Hello crafty friends,

today is my turn in sharing a step-by-step tutorial that you will exclusively receive as a subscriber to the MFT Newsletter. So please feel free to sign up if you haven't already.

This is the colorful Birthday card I came up with:

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have an amazing day!
Anja

MFT Stamps • March Card Kit Release

Hi peeps,

the wait is over! You can now order the jam-packed At the Movies Card Kit and all the fabulous add-ons.

The price for this collection of coordinated products is more than 30% off the cost of buying the elements separately.

I did some creative masking for today's One Layer Card on which I combined the Birdie Brown Birthday Bears with the small images from the Concesson Signage stamp set.

First, I created a standard A2 sized card from white cardstock. I stamped the two bears at the center and colored them with Copic markers. I stamped parts of the images again onto post-it notes to mask off the paws. Now I stamped the popcorn and drink over the masks to make it look like the bears are holding them. After coloring the images, I stamped out new masks to cover up everything before doing the background.

To create the floor, I masked off about two thirds of the top and blended on Lost Shadow Distress Oxide Ink which is a perfect light grey. Then I switched the mask to cover up the bottom and lightly applied Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink in circular motions.

Next, I put the Sunny Rays Stencil on top and sponged through Salvaged Patina and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide Ink, letting the color fade out towards the outside. Finally, I stamped one of the Picture-Perfect Sentiments in VersaFine Onyx Black Ink below the bears.

Here's the March Card Kit again (don't forget to have a look at the add-ons):

Make sure to check out the MFT YouTube channel for even more ideas, product details and tutorials.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Wishing you a lovely day!
Anja

MFT Stamps • February Ready, Set, Christmas! Challenge

Hello friends,

there's a new monthly challenge over on the MFT Blog. Ready, Set, Christmas! will help you get your holidays cards done way ahead of time.

So I'm happy to already have created my first Christmas card of the year using one of the Birdie Brown Holiday Penguins.

I paired this cutie with some patterned papers from the MSTN Colorful Christmas Paper Pad. First, I cut and scored a card base from Blue Beyond Card Stock. I trimmed down the text paper and adhered it to the card base. The snowflake paper was cut with an A2 Stitched Circle STAX die to create a little backdrop for the penguin.

Next, I stamped the image, colored it with Copics and fussy cut it out. For a bit of dimension, I adhered the penguin with thin foam squares.

Now I invite you to join the challenge with any new holiday-themed project for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher.

Make sure to check out the MFT YouTube channel for even more ideas, product details and tutorials.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have an incredible day!
Anja

 

MFT Stamps • Wednesday Sketch Challenge 633

Hello everyone,

today starts a new Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at the MFT Blog. Join the challenge with your project following the sketch for a chance to win a fabulous $50 Gift Voucher.

I made a card with the Birdie Brown Recipe for Happiness stamp set that I had in my stash for ages – I still adore it!

I started off with a card base made from Gravel Gray Card Stock. For the plaid background, I trimmed down one of the MSTN Black & White Plaid Papers. Of course I had to use the cool Notebook Paper and the Notebook Edge Die-namics at the top. I adhered it at an angle and cut off the excess.

I stamped one of the cute chefs in Extreme Black Hybrid Ink and colored him with Copic markers. Next, I cut out the image with the coordinating die and white heat embossed the sentiment onto a Red Hot Card Stock strip. I used a fishtail banner die from the Blueprints 27 Die-namics set to cut it out. I thought it was fun to place the chef on top of the banner. To finish off the card, I added a small red heart.

Here is this week's sketch #633:

Please visit the MFT YouTube channel for even more ideas, product details and tutorials.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a spicy day ;-)
Anja

MFT Stamps • October Release Countdown Day 2

Hi peeps,

only 2 more sleeps until the My Favorite Things October Release goes live. Check out today's reveals and DT inspiration over on the MFT Blog.

I created a fun Christmas card with the cute YUZU Holly Jolly Santa stamps. To complete my scene, I also used the Window Seat Die-namics and patterned papers from the Floor to Ceiling Paper Pad.

First, I trimmed down the wallpaper and floor patterned papers and adhered them to a white A2 landscape card base. I die cut the window and sill from white cardstock and one of the pillows from polka dot paper. For the background, I blended Distress Oxide Inks (Speckled Egg and Uncharted Mariner) onto a piece of Sno Cone Card Stock. I splattered on white paint with a brush to create the look of falling snow.

