MFT Stamps Card Design Superstar Contest 2017 - Entry #2

MFT Card Design Superstar Challenge

I'd like to share with you my second entry for the MFT Stamps Card Design Superstar Challenge.  I will be entering it into the Coloring Virtuoso Category.  Once again, I really wanted to challenge myself and I decided to create a single layer card that required A LOT of masking.  This totally intimidated me because there really is not much room for error.  Of course, me being me, I messed up with my first take on this card and had to start it all over again, lol.

I actually used five different stamp sets by My Favorite Things to create this scene: The Whole Herd, Happy Hippos, Animal Farm, Birthday Bears and Farm Friends.  I also used the MFT Die-namics Grassy Fields Die Set to create a stencil to ink blend some grass onto this card.

Honestly, the part that took the longest when making this card was the masking. I don't usually create single-layer cards for this reason.  It's very time consuming and totally out of my comfort-zone!  I first ink-blended the first row of grass using that stencil that I had die cut with the MFT Grassy Fields Die and Distress Inks (Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn and Forest Moss).  I then stamped and masked the birthday hats before stamping any of the animals so that each animal (except for the cute little cow) would be wearing one.  Pretty much every image on this card (except for the balloons) needed to be masked.

Once I had my scene stamped out, I colored everything with Copic Sketch Markers.

Cow: W3, W4, W5, W7; 0, C00, C2, C3, C5; E000, E00, E11, E13

Goat: C0, C3, C5, C7

Chicken: 0, C00, C2, C3, C5; R14, R59

Pig: R000, R00, R11, R21, R22

Trough: E31, E23, E27, E29, E49

Red Hats & Balloon: R14, R46, R59, RV99

Haystack: Y13, Y21, E33, E23

Blue Hats & Balloon: B41, B21, B24, B28

Green Hats & Balloon: YG03, YG09, G09, G28

Ducks: Y02, E31, RV02

Cake Icing: W0, W1

Cake Sponge: E41, E31

Sky: B000, B00, B12

Grass Highlights: YG07, YG09, G09

I really love how this turned out!  Regardless of the outcome, it was totally worth the effort.  I'll be giving this to my uncle for his birthday.

Thanks again for stopping by my blog!  Feel free to leave any comments or questions!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

  

 

MFT Stamps Card Design Superstar Contest 2017 - Entry #1

MFT Card Design Superstar Contest 2017

Hello friends!  For the past three years, My Favorite Things has been hosting a Card Design Superstar Contest featuring their products.  This will by my second year participating.  It's such a fun challenge and I really enjoy seeing all of the amazing creations that everyone else comes up with.

For my first entry, I wanted to focus on 3D elements and enter into the Innovation Master Category.  I love cards with dimension and have a passion for creating box cards.  However, I wanted to push myself a little bit further on this card and make it even more 3D (if there's such a thing, lol) by creating more depth.  So, I created a card with a floating floor to showcase a cute little scarecrow protectively watching over a field of sunflowers.

Floating Floor

I first cut a piece of MFT Kraft Cardstock to 4 1/4" x 11" and scored it at 5 1/2" to create a standard A2 sized card base.  I created my floating floor after some trial and error.  I cut a piece of green cardstock to 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" and then scored at 3/8", 4 3/8" and 4 6/8".  This provided me with the perfect sized floor that would both fit into my card when folded and also have enough room to stamp a sentiment.

I used both the MFT Fall Friends and MFT Harvest Buddies Stamp Sets to create this fun little scene.  Once I stamped and colored these with my Copic Sketch Markers, I used their coordinating dies to cut them out.  I then lined them up lying facedown on the floating floor to make sure that they wouldn't stick out of the top of my card when folded.

Once I positioned them where I wanted everything, I then cut small squares into the floor where I would place a little paper "L-bracket" to hold them into place.

For the background of my card, I used the MFT Stamps Cloud Stencil and added some Distress Inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Carved Pumkin and Ripe Persimmon) to create an evening Fall sky.  I absolutely love this cloud stencil that was released earlier this year by My Favorite Things.

3D Pop-up Inside of Card

Next, I diecut some Fall trees from brown cardstock using both the MFT Die-namics Tree-mendous and MFT Die-namics Trees in the Forest Die Sets.  I love how they look against the cloud background.

To give my card even further dimension, I added a hill and fence in the background using the MFT Die-namics Rolling Hills Die Set.

Once I had all of my pieces ready to go, I first stamped & heat embossed my sentiment before adhering anything to my card base.  Once that was done, I just pieced it all together.

Lastly, I added some grass to the front of my card using the MFT Die-namics Grassy Fields Die Set.  I also added a few leaves, a pumpkin and an acorn to set the scene.  And for a finishing touch (and once again adding more dimension to my card) I added a few "flying" Fall leaves by using a few pieces of clear acetate to hold the leaves in place.

Card Front

I followed the same theme on the front of my card and used a retired set by My Favorite Things called Sunflower Die-namics.  I wanted to make my flowers look 3D as well, so I used some ink to give them more dimension and then shaped them to look like they were blooming right off the front of the card.  Behind these flowers, I also used the MFT Die-namics Layered Leaves, MFT Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Edge Frames, MFT Stitched Sentiment Strips and the MFT Tiny Check Patterned Paper.

