December Dirty Gallery and Updates

Okay - I realize that it's been FOREVER since I've posted a thing here to my blog.  The reason is just time.  Several things have occured since my last installment, not the least of which was our MOVING!  That's right, we're now getting settled into a new house that I just adore.  It's not permenant, but for the next year at least, we're making ourselves at home, and after I get all of my craft stuff out of our friend's house and over here then that process should be complete!  I'm  so going through stamping withdrawl, even though I've no time to actually DO anything!  Maybe it's more the SEPARATION from my crafty things that is getting to me!  LOL  Can you believe that I actually had to BUY a card the other day?! 

Another big thing for me is my taking a break from MFT for this new term.  I should be back at it in July, but due to all of the other things that are going on, I just needed to step away from that DT requirement.  Kim is so awesome and saw that I was sinking a bit, stamp-wise, so she gave me that option.  I'm still (of course) on the SCS DT (Dirty Dozen) and that won't change till April 14th, when my term is up and I become an Alumni.  Oh yeah, and I forgot to tell you (in case you didn't notice ;)) that the December gallery is up, and you can find it HERE.

So, as you can see, blogging has not been real high on my priority list, with everything that has been going on.  I've sort of taken a non-scheduled and undefined break.  However, I'm HOPING that that will change soon and my mojo will be back up and running soon, now that we're in our own space. 

I'm ALSO hoping to get back into my quilting.  Dave spent a lot of time getting my quilting frame (that I got for my birthday in April) put together for the first time last night.  So now, I'm itching to get a quilt top done so that I can play with my new (enormous) toy!

And now I leave you with one of my template projects that I made for Christmas (and didn't make it to the DD gallery).  I filled this with books, and will be giving this to an 8 year old boy.  He loves to read.  The template came from PTI and the PP is from Cosmo Cricket.

Till later!  Hope you ALL have a wonderful Christmas and (if I'm not back before then) and Happy New Year!!!

xox,

Kirsten

November Dirty Gallery Open!

It's the 15th!  That means that the new Dirty Dozen gallery is open!  Congrats to the two newbies!  Go check out who they are!!!

CLICK HERE!

This and That

So, of course I had to have the new paper pads and Take Note set from PTI, because that just SCREAMED teacher's gifts to me! This is one little giftie that I made...

My PP is by Jillibean Soup - ain't it cute!? I loved the butterfly theme, so I went with that on my little main image, too. The butterfly stamp is from PTI's With Sympathy set.

And this is how it opens. I finally broke into my package of magnet fasteners by Basic Grey, and put one to good use! Now I'm hooked! :) The butterfly paper is on the top flap that flips up to reveal the two striped overlapping side flaps.

I just rounded the corner at the top of both sides, and kept it simple.

Now we finally get to the paper! LOL

I just stamped the pretty butterflies on the paper with PTI's Summer Sun ink.

**You can't see it in these pix, BUT I also have a bottom flap that folds under the cardboard back of the pad and keeps the paper from falling out the bottom of the case AND enables one to refill the note pad when it runs out!!! I thought that that was pretty ingenious of myself. :)**

Lastly, here's the back. I used PTI's Trademarks set to stamp the back. As you can see, I put tiny strips of striped paper (1/8 inch wide, to be exact) on the sides, too. It's all about the little things, you know! ;)

By the way, you like my cutie new watermark that my new Dirty Dozen buddy, Karen Giron, made me!? I love it! She also made me a new one for the DD gallery, but you'll have to wait for November 15th to see that one! (I know, that's not nice, but I'm not feeling well. ;))

You know, I actually have all of my projects ALREADY posted in there! I feel VERY proud of myself! But I guess whenever you're sick, you have lots of time to post pix on the computer! LOL

That being said, I'm going to "wrap this up". I have a little boy that needs feedin'. Have a great night, and I'll be back soon!

xox,

Kirsten

November Blog Hop Time!

