handmade cards

NND June Release Day 4 – Barbecue Roundabout & Seashells Roundabout Stamp Sets

| marialrussell

I am a bit sad that this is the last day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.  If you haven’t hopped along with us yet, now is a great time to catch up. You 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 WordPress 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 Barbecue Roundabout and Seashell Roundabout stamp sets that coordinates with the Circle Frame Die set and Banner Trio die set.

Both cards are fairly simple. I started by die-cutting the circle scallop using the biggest die from the Circle Frames die set. I positioned this inside my stamping tool and stamped the images with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I colored the images in with alcohol markers.

To ground the image, I die-cut a circle frame and adhered this piece on my colored panel. I used the same scallop die to die-cut my card base and adhered the colored images to this piece.

Last thing I did was to stamp the sentiment on the banner that was die-cut using one of the dies from the Banner Trio die set and adhered this on the card with liquid glue.

For my next card, I stamped the images on some A2-size Neenah solar white card stock. I colored the images in with alcohol markers.

On another A2-size Neenah solar white, I created the window by using one of the circle dies from the Circle Frames Die Set. I wanted to add texture and interest to this panel so I used the Seashell Stencil with some White Pearl Metallix Gel using Stencil Pal. I set this aside to let it dry for about half an hour.

I die-cut another circle frame with some black card stock and adhered on the panel with liquid glue. I foam-mounted this piece on the colored images for added dimension. I finished the design by adding the sentiment that was again stamped on the banner using one of the dies from the Banner Trio die set.

Would you like to win the “Barbecue Roundabout” or the “Seashell Roundabout” stamp set?  We will choose ONE lucky winner to win each stamp set 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, June 17th at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 18th. 

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 June Release Day 3 – Kitten Beach and Beach Barks

| marialrussell

It is the third day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs.  Were you able to hop along with us on Monday and Tuesday? You 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 WordPress 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 Kitten Beach and Beach Barks stamp sets and their coordinating dies.

I started by creating the background panel. Using Mustard Seed and Carved Pumpkin with the mini ink blending tools, I blended both colors together on Bristol smooth white card stock. Once I was satisfied with the intensity of the colors, I used my distress sprayer to spray some water on the colored background, and picked up the excess water with some paper towel.

I stamped the images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my alcohol markers. I used the coordinating dies to cut the images out.

The “waves” were created by using the Sea Borders Die Set to die-cut more Bristol smooth card stock. I ink-blended the panel with Salty Ocean and Broken China distress oxide inks.

Next, I used one of the circle dies from the Circle Frames die set to die-cut the window on some Neenah solar white card stock. I then used the Sunscape stencil to add the sand dunes with Antique Linen distress oxide ink. I adhered my cute little kitty on my foreground and started to work on assembling my card.

I adhered the background first on some A2 size note card. I added the clouds from the Sky Scene Builder Die Set and “waves” that I inked up previously with foam and liquid adhesives for added dimension. I finished the design by adding the Iridescent Clear Droplet Sampler Pack for added texture. Here’s a little close-up:

My next card was a bit more time-consuming since I used two different stencils (Serene Stripes and Woof Stencil) to create the background. I used texture paste to add dimension without overwhelming the card design. The window panel was die-cut using the scallop die from the Framework Die Set.

The image was stamped on some Bristol smooth white card stock. I colored it in with my Zig Clean Color real Brush Pens and used the coordinating die to cut it out. I foam-mounted my image for added dimension.

Last thing to do is to stamp the sentiment with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. I finished the design by adding glossy accents to their sunglasses and using white gel pen for added interest.

Would you like to win the “Kitten Beach” or the “Beach Barks stamp set”?  We will choose ONE lucky winner to win each stamp set 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, June 17th at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 18th. 

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 June Release Day 2 – Summer Moments & Newton’s Seashell

| 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 Summer Moments and Newton’s Seashell stamp sets and their coordinating dies with the Retro Sun Stencil.

I started by creating the background panel by spraying some Pixie spray on the Retro Sun stencil number 1 and placed it on top of my Neenah solar white card stock. It just gave enough tack to adhere on my card stock.

