Hello, friend! Just a quick post to say that I am taking an indefinite break from paper crafting. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I've had in this industry. I've been blessed beyond measure to be able to work with many fabulous products, companies, and most of all PEOPLE, and I will truly miss them! I am especially grateful to Kim van der Sanden and her team at My Favorite Things Stamps; Kim has been incredibly supportive and a huge blessing through this past year of my changing life responsibilities, and I am so thankful for her kindness and patience. But this stage of life is requiring less "me time," and more responsibilities. I may occasionally post a card on my blog through the Fall since I know that I'll still be making cards when I need them, but I will no longer maintain a social presence. We... Continue reading

Welcome! Today I've played along with a sketch challenge from My Favorite Things Stamps, MFT WSC495. I chose the Fine-Lined Floral stamp from the recent mid-June release since I hadn't had a chance to use that one yet and thought it would be perfect for the tall, narrow focal image on the sketch. Shown above are the Copic Sketch Markers that I used to color the Fine-Lined Floral image. (Click for a larger image in a pop-up window if you prefer.) Would you like to play along with us on this sketch challenge? Check the MFT Stamps Blog for more details and more sketch inspiration as well! Thanks for stopping by, Continue reading

Welcome! It's Release Day for the mid-June My Favorite Things Stamps release, and I have another watercolored background to share today, this time using the Loosely Lined Flowers background. I stamped the image onto watercolor paper using Versamark ink and heat embossed with detail white embossing powder. TIP: If you have a MISTI or other stamp positioning tool, it's a good idea to use it when you are trying to stamp fine lines onto textured watercolor paper. I often stamp two or three times with my Versamark ink to try to get ALL of the lines covered with detail embossing powder. Using an embossing buddy before you stamp helps as well, to prevent static cling and the resulting background spotted with extra bits of embossing powder. I used distress inks to watercolor the Loosely Lined Flowers background, and then I use the Gemini Foilpress and You Impress Me to foil... Continue reading

Welcome! The My Favorite Things Stamps Mid-June Release will be available on Tuesday, June 23. Today I've used a beautiful background stamp, Harmonious Hibiscus, stamped in MFT Milk Chocolate Hybrid ink on kraft cardstock, and then colored with Copic markers and highlighted with a white charcoal pencil. Shown above are the Copic Sketch Markers that I used to color the Harmonious Hibiscus image. (Click for a larger image in a pop-up window if you prefer.) Be sure to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of participants in today's mid-June Release Countdown and to see MANY more beautiful floral sets! PRIZES are also available! Thank you for visiting Continue reading

Welcome! The My Favorite Things Stamps Mid-June Release will be available on Tuesday, June 23. Until then, we are sharing previews of the lovely floral sets that will be available on Tuesday. Today I chose the Fanciful Roses Background stamp, colored with d I hope you get a chance to istress inks on watercolor paper. The sentiment is from the Happy Hummingbirds stamp set. I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of participants in today's mid-June Release Countdown and to see MANY more beautiful floral sets! PRIZES are also available! Thank you for visiting Continue reading

Welcome! I'm excited to share some beautiful floral images over the next few days for the My Favorite Things Stamps Mid-Month June 2020 Release. There are eleven total sets in this release, and they will be available on Tuesday, June 23. These are both different style for the usual MFT images and they are cushioned red rubber images (for those of you whole love techniques that you can do more easily with red rubber)! For today's card, I chose one of the two images in the Magnolia Blossoms set. (And if you are wondering, I fussy-cut the magnolia.) Shown above are the Copic Sketch Markers that I used to color the Magnolia Blossoms images. (Click for a larger image if you prefer.) Be sure to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of participants in today's mid-June Release Countdown and to see MANY more beautiful floral sets! PRIZES... Continue reading

Welcome! Today I'm hopping along with Pretty Pink Posh to help introduce their newest product release! I have two card to share, so be sure to scroll down. For the first, I've used the Jungle Additions stamp set and coordinating Jungle Additions dies, as well as the Medium Polka Dots stencil. Isn't that hippo a cutie? Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Jungle Additions images. For the second card, I chose the Monkey Friends stamp set and coordinating Monkey Friends dies--this little guy swinging by his tail is such a perfect monkey image! I used only one layer of the Layered Leaves and Flowers stencils since I wanted to capitalize on the jungle feel, but the flower and berry layers give a lot of versatility to the stencil set. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used on the Monkey Friends... Continue reading

Welcome! Today I am playing along with a My Favorite Things Stamps Sketch Challenge, MFT WSC494. I chose the Planted Blooms Die-namics, paired with the Fun in the Sun patterned paper pack for my sketch challenge--clean, pretty simple, and sweet! Would you like to play along with the Sketch Challenge? Check the MFT Stamps Blog for details and for more inspiration and PRIZE information as well! My supply list is below. Thanks for stopping by, Continue reading

