Paper Piecing Advent Calendar

Hello Friends,

Now that our big Crazy Stamping Ladies Secret Sister Reveal has passed, I can finally post some of the projects that I made for my Secret Sister, Lisa.  Here is the holiday gift that I made for her.  Unfortunately, I was home sick and missed the party so my gift was delivered to her a bit late.  I hope she liked it...

This project was created using the "Paper Piecing" technique.  The advent calendar was purchased from Michaels and started out as raw wood (approximately 24"x12").  I photocopied the entire item and then used the copies to make templates to trace onto Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I used a variety of retired DSP in Real Red, Old Olive and Basic Black.  After I cut out the pieces, I shaded them with Sponge Daubers and glued them on the wood. 

The calendar was created by printing numbers on the DSP using Microsoft Word and my regular printer.  I removed the wood handles on the doors, painted them gold and then reapplied them after I attached the paper.

The finishing details included the snow paint and Dazzling Diamonds on Santa's hat, Real Red and Whisper White Satin Ribbon on the presents and some glitter and Crystal Effects on the star.

Happy Holidays!

~ Maria

Big Top Birthday

I made this card for my 4 year old nephew, Korbin.  His name was stamped using a custom stamp that I had made from Love Bots Personalized Name Stamp from the 2010 Ocassions Mini.

The pinwheel was cut out from one of the sheets of the Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper.

Colors:  Temping Turquoise, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Stamp Sets:  Up, Up & Away, Love Bots Personalized Name Stamp for "Korbin" (retired)
Acessories:  Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, 2-Step Owl Punch, Scallop Circle #2 Die, 3 inch Circle Die, Silver Brads, Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim

Flirtatious Butterflies

This card's monochromatic color scheme was inspired by the Wisteria pattern of the Flirtatious Designer Series Paper.

Colors:  Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)
Accessories:  Beautiful Butterflies Stampin' Up! Bigz Die, Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die, Large Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-inch Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensions

Enjoy,
~ Maria

Best of Everything

This card features the new Best of Everything stamp set from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog:

Colors:  Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Best of Everything
Accessories:  Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die, Two Tags Stampin' Up! Bigz Die, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, 3/16-Inch Corner Punch, Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Stampin' Write Markers (Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade)

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Angry Birds Birthday

Here's a card that I made for my dear friend Roxanne for her birthday.  She LOVES Angry Birds so I created this card specifically for her. 

The bird, his beak, eyebrows, tail feathers and slingshot were all hand-cut in order to get the correct shape.

 
Colors:  Real Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black, Summer Sun (retired), Soft Sky (retired)
Stamp Sets:  Woodgrain
Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch (for clouds), Hemp Twine, 2-Step Owl Punch (for eyes), Creative Memories Wavy Paper Cutter, Chit Chat Rub-Ons (retired)

Thanks for stopping by,
~ Maria

Elegant Cape Cod Wedding Programs

I am so happy to report that I FINALLY finished making 150 wedding programs for my co-worker, Emily!  Yay!!! 



The card design was inspired by her Cape Cod wedding theme and wedding invitations (see actual wedding invitation here -->).  The invitations were white with blue hydrangeas so I thought the hydrangea from our Because I Care stamp set (retired) would be a perfect match.  The bridesmaids' dresses were French Blue so I chose Bordering Blue (retired) as the accent.  The finished card size was 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 and included 3 layers. The entire card front was spritzed with White Frost Shimmer Paint and Basic Pearls Jewel Accents and Whisper White Satin Ribbon were added to give it an elegant touch.

I hope the Bride likes them...they are shipping out on Tuesday! :)

Colors: Whisper White, Bordering Blue (retired)

Stamp Sets:  Wonderful Words (retired), Because I Care (Hostess 2010-2011 retired)

Accessories:  Top Note Stampin' Up! Bigz Die , Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die, Basic Pearls Jewel Accents, Whisper White 5/8 Inch Satin Ribbon , White Frost Shimmer Paint, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers.

