Oh, cheez. It's yer birthday, yah!

I have a fun one to share with ya today, folks, and I tink I'll be makin' a couple more a dese here cards fer my stash, yah. Ü

If you follow along here on the old blog, you probably know that my daughter is going to college in Alaska, so I decided to send her a little 'love from Wisconsin' for her upcoming 20th birthday...did I just say '20th'?! Where does the time go?! Kendra loves her 'Sconnie roots, so I think she'll get a big bang outta this one!♥

I started with a cream colored card base, stamped it with a row of polka dots from Paper Smooches Geo-Graphic, and then layered on a Die-namics Fishtail Flag, a Silhouette WI shape and a 100% sentiment from LLD Document It - Off the Chart. I used two different fonts (Impact & Learning Curve) that I typed and placed on top of the WI shape for the sentiment shown above. Then, I filled them in with color (yellow and black) as well as changing their outline color to the coordinating color. I'm going to refer you to this tutorial from the Silhouette Blog for further instructions on the Print & Cut feature that I used to personalize my card.

 

The card inside uses more fun products from My Favorite Things: Die-namics Fishtail Flags Layers STAX, DC Lollipops Additions - Love, LLD Document It - Captured Memories, and DC Just My Type. Love the mixy-matchy look of all the MFT stampage!

And with that, I'll sign off with a Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Kendra! ♥
~Amy

happy birthday {stud muffin}

I've always gotten a kick out of the 'stud muffin' reference and finally got a chance to express it in paper. This one's for my 'stud muffin' nephew, Jens, who turned 17 last week.

Yep...he's a stud (muffin).

I started with a Silhouette Cupcake Card Kit and eliminated the cherry-on-top thereby transforming the cupcake into muffin. That's legal, right?! Before assembling the cupcake envelope, I ran it through the Big Shot with my Die-namics High-Rise Alphabet Lowercase letters to spell out 'stud' on the front. I added a layer of turquoise cardstock behind the negative space to add a punch of color and then stamped 100% from LLD Document It - Off the Chart and a double circle stamp from DC Lollipop Additions - Love.

Here's a view of my little 'stud muffin' all in one piece. I added a glassine bag 'liner' inside the envelope and baker's twine around the outside. Isn't he cute?!

The 'muffin' insert is simply stamped with a birthday sentiment from DC Just My  Type...love the simplicity!

I have a couple more stud muffin in my family with upcoming birthdays, so I'd better get back in my studio and bake up another batch of these cuties!
~Amy

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club {Say Cheese!}

Ok, so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to give the land that I love a little shout out with this week's MFT WSC sketch...love me some cheeseheads, even if they're on the road again (sing it, Willy!).

A scrap-booker I am not (although I secretly want to join the ranks of Project Life), but since I am so.in.love. with anything Laina Lamb, I'm determined to work her stamps and Die-namics into my comfort zone as much as poss-ee-blo (possible)!

Here's my version of either a slice of Wisconsin's finest smattered on I-94 or the next Ellsworth Cheese Curd sponsered Indy car burning up the speedway...either way, "A Picture is worth a 1000 words", right?! Here's a word from our MFT sponsors:

• Die-namics LLD Accent It - Labels and Tabs (fishtail banner edge)
• LLD Accent It - Pie Chart (cheese wedge)
• LJD Hearts and Stitches
• LLD Document It - Captured Memories
• MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch #108 (MFTWSC108)

 And there you have it...another fun card made possible by WI cheese and friends! Hope you can have a little fun with this week's sketch. Ü
~Amy

Winners Take Chances

I've used this month's MFT Guest DT Challenge sketch (MFTGUESTDT0213) for my card honoring Hank (my oldest son) as he nears the end of his senior year of high school. I woke up yesterday with lots of ideas for Hank's graduation party, specifically the decorations 'cause that's the fun part, right?! We've enjoyed watching Hank play football, wrestle and perform in a few of his high school musicals, so I have ideas floating around that center around those activities first and foremost.

I couldn't get the Die-namics ALL STAR Die & Stamp Set and Jersey Die & Stamp Set out of my brain train, so I hopped on board and went with it. Go with the flow, right? I had to finally stop digging through my Die-namics because I kept finding more and more that I could connect to my football theme. The new Paper Doll Boy  Border was perfect for the 'team' aspect and the Fresh Cut Grass Border a no-brainer, right?!

Then, of course, are the Die-namics High-Rise Numbers and football from the ALL STAR set to accentuate his jersey number '54'.

Rounding out the Die-namics train is a tab from LLD Accent It - Labels and Tabs stamped with ALL-STAR, of course! I've added heat embossed accents with a tiny star from the ALL  STAR Stamp Set and that cool chevron 'arrow' stamp from Lollipop Additions.

Here's the finished inside that utilizes a few more Die-namics: Notebook Edge, Fishtail Flags Layers STAX and LLD Accent It - Labels and Tabs stamped again with that fun little chevron. The bottom of the 'notebook page' shows stamps from the ALL STAR Stamp Set.

