Dressing up gift cards!

Merry Christmas!  Just wanted to share a special book that I made for my parents for their Christmas gift.  I purchased gift cards for them for Christmas, because they have everything, so what could I buy them?  And how boring are gift cards? I mean, they are wonderful to have.  The freedom to buy whatever you want, instead of getting something specific that you may not like, and have to return.  I personally love gift cards, but the presentation is usually lacking.  Until now!!!!

I bought them quite a few, because they are awesome, and deserve quite a few!  When I had them all in my hands, I thought, ok, I have to do SOMETHING cool for them!  I first thought of an advent calendar.  You open a door, and a gift card is behind it.  So, this is where that idea led to!

The Christmas Gift Card Holder Book!  LOL!  Ta dah!  ;D

 Here's the cover.  I used a regular white piece of paper, and white embossed the Dec. 25th.  Then I used red Smooch spray, green Tattered Angels spray, and white paint mixed w/ water to create a snowflake effect.  I sponged the edges w/ green Ranger Distress ink. And the snowflake is an MFT die!
The shape of this album is a shape found from svgcuts.com I believe?  Not sure....Simon Says Shapes I think is the name.

 Blogger is being ridiculous, so you'll have to tilt your head to look at this first page.  {eye roll}  I drew the entire oven.  I used copics to color.  White gel pen for the criss cross on the towel, silver gel pen for the oven racks.  The silver brads are "knobs" for the oven.  And above the oven are signs for panini's and soups from Panera Bread.....the first gift card!  The tile work behind the stove is actually just grid lines that I created w/ my ruler.  And I created the wood floor as well.

 This page is pretty easy.  I was tired by this point, so I made it super simple.  I created a bookmark, which my mom can peel off and use.  She still loves to turn the page of a regular book.  I love the touch of a button to turn the page!  ;D  Behind this bookmark are gift cards for Barnes & Noble. 
The stamps I used are from MFT's I {Heart} Books!  I colored her w/ copics.

 Again, this one was pretty simple.  I had too many ideas floating around in my head, I couldn't settle for just one.  I found these carrots from a Flourishes set that I colored w/ copics and cut out.  The turkey is from another set, I can't remember which one.  I think an Inkadinkado set for recipes, if I'm not mistaken.  The plate is resting on a "table".  To get the gift cards out for a series of restaurants, pull on the carrots and turkey!  I cut the words 'Bon Appetit!' on my cricket.

 This page was one of my favs!  I took two MFT sets w/ full dress showing and stamped them on paper.  For the robe, I applied a generous layer of glue and adhered pink flocking all over it.  Front and back!  For the dress, my dad had given me tons of fabric samples a few years ago. I still have them and use them when necessary.  I cut two sides of the dress, and glued them together.  For the skirt, I took a piece of suede material and cut it in half.  I took a sliver of pleather and created a belt.  I stamped the words 'Oooh La La!' and cut them out. 
The gift card is for Macy's and I have it peeking out from behind the clothes rack! 

 These next two were for my dad.  He received a few gift cards for Lands End.  Well, when I think of Lands End, I think of coats, hats, boots.....ah, boots!  That is actually what I created here!  I drew a template from paper, and adhered pleather to the toe and suede for the sides.  I used eyelets and brown ribbon for the laces.  On the inside, I wanted to make it nice and warm, so I put some liquid applique in there and heated it up right after I put it on!  I wanted to make it look like wool!

And the last page!  iTunes was the last gift card of choice.  I could have gone in so many different directions, but time was NOT on my side, so I had to keep it simple.  I found a sheet of music in my vintage folder, so that's my background.  I drew the notes and cut them out.  The gift cards are peeking out behind.

For all of the gift cards, I created a very simple envelope for them to sit in and keep them contained.  I tucked most of them behind the background paper to make it easier for my themes on each page!

I hope you enjoyed viewing this!  My parents LOVED it!  My mom even talked about putting it on her tree each year!  :D

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas!

MFT Product Tour Time!!!

Hello MFTers!  I hope that you are enjoying the Product Tour!  For a full listing of participants, go to Kim's Blog!

