Thinking Inking

Happy Birthday: MFT WSC491

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,

This Smile Is for You: MFT WSC490

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 a wet medium (water-based ink and a spritzer bottle of water), you need to use either watercolor paper or a cardstock that plays nicely with water. I used MFT's Primitive White cardstock here, which I have good luck with as long as I don't get too sloppy with the water.

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

Just Keep Swimming: May MFT Vault Release Day

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 on these May Vault sets, which are now available! Thank you for visiting,

Class Act: MFT May Vault Countdown

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,

My Friend: May Vault Release Countdown

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,

Butterfly Smiles: MFT WSC488

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,

With Sympathy: May MFT and Friends

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,

Main Squeeze: ONE Day until the MFT May Release!

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 I have linked the MFT products that I used below, the NEW products links will not be live until release day, 10am Eastern Time, Tuesday, May 4. All of the other links should work now. Be sure to check the MFT Stamps blog for more May Release inspiration AND for a chance to win some great prizes! Thank you for visiting,

Hello: Two Days until the MFT May Release

Welcome! It's two days 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 chose the Mother's Day Bouquet stamp set, paired with the Circle Celebration background and a sentiment from the Main Squeeze Stamp set. 

Shown above are the Copic markers that I used to color the Mother's Day Bouquet images. I heat embossed the Circle Celebration background with detail white embossing powder. (It's a little more subtle in real life than it photographed.)

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 until release time--that's Tuesday morning (May 5) at 10am Eastern time. All other links should work now. Thank you for stopping by today!

Thinking of You Hummingbirds: Three Days Until the MFT May Release!

Welcome! It's three days until the My Favorite Thing Stamps May release! Today I chose images from the Happy Hummingbirds stamp set for my Thinking of You card. 

Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Happy Hummingbirds images. I used a Scattered Straw Distress Oxide ink pad for the blended ink background. (Click on the photo above for a larger version in a new 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, May 5, at 10am Eastern time. All other links should work now. Thank you for stopping by today,

You Make Life Special: Four Days Until the MFT Release!

Welcome! It's only four days until the My Favorite Things Stamps May release! I chose the darling Stacy Yacula Always Bring a Smile stamp set. It has several images, for a wealth of design combinations. I love that mouse!

Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Always Bring a Smile images. (Click on images for a full-sized image in a new window)

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, May 5. All of the other links should work now. Be sure to check the MFT Stamps blog for more May Release inspiration AND for a chance to win some great prizes! Thank you for  visiting,

To GNOME Me: Five Days Until the New MFT Release!

Welcome! It's five days until the My Favorite Things Stamps May Release Countdown! Today Today I'm sharing a card using the darling Birdie Brown Hanging with My Gnomies stamp set and coordinating Die-namics. (It has many more images that I had room to use on one card!)

Shown above are the Copic Sketch markers that I used to color the Hanging with My Gnomies images. I added an extra layer by fussy cutting the flower bouquet and popping it up with foam tape. (Click on photo for a link to the full-sized image.)

While I have linked the MFT products that I used below, the NEW product links will not work until release day, 10AM Eastern time Tuesday, May 5. All other links should work now. Be sure to check the MFT Stamps blog for more May inspiration AND for a chance to win some great prizes! Thank you for visiting,