Welcome! It's June release day at My Favorite Things Stamps, and today I've used a darling Stacey Yacula stamp set, Hooray Kind of Day. I kept it simple--thought I'd just let those sweet images shine! Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Hooray Kind of Day images. I used the Grassy Fields Die-namics to cut two masks (negative and positive shape, or the top and the bottom of the die-cut, in this case), so that I could mask and lightly airbrush some sky and grass. All of the new June products are now available, and all of the links below should work. Each of the MFT DT Members AND some amazing guests will have projects to share today, so please check out the MFT Stamps blog for many more inspirational projects and products, as well as a chance to ear great prizes! Good luck... Continue reading

Welcome! Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9, is June release day for My Favorite Things Stamps. Today's card is about as easy as they come. I needed a graduation card--you know, one of those, "Do you happen to have a graduation card that I could use?" requests from one's husband, who is standing there with postage stamp in hand. (You've never had that happen, right?) And I said what I almost always say, "No, but I'll see what I can come up with if you can wait a bit. . ." Thankfully the June release DID have a couple of sets that were perfect for graduation--clean, graphic, easy to do in school colors, and non-gender specific! I used both the All the Encouragement stamp set and coordinating Die-namics, as well as the Splotchy Dots Background stamp for a quick graduation card. While I have linked the MFT products that I used below,... Continue reading

Wecome! It's only two more day until the June My Favorite Things Stamps release! Today I chose to the Sunny Days ahead stamp set, paired with the Splotchy Dots Background stamp set. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Sunny Days Ahead image. I airbrushed the background, but you could certainly use ink blending if you're more comfortable with that. (If you'd like a full-sized version, click on the photo above, and one will open in a pop-up window.) In addition to the ones that I've shared here, there are more fabulous new products being showcased today; I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of designers playing with today's new products AND to enter for prizes! Remember that while all MFT products that I used are linked below, the NEW product links won't be live... Continue reading

Welcome! It's three days until the My Favorite Things Stamps June release! Today I chose images from the Sending Sunny Vibes stamp set--that VW-ish van and surfboard pushed me over the top on this set! Patterned papers are from the coordinating Fun in the Sun paper pad. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Sending Sunny Vibes images. (Click on picture for a full-sized image in a pop-up window.) I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of designers using today's new products AND to enter for prizes! Remember that while the MFT products that I used are linked below, the NEW product links won't be live until Release time--that's Tuesday, June 9, at 10am Eastern time. All other links should work now. Thank you for stopping by today Continue reading

Welcome! It's only FOUR day until the My Favorite Things Stamps June release! Today I chose the Positively Peppy Pennants stamp set and Positively Peppy Die-namics for my card, also using paper from the new Positively Peppy paper pad. At 8-1/2" x 3-1/2", I made a card that would fit into a business-size envelope with some room to spare. I love how the patterned papers make creating with this set so simple! While I have linked the MFT products that I used below, the links to the NEW products will not be live links until release day, 10am Eastern Time, Tuesday, June 9. All of the other links should work now. Be sure to check the MFT Stamps blog for more June Release inspiration AND for a chance to win some great prizes! Thank you for visiting Continue reading

Welcome! Today begins the June Release Countdown for My Favorite Things Stamps: it's five days until the new release! I chose the lovely Peony Perfection red rubber stamp for my card today, coloring it with Karin Brushmarker Pro markers and a water brush. I used my MISTI so that I could ink with both water-based ink and embossing ink on top of that. I selectively inked the blossom with a pink ink and the stems and leaves with a green ink. Next I inked the entire peony with Versamark ink so that I could heat emboss with clear embossing powder onto watercolor paper before coloring it with my Karin Brushmarkers. (I probably overdid the spatters. Can one be spatter-challenged? Randomness is definetly not my strength. . .) While I have linked the MFT products that I used below, the NEW product links will not work until release day, 10AM Eastern... Continue reading

Welcome! Today I am playing along with a My Favorite Things Stamps Wednesday Sketch Challenge, MFT WSC491. For my focal images, I chose stamps from the Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes stamp set. (In case you're trying to figure out how this approximates the sketch, I turned the sketch upside down.) Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Sending Sweet Celebration Wishes images. I airbrush the background with Copic YG23 and BG01. (Click on image for a full-sized pop-up.) Would you like to play along with us in this sketch challenge? Check the MFT Stamps blog for details and prizes! Thank you for visiting, Continue reading

