maria's craft room

Loonie Stampers Challenge #54: Foiled!

Hi there!  It's finally here - my next LSC turn.  As you can see, I picked aluminum foil.  Use it any way you like:  crumple it up and use it to stamp a background...die cut it...emboss it...distress it...use it as a trim...whatever your little heart desires:)  I went an easy route and used liquid glue to adhere foil to a square of white cardstock.  Then I just ran it through my Big Shot with an embossing folder.  Wham!  Oh...I did try sanding it down afterwards to get a 'brushed' effect going.  All I succeeded in doing was creating a pile of dust on my craft desk.  I think it might still be there:)  Big thanks to Wendy's daughter for creating this week's graphic...she saved the day!

And I really can't wait to go see what the other Loonies created:

   Char   Dee   Jewels   Regan   Wendy

Play along!  Link up your creation to the comments section under any of our blogs...we love to come visit you!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

All Papertrey except Nesties, Cuttlebug folder, SU ribbon and a piece of Reynolds Wrap foil.

Sleepy Shabby

Hi there!  Hope your day is going well so far:)  Thought I'd share another of my 'sleepy' cards with you today.  You know...when my caffeinated eyes wouldn't let my poor, tired body get any rest.  Well...I did this.  Is it shabby?  Is it just sleepy?  Can I call it recycling because I'm using text from a book I rescued from the library's trash?  Eh...it's just a card, right?!!  I started with the Prima because I'd challenged myself to start using some of the 10 million in my stash and then it went from there.  The positive news is that those bluish primas pair nicely with the new Enchanted Evening shade of blue from Papertrey (the button).  So maybe...just maybe...I'll be able to use up some more of those Primas in the future;)  And check it out...I used some black rhinestones on there.  Am I trendy or what?!?  *snort*  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:  I'm late to work.  Eeek!

Nurse's Birthday

  Hello there!  Hope you're doing well.  I have something a bit unusual to share with you today.  This was my first attempt (ever) at a gatefold card.  It's the thought that counts, right?  *wink*  Our school nurse is celebrating a birthday this week and I was asked to do up a card for her.  So I did my usual and thought about it for a bit and then it hit me - blue and white and bandages!  Most everything about the card is obvious except for the bandage closures.  I bought clear band aids and adhered them to white cardstock.  Then I secured the left sides to the card using glue dots.  The right side of the bandages are secured using BasicGrey card magnets.  I just hid one piece under the blue cardstock and adhered the other piece to each band aid.  Done!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white; unknown blue from my stash

Other:  Band Aid brand clear bandages, Cuttlebug embossing folder, BasicGrey card magnets

Sunday Afternoon

 Hi everyone.  Hope you're doing well.  It's a slooooow Sunday around these parts.  The weather is cold and rainy and I've not accomplished a heck of a lot.  I did make a nice lunch and bake a banana bread...from scratch, of course.  I'll have to let you know if it's any good.  And I cleaned out and re-organized a few kitchen cabinets.  Well, that was more out of necessity than anything else.  And would you believe that the husband is already making noises about wondering what we'll have for dinner?  Sheesh!  Anyhow, today's card is what I'll call a 'clean up' card.  I straightened my workspace a little last night and tried to use up some of the scraps and bits I'd accumulated.  When I found the embossed cardstock I figured I'd just go with it and do another love card.  Being the goofball that I am, I hummed the Love Boat theme the entire time I worked on this!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey kraft and berry sorbet; Papertrey Polkadot Parade paper

Stamps:  Papertrey Trajan Monogram

Other:  Papertrey spring moss ribbon, SEI and Hero Arts buttons, embroidery floss, Cuttlebug embossing folder

You Had Me At Hello

  Hi there!  Happy Monday to you.  Last night I gave myself another challenge:  make a card without layers.  Well...this is what happened.  As you can see I pulled out my swiss dot embossing folder again.  Truth be told it never leaves my countertop.  I was just telling a friend of mine the other day that for me it's like the little black dress of papercrafting!  This card was fairly quick and easy:  stamp the blooms and centers across the bottom, emboss, wrap in ribbon and add the sentiment.  Done!  Of course, once the card was finished I started hearing that line from that Tom Cruise/Renee Zellweger movie in my head...and then I started hearing Lionel Ritchie singing and then I started hearing David Cook singing his version of 'Hello'.  And now I'm wondering if I'm truly over my little crush on David Cook.  Hmmmm...maybe I'll break down and buy his CD after all!!!  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey ripe avocado, spring rain and dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white