Next, I used my palette knife to gather enough textured paste and spread it onto my craft mat. I dropped a few colors of my Carved Pumpkin distress oxide re-inker and mixed it together. Using the Stencil Pal from Therm-O-Web, I applied the textured paste onto the card panel. I removed the stencil and set this card panel aside to let it dry for about half an hour. Some of the paste kind of bled outside the lines but I didn’t really mind it. After all, this is “handmade” not hallmark (as per Jennifer Maguire).

Once the card panel was dry, I used the Clouds stencil to add the sky.

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.

To create the sandbank, I used the Hills & Grass stencil with some light brown ink and blending brush to add color to my focal panel. I also used my alcohol marker to draw some dots randomly for added texture.

The last thing to do was to adhere my focal image and stamped the sentiment with some black ink. I used the Retro stencil again to add the birds. Here’s a closer look:

The next card is really simple. I pretty much did the same steps as mentioned above but this time, using the Waves & Splashes stencil, Petite Clouds stencil and one of my favorites, the Fancy Edges Tag Die Set.

I cut about half an inch off my A2-size card stock and adhered on some patterned paper that I added on white notecard. Adhering the tag on the card with liquid glue for added stability. Here’s a closer look:

Would you like to win the “Summer Moments stamp set”?  We will choose ONE lucky winner to win this 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, June 17th at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 18th. 

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 June Release Day 1 – Newton’s 4th of July & Buns Out

| 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 Newton’s 4th of July and Buns Out Stamp Sets with their coordinating dies, along with the Fireworks 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 alcohol markers and cut them out using the coordinating dies.

The background was very simple to create. I started with some patterned paper and stamped this panel with Versamark ink. I used some white and gold embossing powder and used my heating tool to heat-set the images make them stand out!

Newton was adhered with some foam adhesive for added dimension. I added the sentiment that was also stamped with Versamark with white embossing powder and heat-set with the heating tool. Here’s a closer look:

The next card I have for you today is also fairly simple. I started by masking off some Neenah solar white card stock with masking tape. I used the Sunscape stencil with some distress oxide ink to create the sun-rays, building up the color intensity towards the sun for added depth.

The image was stamped with VersaFine Clair in Pinecone. Since this is a waterproof ink, I colored the image with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers. I used the coordinating die to die-cut the image and adhered on my focal panel with liquid glue.

I finished my design by adding glossy accents to the sunglasses for added texture and stamped the sentiment with VersaFine Ink in Nocturne. I also used my white gel pen to add some dots and lines to the sunglasses.

Easy, peasy, right?!

Would you like to win the “Newton’s 4th of July 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, June 17th at 9pm ET to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, June 18th. 

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———

Sending Birthday Hugs & Wishes with LDRS Creative

| marialrussell

I am back today to bring you another inspiration, showcasing some new and older stamp sets and dies by LDRS Creative.  Lately, it seems like I’m always running out of birthday cards so I decided to create one to add to my stash of cards. 

To make the card, I die-cut some Neenah Solar white card stock using the outer die from the Floral Foliage Slim Line die set.  I ink-blended this panel using the Magical Skies Stencil (hills & sky) and the Rainy Day stencil (grass), with the Swimming Hole and Pistachios-A-Plenty Hybrid Ink. 

Next, I stamped the images from the Up & Away Stamp Set with Raven Hybrid Ink and colored them in with alcohol markers.  I used the Up & Away coordinating dies to die-cut them out.  I adhered the images on the focal panel with liquid glue, as I didn’t think it needed any dimension. 

Next thing to do is to add a sentiment.  I stamped the sentiment/s from the Happy Birthday Sentiment Stack stamp set on some black card stock with the LDRS Watermark ink.  I sprinkled some LDRS White Embossing Powder and heat-set with my heating tool.  Using the Sentiment Stack Coordinating Dies made it possible to die-cut all of the sentiments in one go!  I saved the rest of the sentiment strips and put them inside my stamp pocket so I can use them for future projects! 

