Just a Note

I have a sweet little Technique Tuesday card to share with you.  I love that i {heart} papers is carrying more stamp lines and Technique Tuesday is one of them.

I made my own little tag for the focal point of this card.  I also used some of my favorite dp LilyBee Picket Fence.  This paper makes it easy to create.  The vase is covered in clear glaze.

There's lots of pretty ribbon to add detail to this card.  Along the bottom is pom pom, pleated satin, and a sheer bow on top.

I'll be back soon.  :)  ~megan

A Few Graduation Cards

It's graduation time!  Lots of people get to wear their cap and gown in May and this little Pure Innocence is no different.  If you're like me, you have a few cards to send out and maybe a couple of orders for a special card.

I have a few to show you today and hopefully it will inspire you to send a graduation card.  

She is stamped on watercolor paper and colored with Twinkling H2Os.  You'll also notice the Pretty Posies dressing up the front of the card.  I snuck a Little Open Scallop Strip Dienamic along the main panel, too.

Since gift cards and cash are great graduation gifts, I stuck a little coin {that's what Staples calls them} envelope inside:

I incorporated a coin envelope on the front of this one:

And a little Star Dienamic dresses this one up:

These girls were paper pieced with the new American Made MME.

That's all from me today, I hope you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.

Second SFYTT

I finished my second sample for SFYTT this morning.  Baby girl slept a little later than she usually does.  :)

This month's sponsor is Your Next Stamp and I used Little Birdie Christmas House.  So cute.  You can see my first sample here.  

I used some cheery Echo Park Christmas paper.  I love the blue mixed in with the red and green.  

There's only a few days left to play along!  ~megan

WSC Gettin' Sketchy

It's time for another WSC Sketch.  This one proved to be a bit challenging with those two bottom circles.  I prevailed though.  :)  See the MFT forum for all the additional deets.

I used the sweet Bubble Bunny Flopsey.  He looks so relaxed!  

The pretty Open Scallop Border with cork paper finishes of the card.  I colored the bunny with Copics and did a little air brush on the side--I love how that air brush works!

See Kim's blog for a list of all the participants.  ~megan

Skater Boy

I've been blessed to be able to sell some of my cards.  One of the shoppers quickly nabbed this skater boy so she could use it on a scrapbook page.  What a cool idea, huh?  She's not so much a stamper and she called these her scrapbook embellishments where she could journal on the inside.  Love that idea.

This is as CAS as it gets around here.  I paper pieced his shirt and colored the rest with Copics.  This is Pure Innocence Skater Boy.  He's tough, don't you think?

It's nearly time for the baby to get up.  See you soon.  :)  ~megan

30th bday

Good Monday morning to you.  The news about Joplin is on my heart today and I'm saying lots of prayers for those families involved.  I fear tornados.  Living in Oklahoma will do that to you.  We had a distinct view of the storms last night, from a very safe distance, and they were intense.  As I saw the lightning I could only empathize with those it was directly over...I know how I feel when the same cloud is over our area.

On a more light note, we recently returned from celebrating my sister's 30th birthday (and graduation).  And now that she received her card, I can share it with you.  I like to point out that she is thirty.  THIRTY.  And she is obsessed with blue.

I used the Mint Motif set I've Got Your Number {which is on SALE!} for this card.  This might be my favorite MM set.  I love how you can color in the numbers {which I did with Copics} or even paper piece them.  FUN!

I also used some fabulous Jillibean paper.  The tag is tied off with a piece of satin ribbon layered with crepe ribbon--neat effect, huh?

She loved her card!  She also loved the present that went along with it {thanks for helping me decide, Mom!}, which was a pretty necklace that came in a tiny blue box...ahem...

Alright, lots to do here.  Have a good one!  ~megan

Tag Series, Take Four

I'm back with the fourth and final tag in my Tag Series.  You can see one here, two here, and three here. Don't forget, I tried to make these so you could easily recreate them yourself.  There's notes on that in the first post.

For the last tag, I used Pure Innocence Blooming Good Day.  I used the Small Scallop Border Dienamic with green felt to add a little bit of texture, too.  How cute is this watering can?!  I have one that I've been using to water flowers quite like this one!

What do you think?  I was thinking an á la mode series would be fun, too.  Tags or cards?  Any sort of emphasis?  Rolled flowers, perhaps?