I'm really happy with how my card turned out!  It will be perfect to give to a friend of mine who is going through a hard time.  

Thank you all for dropping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel

Stitched Tag Dies, Web Dies, and Trendy Happy Thanksgiving Die Set - The Stamps of Life

I don't usually make Halloween cards but the new spider and web dies released today by The Stamps of Life are just so cute!

Web Die Set

Look how intricate that web is!  There are so many ways that you can use this die set.  For my first card, I simply used the spider die.

I diecut some circular windows using the Sizzix Friendly Phrases Stamp & Die Set and used the TSOL Stitched Rectangles Die Set to then cut out my rectangular panel.  I stamped my sentiments using both the Web4us and the Pumpkins2cut stamp sets.  I then adhered this panel to some TSOL Patterned Paper and then added my spiders.  Pretty simple!

For my second card, I used the same Web Die Set and made a window shaker card with a spider dangling from the web.  You can't see it in the pictures, but I adhered the spider using very thin string from the top of his head and the bottom of his belly so that when the card is moved, he swings from side to side.  For the bats, I used the Fence/Crows/Bat/Moon Die Set on black cardstock.  To get the ombre-looking background, I blended TSOL Lemonade, Banana and Tangerine Inks onto smooth white cardstock.

The second die set released today are some super cute Stitched Tags.  They come in a variety of sizes, making them very versatile.

TSOL Stitched Tags Die Set

I love the variety in this set.  When I first saw them, I knew that I wanted to make some fun shaker tags with them.

For my first tag, I used the Stitched Tags Die Set for the frame, and the TSOL Rectangle Die Set to cut out the window.  To get the dimension that I needed for the shaker tag, I cut out about 6 of these frames and glued them together before adding the acetate.  However, the SOL Double-sided Adhesive Foam would work perfectly for this if you wanted to save time. (I didn't have any left at the time that I made these, otherwise, that would have been my first choice, ha!).  I used the Hats4critters Stamps and Dies for the cute little dog on the front of the tag.  

For my second tag, I pretty much followed the same steps as above except that I used patterned paper for my front of the tag.  I also used TSOL Inks (Seaglass, Sky, and Blueberry) to create the ink blended background.  The cute little whale came from the Whale2stamp Stamp Set.

Lastly, take a look at this amazing Trendy Happy Thankgiving Word Die Set.  So cool!  I absolutely love the fonts used on this.

I used this set to make a fun 3D Thanksgiving Card.  The pumpkins and the turkey both come from the very popular Turkey Pudgie Set and the base of the card was made using the Sizzix Friends Forever Step-ups Die Set.  For the pumpkin vines and leaves, I used the leaves from the Sizzix Owls Stamps & Dies Set and the balloon strings from the Sizzix Balloons Step-ups Card Die Set.

If you want some more inspiration on how to use each set, you can check out more pics at The Stamps of Life Web Gallery.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  Feel free to leave any comments or questions!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel   
          

Lawn Fawn, Dad + Me

Hello!  I'd like to share with you a card that I made for the latest Lawn Fawnatics Challenge: Create a Scene.  I made this for my dad's birthday a couple of weeks ago, but I am finally getting around to sharing it.  I combined four adorable Lawn Fawn stamp sets (Dad + Me, Critters In The Forest, Happy Trails and Hello Baby) to create this fun little scene.

To start, I first created a background (sky) by blending Lawn Fawn Ballet Slippers and Moonstone Inks together on some smooth white cardstock.  Once finished, I spritzed it lightly with water and then blotted it with a dry paper towel.

I then diecut some mountains using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Mountain Borders on smooth white cardstock and blended the mountain pieces with both Lawn Fawn Manatee and Hippo Inks.  For the grass, I used the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Pop-up combined with the Grassy Hillside Pop-up Add-on.  I blended these pieces with Lawn Fawn Jalapeno and Freshly Cut Grass Inks.

Once my background was complete, I then added all of my animals and scenery.  For these, I first stamped them onto white cardstock, colored them with Copic Sketch Markers and then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  If you're interested, all of the colors that I used to color these will be listed at the end of this blog post.

To create some extra dimension, I added my own pop up pieces by measuring, scoring and folding some ink-blended strips of green paper into small squares or rectangles depending upon how far I wanted my images to pop out.  I love having the two bears down by the lake.  My dad loves to go fishing (and I swear that cute little hat is a replica of the one that he actually wears, haha).

Since there was a lot going on on the inside of my card, I kept the front pretty simple.  I used some patterned paper from the Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Rainbow Petite Paper Pad and added a stitched scallop rectangle diecut on watercolor paper.  I added some green and yellow watercolors and then simply placed my images on top with some foam adhesive squares. This card could also be used as a Father's Day Card since it's not your traditional birthday card.

