I just got an email special from Kim @ My Favorite Things Stamps!
Here it is! 

Vacation News for www.mftstamps.com

We will be out of town on August 12th through August 18th, so orders will not be processed during this time.  All current orders have been packed and will shipped when we return.

*How about a $3.00 shipping discount on all orders, US and International!  Enter the coupon code VACATION when checking out to receive this discount.  You MUST enter the coupon code to receive the discount!

How’s that for some summer time fun??

Thanks,
Kim

Did you miss the MFT party this past week?

Well if you did I figured I would share a card that  I linked in the MFT forums during the release party.

Now I do have some Halloween samples with the new MFT sets, but those are TOP SECRET until my classes at The Paper Tree next weekend. I am doing 3 classes that day, and I hope you can join me! Check out the class schedule. I am also gathering my things for my Class Kits!!! Those seem to be pretty hot-so thank you for your interest in them 😀

ABOUT THE KITS : They are a mail order kit. You can add items on as you wish. Each kit lists items it comes with and has detailed directions for you to follow. Fun stuff. The feedback from the first kits are awesome, so I am happy to begin round 2. I hear most people want ALL 3 classes in a kit. We will have to see.

I will keep you posted OK!

 Take a hike

This is from the NEW! Nature calls  set, and also uses the Whats your sign? set.

Now it is important to note just how much I girlied this up. Love the colors, and yes the layout is pretty cute too. How can you not LOVE that racoon? He is my favorite image in the set.

Miss Lauren here is NOT a nature person, at all. You would not catch me ever going camping of hiking or anything like that-ever! Jason talks about going with the kids, and how much fun it would be………and blah, blah, blah, and that is great. He can have a fun kids weekend in the forrest,  while I stay home. If there were an RV then I MIGHT think about it.

I’m not a big fan of wilderness. Unless its at a zoo or something like that. CONTAINED wildlife! I need my coffee pot, make-up, running water, a toilet -not a hole in the ground, and of course my nice hot shower. Oh and my computer is a big bonus.

That all being said when I got this set I will admit it had me totally stumped. But once I got over the WILDERNESS thing I was able to get some stuff done with it. So I ditched my hang-up of nature colors and gave it my own spin. I love how my samples actually turned out.

Next up a Pink Moose

 I moose you

I told you Im not a wilderness person, but I can certainly create with a PINK moose! LOL! I think she turned out mighty purty! LOL! Love the antlers 😀

I love the “patchwork” of this patterned paper by Inque Boutique. Gave it a bit of rustic-girly style. This paper is the Isn’t it Romantic collection. I love my Sweet blush cardstock SO much.

 The sign set is just totally adorable, and can be mixed with so many others. Pretty fun idea.

Now don’t slam me here because Im not a nature lover OK.

Hope you are enjoyed the weekend. I know I have TONS to do. I live for a long to do list I think.

Till tomorrow-

I am excited to share this peek with you using First Fruits from Papertrey Ink.

 It will be released on the 15th.

Nichole & Becky really put their brilliant minds together to come up with a fabulous set.

I have absolutely fallen in love with it while creating for this release. It is such a classy and elegant set, with that perfect Papertrey Ink flair that we all love, because making a gorgeous card or gift is SIMPLE and EASY!

Now keeping with that Papertrey Ink style of simple elegance, I will take you back to the basics! We are going to creating a simple gift, in just minutes, that will make the receiver say WOW!

This is one of the very first non-card items I ever learned to create! From then on, I was hooked. I hope you have time to give it a try as we visit the “How To” of customizing a candle! We will add a twist, with a tag topper!

If you have never done this before it really is a WOW creation. You can take your stamps and turn a simple $1 candle, into one that you would spend several dollars for in the store. Best part is, it is done in minutes.

I save all my tissue paper from my Papertrey Ink orders! They are perfect for this project.

All you need is:

Stamp set of choice (First Fruits)* ink of choice * any size candle * tissue paper (even colored paper if you like) * a heat gun * Safe surface to work on ( I love my Tim Holtz non stick craft mat)

OPTIONAL

Cardstock cut in the size/shape of your candle top. Hole punch, slit punch, and ribbon.

Now for my project!

 I decided to go with non-traditional colors, despite my maple leaf design. I wanted it to be different. I chose green, and shades of blue for my color scheme. My candle is also a pale blue with a fresh linen scent.

