valentine’s day

Chocolate Shaker Card with Kat Scrappiness

| marialrussell

Are you looking for a simple Valentine’s Day card without all the hearts and romantic stuff? Or just a simple “just-because” card to brighten someone’s day?  For my project today, I am showcasing the Layered Chocolate Bar 6″ x 8″ stamp set, the Chocolate Lover’s Sentiment stamp set, Sparkling Manhattan sequin mix, Distressed Edge Rectangle dies and the Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangle dies.

I started out by stamping the layered chocolate bar stamp using my Tim Holtz Tonic stamp platform with my memento tuxedo black ink.  I used my precision-cut scissors to fuzzy-cut the images.

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I also cut the little chocolate squares to add to my project.

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It has been awhile since I made a shaker card so I thought I’d make them today.  I die-cut my 110 lb. white card stock with the wonky wavy stitched dies.  I die-cut the middle using the second of the largest piece of the distressed edge rectangle dies to create the window.

I cut a piece of acetate to cover the window and adhered the chocolate bar at the bottom left side corner.  I added some 3M foam tape.  I decided to use my Cinnamon Swirl Mix sequins for my shaker element and the chocolate squares but since the sequin mix I used is not available anymore at the store, you can also use the Sparkling Manhattan sequin mix.  to finish the design, I stamped my sentiment using my Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide ink to give it a little bit of color.

Here’s the close-up of the card:

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I love this stamp set because the chocolate image looks so realistic!  There are so many possibilities using this stamp set.

KatScrapChocolate11

I hope you all got inspired to create this simple “Just-Because” card, or a “non-romantic” Valentine’s Day card that you can give to a friend to brighten up their day!  I have listed and linked the supplies I used below.  Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful day!

Maria Russell Signature Logo

—————SUPPLIES—————-

 

Newton’s Nook – Love Bites – Cards for the Children’s Hospital

| marialrussell

I was requested to donate some cards at the local Children’s Hospital where I live.  I was supposed to make it very simple, kid-friendly with no sequins or glitter.  Since Valentine’s Day is fast-approaching, I decided to use the new Love Bites stamp set by Newton’s Nook Designs.

The Love Bites stamp set is so versatile, you can create so many different projects using this set.  It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s-related.  You can also use it to make cute little notes to your kids to add to their lunchboxes, or just leave them notes to brighten their day.

I have a video tutorial for you creating 3 projects so I will keep this blog post short.  Here are my projects:

NNDLoveBites5

NNDLoveBites6

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Here’s the video:

Thanks for stopping by today.  I have listed and linked all the supplies below.  Have a great day!

Maria Russell Signature Logo

———–SUPPLIES———–


NND January Release – Newton’s Sweetheart Stamp Set and Dies

| marialrussell

NNDJan18ReleaseIcon_Jan18

It is the last day of the reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs and we saved the best for last by showcasing the Newton’s Sweetheart stamp set and coordinating dies.  I love this stamp set so much!  I also love the fact that I can use a LOT of pink and hearts, without judgement, haha!

 

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.]  

NNDJan18_NewtonsSweetheart

I started out by stamping my images on Neenah solar white 110 lb card stock with my memento tuxedo black ink using my favorite Tim Holtz stamp platform.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.

For my first card, I die-cut my smooth white card stock with a die from my stash.  I added the hearts using the Tumbling Hearts Stencil (revealed last Monday).  I adhered the foreground onto my card base and stamped the sentiment with my Versafine ink.  I adhered Newton and his sweetheart and finished my design by stamping some small hearts.  Here is the first card below.  I love the simplicity of it.

NNDNewtonSweetheart1

For my second card, I die-cut a piece of white card stock with a window die from my stash.  I colored the negative pieces with my distress oxide inks.  I adhered Newton and his cute girlfriend to the window, and stamped two of the sentiments from the stamp set.  I used the Tumbling Hearts Stencil die again to add the pink hearts on the top and bottom of the card.

NNDNewtonSweetheart2

Which one is your favorite?  Don’t you just love this stamp set?  I hope you got inspired this week.  I also listed and linked some of the supplies I used.

Would you like to win the “Newton’s Sweetheart” 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 January 18th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, January 19th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Naki Rager

Maria Russell (you are here)

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

Maria Russell Signature Logo

 ———–SUPPLIES————


NND January Release – Deer Friend Stamp Set and Dies

| marialrussell

NNDJan18ReleaseIcon_Jan18

It is the third day of the January reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs and today we are showcasing the Deer Friend stamp set and coordinating dies.   [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.]  

NNDJan18_DeerFriend

I stamped all of the images on Neenah Solar White card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.  I wanted to showcase the deer by creating a shadow box card.  This card can be folded flat and inserted in an envelope for mailing.  I followed a shadowbox tutorial on pinterest.  here’s what you need:

  1.  Cut two pieces of card stock measuring 4 1/4 X 6 3/4, and score 1 1/4 from each long edge.
  2. Die-cut a square window from the center of one of the panels (this is your front piece).  You will later on connect both panels to create your shadow box.
  3. Cut a 4 1/4 square panel of patterned paper and adhere to the center of the second card panel (this is your back piece).  (You can do your stamping here before you assemble the box).
  4. Cut two pieces of green card stock. One is measuring 1 1/4 x 5 and the other is measuring 1 x 5 and score from each long edge at 3/8″
  5. I used the Newton’s Nook Grass Border die to die-cut the green panels.
  6. Adhere some score tape on each scored panels.
  7. Fold the ground panels flat, flush to the card’s bottom edge. Fold right side flat over them to adhere.
  8. Attach the images you need to decorate your shadow box.
  9. Fold box flat and adhere right side flaps to close the card.