I'm not certain Hank will enjoy this card as much as I did making it, but you never know...I think there's quite a big heart under all that 'tough guy'! Ü
~Amy

You Bring Out the Best in Me

 

I 'found' a bit of stamping time Saturday morning before heading off to Hank's wrestling tournament and came up with this little ditty based on a bit of inspiration from a bedding set found in The Company Store catalog. I am so lovin' gray mixed with just about any color lately...perhaps an extension of letting my hair go gray over the past 9 months. Either way, it's my new favorite color!

As soon as I laid eyes on those happy, chic florals I grabbed my new Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose (petals) and Poinsettia (middle) Die-namics and got cranking on the old Big Shot. I couldn't let those petals hang there all on their own, so I tucked a gray Leaf-Filled Flourish behind the trio of blooms. I probably sound like the proverbial broken record, but I love the mainstay fact that you can mix and match MFT products so easily and beautifully! Finally, a mini fishtail banner from LLD Accent It: Labels and Tabs in yellow is layered on the dovetail seam binding for a little extra pop, and the sentiment is from this month's Triple Scoop Set, You Make My Day stamped on a label from Die-namics You Move Me.

Here's a peek at my inspiration, and with that I'd like to wish you a Happy Monday! Thanks for popping by today.
~Amy

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club: Hope for Mom!

After an email conversation with a fellow stamper, I was once again reminded of the importance of balancing my love of this craft and my family, specifically my mom as she continues her cancer treatments with an upcoming surgery sometime in February or March. I know that I haven't told her how proud I am of her strength, her courage and her ability to stay positive day after day, so I decided to make this card for her to express my admiration and love for her. Ok, let's get on with the card as I'm a bit verklempt as I write this.

 

I used this week's sketch from MFT's Wednesday Stamp Club found HERE and combined it with Die-namics Girly Graphic Tee Die & Stamp Set which hasn't seen ink once since I bought it months ago when we first learned of mom's breast cancer diagnosis.

Here is a bit more detail of the new Die-namics Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose and Leaf-Filled Flourish dies surrounding the personalized tee at front and center. I used a combination of kraft cardstock for the outer leaves of the rose and black felt for the rose center. I love how easily the felt rolls and fills in the center of the bloom. You can see 'MOM' peeking out from either side of the tee, a strip of kraft cardstock 7/8" wide stamped with 'MOM' from the Girly Graphics Tee Stamp Set.

Finally, the inside of the card where I'll write a personalized note to mom. Here you can see the same 7/8" strip of kraft cardstock stamped with 'MOM' as the card front. A simple black fishtail tab from Die-namics LLD Accent It - Labels and Tabs adds just the right touch to pull things together on the inside.

I hope you have a chance to play along with this week's sketch (MFTWSC107) and maybe even send that card off to someone you love...just because. ♥

~Amy

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club {cool beans}

This cool chick is from the newest stamp line released at My Favorite Things last night called Doodle Garden. This particularly cute set is called Far Out and she makes me giggle every time I lay eyes on her...so.stinking.cute, and she's always looking at the glass half full in her 'rose colored glasses'!

 I have to tell you a little story about her paper pieced bell-bottoms. When I was in grade school, a new girl moved into our neighborhood, and she always had the coolest stuff: beautiful wavy hair, a Schwinn bike AND pink & purple plaid Toughskins jeans that were way.cool.! The best thing about Terri was that she was and is one of those really good persons, with or without all her 'cool stuff'.  So, the first time I saw Far Out, I knew I had to put the inspiration of my childhood friend to work.

I've had a collection of blank rings sitting on my stamp table for about a month now purchased from Pick Your Plum about a year ago. I decided to pair up a few extra blooms I'd cut from the new Die-namics Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose die and make a matching ring for my card. A giant pink gemstone fits perfectly in the center of the flower for one fun and fancy-schmancy ring!

It was hard to photograph the ring, and I thought about taping a 'HSN type' video to model my new ring, but alas, no time for a manicure, so I scrapped that idea!

And, finally, a shot of the finished inside using the new Die-namics Layered Heart Border and tab from Accent It - Labels and Tabs in coordinating colors and papers. For this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch (keyword: MFTWSC106) head on over to the MFT Blog along with a full list of this week's participants. 

Thanks again for stopping by for this week's MFT Teasers, New Product Tour and today's WSC card! I've loved being part of the MFT family the past month and look forward to playing along with their weekly sketch and more!
~Amy

Here's what's on today's card:

MFT New Product Tour: I Miss You

What a whirlwind week it's been playing along with Team MFT!  I got to tease you with all kinds of new stamp sets and Die-namics, and now the shopping has begun and I've got one final-final card to share with you before I leave my spot as MFT Guest  Designer. I miss you already, MFT!

What could be finer than the new  Die-namics Leaf-Filled Flourish in combination with the Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose? And to top it off (or behind in this case) with the Heart Doily is downright perfect in my book! The sentiment from this month's Triple Scoop set, You Make My Day, and it is a perfect complement to the flower-vine-doily cluster that takes center stage.

I couldn't make a card this release without using the new Accent It - Labels and Tabs, my new go-to die set, and it works perfectly with the Die-namics Fishtail Flags Layers STAX.

