handmade cards

NND April Release Day 4 – Heartfelt Blooms & Heartfelt Butterflies

| marialrussell

I am a bit bummed that today is the last day of the reveals. I hope you were able to check out the first 3 days. Which one is your favorite so far? Don’t forget that have a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day so please read through til the end of the blog post to find out more info.  [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 Day 4, we are showcasing the Heartfelt Blooms and Heartfelt Butterflies stamp set and both stamps coordinate wit the Heart Frames die set.

To make my first card, I stamped the images on some Bristol Smooth white card stock with Versafine Vintage Sepia. I colored the images in with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers.

To ground the images and make them stand out, I colored the edges with some light blue tint.

I finished my card design by adding the sentiment that was stamped and heat-embossed, then die-cut using the Banner Trio die set.

My second card is just as easy as the first! The only difference is I dry-embossed the card stock first, using the scallop die from the Heart Frames die set.

Next, I stamped the images with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them in with Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers.

I masked the colored image with masking paper. I used the Petite Flowers Stencil with some texture paste for added interest to the background. I set this aside to let it dry for about half an hour.

I finished my design by adding the sentiment, also using the Banner Trio die set and added glossy accents to the butterflies.

Here’s a closer look:

Would you like to win the “Heartfelt Blooms” or the “Heartfelt Butterflies” Stamp Set?  We will choose ONE lucky winner for each 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, April 22nd at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, April 23rd. 

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

Newton’s Nook Designs

Ellen Haxelmans

Tina Herbeck

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Maria Russell (you are here)

Farhana Sarker

Tatiana Trafimovich

Samantha VanArnhem

Amanda Wilcox

———-SUPPLIES———



NND April Release Day 3 – Puppy Friends

| marialrussell

It is the third day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.  I hope you were able to check out Monday and Tuesday’s reveal.  You also have a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day so please read through til the end of the blog post to find out more info.  [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 Day 3, we are showcasing the Puppy Friends stamp set and its coordinating dies.

I started by creating the background by using the Slimline Masking Stencil – Squares with some quick-dry dye inks on Neenah solar white card stock. I layered the colors using some blending brushes, making sure they didn’t overlap too much.

I adhered the colored background on some A-2 size notecard.

Next, I stamped the images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the images in with Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers.  I used the coordinating die to cut them out. I also die-cut the circle frames by combining two dies from the Circle Frames die set.

I foam-mounted the circle frame and my focal image in the middle of the card-front for added dimension.

I finished my card design by adding the sentiment strip that was die-cut and heat-embossed using the Banner Trio die set. Easy, peasy!

Here’s another look at the card:

Would you like to win the “Puppy Friends” Stamp Set?  We will choose 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, April 22nd at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, April 23rd. 

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

Newton’s Nook Designs

Ellen Haxelmans

Tina Herbeck

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Maria Russell (you are here)

Farhana Sarker

Tatiana Trafimovich

Samantha VanArnhem

Amanda Wilcox

———-SUPPLIES———



NND April Release Day 2 – Captivated Kittens

| marialrussell

It is the second day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.  I hope you were able to check out yesterday’s reveal.  You also have a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day so please read through ’til the end of the blog post to find out more info.  [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 Day 2, we are showcasing the Captivated Kittens stamp set and its coordinating dies.

I started by creating the background panel with Canson Watercolor Paper and Prima watercolors. I used a wide watercolor brush to apply water first. Next, I added the colors in rainbow order, swiping the brush back and forth until I was happy with the blend. I set this panel aside to let it dry for about 45 minutes and adhered on an A-2 size notecard.

I stamped the images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the images in with Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers.  I used the coordinating die to cut them all out. I also die-cut the little reverse scallop circles on Neenah using a die from my collection.

Next, I foam-mounted the scallop circle frames and the colored images on the focal panel for added dimension.

I added the sentiment that was stamped with Versamark ink, and heat-embossed with my heating tool. I also used my gelli-roll pen in white and black to add details to the eyes and the flower.

