Congratulations New Baby

Here's a "Congratulations" card that I made for a friend who just had a baby girl.

Colors:  Pretty In Pink, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Pool Party

Stamp Sets:  Two By Two

Accessories:  Window Frames Collection Framelits, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Blender Pens, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbin in Pretty In Pink (retired), 1 1/4" Grosgrain Striped Ribbon in Pretty In Pink (retired)

Thanks for looking,
Maria

Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peek

Here is a sample that I made using some of the brand new Sale-A-Bration (SAB) items.  This color combination was inspired by the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack.

Colors:  Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Papillon Potpourri, Petite Pairs, 

Accessories:  Vine Street Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (SAB), Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB), Baker's Twine in Island Indigo, Pearls, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Stampin' Write Marker in Island Indigo, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

More Amore

Don't you just love the new Spring Catalog?  It is filled with tons of great items!  Here is a card that I made with for a recent workshop using the new More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and coordinating framelits dies.

Colors:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Primrose Petals, Pool Party

Stamp Sets:  Hearts A Flutter

Accessories:  Hearts A Flutter Framelits Dies, More Amore Specialty DSP, Embossing Powder in Pool Party, 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Primrose Petals, Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Large Scallop Edgelits Die, Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Hemp Twine, Small Heart Punch, Pearls, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponges

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Holiday Card Workshop

Last weekend, I held an annual Holiday Card Workshop at my home.  In total, participants created 12 cards, 3 each of the following 4 designs:

1) Snowflake Card:

Colors:  Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Jolly Bingo Bits, Greetings of the Season

Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, 1" Square Punch, Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

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2) Polar Bear Card:

Colors:  Real Red, Pool Party, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Polar Party, Greetings of the Season

Accessories:  Whisper White Craft Ink, Black Staz-on Ink, Blender Pens, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Pool Party, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain in Real Red

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3) Ornament Card:

Colors:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Ornament Keepsakes, Greetings of the Season

Accessories:  Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Holiday Ornaments Framelit Dies, Baker's Twine in Cherry Cobbler, Dazzling Details, Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

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4) Gingerbread Man Card:

Colors:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Gumball Green, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Scentsational Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Accessories:  Holiday Collection Framelit Dies, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Gumball Green, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Holidays,

~ Maria

Cheers to You!

This oversized 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 card was created for a colleague.  The color scheme was inspired by a bottle of champagne that we gave to her.

Colors: Basic Black, Whisper White, Champagne
Stamp Sets:  Happy Hour
Accessories:  Tasteful Trim XL Die, Labels Collection Framelits, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Ghoulish Halloween

Here are three projects that my customers made at a recent Halloween-themed workshop:

PROJECT 1

PROJECT 2

PROJECT 3

Colors:  Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Googly Ghouls, Monster Munchies

Accessories:  Project 1: Spider Web Textured Embossing Folder, Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes, Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die, Sponge Daubers, Black Stazon Ink, Project 2: Petite Purse Bigz L Die, Small Cello Bags, Basic Gray 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, Scalloped Border Punch, Brads, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Project 3: Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits Die, Sponge Daubers

Happy Halloween,
~ Maria

Congratulations New Baby

Here's a card that I made for co-worker's baby shower.  The focal point of this over-sized 5.5 x 8.5 inch card is the adorable Two By Two stamp set.  Since I wanted the paper colors to match the water coloring, I went into the archives and pulled out this retired DSP named Delicate Dots.

Colors:  So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Stamps:  Two By Two

Accessories:  Delicate Dots Designer  Series Paper (retired), Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Blender Pens, Jet Black Stazon, Saffron Ribbon (retired), Sponge Daubers

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Halloween Hex Box

This cute little Halloween hexagon-shaped box was made out of the Stampin' Up! Mini Milk Carton Bigz L die.  My inspiration for the design was the spooky frames that you see at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.

To create the box, cut 2 milk carton shapes from the die and then trim off the 4th side of each of the cartons so you are left with 2 milk cartons with only 3 sides each.  Fold all score-lines with a Bone Folder and then use Sticky Strip to adhere the 2 cartons together - to make a perfect hexagon shape.



 

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Real Red

Stamp Sets: Spooky Bingo Bits

Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Baker's Twine in Lucky Limeade, Blender Pens, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin Dimensionals

Happy Stampin',

~ Maria

Congratulations New Baby

Hello Friends,

Here's a card that I made recently for a friend who just had a baby boy.  I couldn't help but use this adorable retired Designer Series Paper (DSP) from a few years back.

Colors: Soft Sky (retired), Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Staz-on Black


Stamp Sets: Two by Two


Accessories:  Welcome Neighbor DSP (retired), Finishing Touches Edgelits, Labels Collection Framelits, Petal Cone Bigz L Die (used for banner), Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Bright Blossoms Thank You

Hello Friends,

Here's a card that I made for a friend using the Bright Blossoms stamp set and Summer Smooch Designer Series Paper available in the NEW 2012-2013 catalog available on June 1.

 Colors:  Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Whisper White

Stamp Sets:  Bright Blossoms (available June 1), A Word For You

Accessories:  Summer Smooch DSP (available June 1), Labels Collection Framelits, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking,

Maria

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