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Maria

Husband of the Year Award!

I have to share this ADORABLE story with you...

My good friend and customer, Paula, was pleasantly surprised last week when she opened her birthday card from her husband, West, and saw this handmade beauty:

While Paula was at work, West slipped into her craft room and put this card together all on his own without her knowledge.  He told Paula that he thought he would just "make a card rather than buy one" since she had so much stuff.  LOL :)

West used coordinating colors, made use of our brand new Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet punch, and even stamped the envelope!  WAY TO GO, WEST!  You deserve the "Husband of the Year Award" in my book.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Paula.  I wish all of our husbands could be this adventurous!

Enjoy,
~ Maria

Quick & Easy Father's Day

Here's a quick card that I made for my dad for Father's Day.  Since it's challenging for me to come up with masculine cards, I decided to keep it simple and let the new Petite Pennants Builder Punch from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (available July 1) be the focal point.

Colors:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  None

Accessories:  Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Silver Brads, 1/16" Inch Circle Handheld Punch, Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper (retired), Chit Chat Rub-ons (retired), Bounce Sizzlits Alphabet die (non-SU)

Enjoy,

~ Maria



Mambo Florets

These cards were made using two of my favorite items from the Summer Mini Catalog - Fabulous Florets stamp set and Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Colors: Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Fabulous Florets
Accessories: Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Colors: Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Fabulous Florets

Accessories: Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Melon Mambo 5/8" inch Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Enjoy,
~ Maria

Retired Lists are Here!

LAST CHANCE PROMOTION
June 1-30, 2011 (select items while supplies last)

It's time to say goodbye! Hundreds of products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring, and now is the time for you to get them before they're gone.

Click here to visit my online store and place your order today!

Please contact me with any questions.

Thanks,
~ Maria

Nautical Birthdays

Both of these masculine cards feature the Open Sea stamp set and Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper from the Summer Mini Catalog:

Colors: Basic Grey, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Nautical Expedition DSP, Blender Pens, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Sponge Daubers, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, 2-1/2 Inch Circle Punch, CM Cutting System, Word Window Punch, Cutter Kit Distressing Tool

Colors:  Basic Grey, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Open Sea, Best Dad Ever
Accessories:  Nautical Expedition DSP, Blender Pens, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Sponge Daubers, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Cutter Kit Distressing Tool

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Maria

Fabulous Florets Mother's Day

Here is the card that I made for my mom on Mother's Day.  The 5x5 card features the new Fabulous Florets stamp set and Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Summer Mini Catalog.

Colors:  Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Fabulous Florets, Well Scripted (retired)

Accessories:  Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 2 x 1-3/8 Inch Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, 1/2 Inch Stiched-Poly Ribbon in Peach Parfait

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Maria

Fun Springtime Flowers

The inspiration for this card came from the all new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I used the "Embedded Embossing" technique to emboss the DSP into the Artichoke cardstock. 

The ruffled ribbon was created using the Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding.  The technique involves fraying the end of the ribbon and pulling one or two threads from the center of the frayed end to gather the ribbon.

Colors:  Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Stamp Set:  Elements of Style
Accessories:  Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Springtime Vintage DSP, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die, Antique Brads, Very Vanilla 1/2-inch Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge Daubers

Enjoy,
~ Maria

Congrats - It's Time to Celebrate!

Here's a card that I made for my friend, Paula, who celebrated her 5th year anniversary at our company.  Happy Anniversary Paula!  The primary focus of the card was the "Congrats" banner that I made out of the Party This Way stamp set.

Colors:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Party This Way
Accessories:  Go Go Boots Sizzlits Alphabet Die Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Petal Cone Bigz L Die, Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen, 1/16-inch Handheld Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Chit Chat Rub-ons (retired)

Thanks for looking,
Maria

Easter Egg Banner

Here's another gift I made for my 2010 Secret Stampin' Sister, Lyn.  I couldn't post this last year or it would have spoiled the secret so here it is one year later.

