Day of the Dead with Kindred Stamps

| marialrussell

Hello everyone!  This week, the Kindred Stamps is super busy with the September product release.  The entire Kindred Stamps September release will be available on Friday, September 21 at 8 am PST/11 am EST.  Be sure to check out the Kindred Stamps blog on Friday for the full product release as well as the complete line up of all the Kindred Stamps Design Team projects from release week! If you visit and comment on all of the designers’ blogs this week, you could win $15 in Kindred Stamps shop credit! So join the Fan Club and event, show the design team some love, and get ready to empty those wallets this Friday!

 

For my projects today, I am showcasing the Day of the Dead 4 x 6 stamp set.  I’ve always loved the Day of the Dead images.  For some reason, the colorful banners, sugar skulls and flowers cheer me up.  I think this is probably because of my Latin blood.

 

I started out by cutting an A2 size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock.  I used my circle punch to cut a masking paper and applied it on my card stock.  I inked up my background with some distress oxide inks, i.e. Seedless Preserves, Blueprint Sketch, Black Soot, Spiced Marmalade and Wild Honey.   I smooshed some white paint on an acrylic block and added a few drops of water, then used my watercolor brush to splatter some white paint on my colored background.  I let this piece dry for about half an hour, before die-cutting it with my Stitched Scallop Rectangle die.

 

I adhered the middle piece of the colored card stock onto my card base.  I used my liquid glue to add a piece of acetate and also added some foam adhesive to my frame to create my well to hold my shaker element.

 

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I used some light colored sequins as my shaker element and adhered the frame on my card base.

 

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I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the images in with my Copic markers.  I fussy-cut the images with my precision scissors.  I adhered these images onto my card.

 

To finish my design, I stamped the sentiment on black card stock and heat-embossed this piece with white embossing powder  Here’s my shaker card:

 

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Isn’t this stamp set so adorable?  This card is so cheerful and is also perfect for Halloween.  Here’s a closer look:

 

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That little dog is the cutest ever!   I think the sentiment I used is perfect for this card.

 

For my second card, I stamped the images on some Bristol smooth white card stock and also cut a masks to cover the images.  I adhered the masks onto the images and I used my clouds stencil to ink up my background.   I removed the masks and colored my images in with Copic markers.  Here is the second card:

 

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I LOVE all of the pop-culture stamps by Kindred Stamps!  I think the images are proportionately sized for an A2 size card.  You can also used these stamps creating a scrapbook layout.  They are also perfect to use for your planners or traveling journals.  Here’s a little close-up:

 

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I hope you like my projects today.  Please visit Kindred Stamps to purchase the stamp set I used today.  Happy crafting!

 

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Put On A Tutu & Twirl with CAS-ual Fridays

| marialrussell

Hello CAS-ual Fridays fans! I’m back today with a simple inspirational card, showcasing the Tutu stamp set.

Tutu Stamp Set

I started out with some Bristol smooth white card stock and inked in up with Squeezed Lemonade and Wild Honey distress oxide inks.  I blended the colors together and sprayed it with water using my distress spray bottle.  I dabbed it dry with paper towel.

I used a snowflake stencil from my stash and applied my Nuvo Glimmer paste using my palette knife.  I let it dry for about half an hour.

I stamped my little ballerina with my Jet Black ink and colored the image with my Copic markers.  I fussy-cut the image with my scissors and adhered this piece with some foam adhesive.

I just LOVE the sparkly effect of the glimmer paste taking on the color underneath.  I finished my design my stamping my sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.  Here’s a little close-up:

I added some sparkling clear jewels on my little ballerina too.  I am giving this card to a friend of mine.  Her granddaughter is now taking ballet lessons and I think she’s going to love this card.

I hope you like my card today.  Don’t forget to use my coupon code below for 15% off your order.  Also check out the retiring stamps sale because once they are gone, it will not be restocked anymore.

Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting!

