handmade cards

A Happy Hello Featuring Crafter’s Essentials 2 Die

| marialrussell

I’m so excited to share today’s post because we are launching a new product at Kat Scrappiness called Crafter’s Essentials 2 die set.   This set includes 8 steel rule dies.  You can also pair them up with the Crafter’s Essentials 1 die set and you will have endless design possibilities.  Here’s what it looks like:

I made two cards today to showcase the Crafter’s Essentials 2 die set and I have a process video for the mermaid card that you will see below.

For my first card, I used an older stamp set from my stash and made a simple card.   I love the stitching details  on the banner and the bigger dies.

I also used the Everyday Brush Strokes stamp set for my sentiment.  Don’t you just love the chevron pattern on the big die?   Here’s another look:

I added some black dots on the card base to give it a little bit more dimension.  Here’s a little close-up:

For my second card, I wanted to create a happy, summer-themed card.  I used a stamp set that I recently purchased with this cute cat mermaid.  I also used the Sunscape stencil die by Newton’s Nook Designs.

I started out by inking up some Bristol smooth white card stock with Squeezed Lemonadeand Spiced Marmalade distress oxide inkwith my mini ink blending tool.  Since I have a process video for this card, I will keep this blog post short.

I inlaid the little chevron pieces on my card.  I also added the Sparkling Clear Jewels to make them look like bubbles.  Here’s a little close-up:

This card makes me happy.  I love the colors that I used and this die-set is a must-have!  Here’s another look:

Here’s my process video:

I hope you got inspired today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  I’d be so grateful if you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.  Please don’t forget to use my coupon code “MARIA10” for 10% off your order.   Have a nice day and happy crafting!

————-SUPPLIES————-


I Put A Spell On You with Kindred Stamps

| marialrussell

Hello Kindred Stamps fans!  I hope you are all having a great week so far.  Maria here with you and I am super excited to write my first blog post as a design team member of Kindred stamps.  I am so happy and honored to be working with these talented ladies and I hope you will also be inspired by my designs.   You will also find more of my work on my blog –> Maria Russell Designs.

 

For my project today, I am showcasing the Witch Sisters stamp set.  I love HALLOWEEN and if I can celebrate it all-year round, I definitely would.

 

I started by stamping my images on some Neenah Solar White Card Stock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I colored my images in with my Copic markers and used by precision scissors to fuzzy cut the images.

 

I used an apartment die from my stash to die-cut the pieces I needed to create the “cottage” for my cute little witches.  I adhered the pieces onto a black card base and added the witches.

 

To finish my design, I fuzzy-cut a black cat image from the All Hallow’s Eve 6×6 paper pad collection by American Crafts.  I colored the cat’s eyes with my Green Copic marker.  I also stamped my sentiment on a scallop oval and added this piece on the awning.  Here’s my card:

 

I really love how this card turned out.  To add a little whimsical touch, I added some Stardust Stickles on the candle flame  Here’s another look:

 

 

I also added a small ghost on the sentiment:

 

 

I hope you got inspired today!  Please visit Kindred Stamps to purchase the Witch Sisters stamp set that I used today.  Have an amazing day and happy crafting!

 

Clean & Simple Cards with SomeBunny – CAS-ual Fridays Stamps

| marialrussell

Hello everyone!  Maria here with you today and I am super excited to share my very first post as a member of the CAS-ual Fridays Ink Squad.  It is definitely a dream come true for me!  I have always admired the talented girls on the Ink Squad and when I received the good news that I made it on the team, I was happy and terrified at the same time!  I hope I will be able to inspire you in this amazing journey and get creative with me.

For today’s project, I am showcasing the SomeBunny stamp set with the Bunny Fri-Dies, and the Best Day Fri-Dies.

I started out by die-cutting the two bunnies on some Neenah Solar White Card Stock.  I placed the die-cuts back on the negative piece and lined-up my images, and held it in place with low-tack tape.   I used my stamping tool to stamp the images using Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.

