not in the plans today.  Perhaps the next day?

Are you a SFYTT fan on facebook?  If not, check here....it could be worth your while!  Check out the other SFYTT sisters:

Susan Liles

Amy Rohl...taking a break this week

Amy Sheffer

Leigh O’Brien

Kelly Lunceford

Jenn Diercks

Amber Hight

Sony Christoph

Details

Stamps: MFT, It's a Cupcake Kind of Day

Paper: watercolor wonder, Nook and Pantry, Basic Grey

Ribbon: crochet

Accessories: SU scallop border punch, Janome, nesties, glaze 

Trying To Be Studious

That was me...trying to be studious.  Sometimes I achieved it, others....not so much.  But, sweet little PI here, she's got it all together!  She's got her book and bag all ready to be productive!

I love these papers for this image.  They worked *SO* well together.  It's the Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride line.  I love the blues and greens with the pop of red.  That grid paper?!?!  Love it!  Here's the inside:

I'm off to the pool to get a little swimming in {inside pool, that is} before the day gets away from me.  I hope y'all have a good one!  ~megan

Details

Stamp: MFT Pure Innocence, Book in Hand

Paper: Joy Ride, MFT watercolor wonder paper

Ink: Momento

Accessories: nesties, ribbon, Janome, Twinkling H2Os

MFT's Greatest Hits

Welcome to the FIRST month of MFT's Greatest Hits. This is going to be ROCKIN'!! Joanne had this fab idea of using some of our most beloved stamps that don't get as much love as they deserve! This month, it's ALL about Who's That Girl.

Serenity Now was one of my very first stamp sets. You can also tell she was used with Versamark and given lots of love. I got to ink her up again and this time on--you guessed it--watercolor paper!

If you check Kim's blog, there's a list of other girls who are sampling THEIR greatest hit!

I also want to say that I made my little flower embellishment. If you check THIS post on Kim's blog, you'll see all the details for this week's Weekly Stamp Club challenge. One of the challenges is to make your own embellishment. I covered my flowers in Shimmerz....while I'm waiting to find out how Kim and Joanne made they're shimmer flowers!

That's all for now! See ya soon. ~megan

Sweet PI

I'm running off to work, so this is a quick post.

I followed the sketch for this week's WSC in the MFT forum.  I hope I get to play this week too!

I used MFT's Pure Innocence and copic cardstock (awesome stuff!).

And the inside:



Have a good one, friends!  ~mft

Pregnancy Hysteria

Is it hysteria?  Is it that the baby is stealing all of my memory brain cells?  Is it just that I'm getting older and having nothing to do with the baby at all?  I haven't a clue.  All I know, is that I woke up this morning and thought, "I need to publish my SFYTT card," and then it left my mind.  It didn't leave my mind and leave the "remember later" residue.  It left.  Completely gone.  So here it is, 8pm, with my card.  If it's any consolation, it's a pretty purple.

And, if it is hysteria, I have something else to share with you.  I've revisited an old craft love and I'll be giving a little goodie away.  This week.  Unless this idea leaves without leaving any "remember later" residue in my brain tissue.

At any rate, onto the card.  I hadn't used my sweet little violet stamp from Papertrey yet and I thought this was as good a time as any.  This is another wonderful sketch from Jen and it'll get filed to be used again soon!

I love how it turned out!  I colored parts of the flower with my glaze pen and highlighted it the perfect amount.  I also used a piece of ribbon to fulfill part of the sketch and it was a cool piece of hoarded {can't remember the name of this kind of ribbon} that has grommets in it.  Cool, huh?

I finished off the inside with some random zig zag stitching, to mimic the front.  If you haven't already, check out the other SFYTT sisters and their timely creations:

Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Leigh O’Brien
Kelly Lunceford
Jenn Diercks
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph


 I need to sign off before I divulge any more pregnancy related issues with y'all.  Thanks for bearing with me through it all.  ~megan

MFT Blog Hop and Shop

Welcome to the MFT Blog Hop and Shop.  The sets being released this month are just over the top CUTE!  :)  If you got here from Joanne's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, start at Kim's blog so you can see all the pretties.  I get to show off TWO sets tonight.  First, I am highlighting the Baby Bump: Additions set, which is, of course, perfect for the mom-to-be.  I got to use the darling MFT font and make a whole set of little thank you cards.  

I used a button in the flower, ribbon in the button, and garnishes on the little flag under the sentiment.  After I stamped the sentiment, I wrote over it with a clear glaze pen to give it some more depth.

The *other* set I get to show off is the ADORABLE new image, Millie the mouse.  Isn't she a-stinkin-dorable.  I was jumping up and down when I got her in the mail--I bet you will too!

