Greeting Cards

At The Beach Scrapbook Layout

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends!  I am so excited to share my very first post for the Paperhouse Productions and today and I am sharing a very simple scrapbook layout showcasing the At The Beach 12 x 12 Paper Crafting Kit.  This pack is AMAZING as it contains card stock and puffy stickers to embellish, plus other ephemeras to decorate my project.  I thought it’s perfect to showcase the photos that I took while my husband, daughter and I were in The Maldives in July of 2016.

 

I started out by printing a couple of my photos with my colored printer and cut these photos down to size.    When I do scrapbook layouts, I kind of just go with what I feel that day and I don’t overthink about making sure the lines and photos are all perfect!  It is after all, a handmade project!

 

I adhered the photos with my favorite adhesive and added some of the embellishments.  I LOVE the puffy stickers that were included in At The Beach Paper 12 x 12 Paper Crafting Kit.  Here’s what it looks like:

 

PHPBeach1

 

I also added the card stock stickers and journaling cards that are included in the pack:

 

PHPBeach2

 

I adhered the alphabet stickers and the rest of my embellishments to finish my design. Here’s what it looks like:

 

PHPBeach3

 

I hope you all got inspired today!  Don’t forget to check out the beautiful paper products available at www.paperhouseproductions.com.  I also listed and linked the supplies that I used below.  Have a wonderful day!

Products used:  At The Beach 12 x 12 Paper Crafting Kit

 

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe and Peppermint Cards

| marialrussell

Are you all done making your Christmas cards yet? I certainly am not. My travels kind of put me behind schedule so I am trying to catch up this week before I ventured off again to my next destination.

For my card below, I am showcasing the Pug Hugs, with the Holiday Smooches, Holiday Hounds and the Llama Delivery stamp sets by Newton’s Nook Designs. I love mixing and matching my stamp sets to create my scene.

I started out by stamping my images on Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers. Since I didn’t want to leave a white border around the images, I decided to fuzzy-cut the Santa hat as well as the Pug. I also die-cut a birch tree from a die I have from my collection.

I used the Frames and Flags die set to create the frame for my card. I die-cut the frames on Bristol Smooth White card stock and on 110 lb. red card stock. I also used the land border dies to die-cut a snowy hill for my Pug.

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To create my sky background, I used my mini ink-blending tool with broken china distress oxide ink then sprayed water using my distress sprayer. I used a paper towel to dab it dry.

I adhered the birch tree, snowy hill and my Pug to the card front. I stamped the mistletoe directly onto my background and colored the image with my Copic marker. I used my white Nuvo crystal drops to create dimension on the berries and the Santa hat. I also adhered the presents next to the Pug.

To finish my design, I used my Sharpie white pen and added dots to my card to create the look of snow.

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Here’s my card:

NNDPugMistletoe

I also wanted to include two cards that I recently made using the new Peppermint die set. This die is a must-have for any paper crafter.

NNDPeppermint1

NNDPeppermint2

I hope you like my projects today and got inspired. The supplies I used are listed and linked below if you are interested. Have a great day!

———-SUPPLIES———

Home For the Holidays by Wild Whisper With Xyron

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends.  The Xyron DT is teaming up with Wild Whisper all week long.  I have 3 very simple cards to share with you today, showcasing the new stamp set by Wild Whisper called Home for the Holidays, as well as the coordinating patterned papers, with adhesives by Xyron.  Here are the products I got to play with.  Thank you Wild Whisper and Xyron, Inc. for the amazing goodies!

 

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For my first card, I started out by cutting an A2 size white card stock and also die-cut a small rectangle masking paper by Inkadinkado, to mask the middle of my card.  I stamped the images onto my card stock with different stamp inks.

 

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I removed the mask, and positioned my stamp onto the card front so that I can stamp the sentiment right in the middle.  This technique made the sentiment pop even with the busy background.  I adhered the card stock to my card base with my favorite Xyron Mega Runner.

 

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To finish my design, I added glossy accents to the bottle images, and added a few colorful dots.

 

 

Here’s my card:

 

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For my second card, I stamped the doily image using versa mark ink on my Sahara Sand card stock.  I wanted the background to be subtle.  I then stamped the sentiment and the antlers.  I colored the antlers with my Copic markers.  I finished my design by adding the bow, and the gold stars.

 

XyronWildWhisper2

 

For my third card, I drew a circle on the center of my white card stock, and stamped the stars around the circle to create my wreath.  I stamped the antlers and the sentiment using Versafine Onyx black ink.  It is a very simple card but I love how it turned out.

 

XyronWildWhisper3

I hope you like my projects today.  Please visit www.wildwhisperdesigns.com to shop for for your paper crafting supplies.  Also visit the Xyron, Inc. Facebook page for more project inspiration.  Have an amazing day!

