Sparkle and Shine...

 

Hi there!

 

Hope your week is going well!  I'm enjoying my day off from work and decided to finish up some Christmas cards that I made for the volunteers at my work.  They are a dedicated bunch of sweethearts that do many things such as filing, decorating the office each season, transporting patients, etc.  We could not survive without them!  We give them a gift card and a handmade card each year to show our appreciation.  I made up twelve cards for each volunteer as seen below...

 

 

I used the same design, but with different papers.  All papers except for the white card base(PTI) is from SU.  The sentiment and sweet deer with coordinating dies are from Mama Elephant.  The die used for the snow is from Paper Sweeties Thanks Snow Much.  I applied stickles from Tim Holtz to the trees and snow.  Pearl cotton from Jo-Ann Fabrics tied around the deer for little scares.  Here is a peek of the inside...

 

 

 



Thanks for taking a peek today!  Take care and have a great rest of the week! 

Hugs,
Maria

Make It Monday...Faux Stained Glass

 

Hi there!

 

TGIF!  Hope all is well in your world today!

 

I finally made a card to enter into the PTI Make It Monday...yeah!  Betsy Veldman has a great tutorial on the faux stained glass technique!  I've often admired cards/projects done by many who entered the PTI challenges.  I was intrigued by this technique and gave it a try.  I'm not sure it's the best image to show for this technique, but it's done and it was lots of fun!:-)

 

The tree was stamped onto a sheet of acrylic with StazOn ink.  It was colored with copics.  I went over the tree with my colorless blender to give it the faux stained glass effect.  Pretty sequins from Neat&Tangled were added.  The stitched frame is from Lil' Inker.  And, the ribbon is from my stash.  Voila...another Christmas card done!  Thanks for viewing my card here today...take care!  Have a great weekend!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Happy Fall!

Hi there!

Just popping in quick tonight to share with you a card I made for the challenge over at Curtain Call.  I got out some burlap and fall stamps/dies to come up with this card...

I started with a light brown card base and added Carta Bella papers for the side border and leaves.  The squirrel, acorn, sentiment, and twine is from PTI.  And, the leaf dies are from Paper Smooches.

 

We saw several playful squirrels last Sunday.  You may have already seen these delightful little creatures on my previous post.  Hope you are enjoying this wonderful season of fall!  Thank you for dropping by!  Take care!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Fall...

 



 

Hi there!

 

Happy fall to you!  Every fall we like to go to our home town about twenty minutes away to enjoy the fall beauty.  It's a gorgeous place to walk through and view all the lovely trees and scampering little squirrels.  It is the homestead of Rutherford B. Hayes who was the 19th president.  We bought some peanuts and took lots of photos.  So, sit back and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, friends, hope you enjoyed my fall photos.  It does my heart and soul good to get out in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature and all those fun little squirrels!  Hope you are enjoy this time of year also...take care!

 

Hugs,

Maria



Enjoy the Journey!

 

Hi there!

 

How's your weekend going?  I thought I'd relax a bit in my craft room since I have some quiet time here.  My husband and son are at the Ohio State football game rooting for their favorite team...go Bucks!:-)

 

Anyways, I was in the mood for a CAS card, which came together very easily.  I'm entering this card over at City Crafter Challenge.  My husband and I love to travel.  It doesn't matter where we go for we always have lots of fun!:-)  I usually like to thank him for the fun trip by making a card.  We may be going to Vegas in December, so I'll save this card for him.  It's almost as if the inspiration photo is speaking to us since both our initials are R(Randy) and M(Maria)...hehehe!  What a fun challenge, so I just had to play along!:-)  And, here is my card...

 



 

 

The card is pretty self-explanatory.  The globe stamp is from SU and the sentiment is from Precious Remembrance.  The wood pieces are from Lily Bee Design.  I colored the wood heart with a red copic marker.  And, that's it ...very easy!  Well, that's all for now.  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  Take care!

 

Hugs,

Maria

Paper Sweeties October Release Rewind!

