MFT Weekly Stamp Club and New Challenges

Greetings friends!!  It was a busy weekend here in my house.  Both kiddos had respective illnesses so I was totally glued to the house.  But I do try to make the best of it all and allow myself to get extra crafty when these things happen.  One of the crafty things I did was create for this week's great MFT sketch MFTWSC56!  Here is the sketch:

Ya, it's super cute, right??!?!  SO fun!!!  Here's my interpretation:

I've used designer papers from Pink Paislee from their Vintage Vogue line.  The cardbase is Bazzill cardstock.  I used SU and PTI inks for my sentiment which is from MFT's Clearly Sentimental About Family set.  I used the beautiful Fleur De Lis stamps from MFT's Who's That Parisian Girl to embellish the Fishtail Banner pennant that I created using this technique.  

For my embellishments, I added lots of stitching, some gorgeous vintage inspired buttons from Pink Paislee, purple baker's twine, some floral stick pins and a small, resin flower from Michael's. 

One of my goals is to try to enter more challenges.  So I am also entering this into the following challenges:

My Crafty Spot - Anything Goes
Heart Song Inspirations - Buttons or Brads
Art With No Boundaries - All You Need Is Love
Victorine Stamps - Anything Goes
Hooked On Craft Challenges - Something Bright
Crafty Cardmakers - Beads
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - Things You Love

Thanks SO much for popping by!!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper Canteen Valentine's Day Blog Candy!!!

Good Morning Paper Canteen friends and readers!!  I do hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!  We had a lot of indoor time unfortunately, due to my darling babies both suffering through respective illnesses.  Ya, it was one of those weekends.  But, I try to always make the best of being 'stuck' indoors at times like those.  So I was able to delve into my crafty 'to-do' list and gather all of the wonderful goodies that I've been meaning to put together into some Valentine's Day Blog Candy just for you!!

I simply love Valentine's Day just because it's fun.  It's pretty, it's sweet, it's creative and it's simply DELICIOUS!!  Lots of fun sweet treats, pretty colors, fun images and just loveliness all around.  

I'm asking three things from you in order for you to be entered for this huge Blog Candy drawing. 

1.  Add this picture below to your side bar along with a link to this post.  (I'm looking to get to at least 500 followers)

2.  If you aren't already, become a Paper Canteen follower - just click "Join This Site" on the right side bar.  

3.  Tell me one or any of the following:  

NOTE: If you answer one question you will be entered one time.  If you answer two questions you will be entered two times and if you respond to all three you will be entered into this drawing three times which increases your chances to win for sure!!  =)

• Video/Photo tutorial you'd like to see from me?
• Ask A Crafty Question?
• Tell Me Your Favorite Places To Participate In Challenge(s) and why?

So what do I have in return for you? It's a lot so here goes!!

• 2 - Queen Kat Designs single stamps (never inked)
• 6 - Queen Kat Designs full stamp sets (never inked)
• 3 - Our Craft Lounge full stamp sets (never inked)
• 1 - The Cats Pajamas full stamp sets (two stamps have been inked one time)
• 1 - Basic Grey 6x6 - Kissing Booth Valentine's Day Paper Pack
• 1 - 10 pack K&Company red, sparkly clothes pins
• 1 - 56 piece pack Recollections brand white self-adhesive pearls
• 1 - scalloped edged alterable mini book
• 1 - 4x4 canvas panel
• 1 - alterable magnetic notepad
• 1 - 12x12 photo album - baseball theme
• 1 - 8.5x8.5 K&Company photo album - dance theme
• 1 - 9x9 Making Memories photo album - baby theme

Because a large prize pack like this is hard to photograph in total I've taken pictures of everything for you to see:
 *Two QKD Singles:

*Six QKD Full Stamp Sets:

(I don't have the print sheet for this one or the packaging - but it has never been inked - Sentiments Included in the Geisha Set:

Peaceful Feelings

Live For Today

A Gift For You

Joy

*Three Our Craft Lounge full stamp sets:

Summer Beach Set

(

 Christmas Under The Sea

*One The Cat's Pajamas full set:

(Believe In Elves and Be Merry and Bright - have been inked one time but are very clean)

 

One Basic Grey 6x6 - Kissing Booth Valentine's Day Paper Pack

One 10 pack K&Company red, sparkly clothes pins

 One 56 piece pack Recollections brand white self-adhesive pearls:

 One scalloped edged alterable mini book, one 4x4 canvas panel, alterable magnetic notepad:

One 12x12 photo album - baseball theme, one 8.5 x 8.5 K&Company photo album - dance theme, one 9x9 Making Memories photo album - baby girl theme:

Please leave your response to one (or more) of the three questions above in the comments section along with a way to contact you.  If I can't contact you then I can't get you your prize!  =) 

I will draw one winner at random on Valentine's Day - Tuesday, February 14th!! 

Thanks so much for supporting Paper Canteen!  Wishing you all good luck!   

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such - A Fun And Simple Creation

Greetings Paper and Such Fans!  I'm here with you today to bring you a sweet and simple card using a newly released set from Paper and Such called Bitty Love. 