Next, I stamped the images and colored them with Copic Markers. I did some masking to insert the santa image inside the chimney. I used the coordinating dies to cut out those images. To fill the scene, I added a couple of older Birdie Brown images as well (milk and cookies: BB Secret Santa, gifts: BB Beast Friends).

The sentiment was stamped onto an Amarena Cherry Card Stock rectangle with VersaMark Ink and I heat embossed it in white. Finally, I assembled the scene by adhering the images and sentiment with foam squares.

I invite you to visit the MFT YouTube channel for even more ideas, product details and tutorials.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a cozy Sunday!
Anja

DT Stempelgarten Challenge January

Hello everyone,

today starts the first Stempelgarten Challenge of the year and the new theme is «Winter».

I immediately fell in love with the adorable Birdie Brown «Ready, Set, Snow» stamp set by My Favorite Things.

I colored the cute snowboarding penguin and the trees with Copics and fussy cut them out. Next, I blended together the two Distress Oxide Inks «Tumbled Glass» and «Shaded Lilac». I white heat embossed an old All Night Media «Splatter Pattern» background to create the falling snow.

I die cut the background using one of the MFT «Stitched Circle STAX» Die-namics. For the snow slopes, I cut the MFT «Hit the Slopes» Die-namics two times from white cardstock and used the stitched circle die again. I heat embossed the sentiment directly onto my top-folding card base using silver embossing powder.

You will have time until January 31st, 2019 to join the Stempelgarten Challenge and this is the prize you could win:

A craft package from the Stempelgarten Online Shop with a value of CHF 20.–.

I'm entering the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with the theme «Something New» (in my case the stamp set).

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!
Anja

DT Stempelgarten Challenge November

Hi everyone,

on Sunday started the latest Stempelgarten Challenge with the theme «Christmas is coming».

A bit later than usual, I'm showing you my very first Christmas card for this year. I've chosen the adorable puppy from the My Favortite Things Birdie Brown «Happy Pawlidays» stamp set and colored him with Copics.

Sometimes I struggle with my mojo, so I'm very thankful for the MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge ;-)

I'm entering the current challenge #357 – this inspiring sketch really helped me to create my card layout:

For the background panel, I used the Taylored Expressions «Cable Knit» embossing folder to add some texture to the white cardstock. I hand cut the fishtail banner from polka dotted paper (MFT «Dots & Stripes Neutral» 6x6 Paper Pack». Next, I die cut one of the «Single Stitch Line Square Frames» from red glitter cardstock and put a piece of patterned paper (MFT «Tranquil Textures» 6x6 Paper Pack) behind it.

I white heat embossed one of the «Snow Globe Sentiments» on black cardstock and used the «Stitched Sentiment Strips» Die-namics to cut it out. I adhered all the elements by mostly following the sketch and popped up the dog and sentiment banner with foam tape. To finish my card, I added three wood veneer stars by Studio Calico.

You will have time until November 30th, 2017 to join the Stempelgarten Challenge and this is the prize you could win:

A craft package from the Stempelgarten Online Shop with a value of CHF 20.–.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Anja

DT Stempelgarten Challenge October

Good morning,

Phew! Time goes by really fast these days and we have already October! There's a new and fun theme over at the Stempelgarten Challenge: «Spooky».

I created this Halloween card combining some cute My Favorite Things stamps with a detailed Impression Obsession die and a Distress Ink night sky.

For the dark background, I blended together the Distress Inks «Black Soot», «Chipped Sapphire» and «Seedless Preserves». To give it a bit of texture, I sprinkled on some water droplets. Next, I cut a spooky scene from black glitter cardstock using the Impression Obsession «Halloween Hill» die. I put small pieces of yellow cardstock behind the windows and the pumpkin. I also did some shading with Copics so it looks as if the lights were glowing.

To create the circle window, I used a die from the MFT «Starry Circle» set and cut it from white cardstock. I added another stitched detail by using the rectangle die from the «Blueprints 29» set. I adhered the glitter die-cut behind my window opening and for more dimension, I popped everything up with foam tape.

I stamped and colored the cat and pumpkin images from the adorable Birdie Brown «Witch Way Is The Candy?» set. The sentiment was heat embossed with Ranger «Liquid Platinum» embossing powder.

You will have time until October 31st, 2017 to join our challenge and this is the prize you could win:

A craft package from the Stempelgarten Online Shop with a value of CHF 20.–.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Anja

MFT Card Design Superstar Contest Innovation Master

Hi crafty peeps,

Yippie! I'm so glad that I managed to make a final card for the My Favorite Things 2017 Card Design Superstar contest.