1) Choose candle. Measure how tall the candle is, and how wide around. Cut your tissue paper, leaving a little extra to ensure full coverage.

2) Ink your stamp.

Now when using multiple colors of ink on one image, start with the lighter color first, then add your darker colors. This prevents your light colors of ink from getting “muddy”.

I stamped green in my leaf center, then dabbed the edges in a light blue, then again in a darker blue.

 Isn’t it pretty?!

3) Stamp your image on your tissue paper

 click to enlarge. Then without re-inking, stamp again. This will give the effect of layers of leaves within the candle when you are done, and adds a nice sense of dimension.

 Finished paper

4) Now wrap your tissue paper around your candle. Put it on a safe, heat resistant work surface. Oh and one that you don’t care about getting melted wax on, as it can be messy!

6) Use heat tool to heat set. You will see the wax underneath come through and coat the tissue paper.

DO NOT over heat. You will get uneven melted portions of the candle, and lots of dripping. Just heat in smooth even strokes, back & forth. Do this until entire candle is done.

7) OPTIONAL : I like to wrap my candle in my craft mat, and roll it out (like dough) so that the light texture of my mat transfers into my warm wax candle!! It also helps hide any un-even areas 😀

 NOW ROLL! Back and forth.

Now it is done!

 Can’t see the texutre in the photo but it IS there, I promise.

OK not totally done!! You can’t leave it like that!

I decided a topper for the top of my candle would really complete this gift! So lets make a topper shall we?

This is a quick and simple touch that really completes your candle.

1) I measured my candle top, and found a circle nestabilty that was the perfect fit!

2) Stamped the top with the same design as on my candle, and added a sentiment.

3) Punched a hole in the center of the circle topper for my wick to go through.

4) Added 2 slots for my ribbon to tie on the tag topper.

5) Measured my ribbon, and cut. I then punched a hole in the ribbon, so the wick can go through the ribbon and tag topper.

6) Wrapped my ribbon around the tag topper, and tied on.

DONE!

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the “oldie but goodie” reminder of this fun and easy gift.

If you get the time to try it out I’d love to see your creation! Send us a link here!

Don’t forget to check Nichole’s blog daily for the peek’s and the list of who is also counting down the release with samples! Oh and today Becky had a special post too!!! Don’t miss it.

Also Lisa AND Heather (aka Pine) have set coming out this month so check out their peeks each day till the countdown too!

Later!

Well its Saturday, and that means it is time for a sketch!

I hope you get some time this week to try it out. Use your creativy liberty 😀

 Here it is!

Love that it is more professional looking using the Photoshop. Dawn fixed this one for me and I have next week’s ready to go 😀 Having a team keeps me on schedule!

I plan on using this one again (don’t I always say that?!)

I hope you all like it. Now remember I now have a team of players to share some more sketch inspiration!! They really did a fabulous job last week, so check out their blogs (on my sidebar under Saturday Sketch team!!) if you are feeling stumped and need more eye candy!!! AND if you get to play, send us a link here so we can check it out 😀

Now for this one I decided to use a much loved, but un-touched stamp I had in my Bella collection, from the chichibouile line : Wendy Papillion. I love her!

 Time Flies

I’m sure you can see why-butterflies!! She is just beautiful. I am now realizing (upon linking her) that I need more from this line 😀

I know my sentiment has nothing to do with time, but that is what I think of when I see butterflies. Plus this card is WAY late going out as a thank you note. Like the butterfly, time flies.

SUPPLIES

The sentiment is by SU! Stem Sayings. The button are various SEI collections. I picked up this paper at The Paper Tree. Colors are teal, guava and a real red (can’t tell well by the photo-sorry)

 I just love it. Great colors for this set. No idea who makes the paper  (help me out if you know), and just fell for the un-Lauren like colors. Challenge yourself to get out of that comfort zone!

I went to M’s yesterday and they has some new Martha Stewart and many other fall & Halloween collections. I did get some punches-happy dance, but otherwise not much more to report from there.

Lots to do this weekend. Amber’s birthday shopping, and lots of other family stuff.

I hope to see some of you next weekend! I have my trio of classes on Saturday the 16th!!

