My Favorite Things (Stamps) have for many years been a favorite for me. First off, the customer service is beyond amazing. They respond quickly and not only that, they are interested and involved in the people that interact with the company. If you spend $10 or $10k with them, every customer is treated with respect and kindness.

Second, they indeed carry some of the best quality supplies and adorable stamps. I have never had an MFT stamp go bad on me. Since diving in with my first set so long ago, the service has only been approved as the company grows.

NOW, because of these things, I am always encouraged to use MFT stamps and other products. This year for some Christmas releases Stacy Yacuta has picked up where Birdie Brown (both designers for MFT) left off with her selfie series. The Selfies with Santa set is one of my favorites. When I showed it to my husband he agreed it was one of his favorites too!

I also wanted to send out a special acknowledgment to Kim van der Sanden. I had a medical situation and when she and the crew at MFT found out, they sent me flowers. It was the most touching thing! I never felt more valued in all my life. While not everyone knows the reasons for my medical situation because it wasn’t overly reported for personal reasons. I was encouraging someone else with a similar circumstance in the insider’s group and the next thing I know, flowers show up at my house along with a GC emailed to me. I don’t tear up easily, but I was overwhelmed with warm fuzzies and may have cried a little! I really was touched and completely blessed. The people that know me, know I will always be a customer of MFT! (As my craft room will attest as it is 3/4 MFT 1/4 other companies). Please take a moment and watch Kim’s Ted Talk — she lives by her words! This company makes me want to move to Florida so I can be closer to them. Not for fast delivery (that already happens), but so I can visit them and shower them all with lots of love! Please do support them and encourage them in the Insiders group.

When I began planning this card, I knew I wanted to use the Selfies with Santa and some of the beautiful Cheerful Plaid Paper.

I sketched out the card, and it was missing something I just didn’t know what. I actually let it sit overnight. Upon dreaming on it. (Yes, I dream in stamp.) I recalled last year in a kit a string of lights that was large enough to complete the look I wanted for the card.

I didn’t like the cardstock opaqueness for lights and thought I could use my Copic markers to color on acetate. I die cut the Christmas Light Die-Namics from acetate and colored them. They came out streaky and well let’s say, not in line with my vision.

I set them aside and began searching for something else to create the effect I wanted. Colored vellum didn’t look right as it was too muted, and I was going to give up when I had a little lightbulb go off over my head.

Here is the way I made these… get ready

I re-cut the bulbs in acetate; the inside is in white. If you make them in colors, they don’t show up as well. and used mirror silver cardstock for the base of the bulb. Finally, the cord is made of brushed silver cardstock.

I took a sheet of Glassine paper and used my alcohol inks to cover the acetate. Holding the bottom of the bulb (which will be covered up) I put the ink on the paper and dipped the bulbs in the ink. once they were covered in ink, I set them with a heat gun. then I put them together and added them to the card.

The ink did not smear once I set it with the heat. The result is a fantastic transparent light. Now I need to get some of the little lights because can you imagine how cute that will be?

If you don’t mind, please leave a comment if you like this fast fun technique. It helps me to know what you are looking for in content.

One last tip: Glassine Paper has many amazing uses. Artists have been using it for a long time for coloring. This paper has other crafty uses, and I will be sure to share.

Have a fantastic day my friends! Blessings