I had this idea of a fun fold card in my head for a couple of days and wasn't sure how to realize it. I wanted to create a card with a little surprise inside, so when the recipient opens it, there would be something special. I picked the adorable Birdie Brown «Happy Hippos» stamp set which is perfect for Birthday/Celebration cards.

At first, I decorated the front of my card. The patterned paper is from the «Sweet Celebration» 6x6 Paper Pack and I added a petrol «Stitched Square Scallop Frame» die-cut on top. I stamped the hippo and the balloons as well as the little birdie and colored them with Copics. The sentiment was stamped in VersaFine «Onyx Black» and I cut a banner with one of the «Stitched Sentiment Strips» Die-namics. I used lots of foam tape to adhere my card elements. I decorated the card front with enamel dots and covered the balloons with Glossy Accents.

For the inside part, I scored a piece of peachy cardstock in a Zig-zag fold. I left it blank, so I'd be able to add some handwritten birthday wishes later. To create the heart window, I placed the die («Heart Full of Love TRANSFORM-ables» Die-namics) right into the middle of the cardstock.

I stamped the inside of the plum card base with the «Tiny Stars Background» in VersaMark and heat embossed it with sparkly WOW! «Frozen Berries» Embossing Glitter. Next, I fixed the peach cardstock to the card inside by only adhering the two outside flaps. I fit in two further cute colored hippos behind the heart window.

So this is what it looks like, when you open the card (it wasn't easy to take an accurate photo):

It almost looks like your sneaking into a secret birthday party ;-)

Here's a little close-up:

Although this isn't the most innovative card *giggle*, I really enjoyed creating it. Thank you MFT for challenging us with this wonderful contest! I love to see all the wonderful creations everybody made. Keeping my fingers crossed and wishing good luck to everyone.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have an awesome day!
Anja

MFT Card Design Superstar Contest CAS Genius

Hi peeps,

Woot woot! I decided to take part in this year's Card Design Superstar contest by My Favorite Things.

There are three separate categories to enter a card to and the prizes are so generous and simply amazing!

I made this bright card for the Clean & Simple Genius category:

Unicorns and rainbows just make me happy! I colored this cutie from the Birdie Brown «Magical Unicorns» set with my Zigs and fussy cut it out leaving a small white border. For the rainbow background, I die cut a circle from masking paper. I adhered the negative part to my white cardstock and sponged some yummy Distress Oxide Inks though the opening. To lift the color here and there, I sprinkled on a generous amount of water droplets. I rounded the top left corner of the panel with a die from the «Blueprints 14» set.

With the help of the circle die, I've bent the stamp from the «Essential Sentiments» set to follow the round shape. Next, I die cut two of the «Puffy Clouds» from white cardstock. I popped the clouds and unicorn up with foam tape. To finish off my card, I added some Nuvo «White Blizzard» Glitter Drops.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Anja

My Favorite Things Birdie Brown Bitty Bears

Hello everyone,

So glad, that I'm finally feeling well enough to get some crafting done :-)

Today I want to share with you the card that I made for the current My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge.

I had so much fun to play with the sketch:

At first, I colored two of the cute MFT Birdie Brown «Bitty Bears» with Copics and fussy cut them out. For the white background panel, I dry embossed the retired «Snow Drifts Cover-Up» die. I randomly added lots of Heidi Swapp «Color Shine» splatters in sparkling Gold. Instead of the circles shown in the sketch, I decided to incoporate some Distress Ink colored fall leaves (cut with the «Falling Leaves» Die-namics).

The striped paper is from the «Black & White Basics» 6x6 Paper Pack. I white heat embossed the sentiment from the «Beary Big Adventure» stamp set on a piece of black cardstock. To cut the fishtail banner shape, I used a die from the «Blueprints 27» set. I cut it a second time from gold glitter cardstock to put it behind the popped up sentiment strip.

Thank you so much for stopping by! See you soon ;-)
Anja

MFT Camp Create Day 2: Magnificent Masking

Hello everyone,

I'm happy to be back with another card for the current My Favorite Things Camp Create.

On Day 2 it's all about Masking. I love to use this technique in combination with ink blending.

I created a glittery and ink blended background for this cutie from the Birdie Brown «Magical Unicorns» set which was colored with Copics.

I cut a circle from Inkadinkado stamping mask paper and adhered the negative part to my white panel of cardstock. Next, I blended together the two Distress Oxide Inks «Broken China» and «Cracked Pistachio». I sprinkled on some water droplets to lift some of the color.