Here's a peek at the inside finished off with the Die-namics Layered Heart Border and, of course, a tab from Accent It - Labels and Tabs. I filled two of the hearts with the same patterned paper as used on the card front to add a little interest and representation of the recipient and me. Ü

There you have it, my final-final as MFT's Guest Designer, a position of which I've enjoyed every minute! Thanks so much, My Favorite Things!
♥Amy

MFT Pre-release Pep Rally!

Well, here we are on the final day of My Favorite Things Teasers week, culminating with the Pre-release Pep Rally! Today's project features sentiments from Lovey Dovey Sentiments, but the main focus is on the Die-namics used to put together these sweet mini totes made from felt. I always love the holiday totes that pop up in the Target $1section and decided to try my hand at them using the new Die-namics Heart STAX, Accent It - Labels and Tabs, and Leaf Filled Flourish.

I've got a few photos that will help you visualize the creative process to make these, but the real inspiration for the tote can be found HERE, so please check out Megan Nielsen's tote tutorial for complete instructions. Thanks, Megan!

I started with two felt panels cut about 4 by 4.5 inches, and that's very approximate. You can make your tote as large or small as need be. Before sewing the two panels together, I sewed on contrasting die cut hearts  (Hearts STAX) and notched the lower corners as shown in the tutorial.

I scalloped the top edge of the red panels using MFT's Die-mamics Simply Scallops Small. I snapped this picture before notching the lower corners, but you must do that in order to achieve a flat bottom tote that will sit up nice and tall for you! After you add all the extras to your panels, sew them together with the panel fronts together (inside out), again following the tote tutorial for further clarification.

Here's a side view of the red tote, showing the flat bottom and the gorgeous detail of the Leaf Filled Flourish Die-namic. My goodness, are you excited to order these yummy treats tonight, or what?!

I finished each mini tote with a sentiment flag using dies from Die-namics Fishtail Flags Layers STAX and Accent It - Labels and Tabs, sentiments from Lovey Dovey Sentiments and heart topped stick pins from my stash.

 The 'arrow' end of this die cut from Accent It - Labels and Tabs is tucked under and held in place by the twin stick pins. Finally, if you look closely, I cut two slits on both front and back panels (above the stitched heart) to form a ribbon slide from which to tie my ribbon into a nice little bow and hold the tote closed.

Time to stop over at the MFT Blog for a complete list of today's Teasers, but before you go read over the bullets below for all the happenings at My Favorite Things right now. Remember, you can win MFT cash by leaving a little comment love!

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 8 from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can WIN PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 8 at 10 PM EST. You’ll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is going on now! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics.
• If you’d like to see all the teasers for today, you’ll find today’s participating designers linked at the MFT blog. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 8 just before the release party, on the MFT blog. 

Here are the MFT products used on today's project:

Thank you for all of your sweet comments this week, I've been overwhelmed with all of your kind and complimentary words! I am thrilled to have been a part of this awesome, awesome MFT release this week! If you've not participated in the MFT Guest Designer contest, DO IT! The prize is so generous and the honor and priviledge to work with Team MFT is pretty.darn.cool.!
~Amy

MFT Teasers Day 6: Read All About It

Welcome to one of the most anticipated of the My Favorite Things Teasers days: Pure Innocence Day! Today we are celebrating two new PI girls, Around the World - Netherlands and Read All About It. I cannot wait to buzz around to all the blogs to see what Team MFT has done with these two cuties.

I've used Read All About It for my project today. Isn't she cute sitting there reading the daily news in her comfy pink gingham chair? The chair is paper pieced using some of my favorite, most hoarded, papers by Pink Paislee (Hometown Summer).

Here's a closer look at her chair and the view from the window. Speaking of that window, it's made from a few of the new Accent It - Labels and Tabs Die-namics. Next up are a few shots of the window in-the-making. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have if my picture tutorial needs clarification.

 
Each window was cut using the rounded square die from Accent It - Labels and Tabs. After die cutting the windows I layered my window pane on top of that cute neighborhood patterned paper and then trimmed it to fit neatly behind. The window treatment was made using the Accent It - Labels and Tabs dies that you see pictured. Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE this die set?! It's one that will sit right there next to you on your stamp table because you'll be using it so often!

One last peek at the sentiment stamped on, you guessed it, a die cut tab from Accent It - Labels and Tabs. I added remnant black hearts on the sentiment tab and the vertical Die-namics STAX Fishtail  flag that were left from the Die-namics Heart Doily.

Stop over at the MFT Blog for today's list of Teasers and then read over the bullets below for all the happenings at My Favorite Things right now.

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 8 from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can WIN PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 8 at 10 PM EST. You’ll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is going on now! Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics.
• If you’d like to see all the teasers for today, you’ll find today’s participating designers linked at the MFT blog. Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily. The winners will be posted on January 8 just before the release party, on the MFT blog. 

Here are the MFT products used on today's project

 Thanks so much stopping by today and for all of the sweet comments you've been leaving me during MFT Teasers week. I have had so much fun creating for MFT and your comments are the cherry on top!
~Amy