STAMPtember Collaboration with Simon Says Stamp and Newton’s Nook Designs

| marialrussell
NNDStamptemberLogo
Today Newton’s Nook Designs is featured on the Simon Says Stamp site with an EXCLUSIVE stamp set that was designed just for the 2018 STAMPtember celebration! You can purchase the new Hello Beautiful Stamp Set and coordinating die sets today at Simon Says Stamp.  Remember, these items are ONLY available through Simon Says Stamp while supplies last!
Today I am sharing two projects I created using this stamp set.  Here’s what they look like
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I started out by stamping my images on some smooth white card stock and I colored them in with my Copic markers.  I fussy-cut the image with my precision scissors.  For my first card below, I also used the Everglade Collage Wafer Dies by Simon Says Stamp and an older stamp set by Newton’s Nook called Newton’s Autumn.  I stamped the leaves on some white card stock, colored them in with my Copic markers and die cut the leaves using the coordinating dies.  I adhered the leaves on my collage frame.
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I cut an A2 size piece of some Bristol Smooth white card stock and inked it up with Tumbled Glass distress oxide ink.  I used my Darice Cats embossing folder to add some cute texture to this colored background.  I die-cut some white card stock with the Everglade Collage Wafer Dies and adhered this piece onto my colored and embossed background.
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I assembled my card by adhering my foreground to my card base.  Here’s my first card:
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I couldn’t help but add that cute bow from my all-time favorite Pines & Holly die set by Newton’s Nook Designs.  Here’s a little close-up:
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Also added some blue enamel dots from my stash and used my white gel pen to add more details to the card to finish the design.  Here’s another look:
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For my second card, I created a simple one-layer birthday card using the cute images from the stamp set.
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I added the balloons from the Fabulous Frenchie stamp set by Newton’s Nook.  Here’s a little close-up:
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Also used my white gel pen to add more details to the little pups and to the balloons to give it a whimsical touch.  To finish my design, I used glossy accents to make the balloons shine!
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I hope you like my projects today.  Please visit Simon Says Stamp to purchase this exclusive stamp set.  Thank you for stopping by and happy crafting!
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Happy Thanksgiving with Newton’s Nook

| marialrussell

Hello again Newton’s Nook fans!  Did you manage to hop along with the team last week for the September product release?  They are available at the shop now.  Which one was your favorite?  To be honest, I can’t really pick one!

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For my project today, I am showcasing the Newton’s Thanksgiving stamp set and coordinating dies.

Since this card is all about Thanksgiving, I wanted to create a fall scene today.  I started by stamping the image on some smooth white card stock and colored it in with my Copic markers.   I will also be inking up my Bristol smooth white card stock with some distress oxide inks.

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I inked up my background with Tumbled Glass and Tattered Rose distress oxide inks.  I have been LOVING this color-combo lately  for a fall sky.  I used vintage photo distress oxide to splatter some dots on my background, and blotted it dry with my paper towel.  I used a scallop die from my stash to cut a position of this card stock to create a little window.

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I adhered my colored background onto my card base and inlaid the frame.  I added some fun elements to create my fall scene.

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To finish my design, I added the “happy” sentiment from a die that I have from my stash with some foam adhesive.  Also used my white gel pen to add some interest to the card.  Here’s a close-up:

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I completely ADORE this stamp set.  If you haven’t picked it up yet, please visit the shop before they sell out.

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I hope you like my card and got inspired.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Happy crafting!

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BOO Halloween Shaker Card with Toil & Trouble stamp set

| marialrussell

Fall is my favorite season and it is that time of the year when I start creating Halloween cards to send to my friends.  Is orange the new pink during Halloween? haha!  I’m back today with this very simple Halloween shaker card, showcasing the Toil & Trouble stamp set with matching dies.  This stamp set was released last year but they are still available at the shop.

 

I started out by stamping my cat image on some white card stock using shades of gray and black inks.  Even though this image has a coordinating die, I went ahead to fussy-cut the image.

 

I die-cut and dry-embossed some white card stock with an embossing folder from my stash.  The middle part cuts out so I colored those pieces with my Copic markers.  I adhered this piece onto my card base, and added some 6 mm Black Flat Flower Sequins and Metallic Silver Solid Star Confetti with my Nuvo Craft Spoon.

 

 

 

I adhered some acetate and added foam adhesive to create my shaker well.  I adhered my embossed card panel onto my card base.

 

 

To finish my design I adhered the cat and added the Witch’s hat and the black bats, then stamped the sentiment next to the cat.   I also added some color to the cat’s ears with my Copic markers.  Here’s a little close-up:

 

 

I love the simplicity of this card.  I also used my white gel pen to add some details to the witches hat.  I love how this card turned out.

