Fond Farewell

As you can tell from my title, I am saying a fond farewell. But to whom? Well, my time is up being on the MFT Design Team. I had a great run with MFT but all good things must come to an end. I'll miss my MFTDT sistahs but will always have nothing but good memories.

Love you girls!!

Happy Birthday, Joy…. Love, Kona

Today is a special day. Special in that it is Joy’s (aka JoyofStamping) birthday and we are throwing a surprise blog party for her with Kona! Hangin’ Loose with Kona is an exclusive set being released by eclectic Paperie TODAY!!!

I have this paper from Cosmo Cricket that was perfect for Kona. Layered it on black and added black faux stitching. Used oval nestibalities for Kona to be on. Sponged in a sky and added a Jamaican Beach (thanks to muddpuddles) for Kona.

Kona was colored with Prismacolor markers and white gel pen highlights the bolt on the surf board. Kona is attached to the oval with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots as is the oval he is standing on. Crystal stickers finish off the Happy Birthday layer. Which by the way, that’s a faux layer there. Just traced the edges with a black marker!

If you’d like to play along, head over to Joy’s blog and wish her a happy birthday. To see all the other birthday wishes, head over to Cambria’s blog for the entire list or type in epkona in the search box in SCS’s gallery and see the uploads there.

Last Quiet Coffee

Rox asked if I would like to be a guest hostess for this weeks Sketch Challenge 230 on SCS. I used a card I had gotten in a demo swap last year that I had cased as I liked the layout. Rox was kind enough to draw up the sketch for me as I am clueless when it comes to that. Here is the sketch:

You  can see the original card here or the one I did back in Oct. 08. I did do a new one for the sketch.

Today is our last day of school before a long summer so I was thinking of my last cup of coffee during the peace and quiet! I used MFT’s Hot Stuff set, paper piecing the dress and coloring with Prismacolors and odorless mineral spirits.

Everything is held together with Helmar acid free glue. The cups are on Helmar Liquid Scrap dots as are the coffee bean corners. The paper is Archaic from Basic Grey.

Supplies: Hot Stuff – MFT, Archaic basic grey paper, chocolate chip cardstock, Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots, Helmar Acid Free glue, Crystal Stickers, Martha Stewart doily punch

So come play with us in the sketch challenge over on SCS today. Don’t forget to put SC230 in your keywords when you upload so we can see your creation.

Check back tomorrow as I have something fun in store for you.

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

Our little town still has a little parade to the local cemetery where the boy scouts have decorated the entrance with little flags. A speech and a gun salute conclude the parade and the band comes back into town and plays for those who wish to stick around.

I hope you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day. And on that note I leave you with the following to remind us why we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place.



Yes, I lifted the above text, in color, from my mom's blog, who by the way is participating in a blog hop for Cards for Heroes. She has blog candy!!

MFT Blog Hop - A relaxing day

Welcome to another MFT blog hop. Hopefully you came here way of Holly's blog. If not that is fine but you may want to start at the beginning which is Kim's blog. Because this hop is all about "we'll change the way you gift" so you don't want to miss out on how everyone is "Filling their Jar".

Yes, a jar. Kim is now carrying these cute little jars (set of 4) that the new stamp sets will fit. So how can a stamp set fit a jar? Well if it's a label set of course! Two different label sets are being released and I'm proud to share with you "Time for the Bubbly" label set.

I made a little gift ensemble using the label set three different times and in three different ways. First I attached it to the jar, layering it on top of Chocolate Kiss paper from MFT. The bubbles have crystal effects on them. The rug is paper pieced from the Chocolate Kiss paper. The tub and legs are layered with the tub being layered a second time. I stamped "Just for you", included in the label set, on the label. Ribbon from MFT is run through the label and tied on the side. I even decorated the top of the lid by tracing the lid and cutting out pretty in pink to match. The chocolate kiss was cut with circle scallop nestabilities.