Colors:  So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Oval Scallop Frame Bigz Die, Alphabet Simple Letters Stampin' Up! Bigz Die, On Board Long Board Chipboard,  5/8” Certainly Celery poly-twill ribbon (retired, but available on Clearance Rack), Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper (retired), Crop-a-dile

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Maria

Easter Bunny Box

I made this Easter Bunny Box for my 2010 Secret Stamping Sister, Lyn.  I couldn't post it last year or it would have blown my secret cover, so here it is one year later.  I CASED it from Terri Ransom, a fellow Stampin' Up Demonstrator out of Florida.  Thanks for such an adorable idea, Terri!

Enjoy,
~ Maria

Birthday Brights Cupcake

Here's a project that I came up with for a recent workshop featuring colors from the Brights Collection and some of the adorable cupcake items from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The fancy frame was created using the Dotted Scallop Punch. You can find instructions for the punch frames on Dawn Olchefske's website found here.

Colors:  Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Create a Cupcake

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Punch, Build A Cupcake XL Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack -Flower, 1-1/4 Inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie, 3/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil Delight, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Maria

Greenhouse Gala Gift Set

On March 5, the Crazy Stamping Ladies Demonstrator group had our monthly downline meeting and our 1st Qtr Secret Stamping Sister (SSS) Reveal.  Here's the gift I made for my SSS, Theresa.  It included 3 cards, with matching envelopes in a gift box:

Here's a close up of one of the cards:

Colors: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Just Believe
Accessories:  Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die, Paper Piercing Tool, Pear Pizzazz 1/2 Inch Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Birds & Blooms Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Die 4-Pack, Little Leaves Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Die, Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die, Modern Label Punch, Movers and Shapers - Modern Label Accessories, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Sponge Daubers, Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Punch Bunch For You

Here's a card that I came up with using minimal colors and the new Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set - Punch Bunch:

Colors:  Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Stamp Sets:  Punch Bunch (SAB)
Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Whisper White, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Build A Purse

Here's a card that I demonstrated at our monthly Crazy Stamping Ladies Stampin' Up! Demonstrator meeting.  The card uses the new Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake punch to create these adorable little purses.  I got the inspiration from a card that I saw on Terri Mongeon's blog.

The base of the purse was created using the "bottom of the cupcake" from Build a Cupcake punch turned upside down.  The purse handle was made by punching a ring from the 1/2 inch circle and 3/4 inch circle punches.  The trick to get an evenly-spaced ring is to punch the smaller of the two circles first and then punch the larger one.  The purse flap was created by cutting a 3/4 inch circle in half.



Colors:  Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Create a Cupcake, Birthday Bakery (Hostess Level 1)

Accessories:   Build a Cupcake XL Punch, Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents, Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper (retired), 3/4 inch Circle Punch, 1/2 inc Circle Punch

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Maria

Holiday Card Workshop 1

In December, I held my second annual Holiday Card Workshop.  Each attendee made 20 cards, 4 each of 5 different designs.  Here is one of the cards we made - the Reindeer Gift Card Holder.

 

I found the idea for the gift card from fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Kay Kalthoff's blog.

The gift card holder is made from the Two Tags Stampin' Up! Bigz Die.  To create the tag, fold an 8-1/2 x 3 inch piece of card stock in half and place the fold on the die just below the flat end of the tag as pictured here and run it through the BigShot.

Here is another picture after running through the BigShot:

Here is a photo of the gift card open:

Colors:  Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Punch Pals
Accessories:  Two-Step Owl Punch, Snowflake Punch, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder, 5/8" Striped Ribbon in Real Red (retired), Red Pom Poms from craft store (for nose), Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Dimensionals

 Check back soon for my other holiday cards.

Take care,
~ Maria