For my first project, I wanted to make a birthday card using the adorable Bunny holding a balloon.  I cut another piece of some white card stock and stamped the little stars using some light gray ink.  I wanted the stars on my background to look like watermark so that these images wouldn’t overwhelm the whole card design.  I also die-cut the “Best Day Ever” using the dies and adhered these pieces onto my card panel with my Nuvo Liquid adhesive.

To finish my design, I adhered my little bunny with some foam tape, and added Glossy Accents to the balloon.  Here is my first card:

 

I love the simplicity of this birthday card.  Here’s another look:

I really love the white-on-white background and the glossy accents on the balloon just gave it a little something extra!

For my second card, I did the same technique by stamping the little stars on my card panel with the same light gray ink.  I die-cut another piece of some white card stock to create the frame for my cute little bunny.  I stamped the sentiment onto the frame, and adhered this piece on my background panel with some foam adhesive.

To finish my design, I stamped 3 little stars next to the bunny with some light blue ink and added Stardust Stickles to the moon.  Here is my second card:

I am in-love with this stamp set.

The stardust stickles added a little touch of whimsy to the design.

I hope I have given you some inspiration today to create some clean and simple cards.  Please don’t forget to use my coupon code below for 15% off your order at the shop.  Isn’t this the best day ever?

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!

Enjoy the Ride with Paper House Productions

| marialrussell

Hello Paper House Productions fans!  I cannot believe that time flew by so fast and I am sad to say that this is my last blog post for Paper House Productions.  I have been so FORTUNATE to be able to work with the AMAZING products by PHP, the talented design team and of course, everyone at Paper House Productions.  It has been a great journey to be a part of this design team which is why I chose “Enjoy the Ride” theme for my project today.

 

For our final project, we were asked to pick out our FAVORITE product from the Paper House Productions.  Mind you, this wasn’t an easy task!   I LOVE the paper pads, the stickers, washi tape, traveler’s notebook, etc.   However if there’s one thing that I’ve been loving (and buying) the most even before I got on this design team, it’s always been the stickers!   Sometimes when I want to create a beautiful card without stamping or doing a lot of fancy stuff, I always make cards with stickers.  I also love adding stickers to my scrapbook layouts and planners.

 

To start, I stamped an A2 size card stock with my background stamp with a mint green ink and die-cut the same with my Stitched Wonky Die.  I also die-cut another piece of white card stock to create the frame.

 

I have been dying to use this Stickypix “It Takes Two Cardstock Multi-Pack” stickers because I absolutely love everything in this pack.  It has all of my favorite color combination – Mint Green, Light Blue, Red, Pink and Gold.  I picked the bicycle, stars and flowers on this pack.

 

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This card took about less than 10 minutes to make and can be easily mass-produced.   Here’s my card:

 

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I just love the gold-foil details on the bicycle and the flowers.

 

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I also simply adore the little stars in the sticker pack.  I added a couple of them on my card.

 

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It has been a great pleasure working with The Paper House Productions and the talented Design Team for Winter/Spring Term.  Thank you everyone for this amazing journey.  It really has been a great ride!

 

XOXO,

Maria

 

SUPPLIES:  Sticker Pix It Takes Two Cardstock Multi-Pack Stickers

Newton’s Nook & Xyron Inspiration Week Collaboration

| marialrussell

NNDXYRON_2018

This week Newton’s Nook Designs and Xyron are partnering for a very awesome inspiration week!  Each day there is fresh inspiration using Newton’s Nook Designs products with Xyron adhesives on the NND blog and on the Xyron facebook page!

For my project today, I used the new Loveable Llama stamp set by NND, a Sizzix step-up die from my stash and my all-time favorite Xyron Mega Tape Runner.

I started out by die-cutting some white 110 lb. card stock using my Sizzix Basic Step-up dies.

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I stamped my Llamas from Loveable Llamas stamp set on some Neenah solar white card stock, using memento tuxedo black ink.  I colored them in with my Copic markers, and used the coordinating dies to die-cut the images.

I used a patterned paper from my stash to die-cut the pieces to decorate my step-up card and adhered them with my Xyron Mega Tape Runner.  This is my favorite adhesive to use on my projects.

