handmade cards

Newton’s Nook Designs September Release – Day 4

| marialrussell

NNDSEPTReleaseIcon2_Sept18

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!

NNDSEPT_ThankfulThoughts

NNDSEPT18_TeaRex

NNDSEPT18_SlothyCoffee

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.

NNDThankfulThoughts1A

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:

NNDThankfulThoughts1C

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

NNDThankfulThoughts1B

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.

NNDTeaRex1B

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!

NNDTeaRex2A

Here’s my Slothy coffee card:

NNDSlothyCoffee1A

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

NNDSlothyCoffee2A

 

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!

NNDSEPT18_HarvestTails

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.

NNDHarvestTails1A

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:

NNDHarvestTails1B

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:

NNDHarvestTails1C

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.

NNDHarvestTails2A

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

NNDHarvestTails2B

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———-

Newton’s Nook Designs September Release – Day 2

| marialrussell

NNDSEPTReleaseIcon2_Sept18

It is the second day of the September reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.   I hope you were able to check out yesterday’s reveal.  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 our projects today, the design team is showcasing the Newton’s Pumpkin Patch stamp set.  Is there anything cuter than a stack of pumpkins with cats?  I love this one as well!

NNDSEPT18_NewtonsPumpkinPatch

I stamped the image on some Neenah solar white card stock and Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.  I chose to color the pumpkins with some warm gray markers because I LOVE white pumpkins!  I buy white pumpkins to decorate my house during the fall season.  I only really use orange pumpkins for Halloween.

I created the scallop frame around the images with the Frames and Flag die set and cut the middle piece with my stitched rectangle die.  I stamped the sentiment on some black card stock and heat-set it with white embossing powder.

NNDPumpkinPatch1A

I love the simplicity of this card.  I also added the leaves from the Autumn Newton stamp set.  Here’s a little close-up:

NNDPumpkinPatch1B

I used my white gel pen to add some details to the pumpkins.   Here’s another look:

NNDPumpkinPatch1C

I hope you like my card today.  Would you like to win the “Newton’s Pumpkin Patch”  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 1

| marialrussell

NNDSEPTReleaseIcon2_Sept18

It is that time of the month where the entire design team get so excited to show off  the new stamps, dies and stencils by Newton’s Nook Designs.   You also have a chance to win a stamp set for each reveal 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 our first day of the reveals, we are showcasing TWO new stamp sets and TWO AMAZING stencils – the Newton’s Thanksgiving stamp set and coordinating dies, Newton’s Cornucopia stamp set and coordinating dies with the Pumpkin Patch and Tree Rings stencil.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the September release.  Fall is my favorite season and the stamp sets and stencils are must-haves for sure!  Here’s what they look like:

NNDSEPT18_NewtonsThanksgiving

NNDSEPT18_NewtonsCornucopia

NNDSEPT18_FallStencils

To start, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock with my memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I chose a brown hybrid ink because it is the fall season and I wanted the images to stay on the warmer side.  I die-cut the images with its coordinating dies.

I cut some Bristol smooth white card stock and inked up my background with some Antique Linen and Tattered Rose distress oxide inks.  I splattered it with Vintage photo distress oxide ink and blotted it dry with my paper towel.

I used the Land Borders die to create the hills and inked it up with Mowed Lawn distress oxide ink.  I die-cut the rest of the elements that I needed to create my fall scene.  I used the leaves from the Autumn Newton stamp set  from last year to adorn the trees.

NNDNewtonThanksgiving1A

This image is so adorable!  This is definitely how I feel every Thanksgiving!  Stuffed to the gills!

NNDNewtonThanksgiving1C

For my second card, I stamped the images with Memento Rich Cocoa ink from the Newton’s Cornucopia stamp set and colored it in with Copics as well.  I inked up another Bristol smooth white card stock with Tattered Rose distress oxide and used Vintage photo to splatter brown dots onto the background.  I blotted it dry with some paper towel.

