RCC38- Friends From the Start

Hey everyone, and welcome to this week's Ribbon Carousel Challenge. This week's challenge is a paper piecing challenge, which you KNOW I love!! We are being sponsored by one of my FAVORITE stamp artists, Torico, and her WONDERFUL Birdie Brown store.



I chose this ADORABLE image- Friendly Monsters, from her store...and seriously, I REALLY love it! I paper pieced my monsters with some MME Lime Twist Fly a Kite paper. I layered it with Sour Apple, Orange Fizz, and Hot Fudge. I followed this week's Sweet Stop Sketch, and added a sentiment from the There She Goes set, Puppy Love. To cut it out, I used SU Oval punches. My ribbon is Mango Vintage Seam Binding, and some yummy Brown Jute Twine. For the scallops, I used the MFT Simply Scalloped Medium Die-namics, and some brads from Michael's.

Well, that is it for me for now!! Be sure to head to the Ribbon Carousel Blog to see what the other girls have come up with!!

January Creative Chat-Creative Process

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum. This month, we were challenged with the following:

• Show us your creative mind at work. Take us on a journey through a card-making session, start to finish.

• How do you select colors, layout, embellishments, and overall design?


• Share your creative process with us!

Every card of mine starts with a good sketch....or something close to one. I almost always start with a sketch I have found on my travels through the internet on my trusty Acer. Sweet Stop Sketch is one of my faves, but I have LOTS of faves!

Next, I try to pick a stamp set that I either haven't used, or will best fit my sketch....not always easy!! I have this wooden crate CD holder on my desk at all times, and it holds the latest releases from the companies I work for. I pick my stamps usually based upon what is new...but not always. I try to let the sketch inspire me, along with my mood. Sometimes, I feel like coloring, and sometimes I don't...I NEVER try to force it...it never works!!

Next, I chose a paper...I have a TON of paper(and more on the way...I'm weak) so I try to use a different paper pack everyday, as not to let them overlap. It doesn't always work, but I try!! From there, I chose my paper colors. I always get comments on my color choices, but honestly, I let the paper chose for me. It may seem crazy and off the wall, but if the colors are there, I use them...no matter how wild and crazy it gets!!



So that I can pick my colors, and make sure they match, I used my Copic coloring chart. I use it to pick everything from my marker colors, ribbon colors, to my card stock colors. It's nice having that kind of color reference at your finger tips!! As for choosing embellishments, I just go with what feels good. My staples are silver...everything, and lots of ribbons. I love brads, and try to use them on every card.....it's a sickness. Ribbon is my FAVORITE...I like lots and lots of it. I have two Ribbon Carousel's FULL of ribbon, and its SO nice having it all right there. My other loves are paper piercing...can't live without it, and LOTS of layers.



When all else fails, I turn to YOU, my fellow stampers. I surf through the galleries at Splitcoast and Two Peas and I can get lost for hours!! Blog surfing, and my Google reader are constants in my search for inspiration.

So basically my process goes something like this:

1. Chose a sketch or layout.
2. Chose my stamps based on new releases, new purchases, and what fits. If none of that applies, I go with what feels good.
3. Pick a paper to work with.
   
4. Chose card stock colors based upon those papers.
5. Color image based on paper colors.
6. I build my card from the image and base, up. I layer and embellish as the card goes along.
   
7. Embellish until it feels right!! Sometimes I like a lot, sometimes a little!!

Well, that is it for me for now!! Thanks for taking a look inside my crazy stamping brain!!

Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge and get ready to delve into the minds of our creative team.

TSG141-Stick With It

Hey everyone, and happy Monday!! Since it is Monday, it is time for this week's There She Goes challenge!!

This week our challenge is brought to us by our Junior Trendsetters! They have challenged us to make a card or project using the photo as inspiration.

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using the photo as inspiration and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (February 6th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the lookout to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG141 so we can check out your beautiful work!

For my card, chose to be inspired by the layout of the photo. I loved the different heights of the vases, and I knew it would look amazing with paper...and I think it does! I also started using the pinks, but took a turn for the Valentine's, LOL!! I used the new Nursebot set, paired with some Echo Park Yours Truly paper. I stamped my image on X-press It Blending card, and then colored it with my Copics. I then layered it with Cotton Candy, Red Hot, and Black Licorice. My ribbons are Black and White Twill from the Ribbon Carousel, and Maraschino and Charcoal Twine from there as well. For my sentiment, I used my oval punches, and I also used some Michael's brads, and a spiral clip from Creative Express.