 I snipped apart the sentiment 'you rule!' from the ruler itself. 

I then stamped the ruler five times using black Momento ink and then took the sentiment and stamped it inside the ruler image.  I then very carefully trimmed them out and added a micro-brad to each one.  I pulled out some of my very favorite teacher paper, matted with yellow cardstock.  I stitched around the edges and added it to my skinny Kraft cardbase.  My cardbase measures 5.5"x3".  I adhered my rulers with three dimensional foam adhesive for some added oomph!  I tied a nice fluffy bow using red Grosgrain stitched ribbon and voila...my card front was done.

For my interior, I used simple graph paper - yes, the kind you can buy at your local office supply store.  I stamped it with another amazing sentiment from this set.  I then stamped another ruler image to tie it in with the card front.  I again, matted my paper with bright yellow cardstock and adhered it all together.


I hope you've enjoyed my simple and fun creation!


Thanks for coming by!



Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Bombshell Stamps Blog Hop - Ring In The New

Greetings Luscious Bombshell Fans!!  So glad you're here today hopping with us! Hopefully you've hopped here from my dear friend Mary's blog and if you haven't please start your hopping experience right here! 

 I've made a creation using the following SCS challenge as my muse.  So that's one of my "new" things is trying to incorporate some SCS challenges into my creating schedule.  And if you check out the challenge you'll see that it's an inspiration challenge based on Belleek Pottery.  I'd never heard of it before so it was very interesting to learn about as well as inspiring!!!

Here is the creation that I made.  It's a birthday card for my Dad's upcoming birthday!

I used this technique to capture the cool texture in the background.  I inked up Homeward Bound and had THE BEST TIME coloring in and practicing my shading.  

After coloring my image I matted it with some blue DP and stitched around the edges anchoring the corners with small silver brads.

 I stitched my background down, added a navy blue Grosgrain ribbon tied into a knot and anchoring it (lol! no pun intended) with a mini clothespin.  I added a few floating pearls on the top left and bottom right corners for extra detailing.

Thanks so much for popping in today!!  Glad you're hopping along!  Now off you go to the amazingly fabulous Cheryl's blog!  She is an AMAZING artist and will WOW you for SURE!!! 

Thanks, in advance, for any comments and love!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Paper and Such Design Challenge

Hello Friends!!  Welcome to another awesome Paper and Such challenge.  For this week's challenge we are sponsoring The Ribbon Carousel!  That's right, double sponsorship for this challenge!  There is a P&S Gift Certificate for one lucky winner!

We are challenging you to create a Valentine with non-traditional colors.  Think it's easy?  Well...I know that I definitely struggled a bit with this one!  I went to my mix and match scrap bin, as opposed to going to the scrap bins that I have organized by color, and just stuck my hand in and pulled something out.  

Here is my creation using the random scrap that I started with:

The sparkly plaid is the piece that I grabbed at random.  So I started with that as my jumping off point.  But before I continue, I must say that my inspiration for this card shape as well as the circular layer came from my darling friend Joanne.  She's a constant source of inspiration for me and many others.  

I used corrugated cardboard to add to my circular layer and then a bit of zig zag stitching underneath the beautiful sentiment from THIS set.  It's one of my very favorite quotes of all time.  I stamped it on watercolor paper with black Momento ink.  

I layered the background papers, stitched around the edges and added corner brads.  I chose a piece of chipboard, coated it in Brilliance Rocket Red ink - which actually looks orange/gold when inked, coated in clear embossing powder and heat set.  I added some Tim Holtz tape onto some light blue cardstock and backed my chipboard panel for added dimension. 

To my main panel, I added a dangling, metal rimmed tag onto which I added a steampunk-esque metal embellishment with a copper brad.  Lastly I added three loops of Grosgrain light blue ribbon to my main layer and adhered it on with three dimensional foam adhesive. 

To complete the interior, I used more random scraps combined with my Sweet Stack Die from MFT.  I used my Wild Rose stamp to embellish my center panel.  

I anchored the sides with two tiny copper brads.  I stitched the edges and adhered everything down.

I do hope you come join us for this super fun challenge!!  Thanks so much for popping by today!! 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Dilly Beans Challenge - Feeling Blue?

Good morning everyone and Happy Friday!!  Today I'm bringing you another new challenge over at Dilly Beans!  This week's challenge is BLUES!  I have a friend who has been a bit 'blue' lately so I made this just for her!  I printed out image #200 - Cheekie four times.  Once onto my Neena white cardstock, then again on solid blue stock, and two different basic grey patterned papers.  I paper pieced her hair, cheeks and bows.  I colored the rest with my Copics (I colored her first, of course, THEN paper pieced!)

As you can see, I've trimmed her out entirely and popped her up onto foam adhesive.  I used a mish mash of papers from my blue scrap bin.  Some is SU!, some is from an old matte stack and the rest were just scraps.  

I used my MFT Oval Dainty Doily as the focal point for the interior of my card as well as a good place to write my note!

As my muse, I've used the Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge right HERE!