Copic Colors Used:

Large & Small Moose: E31, E23, E37, E29

Moose Antlers & Hooves: E74, E77, E79

Darker Squirrel: E15, E19, E59

Lighter Squirrel: E13, E15, E19

Large & Small Bears: E31, E23, E37, E47

Red Mushroom Caps: R35, R46, R59

Blue Mushroom Caps: B01, B02, B04

Mushroom Stems: E41, E42, E43

Fish: Y17, YR68

Hat: YG95, YG97, YG99

Porcupine Quills: E23, E37, E49

Porcupine Body: E31, E23, E49

Trees: YG05, G07, G29

Deer Body: E23, E25, E29

Deer Face: E31, E35

Rabbit: 0, C00, C0, C3

Lawn Fawnatics Challenge #12: Create a Scene

 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today!  Feel free to leave any comments or questions!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

        

Sizzix Stocking Die Set and Mini Thanks Drop-in Dies

Hello friends!  I am so happy to be able to finally write my blog this afternoon!  This past week has been very challenging with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.  It would be one thing trying to stay in a house with no water and power with just two adults for the past 6 days.  But add three little ones to the mix and it definitely made life interesting!  I am happy to say, that we finally got our power back about three hours ago! 

Sizzix Stocking Set

There are two new Sizzix Die Sets available today at The Stamps of Life!  And, for today only, they are on sale at a 25% off discount!  The first is called the Sizzix Stocking Set (pictured above).  For my first card, I decided to try something different and used only the holly, ivy, and bow dies to create a large Christmas wreath with a bow.  I first diecut all of my ivy leaves on smooth white cardstock and blended some Stamps of Life Kiwi, Artichoke, and Spearmint Inks to create their color.  I stamped my sentiment using the Santa2stamp Stamp Set. 

I also used this die set to create a fun Christmas banner.  It was very simple!  After cutting out all of the large stocking sections, I ran them through my diecut machine again with the SOL Slider Dies.  I used the dies twice on each stocking (once on the left and once on the right).  Once done, I ran my ribbon through and then glued my stocking pieces on top.  

For my last example using this set, I made a stocking fold-it card using colored cardstock and the Happy Holidays Patterned Paper Pad.  I added a snowflake on the front using the snowflake from the Ornament Club Die Set.

Lastly, I made a quick and easy Thank You card using the newly released Sizzix Mini Card, Thanks Sentiment Set.  To create some embellishments, I added some flowers using the dies from the Sizzix Flowers & Fence Stamps & Dies Set.  



Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Christmastree2stamp - The Stamps of Life

With summer sadly coming to an end, everyone's focus is starting to turn toward Fall and Christmas.  I love Christmas time.  I wish it were more simple like it used to be, but that still hasn't turned me away from loving everything about that special and magical time of the year.

Christmastree2stamp

 
I wanted to quickly share a few cards that I made using the newly released Christmastree2stamp Stamp & Die Set from The Stamps of Life.  Isn't that large Christmas Tree just perfect for your Christmas cards?

My first card is a simple single layer card.  I basically just stamped the tree and colored it using Copic Sketch Markers. (Snow: 0, C00, C2, C3; Sky Background: B0000, B000, B00, B01, B02; Tree: G09, G17, G28, G29; Tree Trunk: E25, E29, E49).  Once I was finished with my coloring and my image was dry, I used some masking to heat emboss the sentiment with Super Fine Detail White Embossing Powder onto the body of the tree.  Lastly, I used some white paint mixed with water and splattered some snow over my image (I did cover each sentiment word with masking paper before I did this so that the splatters would not distort the font).

For my second card, I mainly used the coordinating dies to create a simple yet elegant Christmas card.  I used the SOL Happy Holidays Patterned Paper for my tree, added some decorative strands with gold glitter paper and then heat embossed my sentiment.

To give my card a little bit of depth, I diecut some double-sided foam adhesive (using the outer tree die) and used this to attach my image to my Kraft card base.  Super easy!

I will be entering these cards into the following challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Stamp It

 

Addicted To Stamps And More: Challenge #258: Holiday

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Stamp It

   

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Happy Stamping!

Rachel

TSOL "Believe" Statement Set and the Sizzix Merry Christmas Drop-In Die Set

I love all of the large word die sets that Stephanie Barnard has been releasing over at The Stamps of Life.  The script is so beautiful and eye-catching.  The newest one is called the Believe Statement Set.

Believe Statement Set

There are so many sentiments to choose from, making this set very versatile.  AND... it is available today at a special 24-hour FLASH SALE price of 25% off!

For my first card, I first created an ink-blended background using a few TSOL Inks (see photo above). 

 
I then diecut a beautiful floral background using the Sizzix Flower Power Background Die.  After attaching this to my base, I added some flowers using both the Mini Flowers and the Quarter Flowers With Leaves Die Sets.  Lastly, I added my word statement and sentiment.

This next new die set is also available today at a special FLASH SALE price.  It's called the Sizzix Card, Merry Christmas Set and it makes Christmas cardmaking so easy.  I literally just diecut a few pieces of colored cardstock, added a ribbon and some holly and ivy and was done in no time!

Sizzix Card, Merry Christmas Set

I hope you enjoyed these samples today!  I will be playing along and entering them into the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes.

  

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting my blog!  Happy Friday! 

Rachel