you & me... i love us

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today!  It's time for the MFT Creative Challenge, where the team is challenged to create using a specific theme or topic.  Today we are focusing on the Circle STAX, and using them in fun or creative ways.  I decided to grab the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Paper Crafts magazine, which I recently received at CHA.  I needed some inspiration to kick-start my rusty stamping hands and I found JUST what I was looking for... from an advertisement, which was on the very first page I looked at! (whew! luck!)

First, my card:

And now my inspiration piece.  This is an advertisement from American Crafts.  I was inspired by the colors and idea and set out to create my version of it.  :)

I used the ad as my guide and chose Die-namics that would help achieve the look.  First up, the basket was created with a Traditional Tag STAX (which was trimmed down) and the heart die from Notched Tag.

The hot air balloon was created with the Circle STAX and Decorative Circle Tag STAX.

I accented with some clouds from Cloud STAX cut with Sweet Tooth felt, and a sentiment stamped on a Fishtail Flag STAX.  I underlined the word, Love, with white colored pencil.  I stamped the Darling Dots at the top of the panel using white pigment ink.

The balloon was "tied on" to the basket using Hemp Cord.  The sentiment is from Document It - Off the Chart stamped in Black Licorice ink.

I finished off the inside with matching elements.

Here is a look at how I created the hot air balloon:

Cut the following pieces:

Trim off the tip of the Decorative Circle STAX as shown.

Layer the Circle STAX over the Decorative Circle Tag STAX and determine how much of the Traditional Tag STAX you want to trim off.

Add eyelets and tie little bows on the basket.  Leave two loops that you can adhere to the backside of the hot air balloon.

Assemble hot air balloon.

Here is another look at the finished card:

I was on a circle kick, so I decided to make one more card putting my Circle STAX to work.  I like creating simple frames using the Circle STAX.  By nesting them inside one another, you can cut perfect little frames and adhere them to circle pieces to emphasize sentiments or pack a punch.  I chose the accent color of yellow to make them REALLY shine.

I used the recently released Pie Chart Die-namics to create a colorful accent.

The adorable Boy Meets Girl Die-namics helped "tell the story".

Here is a peek inside.

Thanks so much for reading my blog post.  If you'd like to see what the rest of the team came up with for the challenge please visit the MFT Blog for a complete, linked list!

InLinkz.com