Howdy & Happy Trails

Sometimes, when I stamp, I start with something OTHER than the stamps. For the project, it all started with the paper. I found this Cosmo Cricket paper in my stash UNTOUCHED and decided I wanted to go western! I have a “western” drawer, so I started searching through all my stamps and embellishments and was drawn to this cute stamp set by MFT: Ride’em Cowgirl, which was ALSO unused to date! Geez! I need to stop doing that! SO many stamps, so little time. LOL

I actually started with the box, which is opposite of what I normally do. I would typically make a card and then maybe something to go with it. This time, though, it was all about the box. I started with a chocolate panel big enough for the top of the box and worked on that piece. It’s SUPER easy to alter things like this, because it’s just like making a card. Add everything you want to the card stock and then, when you are done, you just adhere the entire panel to the top of the box. I did lots of stitching with my Janome sew mini using some premium, thick thread in a brown color. I added lots of copper brads, a covered chipboard star and a piece of the super cool, RIC RAC GROSGRAIN which I am in love with. Then, I decided to make some hand stitched using my linen thread from SU on each of the peaks of the ric rac. The wood button came from Kim. I just LOVE wood buttons and they are hard for me to find in stores!

After I was done with the top panel, I added a strip of patterned paper to the bottom portion of the box. I then used my centering ruler (a MUST HAVE-buy it at Michaels) to make holes for my copper brads. I stuck them through the entire box and then lined the inside of the box so it would be pretty inside and none of the brad prongs would show. I also stamped sentiments on all sides of the lid.

When I was done with the box (which I worked on over the course of a couple days), I decided a matching card was in order! I can’t give away this box without a matching card, right? :)

For the card, I used MFT Sketch Challenge 86. Want to see the sketch? HERE it is.

Each week, there is a new MFT Sketch Challenge posted. Everyone who has participated (and has followed the rules for uploading etc) is entered into a random drawing for a $5 MFT voucher! Want to start participating? HERE is this week’s challenge and all the details of how to play! :) While you’re there, you’ll also want to check out the My Favorite Challenge which is also posted in the same thread as the sketch challenge. This week the challenge is PAPER PIECING which is SO fun and works so well with MFT stamps! Everything for the week is kept in one place for your convenience. :) Go check it out and have the chance to win!

Do you want the chance to win the entire July 1st release? Click on over to the ONE CLICK CHALLENGE for details!


Have you checked out the BUBBLE BIN this week? There are 10 sets in there that are being offered at GREAT prices! Don’t miss out! The bin is changed up every Monday, so you only have a couple days left to grab the sets in the bin for this week!


Stamps: Ride’em Cowgirl
Ink: Memento brown
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Wanted, MFT Perfect Paper Panels, Kraft, Chocolate
Accessories: SU chipboard star, wood button, linen thread, word window punch, copper brads, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, Ric Rac grosgrain, star punch, red line adhesive, red line dimensionals

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Trails! :)

Jody