I adhered the sentiment onto the card, and added this focal panel on some White Slimline card base.  Finishing the card design, I added more interest to the balloons using white gel pen. Here’s another look: 

I love the colorful balloons and the cute little elephants flying up, up & away!  The magical sky just added that whimsical touch to the overall card design. 

I hope you like this card as much as I do.  The supplies I use are listed and linked below.  Thanks for stopping by and have an amazing day!

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You Make Rough Days Better with Newton’s Nook

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends! I hope you are staying safe and having a nice week so far! I am back today to share with you a very simple card, showcasing the Puppy Friends stamp set and coordinating dies along with the Petite Clouds Stencil and the following dies –> Land Borders, Sky Scene Builder and Banner Trio.

I started by creating the background first. I used masking tape to mask off the left side of some Bristol smooth A2-size white notecard. I used some distress oxide ink and the Petite Clouds stencil to create the sky. I sprayed some water on the colored panel for added texture.

Next, I removed the masking tape and used some light gray ink to stamp the sentiment “You ARFF the BEST!” in random order.

I die-cut the clouds and the grass border and adhered them on the colored panel with some liquid glue. Since I already have the image that I colored and die-cut previously, I added adhesive and tucked it behind the grass panel.

The sentiment strip was die-cut and stamped with Versamark ink and heat set with my heating tool. Positioning the sentiment was pretty easy, covering the grass panel slightly. I finished my design by adding a red heart on one of the clouds and used my black gel pen to add more depth and texture to the puppy’s eyes and nose. Here’s another look:

I hope you like this card design today. It’s pretty simple but sometimes, less is really more!

The supplies I use are listed and linked below. Thanks for stopping by today and happy stamping!

———SUPPLIES——-

Seas the Day with Fairy Hugs Stamps

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends! I hope you are all doing well. I have a fun “mermaid-themed” card to share with you today, showcasing the new Malila Stamp Set (FHS-152) by The Fairy Stamper.

I wanted a rainbow-themed background for my lovely mermaid. Who said the ocean can’t be in rainbow colors, right?!

I started by inking up some Bristol smooth white card stock with distress oxide inks in Kitsch Flamingo, Ripe Persimmon, Mustard Seed and Peacock Feathers. I sprayed this background with water and picked up the excess with some paper towel.

Next, I stamped Malila using some Versafine Clair Ink in Nocturne. I love the intensity of the black against the colorful background.

To create the window panel, I die-cut some Neenah solar white card stock using a die from my collection. I colored the die-cuts with my alcohol markers and foam-mounted this piece on the card.

The last thing now is to add the sentiment. I wanted the sentiment to stand out so I stamped it on some black card stock with Versamark ink and sprinkled some white embossing powder. I heat-set the sentiment with my heating tool and adhered on my card. Here’s another look:

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

——-SUPPLIES——-

Mother’s Day Card with LDRS Creative

| marialrussell

Hello LDRS Creative fans! I have a simple slimline card to share with you today, just in time for the upcoming Mother’s Day (or just-because), showcasing the Magnolia Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies with the Chloe Alpha Lowercase Die Set, Floral Foliage Slimline Die Set.

I started by stamping the images on some Neenah Solar White card stock using Raven Hybrid Ink, and die-cut the images with the Magnolia Coordinating Dies.  I colored them in with alcohol markers. To create the background, I die-cut the Floral Foliage Slim Line Dies on some Neenah Solar white card stock and foam-mounted this on some beige slimline card base.  I wanted the white die-cut to stand out against the beige background.  I also foam-mounted the Magnolia flowers on the card for added dimension. 

The last thing to do is to add the sentiment.  The new Chloe Alpha Lowercase Die set is so beautiful and perfect for the soft look I was going for on this card.  I die-cut the word “mom” on some Neenah solar white card stock and just to give it a little more interest, I used the Soft Kisses Hybrid Ink with a blending brush to color half of the letters.  This gave it an ombre effect.  I foam-mounted the die-cuts on the card for added dimension, giving it more of a unified look!   

You really need to check out the new release! I absolutely LOVE all the new stamps, dies and stencils at the shop.  I’ve listed and linked them below if you’d like to purchase them.  Thanks for stopping by today and Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday, to all the moms out there!

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Newton’s Nook and Therm-O-Web Collaboration Week + Giveaway

| marialrussell

Welcome to Therm-O-Web and Newton’s Nook Designs collaboration. This week, NND and TOW are partnering for a fabulous inspiration week! All week long, both design teams will be sharing ways to add use Therm O Web products with Newton’s Nook Designs stamps! There are prizes too! Read all the way to the end of this post to find out how you can win!

Today is the last day of the collaboration so I figured I’ll share two projects to give you more inspiration! I used A LOT of products from both companies!

For my first card below, I’m showcasing Newton’s Birdbath stamp set and coordinating dies, Gnome Garden stamps & dies, Sky Scene Builder Die Set, Land Border Die Set, Circle Frames Dies, Heart Frames Dies, Petite Stencil, along with the AMAZING Deco-Foil Flock Transfer Sheets in White Latte, Sunshine Yellow, Green Envy, Black Velvet, and Emerald Green with DecoFoil Transfer Sheet in Enchanted Rose, Deco-Foil Transfer Gel Duo and iCraft Memory Tape Runner XL.

The background was created by applying Deco-Foil Transfer Gel Duo with the Petite Clouds Stencil on some blue card stock. I spread the gel evenly with the help of (one of my favorite tool) the Stencil Pal. I set this panel aside to let it dry for about half an hour.

Once the gel turns translucent, you are ready to do the flock transfer. Since I used the Deco-Foil Transfer Gel Duo, you can either run this panel through your laminator, or use your die-cutting machine. In this instance, I used my laminator. I put the panel inside my transfer sheet and cut a piece of the Deco-Foil Transfer Flock in White Latte (fussy side down). I run it through my laminator to transfer the flock. I love how the small clouds look so fluffy and realistic because of the flock sheet.

Next, I stamped the images from Newton’s Birdbath stamp set on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with alcohol markers. I used the coordinating die to cut them out.

I die-cut the rest of the components together using the dies and flock transfer sheets (mentioned above) to and started building my scene. I like having a bit of a dimension on my cards so I used the iCraft 3d Foam Adhesives on the grass panel, clouds and sun. I also had some cute flowers that I’ve already die-cut from a previous project so I adhered them onto the card for added interest.

The last piece to add is the sentiment. I stamped it on some black card stock with Versamark ink and sprinkled some white embossing powder. I used my heating tool to heat-set, then die-cut using the smallest die from the Circle Frames Die set. I adhered the sentiment using the tape runner.

Simplicity is my main goal for the second card! I ink-blended the Deco-Foil Toner Card Front in Dainty Hearts with some of my favorite distress oxide inks. I cut some Deco Foil Transfer Sheet in Enchanted Rose (just enough to cover the panel), and run this through my laminator.

For my focal point, I die-cut the scallop heart on some Vellum and Deco Foil Flock Transfer in White Latte to ground my Gnome. Adhering the focal image on the foiled card panel was easy using the iCraft Tape Runner.

The word “hello” was die-cut using a die from my collection and the Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheet in Black Velvet. With a colorful background such as this card, I wanted the sentiments to stand out!

I finished my card design by using my white gel pen and drew some dots to the Gnome’s hat for added interest. Here’s another look:

Which one is your favorite -> Newton’s Birdbath or the cute Garden Gnome? I hope you like both cards because I love how they turned out. The supplies I use are also listed and linked below in case you are interested.

NOW HERE IS THE BEST PART! Would you like to win a $40 store credit from Therm O Web or  Newton’s Nook Designs? Visit the Newton’s Nook Designs blog and the Therm O Web Blog for a chance to win! Both companies will be giving away a prize this week!  Make sure to check out their blog posts for the announcement of the lucky winners!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and happy foiling and stamping!

———-SUPPLIES———