maria's craft room

Created By Courtney Challenge #41

Hi there!  It's time for the next CBC Challenge and this time Courtney's picked a beach-y theme:  "water, swimming, beach...beat the heat!"   So...of course I've had this bikini stamp just waiting for this week:)   And how ironic - as I'm putting this together this morning the sky outside is overcast and I swear I heard thunder rumbling through!

So outrun my raindrops and check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you may be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:  all Papertrey

Created By Courtney Challenge #40: Buttons!

Hi there!  Time for the next CBC challenge (remember, we're bi-weekly now) and this time the challenge is to use buttons.  How cool is that?!?  So much fun...hope you can join us;)

Check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you may be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

All supplies Papertrey except for Nesties and Nicole rhinestones that I colored with Copics.

 

CBC Challenge #39: A Day Late and a Dollar Short!

Hi there...major blushing going on here.  So you know how we CBC Chicks postponed our challenges for a while?  Ummm...they started up again.  Yesterday.  Yep.  Sigh.  My apologies to Courtney and the other Chicks.   Well, this week is a color challenge and can you believe it contains purple?!?  Argh.  I managed to get through with just the tiniest touches:)

Now check out what the other Challenge Chicks created (on time!):

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies: Ink, Cardstock, Paper, Stamps, Button, Ribbon and Twine:  all Papertrey

Other:  long rectangle Nesties and Copics

Created By Courtney Challenge #38: Inspired by...Mom!

Hello!  It's time for the next CBC challenge and this week Courtney's instruction was to find inspiration in people, whether it be loved ones or celebrities.  Since we just celebrated Mother's Day I went with the obvious...my Mom!  For as long as I can remember she's had violets in the house.  And one year (for work) she went on a trip to Paris and she brought back a length of Belgian lace for me.  (I hoarded that lace in my jewelry box for years but I'll be darned if I have any idea what finally happened to it!)  So here you have it...a card that uses violets, French and a lace-like stamp!

Now check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey true black and fresh snow

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white, lavender moon and kraft

Stamps:  Lockhart cupcake stamp, Papertrey Mega Mixed Messages and Background Basics:  Spots and Dots

Other:  Copic markers, clear Spica glitter marker, Nestabilites Labels One dies

Created By Courtney Challenge #37: Spring Flowers

Hi there!  It's time for the next CBC challenge and this week Courtney has chosen the April showers brings May flowers theme.  Ummmm.  Errrrr.  In my neck of the woods, April showers have only brought May showers!!!  So to inspire myself I pulled out my container of crocheted flowers and went to town. 

Check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream, ripe avocado and spring moss

Stamps:  Papertrey Tags for Spring

Other:  SEI buttons, Cuttlebug swiss dot embossing folder, Nestabilities & Spellbinders dies, Papertrey melon berry ribbon, crocheted flowers by Jewels

Created By Courtney Challenge #36

Hello!  Hope you're having a good day:)  It's time for the next CBC Challenge and this week Courtney's  picked a color challenge.  We're to use the colors regal rose, almost amethyst and certainly celery (or their equivalents).  I ended  

up digging out my pack of BasicGrey Euphoria papers and wouldn't you know it had a patterned sheet with all of the right colors?  LOVE when that happens:)  What do you think of the focal piece?  I took Papertrey's Fresh Alphabet set and did a twist on that jumbled alphabet idea...I put them in structured lines and snuck in a sentiment.  The biggest pain in the neck about the whole thing was carefully inking up the different sections of letters, but it's very doable so give it a try yourself!  

And check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

 

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate and hibiscus burst

Cardstock:  Papertrey select white and spring moss

Stamps:  Papertrey Fresh Alphabet

Other:  BasicGrey Euphoria paper, clear glaze pen (drew over the 'hello'), pearl drops from Stamping Bella and crocheted flowers made by Jewels

Created By Courtney Challenge #35: Use Your Brayer

Hi there!  This week's challenge is to use your brayer.  Um...I don't think I've ever actually used my brayer before:)  This was fun, though, so I encourage you to try it.  I stamped the flowers in white ink and then rolled two different inks on top.  That's it!

Now I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey fresh snow, new leaf, dark chocolate and aqua mist

Cardstock:  Papertrey white, aqua mist and kraft

Stamps:  Papertrey Little Lady

Other:  rubber brayer, Martha Stewart twine, distressing tool, Papertrey buttons

Created By Courtney Challenge #34: Toy Inspiration

Hi there!  First off, so sorry about the lighting for this photo - I was hoping to get a daylight shot and it's stinkin' dark and raining here this morning!  Anyhoo, this week Courtney  challenged us to be inspired by a child's favorite toy.  Since there are no children in this household (husbands don't count, right? :)  I went with what my niece, Luciana, likes.  Any and all of the Disney Princesses.  Oh my goodness I didn't realize how many there are these days!!  I couldn't pick one myself, but I just went with the princess gown idea and this is what I created.  I simply freehand cut some papers and added ribbon, lace and pearl beads.  Done! 