When everything was completely dry, I adhered the masking paper circle over my ink blending. I put the «Sun Ray» stencil on top and fixed it with washi tape. Then I carefully pressed my VersaMark ink pad across the openings of the stencil. After removing the stencil, I heavily poured the gorgeous WOW! «Under the Sea» embossing glitter over it and heat set everything. I love all the sparkle which matches the colors of the Distress Oxide Inks perfectly.

I heat embossed the sentiment in white on a piece of black cardstock and cut it with one of the «Stitched Sentiment Strips» Die-namics. The unicorn and sentiment banner were adhered with foam tape. To finish off my card, I added three star shaped sequins rom my stash.

Although I won't be able to participate in all five crafts, I'm proud of my second Camp Create badge.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!
Anja

MFT Camp Create Day 3: Spectacular Shakers

Hi peeps,

hope you've enjoyed a sunny weekend. I'm glad I could squeeze in another card for My Favorite Things Camp Create.

Spectacular Shakers are the craft for Day 3 and MFT has all the required supplies to easily create them.

I finally used the adorable Birdie Brown «Mermazing» stamp set. These cute images just make me smile :-)

At first, I stamped one of the mermaids and her little fish friend and colored them with Copics. To create a water background, I quickly draw some wavy lines with ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Pens and blended them with water. I also added some water droplets to lift the color here and there. To complete my little ocean scene, I stamped the three little fishes with «Broken China» Distress Oxide Ink.

For my shaker element, I used the new «Ocean View Porthole» Die-namics (cut from silver foil cardstock) and a circle shaker pouch. Before carefully putting my shaker together, I filled it with sequins and seed beads.

The woodplank paper is from the «Tranquil Textures 6x6 Paper Pack» and I cut it with a rounded stitched rectangle die from the «Blueprints 31» set. Finally, I stamped the sentiment in VersaFine «Onyx Black».

Yay! Here comes my third earned Camp Create Badge!

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Anja

DT Stempelgarten Challenge November

Good morning everyone,

it's the 5th of the month which means there's a new theme over at the Stempelgarten Challenge.

This time we invite you to play Bingo with us – you could choose any vertical, horizontal or diagonal row:

I went with the bottom horizontal row and used Charms, Dies and Grey on my winter card.

How adorable is this yeti from the My Favorite Things Birdie Brown «Beast Friends» stamp set?! The coloring was done with Copics and I fussy cut him with scissors. I did some Paper Piecing by stamping the scarf and the small gift onto some patterned paper (MFT «Dots & Stripes Neutral» 6x6 Paper Pack).

Next, I created a little winter scene using the MFT «Snowfall – Vertical» die as well as the «Stitched Basic Edges» Die-namics for the glittery snow hill. I did some light Ink Blending with Simon Says Stamp dye inks («Sea Glass», «Maliblue»). The trees (MFT «Oh Christmas Trees») were stamped in several shades of grey (SSS «Fog», «Stone», «Fossil», «Cobblestone») and cut with the coordinating dies. I adhered all of the elements to my top-folding card base made from SSS «Fog» cardstock.

For the front panel, I stamped the MFT «Confetti» Background with white pigment ink onto another piece of «Fog» cardstock. I die-cut a window using the MFT «Jumbo Peek-a-Boo Circle Windows» Die-namics and heat embossed the sentiment in Ranger «Liquid Platinum». Finally, I wrapped some linen ribbon around it and tied a bow with jute string where I attached the snowflake charm. I popped up the panel with foam tape.

You will have time until November 30th, 2016 to join our challenge and this is the prize you could win:

A craft package from the Stempelgarten Online Shop with a value of CHF 20.–.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a cozy weekend!

Guest Designer for My Favorite Things | Take 2

Hello peeps,

I'm so happy to be back again guest designing on the My Favorite Things blog today with more projects to hopefully inspire you. Thankfully, I was able to use some of the fabulous products from the latest October Release.

At first, I want to show you three cute little holiday tags that I created using the newest Tag Builder Blueprints 6 Die-namics. I really love all the dies included in this set because there are so many possibilities.

I've chosen these adorable critters from three different stamp sets. The reindeer is from the new Merry Everything set. The penguin (BB Toasty Greetings) and the polar bear (BB Cool Day) are older Birdie Brown designs which I still adore. I stamped all of the images with Black Licorice Hybrid Ink, colored them with Copics and fussy cut them.

