"One Stamp, Five Ways" - MFT Merry Everything

You might think I've been really busy the past two weeks since I haven't blogged. But actually that isn't entirely true. Yes, I took a lot of beach walks to get me through the political mire. (is that the right word?). Another reason for my absence though is I've worked really hard on THIS POST! This new "one stamp, five ways" (actually six) post took me a longer than usual. Maybe because I struggled to finish Christmas cards when it is 80 degrees outside (another reason for beach walks). This is my first Christmas post using the MFT Merry Everything stamp and die set. 

This set is definitely one of my favorite holiday sets that have come out this year. First, I love reindeer and how cute are there? I've seen a lot of stamps with reindeer this year - but these have to be my favorite ones. Those expressions! I also love this Santa and that there is a sleigh in the set. There are also lots of sentiments and some really cute gifts which were so fun to color. So fun that I colored about 20 extra that I didn't even use on my creations! And now for those creations:

I'm enjoying trying random stamping with larger stamped images - it is a little harder to arrange them, but I used my new AWESOME MINI  MISTI (how I ever lived without this tool I have no idea). It makes them all fit together like a puzzle as you lay them out on the watercolor paper upside down and just place the Misti lid down, press, ink, press and boom - you stamp them just as you placed them! These are stamped in black ink and watercolored. The background has a pretty sheen on it as well that you can't see very well.

1. Die-cut a large stitched rectangle out of watercolor paper (I used the LF Lg rectangle die set and Ranger paper as it is white - but I used the smooth side which is easier to stamp).
2. Stamp all of your images using black ink (I used the SSS Intense black ink as it works with water).
3. Paint the images in with watercolors (I used my Daniel Smith watercolors).
4. Add details with glitter pens and a white uniball and silver uniball (I SERIOUSLY LOVE MY $10 GLITTER PENS - BEST PURCHASE I EVER MADE!). (((I love you too Uniballs!).
5. Paint the background with a Wink of Stella glitter pen or glitter paint (I used Daniel Smith watercolor).
6. Die-cut two stitched rectangles in black and white cardstock using the Storybook 6 die by Pretty Pink Posh.
7. Stamp the sentiment on the white one using red ink (I used Lobster by Lawn Fawn). Attach the two rectangles to the bottom of the card overlapping so the black looks like a shadow.
8. Attach the rectangle to a white card base. Add some PPP small blue sequins to the background.

This card uses the Pretty Pink Posh Window Frames die set - I really like it in place of always using circles! I also used the new snow capped mountain dies by MFT - I left them all white assuming the North Pole is covered in snow (and I didn't want a dark green on my card haha). 

1. Die cut a stitched rectangle from watercolor paper (I used Ranger paper again and the MFT Blueprints 13 rectangle). Die-cut a window in the top using the PPP smaller window frame die.
2. Paint the rectangle a light green - mine has a nice sheen as I used a Daniel Smith paint with a pearlescent texture.
3. Watercolor another small piece of paper to fit under the window using blues and greens to create a sky. Attach both to a white card base.
4. Die-cut the snow capped hills from white cardstock and place two on the front of the card.
5. Stamp the Santa and three gifts in black ink on Ranger watercolor paper and paint them. Add details with glitter pens to the gifts. Attach them over the trees.
6. Stamp the sentiment on the bottom of the card with black ink. Add some PPP sparkling clear sequins.

It's a shaker card!!! I know, I'm so predictable! This one is filled with these gorgeous PPP tiny little sparkling sequins that are supposed to look like snow. Here is another image looking straight down so they are spread out:

1. Die cut a stitched rectangle (used MFT Blueprints 13 again) from watercolor paper (I used Fabriano cold press). Die cut a stitched circle frame from the top center using the MFT Stitched Circle Scalloped Frames die-namics.
2. Paint the rectangle red and the frame green with watercolors. I added water first and dropped the paint onto the wet surface to keep it semi transparent (wet on wet technique). I also splattered water on it to add additional interest (running paint splotches).
3. Attach a transparency to the inside of the frame/rectangle and then build up two layers of foam tape on the backside. 
4. Sprinkle some Pretty Pink Posh 3mm sparkling clear sequins on a white piece of paper that will fit behind the circle. Attach that to a green card base. Attach the entire rectangle to the top to create the shaker.
5. Die-cut a banner (this is an older MFT one) out of white cardstock and stamp the sentiment with black ink. Attach that to the bottom of the card.
6. Stamp two reindeer and a present with black ink on watercolor paper and paint. Attach to front of card overlapping window
7. Add some additional PPP sparkling clear sequins to the top of the shaker window.