I hope you've enjoyed and been inspired to create with us at Dilly Beans!! 

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club - Strawberry Sweetie

Hi MFT fans!!  I'm playing along again this week (as I hope to every week!) in the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club!  The sketch this week is INSANELY cute!!

I went a *little* rogue and flipped the sketch to suit my needs.  I was really wanting to ink up my sweet PI - Berry Sweet as I hadn't had a chance to during the last release...GASP!  (*wink!) 

Here is my interpretation.   As you can see, I flipped the sketch 90 degrees and added a tag in lieu of a layer.  I stamped my tag - from my Tag You're It Stamp Set with an old SU! strawberry, using Versamark Ink and clear embossing powder to heat set it.  All papers are from Fancy Pants Designs except a bit here and there of scrap that was on my desk.  I pieced her sweet little dress and collar separately .  Her shoes are coated in Glossy Accents for extra shimmer.

I used my Fringed Perennials Die-Namics to create my felt flowers in both red and blue.  The felt is from PTI and it's LUSCIOUS.    I layered and stitched and added three different colors of baker's twine to the top of the tag in a fun and fluffy bow.  

I kept the interior sweet and simple.  

I hope you come join us over at SCS!!  

Thanks for coming by today!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Bombshell Montly Challenge - Tags

Good morning Bombshell fans!!  Today we're playing along with Ms. January's challenge right here on the Bombshell Forum.  The challenge is "Let's Play Tag!".  So I've created a fun tag using my new Homeward Bound stamp set. 

I've used the compass image from the set, inked in three different Distress Inks - Pumice stone (tanish), Gathered Twigs (rusty brown), Chipped Sapphire (blue) stamped onto watercolor paper.  Once stamped, I spritzed the paper twice at close range with Pearlized Water to give it a subtle shimmer.  I then punched them out and coated them in Crackle Glaze.  After dry, I inked the edges with an ink blending tool and embellished the center with a resin flower from Recollections.  

The tag is also from Recollections and I've used a bunch of scrap that I had lying around to create the background.  I tore some with my hands to give it a rough look and other pieces I trimmed off.  I stitched the center with a zig zag stitch as well as a straight stitch. Before I added my cracked images I washed the entire tag and background papers with my Picket Fence Distress Stain.  I added a tiny clothespin and my PTI twill ribbon and was happy!  

I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired!!

Thanks for coming by today!

Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

MFT - Wednesday Stamp Club - Happy 30th

Hey All!!  I am playing along again this week at the MFT Weekly Stamp Club this time creating a card for my darling brother who turns 30 today!!  We had a super fun celebration yesterday at my house with family and friends to celebrate this wonderful occasion.  I knew I wanted to use Clearly Sentimental - Journey as my main focal point for this creation. 

I used mostly papers from Basic Grey and cardstock from Bazzill and PTI.  I did add a bit of extra layering using my Oval Open Scallop Doily Die-namics (the mustache paper).  In lieu of the pennant element, I used my Mix and Match Banners Die-namics to create a panel to put the 30 from the Who's That Birthday Girl set. 

I hope you can come play along with this fantastic sketch and come see all of the beautiful inspiration right here in the SCS gallery.  

Thanks for popping in today!

Happy Sunday!

Big Crafty Hugs!
Meredith

Bombshell Tutorial - Scrappy Journal

Happy Friday Bombshells!!  I'm here today to show you a super fast and easy way to make a fun journal.  I've seen these recently in my LSS and decided that I could SO easily make one on my own.  All you need is scrap paper - which we ALL have - and a sturdy manila folder, thin cardboard, or really heavy cardstock for your cover.  My cover is an old manila style folder trimmed down to 12" x 9.75" when fully open. 

I didn't do much thinking for my interior papers - I quite literally grabbed what has been left out during my creative processes all week long.  

I then trimmed all of my papers to be the same width - 11"-  so that none of them hung outside of my cover.  The papers, however, do not all have to be the same height, that's actually part of the charm when you see the interior. 

Now to start the binding process.  I scored each of my papers directly at 5.5" so that they would all line up perfectly together.  I then used my tape runner to lightly adhere each layer before sewing.  

I then made sure all of my papers were where I liked them before hitting the sewing machine.

I then folded them and holding them tightly, moved them all back and forth to make the paper a bit more malleable.  But I also wanted to make sure that everything was held tight before stitching it.  I didn't want anything shifting during the sewing process.  

I opened the pages of my Scrappy Journal, laid them inside of the manila cover and faced them inside up on my sewing machine.  I ran a standard straight stitch right down the middle twice to create the binding.

And it comes out looking like this!  So fun!!  It's fabulous to put memorabilia in, doodles, photos, ticket stubs, etc. 

I strongly recommend using solid cardstock and double sided designer paper.  That way there is something fabulous to look at, doodle on or stick to no matter what side you are working on.

I finished it off VERY simply with some purple baker's twine and my "Homeward Bound" sentiment stamp from the Homeward Bound stamp set. 

Have a great and crafty weekend all!!

Big Crafty Hugs!
Meredith