Thank you again for checkin in here. I think its great that with the little time you have, many of you stop by for a peek 😀 and even take time comment.

Thanks again!

So get off the computer, get inspired and get stamping!!!

Enjoy the weekend

 Birdie-ful Day

OK be honest! How cute is this card? OMG! I love her. I love the colors, I love the layout, the paper, the flowers, and I love the birds. I love it all. Now I know there isn’t anything in particular that is special, I just like it.

This is the first of a new line from C.C. Designs called Sugarplums. She will be released on the 11th. Check out the blog for more samples, and a chance to win her!

I really strive to use many different layouts on my cards. Don’t know if you all notice, but it’s this weird “thing” I have. When a new layout falls together I get so happy. I like to keep things fresh and fun. Not the same ole, same ole. BORING! Don’t get me wrong, I have my “standby” layouts, and sometimes some just work for everything! Overall though, I like to mix it up.

Now I am trying to get better at listing what I use. Im awful with that, and I apologize. I’m more of a talker, and focus on the why or how the creation came to be, or my thoughts, and not all the tiny details.

Supplies

Olivia from Sugarplum collection. Flowers and grass from another set-being released on the 11th!! The paper is by Imaginesce. The cardstock and ribbon is Papertrey Ink in the Aqua Mist & Spring Moss color collections. She is of course colored with Copic markers. Flower made using a punch I have from Punch Bunch-medium Daisy. Circle punches. Michaels faux dew drops.

OK now I am off to Michaels. Wish my wallet well please 😀 I have several designs that I NEED to get done TODAY! My brain isn’t sleeping at night because I have these CRAZY ideas in my head, that won’t stop until I complete this task!

Till later-I have some MFT samples to share (maybe that will be Sunday…………) Come back tomorrow because we have our weekly Saturday Sketch challenge!!

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading all your birthday memories and comments! Each one was fabuloius, and even made me remember some other great times I had!

I read every comment always, and so appreciate each of you who stop by and visit 😀

 Now the winner from the Its my party stamp set- post by www.random.org

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

183

Timestamp: 2008-08-07 16:07:19 UTC

———————————————————-

Eileen McClean August 6th, 2008 at 9:10 am  # 183

Congrats Eileen!!

Ill be in touch for your address.

Lauren

Can I get a great big AWE!

 Baby Bear Hugs

supplies: Baby bear hugs set, bashful blue, white-chocolate-spring moss- sweet blush & berry sorbet cardstock (bypapertrey ink), wide ribbon by Strano, clear button by foo-fa-la, copic markers, white singlo gel pen, ribbon by Martha Stewart

That is what I said when I saw the newest set Bear Hugs by Christine from All That Scraps.

Then again when I finished this card.

Christine is releasing 4 new sets on the 11th. Over the next few days you will get to pre-view more samples for these sets HERE! As well as enter to win a free set, so check it out.

So when I saw this UBER adorable bear (I love cutesy bears but have never found the perfect cutesy bear till Christine’s sets) I thought “she” looked so sad. All I could picture was a baby bear, dragging along her “blankie”. How wouldn’t want to hug her.

I have many of these large and wide ribbons that often go un-used because of their width, which is a shame since they are just so pretty. So I took the opportunity to use my wide ribbon, and some redline tape to create this blankie!

Then, go from the design of the ribbon I created my own bkgd paper, just using scraps of papers I have in my bin. I added the button for that super baby feel. I adore the layout of this too. The little flower in the corner is an altered clear button, using another set being released.

Now we have another sample.

No bear set can be complete without bee’s!

 Cute as can bee

supplies-bear hugs set, barely banana, basic black, circle punches, velvet brads by doodlebug, flowers by bazzill, copic markers, 2 way glue pen, dazzling diamonds glitter

Look at this chubby wubby bee face! How flippin cute is he? You cannot tell but the wings have glitter on them (of course). I went with the bee stripes to be inspired for my design. Its clean and simply detailed- I love it.

The flowers are by Bazzill, and the brads are fuzzy velvet brads. This just came together so easily.

Make sure you check out all the peeks!

Now how about that MFT release party? Did you go? Did you get anything? I shared a few peeks there, and will post them later today, or tomorrow.

Thanks for the love on my blog for my new look! Im so happy about it.

Be back later for the blog candy winner!!