 

 

I hope you like my project today.  Please don’t forget to use my coupon code “MARIA10” for 10% off your order at the shop.  I would also be very grateful if you could click on the items I listed below to purchase the products I used today.  Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

 

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Forever Friends with Kindred Stamps

| marialrussell

Maria here on the blog today with this cute fall card featuring the Forest Friends stamp set.  I absolutely adore the images on this set.  They are perfectly sized for an A2 size card.

To start, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I fuzzy-cut the images with my precision scissors.

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I cut another A2 size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock and inked it up with my distress oxide inks using my mini ink blending tools.  I used Tumbled Glass and Tattered Rose.  I smooshed my Vintage photo distress oxide ink onto an acrylic block, sprayed it with water and used my watercolor brush to spritz the color on my background.

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I die-cut the white frame, trees and the label die to start assembling my card.  I adhered the frame first with some foam adhesive.  I added the rest of the elements to decorate the card.  To finish my design, I stamped the sentiment onto my card.

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This Forest Friends stamp set is so versatile.  I think you can also use these images to create a cute Christmas card.  Here’s another look:

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I hope you like my card today.  Please visit Kindred Stamps to purchase the Forest Friends stamp set that I used today.  If you are also into pop-culture stamps, Kindred has a ton of them available at the shop.  Thanks for stopping by and have a nice day!

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Newton’s Nook Designs September Release – Day 4

| marialrussell

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It is the last day of the September reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.   Were you able to check out the first three days of the reveal?   Which one is your favorite so far?  You have a chance to win each stamp set during release week so check out the details I have indicated at the end of this blog post.  [Just a little important note:  I know some of you had difficulties finding the comments section.  If you would like to leave a comment to participate in the giveaway, the “comments section” will only be ever visible when a single post on Word Press is being viewed. Please click on this particular blog post and you will be able to leave a comment below.  Thank you!]  

For the last day of the reveal the design team is showcasing one 4 x 6 stamp set and TWO mini stamps and dies – the Thankful Thoughts stamp set, Tea-Rex stamp set and coordinating die and the Slothy Coffee stamp set and coordinating die.  The “slothy” cracks me up!  What a perfect name for this stamp set!

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This is going to be a long blog post since we are featuring three stamp sets today so please be patient 🙂

I cut an A2 size piece of Bristol Smooth white card stock and inked up my background using some sponge daubers and the new Pumpkin Patch stencil.  I used Wild Honey and Mowed Lawn distress oxide inks.

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This stencil is so cute and a definite must-have for fall projects!  This stencil will also be perfect to use on a scrapbook layout!

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I used an oval die to die-cut the window on my card base.  I also used the same oval dies to die-cut an oval frame for my card.  I covered my inked up background with some vellum and adhered the frame with some foam adhesive.   I die-cut the leaves and acorn using the Autumn leaves die set to adorn my card.

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To finish my design, I stamped the sentiment using the Thankful Thoughts stamp set with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.  Here’s a little close-up:

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I love the details on the Autumn Leaves.  I colored the leaves with distress oxide inks and the acorn with my Copic markers.

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For my other projects I colored the images once again with my Copics.  For the tags, I used the Fancy Edges Tag die set.

I stamped the background with Fog ink.  The coffee cup is from Newton Loves Coffee stamp set and Spooky Street stamp set.

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This tag will go with a gift set that I am sending to a friend of mine who loves drinking tea.  I think it is so adorable!

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Here’s my Slothy coffee card:

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Here’s a cute tag with the Slothy Coffee again.

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Whew!  I am now going to make myself a cup of coffee!  That’s it for today!  I hope you like my projects.  Would you like to win the “Thankful Thoughts”  Stamp Set?  We will choose ONE lucky winner to WIN this stamp set!

Here’s how to win:

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team blogs (see list below)! The winner will be chosen at random from the collective reveal posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday September 13th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 14th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Amanda Bodine

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Zsofia Molnar

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-


Newton’s Nook Designs September Release – Day 3

| marialrussell

NNDSEPTReleaseIcon2_Sept18

It is the third day of the September reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.   Were you able to check out the first two days of the reveal?   Which one is your favorite so far?  You have a chance to win each stamp set during release week so check out the details I have indicated at the end of this blog post.  [Just a little important note:  I know some of you had difficulties finding the comments section.  If you would like to leave a comment to participate in the giveaway, the “comments section” will only be ever visible when a single post on Word Press is being viewed. Please click on this particular blog post and you will be able to leave a comment below.  Thank you!]  