Can you believe it's November already!? OMGoodness! Doesn't this girl look chilly!? She does to me. This is one of the new Pure Innocence images from MFT and this is the November Blog Hop!

If you did not start from the beginning (at Kim's place), then click HERE so that you don't miss anything! There's lots of goodness to be had in this Hop! :)

The image was colored with Copics and embellished with some Shimmerz. You can find those now on the MFT website! The PP is from Cosmo Cricket and the ribbon and buttons are from PTI. I used my CM wavy cutter for the bottom layer.

Here's a close-up of the little girl. Her and 4 of her friends are going to be released TONIGHT. Aren't they are the cutest images ever!? Now, to see what Natalie has done with these cutie pies, CLICK HERE. She's your next stop on the Hop!

I'll be back with more soon!

xox,
Kirsten

MFTeaser: Wrapped in Love

This is another one of the new sets from MFT that are being released TONIGHT, called Wrapped in Love. This set is a buildable set that comes with a variety of boxes and ribbons that let you create your own image. Way cute!

I paper pieced WTG's dress and package ribbon with BG paper and colored the rest with Copics. The border is punched with a Fiscars border punch. The button and ribbon is from PTI. This sketch is one from Lauren Meader a while back. She has the best sketches!

That's about it for this morning. I'll be back tonight for the MFT Blog Hop (10pm est)! Hope you stop back by! I'll have another Pure Innocence card for you - one of my favorites!

Till later...

xox,

K

MFTeaser: Cool Yule

Isn't this little bear who slipped on the ice too cute!? This image is from the new MFT set, Cool Yule. It will be released on Wednesday! It has the cutest little characters in it!

The bear and the ice are two different stamps. I masked the bear when I stamped the ice. The bear's scarf and hat are also paper pieced and there's blue Stickles on the hat rim and ball. The PP is from BG. I love those little houses, don't you?

A little close-up...

The buttons are from PTI, the ribbon is unknown, and the snowflake punch is from MSL.

Now, if you haven't heard, the Hop is tomorrow night and we'll be previewing all of the wonderful new stuff at MFT that will also be released tomorrow night! You won't want to miss it!

And now I'm off! Have a great day!

xox,

K

MFTeaser: Pure Innocence

OMGosh, I'm in LOVE with this new line of stamps at MFT!!! They just might be my new fave! The line is called Pure Innocence and 5 of these little cuties will be released on Wednesday!!! I have two for you today, and I'll have another for the Blog Hop. You're going to "need" them all, so you'd better start saving your crafting $$$! LOL

This first one uses some Cosmo Cricket PP and some of my under used craft CS. I love the look of this card with this little girl. I patterned pieced her pants, and colored the rest of the image with Copics. The bird punch is from MSL, and the ribbon is from PTI. Above's a close-up...

This second card is using a different line of Cosmo Cricket PP. Both are 5 1/4 square cards. I used a MSL apple punch and PTI ribbon and button. The image was colored with Copics, and then the shirt was painted with gold Shimmerz. I also added some pink Shimmerz to her rosy cheeks. It can be real subtle like the above pic, or...

Quite shimmery, depending on the angle. It really adds something special to the image. You can find them HERE.

Okedoke - that's all for today. I'll be back tomorrow for another preview. Have a good one!

xox,

Kirsten

For a DIE-HARD Browns Fan

This is a card I made for another teacher friend of mine at work who happens to be the biggest Browns fan I know! I used one of the Billy sets from Pink Cat Studio. I like how the little guy turned out! :)

The PP is from a paper pad, I think by Making Memories, and you can't see it well, but it has trophies on it and it's like a newspaper article. I stamped the numbers from the set lightly on the other side of the orange CS. Billy was colored with Copics.

Now I'm off to go police the children. TTYL!

xox,

k

Oh. My. Freaking. Word.

Did you see THIS??? (<-- Must Click There!)

Can you SEEEEEEE the tiny brand spankin' new badge on my sidebar???