Did you notice?

How could you not right?

I got a new blog make-over!! I’m talking a total over-haul. I love it and am just over the moon excited!

Sara Williams  from Tweaks and Designs did the make over for me, and tailored it to my exact wants/needs!! I cannot thank her enough for her talent and hard work. She was an absolute JOY to work with (no she didn’t pay me to say any of this! I paid her! LOL!) and made sure I was 100% happy with every detail.

She got my vision. I contacted her and said Listen I want a clock and butterflies, and I have to have the colors celery, pink and purple in there with some flowers. . Now I have a site that I think reflects me and my style/personality better. I just want to sit and stare at it.

NOTICE-in my banner-see the little clock? “MY TIME”! I love it. My ime is a huge thing for me, and important for my sanity. I was excited it was incorporated into my look.

This has all my favorite colors, and has a clean and whimsical style that I just love to pieces.

Thanks for letting me gush. This was a long time coming, and Ms. Williams is quite popular so she was in demand!! Well worth the wait.

Through this process I feel like I also made another cyber friend. She is like my cyber twin only her obsession is this whole graphics world (no idea what its called).

I wish I had her make me some more watermarks! LOL!! She designed all our MFT ones.

Well thanks for letting me gush! Im just so happy.

Also my super cyber friend Dawn made my day by sending me PHOTOS and instructions on how to make better sketches using my Photoshop!! Must have taken her forever to do that for me and I just appreciate that so much. She knows how challenged I am and took the time to help me. The directions were so easy, it took just a few minutes, my first time!!  They are like a total professional sketch!! Thank you Dawn! I love ya!!

OK finishing up my samples for the MFT party-so better run.

Sara Im sending you HUGE cyber smooches, and you better stay in touch!

Guess what! The Release for Pink Cat Studio is today! So hop on over to pick up your new sets!

LOOK HOW CUTE!

Can you seriously even believe how many images are in these set, and the possibilities? The design team had just touched the tip of the ice berg of possibilities. Seriously.

Now for another card to share

Back to School

How sweet is she? I totally love her, and her back to school look.

I once again used Bethany’s idea and colored her in a partial scene. I made that sidewalk using my marker & a ruler. I was impressed! LOL! I don’t have a artsy bone in my body, so being able to actually draw in a SIMPLE sidewalk was a big deal for me, I swear.

The lunch box is 3D, and I made the little flower on it to match her dress.

THEN I took some $1 clips I got last year at Target $1 spot, and took the original image out, and using my EK success flower punch and some PP I made my own little clippie to match! That was fun.

Here is the close up of my art! LOL!

I also love that I did the apple green rather than red. It’s a simple touch but I almost forgot apples ARE green too! LOL! That helped keep it all matchy matchy.

The sentiment is from MFT Back to school set, and the lined paper bkgd is CHF ( I so love that bkgd!).

Can you believe its “Back to School” shopping time already? That is what I started yesterday. I spent a pretty penny and felt like I walked away with not so much.

Noah got 5 pairs of jeans and 8 shirts, back pack, lunch bag, socks, and a zip up heavy sweatshirt for those “start cold, but end up hot days”. Target had a super sale on boys jeans!! Noah is in a size 7 (yes and he is only 5 1/2) and I got them for $3.74!! Not the cheapie jeans with no pockets, the heavier style Wrangler and a few other brands. I try not to buy him expensive jeans because he just tears through them, and grows so fast!

I have much more to do before the kids go back to school. Alexa’s last day of summer school is tomorrow. It will be nice to have a few days of no rushing out of bed and getting someone ready and out the door before my coffee even kicks in.

I think we need to hit the Tilton Outlets this weekend. I LOVE shopping at Carters for Amber, and anywhere I can get the girls matching outfits. Annoying, I know. But I think its just so cute. Alexa is small for her age, and Amber is bigger so it usually works out.

OK I have to run. I stayed up till 2:30 am last night! Something I NEVER do, but was inspired so said WHY NOT? Now I remember WHY I stopped doing that. I’m not 21 anymore. I can’t stay up till 2am and get up and run around with 3 kids. What was I thinking?

Well it paid off in the respect that my mojo was so happy and I whipped out like 7 big projects! GO LAUREN! LOL!

More on that later.

