Crafts

MFT Sketch Challenge 281

| marialrussell

Another week has passed and there is a new sketch challenge at MFT Stamps no. 281.  I love joining the challenges because it helps me get creative and challenges me to go outside of my comfort zone.

 

Here is my card for this week’s challenge. It is a tiny shaker card!  I used fun-foam for the whipped cream to make it look realistic.  I used my hot cocoa cups die-namics from MFT Stamps, as well as the banner from Blueprints 27 and the stitch circle die-namics. I only have one coffee-themed stamp set in my stash and that is what I used for this card.

 

IMG_0991

 

Here is the photo for this week’s sketch challenge in case you’d like to join. Please visit the MFT Blog for more details.

 

281

 

Have a great week!

Custom Stamp by JessicaLynnOriginal

| marialrussell

The time has finally come to end the Spring Design team season with a bang!  Jessica wanted to give us something special to cherish forever. We were each given a choice to design our very own custom stamp. Since I love bows and hearts, I decided to incorporate both images to use as my custom stamp for my happy mail envelopes. Since I am a card-maker, I wanted my handmade cards to go with decorated envelopes.

My family and friends know that I love hearts and bows. The idea behind the stamp is that when people see their happy mail, they would immediately know who it’s from without even looking at the return address. I take a lot of time decorating my cards, and the envelopes should be the same.

I honestly pictured my custom stamp to be a lot smaller, so when I received it, I was bit surprised. However, now that I have stamped about 50 envelopes so far, I really like the size. Needless to say, the custom stamp is made of high-quality rubber and it stamps like a charm!

Here are some photos of how I used my custom stamp. I also decided to create a shaker card. It turned out really cute!

 

IMG_0965

IMG_0964

IMG_0961 (1)

 

I also would like to take this opportunity to thank the Owner, Jessica Lynn Mould for being so generous and kind, as well as our DT Coordinator, Amanda Pollock, for having the patience with our schedules and blog hops; and to the rest of the design team, I had so much fun working with you all and admire your amazing creativity!  I am looking forward to another great season!

Sharon is next on the hop. Please click on this link to get to Sharon, then hop along to the rest of the team’s blogs (Sharon: http://sharonshowcase.blogspot.com)

If you guys would like to check out the store and have your very own custom-stamp, please visit www.jessicalynnoriginal.com now. (The link will take you directly to the online store) You will not be disappointed!

In case you got lost, here is the full link for the hop:

Jessica: http://jessicalynnoriginal.net

Maria: https://mariarusselldesigns.wordpress.com/
Sharon: http://sharonshowcase.blogspot.com/
Jeanette: http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
Vickie: http://stuffbyvickie.blogspot.com
Jennifer:  http://glitterinmyhair.blogspot.com

Have an amazing weekend!

Sparkle It Up Lawnscaping Challenge #130

| marialrussell

To celebrate the new Lawn Fawn summer release and also participate in the current Lawnscaping Challenge # 130, Sparkle It Up, I made an over-the-top birthday card for a little girl, using the Lawn Fawn Fairy Friends Stamp Set and Dies, with the Stitched Cloud Border Dies.

 

Here is my rendition for the current challenge. I used Stickles, Wink of Stella, Glitter, Star Confetti, Glitter Card Stock and Gold Card Stock to make my card sparkle, shimmer and shine.  The little fairy inside is popped up with an acetate sheet to make her look like she’s hovering on top of the carriage.

 

“Little girls dreams are of magical things”

 

img_0955
Front of the card
img_0956
Inside the card

Here is the photo of the current challenge, and the link if you would like to participate http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/2016/05/lawnscaping-challenge-sparkle-it-up.html

12391019_10208140514496435_4066071782680543841_n

I hope you like the card that I created.  Have an amazing day!

True Friend Card | MFT SC 280

| marialrussell

I finally was able to organize my craft room and thought I’d join the current MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge No. 280.

 

I am a dog-lover and I have a weakness for chihuahuas.  The new Lucky Dog stamp set from MFT Stamps is probably one of my favorite dog stamp set. The little chihuahua image is so adorable I just had to show it off.

 

Here is my rendition for this week’s challenge.  What do you think?

IMG_0912

Here are the supplies that I used for this card:

 

MFT Stamps – Lucky Dog Stamp Set and Lucky Dog Die-namics

MFT Stamps – Cool Cat

MFT Stamps – Homespun Stitch Lines

MFT Stamps – Peek-A-Boo Circle Die-namics

Lawn Fawn – Stitched Rectangle Die

Simon Says Stamp – Wavy Scallop Stitches

Penny Black – Bow Set Die

Stampin Up – Peach Washi Tape

Copic Markers – E31, E33, E35, R00

Gold Card Stock

Memories Forever – Beige, Pink and Mint Green Card Stock

Tombow Dot Runner Adhesive

 

I hope you like the card I created this week. Have an amazing weekend!

 

 

CC Designs ~ Surprise Stamp Set

| marialrussell

For the month of May, I was sent a stamp set by from http://www.not2shabbyshop.com called “Surprise” by CC Designs. I had a lot of fun playing with this stamp set and created 2 cards and 1 shaker tag.  Here are the photos.  I have also included my YouTube video if you’d like to see them or know more about what supplies I’ve used to create the projects.