I finished my design by adhering the mirrored sequins for added interest. Here’s another look at the card:

Would you like to win the “Captivated Kittens” Stamp Set?  We will choose 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, April 22nd at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, April 23rd. 

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

Newton’s Nook Designs

Ellen Haxelmans

Tina Herbeck

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Maria Russell (you are here)

Farhana Sarker

Tatiana Trafimovich

Samantha VanArnhem

Amanda Wilcox

———-SUPPLIES———



NND April Release Day 1 – Gnome Garden & Bleeding Hearts Stamp Sets with Petite Clouds Stencil

| marialrussell

It is that time of the month when the entire design team get so excited to show off the new stamps, dies and/or stencils by Newton’s Nook Designs.  You also have a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day so please read through til the end of the blog post to find out more info.  [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 first day of the reveals, we are showcasing the Gnome Garden and Bleeding Hearts stamp sets and their coordinating dies, along with the Petite Clouds stencil.

To make my first card, I stamped the images with Memento Rich Cocoa ink on some Neenah solar white card stock. I colored the images in with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and cut them out using the coordinating dies.

The background was made by using the Hills (& Grass) stencil and some dye inks with a blending brush. I also used another blending brush to color the sky. I masked off the grassy hills with masking paper and used the new Petite Stencil with some texture paste to add more interest to the card. I set this aside to let it dry for about half an hour, and adhered on an A2 size notecard.

Next, I started building up my scene by adding the grass border that was die-cut using the Land Borders die set and adhered to the card. I added the images that I colored with liquid glue. I finished the card design by adding the sentiment using one of the dies from the Banner Trio die set.

For my next card, I channeled my inner “Jennifer McGuire” (haha!), and created a shadow box card to showcase the new Bleeding Hearts stamp set.

Following Jennifer’s tutorial on her YT channel, I created the shadow box with some Neenah solar white 110 lb. card stock. I also used some oval dies from my collection to create the window.

To decorate the inside of the shadow box, I used the clouds stencil and added some colorful sky with some dye inks. I stamped the sentiment from the Thankful Thoughts stamp set. I adhered this piece inside the shadow box with liquid glue.

Next, I stamped the images with Memento rich cocoa ink and colored them in with SN TriBlend markers. I adhered the images onto the card front.

I finished my design by adding some mirrored clear confetti dots for added interest. Here’s another look at the finished card:

Would you like to win the “Gnome Garden” or the “Bleeding Heart” Stamp Set?  We will choose ONE lucky winner for each 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, April 22nd at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, April 23rd. 

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

Newton’s Nook Designs

Ellen Haxelmans

Tina Herbeck

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Maria Russell (you are here)

Farhana Sarker

Tatiana Trafimovich

Samantha VanArnhem

Amanda Wilcox

———-SUPPLIES———



Margarita Birthday Card & A Farewell to CAS-ual Fridays

| marialrussell

All good things must come to an end!  This is my last post as a member of the Ink Squad and as I bid farewell to one of the most amazing lady boss, Michele, I also would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone!  You’ve all been so amazingly supportive of me.  Thank you for allowing me to express my creativity through your beautiful designs.  Even though this is my last post as a DT member, you will still see me use CAS-ual Fridays‘ products here on my blog, Maria Russell Designs.

With this in mind, I picked some of my all-time favorite CFS products and created a birthday card today.

This is simple, really!  I started by stamping the margarita glass on some Neenah solar white card stock with Spectrum Noir Finesse ink in Black.  I colored the image in with Spectrum Noir Classique markers.
I added the “bubbles” using the Bubbly Stencil with some dye inks and blending brushes.