She was stamped on the most wonderful water color paper (still watercolorin') and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I colored her with my aquapainter and twinkling h2os.  I also finished out the inside of the card--look at the DARLING font--with the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by to visit.  It's time to hop on over to Jody's blog and see and the wonderful-ness she has for you!

Clearly Sentimental:babies

Welcome to release day!  Tonight is the night where we get to chat and carry on while we wait for all these great stamps to go live.  It'll all happen in the MFT forum on SCS at 8pm EST.  If you check Kim's blog around 10am EST, you'll see a list of today's (the last day of April's) MFTeasers!

Of course, I had to use the new Clearly Sentimental set about BABIES.  I wanted to make my sweet little girl a little piece of decor for her room.  I used a $1 frame from Ms, but any alterable frame would work for this project.

To start, I cut a gorgeous piece of MME dp to fit the frame and glued it down.  I painted the edges with MM acrylic paint and sprayed clear glaze all over the front of it.  I stamped the sentiment and here's a TIP!  I used the clear glaze pen and WROTE over the sentiment to give it more depth.  I was pretty close to using Versamark and clear embossing powder, but I knew I wouldn't get it matched up properly.  Needless to say, this worked GREAT!

I added a bit of bunched ribbon and a twiney button to finish it off!  I'm still working on her room, but I think this will fit perfectly!  See ya tonight for the blog hop!  ~megan

Jolinne: Sweet Spring

Welcome to Jolinne's Sweet Spring Teaser day. She's very girly and very sweet in this set, all ready to practice her ballet. Check Kim's blog at 10am EST for a list of other MFTeasters.

Of course, I stamped this little girl on watercolor paper and colored her in with Twinkling H2Os. I know, I know, I'm using a lot of this lately....but it's so fun. It's also safe. See, I've read a number of accounts that said that using OMS and prismacolors when you're preggers isn't a good idea, so I haven't touched them in months! I like variety and I copic-ed myself out.

I used some of the beautiful new Kioshi paper and stitched around the edges. I used some princess ribbon and baby braddies on the stems. And look at this gorgeous font:

Love it! I've got lots of to-dos today, so I'm off. I'll check in on ya laters. ~megan

It's PI Day!

I am so excited about PI day...as most of us are.  Check Kim's blog at 10am EST to see a list of everyone showing off the *darling* new Pure Innocence girls.

I found some fun summery colored dp scraps sitting on my table, so I went to work with my card.  I used a chipboard flower and covered it with glitzy glitter and THEN covered it with glaze.  It gives it a yummy candy look.  I threw a little glazed BG brad in the middle to attach my sentiment.

Sweet little PI is stamped on some fab-o (told you I was still using it) water color paper and colored with twinling H2Os.  I ruffled the ribbon off to the side and used my new scallop die behind the ribbon.

I'm running out the door now--for an eye appointment!  I'll be back to check out everyone's darling creations when I get back.  ~megan

Beary SFYTT

***Note: if you're looking for my MFTeaser today, it's the post below this one!***

Jen has come up with another goodie sketch.  I have problems placing buttons in random places, so this really made me try it--and I *love* it!  It doesn't hurt that this is my new favorite color combo.

I had some of these scraps hanging out on my table and I just love how it all came together.  I'm beating myself up (for 2 days now) because I didn't stitch all around the pink panel--which was my intention.  I just didn't realize my failure until I had already taped it down.  

The image is from Stamping Bella and it had gone uninked for far too long.  I stamped it on MFT's watercolor paper and colored it with my Twinkling H2Os.  I just think this is the sweetest image.

Did I hear you say you wanted to see some more great samples?  Check out these SFYTT Sisters:

Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Leigh O’Brien
Kelly Lunceford
Jenn Diercks
Amber Hight

Sonja--the newest member!

MFTeaser: Bunch of Bots

It's already time to start showing off the new sets for MFT's April release.  I'm not lying when I say you're going to be blown away by all the cuteness.  There's two new characters, plus all new images of our old favorites.  Check Kim's blog at 10am EST to find even more samples of today's teasers!

You may remember some digi robots (which are still available) offered by MFT and now, for those tactile among us, they'll be here in stamp form. 

I stamped this little guy on MFT's watercolor paper in black craft ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  This watercolor paper is a dream.  It's such a dream, that I haven't put it down in a while!  I used my nesties to cut it out and added some metallic accents too.  I covered the entire bot with my clear glaze pen.

I made the little background circle using a scalloped nestie and a small hole punch.  I got the idea from Christina who did a tutorial on making gears.  I just cut the edge of the scallop and punched a whole in each small scallop.

Do you want to be a guest designer for MFT?  Do you want to receive all the stamps for the month of May?  If you go to the MFT forum and play in the guest designer challenge, it could be YOU!