Today, I am focusing on my little cutie, the Pure Innocence Heartwarmer!  I wanted to come up w/ a clever idea of what I could do with him and his snowballs (thought of stamping a PI buddy and having a good, old fashioned snowball fight), but, I wasn't sure how well it would photograph.  I might try that at some point....
I went onto Pinterest, and saw a cute idea of a snowman inside a jar!  And then I got my idea!
A Snowball Fight In A Jar!

 I used a regular mason jar that I found in my laundry room.  I painted the lid white, and adhered the silver ribbon that you see that's kind of frilly and wild and crazy.  I used the Fancy Flourish and Let It Snowflake die-namics to create my scene.  Along w/ the Wonky Scallop Border.  The Fancy Flourish is to mimic wind and on the wind are snowflakes falling onto the snow already piling up at the feet of our little Heartwarmer!  The rhinestones are the sparkly snowflakes falling even faster than the regular flakes!  All you see are the flashes and sparkle as they fall from the sky!  I used my brand new Icicles Border Die for the top to add some detail and make it look even colder!!!!

Inside you will see 2 white circle punches.  These are to signify snowballs.  I took white liquid paint, and mixed it w/ water, and sprayed the inside of the jar to make it look like the jar got hit w/ snowballs.  Of course, my camera couldn't pick up that detail.  But, in real life, it's speckled under the snowballs!  There's one to the upper right of the Heartwarmer, and then behind him to the Left.  You can see it in the next picture.

 This is just a different angle of the jar.

This is what the jar looks like on my hutch in my kitchen!  I used fresh pine all throughout my house this year for Christmas, and I LOVE how it turned out!  This is just one of my shelves!

Happy Shopping my friends!

It's Party Day at MFT! Let's get revved up for release time!!!

 We have made it to Release Day!  Are you SO excited???!!!!  This month's release has just been AMAZING!  I have SO enjoyed being a part of it!  Thank you MFT for inviting me!!!!  I have had a blast stamping and creating special projects!  For a complete listing for today's participants, please visit Kim's Blog!

Our challenge today is to highlight the newest Die-namics.  And to use them in ways one might not think to use them.  Well, if you are a regular to my blog, you know that I am always thinking beyond the norm.  Once again, I have created 2 unique ways to use the Oval Open Scallop Doily!  Some of you might already have this, as it was part of the VIP kit offered earlier this month (last month!).  If so, break it out and start using it!  It is one of THE most awesome doilies that MFT has come out with!  LOVE the oval shape!  It makes a perfect background panel, as you've seen the DT use in their card samples.  But, today, I have two new uses for them!

First up, a sunshiny card for anyone who is feeling blue.  This will surely brighten their day!  When I took the picture, I didn't even need to use a flash!  Hahaha!  Are you laughing???!!!! ;D

 I took a piece of white paper and die cut it w/ the Oval Open Scallop Doily Die-namics.  I sprayed it w/ Gingersnap Smooch Spray to get that speckled look.  Then, I adhered it to the kraft cardstock.  I used a ruler to make the rays of sunshine, and a paper piercer.  I sewed the lemondrop twine from MFT to make each ray of sunshine.  Once I finished that, I felt that the sun just wasn't good enough.  So, I sewed rosettes along the inside holes to finish it.  I used the Banner Die to create the sentiment, and Wendy Alpha.  I sewed rosettes w/ the same twine on the banner to match the sun.

 Here you can see a closer look at the sewing and speckled sun.

The second card that I created is a bouquet of flowers, using the Inspired By Flowers Set #4 that was featured on Day 2! The Oval Open Scallop Doily Die-namics is the white bouquet holding the flowers together. I used the Framed Greetings Die-namics for a panel on the front and inside to write a little note.
For the flowers, I stamped them in Memento Black, colored them w/ Copics, and cut them out.  Then, I took my mouse pad and a stylus and curved the edges of the petals to give some dimension.

I die cut the Fancy Flourishes  & Leafy Flourish to create "leaves" and just add some pizazz to the bouquet!  I adhered everything on a piece of acetate.

 Here you can see a better view of the doily.  What I did was cut from one side to the middle, and then made a cone and glued it in place.  I used pieces of Fancy Flourishes for the stems to keep the flowers above and over the doily.

And so now you have learned 2 NEW ways to use your Oval Open Scallop Doily!  Because it WILL be yours!  You KNOW you have to get one, if you don't already have one!  Don't miss the boat!!!!!  Grab it tonight at the release!

