Author: marialrussell

Happy Valentine’s Day Card with Cas-ual Fridays

| marialrussell

Hello CFS fans! Maria here on the blog with you today, sharing a Valentine’s Day shaker card, showcasing the Hearts A2 Panel Fri-die and the sentiment is from the Love Notes stamp set.

To begin, I started off ink-blending a rainbow background on Bristol smooth white card stock with Distress Oxide inks in Mustard Seed, Ripe Persimmon, Worn Lipstick, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves.

I die-cut my ink-blended panel with the Hearts A2 Panel Fri-die.  I adhered some acetate sheet on this piece and added foam adhesive to create my shaker panel.

I added some rainbow confetti dots as my shaker element and adhered the panel on top of an A2-size black card base.

I stamped the sentiment on a black strip with versamark ink and sprinkled some white embossing powder.  I used my heating tool to heat emboss the sentiment and adhered this piece on my card with my tape runner.  Here’s what it looks like:

The black background just made the rainbow panel pop.  Here’s a closer look:

I hope you like my project today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Please use my coupon code below for an additional 15% off your order at Cas-ual Fridays.  Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

—————SUPPLIES——————

Life Is Tough But So Are You with Newton’s Nook Designs

| marialrussell

Hello Newton’s Nook fans!  I hope you all had a great holiday with your loved ones!  I sure enjoyed having spent Christmas and New Year’s with my family.  Quality time with my husband and children is one of the things I cherish that nurtures my soul.  I needed a break from all of my DT responsibilities  and so grateful that I got to do it this year.

 

One of my friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she is currently going through chemo.  Thank God they were able to detect it at an early stage.  However, going through chemo is taking its toll on her tiny frame that she is starting to feel really depressed.  I wanted to cheer her up by creating this card today, showcasing the Newton’s Support stamp set.

 

I started by creating my own mask by die-cutting a circle on some 110 lb card stock with my circle die.  I used washi tape to temporarily adhere this piece on some Bristol smooth white card stock.  I used my blending brush and Worn Lipstick distress oxide ink to ink up my card stock.  I splattered some water on the card stock and dabbed it with my paper towel to dry.

 

I stamped my image on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the image with my alcohol markers.  Since this set didn’t have a coordinating die, I used my cutter-bee scissors to fussy-cut the image.  I also die-cut the “big hugs” circle twice, using a die from my stash and adhered them together with some liquid adhesive.

 

I adhered the ink-blended background on some pink card base and also adhered the “big hugs” die-cut with some liquid adhesive.  I foam-mounted my colored image in the middle of the circle.  Lastly, I stamped my sentiment using Versafine Onyx black ink.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

 

My friend also LOVES cats so this stamp set is perfect to use for my card today.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope you like my card today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and happy stamping!

 

———–SUPPLIES————



Just Keep Soaring with Cas-ual Fridays

| marialrussell

Hello Cas-ual Fridays fans! Maria here on the blog with you.  HAPPY New Year’s Eve!  Is everyone gearing up for midnight with a little bit of fireworks and some great food?  I am so lucky that I am back home in Florida and will get to celebrate tonight with my husband and children, and some closed friends!

I have a little “cheer-me-up” card today, showcasing the Floating stamp set, with the Hearts A2 Panel Fri-Die.

 

I started by ink-blending my background with some distress oxide inks on Bristol smooth white card stock.  I set this aside to dry.

I stamped my image on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the images in with my Copic markers.  I fussy-cut the image with my cutter-bee scissors.

I die-cut some Neenah solar white card stock using the Hearts A2 panel fri-die.  I foam-mounted this piece on an A2 size card base.  I also adhered my main focal point on the card.

I used a die from my stash to die-cut a banner and stamped my sentiment using versamark ink.  I sprinkled some white embossing powder and heat-set using my heating tool.  I adhered this piece on my card.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

 

I love that this card is very simple, and easy to make.  I don’t think it even took me 5 minutes to finish this card.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope you like my card today.  Please don’t forget to use my coupon code below to get 15% off your order.  Have an amazing day and happy stamping!  See you next year!

 

 

Handmade Christmas with Newton’s Nook Designs

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends.  It’s a double-whammy kind of day for me at Newton’s Nook Designs.  I not only have this blog post, but there is also an exclusive Designer Nook’s newsletter where I featured another project today.  The Designer Nook newsletter is only available for subscribers so if you haven’t signed up for that, please head on over to the Newton’s Nook Blog.

For my projects today, I am showcasing the Naughty or Mice stamp set, Naughty or Mice die set, Festive Forest stamp set and Festive Forest die set,  Sweater Weather stamp set and sweater weather die set, with the Fancy Edges die set.  We all have our stash of stamps and dies and making some handmade gift boxes and tags is what I always love to do during the holidays.

For my Hexagon gift box, I started by die-cutting the box with a die from my stash.  I used liquid glue to assemble the box.  I would not recommend doing this if you are mass-producing but for the special people in your life, I think it’s wonderful to create something unique and special during the holidays.

 

I also die-cut another piece of the hexagon with some Bristol smooth white card stock and used my cutter-bee scissors to cut out the piece.  To create my scene, I ink-blended the background with some Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers distress oxide inks.  These are my favorite color-combo to create a blue sky.

 

 

I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and used the coordinating dies to die-cut the images.  Before adhering the focal image to the box, I stamped my sentiment using some Red Lobster ink.  Here’s a photo of my cat Phoebe supervising me and making sure I was doing it right!  She loves crafting with me during the day.

 

 

I adhered the focal image to my box.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

To finish my design, I added some crystal lacquer to the star and also adhered some snowflakes to adorn my scene.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I LOVE being able to create special gift boxes and tags with the supplies I have on hand.   I also added some cute Washi tape on the side of the box for some stability.  Doesn’t it look so unique?

 

 

For my second project, I wanted to create some Christmas tags to go with my presents this year.  I used the Fancy Edges Tag die set and the Sweater weather stamp set.  Here are my tags:

 

 

For more texture and dimension, I added some crystal lacquer and jewels to adorn the tags.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope I inspired you today to create handmade gift boxes, cards and tags for the holidays.  Thank you for stopping by my blog.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Have an amazing week and happy stamping!

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https://linkdeli.com/widget.js?1559654439292

Deck the Halls with Inky Paws Blog Hop 2019

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends! I hope you are having a great day!  I am super excited because it is our 7th Annual Deck the Halls with Inky Paws blog hop here at Newton’s Nook.  We have some very talented guests with us today so please hop along and check out their amazing projects.  Newton’s Nook will also be picking TWO lucky winners to receive a $25 store credit 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 understanding and I apologize for the confusion.]

 

Before I share my card today, Newton’s Nook is also having a “Deck the Halls with Inky Paws SALE! “
$5 off every $30 You Spend!
That means $5 of $30, $10 of $60…up to $25 off $150!*
No Coupon Needed
Valid now through Sunday, December 8th!
*Maximum $25 discount per order. 

 

 

For my Christmas card today, I am showcasing the Naughty or Mice stamp set and coordinating dies, the Forest Scene Builder Die set, the Holiday Stockings stamp set with Stylish Stockings die set, Land Borders die set and Santa Paws Newton stamp set and Santa Paws Newton die set.

To begin, I stamped my images using the Spectrum Noir Finesse alcohol-proof quick dry ink in Rustic Brown and colored my images in with my Spectrum Noir classique markers.  The Mice were colored in Muted Browns.  I use the coordinating dies to die-cut the images.

I die-cut the elements that I needed to create my Christmas winter scene using the Forest Scene Builder dies for the trees (also used it for my Christmas tree), the land border dies for my snow hills, and the house using a die from my stash.

 

Here’s my card:

 

 

Here’s what it looks like when you open the door:

 

 

I adorned the Christmas tree with some red crystal jewels.

 

 

I also added some crystal lacquer to the stocking and the mouse’s beanie and stamped the sentiment with some Lobster red ink.

 

 

Enter to Win! Deck the Halls with Inky Paws Hop Prizes!


We will be choosing two lucky winners to win a $25 store credit for Newton’s Nook Designs online shop!  To enter, just leave comments on the Design Team Member and Guest blogs (see list below)!  Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the blog hop. 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 Sunday, December 8th at 9 pm EST to comment — winners will be announced on the NND blog on Monday, December 9th.

Deck the Halls with Inky Paws Blog Hop List:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Tenia Nelson

Tina Smith

Chari Moss

Barbara Anders

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Naki Rager

Maria Russell (you are here)

Andrea Shell

Tatiana Trafimovich

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas with Spectrum Noir Water-Reactive Inks

| marialrussell

Hello Spectrum Noir fans!   Maria Russell here with you today from the Spectrum Noir tutorial design team.  I am up on the blog sharing this cute Gnome Christmas card, showcasing some SN Harmony Water-Reactive Inks to create my winter background and SN Classique Markers.

 

For my focal image, stencil and die-cuts, I am showcasing the Simon Says Stamp Gnome die, Petite Snow Stencil by Newton’s Nook Designs, Forest Scene Builder Die set and stitched border die.

 

To begin, I die-cut the Gnome with some SN Ultra white Premium Card stock and colored card stock.  I colored the nose with SN TriBlend Markers in Fair Skin Blend and the beard with SN Classique Markers in BG1 and BG2.  I adhered the pieces together with some liquid glue.

 

On an A2-size piece of Bristol Smooth white card stock, I ink-blended my background using some Harmony Water Reactive Inks in Straw Bale.  I the light pink colorwith the SN Water Reactive Ink in Pink Tulip.

 

 

To create a nice gradation of colors, I added the Fuchsia and kept blending back and forth between the colors.

 

I sprayed the ink-blended background with some water and dabbed it with some paper towel to dry.

 

 

To create my snow, I used Newton’s Nook Petite Snow stencil with Deco Foil Metallix Gel in Pearl White.

 

I didn’t add the gel at the bottom of the card since this will be covered by another die-cut.

I die-cut the trees using the Forest Builder die set by Newton’s Nook Designs and the snow hill using Lawn Fawn’s Stitched border die on some white card stock.

 

 

I adhered the trees and the snow hill with some liquid adhesive.

 

I stamped my sentiment with some Finesse Alcohol Proof Dye Ink in Black Noir.

 

Before adhering my focal image to  the card, I added some crystal lacquer to the Gnome’s beanie for added texture and dimension.

 

I foam-mounted the Gnome on my card.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

 

I think this card turned out really cute and festive!  Even though it seemed like it takes forever to put it together, it really is such a simple card to make.  Isn’t he super adorable?  I love the winter background using the Harmony Water Reactive inks against the white trees and snow hill.

 

Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope you like my Christmas card today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Thank you for stopping by and happy stamping!

 

—————-SUPPLIES—————-



3 Holiday Cards & Black Friday Sale You Don’t Want to Miss!!!!

| marialrussell

Hello Cas-ual Fridays fans! HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!  I hope you all had an amazing time celebrating Thanksgiving with your loved ones yesterday.

Today is the start of the wonderful season for shoppers, also known as Black Friday!  Yay!  We have some amazing deals for you that you wouldn’t want to miss!  See details at the end of this blog post.

I have three cards for you today.  For my first card, I am showcasing the Stay Strong 3×4 stamp set.

Holidays can be really stressful for a lot of us!  Sometimes, you just want to sit down, relax and enjoy a cup of java!  This Stay Strong 3×4 stamp set has all the perfect sentiments you’ll need to create a cute card and cheer someone up.

For my card below, I also showcased the Coffee Cup Fri-Dies.

For more details about my card including supplies used, please visit my Blog, Maria Russell Designs.

I really like how this card turned out.  I added some crystal lacquer and chocolate sprinkles on the whipped cream for more texture & dimension.  Here’s a closer look:

For my second project, I am showcasing the Snow Angel stamp set.  If you spend $55 today (after discounts and including shipping), you will receive this stamp set for free!

I also used the Flakey A2 Panel Fri-Die and created a shaker card.

Isn’t she a cutie?  Here’s a little close-up:

For my third card, I also used the Snow Fri-Dies and created this pop-up gift card holder.  If you pull the tab, it reveals the sentiment and the gift card.

Here’s a closer look:

Which one is your favorite?  I think mine is the shaker card!

Are you ready to find out about the HUGE discounts?  See graphic below:

On top of this sale, you can also use my coupon code (MariaSentMe) for an additional 15% off!  What are you waiting for?  Shop, shop, shop!  The supplies I used are listed and linked below. Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy stamping!

 

———–SUPPLIES———–


Piles of Warm Winter Wishes with Newton’s Nook

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends!  I am back today with another cute Christmas card, showcasing the new Penguin Pile stamp set and coordinating dies by Newton’s Nook.  To be honest I can’t even pick a favorite from last week’s release because they are all so cute but I’ve always LOVED penguins and I think the Penguin Pile stamp set is just ADORABLE!

 

To create the card, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with the Spectrum Noir classique markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

 

I ink-blended an A2 size Bristol smooth white card stock with worn lipstick distress oxide ink.  I also die-cut another A2 size card stock using die from my stash to create my winter scene.  I ink-blended the “frozen lake” with some tumbled glass distress oxide ink.

 

I assembled my card adding a few more die-cut pieces to adorn my winter scene.  The stockings are from the Ornament Shaker die set.

 

I foam-mounted my penguins and added some crystal jewels to the small snowflakes.  Here’s my card:

 

 

To finish my design, I used my Spectrum Noir crystal clear sparkle ink to add some glitter to the frozen lake.  I know you can’t see it clearly on the photo but it is very glittery in real-life.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope you like my card today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Have an amazing week and happy stamping!

 

———–SUPPLIES————



Newton’s Nook November Release Day 4 – Frosty Folks

| marialrussell

 

 

I always get a bit bummed because it is the last day of the November release.  I hope you guys were able to check out the first three days as we showcased the new stencil, stamps and dies.  Which one is your favorite so far??  You also 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 today’s release, the design team is showcasing the Frosty Folks stamp set and coordinating dies.

 

 

To begin, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my alcohol markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

 

I ink-blended an A2-size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock with some distress oxide inks.  I also used the Hills and Grass stencil to create my snowbanks.

 

I sprayed some water on the colored background and dabbed it with some paper towel to dry and used my guillotine to cut about a 1/4 inch of this background.  I used a border die to partially die cut the snow so I can tuck my image to the foreground.

 

I adhered some black & white patterned paper on an A-2 size side-fold card base and also adhered the colored panel.    I foam-mounted my focal image on the card.  I also stamped the sentiment on a red banner die-cut and adhered this piece with some foam adhesive.

 

 

To finish my design, I stamped the snowflakes with Versamark ink and sprinkled some white embossing powder.  I heat-set the snowflakes using my Wagner heating tool.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

 

Would you like to win the “Frosty Folks” Stamp Set?  This stamp set will be given away to ONE lucky winner!  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 November 14th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, November 15th.

 

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

Newton’s Nook Designs

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Andrea Shell

Tatiana Trafimovich

 

————SUPPLIES—————