maria russell designs

Inky Paws Challenge No. 42 ~ Birthday

| marialrussell

There’s a new Inky Paws Challenge on the blog (http://www.inkypawschallenge.com) and this time it is a birthday theme!

Here is the inspiration photo:

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I colored my image on Neenah solar white card stock with my Copic markers.  I also used my gel pens to add some whimsical touch to the “cake”.  There’s really nothing much more to it so I am just going to show you the card:

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For more information about the inky paws challenge, please visit http://www.inkypawschallenge.com. You have two weeks to join.  Winner will get a $10 gift code for the Newton’s Nook Designs shop.

The supplies that I have used for today’s card are listed and linked below if you are interested. Have an amazing day!

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Easter Interactive Cards with Xyron Plus More Spring Cards Inspiration

| marialrussell

Hello stampers and crafters! I hope you’re having a great day so far. Thanks for joining me today. I am back to share with you some Easter cards that I have made ages ago. I forgot how I loved making interactive cards.  For the Easter cards you see below, I have made a ton of them back when I first started paper crafting. I didn’t have enough supplies then so it is really more fun for me to re-create them now. These cards can be easily mass-produced!  They are so simple!

I started out by die-cutting my white card stock and patterned papers using my oval dies.  I also die-cut a ¾ inch. colored card stock and adhered it to the center of the patterned paper. To create the “cracked” look on the “egg” and to be able to open and close the card, I used my Lawn Fawn stitched scallop edge die. By doing this process, it will ensure that your patterned paper are perfectly lined up together.

Using my Xyron Teresa Collins Mega Runner adhesive, I adhered the bottom decorative patterned paper to the card base. I then used my paper punch to punch a hole on the top panel, and inserted a decorative brad so I can open and close the card.

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I stamped my little chick image on Neenah solar white card stock (twice) and colored him in with my Copic markers. I fuzzy cut the images with my precision-cut scissors and used my Xyron mega tape runner again to adhere the image inside the card.

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To finish off the design, I stamped my sentiments on both cards, and covered the brad with some decorative flowers. Aren’t they adorable? They are so easy to make. Even little kids will love creating these interactive Easter cards.

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Here are some other spring-related cards that I designed before and recreated for this blog post using my Xyron tape Runner and Sticker Maker. I hope I have given you some inspiration to create some cute Easter and spring cards. Happy crafting!

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You Are My Favorite Little Nut

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty peeps! I hope you are all having a fantastic day! I am super excited to share with you today’s cards. This is my first blog post as a Design Team member for Xyron, Inc., Yay! (I’m still doing my happy dance in my head as I write this post) I have been a Xyron fan since 2003 and I have been using their products since.  Today’s “just-because” cards are so easy to replicate.  I am showcasing the Xyron 5-inch Creative Station Lite, Teresa Collins Mega Tape Runner and stamp set and dies by Neat and Tangled.

I started out by stamping my images on Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in using my Copic markers. I lined up my coordinating dies on the images using low-tack tape to hold them in place, and proceeded to die-cut them on my Big Shot machine.  Using a wreath die, I die-cut my card stock twice. I wanted some dimension to the wreath and also make it sturdier. I used my scissors to remove the “hooray” part of the wreath.  Using my Xyron 5-Inch Creative station, I inserted the die-cuts through the machine to run it through. Without removing the other piece out of the sticky sheet, I adhered the pieces together. This will ensure that they are perfectly lined up. With the help of my craft pick, I started removing the extra adhesives between the spaces.

Without lifting the die cut piece out of the sticker sheet, I went ahead and colored it using my Copic markers. This technique ensures that your intricate piece gets held in place while you’re coloring the card stock.

Using the negative piece of the wreath, I distressed the background using Broken China Distress Ink. I used my paintbrush to splatter some water on my background, and let it sit for about 30 seconds them picked up the water with my paper towel. I love the fun splatter effect!

I lifted the colored wreath out of the sticker paper and carefully adhered it to my card panel. I love using my Xyron Creative Station Lite (or Xyron Sticker Maker) to adhere die-cuts to my card. Since the Xyron gives complete adhesive coverage, this intricate piece will stay securely adhered to the card.

Using my stamping tool, I lined up my stamps and stamped the sentiment on my card.  I used my Teresa Collins Mega Tape Runner to adhere my critters and the hearts to the card front. To finish off the design, I added glossy accents to the hearts.