~megan

Spring has Sprung

I sure hope that's true where you are!  There's flowers in bloom and lots of rain here.  We're spending quite a bit of time with our windows open, breathing that wonderful spring air.

In light of that (and the TCP Tuesday challenge this week) I got to work.  I used this sweet bunny set and some of the cute Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer collection.

I tied it off with a bow and a strip of washi tape.  That washi tape is from this Etsy shop and I like to add a strip for extra interest.  No cutting, just an extra layer of something pretty.  

You may also notice a new toy in play here.  A Copic airbrush system!  I've been playing with it--trying to figure it out.  Thanks DH--what a fun Mother's Day present!

Tag Series, Take Three

And we're back to our regularly scheduled programming.  

This is the third tag in this Tag Series.  I tried to make it so you can recreate these easily--with just a few supplies.  See Take One for more info.

I used Pure Innocence Ladybug on this one.  I have been on a button binge lately--they're just so practical and easy.  I do take the time (when possible) to actually sew the button on the paper.  That ensures that they aren't going to fall off and makes for a high quality finished product.  I use my paper pierceer to make my hole and a needle and thread to finish it off.

I have one more tag to show you, so I'll be back tomorrow.  Then, I'll be starting another series soon after that.  Stay tuned.  ~megan

MFT VIP Blog Hop

It's VIP time. The goodies include the WTG stamp set, and EXCLUSIVE never to be released mini set, the Happily Lost {love, have been using tons!} paper pack, and a brand new dienamic. Start at Kim's blog so you can see all the goodies.

This month's VIP kit is one that can take most of us back to our childhood. I remember the days of riding my bike in the summer and often times, it was this carefree:

I used a Textile Rectangle to house my sweet sentiment. This sentiment is from the exclusive mini set and the papers are form Jillibean.

I was having so much fun with this image, I got creative--again:

This time, I used some MME scraps and made a little tag. I love the width of this tag. I didn't use my normal office supply tag, but made a quickie little kraft tag out of a scrap. A piece of wide ribbon helped dress it up. I used the Open Zig Zag Border Dienamic and it ended up looking like a tire track.

Here's the inside, with a quote from the mini set:

Now it's time to dive down under to Frances' blog...you know she has something fabulous for you. ;)

~megan

IHP DT May Challenge

The IHP DT Challenge is upon us.  What is it with me getting these fierce challenges?  This one was so bad I didn't even know what it was.  It's called color blocking?!?  Anyone know what that is?!?  Me either. Here's a little reference tip.

I got right to work with some of my perfectly summery Lime Twist paper.  I still have a huge crush on my Lawn Fawn set My Silly Valentine.  Lawn Fawn has been showing off one of their new releases that I'm definitely waiting on--which should be in the IHP store soon.  Woot.

The pears are covered in a little clear glaze and tied off with a little twine.  

Check out the other i {heart} paper girls here:

Carolyn

Deb

Gretchen

Kendra

Loretta

Lori

Lynn

Tracy

Kate

a la modes: Face Time

I'll return to the regularly scheduled Tag Series soon.  I have more to share.  We interrupt this series for a good reason.  :)  

In the past, we've released our à la modes images in cling rubber, however, this month, we're releasing both of our à la modes in clear photopolymer, just like the rest of our stamps.  This means that we can bring them to you a slightly lower price point than usual - $9.00 each!  How fabulous is that?!  Since our clear stamps are made in the USA, they are of the highest quality, so you'll have the same great image quality that you're accustomed to with any of our other clear stamps!  Sweet deal right?

Good reason right?  Here's proof:

She's so cute!  I used some of my new MME Lime Twist papers.  You'll also notice my "go to" border, the Simply Scallops Dienamic in black felt.  My pretty cardstock is MFT's Blue Raspberry.

I've been having an internal dialogue about my layering system.  I usually have an 1/8" of card base, an 1/8" of border, then the dp.  Recently, I tried mixing it up with 1/4" card base, which I liked.  When I tried it with this one, it was too much blue.  I love the blue, but it was just a little too "in your face" for my liking.  Remedy?  3/8" of another layer?!?!  That's a lot of layers, but I have to say, I'm liking it.  Happy accident.

Check Kim's blog to see all the purdy samples.  ~megan

Tag Series, Take Two

Now that Blogger is back {although I was missing my Take One post and have since reposted} I can share Take Two.  If you missed the first one, see here.

