Sunday, November 9, 2008

Wanna Join the MFT DT??

Then play along in our monthly Guest Designer challenge! Here are the deets.

~Do you want the opportunity to be My Favorite Guest Designer for December?

~All you have to do is complete the challenge below and include “MFGD12” in the keywords and link your card back to this thread. You have until 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time Sunday night ( 11/9/08 ) to complete this challenge. The winner will be selected from the entries and posted on Monday.

~CHALLENGE: WatercoloringWatercoloring is such a pretty way to color an image. Plus you don’t need to just use watercolor paint/pencils – you can use re-inkers, pearlescent watercolors, Peerless watercolors and more choices I’m not thinking of right now. Use a watercoloring technique on your project for this challenge.

~We’re looking for original and unique projects, something that makes us say “Wow – that’s so cool!!” Please make sure the project you submit is a new one and not something already in your gallery.

~As a My Favorite Guest Designer, the winner will receive ALL of the new releases for December before anyone else AND will be able to post early with the design team. We will also choose 2 “Ambassadors” who will receive the any pre-released mini set, plus $10.00 in MFT “cash”, PLUS they are invited to host a challenge during the next MFT Release Party!

~Don’t forget to put MFGD12 in the keyword section and make sure your project is uploaded before 10:00 pm Eastern time on Sunday.

~If you have any MFT stamps, please use them on your design if you can. If you don’t have any (yet!), feel free to play along. The judging will not be based on stamps used, rather on your execution of the challenge!

~If you don’t have a gallery on Splitcoast, create one in our Forum HERE

Saturday, November 8, 2008

MFT's New November sets.....you're gonna love 'em!!

MFT has some gorgeous sets again this month (is there ever a month when they aren't gorgeous?!?! I think not!!). Check out November's new releases at www.mftstamps.com . You won't be sorry!!

The black, red & green creation is totally inspired by these two gorgeous creations by Jen del Muro, which can be seen on her blog here: http://iheart2stamp.com/2008/04/11/abc-fridayi-love-this-project/, and here:http://iheart2stamp.com/2008/06/04/did-you-see-and-more-to-see/ . (Sorry, I don't know how to add the links so they look neat & tidy.....any computer gurus out there that can teach me how to do that???)
I kind of did this backwards---and created it before I found a frame to put it in. The frame will be black or white, and I'll probably give it as a gift when I get it finished.


The second creation uses a new Annie LaPoint set from MFT, called 'Scented Geranium'. Love this image! If you click on the photo, it may be easier to see, but I cut out the individual flowers (even the teeny-tiny ones!) and layered them on dimensionals for a little more depth in the main image. This DP is called 'Indian Summer' by Sassafrass Lass. I just love the colors and designs in this line!

This is another version of the black, green & red creation in the top photo in this post, just using a different color combo. I didn't have any ribbon that matched the 'periwinkle' kind of color, so I used my Copic markers to dye several styles of white ribbon and it turned out great! I love knowing that I can now make ribbon in almost any color I need.


This sparkly cupcake creation uses 'It's a Cupcake Kind of Day', another new set from MFT. These cupcakes are nice and big---perfect for paper-piecing! This green & chocolate My Mind's Eye DP reminds me of mint and chocolate-chips. The cupcake frosting is Cinnamon stickles. Hmmmm....mint, chocolate, and cinnamon....all of this is making me hungry!! The top is an SU button I've been hoarding forever, and am finally making myself use.
I hope you've enjoyed the MFT goodies I've showed you today. I've got one or two more creations to share, but I've got to add some finishing touches first. I'll be back a bit later to share them with you.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!!!

Christmas, Snowmen, Butterflies, and Halloween..........

Quite the combination, huh??? Boy, I didn't realize quite so much time had gone by since I'd updated my blog!! (Thanks for hanging in there during my absence, though!!) Hopefully, between the next couple of posts, I'll be able to show you some things I've been working on while I've been away. I may do a bit of rambling as well, but if you've been to my blog before, you'll know that that's nothing unusual!
First, I'd like to ask a question...... what do you do to get out of a creative slump?? During the past few weeks, I hit a creative wall---and I mean a huge, thick WALL.....so much so, that I played with the idea of just tossing every creative thing I own. (Gasp!! I KNOW!!! I couldn't believe I was thinking about it either!!) I looked at the paper, the embellies, the ribbon SO many times.....and wanted to pitch it ALL!! It was such a strange feeling.
I finally figured out that my lack of creativity was because I wasn't taking any time for 'me'. I'm a happier person----and a much better wife and mother---when I take time for myself. I guess I've come to the realization that I need to make my needs just as much of a priority as I make my family's needs. I need to stop automatically putting myself at the bottom of the proverbial 'to-do' list. (I hope what I'm trying to say is making sense.)

Last week, I found the most fabulous scrapbooking store called 'A Walk Down Memory Lane', in Rock Valley, Iowa---about 20 miles away from the town I live in. I didn't even know it existed---I'd just done a quick search for local scrapbook stores on the 'net one morning and found it. I now know where I'll be spending a major portion of my creative budget!! Fabulous paper, embellies, stamp sets, ribbon, Nesties...I could go on & on. This place has it all!! (And, it's close enough that I can sneak away for just an hour or two of heavenly shopping!!) If you are anywhere near northwest Iowa, I highly recommend checking out this store!

OK.....enough of my rambling.
The snowman card uses some 'Snowy Jo' papers. I love these soft colors together for winter/Christmas cards! I also used some Doodlebug 'Stick With It' swirls and Doodlebug Sugar Coated glitter. (I had to hunt these down, thanks to Tosh!! Hugs to you, girlie!!) Love these little goodies---so much fun to work with, and they add just the right touch of sparkle.
The brown & pink butterfly card uses a Unity Stamps quote that I've had for a while, and finally had a chance to pair with some Jolie Chocolat DP's that I've had for a while. Love the way the butterflies in the quote mixed with some of the prints in this DP line.


The last couple of pictures are just some fun, sparkly things I made for Halloween. I know the trick-or-treaters put their costumes away a long time ago, and the candy is probably all gone, but I wanted to show these things to you anyway.
I've got another post to get uploaded yet this morning, so I'd better go for now. Thanks for sticking around this long.....and thanks for listening to my ramblings!! Have a great morning!!