{MFT} Pre-Release Pep Rally

Pull up a chair, grab a drink and snack and get ready for the ride! This is a doozy of a post with lots of pics as we go along.....

I made a Valentine's Banner that features a TON of MFT die-namics, as well as some quick and easy stamped accents!

Here is my banner, laid out so you can see the whole thing. I know it's hard to see it all, but there are a lot of pictures later on in the post!

For the main banner elements, I've used Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX. I wanted to make a pocket to tuck some sweet Valentines into (you know the ones that the kids make at school with paper plates?) I used the two largest hearts in the Heart STAX die-namic to make those pockets. I straight and zigzag stitched the bottom portions of the hearts together so that the top was open! I then used the new Leaf Filled Flourish, Layered Heart border, and Mini Hybrid Heirloom Rose to decorate the front of each child's pocket. I cut the letters for their names from Hot Fudge CS with the By the Letters Uppercase die-namic and adhered them to a Fishtail Flag Layers STAX, cut so the flag is on both ends.
Here is a pic with the little Valentine books out of their pockets :)

I tied little locks and keys from Keys and Locks die-namics onto Wild Cherry buttons with Hemp Cord.
They were cut from gold CS and layered 3 times for strength.

I wanted my ticket books (from Ticket Book die-namic) quite a bit smaller to fit in my heart pockets better and not take over the whole banner, so here is what I did. Just cut as normal, then move the die down and cut again. It is easy to get each cover and inside ticket a uniform size, as you just place the paper right below the perforated or scored line. Here is a pic:

And here are all my 'tickets' laid out after I stamped them. Each boy got 5 valentines in their booklet!
These are a mish-mash of the following new sets: Homespun Hearts, Hearts and Stitches, You Make My Day, Lovey-Dovey Sentiments, Coupon Book: Love, and Document It: Off the Chart. 
I used olive, espresso, kraft and MFT's Wild Cherry Ink- which has the best coverage and the juiciest pads you have ever seen!!! I can't wait to get all of the colours!! It makes me loathe all my other inks entirely (said like the Grinch ;)

In between the kids 'name banners', I made a little couple (that's 
supposed to be me and the hubby in between all our boys!). More Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX, machine stitching and the guy and girl (from Boy Meets Girl die-namic) popped up onto a Heart STAX. The heart on the girl is the centre of the open heart border in the Layered Heart Border Die-namic.
Again, I've used Hot Fudge and Wild Cherry CS.

I cut out my roses from both CS and MFT Cork. I think using elements like cork, burlap, wood, etc., make you able to get away with adding traditionally 'feminine' embellishments to a more masculine project. Plus, I am a girl and this hanging in MY house, so some concessions must be made by my family of all males ;)

Here are the little banner pieces that I add to each end. I wanted a bit more olive colour to keep this as boyish as able with a heart and flower Valentine! lol


Lots of dimension with this 3 piece die-namic. You will love the look of this rose!

Here are some side-views so you can get a better idea of the dimension that this banner has! I wish you could all see it IRL, as the pictures really don't do it justice!

And here are the graphics of the brand-spankin' new Die-namics that I've used tonight:

Here are the details about the upcoming release:

• You can attend the New Release Party on January 8 from 8-10 PM EST HERE in the MFT forum, where you can WIN PRIZES!
• The MFT release, including all new stamp sets and Die-namics, is on January 8 at 10 PM EST.  You'll find all the newest products HERE at release time.
• The guest designer contest is going on now!  Check out the forum for details on how YOU can win over $200 in stamp sets and Die-namics.
• If you'd like to see all the teasers for today, please click on over to the MFT Blog NOW.  Be sure to leave comments as you go for the chance to win one of 2, $10 gift certificates given away daily.  The winners will be posted on January 8 just before the release party, on the MFT blog.