For the third day, the design team is showcasing the Harvest Tails stamp set and Harvest Tails Coordinating dies.  This stamp set is one of my TOP 5 favorite stamp sets of all time! Just look at all the adorable images on this set?  My favorite is the deer and the squirrel!  Ahhh! Can it get any cuter?  I don’t know how Jennifer keeps coming up with AMAZING designs!  It’s like Christmas for the design team, every month!

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I know this sounds redundant but I stamped the images again using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them in with Copic markers.  I die cut the images using the coordinating dies.

I inked up my background using Tumbled Glass and Tattered Rose distress oxide inks!  I wanted to create a soft-colored background to make my images pop!  I splattered some Vintage photo onto my colored background and blotted it dry with my paper towel.   I die-cut the rest of the elements to create my scene.

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To create a little bit of contrast to the white pumpkins and soft colored background, I added an orange pumpkin and also adorned the birch trees with orange leaves from the Autumn Newton stamp set.   I finished my design by stamping the sentiment using Memento Rich Cocoa Ink.  Here’s a little close-up:

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Don’t you just love that adorable squirrel holding a pile of acorns?  The deer image is sooo cute with the white pumpkins!   This stamp set is so versatile, you can also use it for Christmas by masking the pumpkins and replace it with some presents.  The possibilities are endless with this stamp set.  Here’s another look:

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For my second project, I wanted to create a tag that will go with a gift that I am sending to a friend of mine.  I used the Fancy Edges Tag die set  and the bow is from the Pines & Holly die set.

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I colored the tag with some spiced marmalade distress oxide inks and stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.

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I hope you like my card today.  Would you like to win the “Harvest Tails”  Stamp Set?  We will choose ONE lucky winner to WIN this stamp set!

Here’s how to win:

Comment on the NND blog and Design Team blogs (see list below)! The winner will be chosen at random from the collective reveal posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday September 13th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, September 14th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Amanda Bodine

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Zsofia Molnar

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-

Birthday Fishes – Underwater Scene with Copic Markers

| marialrussell

Print

 

Hello MFT fans!  I am back today with this underwater scene card using stamps by My Favorite Things for the 2018 Card Design Superstar contest.  I finally summoned up some courage to “freehand” my background and I thought I was going to hurl!  Haha!   I am so very thankful to MFT for this contest because they encourage us all to join and get out of our comfort zone, whether you are a beginner or an expert!  I am certainly a beginner when it comes to drawing/coloring my own scene.  I had second thoughts about joining since this is a tough competition.  Just looking at all the other entries make me nervous but I thought I’d go ahead and try anyway.

 

I only have a few MFT dies and stamps with me to get by since I have just packed up my entire studio and shipped it back to my home in Orlando, FL about a month ago.  However, that will not stop me from joining the contest!   This card entry is for the Coloring Virtuoso category.

 

I envisioned a design in my head and started drawing my background with different Copic markers on some Neenah 110 lb. white card stock.  I layered different colors of blue, blue green and lilac Copics to create my water scene.  I also drew some seaweeds with different green and yellow Copic markers and mixed it up a little with brown.  To draw the sand, I used Earth tones – E40, E41, E43, E44.

 

I stamped my images with MFT Black Licorice Hybrid ink using the BB Gill Friends stamp set and Beach Buds stamp set.  I colored them in with Copic markers and fussy-cut them with my precision scissors.  I adhered them onto my card base with liquid adhesive.

 

To finish my design, I used my Colorless blender to create bubbles on the water and stamped my sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.  I also used my Sakura white gel pen to add more details to the fishes.

 

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I was so nervous creating this background but I absolutely LOVE how this card turned out!  The images on both stamp sets can be mixed and matched to create a wonderful scene.   Here’s another look:

 

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Doesn’t this card make you want to go snorkeling in the Maldives?  That crab wearing the sunglasses is just adorable!

 

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I hope you like my card today!  I’d like to take this moment to THANK MFT Stamps for this great opportunity and for keeping us motivated to get out of our comfort zone!  Good luck to everyone playing along!  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Happy crafting!

 

MFT Supplies Used: