MFTeaser Day 1

Its that time again! Yup, that's right My Favorite Things will be releasing two new sets on Wednesday April 2. So today I have a little MFTeaser to share with you. It features an ADORABLE gardening set called "Can ya Dig It". It has with tons of images for endless possibilities. For my samples I decided to go with the gardening seed label look. My first teaser is a card using the seed package images. I stamped the images colored them in with my Copics and cut them out. I then matted then with some SU Chocolate Chip card stock. Next I took my SU window punch to create the label sticks. To create the soil I took a strip of SU Creamy Caramel card stock and inked the edge with chocolate ink. Other card stock used is PTI Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, SU Pumpkin, Olive, and Scenic Route patterned paper. I cuttlebugged the card base with my Swiss Dots embossing folder. Accessories are SU brads, eyelets, prima, and May Arts ribbon. The second teaser is a gift idea. I stamped the gardening girl and paper pieced her with some Basic Grey "Phoebe" patterned paper. I then finished by coloring her in, stamping the sentiment, and doing some paper piercing. Next, I cut the image out and matted it onto SU Olive card stock and adhered a Popsicle stick on the back. This was then added to a flower plant which was tied with a big brown bow. You can also do this with a plant or paper flower arrangement. The ideas are endless. So that is all I have to share with you today but tomorrow brings some more MFTeasers and a surprise color challenge. Until then...
Hugs,

My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, April 2 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on to find out all the details and we hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

TCP and some Q & A

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope your weekend is going great. I think we might head out to the beach house for some R&R. Its beautiful today here in Houston. Any who today I have a cute The Cat's Pajamas card to share. It features the cutest pirate images. I colored them in with my Copics and added some crystal effects on the water beneath the pirate ship. Card stock used is SU Chocolate Chip, PTI Aqua, and Crate Paper. Accessories are SU eyelets, PTI ribbon, and nesties die cuts. Well that is all I have regarding cards but I do have some Q& A to some frequently asked questions.


1. What copics do you recommend to start with and where to buy them?
I would certainly start with the Copic Ciao 36 A set. It has all the basic colors you need to start experimenting with. If that is to much to spend then I would go with some singles in the primary colors. A light and darker shade is a really good way to go and it allow you to get the full potential of shading and blending these markers offer. As for where to buy them, I bought mine at My Favorite Things store. I know they are a high priced item so doing some research is great too. I do know that Kim from MFT has a great price for the sets.

2.What paper do you used with your Copics.
I have used both Georgia Pacific 110lb card stock (Wal-Mart) and Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White and they both work perfectly with the Copics. I usually use the Georgia Pacific because its more economical but PTI's is certainly a better thicker quality card stock. These two paper companies work well with Primsa colors as well.

3. How do you get such clear pictures?
I use the SSL-100 photo studio in a box. My dear friend Alma actually gave me this amazing contraption. (Thanks Alma) It makes picture taking so quick and effortless. Once I take my picture I download it to my Microsoft Digital Image Pro for some touch up. This is where I adjust my color balance, crop, and add my watermark. All in all, these two accessories are a must for great crisp and clear pictures.

4.Where can I get a template of the V-day paper cup?
Here is a template I handmade of the paper cup I made for a V-Day gift idea. I did it myself so I am not sure if it is completely perfect but it works either way. Let me know if you have any questions or run in to any problems.

Fun Friday Project

Before I begin I want to thank everyone for your awesome tips on potty training. I am going to try some of those techniques. I will keep you updated. So for today I have this little project to share. Last night I went to Micheal's and saw this adorable fabric circle box in the dollar spot. I thought it would be cute to alter so I took it home. As I was going to put it away in my "to alter" area I thought I am going to make something with it now. I always buy things to alter and never get around to actually doing them. So I put in on my desk and started thinking. Since one of my girlfriends just had a baby I thought it would make a cute container for a baby onesie. So I started with stamping this precious Elzybells spring chick on a circular nesties die cut. I colored it in with my Copics. I adhered a scalloped die cut to it and then I placed it in the middle of a big prima flower. Then I added a cute Making Memories butterfly button. This is all adhered to a strip of Scenic Route patterned paper. The inside is adorned with more pattern paper. The onesie is rolled up and tucked inside. I then punched out a tag and stamped the sentiment. I added some silver cord and tied it to the onesie tag. To complete the project I added another prima flower to the tag for a punch of color. I hope she likes it.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,


PS I will be posting the Q&A sometime this weekend along with a template of my paper cup design. Make sure to check back if you are interested.