For the background of the reindeer tag I did some Ink Blending with Distress Inks. I heat embossed the sentiment from the Merry Everything set and decorated the tag with some white die-cut stars.

The penguin tag is actually a shaker. Therefore I used the convenient pouches that MFT carries – they just fit perfectly! I created a little scene with the Snowfall - Vertical Die-Namics and the Stitched Basic Edges Die-namics for the hill. The shaker is filled with various sequins and seed beads. I white heat embossed the sentiment on vellum.

For the third tag, I chose the tag die which cuts an opening. I slightly extended it with a craft knife because I wanted to tuck in the polar bear. The heart patterned paper is from the Lucky Prints 6x6 Paper Pack. I heat embossed the sentiment, die cut a banner and then finished off the tag with a glittery heart.


A particular Christmas card design has buzzed around in my head for some weeks. Thanks to the fun images from the Merry Everything stamp set and the Big Hello die, I was able to finally turn it into this card.

I stamped the images, colored them with Copics and used the coordinating dies to cut them out. I added some details with a white gelly roll pen and a black Copic Multiliner. Then I die-cut the 'H' and 'O' from several MFT patterned papers. I had to wiggle around a bit to arrange my elements and filled in the open spaces with white heat embossed sentiments and a gift as well as with some die-cut stars.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed my projects!

Guest Designer for My Favorite Things | Take 1

Hi everyone,

Woohoo! Finally, I can share my exciting news with you :-) I'm so thrilled and honored to be a guest designer over at the My Favorite Things blog.

When I got the invitation I was totally surprised, overwhelmed and happy! I absolutely love the versatile MFT products and the talented DT ladies always amaze me with their inspirational projects. Thank you so much for having me!

I made three cards using stamp sets with the most gorgeous illustrations.

Like many of you, I'm a huge fan of Torico and her Birdie Brown line – each set is just so cute! Here is my first project:

I created this fall card using the Birdie Brown Harvest Mouse stamps. The stitched frame is from the Blueprints 29 Die-namics set and I die-cut it three times from white cardstock to make it sturdy and dimensional. I stamped the images so they would fit perfectly in the little windows. Next, I colored these adorable mice with Copics, masked them off and did some Ink Blending with warm-toned MFT Premium Dye Inks. I stamped the "Happy Birthday" from the Essential Sentiments set in brown. The pretty paper is from the Plaid Patterns 6x6 Paper Pack.

For my second card I set up a little kitchen scene with the fabulous Birdie Brown Recipe For Happiness stamp set and coordinating dies. For the background I used the English Brick Wall Stencil and sponged Brick Red and Chili Powder Dye Ink onto some Kraft cardstock. The coloring was done with Copics again. I like to add some dots with a white gelly roll pen. The frame for my chalkboard and the little twig are from the Lisa Johnson Designs Make Yourself at Home stamp set.

The third card is pretty much Clean and Simple but with a little twist. To create a small scene I did some Masking here and there while stamping the images from the London Mouse set. I stamped them with VersaMark ink on Kraft cardstock and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I also did some Spotlight Stamping. Therefore I white heat embossed one of the houses again on red cardstock and die-cut a heart (Blueprints 27 Die-namics). Finally, I adhered it on top of the house from the scene. The sentiment is from the LJD Make Yourself at Home set and I stamped it in black.

I had so much fun making these cards and will be back tomorrow with some more inspiration.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

DT Stempelgarten Challenge August

Good morning everyone,

today starts the new Stempelgarten Challenge with the theme «Flowers/Plants».

I created a square card using the adorable Birdie Brown «You Gnome Me» stamp set and some other fun products from My Favorite Things.

This is the second time that I colored with my ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Pens. I love how easy they blend but I'm still hesitating to use them more loosely for a real watercolor look. I fussy cut all the images and added some white dots with a gelly roll pen. Then I cut a little pot for the flower arrangement with the «Perfect Planters» Die-namics from a piece of wood veneer paper.

The background was made with the «English Brick Wall» stencil and Simon Says Stamp «Fog» ink which is such a nice light grey. I quickly colored a strip of watercolor paper in green, let it dry and cut it with a «Grassy Edges» die. The birthday sentiment is from the «Adorable Elephants» set and I heat embossed it in white on black cardstock which I cut into a banner shape.

Finally, I assembled my little scene. I popped up the colored images with foam tape for more dimension and adhered some enamel stickers from Create A Smile.

You will have time until August 31st, 2016 to join our challenge and this is the prize you could win:

A craft package from the Stempelgarten Online Shop with a value of CHF 20.–.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!