Hi Friends!

 

It's Release Rewind for Paper Sweeties!  My previous creations are Christmas related, but today I'm rewinding a bit for fall is here.  I've already felt the chill in the air, especially early in the mornings when walking into work...brrr.  But, the leaves are turning and it is a gorgeous time of year!  Just a few fall photos to share...

 

 

The field(soy beans) behind out house...such a pretty view.

 

 

Scarecrow and pumpkins in front of our house.

 

And, this is a photo of our neighbor's bush that I don't even know

the name of, but it has such a pretty red color!

 

 

Ok, now to my card.  Today, I am combining a formerly released stamp set with the *new* coordinating die...Sweet Cuts-Stand Add-on: Scarecrow today.  The dies coordinate with all the stamped images except for the basket of apples, which is from the stamp set Stand Add-on Fall Harvest.  And, the sentiment is from Happy Fall Ya'll. 

I started with a tan colored base and paired it with Simple Stories, and Glitz papers.  I paper pieced and colored with scarecrow with copics.  Burlap ribbon, flowers, twine, and brads to finish off the card. 

I hope you enjoyed viewing the new awesome stamp/dies this month from Paper Sweeties!  Please stop by the following teammate's blogs to view some beautiful creations!   Have a wonderful day!

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

                                   Annette Witherspoon

Char Cundy

                      Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties

Jinny Newlin

                                        Kerin Sylvester
                                      Larissa Heskett --off this month
                                            Lysa Rohrer
                                          Maria Patrick--that's me
                                          Michelle Bala

Mynnette Kitchen

                                            Nancy Penir

What's New

Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow Sweet Cuts
Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends
Trim The Tree
Sweet Cuts-Trim The Tree
Joy
Sweet Cuts-Joy

 

 

 



Thank you for dropping by today, take care!

  

Hugs,

Maria

 

 Supplies:

 

Paper:   Simple Stories, Glitz, CoordinationsPTI, MME

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties: Stand Add on:  Scarecrow(scarecrow, hay stack, pumpkins)

                                          Stand Add-on Fall Harvest(apples)

                                          Happy Fall Ya'll(sentiment)

Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black

Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow

Twine:  PTI

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Copic

Paper Sweeties October Release Party!

Hi there!

 

Today is Paper Sweeties Release Party!  You are now able to buy all those sweet stamps and dies...woohoo!  Today, I am highlighting the stamp set Trim The Tree with coordinating dies!

 

I made two projects today with this wonderful tree set.  As you can see in the first photo, I have a tray that I painted.  I stamped the tree designs on patterned paper and die cut the trees.  The stars were stamped and die cut, also.  I gave the tray three coats of decoupage finish.  I plan to use this tray to hold my Christmas cards.  The second photo shows a matching card.  All stamps are from the same stamp set except for the sentiment, which is from the Occasions set.  

I had lots of fun creating the tray and matching card.  And, I hope you have a great time viewing more creations from my fellow teammates.  Have fun!

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon
Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Jinny Newlin

Kerin Sylvester

Larissa Heskett--off this month  
Lysa Rohrer

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

What's New

Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow Sweet Cuts
Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends
Trim The Tree
Sweet Cuts-Trim The Tree
Joy

Sweet Cuts-Joy 

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

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  SU Doodlebug

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Trim The Tree

                                          Occasions

Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Trim The Tree

Ink:  SU:  Garden Green

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Gems:  Darice
Metal Dots:  Mark Richards
Copics

 

 

Paper Sweeties October Release Countdown!

Hello there!

Today is Release Countdown for Paper Sweeties!  Tomorrow is the day that you will be able to purchase *new* stamps/dies!  Today, I am featuring the dies Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends!  They coordinate with a previously released stamp set Snow Friends.(snowman and snow flakes).