This card uses a really cool new MFT Die called Horizontal Snow Drifts. These images are stamped with a light color ink and then colored with Copic markers so they have no outlines (no line stamping). I really like how they turned out!

1. Die-cut the snowbanks die out of white watercolor paper and then again out of white cardstock. Paint all of the inside pieces of the watercolor paper one with blue watercolor. 
2. Attach the white frame to a blue card base. Attach all but the bottom piece of blue insides inside the frame. Then attach the bottom piece from the white cardstock one so it appears to be snow.
3. Stamp all of the images on white cardstock using MFT Natural Ink (my favorite ink for no line stamping). Color them in with Copics adding details with glitter pens.
4. Stamp the sentiment with black ink on the top of the card.
5. Attach Santa and his two reindeer to the card tucking Santa's foot under the snow bank. 
6. Add Glossy Accents to the red noses.
7. Add three clear droplets by Pretty Pink Posh to the front of the card.

I think this card is my favorite - I always love to hear which one is yours. This one uses Distress Ink rubbed onto white cardstock and a new MFT die called vertical snowfall. These images are also all colored with Copic markers with no outlines. I love how my sentiments are all super black now because when using the Misti - you can stamp them twice to get darker letters!!!

1. Die cut a stitched rectangle the size of a card base. Die cut the snow from the top of it using the MFT Vertical Snowfall Die-namics.
2. Die-cut some stitched hillsides out of white cardstock and also use the stitched rectangle die around their edges.
3. Rub some Tumbled Glass Distress Ink over the snowflakes using a Ranger blending tool.  
4. Attach all of these pieces to a white cardstock base.
5. Stamp the images on white cardstock using MFT Natural Ink again and color with Copic markers. I added details with Uniballs and Glitter pens - all links to these essential coloring tools are at the bottom - haha. 
6. Attach all of the elements to the top of the card.
7. Stamp the sentiment with black ink (twice) using the Mini Misti Tool that I can't live without. I'm an enabler.
8. Add some Pretty Pink Posh 4mm sparkling clear sequins.

I love making Christmas tags and I had some images left, so I made this little one using the SSS Large Tag Dies. I put an abundance of my favorite Lawn Fawn twine in the top - I love LF twine because it is super thick and it curls. It will be perfect to tie onto Christmas packages - no bows needed!

1. Die cut a tag out of white cardstock using the SSS Large Tag dies - make lots of them while you are at it! 
2. Stamp the reindeer and gift with black ink and paint with watercolors. 
3. Add to tag front and stamp the sentiment with black ink.
4. Add some PPP sequins and twine to the top - see so easy!

That's it for today. I have to be honest and say I probably won't be posting twice a week through the holiday months as I have less time to craft. So rather than having to check my blog for updates, subscribe via email on the top left side and you will know when I FINALLY come back and post!!! Have a wonderful holiday season - hopefully you are creating lots of Christmas cards and tags to adorn all of your presents and to send to friends to brighten their holidays! Thanks for visiting today! Suzy

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Comments

[Carol L]

Hi Suzy! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! I can't imagine trying to get in the mood of Santa and snow when it is 80 degrees. It is warmer here than usual but not 80. I just can't believe that it is time to be thinking about Christmas! Where did the summer months go?? The stamp set is so cute. Your cards are adorable! Your coloring/painting is awesome as usual! My favorite - the first with random stamping! The Santa with sleigh is a pretty close second! (I like that die which is similar to one you used a while back but I couldn't find the die anywhere.) The horizontal snow drifts die is pretty cool too. Oh gosh, I love all of your cards! Thanks for sharing your awesome talents! Keep enjoying those walks on the beach. That is something we do not have here! I would think it would be so calming! Have a great weekend!!

[Jeanne]

Fantastic cards, Suzy! I well remember Christmas seasons where it was so warm growing up there in CA. Gosh, I'd get annoyed at all the sweater ads and gifts in the store when there was no way we could wear them. I didn't really realize as a youngster that it wasn't that warm everywhere! LOL It's been really warm and dry here in CO, too. Not fall like at all. But the snows will come and then we'll be wishing it was warm. Anyway! I adore your cards. Like Carol above my comment, I just love it when you do one of these posts. I so enjoy seeing your creativity. You really do help me look at my stamps in new ways and I really appreciate that. I also really admire your painting and doodling abilities. I love the details you added to the deer scarves. :) I can't pick a favorite, but I do think I want to try random stamping with larger images sometime. Thanks again for sharing and I do hope it cools off a bit for you! Hugs!!