Here's some VERY important info!

Now that we've teased and tempted you all week long, it's almost time for you to shop for your favorite http://www.mftstamps.com/brand-spankin-new">Brand Spankin' New products from http://www.mftstamps.com/index.php?route=common/home">MFT.

But first... it's time for our Die-namics Feature and Pre-Release Pep Rally!

Our Design Team has been busy creating jaw-dropping and inspiring projects for you, and we've saved the best for last.

We've taken an in-depth look at this month's http://www.mftstamps.com/die-namics">Die-namics, while re-visiting the amazing sets being released tonight at 10 PM EST http://www.mftstamps.com/brand-spankin-new">RIGHT HERE in the MFT Boutique.

And while we are at it, how about we make your life even easier with a "cheat sheet" of all that's new?  Head over to the http://www.mftstamps.com/blog/">MFT Blog to print out a shopping list.

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th from 8-10 PM EST http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/my-favorite-things-f164/">HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!

The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on December 6 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products http://www.mftstamps.com/index.php?route=common/home">HERE at release time.

You have just a few more hours to submit your entry for this month's guest designer contest.  Check out the http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/my-favorite-things-f164/">forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

If you'd like to see all the designers' posts for today, please click on over to the https://www.mftstamps.com/blog/">MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on December 6 just before the release party, on the https://www.mftstamps.com/blog/">MFT blog.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy MFT Release Day!!!!See you at the party!  Be there or be Oval!  Sorry, ANOTHER bad joke!!!! I just can't stop!  ;D

MFTeaser Day 6!!! Pure Innocence FUN!

Hello there!!!  Welcome to Day 6 of the MFTeasers!  What inspiration we have seen so far for this release!  Are you having fun and getting LOTS of ideas for the sets you're going to buy soon?!

Today is all about Pure Innocence!  Oh how I LOVE this line!  I love them all! But the Pure Innocence line reminds me of my kids, so this line is very dear to me!  To see the full listing of participants, see Kim's Blog!

I have been given the honor of working with Pure Innocence Heartwarmer!  What a sweetheart!!!  He warms my heart!  Just so darling!  When I took him out of the package, I instantly knew that I HAD to create a scene with him!  As I was looking over my stamp room, I found a piece of wood (well, I have a lot of wood scraps), and thought that it would make a perfect wall hanging!

Here is what I started with.  The wood that I actually used (this is just another piece so you can see what it looked like before I painted it!) measures 6" x 6" square.

Then, I painted the wood gray / some of my kids' paint that I stole from them!, sponged in some blues and purples to give it some shadow.  I sponged black ink around the edges to finish it off a bit.  I colored my little Heartwarmer w/ Copics, and really tried to color like the rest of the MFT Design Team.  They are teaching me just by looking at their awesome creations, how to color the MFT images.  They are GREAT teachers!  Of course, I still have a LOT to learn, but I'm getting there!  I love the shading!

Anyway, I drew the tree to fit my piece of wood.  The sled is the MFT Woodgrain Fence Die-namics.  I rounded the edges on the ends.  The fence is my new favorite die!

 Here you can see the whole project with ribbon!

Now I have another Christmas decoration to hang in my home!  So fun!

Thanks for stopping by!  Here's some NEED TO KNOW INFO!

Here are the details about the upcoming release on December 6 at 10 PM EST:

You can attend the New Release Party on December 6th from 8-10 PM EST http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/my-favorite-things-f164/">HERE in the MFT forum, where you can enjoy fun, games, and PRIZES!

The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on December 6 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products http://www.mftstamps.com/index.php?route=common/home">HERE at release time.

The guest designer contest is ON!  Check out the http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/my-favorite-things-f164/">forum for details on how YOU can win $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics, and play along with the MFT Design Team for a month.

If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the https://www.mftstamps.com/blog/">MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on December 6 just before the release party, on the https://www.mftstamps.com/blog/">MFT blog.

Card ingredients:
Paper: white, Red Ridinghood, wood
Inks: Memento Black, copics, Black Creative Memories Journaler; Black Soot, Stormy Sky, Milled Lavender (all Tim Holtz Distress inks); gray kids paint
Embellishments: flocking, Woodgrain Fence; Wonky Scallop Border; Let It Snowflake