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I adhered all of the images on the card and finished the design by stamping the sentiment on a banner strip die, and added the yellow bow.  Here’s the card:

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I really love how cheerful this card turned out.  The cacti images from the stamp set went perfectly with the theme of this card.

 

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Here’s another look:

 

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Would you like to win a Prize pack including a Mega Runner from Xyron and a $25 store credit to Newton’s Nook Designs?

Here’s how to win:

Leave a comment on the NND & Design Team blog posts using Xyron products all week (June 25-29) to enter. One winner will be randomly chosen from blog posts throughout the week so the more posts you leave comments on the better your chances are of winning!  You have until Friday, June 29th, at midnight EST to comment. The winner will be announced on the NND blog post on Monday, July 2nd.

Xyron will also be giving away a prize pack! Make sure to visit the Xyron facebook page each day this week for inspiration and leave comments there for another chance to win! Have an amazing week and happy crafting!

—————-SUPPLIES—————


Newton’s Nook Designs June Release – Newton’s Kitchen

| marialrussell

NNDJune18ReleaseIcon

It is the last day of the May reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs  and we have saved the best for last!  Don’t forget to check out the details I have indicated at the end of this blog post for a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day.  [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 project, the design team is showcasing Newton’s Kitchen stamp set with the coordinating dies.  I absolutely ADORE this stamp set!

NNDJune18_NewtonsKitchen

I stamped my images on some smooth white card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.  For every stamp release, I color images more than I need and save the ones I didn’t use for another project later on.

I wanted to create a cute scene for Chef Newton here so I die-cut some pieces of colored card stock using a die from my stash.  I adhered the die-cut pieces onto my card stock, and added Chef Newton in the middle.  Here is Newton’s bakeshop:

NNDNewton'sKitchen

To finish my design, I added the giant cupcake and apple pie from the Love A La Carte stamp set (retired).

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I stamped the sentiment on some die-cut panel and adhered it on my card.  Here’s another look:

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I have another card that I made using this set, but I also mixed it with the Made From Scratch stamp set, with the Frames and Flags die.

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I absolutely LOVE mixing and matching stamp sets by Newton’s Nook. Here’s another look:

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Would you like to win the “Newton’s Kitchen” 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 June 21st at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 22nd.

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

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-


Newton’s Nook Designs June Release – Coffee & Wine and Wine A Little

| marialrussell

NNDJune18ReleaseIcon

It is the third day of the June reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.   Are you loving what you’re seeing so far?  Don’t forget to check out the details I have indicated at the end of this blog post for a chance to win the stamp set being revealed each day.  [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!]  

Today, the design team is showcasing two stamp sets – Wine A Little stamp set and coordinating dies with the Coffee & Wine stamp set.   I LOVE WINE so of course I love both stamp sets!  This may be my favorite thus far although it is really tough to pick a fave since they’re all AMAZING!

NNDJune18_Coffee&Wine

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For my first card, I stamped the images from the Wine & Coffee stamp set on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I purposely didn’t stamp the middle of the card because I wanted the focal point to be the sentiment.    If you read my Designer’s Nook series email this week, I did a similar design to my card but I love how this one turned out.  Even though the focal point is the sentiment, I love the colored images on the background.

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Isn’t it true that life is what happens between coffee and wine?

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I added some highlights to the stamped images with my C1 Copic marker to give it more dimension.  Here’s another look:

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For my second card, I colored my background with another stencil from my stash.  I dry-embossed the card stock with the Postage die from the Framework Die set.

I stamped the images on some smooth white card stock and colored them with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.  I adhered the images on my colored background panel.

I stamped the sentiment on a die-cut banner from the Frames and Flags die set.  I die-cut the “Cheers” script sentiment using a die from the Cocktail Mixer coordinating dies.

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Don’t you just love the gold details on the “Cheers” script sentiment?

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It is so true that the best wines are the ones we drink with loved ones and friends.  Here’s another look:

NNDWineALittle1B

Would you like to win the “Wine A Little” or “Coffee and Wine” Stamp Set?  Each 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 June 21st at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 22nd.