So what is in my jar? While trying to figure out what to put in the jar, I spotted some mini heart candles that I had sitting on my mantel. Perfect! Light some candles, pour in some bubble bath and have a relaxing bath! (That is if the kids leave you alone!)

Speaking of bubble bath. I happened to have a bottle and it was pink! So using the label set, I made another matching label but this time I stamped "Bubble Bath" (included in the set) on it.



Next the gift bag.... well it has to match the theme right? So out came "Time for the Bubbly" stamp set and more Chocolate Kiss paper. This time I used Liquid Pearls on the bubbles and paper pieced the wall, mirror and rug. The tub and legs are layered with the tub having a second layer. Top Note and doily scallop punch were used. Ribbon and button are also from MFT. Made a matching tag with the label set that attaches to the bag with MFT ribbon. What a cute way to say "To & From" and still coordinate with the theme.



Close up of the tub.

A picture of the entire Gift Set:

Now I'm sure you want to go take a bath after reading all that but don't (at least not yet) as you are not finished with the blog hop. It's now time to head over to Susan's for some more ways to fill that jar!

Supplies: Time for Bubbly label set, Time for the Bubbly, chocolate kiss paper, White paper, ribbon, jar & button all from MFT, chocolate chip & pretty in pink cardstock, scallop punch, Top Note - Stampin' UP, Crystal Effects, Liquid Pearls

Dirty Dozen sneak peek

It's that time again.. the 15th of the month when the Dirty Dozen gallery is open! It's bittersweet this month as we welcome two new members but also say goodbye to two member. I won't spoil it for you on who the new members are but as for the two leaving this month.... well.... It's time for mom and I to say good bye and become Dirty Dozen Alumni! I know!! Hard to believe that 6 months have flown by since we started this journey. And what a 6 months it has been.

So for the last time, here is a sneak peek of one of my projects you can find in the Dirty Dozen gallery:

Also there is a rumor that there will be giveaways this month if you comment. Of course you don't know which projects have been chosen for giveaway so comment where every your heart leads you.

Happy Belated...

Mother's Day!!

Yeah, I know I'm a little late but I have a good excuse, really I do. Little one came down with the chicken pox Saturday! Totally messed up the weekend as she didn't have any symptoms of them at all until spots started showing up on her back etc. Was so not expecting to spend Mother's Day weekend with a chicken pox child! The joys of Motherhood!!

Anyways, hope everyone had a great Mother's Day (or at least a better one then mine!)

New Winner

I never heard from Missy so as much as it pains me, I had to draw again.



This time it was number 72 which was this comment:



Sue D said...
I would use this set to scrapbook my 4 boy's school pictures.

Please send me your info, Sue.

Happy Tails to you!

Welcome to another MFT blog hop! Hopefully you just hopped right on over here from Holly's. If not, Kim has the start of the hop if you wish to start from the beginning.

I used MFT presents Stephanie Fizer "Snuggle Bunnies" by on my card. Paper pieced the bunnies and gave them shimmer tails. Sewed the panels together with a zig zag stitch and distressed it all with chocolate chip ink.



The inside of the card I paper pieced the bunnies again and added the sentiment "happy tails to you". Once again I sponged with chocolate chip ink.

A close up of the front. Can make out the stitching some. (used cream thread and it doesn't seem to be picking up well in the photo)

Supplies used: Snuggle Bunnies, Bella Bird dsp, pretty in pink, chocolate chip cardstock, nestabilities, sewing machine, sponge, helmar quick fix runner


The following card combines the featured stamper and Try new technique. Used MFT's Birthday Flopsey set. Chocolate Kiss 6x6 Printed Paper Packs by MFT was used to paper piece Flopsey and the cake. Another piece is used for the sentiment square layer. Used the cuttlebug for the back ground but did the embossed wax paper resist, sponged on pretty in pink ink.

stamp: Birthday Flopsey; ink: black, pretty in pink; paper: glossy, chocolate kiss print paper pack, pretty in pink, chocolate chip; acc: ribbon, eyelet, helmar quick runner, artist pen

