May 31 2008
Gardening with MFT - Tutorial
Happy Weekend everyone! I finally got a moment to use this new set, Can You Dig It from My Favorite Things. Cute, cute images! Of course I’m a sucker for gardening images this time of year.
Before we get started on this tutorial, I need to apologize in advance for the first 10 photos being blurry. I was taking photos in the garden and forgot to change my camera setting back again, daaahhh, lol. Stick with the tutorial, I do finally get my act together!
Let’s get started. . . . . . . 
Supplies:
| Stamps: MFT Can you Dig It |
| Paper: Stampin’ Up Whisper White, Soft Sky, Not Quite Navy & Creamy Caramel |
| Ink: Stampin’ Up Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Night of Navy & Always Artichoke, Palette Noir Black |
| Accessories: Brayer, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Prismacolor markers, Brads, Ribbon, Stampin’ Up Markers, Sponges |
Stamped image with Palette Noir Black ink on Whisper White card stock.
Colored her hat with Prismacolor Eggshell marker and then put in a shadow around the flower band with a Prismacolor Sand marker.
Colored her dress with a Prismacolor Cloud Blue marker.
Put shadows on her dress at the top and on the bottom with a Prismacolor Blue Slate marker.
Colored her gloves and shoes with a Prismacolor Light Olive Green marker.
Gave her a tan on her arms and legs with a Prismacolor Sand marker. Don’t we wish tanning was that easy, lol.
Put a little darker shadow at the top of her dress and the very bottom with a Prismacolor Periwinkle marker.
Colored the flowers on her hat with a Prismacolor Blue Slate marker and filled in the centers with a Prismacolor Sunburst Yellow marker.
Ok, now we are back in focus, lol.
Colored over the image with a Versamark maker and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun.
Masked upper portion of the card stock at an angle with Post it notes.
Brayered Creamy Caramel ink on un-masked area.
Sponged Close to Cocoa ink right were the post it note meets the card stock.
Flipped the post it notes around and lowered them a little. Sponged Close to Cocoa ink right where the post it note meets the card stock.
Continued to move the post it notes down and sponge more Close to Cocoa ink making more lines.
Removed post it notes.
Made dots in the rows of dirt with an Old Olive Maker.
Masked Sky area with new post it notes.
Note: I use new post it notes instead of re-using ones that have ink on them when I change colors, because the ink on the post it notes with mix with the new ink, yuck.
Sponged Old Olive ink on the grass area, using a circular motion.
Removed post it note and sponged on Soft Sky ink in a circular motion in the sky area
.
Sponged Not Quite Navy ink at the top of the card stock not covering the Soft Sky ink entirely.
Decided to put a shadow in for the gardener. Sponged Close to Coca ink around the bottom part of her.
Getting darker yet with the shadow, sponge a small amount of Chocolate chip ink right around her leg.
Sponged a little Always Artichoke at the top of the grassy area.
Used a Chocolate Chip marker and put a hard line between the row of dirt to define them a little more.
Sponge a bit of Night of Navy ink at the top of the card stock to create some movement in the sky.
Assembled card and here it is finished measuring 5.5″ x 5.5″.
This ends the tutorial, but I have a few photos of my garden to share with you today.
My Lilac bush is in bloom and smells heavenly!
An Iris, I think the colors on this one is unbelievable.
Peonies have made there appearance. These are close to my heart because they have been in my Grandmother’s garden and my Mother’s garden, before coming to me.
Here is a front view of the house and the split rail fence I was wiening about installing last weekend, lol. Wave hi to my DH, Russ who is leaning on the fence and wondering what the heck his wife is doing, lol. Anyone want to come over and help me dig the flower beds that will go in front of the fence? Just let me know and I will have a shoval all ready for you.
That’s it for now.
Until my next post. . . . . . .
Michelle
Love your lady gardening with the rows of tiny seedlings. So sweet! I’m admiring your beautiful lilac and peonies. Those are definitely not something you see here in FL. Too hot here! I grew up in NC, and we had both in our yard, so that brought back memories for me. You and your hubby should be proud of the fence…looks great!
First off Michelle your place is just beautiful. Not only are you a talented artist, but a master gardener too. The fence looks great you and DH are a TEAM. Now back to the tutorial I love this set, and y ou did a tremendous job as usual. I may have to get this set ha ha. Thanks again.
Evelynn
Michelle, Is your yard really that green and lush???? The flowers, fence OMG!! everything looks like it is out of a magazine I don’t think my yard has EVER looked that green. Here in Texas it stays kind of greenish brown most of the time:) As for your card…beautiful!!
Yvonne asked “Is your yard really that green and lush?”
Yvonne, yep it is that green due to all the rain me have had this Spring.
Michelle, I really admire your work. I appreciate all the hard work you do to provide us with such great tutorials. I have learned alot from you. I have finally use all those gagits(ie brayer) that were just setting around. I really admire the way you use stamps in different ways and reuse them(even though you have new stamps you still use your favorites)–such a creative, inspiring spirit. I love your garden! I wish I lived some where close to where you are going to be in California–but maybe you will do something closer to home. I live in Kentucky by the way so when you do something close to home –let me know! Thanks again for all your hard work! Rose
If I said I would help plant a garden you would need the shovel for the cr*p I was peddling.
I do appreciate the beauty of your garden. The Iris is absolutely stunning. Four flowers I must have in my small garden are peonies, bleeding hearts, iris, and poppies.
I love the card you made today.
Did you get the stamp foam? Friday, I went to JoAnn’s and bought two Darice Rubber Stamp Pads, 11″ x 17″. Washable and durable.