The “salt” on the glass was created by using the die from the Margarita Glass die with some white glitter card stock.  Let me point out that if you have the Salty stamp set, you really need to get the coordinating dies!   The die perfectly cut out the “salt” and adds interest and texture to the card design.  Check out the close-up photo below:

I finished my design by adding Glossy Accents to the lime, and stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.  I also used my white gel pen to draw white dots for added texture on the glass.  Here’s another look:

Here are the supplies:

Don’t forget, you can still use my coupon code below for an additional 15% off your order!  Isn’t Michele amazing?!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you on the “inter-web” and lots of love to everyone!

————–SUPPLIES———–

Two Cards Featuring Friends Like You with LDRS Creative

| marialrussell

Hello LDRS fans!  Maria here with you today to share two “Just-Because” cards, showcasing the Friends Like You Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies, along with one of my favorite die called Pretty Patterns Slim Line, In the Grass Die Set with the Plaid Stencil and Rainy Day Stencil. 

My first card below is very simple.  I stamped the image on some Bristol smooth white card stock using Iced Tea Hybrid Ink and colored them in with watercolor.  I die-cut the image using the Friends Like You coordinating die set. 

Next, I colored the Neenah solar white card stock and using a blending brush and Marina Madness Hybrid Ink.  I added some texture and interest to the foreground by using the 6×6 Plaid Stencil, white texture paste and palette knife.  I set this aside to let it dry for about half an hour. 

I cut the grass using the In the Grass Die Set and Daisy Delights 6×6 paper.  Also cut the gingham pattern strip from the Farmer’s Market 6×6 paper pad and adhered both pieces to the foreground.  The black and white strip was cut using the LDRS packaging.  I adhered the image with liquid glue and added this piece to an A2-size notecard. 

I finished the design by stamping the sentiment using Watermark Ink on some black card stock.  I sprinkled some White Embossing Powder and heat-set with my heating tool.  Adhered this piece on the card with my ATG gun.   Here’s another look: 

The images on the second card were stamped with Raven Hybrid Ink on some Neenah solar white card stock and die-cut using the Coordinating Dies.  I die-cut some Neenah solar white card stock and dark purple card stock using the Pretty Patterns Slim Line Die Set.   

I added the grass and clouds by using the Rainy Day Stencil and hybrid inks in Dan-D-Lion, Soft Kisses, and Prickly Pear Perfection. I adhered the little critters on the foreground with liquid glue and added this piece on a lavender slimline card base.  I finished my design by stamping the sentiment with Raven Hybrid Ink.

I really love both cards today and I hope you like them too!  I’ve also listed and linked the supplies I use below.  Thanks for stopping today today and happy stamping! 

————-SUPPLIES———-

2 Welcome Baby Cards with LDRS Creative

| marialrussell
Hello LDRS fans! I am back on the blog with you today to share two Welcome Baby cards, showcasing the Hoppy Egg Hunt stamp set and coordinating dies, along with the Sophie Uppercase Die Set, Sophie Lowercase Die Set, A2 Stitched Layered Card Toppers Die, Slim Line Pocket Basket Weave Pocket Die Set, Pastel Dreams 6×6 Paper Pack, and Farmer’s Market 6×6 paper pack.  Here’s what they look like:
I started by stamping my images on some Neenah Solar White card stock with Raven Hybrid Ink.   I colored them in with alcohol markers.  I used the coordinating dies to die-cut the images.  Next, I die-cut two patterned papers from the 6×6 Pastel Dreams and 6×6 Farmer’s Market Paper Packs using the biggest die from the A2 Stitched Layered Card Toppers Die.  Both patterned papers kind of matched the alcohol markers that I used to color my focal images. I adhered both patterned papers to an A2 size notecard.
I used the scallop die from the Slim Line Pocket Basket Weave Pocket Die Set to die-cut two pieces and used the inner die with my embossing mat to emboss the middle.  I wanted to have more texture to this background without overwhelming the whole card design.  I adhered both pieces to my card using my ATG Tape Runner.  I also adhered the images on both cards.
I die-cut the word “Baby” twice using the Sophie Uppercase Die Set and Sophie Lowercase Die Set.  I used the same markers to color the die-cuts to match the little basket.  I also used a darker marker to highlight the bottom of the letters for added texture.  I adhered the letters on the card with liquid glue.
I finished my design by stamping the sentiment with Watermark Ink on some black card stock.  I sprinkled some White Embossing Powder on this and used my heating tool to heat-set the sentiment.  I fussy-cut the sentiment using my precision snips and adhered to the card using my ATG Tape Runner.  Here’s another look at both baby cards:
I hope you like my cards today.  The supplies I use are listed and linked below.  Thanks for stopping by today and happy crafting!
———-SUPPLIES———-