IMG_0871
Birthday Card No. 1 created by Maria Russell
IMG_0870
Birthday Card No. 2 Created by Maria Russell
IMG_0875
Birthday Shaker Tag created by Maria Russell

And here’s the YoUTube video. Have a great day!

 

MFT Stamps Sketch Challenge # 278

| marialrussell

I have been playing around with this cute Cool Cat stamp set from MFT Stamps and created a few cards with it.  I also decided to join the current sketch challenge at MFT Stamps.

 

Here is the card that I created.  What do you think?

IMG_0784

And here is the photo of the sketch challenge.

I stamped the images on Tim Holtz watercolor card stock using MFT Stamps Licorice Black Hybrid Ink and colored the images using my Zig clean color brush markers.  I also used my markers for the three-toned watercolor background.  I really love how this card turned out.

 

Supplies I’ve used (Unless otherwise stated, most supplies are from MFT Stamps)

Cool Cat stamp set

Cool Cats Dienamics

Love You More stamp set

Blueprints No. 27

Friends Script Dienamics

Woodgrain Fence Dienamics

Grassy Hills Dienamics

Tombow Stamp Adhesive Runner

Tombow Mono Aqua Liquid Glue

 

I hope you like the card that I made. Have an amazing weekend!

 

MFT Stamps Cool Cats

| marialrussell

I was able to play with the new Cool Cats stamps from MFT Stamps. I love the images on this stamp set and the sentiments are so adorable. MFT has done it again! They never cease to amaze me.  Here is a process video of the card I made yesterday.

Have an amazing day!

Just-Because Card | Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencils & Sand Eraser

| marialrussell

After unpacking my suitcases and doing a load of endless laundry, I needed some “me-time” to relax and one way of achieving this is to color stamp images. I have recently received the pack of Vivid Irojiten Colored Pencils from Tombow USA and so I decided to test them out.

The package comes with a sand eraser and a sharpener. I have wanted to try the mono-sand eraser for quite sometime now so this will also be a review of the eraser. When you open the package, you will have to sharpen all of the pencils. The pencils glided on so smoothly and I was able to sharpen all of them in no time.

I stamped my image using My Favorite Things Hybrid Licorice Black Ink on 80 lb. Neenah Solar White card stock. As you can see on the photo, I had a little accident with my stamp. I used the Tombow Mono Sand Eraser to try and fix my mistake. It worked so well and I was able to save my piece.

 

 

I started coloring the image using the brown colored pencil. I tend to be heavy-handed with my colored pencils and I was immediately impressed with the lead core because it was really strong and it didn’t break at all during my coloring process. I was also able to color the small lines without any issues.

Using my Gamsol, I started blending the color as you see on the photo above. Technically, I was quite happy without even using the Gamsol, but I wanted my colors to have a smooth finish. You can see the difference between blending it with Gamsol and leaving it as-is.

Here is my card. I love how it turned out.  I also used Ranger’s Glossy Accents to highlight the cat’s eyeglasses.  I know you can barely see it on the photo but in real life, it really is amazing!

IMG_0730

I am so happy with the pencils and the sand eraser. I love it so much that I decided to order the set of Tranquil Irojiten Colored Pencils. I particularly prefer the soft pastel colors and I cannot wait to receive my order.

These colored pencils are available at http://www.tombowusa.com. Please let me know if you have tried them.

Have an amazing week!

Lawnscaping Sketch Challenge 128

| marialrussell

I am back from my anniversary trip from Greece and today I am joining the Lawnscaping Blog Sketch Challenge No. 128 using one of my favorite Lawn Fawn stamp sets called Fairy Friends.  I just can’t stop playing around with this set and this time, I used it for a birthday card.  I also used a couple of older Lawn Fawn stamp sets and dies.  The supplies I have used are listed below for your reference.   You will also find a photo of the sketch challenge if you decide to join.  Remember, you only have until Wednesday to finish your card.

I am also entering this card for another challenge at Crafters With Artitude Facebook group and my friend, Sandi Nagel is hosting this month’s challenge called “Solid Gold”. You can basically create anything your heart desire, using Gold and bling.

 

Here is my rendition of the sketch challenge #128:

IMG_0710

Here is a photo of the sketch challenge:

 

Supplies used:

LF Fairy Friends Stamp Set and Dies

LF Happy Wedding Stamp Set and Dies

LF Stitched Scallop Border Dies

LF Large Stitched Rectangle Die

Stampin’ Up Birthday Greetings

Copic Markers – E000, E00, E02, R00, R20, B0000 (Skin tone, dress and wings)

Copic Markers – E37, E35, E31 (Hair)

Copic Markers – R85, R81 (Cake)

Tombow Mono Permanent Tape Runner Adhesive

Scotch Foam Adhesive

Ranger Diamond Stickles

Recollection Gold Paper Pad

Recollections 110 lb. white card stock

Recollections Gold Washi Tape

 

Here is a close-up photo of the project so you can see the glitter.  I hope you like what I created. Have an amazing day!

 

IMG_0711