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Here is the first card:

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Since I have leftover stamped images, I decided to create another card.  Here is a card that you can give as an anniversary card, or just-because!

 

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I hope you like my cards.  If your would like to check out a beautiful card created by my fellow Xyron DT member, Pam Bray, here is her post: (http://www.pammejoscrapbookflair.com/…/hello-beautiful-with…)

The supplies I have used are listed and linked below. Have an amazing day and happy crafting!

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Newton’s Nook February Release and an Easter Card

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends! I am back today to share with you an Easter card that I have made (with a process video below). In the video, I have also shared the February release of stamps and dies by Newton’s Nook, including all of the other projects I have made.

You might think it’s strange that the Easter eggs on my card below look like a tree ornament, right? Let me tell you the inspiration for this. I have a small tree in my craft room that I decorate for every holiday. Easter is no exception. I love decorating my craft space and this tiny tree give a nice glow in the evening when I’m crafting and it makes me happy. Here’s the photo:

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I will not post a step-by-step instruction this time but if you would like to see how I made the card, I have a link of this video below. Supplies I have used are also listed and linked. Have an amazing week and happy crafting!

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YouTube video:

 

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Treasure Trolls Shaker Tag

| marialrussell

Hello stampers and crafters!  I am back today to share another project that I have made with the adorable Treasure Trolls stamp set by Craftin Desert Divas (CDD).  When I saw this stamp set, I just knew I had to have it!  This stamp set is now available for purchase at the CDD online shop.

 

Before I show you the tag, I wanted to let you know that there is a giveaway during the release week.  For more details, please join the Facebook Group Event in order to participate.  You wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.  Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1789241044729435/

 

Also for USA customers with a minimum purchase of $20, you can use the coupon code “20SHIP” for free shipping.  International customers with a minimum purchase of $40 can use coupon code “40SHIP” for free shipping!  This offer is only valid from February 16 through February 26th.

 

Without further ado, here’s the shaker tag:

 

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Shine bright and show your true colors! Have an amazing day!

D.I.Y. Treat Bag using Stitched Heart Tag Dies by KatScrappiness

| marialrussell

Hello stampers and crafters! I am back with you today to share with you a process video on how I made Valentine’s treat bags using the new stitched heart tag dies by Kat Scrappiness.

Instructions:

In order to make the bag, you will need two pieces of the stitched heart tag dies.

1. You will also need a matching piece of either card stock or patterned paper measuring 2 inches by 11 7/8. On the 11 7/8 side, score the paper at 4 inches, and 7 7/8 inches.

2. Flip the paper.

3. On the 2 inches side, score at 1/4 inch on both sides.

Here is the process video. All supplies are listed and linked below.

 

 

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You Octopi My Heart

| marialrussell

Hello crafters! It’s Maria Russell here with you again today to share with you a cute Valentine’s card, showcasing the Stitched Fancy Scalloped Rectangle Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, Lawn Fawn Octopi My Heart stamp set and dies, and a LOT of products available now at Kat Scrappiness.

 

I wanted to record a process video earlier to show you how I made this shaker card but I am still recovering from laryngitis and it was so hard for me to talk and craft at the same time. I apologize if I don’t have a process video for you today.

 

I started out by die-cutting my shaker panel using the new Stitched Fancy Scalloped Rectangle Dies, with the Stitched Rectangle dies. I also used my acetate sheet to adhere to the panel to create the window for my shaker card. I stamped my images on Neenah solar white card stock and colored my Octopi with my Copic markers. I also stamped the coral images from an older Lawn Fawn Mermaid For You stamp set. I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

 

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I wanted to color my card stock using the stitched wave border dies to create some waves, so I used the Inkadinkado Masking paper to cut out my mask. I used my distress inks to color the background. I splattered some water using my watercolor brush to create “bubbles”. Somehow it didn’t look like I had enough bubbles so I used my Copic White Opaque paint and splattered some white paint all over my background. This made it look more realistic!

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I finished off the design of the card by using some beautiful sequin mixes from Kat Scrappiness for my shaker element. I used 6mm Metallic Grape, 6mm Sparkling Snow Sequin Mix, White Diamond Sequin Mix and some green seed beads I had from my stash.

 

Here is my card:

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I hope you got inspired today.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have an amazing day!

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