Just bee-cause!

Hi there!

Happy Monday to you!  I hope you're having a good start of the week!  I want to share with you a card I made for City Crafter Challenge.  The theme this week is "Paint It".  We are to have a painted background using water colors, mists, distress stain, etc. 

And, here is my card...

I chose to use water colors.  I painted the background on water color paper using yellow and orange paint.  I then used perfect pearls mist(gold).  I wish you could see it in person.  The gold mist has a pretty shine to it.  The photo just doesn't show it well here.  The stamp set is from PTI.  Aren't those bees bee-utiful?:-) Well, that's all I have for today.  Please stop by again on Thursday for another card!  Thanks for taking time to drop by!

Hugs,
Maria

Supplies:

Paper:  Bazzill, PTI, Recollections
Stamps:  PTI
Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black
Perfect Pearls Mist(gold)-Ranger
Die:  SU-banners(Framelits dies)
Gems:  Paper Studio
Punches:  Martha Stewart
Misc:  Scallop Scissors

Happy Day!

Hi there!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  We went to Easter service and then to our favorite restaurant for a delicious chicken and ham dinner!  It was such a delight to see so many in their Easter best!  I especially admired two little girls in light pink matching dresses, so cute!  Maybe one day I'll have a little granddaughter.  I can only hope and pray!:-)

Well, today I'd like to share with you a card I made for the challenge over at City Crafter.  I could not resist playing along.    Just look at those colorful beautiful balloons in the inspiration photo!  I wanted to make a happy colorful card and came up with the following...

 

 

It's pretty self-explanatory as you can see.  The cloud and sentiment stamps are from Sweet 'n Sassy.  The hot air balloon and flower stamps are from SU.  I used a SU dot embossing folder for some dimension on the hills.  I'm thinking this card could be used for several occasions such as thank you, birthday, or just because. 

 

Ok, friends, that's all for now.  Thanks so much for dropping by!

Take care, hugs!

 

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  PTI, Recollections

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy:  Clouds, Sentiment

               SU:  Hot air balloons, Flower

Ink:  SU-Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Brilliant Blue

Dies:  Sweet 'n Sassy(Clouds, Sun)

Twine:  Doodlebug

Punch:  Sunflower

Emboss Folder:  SU

Copic: R27



Happy Easter!

Hi there!

Just popping in quick to wish you a very Happy Easter!  And, I wanted to share this card with you.  I made this one just like it for one of my sisters.  I also made two purple and one pink for my other sisters.  The stamp is from Stapendous.  The dies are from SU.  And, the butterfly punch is from Martha Stewart. 

I don't know about you, but I still do the traditional Easter egg dyes.  The eggs are cooling as I'm typing this post!  I guess it's the creative kid in me...hehehe!  I love seeing the beautiful pastel colors. 

Looks like we will have some lovely weather for tomorrow, too!  We usually dine out for Easter at our usual place.  We make reservations a couple of months in advance for it's a very popular place.  Home style food with chicken and ham, veges, salad, and dessert.  It's the best!  Ok, well whatever you have planned for Easter, I hope it's a great one!  Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
Maria

Dies R Us Challenge Blog Design Team!

Hi Friends!

I'm so excited to share some wonderful news with you!  I am honored and very pleased to have been invited to be a member of the Dies R Us Challenge Blog Design Team! 

 

 

 

The Dies R Us Challenge Blog will begin on May 1, 2014.  There will be challenges on the 1st and 15th of each month.  Two sets of design teams will bring you fabulous inspiration and super fun challenges each month!  So, gather those beautiful dies and make some awesome projects for the challenge!  Come on over and join in on the fun!: -)

 

Hugs,

Maria

Paper Sweeties April Release Rewind!

Hi there!

Today wraps up the April Release for Paper Sweeties!  I'm using the *new* stamp set Happy Everything!  And, I'm using a previous released stamp set for the eggs.  If you remember, I used the same new stamp set on a card just a few days ago.  It can be seen here.  I thought I'd use the Easter sentiment from the set since Easter is this weekend.  And, I hope you all have a wonderful blessed Easter!

For my card I started with a white card base and used Hippity Hoppity Easter Wishes stamp set for the eggs and coordinating die.  I embossed the sentiment on the purple egg.  Orange washi tape was used for a border.  The white eggs, grass, and sentiment at the top of the card were colored with copics.  Pom pom trim, metal dots, button with twine, and butterflies to finish off the card. 