DONT FORGET-

Don’t miss the chance to win It’s My Party HERE

More blog candy this week

Wednesday…Kimberly www.itssoprettyitssocute.blogspot.com

Wednesday…Leigh https://sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/sunflower_studio/

Thursday…Debbie https://debbiedee.blogspot.com/

Thursday…Kathie www.justaninkling.blogspot.com

Friday…Susan www.susiestampalot.blogspot.com

The MFT release is tonight!! Hope to see you there! Ill be sharing my peeks with you.

Being released are:
Totally Witchin’

Monster Squad

What’s the Story? Flopsey

Nature Calls

What’s Your Sign? – 3 x 4 MINI that works with Nature Calls

My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets (see above) being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.comto find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer.

PRAY I am awake and I will see you there.

Later.

NOTE: This is post #2 for today. Scroll down so you don’t miss the Pink Cat Studio peeks! 

Well it’s that time again!

Storage Units, Ink & More is sponsoring another give away here! Thanks Denise!!

So who wants to win the super cute: Its My Party set?

I love this set.

I made this little oragami pocket party pouch. I will stick Amber’s lipgloss or something in there. Im testing out party favor ideas too. This is a super easy one.

Don’t you think she looks so cute?

If you want to have a chance to win this set-Leave me a comment here, telling me what YOUR best birthday gift was, or anything to do with birthdays, that you would like to share.. Oh, and a hello would be great too!

My best party was probably my 10th birthday. My grandmother and mother took me on a shopping spree at the mall. I felt all grown up. Then we got lunch and everything. I skipped school and we made a day of it. I loved it.

On my 18th birthday I got a car for my birthday. My ex-husband bought me a light blue Geo Storm. It was a standard, and I didn’t know HOW to drive a standard. It was like getting a plastic birthday cake!  I learned quick by practicing back and forth in front of my house (which was on a huge HILL!!!). I didn’t get my license till I was 18 because I was so afraid to drive! LOL! But, getting a car gave me that push. I still think you should be 18 to drive! (I say that before I hit teen years and being a personal taxi right?!)

Then there was my cabbage patch party when I was 7 or 8. They were the big thing, and mom made me my Cabbage Patch Kid cake (she always made our cake every year!). Whatever the theme was. It was so cool. All my friends were over. It was great. We always had some sort of home party.  I remember getting the Michael Jackson THRILLER record album! LOL! OMG! Do you remember that. I bet it would be worth money! MOM! Where is that album anyway?! That was long before he got weird.

My mom worked hard to make our day special, and I think that is why birthdays are so important to me, when planning for my kids. I want them to feel special and remember each year. I even took cake decorating classes to learn to make great birthday cakes. You know I have bought every single one since!! LOL!

Here are a couple I made over the years PRE cake decorating classes

 Crayon Box

Idea came from Parents magazine-what a nightmare to make!

Then there was Noah’s 2nd birthday I made a fire truck cake

Front view-

Side view-

Those are just a few of the disasters I have created! LOL! No more! Store bought is a good thing.

Amber turns 4 next week on the 13th! I cannot believe my BABY is going to be 4. She is very OLD for her age. I think our life situation, and the fact she is the 3rd child, made her grow up so fast. But I want to freeze each child right where they are right now!!! They are perfect ages. I can’t believe Alexa is going to be 9!!!!!!!!!! I don’t feel old enough to have a 9 year old.

Oh boy-so here is what Amber asked for, for her birthday.

Her birthday wishes are (in her words)

A Pretty Pink Princess doll that looks like me (she saw the American Girl doll) I wanted to get her a My Twinn doll (ever heard of them?). I read some bad reviews so who knows what Ill do. A lot of $$ to be disappointed.

A mermaid doll that swims in the water (Oh lord where am I going to find one of those?)

Nail-polish that sparkles, and lots of pretty makeup.

Pretty rings and bracelets, oh and a new pocketbook.

Dora doll

A Princess wand.

I think that was it. I don’t remember the rest. Too funny she is. She wants DORA again!! She has loved her for 3 years in a row. She will have her party when she goes back to school, but on her day we may go to Canobie Lake OR a Mommy & me spa day. But since she will have a Spa party I think that would be overkill. We will let her decide I guess.

OK I gotta run. Good LUCK!!! And the drawing will end Thurday noon EST time.