Stamps:  Papertrey Mixed Messages and Beautiful Blooms

Other:  Papertrey ripe avocado ribbon, cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder

Loonie Stampers Challenge #14: Take Two

  Hello!  Yes, it bothered me that much that I didn't get the challenge details right.  I tried again!  Thank you to everyone for your kind comments...they truly did make me feel tons better about my design mishap.  This attempt features the same linen vellum base plus an additional layer of vellum that was run through with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I rubbed a dark chocolate inkpad over the textured layer (and blotted the excess ink with a tissue...softens the effect) and then wrapped the whole thing in ribbon.  Check out the blossoms - the bottom layer is velvet and the top is one of the 'new' Prima woodlands hydrangea blossoms.  They coordinate with both spring moss and ripe avocado...how cool is that?  Well I'm off to continue cleaning.  And I'm baking and cooking, too.  The trifecta!  How does baked manicotti, homemade meatballs, salad and red velvet cake with buttercream frosting sound to you?  Yum.  And I'm so stinkin' excited it's Saturday...I'll be up crafting tonight and listening to my favorite radio program.  Whoo hoo!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey linen vellum

Other:  Cuttlebug embossing folder, Maya Road velvet blossom, Prima hydrangea blossom, Foof-a-la button, hemp twine, Papertrey summer sunrise ribbon

Tag Card

  Hi there and good morning!  Did you have a good Tuesday?  We visited with family, ran errands, I read two books (Debbie Macomber's latest holiday book is cute)...and I went to bed early.  As in 8pm.  Why does it feel so decadent to climb into bed early when you don't have to?  And with clean sheets.  Ahhhh.  Nothing like the first sleep on a set of clean sheets.  Speaking of clean, here's a simple holiday card I put together the other day using Papertrey's new tag collection stamp set.  And some of that new BasicGrey wassail paper!   I picked up the 6x6 pad and I'm in love with those papers.  And I'm guessing you noticed I'm posting in the morning?  For several reasons I'll be doing morning posts from here on out.  (But I'll still be creating at night!)  As always, thanks for stopping by.  Off to work!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate; SU craft white

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, pure poppy and kraft; BasicGrey wassail collection paper

Stamps:  Papertrey 2008 Holiday Tag Collection

Other:  swiss dot cuttlebug folder, distressing tool, blue and pink Marvy circle punches and martha stewart twill ribbon

Special Delivery

  Good morning!  I was so tired from staying up super late to watch election returns Tuesday night that I fell asleep on the couch right after dinner last night!  And, of course, do you think anyone gave me a nudge to send me up to bed?  Sheesh.  Anyhow, here's a super quick post to share with you.  I have a few baby showers to attend in the coming months and so I thought I'd get a bit of a head start...for once!  Off to work now, but I'll add in the details tonight when I add something new to share.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Created By Courtney Challenge #12

  Good morning!  Well here's my news:  I'm now a Created By Courtney Challenge Chick!  I am so thrilled that Courtney asked me to join her challenge team.  Although *blushing* I accidentally slept in today and I'm a little late posting this.  Today's challenge was a color challenge and we're to incorporate the colors brilliant blue, rose red and always artichoke.  I interpreted those into the corresponding Papertrey colors of ocean tides, berry sorbet and ripe avocado.  I used Papertrey's Guidelines stamp set to create the pattern and then I 'quilted' it using the argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder.  To give it a little bit of an older feel I sponged the edges with antique linen distress ink.  And - big gasp - I left my buttons naked.  I am such the rebel, no?

 

Here's a closeup of the quilting...or my attempt at giving you a closeup.  My niece played with the buttons of my camera a couple of weeks ago and I still haven't been able to get my settings corrected.  Here's hoping inspiration strikes and I read the instruction manual!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll be adding links to the other challenge chicks in the sidebar right after I post this so please visit them to see the wonderful items they created. 

 

And please play along with us!  Just leave a link in the comments below. 