Don't forget the challenge going on until the end of the month!  The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate and an invite to be the guest designer for the following month!

Here is the blog list of my fellow teammies on the design team.  View some awesome inspiration!  Hop along and have fun!



Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs

New Products & Links:

What's New

Happy Everything

ConGRADulations

Sweet Cuts - Beautiful Little Wishes

             

          

Thank you for visiting here today!  Take care and have a blessed Easter!

Hugs,
Maria
 

Supplies:

Paper:  MFT, PTI, Paper Studio

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Happy Everything(sentiments)

                                           Hippity Hoppity Easter Wishes

Ink:  Memento:  London Fog, Versa Mark

Mental Dots:  Mark Richards

Punch:  Butterfly-Picture Punch

Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Hippity Hoppity Easter Wishes

           Grass Die:  MFT

Twine:  Doodlebug

Washi Tape:  Recollections

Pom pom Trim, Buttons:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Copics

 

Paper Sweeties April Release Party!

Hi there!

Welcome to Paper Sweeties Release Party!  Today is the day to purchase those awesome sweet stamps!  Just look at darling Abigail all dressed up in her graduation gown.  Soon it will be time for graduation parties.  What a great way to celebrate the special occasion by using this stamp set (ConGRADulations)!  I love how Debbie designed this stamp set...so clever and fun!  Please see below for a complete list of wonderful *new* products for this month!

I started with a white card base and paper pieced Abigail and used the coordinating die.  I colored her with copics and gave her a pretty yellow rose.  She couldn't be all grown up yet.  So, I'm thinking she's just graduating from preschool...hehehe!  I added a sun and fence.  And, pretty shiny Sequins(Cookie Dough) from Paper Sweeties to finish off the card!

Here is the blog hop list to view more amazing creations from the design team.  Hop along and have fun!

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs

New Products & Links:

What's New

Happy Everything

ConGRADulations

Sweet Cuts - Beautiful Little Wishes
 



  
Thanks so much for visiting here today!

Hugs,
Maria

  

Supplies:

 

Paper:  PTI, Coredinations, MFT

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Abigail and coordinating die

                                           ConGRADulations

Ink:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black

Sequins:  Paper Sweeties:  Cookie Dough

Punch:  Circle:  EK, Sun:  McGill

Dies:  Paper Sweeties-Sweet Cuts-Abigail

           MFT:  Fence

Flower:  Recollections
Copics

Paper Sweeties April Release Countdown!

 

Welcome Back, Friends!

Just one more day until you can purchase those wonderful *new* stamps and dies from Paper Sweeties!  I'm so excited to tell you about today's projects that I created using the new products.  Today I'm highlighting the Sweet Cuts-Beautiful Little Wishes!  These dies coordinately perfectly with the stamp sets Beautiful and Little Wishes!  So, on the gift box, I used the frame from the stamp set Beautiful.  The die cut the frame just perfect.  No longer do you have to trim around the frame...yeah!  It's one of my favorite frames with all the polka dots!

For my card, I started with a white card base and layered with pink and black.  The tags and pink square on the tag was cut with the new dies that I stated above.  The Cotton Candy Sequins and Cotton Candy Twine are from Paper Sweeties, also.  And, the friend sentiments are from the stamp set Little Wishes.  You'll definitely want to purchase this *new* set of Sweet Cuts!

Hop along and follow the list below to view more wonderful projects created by the Paper Sweeties team!

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs

 

 

Thanks so much for dropping by!  Please return tomorrow for I'm highlighting Abigail in a sweet *new* outfit for release day!
 

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  PTI, BoBunny, Doodlebug, MME

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Beautiful(Accessories)

                                           Little Wishes(Sentiment)

Ink:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black
Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Beautiful Little Wishes

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Gems:  Paper Studio

Punches:  Circles:  SU, EK

                 Border:  EK

Heart Buckle Slider:  Paper Studio

Twine:  Paper Sweeties:  Cotton Candy

Flower:  Martha Stewart

Copics:  RV02

Button:  SU

Sequins:  Paper Sweeties:  Cotton Candy

Paper Sweeties April Release Sneak Peeks!

Hi Friends!