I used the new Tree rings stencil and used Vintage Photo distress oxide to color my background.  Let me tell you, this new Tree Rings stencil is so beautiful, it’s a must-have for sure!  I stamped my sentiment on black card stock and heat-embossed it with some white embossing powder.  Here’s my second card:

NNDNewtonsCornucopia1A

I adorned the card with more leaves from the Autumn Newton stamp set.  To finish my design, I used my white gel pen to add some dot details to the cornucopia, pumpkins and the apples.  Here’s a little close-up:

NNDNewtonsCornucopia1B

I hope you like my cards today and got inspired.  Would you like to win the “Newton’s Thanksgiving” or the “Newton’s Cornucopia” 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 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———-


Missing You Sooo Much

| marialrussell

Hello CAS-ual Fridays fans!  Are you getting excited for the fall season to start?  I just can’t wait for the cooler weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and fall scented candles!

For my card today, I’m showcasing the Bushy Tailed stamp set.

I started out by stamping my image on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored it in with my Copic markers.  I cut an A2 size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock and inked up my background using some hills stencil from my stash, with some distress oxide inks.  I also used a clouds border stencil to create the sky.

To create my fall scene for my cute critter, I stepped out of my comfort zone and drew some tress and leaves in the background, using my Copic markers.  This is the first time I’ve ever drawn a scene from scratch.  I got so nervous I thought I was going to hurl, haha! (just kidding)  I think it turned out okay, I just need more practice.  After all this is “handmade” not Hallmark, right?

I added more depth by using different colors of Copic markers to create the leaves.

I used my cool gray Copic markers to add shadows and make it look more realistic.  I adhered my little critter and finished the design by stamping the sentiment.

Even though my drawing wasn’t perfect, I still love how this card turned out.

I think using different distress inks for my background added more depth and dimension to my card.

I hope you like my project today and got inspired.  Please don’t forget to use my coupon code (below) for 15% off your order at the shop.  Happy crafting!

Wine Cards with the September Release by Kat Scrappiness

| marialrussell

Hello Kat Scrappiness fans! Back today with some simple cards featuring the new Peacock Backdrop die, the Wine Not stamp set and the Wine Not Custom craft dies.

For my first card, I started out by die-cutting the Peacock Backdrop diesome Bristol smooth white card stock.  I inked up this piece with some squeezed lemonade, spiced marmalade and picked raspberry distress oxide inks with my mini ink blending tool.  I set this piece aside to dry while I worked on die-cutting the Wine Not Custom craft dies.  I used Neenah smooth white card stock to color the bottle with my Copic markers and used a silver card stock for the wine glass.  I added glossy accents to make it look more realistic.   I also die-cut a frame by using the double stitched rectangle die and the stitched rectangle die.  Here’s the first card:

I adorned my card with some images from a stamp set by Newton’s Nook and also added the beautiful Champagne jewels.  I love the new jewels collection from the shop.  They are available in a variety of colors.  Here’s another look:

For my second card, I die-cut the pieces again with some Neenah solar white card stock and colored the die-cut pieces with my Copic markers.  I inked up an A2 size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock with a stencil from my stash.   I stamped the sentiment from the Wine Not stamp set.  Here’s my second card:

To finish the design, I also added the cheers sentiment from my stash and the tiny bow is from a die-set by Lawn Fawn.  Here’s another look:

For my third card, I wanted to create something simple just using the Wine Not stamp set.  I die-cut a piece of some Neenah solar white card stock with the Stitched Fancy Scalloped rectangle die.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.  To finish my design, I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.

I hope you like my cards today.  Which one is your favorite?  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Don’t forget to use my coupon code “MARIA10” for 10% off your order at the shop.  Have a nice day!

———–SUPPLIES————


I’ll Always Be Your Angel with Kindred Stamps

| marialrussell

Hello Kindred fans!  Are you still swooning over the August stamp release or just in-love with everything that Kindred stamps has to offer?  To be honest, the stamp set that I used for this card is probably one of my top five favorites by Kindred.

 

For today’s project, I am showcasing the Slay stamp set.  I can’t even begin to express how much I LOVE this set.  When this stamp set was released in July, I was a bit bummed that it wasn’t assigned to me but of course there’s no stopping me from ordering this set.  I sent a couple of messages to Audra to reserve this stamp for me because I just NEED this in my life, haha!

 

I started out by stamping my images on some Copic friendly paper and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I had to color my Vampire with different gray inks to give him dimension because I knew that I was going to create a night scene and the background will mostly be black.   I fuzzy-cut my images using my precision cut scissors.

