Wings of Friendship In Color

Here's a card and gift box that I made for my 2009 Secret Stamping Sister (SSS).

This card uses the Wings of Friendship Level 2 Hostess and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets.  Colors include this year's In Colors in Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Bermuda Bay:

Other accessories include:

 

Card:
-  Movers & Shapers Curly Label Stampin' Up! Bigz XL Die
- Punch Windows Movers & Shapers Stampin' Up! Die (Modern Label) 

Box:
- Fancy Favor Stampin' Up! Bigz XL Die
- Two Tags Stampin' Up! Bigz Die

- 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Bermuda Bay

Thanks for looking,
~ Maria

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