Release night (May 6th) Promotion:

*One click collection is discounted for the first 48 hours after the release. Special price: $49.95*

AS A SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY BONUS - All Moms and future Moms deserve beautiful bouquets, right? MFT says thanks to Moms this week with a very special promotion.Every order placed from Wed (May 6) starting at 10pm - Fri (May that is OVER $100 will receive a FREE Floral set! Scour the site to find which floral set you would like, and mention it in the comments section. You can choose ANY MFT set that contains a FLOWER.

How's that for options? PLEASE LIST TWO SET choices in case your first choice is unavailable. If no alternate set is listed, we will add Build a Bouquet if your selection is unavailable.


Now hop on over to Ana's blog. I know she is going to have something yummy for you to drool at.

We have a winner!!

A big thanks to all those that left a comment in hopes of being the winner of the Our Craft Lounge "Back 2 School" set.

We have a winner!! Random drawing was number 59.

Lucky #59:

"Missy said...
Cute set! I love your pages. Thanks for the chance to win this set!"

Please contact me at hillmanfam@woh.rr.com with your address, please. If I don't hear from Missy within 48 hrs, I'll draw again.

Our Craft Lounge Release with Blog Candy!

I was asked by my gal, Cambria, if I'd like to help with another stamp release by Our Craft Lounge. I couldn't say no. I love their stamps!

I found a complete School scrapbook kit on the clearance rack at Joanns a few years ago for $3.99! It has everything in it including the scrapbook! I grabbed all 4 of them but had yet to start scraping any school pictures. Our Craft Lounge changed all that when they came out with this set, Back to School.




So here are two pages for Benjamin's school scrapbook using Back to School. I used the pattern paper and the little journaling image from the kit for these pages. I only colored in a little of the images as I liked the look of the all white against the black.

stamp set: back to school - our craft lounge; paper: red, blue, green, pattern paper; ink: black; accs: spellbinders, notched punch, Helmar quick runner, Helmar liquid scrap dots, red marker

stamp set: back to school- our craft lounge; paper: red, green, blue, pattern paper from kit; ink: black; accs: ribbon, notched punch, mustard marker, staples, Helmar Quick Runner



I did the color challenge, sketch challenge and ways to use it challenge all in one! I used Back to School to make a card for that first place. I made stripes on the white with SU's retired plaid maker. It made me think of a referee's shirt. Just a little bit of color to the image as the black really helps pop the entire card. I stamped the basketball in black on red cardstock and cut them out to place on the card.

stamp: back to school - our craft lounge; paper; old olive, real red, black, white; ink: black; accs: real red marker, old olive marker, spellbinders, cuttlebug, su plaid maker

To check out the other 23 sets being released today, see these great ladies below:

Granny's Secrets - Diana Gibbs
Beauty and the Beach- Jeanne Streiff
Summer Sweets - Heather McNally
Bubbles - Nancy Morgan
Oceans of Fun -Valerie Stangle
Sandy Sunsets- VickGarretti
Coastal Wishes- Denise Marzec
Garden Thoughts - Lila Holgate
Mice Friends- Holly McMillen
The Tribe - Pam Hooten
Flyin' Birthday - Jacqui Lines
Let Freedom Ring- Marianne Walker
Bees Knees- Carol Halvorson
Nailed It -Debbie Corbari
Sunkissed - Deb Felts
Life's a Beach - Joy Kennedy
Bring on the BBQ- Cindy Lawerence
School's Out- Sherry Cheever
Bookworm - Kendra Wietstock
Swingin' By - Bethie Silaika
All About the USA - Roseanne Knowles
Dino-mite - Kisa Peters
Game On- Cambria Turnbow


So would you like to win Back to School?

All you need to do is leave me a comment telling me how you think you would use this set the most. I will draw a winner on Monday around noon. Good luck!