Just as soon as I stamped the sentiment, which is from the stamp set Let it Snow, I thought ut-oh I don't want to bring on the snow...hehehe!  Even my husband remarked..."It will be your fault if we have a harsh winter...yikes!":-)  People are already talking about how the Farmer's Almanac is predicting another cold snowy winter.  And, then I thought well maybe they aren't accurate.  A friend told me it is 80% accurate.  But, I still have hope that we won't have a winter like we did last year.  Anyways, enough of weather and onto my card.

I started with a white card base and paired it with DCWV and Bazzill papers.  The birds are from the stamp set Home Tweet Home and I used the coordinating die.  The fence is also from the same set.  The snow hills are from the die set Thanks Snow Much.  The ribbon Frosting, sequins Frosting, twine Blueberry, and Rusty Jingle Bells are also from Paper Sweeties.

Would you like to see more inspiration?  Yes, of course you do!  Please follow along with the list below...

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon
Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Jinny Newlin

Kerin Sylvester

Larissa Heskett--off this month
Lysa Rohrer

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

What's New

Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow Sweet Cuts
Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends
Trim The Tree
Sweet Cuts-Trim The Tree
Joy
Sweet Cuts-Joy
 

 

Thanks so much for visiting here today!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

Paper:  PTI, DCWV, Bazzill
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Snow Friends and coordinating die
                                           Let it Snow-sentiment
                                           Home Tweet Home-birds

Ink:  Memento-Tuxedo Black
Punch:  SU-Large Heart
Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends
                                      Sweet Cuts-Thanks Snow Much
                                      Sweet Cuts-Home Tweet Home
Ribbon:  Paper Sweeties:  Frosting
Rusty Bells:  Paper Sweeties
Sequins:  Paper Sweeties:  Frosting
Copics
Twine:  Paper Sweeties:  Blueberry
 

Paper Sweeties October Release Sneak Peeks!

Hi Friends!

 

Welcome to another month of  sneak peeks for awesome *new* stamps/dies from Paper Sweeties!  Today,  I am highlighting the new Christmas die Sweet Cuts-Joy!  It coordinates with the stamp set Joy.  The other sentiments in the Joy set are Believe and Noel.  Christmas is right around the corner.  Have you started any Christmas projects yet?

 

For, my card I started with a maroon card base.  I used a Cover Plate: Circles Die from PTI and place it over an olive panel.  I used a SU circle punch and layered a heart circle from EK over it.  The Joy sentiment was cut four times and glued together for dimension.  Sequins Gold  were placed for interest.  A silk ribbon for the final touch.

 

Lots more inspiration to view from my teammates...Please hop along and have fun! 

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon
Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Jinny Newlin

Kerin Sylvester

Larissa Heskett
Lysa Rohrer

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

                                                                         

What's New

Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow Sweet Cuts
Sweet Cuts-Snow Friends
Trim The Tree
Sweet Cuts-Trim The Tree
Joy
Sweet Cuts-Joy
 

 

Thanks so much for dropping by today!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:   Bazzill

Punch:  Circle(SU), Heart Circle(EK)

Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Joy

          PTI:  Cover Plate:  Circles Die

Sequins:  Paper Sweeties:  Gold 

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

 

Copic Coloring...

Hi there!

I just wanted to share with you some copic coloring images from a class(Whimsical Faces and Hair) that I went to yesterday.  Debbie Olsen was the instructor and did a fantastic job presenting!  The class just flew by.  Time flies when you're having fun!  Anyways, I wanted to share the simple to more advanced images.  I'll even show you my throw away image...uh huh...it's not a keeper...hehehe!  So, here is the nonkeeper one...

I don't think I did well on the hair or the face.  After I returned home in the evening, I went to work and did the same image, but with different hair color.  I needed more practice with black hair and decided to spiff him up with his hair, vest, and pants.  And, here is that little guy...

Ok, you still with me?  Now on to an intermediate sample...

 

On this darling girl image, there is more shading and more definition.  I still need practice with the hair and did the hair and face on this one in class.  I finished her outfit last evening.  But, I do like the orange hair on her, which I'll have to try again some time.