Well, that is it for me for now!! Be sure to check out the There She Goes blog to see what the other girls have been up to!!

Crazy 4 Layers and Embellies

Happy...okay, it's Sunday, and I am late, LOL!! I finally got motivated to make a card for this weeks Crazy 4 Challenges, challenge, and here I am with it.

Before I get into today's challenge, we have a couple of announcements to make. First off, it is with much sadness that we farewell Maria Bell from our Design Team, Maria was a valued member of our team and we will miss her.

Joining us this week is our newest member of the C4C Design Team .... Kelli Hull. I am sure you will love her as much as we do :)

Our challenge this week was to make a card with Lot of Layers and Embellishments...which pretty much describes every card I make, LOL!! If you decide to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword C4C121. Don't forget to come back here and link it on Mr Linky so that everyone else can see it too.



For my card tonight, I started with the à la mode Genie set. I stamped her on X-Press It Blending card, and then colored her with my Copics. I paper pieced parts of her, and her lamp, with some MME Gertie paper. She was layered with Pink Pirouette, Berry Sorbet, and Jellybean Green paper. I then used more of the paper on the background. I used the MFT Dizzy Doily Die-namics, as well as the Solid Bracket Die-namics. For my embellishments, I used the Fancy Flourish Die-namics, as well as, the Mini Rolled Rose Die-namics. To finish it off, I used some Ruffled Edge Pink ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel, brads from Michael's, and a spiral clip from Creative Express.

Here are the Die-namics I have used:



For the inside, I used more of the same supplies.

Well, that is it for me for now! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!! Be sure to check out what the other Crazies have created!!

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Dawn Easton
  
• Frances Byrne
• Jessie Rone<--you are here!!
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lynda Benden
• Kelli Hull
  
• Silke Kittman
• Silke Ledlow
  
• Vicki Garrett

Key Ingredients- Happy Birthday

I am LOVING this month's Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions, and WAIT til you see next months...SWOOOON!! For now, I have another card I have made with this gorgeous kit!! It is pretty CAS, but hey, it never hurts to step outside your comfort zone, right?!



For my card, I used the Moka Katie set, for my sentiment....and I colored....nothing. I know, it was hard on me, too, but hey, it works!! All my supplies are a part of the FABULOUS Key Ingredients kit from January including the: light and dark teal Bazil card stock, Snow White card stock, Paper Hearts paper from Crate Paper, ribbon, and a stick pin. To add to my card a little, I used some brads from Michael's, and the MFT Simply Scalloped Medium Die-namics.

Well, that is it for me for now!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Check THIS out!!

I SPY a new sketch blog in town.....and you will NEVER guess who is on the team!!!

Well, if you guessed me, YOU are correct!! Head on over HERE for a special announcement!!

YIPPEE!!!!

Ribbon Carousel Breaking NEWS!!

Hey everyone! Today is a big day at RibbonCarousel.com. We are debuting the Brand New Ribbon Carousel^© today and, of course, doing a giveaway on our Blog too! Here are the details:

The Ribbon Carousel^© is made out of White Marine Board Plastic (High Density Polyethylene), giving it a textured top with smooth scrolled edges. Each Carousel comes with 8 Clear Acrylic rods allowing for many different configurations. You can use it as a 4, 5, 6 or 8 post Carousel, depending upon your individual needs.

The Ribbon Carousel^© holds up to 60 rolls of 3/8" ribbon using 4 rods, 40 Wooden Spools or 16 spools of your favorite Baker's Twine using 8 rods. It SPINS around on a lazy susan, allowing you to access your ribbon and twine easily! This easy-to-use organizer is compact, with a footprint less than 7" square on your workspace. The Ribbon Carousel^© holds ribbon spools of any size up to a 4" diameter. Minimal assembly required.

To use: Simply unscrew the knob on top of the Ribbon Carousel^©. Remove the top and place your spools on the posts as desired. Replace the top by lining up the rods to the holes in the underside of the top. Replace the knob to secure the Ribbon Carousel.

Specifications: Each Ribbon Carousel is approximately 6.85" square and 13.5" tall. The manufacturing and assembly of each Ribbon Carousel^© is in Washington State, USA.

Now head on over to the Ribbon Carousel Blog or FB page to be entered in our Giveaway!