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Lover’s Card Kit – 5 Projects

| marialrussell

Hello, hello my crafty peeps!  I hope you are all having a wonderful day!  I am back to share with you my projects, showcasing the limited-edition Chocolate Lover’s card kit by Kat Scrappiness.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS KIT!  There are so many possibilities using the supplies included in this kit.  Here’s what’s inside, plus the two add-ons, which is the Chocolate Lover’s sentiment stamp set and the Wonky Wavy Stitched Heart Dies.

 

KatScrapCardKit

 

For my first project, I wanted to create a fun shaker card using the 6 X 6 paper pad by Pebbles and the Mint Sprinkles Sequin mix as my shaker material.  I love this color combo.  I also included a short video showing you how to stamp the layered chocolate stamp set.  It looks so realistic.  Here’s the first card:

 

KatScrapChocolate1

 

Here’s the close-up:

 

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Here’s the YouTube video showing you how I stamped the chocolate:

 

 

For my second project, I wanted to create a simple, one-layer card, with the chocolate layering stamp set and the Chocolate Lover’s sentiment stamp set.  I added the pink and blue dots and finished my design with glossy accents.  The card is very simple but I love how it turned out.  Here’s the second card:

 

KatScrapChocolate2

 

For my third project, I used the chocolate image again with the “Sweet” script sentiment  die included in the kit, as well as the Fancy Scalloped Stitched Border dies.  I finished my design by adding the gold twine.  Here’s the third card:

 

KatScrapChocolate3

 

For my fourth project, I used the chocolate candy bar stamp set again but this time, I added a wreath die-cut using the Avery Elle Star Frames Elle-Ments Dies and also created a wavy card-front using the Fancy Scalloped Stitched Border Dies.  I finished my design by adding the wooden heart embellishments from the kit, coloring it with my Copic marker.  Here’s the fourth card:

 

KatScrapChocolate4

 

For my last project today, I wanted to use the stamp set to decorate a giant Hershey’s chocolate candy bar to give as a gift either for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.

I wrapped the candy bar with a plain white typing paper.  I used a stamp from my stash to stamp the snowman’s face on the paper, and colored it with my Copic markers.  I cut a square and a rectangle black card stock to create the snowman’s hat.  I then stamped my sentiment on the hat with versa mark ink, and heat-embossed it with my white embossing powder.  I adhered the hat to the snowman.  I used my 1/2 inch circle punch to create the buttons for the snowman, and adhered it onto the wrapped candy with my Xyron Mega Tape Runner.  To finish my design, I added the red seam binding for the snowman’s scarf, and added the heart embellishment by pebbles, included in the kit.  It turned out so cute.  You can easily mass-produce this project to give as gifts to teachers, your friendly neighborhood mailman/mailwoman, or anyone else.  Here’s my fifth project.  Isn’t he cute?

 

KatScrapChocolate5

I hope you like all of the projects that I created today and got inspired.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below if you are interested.  Have a wonderful day!

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Giveaway Time – Subscribers only

| marialrussell

Howdy?!  I hope you are all having a great day!  I am back today to quickly announce my HUGE Giveaway on my YouTube channel.  There are 3 prices up for grabs! If you are following me here on my blog and would like to participate to WIN, please go to my YouTube channel and subscribe, leave ONE comment on the comments section telling me what you are thankful for this year.  I will have the giveaway open from today, November 22nd until December 4th.  Drawing will be held on December 5, 2017.  See the video below.  GOOD LUCK!

 

NND November Release – Day 2 – Winter Woofs

| marialrussell

NNDReleaseIcon_NOV17

It is the second day of the November release by Newton’s Nook Designs and today, the design team is showcasing the Winter Woofs stamp set and coordinating dies.  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 understanding and I apologize for the confusion.]

Here’s what the Stamp set and dies look like:

NNDNOV17_WinterWoofs

I stamped my images on smooth white yardstick and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images with the coordinating dies.  I also die-cut another piece of Bristol smooth white card stock, using the Flags and Frames die.  I wanted to create a unique snowy background for my little dog.  I used my seedless preserve and piked raspberry distress oxide inks with my mini ink blending tool to create my snowy background.  I sprayed it with water using my distress sprayer, and dabbed it with my paper towel.  I also die-cut the rest of the elements that I need to create my scene.  To finish my design, I used Crystal stickles to add some glitter to the background.  I also used some iridescent floral sequins by Kat Scrappiness.  Here is my card:

NNDWinterWoofs

I hope you like my project.  Would you like to win the “Winter Woofs” Stamp Set?  Each of these stamp sets 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 Wednesday November 22nd at 9pm CST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, November 24th..