MFT Thursday

Wow I can't believe its already Thursday. This week has flown by for me. I have been busy trying to completely potty train my son. He already goes pee but we are working on the "other one". Its definitely a lot harder than I ever imagined. (any tips would be appreciated) He just doesn't want to do it. Any who enough about poo (LOL) and let's get to some stamping. Today I have a My Favorite Things card to share with you. It features the "Let's Go For A Walk" set. I colored in the images with my Copics and added some sparkle with my spica pens. The patterned paper is from Memory Box "Sugar" collection. I got the prima flower from Mike's which was on sale. I got them for a great deal but threw away the wrapper so I don't remember who makes them. The brad is a glittery brad from Making Memories and the ribbon is from May Arts. I used some scalloped scissors on the edge of the green border. I added some dots with my pink spica pen. Well that is all for today but tomorrow brings another card and some Q& A with some frequently asked questions.
Hugs,

PTI and a new Banner

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope that everyone's Easter weekend was great. Well to start this week off I have a created a card and a brand new banner for my blog. Do you guys like it? I still have the old one on file so I will change it once I get tired of this one. I thought this look was appropriate for the new Spring season. So now back to the card. This card was actually made over the weekend for my cousin who organized a wonderful Easter gathering. The whole family was there and we had tons of fun. (Thank you Laura and Catalina)She even heated the pool so the kids could get in. So as a thank you I made her this card featuring the beautiful Papertrey Ink "Everyday Blessings." The layout is another sketch by Jen. I simply love her designs. I tried to go with a clean and simple look for this card. The card stock is SU Chocolate Chip, Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, and Stampers Select. The patterned paper is also from the PTI Everyday Blessings collection. Accessories used are PTI satin ribbon, rhinestones, Making Memories charm, nesties die cuts, and a square punch. Well that is all for today but like always I will try and have something new for you tomorrow.
Hugs,

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone! I hope this holiday weekend is going great for all. We are headed to church and then lunch at the families house. We are going to have a little Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. Its going to be so fun.

So since its Easter Sunday I thought it would be appropriate to share my last Easter card. It features another cute little chick and egg image from Elzybells. I colored the image in with my copics and used Jen's sketch challenge from last week. I know I am late but it was still loads of fun to make. The patterned paper is from Memory Box "Sprout" collection and the card stock is SU Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, and Papertrey Ink SS and Aqua Mist. Accessories are oval nesties, SU brads, and Prima Flowers. I also did some faux stitching with my white gel pen on the strips of card stock. To finish the card I used some Spica glitter pens to add some sparkle on the main image. Well that is all I have for today. Again I want to wish everyone a HAPPY EASTER!

Hugs,

Urban Doodles

So today I have another set of Urban DoodleFactory cards to share. I really am having a BLAST with these. They are so different and fun to color. The first one is a pair of Bots that have just been dropped off on our planet. I colored them and the rocket ship in with my Copics. The rocket has some crystal effects on the glass window to resemble glass. Card stock used is SU Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Papertrey Ink SS. The patterned paper is from DCWV Glitter stack. Accessories are SU brads, ribbon, paper piercing tool, and computer font for the sentiment. The second card is a Guaco walking down the city streets with his spray paint. He is pretty fond of urban graffiti. I colored the little guy and the city behind him with my Copics again. I added some stickles to his spray paint. Card stock used is SU Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, and Papertrey Ink SS. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's "Recess" collection. Accessories are SU brads, Paper Studio letter, twill, and silver cord. The card is a 5 x 5 square. Well that is all I have for you today but I make sure to check back tomorrow for some new cards.

Hugs,

DoodleFactory Wednesday

Today I got the chance to play with the new DoodleFactory Urban collection stamps. They are SOO fun!! This little fox is named Arno and he is a sk8ter boy. He is super hip and quite a ladies man. LOL! I colored him in with my Copics and added some sparkle to his blinging necklace. The layout is from this weeks SCS Sketch challenge. I cuttlebugged three different shades of green with the Spots and Dots embossing folder. The colors are SU Olive, Certain Celery, and Gable Green. Other card stock is SU Pumpkin, Banana, Real Red, and GP white. The sentiment is computer generated. Other accessories are Paper Studio gold brads, circle punches, and SU red wide grosgrain ribbon. The main image is also popped up on 3d glue dots. Well that is all I have for you today but I do have another DoodleFactory card to share with you tomorrow. Its going to be out of this world!

BTW You have to check out the new Country DoodleFactory collection over at Starving Artistamps. They are so on my "to buy" list.

Hugs,

Important Announcements

Hi All! Although I don't have any cards to share with you today I do have some awesome announcements to share. First up is from My Favorite Things.

Kim is offering a cool promo in honor of National Craft Month.

How about a little *promo* that offers a discount on all orders, including Intl orders! Enter the code MFTDay0308 and receive a discount of $4.60 on your order! This is like offering free shipping on US orders under $40, but the discount will work on all orders, and those US orders over $40 get both free shipping (as usual) AND the discount! This offer extends of course to our valued Intl customers and there is no restriction on what is purchased!