Happy Easter Card with Newton’s Nook Designs

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends!  The weather has been so unpredictable lately and I know some of you are having some major snow storm.  I hope my colorful card today will cheer you up a little.  For today’s project, I am showcasing the Bunny Tails Stencil, Hop Into Spring Stamp Set and coordinating dies along with the Circle Frames die set, Land Border die set and Clouds Stencil.

I stamped the image on Neenah solar white card stock using Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored the images in with alcohol markers.  I used the coordinating die to die-cut the image.

I cut another panel of Neenah solar white card stock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  I sprayed my Bunny Stencil (#1) with Pixie Spray.  I waited for the stencil to dry a little and placed it on top of my card stock.  The pixie spray gave it some light tack so that it didn’t shift while blending the colors.  I used some low tack tape to mask-off the the lower portion of the stencil so that the colors don’t contaminate each other.  I used my blending brushes to add pink, then peach, yellow, blue and purple.  The bunny tails were added using stencil #2 with some textured paste and my palette knife for added texture and dimension.  I set this aside for about half an hour to let it dry and added foam tape at the back of the panel.

I used the “positive” die-cut to pencil the lines on my notecard.  I then used my clouds stencil and some dye ink to create the clouds.  The grass panel was die-cut using the same circle die that I used to create the window and the land border die.  I foam-mounted the focal panel onto the notecard.  I also added the grass and the bunny with some glue.  I finished my design by stamping the sentiment on some black card stock.  I sprinkled some white embossing powder and heat-set with my heating tool.  I fussy-cut the sentiment with my precision snips and adhered to the card with glue.  Here’s another look:

I hope you like my card today.  The supplies I use are listed and linked below.  Thanks for stopping by!

———–SUPPLIES———



NND February Release Day 3 – Baa Stamp & Die Set

| marialrussell

 

 

 

It is the third day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.  I hope you were able to check out Monday and Tuesday’s reveal.  You also have a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day so please read through til the end of the blog post to find out more info.  [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 Day 3, we are showcasing the Baa Stamp Set and coordinating dies.

This stamp set is probably one of my favorites from the release this week!  Once again I wanted some soft colors to welcome spring!

I started by stamping my images on some Neenah solar white with Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I colored the images in with alcohol markers and positioned the dies with some purple tape to die-cut them out.

Next, I die-cut the elements that I need to create my scene using some of my favorite scene-builder dies from Newton’s Nook –>  Land Borders Die Set (for the grass and hill), Picket Fence Die and the Sky Scene Builder die set. The tiny trees were die-cut using a die from my collection.

I prepared my background by adding the clouds using the Clouds Stencil with some blending brush and dye ink.  I adhered this panel on an A-2 size notecard.   I started adhering the pieces that I die-cut earlier to create my scene and foam-mounted the grass for added dimension.

I adhered the colored images with some liquid glue and finished the design by adding the sentiment that was embossed and heat-set on some black card stock.  Here’s another look at the finished card:

 

Would you like to win the “Baa” 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 February 18th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, February 19th.

 

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

 

Newton’s Nook Designs

Ellen Haxelmans

Tina Herbeck

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Zsofia Molnar

Maria Russell (you are here)

Farhana Sarker

Tatiana Trafimovich

Samantha VanArnhem

Amanda Wilcox

———-SUPPLIES———