This tag features the Pure Innocence Because Your Special set.  There's my favorite flower dienamic, the Pretty Posies.  I cut a vintage pattern with the dinamic and I have done a tutorial here.  I've been using this embellishment quite a bit.  I love the texture it offers {so many layers} and it's a lovely neutral color which makes it awfully versatile.

I'll be back soon with Take Three.  Enjoy.  ~megan

Tag Series, Take One

Good morning!  As you know, I've been using tags in some of {a lot of} my creations recently.  I'm nearly out of tags {Staples, here I come}, but I thought it would be fun to do a little Pure Innocence tag series.  So for the next few days, I'm going to show you four of my little tags.

I wanted you {yes, YOU!} to be able to recreate these if you wanted to.  I did a few things to make this happen:

1. I used the same coloring method {watercoloring with Twinkling H2Os, though you could easily use reinkers and a water brush}

2. I used the same paper pack throughout, Lily Bee Picket Fence

3. I usually used one dienamic on each tag so that you could use the dienamics you have--or something similar--in the event you didn't have the exact ones I had

4. I didn't use {gasp} any {gulp} machine stitching.  It's one of my favorite elements on a card, but I know not all of you have a machine.  

Are you ready to get started?  I used Pure Innocence Bunch of Blooms and the Dainty Doily Dienamic.

A simple purple bow and a few blings around the sentiment finish off the tag.  Remember, you can add tags to packages, gift bags, or layered on a card.  

Enjoy!  ~megan

Happy Day for Lemonade

It's the nineteenth sketch for our WSC in the MFT forum.  That's a BUNCH.  In following with yesterday's difficult challenge, this sketch is a doozy.  

As such, I made a few little alterations.  I decided not to use the banner and instead use buttons.  I have to say, I love how it turned out.  I love the touches of red, the texture of the wood paper, and of course, the Notched Tag.  My sweet little tag is tied around the Four Point frame.

Feeling a little guilty, I decided to make another sample.  Although, again, I did make a couple of changes.  I used a square instead of the four point frame and I used three banner flags, instead of the prescribed five.

I used the new Pucker Up Pure Innocence and the Fishtail Banner Dienamic.  There's a little strip of Open Scallop out of cork paper, too.

Check Kim's blog to see all the lovely samples AND find all the details in the MFT forum!  :)  ~megan

Monochromatic Skater

It's time for the MFT DT Creative Challenge.  And it's a doozy.  The team has been lamenting about how difficult MONOCHROMATIC coloring is.  I took it one step further and used grays in my dp, too. 

I thought the Skater Boy Pure Innocence would be a good place to start for blacks and whites.  He's colored with Copics and I used C00, C01, C03, C05, C07, and a touch of C09.

You'll also notice the rain cloud clouds.  ;)  I used MFT's lovely felt and the Cloud Trio Dienamic.  You might also spy the Say What Dienamic--which is a perfect for the sentiment.

Sketch For You To Try in May

It's already time for a new SFYTT.  Are ya ready?!?  It's a fabulous one, too.  I do have a confession to make first.  I have had some hard drive issues lately. While my computer is at the hospital, I had this card photo'd and ready, but I don't have my other graphics {whilst I type on someone else's computer} for my post.  Forgive me this time.  ;)

I am happy to announce that this month's SFYTT sponsor is Your Next Stamp.  I was so thrilled to work with this Little Birdie Christmas House.

One of my favorite new neutrals to use is PTI's Fine Linen.  It's a nice alternative to kraft and it works nicely with Copics...so long as the image isn't too detailed.  For my smaller circle, I used a vintage pattern {tutorial here} with nesties to make a little embellishment.

Check out the SFYTT girls, too:

Jen del Muro

Susan Liles
Amy Sheffer
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Carole Burrage
Kelly Lunceford

Kerry Johnson

Terri Moore

and guest designer Kerri Michaud

Mother Of All Blog Hops

Welcome to the There She Goes Mother of All Blog Hops.  Funny name, huh?  Once you see how many hoppers there are, you'll understand.  Start at Jessica's blog and you'll be on your way.  If you got here from Danielle Daws' blog, you're on the right track.

A few months back, I was thrilled to be a guest designer for There She Goes.  I've always enjoyed their stamps and some of my favorite designers are on their team. 

