Hippo Punch Art

Here's a card that I put together for my 2-year old nephew, Korbin.  He loves hippos so I thought this was the perfect card for him.

The hippo was created using a variety of different Stampin' Up! punches and the Look Who's Turning stamp set.  Colors include Basic Grey, Going Grey, Rich Razzleberry and Pale Plum. 

Thanks for looking,

~ Maria

Nail Art Rub-ons

This past weekend, I attended my niece's graduation from California Lutheran University (CLU).  Her school's colors were purple and gold and I made her an adorable graduation card that was CASED exactly from http://jackietopa.typepad.com.  Thank you Jackie!  Here's the card I made:

In keeping up with the school color theme, I decided to paint my toe nails purple.  As the polish was drying, I had a brainstorm about using Stampin' Up! Rub-ons to create NAIL ART.   I know, it sounds strange, but I thought I would give it a try.  Here are the results:

Instructions: 

1. Paint nails and let polish dry completely.

2. Adhere rub-on per package directions (using popsicle stick to apply).

3. Paint a light coat of clear polish over the rub-on to seal it.  Make sure you do this quickly as the rub-on smears (as if it were wet paint).

4. Optional:  Add tiny rhinestones for some bling.

I know this is probably the weirdest use of Stampin' Up! product EVER, but I had to share. :)

Enjoy,

~ Maria

Always in Season

Unlikely color combo or perfect trio?  This card was created using the Season of Friendship stamp set along with classic inks in Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay and Certainly Celery. 

Other accessories include Bermuda Bay 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, Paper Crimper and the words "Happy Birthday" from the Look Who's Turning stamp set.

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Just Basketball Shaker Card

I always find it challenging to come up with masculine cards, so I thought it would be fun to do a masculine shaker card using a sports theme.

This card was created using the Just Basketball stamp set.  The color combo is Basic Grey, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie. 

The hoop image was stamped twice, once on clear acetate and again on Whisper White using Black Stazon.  I created a space between the two pieces for the shaker effect using Stampin' Dimensionals and inserted the punched out basketball image between the two layers.  The basketball image shakes around freely within the window, giving you the appearance that you can "make a basket."

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

Birds & Blooms Bookmark

This Spring-inspired bookmark was created using the Little Leaves and Birds & Blooms Stampin' Up! Sizzlits.

The flowers were cut from Raspberry Tart DSP (retired, but available on the SU Clearance Rack), sponged and then layered together with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The flower centers were created by punching out a 1/4" circle in Whisper White, applying Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds and then adhering to the flower.

After the leaves (used at the top of the bookmark) were cut out by the die, I used the remaining card stock "negative image" (see below) and a Sponge Dauber to create a reverse-masking effect in Old Olive.

Thanks for looking,

~ Maria

Autumn Meadows Tri-Shutter Card

Here's a Tri-Shutter Card that was made at one of my Advanced Workshops last fall:

This card features the now retired Autumn Meadows DSP and coordinating card stock.  The focal point on the front of the card was created using the Holiday Best (Level 1 Hostess stamp set), Leaves #2 Originals Die and the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die.

A great tutorial for making a Tri-Shutter Card can be found at:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trishuttercard

Thanks for looking,

~ Maria

Autumn Meadows Thanks

Here's a project that I came up with last fall for my "Secret Stamping Sister:" 

This project uses the now retired, SU Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip card stock and a series of dies and other embellishments. The sign base was created with On Board chipboard using a Sizzix "Album Cover & Pages" die.  The die is normally used as a mini scrapbook, but I thought it would be fun to make a sign out of it.  The letters were cut from Alphabet Simple Letters Stampin' Up! Bigz Die and the leaves from the Little Leaves Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Die.  I used SU's My Digital Studio software to create the words "Thoughtful, Heartfelt, Appreciative, Nurturing, Kind and Sincere" in a script font and punched them out with the Modern Label punch.  I punched a few extra holes using my Crop-a-dile and then tied it all together with 1/4" Choc Chip Grosgrain ribbon.

Here are a few close up shots:

Thanks for looking,

~ Maria