 

 

I cut an A2 size piece of some Bristol smooth white card stock, and inked it up with my Distress Oxide inks –> Black Soot, Seedless Preserves and Faded Jeans.  To add the stars in the sky, I used my Copic white paint and added some water, then used my watercolor brush to splatter it onto my colored background.  I also die-cut the other elements I needed to create my scene.

 

 

I adhered the die-cuts onto my colored background and added the big hill, then adhered this piece on my card base.  I used my powder tool to get rid of some static and stamped my sentiment onto the card with some white embossing powder and heat-set it with my heating tool.  I adhered my stamped images onto the card.  To finish the design, I used my black glazed pen to give the eye a little more dimension.

 

 

I really love that even though the background is quite busy, the images just managed to stand out!  Here’s a little close-up:

 

 

I just simply adore the stamp set.  It is definitely in my top five favorites by Kindred stamps.

 

 

What do you think?  I hope you like my card today and got inspired.  Please visit Kindred Stamps to purchase this stamp set.  I hope you have a wonderful day and happy crafting!

 

Kindred Stamps – Magic Show

| marialrussell

Welcome to the August release by Kindred Stamps! I am so lucky to be a part of this blog hop.  For my projects today, I am showcasing the Magic Show stamp set.

We have six new stamp sets, new shaker packs, and a couple new stencils coming out Friday, August 24th at Kindred Stamps, that we think you’ll fall in-love with as much as we have! Come join us on our team’s blog hop for a chance to win a $10 store credit; make sure you leave comments on each blog to be entered. Join our Facebook Fan Club to be kept in the loop about giveaways, share your projects, and see all of ours!

For my first card, I stamped the images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using my Scan N Cut 2 Machine.  I die-cut my Stitched Scalloped Collage die with some black card stock and adhered this to my card base.  I adhered my images and stamped the sentiment.  Here’s my first card:

KindredMagic1A

I also added some white dots on the card with my Sakura Gelli-roll pen.  This stamp set is so adorable!

KindredMagic1B

My second card is very simple.  I did a little bit of masking so that the girl can stand up on the small table.  Here’s my second card:

KindredMagic2A

Here’s a little close-up:

KindredMagic2B

Here’s the order of the hop:

Kindred Stamps

Ashlea

Tanya

Marcia

Rachel

Courtney

Amber

Molly

Maria

Thanks for joining us today.  Have an amazing day!

Simple Cards with Patterned Paper & Bold Sentiments Featuring “Be” stamp set

| marialrussell

Hello CAS-ual Fridays fans!  I hope you are having a great week so far.  Maria here with you today sharing some very simple cards with pretty patterned papers and bold sentiments, showcasing my favorite stamp set called “Be”.  Here’s what I used for my projects today:

As paper crafters, I’m sure you can relate that we all have a bajillion collection of patterned papers!    Sometimes when I am not feeling all crafty especially when experiencing jet lag, I want to create some very simple but beautiful cards.  I always look at my collection of patterned papers and bold sentiments stamp set.  The “Be” stamp set is just what I needed today to create some encouraging cards.  This stamp set is a must-have!

Some of my non-crafty friends used to tell me that they just didn’t have any patience to make hand-made cards.  If you are a beginner and you don’t have a lot of supplies (or have no patience to color and die-cut), you can still make pretty cards by collecting some amazing stamp sets like the one that I used here and some beautiful patterned papers.

For my first card, I cut a patterned paper that I purchase from the craft store and adhered this piece to my card base.  I think the sentiment I used for my card below went perfectly well with the images on the paper.

To finish my card I simply added some white dot details to the images with my Sakura Gelli-Roll pen.

This card only took less than 2 minutes to make but I think it will definitely make someone’s day.  The bold sentiment complimented the busy background.  Here’s a close-up:

For my second card, I used a rainbow patterned paper and a die from my stash to die-cut the middle piece.  I adhered this piece onto my A2 size card base with some foam adhesive.  I stamped the sentiment in the middle.

To finish the design, I added the white die-cuts using the Jumping Jacks Fri-dies.  I also added some sparkling clear jewels.

Don’t you just love the simplicity of these two cards?  I hope you got inspired today.  Please visit CAS-ual Fridays stamps to purchase the supplies I used.  Don’t forget to use my coupon code below, for 15% off your order.  Have a wonderful day and happy crafting!