My stamping dream has officially now come true!!! As of today, I can call myself a DIRTY GIRL!!!

If you're a Splitcoast Fan Club Member, then you know that the October Gallery is now open! To check it out, click HERE!

If you're NOT a Fan Club Member, then why the heck aren't ya!? LOL You get to support the community that you love, see the AMAZING papercraft creations in the TOP SECRET Dirty Dozen gallery, AND take advantage of it's member perks! For more information on joining the FC, click HERE.

You have NO IDEA how difficult it has been to keep this a secret and not shout it from the rooftops for the past 2 1/2 months! What a relief it is to get it out in the open! LOL

Now I'm off to make do some more commenting in the gallery! Have a great night!

xox, k

A Book is a Gift

This is a card that I made for a good teacher friend of mine. She teaches HS English, so I knew she'd appreciate the "book" reference. :)

I used one of my new Bellas for the main image and the sentiment is from Stamping Bella, too. PP is from BG. Ribbon and button is PTI, and I used a Prima flower.

And now I'm off - gotta put the little guy to bed! TTYS!

xox,

k

Blog Hop Time!

Welcome! Is it October already!? My goodness, is this year going by fast! If you've not started this Hop from the beginning, CLICK HERE, so you don't miss the yumminess that the Bosslady has for you! ;)

This is one of the soon-to-be-released sets for this month, In the Background. I also used a sentiment from the MFT set, Call Me. Can you see the pretty pattern stamped on the white CS? I also paper pieced the bird from the set with some new BG PP.

Now, make sure that you click though, and comment on each blog in the Hop, because you NEVER KNOW when you might win some BLOG CANDY!!! (Hint, hint...) There will be some love spread throughout, so don't miss it!

Now, I won't keep you too long, so I'll tell you that your next stop is my girl, Joanne. I'm NEVER disappointed with what she has to show us, and I know you won't be either. Click HERE to find her!

And I'm off to Hop myself. TTYL!

xox,
K

Coffee Anyone?

This is a little gift basket that I made for one of my BFFs. She, like I, is a lover of coffee, and especially coffee with a hearty dose of THE WORLD'S BEST CREAMER EVER, Chocolate Caramel.

So, I'm going to make this quick, as I have NO INTERNET service at home, and I'm stuck in my husband's office trying to get my posts done! LOL What dedication, right! ;) So, here's the break down of the goods...

This is the MFT set, Coffee, Tea?. (It's SO my current MFT fave!) I used it on this 4 1/4 card. I love this sentiment, and it SO totally fits, 'cause since we're living with our BFFs, they've been getting spoiled with homemade gifts from yours truely. Hey, I gotta give 'em to someone, right!? :)

These are a set of jammie pants and below is the thermos.

Okedoke, gotta jet! Hope you enjoyed the little giftie basket. I had fun making it! :) Till later...

xox,

k

Better Latte than Never!

I think that this sentiment should be on every birthday card that I make! LOL Rarely do I get a card out on time... Pretty sad for a cardmaker! :)

I had a LOT of fun with this set, Coffee, Tea?, from MFT this weekend. On Sunday, I sat down and made, I think, 7 projects with it! That NEVER happens for me!

I used some new PTI goodies, as you can see in the PP, the CS, and the embellies. I LOVE orange, and when these Orange Zeal buttons arrived to me, I asked my friend if it's wrong that buttons can make one so happy. She quickly replied "yes." What does she know?

I'll skip most of the bla, bla, bla 'cause I'm low on time, and it's pretty self-explanatory.

...and here's the close-up of the image.

Now, I'm off and running. Have a good one! Till later...

xox,

k

Special Part of my Life

This is a card that I made with PTI's anniversary set, Everyday Classics. The PP is from American Crafts. Ribbon and button is from PTI. I used some white gel pen on the bird's wing.