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 (you are here)
Jennifer Timko
Tatiana Trafimovich

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25 Days of Christmas Tags with Newton’s Nook

| marialrussell

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Today the Newton’s Nook Design Team is joining www.inmycreativeopinion.blogspot.ca for the 25 Days of Christmas Tags.

For my Christmas tags below, I’m showcasing the Holiday Hounds stamp set and coordinating dies, with the Santa Paws Newton and the Sentiments of the Season stamp set.

I stamped my images on Bristol Smooth card stock using memento tuxedo black ink.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut them with the coordinating dies.  I also die-cut the tags in white card stock, as well as patterned paper.  For the other two tags, I used my blending tools and broken china distress oxide inks.

To finish the design, I used one of my all-time favorite dies by Newton’s Nook called Pines and Holly Die Set and added the greenery to the tag.  Here’s what they look like:

NNDDachshundTags

Aren’t they cute?  They almost look like Christmas ornaments.

I hope you all got inspired today.  Please visit www.inmycreativeopinion.blogspot.ca for more holiday inspiration and information about the 25 Days of Christmas tags.  Have an amazing day!

—————SUPPLIES————–

Laminated Planner Insert with Xyron Creative Station Lite

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far. I’m back today for Xyron and I have a cute project to show you, using the Creative Station Lite, with a double-sided laminate cartridge.

I have always loved to decorate my planner. If my planner looks organized and beautiful, I get inspired to use it more. Write my thoughts down and update my schedule.

As soon as I open my planner, I would like to see something inspiring, something beautiful. Most of the times the cover that you get when you purchase your planner is plain and boring ~ so I decided to create my own planner insert.

I started out by cutting a Bristol Smooth white card stock measuring 4 ¼ by 6 ¾. I am using my favorite combination of distress oxide inks for galaxy backgrounds (i.e., fossilized amber, picked raspberry, wilted violet, broken china and black soot). Using my mini-ink blending tools, I started to sponge the fossilized amber in the middle, then blended the rest of the distress oxide colors onto my card stock.

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I used my distress sprayer to spray some water on my colored background to achieve the distress look, dabbing the excess water droplets with a paper towel. They look like stars in the sky!

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I stamped by images using a stamp set by Hero Arts onto my colored card stock with memento tuxedo black ink. To add the stars, I stamped them with versa mark ink and heat set it with white embossing powder. I also added the sentiment “We’re All Made of Stardust”. To finish the design, I added some gold star confetti.

Using my Creative Station Lite with a double-sided laminate cartridge, I inserted my decorated planner insert through the machine, cranked the handle, and cut it through using the trimmer on the other side. Here’s what it looks like once it’s fully laminated. I really love that you can use laminate projects using this machine without having to use heat or electricity.  I trimmed the excess with my scissors.

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I used my We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes on my planner insert. Here’s what it looks like inside my travel planner.

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Isn’t it beautiful? I absolutely love creating my own planner inserts to decorate my planner. What do you guys think? I hope you like my project today.  For more project inspiration using Xyron products, please visit the Xyron Facebook Group here (https://www.facebook.com/xyroninc/) or the website at www.xyron.com.   I have also listed and linked the supplies I used below.  Have an amazing day!

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Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available, I used compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.


You’re The Best Chapter of My Life

| marialrussell

MFT_Superstars2017_BlogBanner

 

I finally made another card for my third and final entry for the 2017 Card Design Superstar.   The card that you see below is my entry for the “Coloring Virtuoso” category.  I love MFT Stamps and for today’s card, I am showcasing a lot of these stamps and dies that I have been collecting over the years.  The products I used will be listed below, and they are all available at www.mftstamps.com.

 

I started out by stamping my images from the Our Story stamp set, with the Make Yourself At Home stamp set on white card stock with the MFT Stamps Black Licorice Hybrid Ink.  I thought these two stamp sets would be the perfect pair to create my card. I colored the images in with my Copic markers.  I have always loved coloring with my Copic markers!    I die-cut the images with the coordinating dies.

 

I wanted to give my little girl a nice starry, colorful window background so I used a combination of different inks to blend the colors on smooth white card stock.  I used the Die-namics Starry Circle to die-cut the background.  I also used the same die to die-cut my card front.  I wanted to inlay all of my die-cut elements on the card for my scene.  For the “flooring”, I dry-embossed my white card stock and die-cut it using the Die-namics Stitched Basic Edges 2.

 

Here’s my card:

 

MFTColoringVirtuoso

 

I hope you like my card.  Please visit http://www.mftstamps.com to purchase the supplies I used for the card.  Have an amazing day!

 

SUPPLIES:

BB Our Story Stamp Set

Die-namics BB Our Story

Make Yourself At Home Stamp Set

Die-namics LJD Make Yourself At Home

Die-namics Stitched Basic Edges 2

Die-namics Starry Circle