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate, berry sorbet, ripe avocado, ocean tides; Ranger antique linen distress ink

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white and ripe avocado

Stamps:  Papertrey Guidelines and Quilter's Sampler Sentiments

Other:  Foofala buttons, Papertrey ribbon, argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder

Sunday Evening

  Hello!  Hope you had a great weekend.  It's been a little busier than normal around here...birthday parties for nieces/nephews on both sides of our family.  Consequently I've had to pull out my final 'unposted' project to be able to share something tonight.  Sheesh.  It's like emptying the crafting savings account!!!  This is a little thank you card I was asked to make for a woman who works at the hospital with my sister.  I was thrilled to find out that she was interested in pinks, chocolate and polka dots.  It was SUCH a stretch for me! *wink*  I started with a select white base, embossed the sweet blush layer and then added the focal piece.  I cut and embossed the dark chocolate layer with a Nestie, wrapped it with May Arts ribbon and added the little onsie that I cut out of berry sorbet stock.  I added the 'B' to it, traced the edges with a blush blossom marker and highlighted the 'snaps' with a stardust glitter pen.  The sentiment is a Lockhart stamp I had rolling around in a basket and I should share that I stamped it in dark chocolate ink onto the sweet blush layer prior to running it through with the swiss dot embossing folder.  I tried a version where I stamped it after and ...no go.    Oh my.  I can't believe another work week is about to start.  I didn't even get to clean the house this weekend!  (eh...when do I ever rush to do that, anyway?)  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, sweet blush, berry sorbet and dark chocolate

Stamps:  Papertrey Bitty Baby Blessings, Simple Alphabet; Lockhart sentiment

Other:  May Arts ribbon, swiss dot Cuttlebug embossing folder, small rectangle Nestabilities, stardust glitter pen, SU blush blossom marker

Loonie Stampers Challenge #12

  Hi there!  It's time for the next Loonie Stampers Challenge and guess what?  It's my turn to choose the parameters!  I decided to add a theme to the usual color inspiration and went with dark chocolate, berry sorbet, sweet blush, pure poppy and lots of L-O-V-E.  Isn't this graphic from Jewels incredible?  As always, it's not a requirement to use Papertrey products...simply substitute with whatever you have.  Play along with us Loonies and add a link to your creation in the comments below!

      

 

I started with a base of dark chocolate.  Check out that adorable Moose!  Regan sent me a bunch of images and this guy was in the packet.  Somehow his  look seemed a little amorous to me, so I added the sentiment from Papertrey's Mailbox Greetings set.  Some embossing, distressing and ribbon round out the rest of the cast of characters.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Check out the other Loonies:

Char, Dee, Jewels, Regan and Wendy

Hope you're able to play along!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, sweet blush, berry sorbet, pure poppy and dark chocolate

Stamps:  Papertrey Mailbox Greetings, moose from a CHF set by Kim Hughes

Other:  Papertrey berry sorbet and pure poppy dotted satin ribbons, Cuttlebug hearts embossing folder, distressing tool, SU close to cocoa and creamy caramel markers, Copic W1 marker (outline)

Framed Shower Gift

 Hi there!  I know, I know...I'm posting during Game 1 of the World Series.  Sigh.  The Phillies have led the whole time but they've stranded more men on base than I can count and committed some really irritating errors.  It's going to be a Philly win:  ugly and tough.  Be glad you're not in my family room right now!  Well, wait a minute.  If you were here I'd get to show off this shower gift I made tonight.  One of the teachers at school is having twin boys and her shower is tomorrow.  I'm still playing with my new papers and colors of cardstock from Papertrey.  How cute are these polkadots? 

The frame is 6" x 8" and I made the focal piece (ripe avacado layer) to be 4" x 6".  I stitched the avocado layer on with my Sew Mini and yes, I'm still fine with the fact that the tension is wrong.  It's been broken since day one but hey...I think it adds some interest.  The aqua mist layer is 3.5" x 5.5" and I ran that through my Big Kick with the swiss dot Cuttlebug embossing folder and then distressed the edges.  (Hello Di from Australia!!)  Next up I added the onesies that I stamped in black ink onto the Ocean Tides stock.  Hard to see, but I used a stardust glitter pen to highlight the snaps at the bottom.  The names were stamped in black ink using the Simple Alphabet set, and the sentiment is from Bitty Baby Blessings (same as the onesies) and was stamped in black ink on select white cardstock.  The ribbon is spring moss and I added the Making Memories safety pins for fun.  Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Until next time...Go Phillies!