Finally, the advanced samples...

 

This rad teen is listening to his music!  I didn't give him a lot of highlights either, but I think he looks ok as is.  Oh, I will point out one mistake that I did with him, but I fixed it while in class.  Debbie thought he needed more shading on the right side of his face.  When I went back to do more shading, the black evidently wasn't dry and it smeared.  So, I got out my 0.3 black liner pen and just drew a little more hair in that area.  Yeah, all was well with the image again!:-)

 

Ok, just one more!  Brace yourself 'cause she's a little beauty!  Not how I colored her even though I don't think I did too bad with her, but she's a beautiful image by Saturated Canary...

 

 

 





This is what I look like when I exercise...HA!:-)  Ok, friends, that's all for now. Thank you for viewing my copic samples here today!  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Maria

The Splendor of Autumn...

 

 

Hi there!

 

I was inspired to do a fall project to enter over at  The Shabby Tea Room.  Aren't those adorable pumpkins in the inspiration photo?  We were to make a project that was 3-D or a shaped card.  I made a shaped card...

 

 

Lots of Paper Sweetie goodies on this fall pumpkin card.  I started with a SU shaped circular card base and covered it with felt.  I colored Sophie with copics and die cut her using the coordinating die.  Her outfit is from the stamp set Giddy Up.  The sunflower and small pumpkins are from the set Stand Add-on: Fall Harvest.  The large pumpkin from the set Stand-Add-on: Scarecrow and coordinating die.  And, the sentiment is from the set The Splendor of Autumn.  The grass was made using the Paper Sweeties die Sweet Cuts-Thanks Snow Much.  The last two items used from Paper Sweeties is the Green Apple ribbon and the Gold sequins.

 

I'm sending this card out to my hair stylist, Candy.  She loves to garden and be outdoors with her flowers.  And, her birthday is next week.  I hope she will be pleased to receive this happy mail!  Ok, that's all I have for now friends.  Thanks so much for visiting here today!  Take care and have a great weekend!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  Basic Grey

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Sophie and coordinating die

                                          Giddy Up-outfit

                                          Stand Add-on: Fall Harvest-sunflower, pumpkins

                                          Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow-lg. pumpkin

                                          The Splendor of Autumn-sentiment

Seam Binding Ribbon:  Paper Sweeties:  Green Apple 

Sequins:  Paper Sweeties:  Gold

Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Sophie

                                      Sweet Cuts-Stand Add-on:  Scarecrow-lg. pumpkin

                                      Sweet Cuts-Thanks Snow Much-grass

Twine:  PTI

Stickles:  Tim Holtz-gold

Emboss Folder:  SU

Felt:  Taylored Expressions

Button, Burlap Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric



Grateful...

Hi there!

 

Just popping in quick to share a card I made for the Colour Me Card Challenge.  I'm getting just under the wire for the challenge.  I just couldn't resist with the lovely color palette!  I stamped the leaves with calypso coral ink and fussy cut them before placing them inside the gold embossed jar.  I added twine, metal pieces, and a beautiful Prima flower to finish off the card.  This card can be either a thank you or Thanksgiving card.  Either way, I like the final result. 

Here is my card...

 

 

 

Ok, that's all for now.  Hope you have a wonderful week!  Thanks so much for dropping by and take care!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  SU, Bo Bunny

Stamps:  SU-leaves, sentiment

               Jar-Inkadinkadoo

Gold Embossing Powder:Tim Holtz

Flower:Prima

Twine:  PTI

Metal pieces:  K&Company

Happy World Card Making Day!!!

Hi Friends!

Just popping in quick to wish you Happy World Card Making Day!  What are your plans on this awesome day?  I'll be with my crafty friend, Nancy, making cards...woohoo!  Several of us will be meeting to scrap or make cards.  I'll be working on Christmas cards.  Time is going way too fast and before you know it the snow will be flying...yikes!:-)  So, time to bring out the Christmas stamps, etc.  Ok, friends, whatever you have planned for today I hope you enjoy!  Take care!

