Our Design Team Creative Challenge is a monthly feature, where we challenge our design team to explore their creative side using a specific theme, product or technique. This month, we've been asked to Frame It! Be sure to check the MFT Blog for a list of all the designers who have put their MFT stamps and/or Die-namics dies to work to create a mini book for you today!
As soon as I saw the Creative Challenge for this month I instantly knew what I was going to create. We just recently added a new fury family member, Tibbs is our ten week old Bichon Shih Tzu. I'm not sure how I managed to get a shot of him sitting quietly, but miraculously I did! LOL
I used one of the cheap wood frames that you can purchase at Michals for $1.50. I tend to keep a stash of these frames on hand for when I need them. These frames are unfinished wood, they are perfect for painting, distressing or covering with paper as I did here.
I adhered some old SU! striped Kraft paper to the frame using Best Glue Ever for adhesive. I cut the card stock slightly larger than the frame and then use a hobby blade to cut off the excess. I cover the front of the frame and the outside edges. If I am feeling really adventurous I will cover the inside edge too, but that doesn't happen too often! LOL
I have completely fallen in love with this puppy so I had to include at least a few hearts on the frame. I used the Layered Hearts Die-namics along with the Hearts a Plenty Die-namics.
To create the banner with his name I used the Mix & Match Banner Die-namics dies. I cut out five pieces of patterned paper and five pieces of Hot Fudge card stock using the same die. I placed the patterned paper banner piece just slightly to the right of the Hot Fudge piece on each piece of the banner. By slightly off setting the pieces I have a nice shadow effect of the left side of each banner piece.
I used the By the Letters Uppercase Die-namcis for the name. Again, I cut each piece twice, once in Hot Fudge and once in the patterned paper. I placed the patterned paper letter slightly to the right of the Hot Fudge letter to get the same shadow effect.
I added some Real Red eyelets to the top of each banner piece. The Lemon Drop Twine joins the letters together. I secured each banner piece to the frame using Jody's Boosters.
Along the bottom of the frame I used the Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics dies. I did a couple in the patterned paper and one with the sentiment. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye, On the Sunny Side collection, the card stock is X-Press It.
I stamped the adorable little PI Puppy Girl on a piece of X-Press It card stock and I colored her with Copics. I did lots of paper piecing here. Her dress was paper pieced with a print from My Mind's Eye, On the Sunny Side collection. I paper pieced her arm, hand and the dog in layers. I really think going that extra step adds a lot to the image. It can be a bit of a pain to cut around all the small details but I think the end result is worth it.
I also made a card to go with the frame using all the same supplies. The Fishtail Flags STAX Die-namics, Layered Heart Die-namics, Hearts a Plenty Die-namics for dies. Hot Fudge, Red Hot, X-Press It, and SU Striped Kraft for card stock. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye, On the Sunny Side Collection.
I colored and paper pieced the PI Puppy Girl the same way as I did for the frame. I like the way the dog turned out on the card more than the frame. I think I over blended the one on the frame. Shocking, I know! LOL
I added some buttons with Lemon Drop Twine to the Hearts a Plenty heart.
A few more Fishtail Flags STAX flags on the inside of the card. I really do love these flags!
Here is one last look at the two items together. When I was originally designing this set, I was planning on giving it to mum, but the frame turned out so cute that I may just keep it for myself!
Don't forget to check out the MFT Blog to see what the other MFT Design Team Members created for you.