Sorry for all of the short-but-sweet posts! I've been so busy lately, I've just got to squeeze these posts in when I can! LOL Hoping for some down time soon! Maybe this weekend!?

Till later...

xox,
K

Let's Make Some Mischief

This is another card that I made with one of the MFT new releases for this month. She's quite naughty, isn't she!? If you're looking for an "adult" Halloween set, then this is the one for you! Click HERE to see the whole set.

I used my Nesties, Copics, a MFT button, and a snippet of some Michael's ribbon. The circles in the background are from MFT's Dog Walking set. The red ribbon is from PTI.

And now I'm off running! Gotta throw the kids in the car and head for school! Have a good one!

xox,
K

Too Cute to Spook

This is another quick post, as my little one needs to get in bed, but I wanted to show you this little diddy. I used MFT's new set, Too Cute to Spook, for this. I sponged the main image panel with PTI's Summer Sun and Lemon Tart. Ribbon is PTI, too. Border punch is from Fiscars and the button is from Basic Grey.

Now I'm off! Have a great night!

xox,
Kirsten

...And Now She's Not.

This is a little MFT jar that I altered for this cutie Halloween gift. I made this several weeks ago, but only just now got a chance to edit the pictures! The weekdays are so busy now, and add on the fact that I had a bad cold, and photo editing is an impossibility!

Anywho, I used MFT's new Ghoulish Label Set. I'll just give you the highlights, because I need to get off to bed. :) There is Flower Soft on the topper, as the spider body. The button is from Basic Grey. Ribbon is SU!.

I added some Crystal Effects on the slime to make it dimensional. Don't you love that little eyeball!? So cute...in a creepy sort of way! LOL And what better to put in the box than gummy worms!?

And now I'm off! My bed is calling my name!

xox,

Kirsten

With Sympathy

I had one more card that was already edited, and here it is! I used the With Sympathy set, from PTI and Taylor's sketch (76), found HERE. I'm going to skip most of the bla, bla, bla, but here is another view...

The white sentiment layer is Shimmer paper, so that's why it's not photographing well. The other white is the linen vellum that PTI carries. Butterfly is a MSL punch.

Now I'm off to go swimming with the family at my MIL's hotel! Hope you're having a great weekend. Till later...

xox,

Kirsten

By My Side

This is a card that I made for one of Beate's wonderful sketches. I love the horizontal little pieces that she designed. You can find her sketch HERE.

I used PTI's newish On the Couch and On the Couch Additions for this. I also used my new PTI Text Style set for the vertical words. I inked the edges with PTI's Tea Dye Duo. I paper pieced the couch with BG's Eva 6x6 pad. I LOVE that one!!

WOW, have I been mega busy since school has started or WHAT!? I have loads of things that I can show you, but I haven't had a chance to edit the pix. My MIL and FIL are in town this weekend, but hopefully I'll be able to get some of that done, since it's Labor Day weekend. I have several MFT samples to show with the newly released sets!

Now I'm off! Hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend!

xox,
Kirsten

September Blog Hop!

Welcome to this month's Blog Hop! If you didn't catch this from the beginning, then you'll want to click HERE to make sure that you didn't miss anything. If you're visiting for the first time, then I'm glad you're here! :)

This is my current favorite WTG set, and it will be available tomorrow night. It's called Coffee? Tea?. I love that it is a much bigger scale than the retired (much loved) coffee set. I used some pretty AC paper with it and a little Michael's bridal flower that I colored with Copics. I also added a MFT button and a SU! punch. I did some paper piercing AND piecing on this. A Bella Bon Bon is in the flower center.

And speaking of coffee, MFT is now (as of this release) going to be carrying a gorgeous ribbon set in the colors of Coffee and Cream! I can't wait to get my hands on it! You KNOW I love my ribbon! ;) You'll be able to find it on the website on THIS PAGE.