Hugs,
Maria

Happy Fall Ya'll...

 

Hi Friends!

 

How are you on this fine Thursday evening?  I was inspired to make a fall card for the challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room!  Such pretty pumpkins in the inspiration photo.  And, I've seen many homes decorated around town with pumpkins and mum plants.  It really puts one in the mood for fall.  The peak fall colors will be seen here in NW Ohio October 16-22.  I'm looking forward to taking photos of the wonderful fall color.  Ok, now onto my card...

 

 

For my card, I started with a tan card base and paired it with Carta Bella papers.  I colored little Emma with copics and cut her out with coordinating die Sweet Cuts-Emma.  I paper pieced her outfit, which is from the stamp set The Splendor of Autumn.  The large pumpkins are from the set Stand Add-on Scarecrow, small pumpkins and leaves from set Stand Add-on Fall Harvest, and the sentiment and kite are from the set Happy Fall Ya'll.  Ribbon, twine, and dew drops to finish off the card.  Well, that's all for now.  Thanks so much for taking time out to view my card today!  Take care!

 

Hugs,

Maria

 

Supplies:

 

Paper:  SU, Carta Bella, Kraft Outlet

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Emma and coordinating die

                                          The splendor of Autumn(outfit)

                                          Stand Add-on Scarecrow(lg. pumpkins)

                                          Stand Add-on Fall Harvest(small pumpkins, leaves)

                                          Happy Fall Ya'll(sentiment, kite)

Die:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Emma

Ink:  SU, Memento-Rich Cocoa

Copics

Dew Drops-Gold

Ribbon:  Jo-Ann Fabric

Twine:  PTI

 

 

Paper Sweeties October Inspiration Challenge #24-'Happy Fall'

 

 

Hi there!

 

How are you?  I hope all is well in your crafting world!  This is my second post for the day.  Please scroll down to see my creation for Dies R Us.

 

And, here is my project for the challenge this month...

 

 

 

Today, is the start for another challenge at Paper Sweeties!  Isn't that a lovely inspiration  photo!  I just love those fall colors!  I was inspired to make a treat set and got out my Paper Sweeties Halloween stamps.  I colored Abigail with copics and used the coordinating die.  Her witch costume and broom are from the stamp set Best Witches!  The sweet little cat is from the stamp set Sweeties Pets.  The tags are from the stamp set Little Wishes with coordinating dies.  The fence die is from Sweet Cuts-Home Tweet Home.  And, the twine is Creamsicle.  So, have some fun creating a card or project for one lucky winner will be awarded a gift certificate for $20.  And, an invite to be guest designer for the following month!

 

Please follow the blog list below of my fellow teammates for some fabulous inspiration...have fun! 

 

 



                                                    Amber Kroening

Annette Allen

Annette Witherspoon

  Char Cundy

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

  Jeanne Jachna
Jinny Newlin

Kerin Sylvester

Kristi Schurr
Larissa Heskett   
 Lisa Elton
Lysa Rohrer

Maria Patrick--that's me

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

October Guest Designer: Nance Salkeld   

 

 

Thank you so much for taking time out to view my project today!  I hope to see your creation at the challenge site...happy creating!:-)

Hugs,
Maria


Supplies:

Paper:  Bazzill, Doodlebug
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties:  Abigail and coordinating die
                                           Best Witches-witch costume, broom
                                           Sweeties Pets-cat
                                           Little Wishes-Tags with coordinating dies 
Ink:  Memento:  Tuxedo Black
Dies:  Paper Sweeties:  Sweet Cuts-Home Tweet Home-fence
                                      Sweet Cuts-Abigail
                                      Sweet Cuts-Little Wishes
Emboss Folder:  Cuttlebug
Twine:  Paper Sweeties:  Creamsicle
Copics
Buttons, Rick Rack:  Jo-Ann Fabric
Test Tubes:  Martha Stewart
Clothes pins, paper clip:  Doodlebug