I have learned so much from your tuttorials and have had so much pleasure seeing what you will create. If you send me your address, I would be happy to mail the pad to you. Everyone enjoys blog candy, or blogless candy since I only read blogs. :O)
You’re amazing! And love your garden and beautiful yard!
I have to tell you, that the cards you make look intricate and great. I think to myself that there is no way that I could make a card like that. Then when you show the step by step way of each card. I really get into and tell myself, I CAN DO it.
Thank you so much for the great cards. Keep them coming.
Great card and tutorial as always !! thank you so much for sharing. Your garden is just getting more and more lush, it is beatiful
Love your garden card, the rows look so neat with their seeds being planted, awesome work! Love the fence you put up, your yard looks great, and the flower bed will look great in font of the fence!
First of all, I have my mouth still wide open with your garden. I transported myself in there, it seems so peaceful and bright. Second, thanks for the tutorial. I am going to look for a stamp set in here that I like for it and will try it. So I will let you know so you can grade my work
You are a very talented lady, thanks for sharing your art and teaching us how to make it too. Hugs and kisses from Puerto Rico!! Joan
*waving at Russ* Michelle, your lawn and gardens and house and fence are beautiful!!!! Nice work!!! Your card is stunning as usual. I like how you take the chance to make your lines on the diagonal sometimes. Makes me realize I can try things out of my comfort zone for a change. LOVE your tutorials!! I learn so much. You take the mystery out of the things like shading that make such a difference. Thanks so much.
Trish
You have a great way of turning one stamp into a masterpiece. The garen looks like it is a masterpiece as well.Thankyou for the tutorials.
Wow, another wonderful card! This is really awesome! Thanks for another great tutorial!
I like your card for today! Your flower gardens are beautiful! I love daisy’s and lilacs best. I have so many flower gardens, they keep me busy also. If i lived closer i would help you, then you could give me a point or two. I just love your tutorials so easy to understand. Have a great day!
Hi Michelle,
Another fabulous card and you garden is awesome. I have a question for you. On average, how long does a card (like in your tutorial) take you to complete.
Thanks so much and happy weekend!
grace
Grace asked “On average, how long does a card (like in your tutorial) take you to complete?”
Grace, it takes me around 1.5 hours, including coming up with the concept. I fiddle a whole lot, lol.
Thank you for the fab tutorial. I love your work and have been playing around with my spounges and brayer ALOT since I found your site.
Thank you so much for sharing all your expertise.
Susan, Winchester, MA
Thanks Michelle for another great tutorial! Your talents always amaze me! I must say your flowers are as beautiful as your cards!! What part of Ohio are you in … maybe I can come help you with those flower beds !!! And, that split rail fence is a beautiful touch to the front of your home! Keep up the good work … always look forward to your next project!
I just love visiting your blog! Your artwork ROCKS! And, your garden is stunning! Thanks for sharing your talent through tutorials w/us!
this is stunning… you are amazing… i love to look at the step by step pictures… your perspective on things stretches my brain to place i didn’t think it could go… thanks for sharing! i look forward to checking your blog everyday!
erin mcmilon
Hi Michelle
Another brilliant card.
A few questions for you if you don’t mind. I am always so amazed at your thought process.
How do you decide just what you are going to do with a stamp set once you see it?
Do you know right away what the card will look like, or do you experiment with layouts before you come the the finished product?
Oh, and your ink choices (you use quite a few on every card), does that just come to you with practise, or………..well how do you choose all your colors?
Tonniece asked “How do you decide just what you are going to do with a stamp set once you see it?”
Tonniece, I have a large selection of stamps to work with. I ususally have an idea of what I would like to make and then I find the stamps that will work with the idea.
Tonniece asked “Do you know right away what the card will look like, or do you experiment with layouts before you come the the finished product?”
Tonniece, I never experiment with layouts. The tutorial you see is it.
Tonniece asked “Oh, and your ink choices (you use quite a few on every card), does that just come to you with practise, or………..well how do you choose all your colors?”
Tonniece, I decide on colors as I work. I pull one color out at a time, unless I am doing a color challenge.
what great effects! thanks for sharing your secrets! vibrant and soft- fantastic!
Hello Michelle,
I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and quickly subscribed. You have such wonderful ideas and tutorials. Thank you especially for the tutorials on the Alcohol Inks. I knew there had to be more you could do with these and your Butterfly tutorial was just what I needed for instruction.
And your yard and garden are beautiful. I live in New Mexico where the sand blows in every crevice of your house, tumbleweeds are abundant and the Jack rabbits and little cottontails eat up your greens–but I love to watch them. Yet, the sunsets here would really inspire you.
Thank you again for your work. (And I’m glad you said it could take you over an hour for a card. I like to piddle and play too and it takes me forever to finish one.)
Pam
wow! love your garden
Deanne
xx
Everything is SO green! We had our first warm day yesterday and I could watch the plants growing (!) outside. 48 F for a low tonight so we still have chilly weather. Your peonies are beautiful. We don’t get blooms for weeks!
Just found your blog and I have learned at least a zillobyte! Zillions of megabytes??? I ordered On the Fly-finally, and can’t wait to try some brayer backgrounds. I love my brayers! I have many because I use them often. Thank you for the tips, lorijane
love the card the rows are awesome! your yard is so nice too .
you had a tough row to hoe(groan!) uploading all those pics!! TFS you hard work and artistry with us!
Michelle, I am so amazed at your creativity and the way you put your creations together — sometimes I am surprised at the order in which you put things on your cards and it is so neat to watch it unfold! Beautiful job again, and such great tutorials!! Your yard is lovely and the fence looks awesome!