And now to continue on your Hop, click HERE for Susie's blog, displaying nothing but fabulousness. Tell her "hi" for me! ;)

Till later!

xox,
Kirsten

Sow Seeds of Love

This is a little address book that I altered for a good friend. She picked up a book like I did (as seen in this post) from our LSS, from Pinecone Press, after seeing the one that I got. I told her if she bought it, I'd alter it! Which brings us to now! It's also a perpetual calendar.

I used MFT's brand spankin' new set (to be released on Wednesday!!), Sow Seeds of Love, from Annie LaPoint. The PP is from Kaiser Craft - I really love the colors in this line. Ribbon is from SU! and the button is from Basic Gray. The edges of the book were painted with white acrylic paint before I Mod Podged the whole thing.

I used Copics to color the image, then added a little Stardust pen to "jazz" it up! I also added some circles around the left circle with a Copic to mimic the PP.

The inside of the book...

And the back... The stamp says "Freshly made just for you", my name, and then "MFT Stamps."

More deets on the release will be provided very soon! Gotta jet! Till later...

xox,

k

You RULE!

This is the other card that I made with the new MFT Grow Love, Plant a Tree set that was released this month. I love those little trees! I also love the tiny images that you can use with the little trees, like this apple! And when I see an apple, I always think teacher, hense this card...

This card also qualifies for this week's My Favorite Challenge (13), posted weekly by two of my favorite people, Joanne and Christina. You can find the challenges here.

I used some new Cosmo Cricket PP. And yes, I went a little overboard on the distressing of the main image, but what can I say!

I love that little swing!

And now I'm off! Have a good one, and I'll be back soon!

xox,

K

Hoot of a Birthday

My nephew had a birthday recently, and I thought that I'd use the Wise Owl set, from PTI, for his card. I also used Lauren Meader's last sketch, found here. The PP is BG's Lime Rickey, and the white is MFT's Perfect Paper Panels.

I used some SU! ribbon, and a PTI button. Oh, and there's a Twinkle Sticker in the flower center.

Now I have to run. I start orientation for school tomorrow, and I've got to get ready! I'll be working 5 hrs as a nurse, and 2 hrs as a teacher (health class for coed 8th graders!). Two brand new jobs, yikes! ;) I need to get my scrubs all out of storage, and cleaned up, and buy two dresses. I'm also making lesson plans, and getting ready to clean out my new office, and make it all organized. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

I guess that's a good thing!

Wyatt, on the other hand, is all set now. We went and got his uniforms yesterday, and we got the total hook-up for his pants. (yay!) Those things aren't cheap! He's now playing soccer twice a week (OMGosh how cute!), and in a week he starts Kindergarten. Not sure how I feel about that, but I'm happy that I'll be there with him. :)

Okay, enough blather about me. Have a great week, and I'll have an MFT card for you soon! Till later...

xox,
k

Two Posts Today - Scroll Down!

Gifty Girl Kit

Contents:
6 Shopping Tote Die Cuts
1 Package Perfect Paper Panels (24 panels)
2 yards Red/White Polka Dot Ribbon in 3/8”
2 yards Black/White Polka Dot Ribbon in 3/8”
50 Silver MINI Round Brads
50 Red MINI Round Brads (brads are packaged in an adornments case)
Exclusive, UNRELEASED Gifty Girl MINI stamp set

An EXCLUSIVE offer good only for those who order the August kit!

Details will be included with your kit! All for $25!

Get your kit HERE!

MFT Deals for the week:
Save 10% on Pearlescent watercolors!
Purchase a set of 36 Copic Ciao markers for $125!

Sales good from 8/12-8/14

Till later!

xox,
K

My Favorite Bookworm

This is a quick post for a card that I made with one of the new MFT sets, I {heart} Books. I paper pieced some of the image and colored the rest. The flower is a Prima, and the button is PTI. Ribbon is from May Arts.

I used my Fiscars Threading Water punch, and my paper piercing pack to make the little arrow.

Now I gotta jet! Hope you like it! Be back soon!

xox,

k