For all the deets go to this thread link HERE...


The second announcement is from my friend Kirstin owner of Artful Inkables.

She has opened up a store featuring her beautiful stamps. She has even added a few new images that are to die for. She is having a great Grand Opening Sale so go check it out and get ready to be enabled!

Hugs,

Monday Funday

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a fabulous weekend. So as you can tell I have been on a Elzybells streak lately. Today continues that streak with a cute little moon girl. I colored her with my Copics and added some bling with my Spica gelly roll pens (my new addiction).
I also matted her with an SU chocolate chip scalloped oval nesties die cut. The layout is from my friend Kirsten's Sunday Sketch. I love the layout! (Thanks Kirsten) The sentiment is from My Favorite Things "Essential Sayings". Other card stock used is SU Guava, Kraft, and Crate Paper. Accessories are Papertrey Ink Satin ribbon in Aqua Mist, Making Memories glitter brads, circle punches, and paper piercing tool. Well that is all the blah blah blah I have today but check back tomorrow for some more stamping.
Hugs,

Another Elzybell & a Squirrel

Happy Friday Everyone! It's a beautiful day here in Houston and I can wait to start the weekend. But before I dive into the outdoors I want to share another Elzybells card I made. Isn't she the cutest on that little swing? I colored her in with my copics and added some sparkle with my Spica pens again. I framed her in a scalloped rectangular nesties die cut. I cuttlebugged some SU Banana card stock with the Swiss Dotts embossing folder. I then added a strip of SU Pink ribbon and placed a prima flower on it. The patterned paper is from Memory Box "Sprout" collection. Other card stock used is SU Blush Blossom, Elegant Eggplant, and Chocolate Chip. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things "Essential Sentiments". Well that is all I have for today stamping wise but I do have a cute picture to share. Yesterday afternoon I was going upstairs when I saw this little squirrel in our gutters eating some seeds. I thought it was pretty cute so I took a picture and its great evidence for the hubby so he can finally clean out those gutters!
Have a great weekend.
Ana

Elzybells Thursday

So, I must confess that I am a complete Elzybells addict!! I tried to resist buying some but the temptation got to me and I just had to get some. But here is the bad part after I got my 4 stamps I had to go back and order another 8! Yes, I am ashamed but it feels so GOOD! So, as you can tell this is one of my compulsive Elzybell buys. I heart those little chicks. I colored him in with my Copics and added some sparkle with my Spica pens. Its hard to tell from the picture but it really adds the perfect amount of glitter. The layout is from this weeks SCS sketch challenge. I picked some soft pastel colors to go with the Easter theme. The patterned paper is Memory Box "Sugar". Other card stock is SU Blush, Pretty in Pink, Pomegranate, River Rock, and GP white. Accessories are SU brads, ribbon, slit punch, and prima flowers. The rectangular panels on the main image were made with my nesties. Lastly, the sentiment is from Micheal's dollar spot. Stay tuned for some more Elzybells tomorrow.
Hugs,
Ana

Sunflower Sympathy

Today I have another Stamp La Jolla card to share. It features a big sunflower cap. I colored it in with my Copics. The sentiment is also from SLJ. The card stock used is SU Pumpkin, Olive, Chocolate Chip, PTI, and Basic Grey "Perhaps" patterned paper. I tried to go with a simple card since the patterned paper is so busy. I went with muted accessories so the sunflower would pop. The accessories are SU twill, some copper cord, and pewter brads. Everything else is pretty self explanatory. Well that is all for today. Sorry for the short post but I have tons of laundry to fold (yuck). Make sure to check back tomorrow for some The Cat's Pajamas cards.
Hugs,
Ana

Floral Tuesday

Hi everyone! Hope your weekend was fun and relaxing. Today I have some floral cards to share with you. The images come from the amazing stamp company Stamp La Jolla. I love their beautiful and adorable designs. The first card features a stargazer lily (one of my favorite flowers). I colored it in with my Copics . The layout is a older SCS sketch challenge. The patterned paper is from new Memory Box line called Sprout. I thought it would go perfectly since the soft patterns went with the delicate flowers. Other card stock is SU Blush Blossom, Certain Celery, Pretty in Pink, and GP white. The ribbon and brads are also SU. To frame the flower I used my circle and scalloped nesties. To complete the first card I did some paper piercing on the top and lower edges. For the second card I used the satin flower image. I colored it in with my copics in the same color scheme as the large prima flower. When I saw these primas I immediately thought of this stamped image because I thought they looked very similar. I wanted to stack them together so I tried to match the colors. The flowers are held together with a Making Memories glitter brad. I used the Memory Box Sprout patterned paper on this card too. Other card stock is SU Pumpkin, Banana, Guava, and GP white. Other accessories ribbon, white gel pen, and SU brads. Well that is all I have for today but stay tuned for some more stamping.
Hugs,
Ana

DoodleFactory Thursday

Before I get into today's post I want to remind everyone that the new My Favorite Things sets are available today. They are super cute!!