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

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-


Newton’s Nook Designs June Release – Loveable Llamas

| marialrussell

NNDJune18ReleaseIcon

It is the second day of the June 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 Loveable Llamas stamp set and coordinating dies.  I was super excited when I saw this stamp set because there are two Llamas in different poses and some accessories to dress them up.  I LOVE THE SUNGLASSES!  Here’s what the stamp set look like:

NNDJune18_LoveableLlamas

I started out by stamping my images on some smooth white card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

I wanted to add the cacti images from the Cultivated Cacti stamp set.  I stamped them on some white card stock with green and pink inks.  I added some dot details using the Faber Castell black pen.

I stamped the balloons from the Playful Pandas stamp set (revealed yesterday).  I colored them in with my Copic markers, and added some white dots using my Sakura Gellyroll Pen.  I adhered the Llama on top.  Here’s the card:

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I think the cacti images went perfectly well with the Llama.  I also added some shadows under the Llama using my C2 and C0 Copic markers.

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Here’s another look:

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For my second card, I dry-embossed some white card stock using the new Serene Stripes stencil (revealed yesterday) with my embossing pad.  I colored the background with some distress oxide inks.

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Isn’t he adorable?  I added the sunglasses and covered it with glossy accents to make it look realistic.  He’s so groovy!  Here’s a little close-up:

NNDLoveableLlmas2A

Would you like to win the “Loveable Llamas” 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 June 21st at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 22nd.

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

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-


Newton’s Nook Designs June Release – Playful Pandas

| marialrussell

NNDJune18ReleaseIcon

I get super excited each month as we start our reveals of the new stencils, stamp set and dies by Newton’s Nook Designs.   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 our first reveal day, the design team is showcasing the two new stencils called Serene Stripes and Sunscape, with the Playful Pandas stamp set and coordinating dies.  Here’s what they looks like:

NNDJune18_Stencils

NNDJune18_PlayfulPandas

I know this sounds redundant but each reveal month, I am just blown away by the talented Jennifer Jackson.   It seems that every month, it just gets better and better!

For my first card, I stamped the images on some white card stock with my Tim Holtz stamp platform and memento tuxedo black ink.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.  This did not take a long time since Pandas are generally black and white, but I highlighted them with some light gray Copic marker to give it more dimension.  I die-cut the Pandas and bamboo with the coordinating dies.

I cut an A2 size piece of Bristol smooth white card stock and colored my background using the new Sunscape stencil, with my mini ink blending tool.  I used Picked Raspberry and Tattered Rose distress Oxide Inks.   I die-cut the card stock with a die from my stash.  I adhered the acetate sheet and added foam adhesive to create my well for my shaker card.

I added some sparkling clear sequins by Kat Scrappiness, and adhered my card base onto the shaker to secure my shaker elements.  I die-cut some mint green card stock using the Sky borders die.  I wanted to make it look like grassy hills.  I adhered the hills on top of the acetate, and glued the pandas and bamboo as well.  To finish my design, I stamped the sentiment “Pada-monium” on my card.  Here’s what it looks like:

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Don’t you just love those little pandas?  They are adorable!

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I love the colors that I used on this card.  The pandas are so cute and I love the new Sunscape stencil.  Here’s another close-up:

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For my second card, I wanted to make a different design by adding the pandas in the middle of the card.

I colored some white card stock using the Serene stripes stencil with Lucky Clover distress oxide ink and my mini-ink blending tool.  I die-cut another piece of some white card stock using a border die from my stash, and adhered these two pieces with foam adhesive.  I finished my design by adhering the pandas, balloons and bamboo in the middle of the card.  Here’s the card:

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I added some white dots to the cheeks, balloons and also the bamboo.  Here’s a little close-up:

NNDPlayfulPandas1B

Would you like to win the “Playful Pandas” 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 June 21st at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 22nd.

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

Naki Rager

Maria Russell

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

———-SUPPLIES———-