Scootin' By and Accessories Blog Hop Challenge

Hey There She Goes fans!! We REALLY hope you have been enjoying this week's blog hops! Today is our FINAL day of Blog Hop Challenges from There She Goes, and today we have TWO super cute new sets from Melyssa!!

Cruising on a Sunday afternoon, scootin’ by to say hi! Melyssa Connolly has brought Leah back and she’s " to be wild"! She already comes with lots of fun, but if this isn’t enough she has a kit to accessorize to her hearts content! Whether she’s moving, heading off to school, or enjoying a ride she’ll surely make tracks into your heart.



Scootin’ By is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 15 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

Scootin’ By – Accessories is a 4x4 set that includes a total of 14 stamps and will sell for $10.00.



For my card tonight....I had SO MUCH FUN!! I used the Oh La La For Her pad from MME, and paired it with some FUN colors of cardstock: Berry Sorbet(PTI), Sour Apple, and Berrylicious. To add some fun, I paper pieced her skirt with some of the paper, and added some Mango Vintage Seam Binding from the Ribbon Carousel. My layout is this week's Sweet Stop Sketch w/ a Twist, too!!

Would you like to win the new Scootin’ by and Scootin’ by Accessories stamp sets? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday January 28th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Here is the list of participants in today's Blog Hop!!

MFTWSC56- I Love You

Hey everyone, and happy Wednesday!! Since it is Wednesday, it is time for another Wednesday Stamp Club challenge from My Favorite Things!!



For my card tonight, I used the new Bunch of Hearts Flopsey. I stamped him on X-Press It Blending card, and then colored him with my Copics. He was then cut out, and popped up on a Open Scalloped Doily Duo Die-namics cut out of Love Me paper from MME. I used the First Place Award Die-namics for my sentiment, and more of the MME paper for the background. My card stock colors are Pink Lemonade, Berry Sorbet, and Going Gray. I used some yummy White Twill Ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel, and some Blossom Twine from there, as well. My border was made with the Stacked Open Scalloped Die-namics.

Here are the Die-namics I used:







Well, that is it for me for now!! Be sure to check out MFT Blog for a full list of designers participating in today's sketch!!

Perk Up Blog Hop Challenge

Hey Everyone!! Today is day two of this month's new release Blog Hop Challenges from There She Goes, and we have another ADORABLE set for you to LOVE!!



Friendship and coffee are a good blend to send greetings near and far. Torico has created a darling set to perk up the one "mug" you’ve been missing. An absolute must for those sweets and treats without all the calories!




Perk Up! is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 36 stamps and will sell for $18.00.




For my card tonight, I paired the new Perk Up Set with my Honey Pie paper from MME. I used Baja Breeze, Orange Fizz, Hot Fudge, and Sweet Tooth cardstock. My ribbon is Walnut Seam Binding from the Ribbon Carousel. I also used some brads from Michael's.

Would you like to win the new Perk Up! stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday January 28th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Here is the list of designers participating today!!

MFT Meets Scor-Pal Blog Hop!!

Today, we are teaming up with the SUPER talented ladies at Scor-Pal for a Blog Hop, and we are SO excited!! I am a DIEHARD fan of Scor-Pals, and not only do I have the big Scor-Pal, but I LOVE my new Scor-Buddy.....makes my life SO much easier!! My Scor-Pal, and mat, are my work surface, so having the Scor-Buddy makes it to where I don't have to clean off my work surface every time I need to use it!

The master list of everyone hopping can be found on the My Favorite Things Blog, so be sure to head there after you are finished here to see who all is participating!!



For my card tonight, I started with the Inspired By Flowers 2 set, and stamped my Rose on X-Press It Blending card. I colored the rose with my Copics, and then cut it out with my Oval Nesties. After stamping, coloring, and cutting out my flower, I used my Scor-Buddy to create a grid pattern on the main image. LOVE the way this looks. I then layered it with the Oval Open Scalloped Doily Die-namics in Black Licorice. My paper is from the Echo Park Yours Truly pack. I used the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics for my sentiment, and added a tiny rose with my Mini Rolled Rose Die-namics. I embellished my card with some Black Seam Binding from The Ribbon Carousel, and some brads from Michael's.



Here is a close up of the grid.



And here are the Die-namics I have used:









Well, that is it for me for now!! Now, off to the MFT Blog for a full list of designer's from both companies participating in today's hop!!