M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU basic black

Cardstock:  All Papertrey:  select white, ripe avocado, aqua mist, ocean tides, polkadot paper

Stamps:  Papertrey Bitty Baby Blessings, Simple Alphabet

Other:  swiss dot Cuttlebug embossing folder, sewing machine, distressing tool, Papertrey spring moss ribbon, stardust glitter pen, Making Memories safety pins

Golden Trees

  Hello!  Is it Friday yet?!?  Whoo!  I'm still plugging away at creating my supply of cards for the craft fair.  Tonight's card is a design I came up with after work today.  It's pretty simple, really.  I embossed a piece of Papertrey select white stock using a Cuttlebug folder, dragged my gold inkpad over it and swiped the edges, too.  Then I mounted it to a select white card base and added the sentiment piece.  Done!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Staz On black; Encore gold

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white; SU brushed gold

Stamps:  Papertrey Merry & Bright

Other:  SU large oval punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Kristina's Color Inspiration #19

Hi everyone!  Kristina has issued her newest color inspiration challenge and for the first time in a long time I actually feel comfortable with the colors.  Whoo hoo!  You can double-click on her graphic to the left to see a larger version of the inspiration piece.  The colors to use this time are basic black, basic gray, whisper white and - my favorite - add a color of your choice.

My newest Papertrey order arrived yesterday afternoon so of course I just had to use Heather Nichol's Rustic Branches set.  I began by using the largest of the small rectangle Nestabilities to cut and emboss the white stock.  I stamped the wreath and sentiment in basic black and colored in the leaves with a SU basic gray marker.  The berries were stamped with Papertrey's newest color, pure poppy.  And check out the twill ribbon!  I am going to be in love with this color for quite some time!  To balance the design I added two score lines at the bottom of the basic black layer.  Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU basic black; Papertrey pure poppy

Cardstock:  SU basic black, basic gray; Papertrey select white

Stamps:  Papertrey's Rustic Branches

Other:  SU basic gray marker, small rectangle Nestabilities, Scor-Pal, Papertrey's pure poppy twill ribbon

Trajan Monogram...'M'

Hi everyone!  Tonight I thought I'd share a simple little monogrammed set I made for ...someone.  It's supposed to be for someone other than myself, but the longer I have these in my grubby hands the more I want to keep them.  How silly is that?  Anyway, I decided to hop on board the 'monogram craze train'.  I don't have any of the latest and greatest monogram stamping tools, but I do have Papertrey's Trajan Monogram stamp set and a 1" circle punch.  And check out the ribbon - it's some of Martha's.  I have been so good lately, just walking past her displays at my local craft store.  But when my eye caught on the chocolate edged ribbons...well...you know how I am about chocolate.

The base is sweet blush, and the main layer is spring moss that was run through with the swiss dot embossing folder.  I decided not to sew or distress the edges because I think the intended recipient would prefer clean lines.  The flowers are Prima Forever Flowers and I added liquid pearl to the center of each.  The monogram was stamped in dark chocolate onto vintage cream stock and then punched with a 1" SU circle punch.  And the edges?  I finally broke down and bought some distress ink.  I was such a fool for not getting this sooner!  I used the direct-to-paper technique with Ranger's antique linen ink.  Love it!  Can't wait to use it on a million other things.  I'm not sure if that's a promise or a threat...

 

And if you'll indulge me, I want to share that one of my entries for Papertrey's August Guest Star Stamper competition was selected by Nichole for honorable mention in the 'best use of set released before June 2008' category.  Yes, I'm pretty darn happy.  It was this card - remember it?  I combined Paper Tray (their first set) with Text Boxed to create the flowers.  Happy dance...happy dance.  Just be grateful you can't actually see my happy dance.  It's not pretty!  Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Until next time...M

 

Supplies (monogrammed set):

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate, Ranger antique linen distress ink

Cardstock:  Papertrey sweet blush, spring moss and vintage cream

Stamps:  Papertrey Trajan Monogram

Other:  Martha Stewart ribbon, SU 1" circle punch, liquid pearls, Prima forever flowers, swiss dot Cuttlebug embossing folder