It's time for some sneak peeks for Paper Sweeties April Release!  The stamp set that I'm highlighting today is Happy Everything!  This will be a great go to set for many occasions.  My sis-in-law's anniversary is in a couple weeks, so I created the above card with lots of fun hearts!  The new stamps sets and dies for this month's release will be available for purchase on April 15th!

I started with a white card base and layered with aqua and red, which is one of my favorite color combinations.  I punched out circles and adhered a red circle half showing.  Little hearts and buttons placed over the circles.  The sentiments were colored with copics and Paper Sweeties Strawberry Twine bows placed to finish off the card. 

Would you like some more inspiration?  Please see below for some awesome creations from the other design team members...

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen
Annette Witherspoon

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr

Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs

Have a wonderful day!  Thank you for dropping by!

Supplies:

Paper:  PTI, Bazzill, Crate Paper
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Happy Everything
Ink:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black
Punch:  Heart, Circle(EK)
             Corner(Creative Memories)
Twine:  Paper Sweeties:  Strawberry
Copics:  BG15, R24
Buttons:  My Stash

 



Happy Birthday!

 

Hi there!

 

TGIF!  How are you today?  I hope you are doing well on this fine Friday afternoon!  I would like to share with you a card I made for the challenge over at Fusion Card Challenge.  I was very inspired by all those pretty blooms.  I love the sketch design, too.  So, I got to work and came up with this card...

 

 

I started with a white card base and die cut the center with a stitched oval die from Lil' Inker Designs.  I placed pretty floral paper from Simples Stories behind the oval cut out.  I die cut several flowers and leaves, which are from PTI, and popped up the centers for dimension.  Metal gold dots were place for interest.  And, ribbon to finish the card. 

 

Ok, now I have a strange request from all you bird lovers out there to help us with our dilemma.  My husband is working midnights right now and is trying his best to get some good sleep.  But, this crazy robin keeps banging into the window.  Someone at work told me that it is mating season for the birds, so they see their reflection in the window thinking that it is another bird.  Well, whatever it is, we cannot seem to stop the "crazy" bird.  Don't get me wrong because you all know I do love birds, but this one is wanting me to get a cat or buy a BB gun...lol.  Seriously, I'm joking!  Anyways, we did put up newspaper to no avail.  I really thought the bird would finally knock itself unconscious by now...hahaha...but nope!:-)  Oh well, if you have any suggestions for me, please let me know!  Thank you so much for viewing my card today!  Take good care!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  PTI, Simple Stories

Stamp:  PTI

Ink:  SU-Night of Navy

Dies:  Flowers:  PTI-Bigger Blooms

          Stitched Oval -Lil' Inker Designs

Metal Dots:  Mark Richards

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

 





CCCB...Happy 4th Birthday!!!

Hello Again!

One of my favorite challenges is celebrating their 4th birthday, which is City Crafter!  Wow!  How times flies when you're having fun!:-)  It's hard to believe the challenge is four years old.  They are having a great celebration with many prizes!  For the challenge you are to case one of the projects and guess the designer.  I do believe that Kirsty designed the beautiful card as seen above!  I tried to incorporate many of the same items such as birds, gingham, flowers, ribbon, and postal stamp.  And, here is my card...

I started with a cream card base and layered with vintage paper and doily.  I stamped the postal sentiment and stitched around the card.  Light pink tulle placed behind the doily.  The birds were stamped and die cut.  Roses and pearls added surrounding the birds.  Ribbon, button and twine to finish off the card. 

Ok, friends, that's all for now!  Hope you are having a wonderful day!  Thank you for dropping by!

Hugs,
Maria

Supplies:

Paper:  Girl's Paperie, Kraft Outlet
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy
Ink:  SU(Crumb Cake)
Ribbon:  Paper Sweeties(Baby Pink Berry, Raspberry)
Tulle:  Paper Studio
Pearls:  Doodlebug
Punch:  Circle(EK)
Dies:  Sweet 'n Sassy
Doily:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Twine:  PTI
Flower:  Martha Stewart
Button:  Mossy Made

Eggs...

Hi Friends,

I'm just popping in quick to share with you a photo that I posted last year in May of cardinal eggs.  I've been seeing the male and female cardinal lately, so I'm hoping just maybe they'll built a nest in the same spot this year?  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!  I'm entering this photo over at Our Beautiful World!  Stop on over and view the beautiful photos of eggs! 