Now I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream and kraft, MME patterned paper

Stamps:  Papertrey mega mixed messages

Other:  adhesive pearl beads from Ellen Hutson's shop, Wrights Lace trim, ancient ribbon from my stash

Created By Courtney Challenge #33: Soda Can Tabs

  Hi there!  And yes, that's a Coke can tab on my ribbon.  Courtney went wild on this one and challenged us to make something using soda can tabs.  I ended up 'phoning a friend' to get ideas and one of my Canadian Loonies (who shall remain nameless for her own protection:) admitted that she's been collecting soda can tabs since grade school and has *gasp* thousands!  Needless to say, she was able to rattle off a few ideas and I went with the ribbon slide one since it only involved one tab.  After all, I had to actually go buy a can of soda and drink it to get the tab!  One of my favorite things about this card is the layered blossom.  It involves embossing, punching, one of Jewels' crocheted blossoms, a Papertrey button and Martha Stewart twine.  Love it!  Here's a closeup:   

Now I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey vintage cream and dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey vintage cream and kraft

Stamps:  Papertrey Polka Dot Basics and Everyday Classics

Other:  swiss dot Cuttlebug folder, Marvy flower punch, Martha Stewart twine, crocheted flower, Papertrey hibiscus burst button, May Arts ribbon, Coke can tab, patterned cardstock My Mind's Eye

Created By Courtney Challenge #32

 Hello...I'm back.  Thank you to everyone who's been emailing and calling and mailing beautiful cards.  (I even received a call from Canada!!!  I just about fell over when I answered the phone.  More on that in a separate post.)  I'm ok...I just...went into a bit of a funk.  I'm digging out now and I know this for certain because I re-organized my craft room last night.  As in moved furniture, etc.  Sometimes these funks happen to me...what can I say?  But thank God I'm coming out the other side!!  And there's no better time to return to posting than on a CBC Tuesday.  This week Courtney challenged us to alter a cigar box.  And she mailed all of us these cute, little cigarillo boxes:)  I went with the obvious and made it into a little purse.  Not much to this design...just add patterned paper, some twill for a handle and a stack of buttons for interest.

I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Paper (Papertrey Ink), Twill (Papertrey), Buttons (Papertrey and Buttons Galore), Glitter Bead (Jesse James), Cigarillo box (unknown)

Created By Courtney Challenge #31

Hi there!  How are you doing?  Things are much improved here...thank you for all of your kind comments about Deuce...and it's time for the next CBC challenge!  This week Courtney's chosen a color challenge and we're to use lavender, saffron, sage and blue.   

I went a little wild on you today!  I challenged myself to make a card without layers.  It's different:) 

I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  SU and Papertrey

Cardstock:  Papertrey

Stamps:  Papertrey

Other:  SU buttons

Created By Courtney Guest Designer Week #3

  *second post of the day...scroll down for my LSC!*

Hello again!  It's time for week three of my guest posts for Courtney  and her beautiful Easter Lily stamp set.  This week I wanted to focus on one of the sentiments and demonstrate how versatile this set is.  It's not just for Easter!  In fact, this is a birthday card I made for one of my co-workers.  Bet'cha didn't think you could get a birthday card out of an Easter lily set!!!  So get on over to Sweet 'n Sassy  and order this set for yourself:)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate

Cardstock:  Papertrey kraft, ocean mist and cream; SU cool caribbean

Stamps:  Easter Lily designed by Courtney Fowler and available @ S 'N S

Other:  Papertrey patterned paper, Nestabilities, Martha Stewart twill, SU linen thread, Papertrey button     

Created By Courtney Challenge #30

 Hi everyone!  It's time for the next CBC challenge and this week Courtney's chosen a sketch for us to use.  Considering that it's St. Patrick's Day and I'm Irish (seriously, I am!) I went with an Irish theme.   

 

I can't wait to check out what the other Challenge Chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Play along with us!  If you leave a link to your creation in the comments section under Courtney' s blog  you'll be eligible to win a prize :)  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink - Papertrey and Ranger; Cardstock - Papertrey; Stamps - Papertrey; Other - Prima blossoms, SU twine and Papertrey button and papers

Created By Courtney Challenge #29: Inspired By Nature

  Hi there!  It's time for the next CBC challenge and today it's 'be inspired by nature'.  And here's a fun twist:  this week's challenge is being sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  Look at that cute little bug - it's a digi stamp designed by Courtney herself!  So enter this week's challenge by linking your creation to Courtney's blog.  She'll pick a winner and the winner will receive a free digi stamp of their choice from Sweet 'n Sassy!

Check out what the other challenge chicks created:

Courtney    Dani    Holly    Kim    Maria   Sparkle    Risa 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Papertrey

Other:  SEI buttons, SU twine, Papertrey ribbon, October Afternoon paper

Introducing...Me! (LOL)

  Hi there!  Can you believe that my friend Courtney  asked me to be a guest designer for her?!?  Really, we need to question that girl's judgement!!  Seriously, though, I am very honored that she would ask me to help showcase her beautiful new stamp set, Easter Lily.  I've had lots of time to play with this set and I can attest to its versatility.  Easter, Mother's Day, spring...Courtney even included a sympathy sentiment!  Go check it out and buy it here  at Sweet 'n Sassy.  (And if you've never purchased from SNS before, let me assure you that the customer service is fan-tas-tic!) 

As for this card, I wanted so badly to do Courtney proud.  I colored the main image with Copics and then highlighted the darker pink with a pink Spica glitter marker.  The background cardstock was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and then the edges sponged with white ink.  Most everything else is pretty obvious:)  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'll have a guest designer post every Friday this month...and my regular Loonie Stamper's post will be up later today.  Can you believe I'm going to be late to post for my own Loonie week?  Here's a hint of what's to come:  I picked butterflies for the theme!

Until next time...M

Supplies:

Ink:  Papertrey dark chocolate, fresh snow;  Ranger antique linen distress ink

Cardstock:  Papertrey kraft and select white;  SU cranberry crisp

Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Easter Lily (designed by Courtney Fowler!)

Other:  May Arts ribbon, American Crafts brads, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Basic Grey Bittersweet paper, Copic and Spica markers