I was just at a friend's home and there was a cuckoo clock on her wall.  I was so thrilled when I saw this one, I had to ink it up.  It's in the Good Times set.

Have you gone to Staples to buy tags yet?  If you've been a reader for a while, you should know how much I enjoy working with them.  They make a great starting place for a card.  :)  You know twine looks really good on them too--and I can't make a card without twine lately.

You're next stop is Stephanie Muzzulin.  ENJOY!

Sweet As A Bowl of Cherries

It's Friday and I have two sweet things to share today...well, three if you count my card.  ;)

1.  Have you ever been to the All Things Unity blog?  It's a bimonthly challenge blog where you can see LOTS of inspiration.  There's fabulous designs to look at, a creative challenge, and you get to play along with your Unity stampness.

All that to say, I was lucky enough to be asked to be a guest designer for the month of May!  I'm excited to work along with these girls.  Here's a secret: I sort of messed up on my first challenge.  They didn't fire me, so I'll be sure to get the next one right. ;)

2. It's National Scrapbooking Day tomorrow.  That means i {heart} papers is having a SALE.  Here's some flashy {and fancy} information:

3. Card Details: 

You know I love itty bitties {it's hard to make that plural}.  

I haven't been able to put down my Lily Bee papers.  There's three different lines to love

I highlighted the image with a white pen and colored it with Copics.  Of course, Copics on kraft is lovely.

I want more of those wooden buttons.  I don't even know where I got it.

Black gingham goes so nicely with a bowl of cherries.

Sketchy Type

The May MFT release is here.  I have a sample with this week's sketch using the lovely new Just My Type set.  

I stuck with some elements of black, white {cream}, and red, but have mixed in a few other colors.  This paper set is by Pink Paislee and it lovely.

I hope you can play along in the challenge.  The details are here. 

MFT Blog Hop and Shop

What a fabulous release, right?  Have you made your shopping list?  What's at the top?  There's so many lovely things to choose from.  :)  Make sure you start at the beginning of the hop--you wouldn't want to miss any of the samples.  

I have more than one sample for you tonight--there were so many fun things to play with I couldn't put 'em down.

To start though, I've got to show off the Well Worn Greetings set.

I have enjoyed the Notched Tag Dienamics so much, I made a little one to fit inside my well worn frame.  The butterfly was cut with Sour Apple felt and the tag was cut with wood paper.  

I also added a linen element cut with my Simply Scallops Medium Dienamic.  I've received a number of comments about the linen and I got it in the fabric section at Hobby Lobby.  I run it through the cuttlebug twice, just to get a nice clean cut.  It adds an unique texture to the card.

Next up, I have a little Just My Type card for you.  There's something about the red/white/black color combo that screams retro.  I thought it would look wonderful for this little vintage typewriter.

And I couldn't leave you without at least one Pure Innocent sample, right?  This is a cute one too!  Fresh From the Oven is sure to be one of your favorites yet.  She's mixing up something special.  

I used a bit of cork paper over a piece of wide ribbon.  This fabulous cooking paper is by Teresa Collins and it's been waiting for the right stamp set.  This one fit the bill.  There's a Simply Scallop Dienamic under the ribbon panel.  Here's the inside:

Phew!  I sure hope you enjoy all of these samples and hop along to Melody's blog.  I'm sure she's got something perfectly sweet to admire.  

You Had Me At Woof

It's nearly time for the release.  Woot.  The details about this month's release is at the bottom of this post.

I had to ink up this Claire Keay image because we're dog people at this house.  I have two sweet Boxer pups and we like our woofs.  

The little coordinating images were too cute not to highlight.  I stamped them and colored them with one of the light grey Copics.  I cut them out and layered them on these banners.  Of course, I used the Fishtail Banner, but I used a vintage pattern technique with my dienamic.  

I love those little puppy ears.  So sweet.  I also finished off the inside, with the cutest sentiment:

Here are the details about the upcoming release on May 3 at 10 PM EST:

• The MFT release is on May 3 at 10 PM EST. You can attend the release party from 8-10 PM EST here in the forum for fun, games, and prizes! All the new sets and dies will be available on May 3 at 10 PM EST.
• The guest designer contest is ON! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $100 in stamp sets and play along with the DT for a month.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to Kim's blog NOW! Be sure to leave comments as you go for a chance to win one of 2 $10 vouchers being given away daily, just for leaving a comment. :) Check Kim's blog every day for the winners.