And, in case you are wondering if they hatched...

Two of the sweet little birds did make it out of their eggs!  I took the first photo on 5-13-13 and the second photo on 5-29-13.  I hope to bring you more bird photos this year, so stay tuned!:-)

Thanks for dropping by!  Take care and have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Maria

If nothing ever changed...

Hi Friends!

Happy Sunday to you!  The sun is shining with blue skies here in NW Ohio...yeah!  It's 52 degrees with slight breeze.  Not too bad for an early April day.  Signs of spring are beginning and it's just around the corner.  I cannot wait to see my tulips bloom!:-)

Today I want to share with you a card I made for my sister's birthday.  I'm entering this card over at Seize the Birthday.  The theme this week is to use buttons or gems.  My sis loves butterflies, purple and bling.  So, I think this card would fit her perfectly.  The card is self-explanatory, so I won't bore you with the details.  But, I will tell you that I colored the butterfly with copics and used an elegant die from MFT.  Gems, of course, to finish off the card.

Ok, friends, that's all for now.  I hope you are having a great day!

Hugs,
Maria

Supplies:

Paper:  PTI, MFT
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy-large butterfly and sentiment
               Inkadinkadoo-small butterfly
Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black
         SU
Die:  MFT
Gems:  Paper Studio
Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Copics

Spring...

Hi there!

What a lovely inspiration photo over at City Crafter.  The theme is Easter or spring.  I thought I'd play along and enter this spring card with lovely tulips...

 

 

I started with a green card base and layered with white yellow and pink.  The stamp set is from Sweet 'n Sassy.  The image was colored with copics.  Pearls and ribbon added to finish off the card.  We are finally seeing signs of spring around here.  My tulips are starting to come up and I cannot wait until they bloom!  And, the sentiment is perfect for the harsh winter that we've experienced this year!  It does my heart good to color some flower images until the gorgeous blooms arrive!

 

Thank you for dropping by!  It's appreciated!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  PTI, MFT

Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy

Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black

         Distress Ink- Tim Holtz-Mustard Seed
Pearls:  Doodlebug
Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Copics

Paper Sweeties April Inspiration Challenge #18-'Sweet Treats'

Hello Friends!

Happy April 1st!  I'd like to share with you today a card I made for the Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge!  All you need is to be inspired in any way with the above photo to join the challenge.  I was inspired by the colors, tiny flowers, and theme of sweet treats!  Please enter the challenge as many times as you wish until the end of the month.  The winner will receive a $20 gift certificate and an invite to be the guest designer for the following month!  Come on over and join the fun!

Here is my card...

I stared with a cream colored base and paired it up with pink and MME paper.  I colored and paper pieced Emma.  Coordinating Sweet Cuts-Emma was used.  Her outfit is from the Sweetie Pie stamp set.  The shortcake, cookies, and cherry are from the stamp set I'm Having a Tea Party.  And, the cupcake, heart, pie, and sentiments are from the stamp set Stand Add-on:Fresh Baked.  The ribbon is Baby Pink Berry.  I used a spica pen to add a touch of glitter to the treats.  Candy dots and flower to finish off the card.

Mmmm...all those sweet treats are making me hungry.  I can't wait until fresh strawberries are in season once again, which will be June for us in NW Ohio.  I did make some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies yesterday...yumm!  And, I won't tell you how many I ate...lol!   

Take a peek and view what the other design team members have created for inspiration!  Have fun!

Amber Kroening

Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon

  Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

  Jeanne Jachna

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr
Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

Maria Patrick(that's me)

Michelle Bala

Nancy Penir

Tammy Hobbs

April Guest Designer:  Larissa Heskett

                                            
Ok, I thank you so much for viewing my card today!  Take care and have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Maria


Supplies:

Paper:  MFT, MME
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Emma and coordinating die
                                          Sweetie Pie(outfit)
                                          I'm Having a Tea Party(shortcake, cookies, cherry)
                                          Stand Add-on:  Fresh Baked(cupcake, heart, sentiments)
Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black
Ribbon:  Paper Sweeties:  Baby Pink Berry
Candy Dots:  Recollections
Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Emma
           MFT:  Scallop Border
Twine:  PTI
Flower:  Prima
Copics
Spica Pen