So for today I have some Doodle Factory cards to share. They were made for my Embellish-It Scrapbooking DT challenge. The challenge was to create Children's themed cards. I have had these cute little guys for a while and have never inked them up. So I decided that they would fit perfectly with this challenge since they are pretty fun and funky. The first one is a Teacher's card featuring the adorable Mr. Crocodile. I colored him in with my Copics. I also used the new numbers cuttlebug embossing folder. Again I thought it went great with the school theme. The glittery brads are from Making Memories. Other card stock used is SU Sky Blue, Olive, Black, PTI, and Scenic Route PP. To complete the card I used the sentiment from the MFT set "Back to School" and tied some SU ribbon around the PP panel.
The second card is "Back to School" themed. I used another DF creature image. I thought he looked like a little student *wink* I combined him with some Basic Grey "Recess" patterned paper and colored him in with my Copics. Other card stock is SU Pumpkin, Chocolate, Olive, and PTI. I did some paper piercing around the creature's panel and added some ribbon tabs for extra texture. The sentiment is also from the MFT "Back to School" set. The acrylic letter is from Paper Studio. To check out all the other entries for this challenge go to the Embellish-It forum/gallery. And while you are there sign up and start uploading some pictures too. We love newbies.
Well that is all for today but tomorrow brings some more cards.
Hugs,
Ana

MFTeaser Day 2

Howdy ya'll!! Are you enjoying the MFTeaser's ? I hope so because today brings some more of them. These cards feature the super ADORABLE mini of the month called "Ride Em Cowgirl". I had such a fun time making my samples with this set. For the first card I color in the cowgirl with my Copics. I them matted her with some SU Real Red and Chocolate Chip card stock. The patterned paper used is from Crate Paper "Wanted" collection. The sketch is a recent SCS challenge. Accessories are SU wide red ribbon and copper eyelets. To complete the card I did some paper piercing with my SU template and mat from the edge of the patterned paper to the sentiment. The second card is also from the mini but instead of using the cowgirl I used the cute little cactus. I stamped it three times on some GP white card stock and colored it in with my Copics. I distressed the edges and matted it with some SU chocolate chip paper. I also used my new weathered cuttlebug embossing folder to added some dimension. Once I embossed the Kraft card stock I took a sponge and distressed it a bit with brown ink. The patterned paper used is also CP "Wanted" and other SU card stock is Real Rust and Olive. Accessories are copper eyelets, wide twill, and copper cord. The twill was stamped with another image, a star badge, from the set. The layout is a Jen original that was recently a SCS sketch challenge as well. Thanks Jen! Well that is all I have today. But tomorrow brings some more samples.

My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, March 5 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on SCS to find out all the details and join us there on Wednesday night.

MFTeaser Day 1

Happy Monday everyone! Hope your weekend was great. I got tons of stamping done! Whoot Whoot! Most of the cards I made are for the new My Favorite Things March release. Two stamp sets will go on sale March 5th. So that means that until then the MFT DT will start the sneak peaks or how we like to call them "MFTeasers". Today I am featuring one of the sets called "Punch a Bunch" which is an oval set that coordinates with the Marvy Scalloped punches. This set works for both quick and elaborate cards. So, for the samples I decided to try a simple card and another more detailed one. The first card was made using the MFT sketch challenge made by Cindy. I stamped the scalloped oval with SU Olive ink and punched it out with my Giga Oval Scalloped punch. I colored in the flowers with my prisma colors and added some K &Co rhinestones to their centers. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's "Phoebe" collection. The ribbon is from SU and the glitter brads are Making Memories. Other card stock used is SU Pomegranate, Banana, and Papertrey Ink stampers select. To complete this card I used some decorative scissors and did some faux stitching. The second card is a quick and simple card. The part that took the longest was the card front embossing with the oval nestabilities. I followed Nichole's instructions on her blog. Then I just stamped the sentiment and the flowers. I tied a ribbon bow and added some eyelets on the sides. You are going to love this set because of its versatile abilities. Well, that is all for today but tomorrow brings some more MFTeasers. Oh, and don't forget that MFT will be hosting a cocktail party on Wednesday March 5 from 9-11pm in the SCS Member forum. Their will be prizes and chit chatting and a chance to become the next MFT Guest Designer. See you there!
Hugs,
Ana