Welcome! Today I'm playing along with a My Favorite Things Stamps Wednesday Sketch Challenge, WSC490. For my focal image, I pulled out an older stamp set that I have always loved, Flower Silhouettes. (My sentiment is from the Smile Maker stamp set.) I didn't list my ink colors because I had a scad of them out on my desk--some MFT (Sour Apple, Wild Wisteria, Jellybean Green), and some Distress inks as well (Worn Lipstick, Scattered Straw, Shabby Shutters, and Seedless Preserves). I kept mixing them on the stamps and spritzing with water until I'm not exactly sure what is combined where! That's the fun of playing with a silhouette stamp set--freedom to just stamp and see what happens. Some of it is pretty, and some isn't. I just stamp enough that I'm sure I have plenty that I like, and I don't worry about the might-have-beens! When you are using... Continue reading

Welcome! It's May Vault Release Day for My Favorite Things Stamps! Today I have used the Fishbowl Die-namics and a sentiment from the Fin-tastic stamp set. I'm just telling you--after these past few months, I think we can ALL look at each other and say, "Just keep swimming!" I kept my die-cut pretty straightforward, shading only with my Copic Airbrush System. For the goldfish, I used Peach Bellini cardstock, airbrushed more heavily on the bottom with YR68. For the sand, I used Natural cardstock, airbrushed more heavily on the bottom with E43. And for the water in the fishbowl, I used three colors, B23, B12, and BG34 (bottom left to top right). The seaweed is Green Room cardstock, with no Copic enhancement. The bubbles are plain white cardstock, and the bowl is Grout Gray. Be sure to check out the MFT Stamps blog for links to a ton of inspiration... Continue reading

Welcome! Tomorrow is the big My Favorite Things Stamps May Vault Release; I chose the Class Act stamp set for today's card, making my own patterned background with some of the smaller images stamped on kraft cardstock. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Class Act image. Rather than die-cutting her, I just added a simple marker background. For the Kraft background, I used my Copics to color the pencils and markers, then used a silver Sharpie to color the metal part on the tops of the pencils--easy! Be sure to check out the MFT Stamps blog for links to a ton of inspiration on these May Vault sets, available on May 19, as well as a chance to win prizes! Thank you for visiting, Continue reading

Welcome! It's almost time for the May My Favorite Things Stamps Vault Release--Tuesday morning at 10am, Eastern time! Today I've used images from the Every Day Is a Picnic stamp set, paired with Spring Whimsy patterned papers. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Every Day Is a Picnic images, including the pieced patterned paper that I shaded and the airbrushed background. (If you'd like a full-sized version, click on the photo for a pop-up window.) Tomorrow and Tuesday we'll have more May Vault Release products to share, so I hope you get a chance to come back then. Be sure to check out the MFT Stamps blog for links to some fabulous inspiration for the May Vault sets AND for a chance to win prizes! Thank you for visiting, Continue reading

Welcome! Today I'm playing along with a My Favorite Things Stamps Wednesday Sketch Challenge, MFT WSC488. I hadn't used the Brilliant Butterflies stamp set yet this past release week, so I chose that as my focal image for today's card. ***Please note that I used a MISTI tool to align the three butterfly parts on my die-cut cardstock after die-cutting the butterflies. I usually die-cut after stamping; but with three stamped parts, I found that I needed to die-cut before stamping with this set. Hope that helps! Would you like to play along with the Sketch Challenge? Check the MFT Stamps Blog for details and for more inspiration as well! My supply list is below. Thanks for stopping by, Continue reading

Welcome! It's My Favorite Things Stamps May Release Day, and today I've used the Mother's Day Bouquet stamp set again, pairing it with a sentiment from the Happy Hummingbirds set and a recently released patterned paper pad, Spring Whimsy. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Mother's Day Bouquet images. I paper-pieced the vase to tie it in with the other patterned papers. All of the new May products are now available, and all of the links below should work. Each of the MFT DT Members AND some amazing guests will have projects to share today, so please check out the MFT Stamps blog for many more cool projects and products, as well as a chance to ear great prizes! Good luck on the giveaways, and thank you for visiting, Continue reading

Welcome! It's ONE day until the My Favorite Things Stamps May Release! At 10am Eastern time on Tuesday, May 5, the May release will be live, and all of the new products shown in the past few days will be available. Today I'm sharing two cards using the Main Squeeze stamp set. Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Main Squeeze images. This was a FUN image to color because of the texture. I added a few dots with my white gel pen as well. Next I have a Main Squeeze card that has a totally different feel and requires very little coloring--this one's a quickie! Besides the Main Squeeze slice stamp, I used a sentiment from an older set, Sunflower Sweetheart, and I used the Brush Spatter Background because I'm spattering challenged. . . ;-) Supply lists for both cards are below. While... Continue reading