Here are some step-by-step photos:

Here is the card:

NNDDeerFriend

You can also use acetate sheets to suspend some images inside your shadow box (i.e., birds, clouds, etc.)  I hope you got inspired today to create your own shadow box.

Would you like to win the “Deer Friend” 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 January 18th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, January 19th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Naki Rager

Maria Russell (you are here)

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

Maria Russell Signature Logo

 ————-SUPPLIES———–


NND January Release – Sending Hugs Stamp Set and Dies

| marialrussell

NNDJan18ReleaseIcon_Jan18

It is the second day of the January reveals by Newton’s Nook Designs and today we are showcasing the Sending Hugs Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies.  I love that the dies cut through the arms and it can hug the little images included in the stamp set. [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.]  

NNDJan18_SendingHugs

I stamped all of the images on Neenah Solar White card stock and colored them in with my Copic markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

I die-cut a piece of white card stock measuring 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 and used a die from my stash to cut out the window.  I also used another die to die-cut a branch for my Owl to perch on.  I finished my design my adding the pink hearts from the Love Bites die set (showcased yesterday).  Here’s my first card:

NNDSendingHugs1

For my second card, I wanted to create a non-Valentine project.  The stamp set is so versatile and you can use this for any occasion.  Here’s my birthday card:

NNDSendingHugs2

Would you like to win the “Sending Hugs” 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 January 18th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, January 19th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Naki Rager

Maria Russell (you are here)

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

Maria Russell Signature Logo

 ————-SUPPLIES———–


NND January Release – Love Bites Stamp Set and Dies with Tumbling Hearts Stencil

| marialrussell

NNDJan18ReleaseIcon_Jan18

Ahhh! Love is in the air!  It is my favorite time of the month when the design team share all of our projects for the new stamp release of the month.  I got carried away and made a couple of cards for you today to showcase the new Love Bites stamp set and coordinating dies, with the Tumbling Hearts Stencil.  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 a photo of the stamp set.  Those little Olives are so adorable, oh my gosh!

NNDJan18_LoveBites

NNDJan18_TumblingHearts

I started out by stamping my images on Neenah solar white 110 lb card stock with my memento tuxedo black ink using my favorite Tim Holtz stamp platform.  I colored the images in with my Copic markers.

For my first card, I die-cut my smooth white card stock using the Scallop Frame from the Frames and Flags die set.  I colored my background using the new Tumbling Hearts Stencil with my blending tool and light pink stamp ink.  I die-cut another square from the Frames and Flags die set and  adhered my images on the foreground with the sentiment strip.  I added the 3 pink hearts and finished my design with glossy accents.  I also used my Sharpie white pen to add some details to the images.  Here is the first card:

NNDLoveBites1

And here is my favorite card below.  These cute little Olives with tiny little feet are my favorite.  Since the images are so tiny, I decided to showcase them using a film strip die that I have from my die collection.  I kept the card simple but I love how it turned out.  I finished my design by adding glossy accents to the olives, the bow from the Pines and Holly Die set and my favorite sequin mix from Kat Scrappiness.  Here is card no. 2:

NNDLoveBites2

Can these images get any cuter?  They are perfect for Valentine’s Day, or just-because!  This stamp set is a must-have.  This would be perfect to make some lunch note cards to add to your kids lunch boxes.

For my third card, I decided to make a shaker card.  I stamped the muffin images with pink ink on my white card stock and die cut the middle using a die from my collection.  To finish my design, I added the sentiment strip from the Frames and Flags Die and adhered the pink hearts.  I also used my Sharpie white pen to add details to the images.  Here is the card:

NNDLoveBites3

Which one is your favorite?  I had so much fun creating these projects.  I hope you got inspired.  I also listed and linked some of the supplies I used.

Would you like to win the “Love Bites” 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 January 18th at 9pm EST to comment  — winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, January 19th.

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton’s Nook Designs

Holly Endress

Ellen Haxelmans

Larissa Heskett

Samantha Mann

Juliana Michaels

Naki Rager

Maria Russell (you are here)

Jennifer Timko

Tatiana Trafimovich

Maria Russell Signature Logo

 ———–SUPPLIES————


Thinking of You-Calyptus Valentine’s Card

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty friends.  I am back today with a simple Valentine’s Day card, showcasing the Gerda Steiner You’re Koalafied 4 x 6 stamp set and coordinating dies, with the Wonky Wavy Stitched Rectangle Dies, Distressed Edge Rectangle Dies and a bunch of other supplies available at Kat Scrappiness.

Here is my card:

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Here’s a little close-up:

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I have a process video for you today so I will keep this blog post short.

I hope you like it.  I also listed and linked the supplies I used below.  Have a great day!

 

Maria Russell Signature Logo

———–SUPPLIES———–

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!

————SUPPLIES———-


Inky Paws Challenge # 40

| marialrussell

There’s a new Inky Paws Challenge on the blog (http://www.inkypawschallenge.com) and this time it is a sketch challenge. I love sketch challenges! It gets me out of my comfort zone to try and design something that I’ve never done before.

Here is the sketch:

 

inky-paws-challenge-40

I started out by stamping the images on Canson watercolor card stock with my Versafine Onyx Black Ink and colored them in with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. For this card, I am showcasing a couple of stamps from Newton’s Nook Designs. The mixer, spoon and measuring cup are from the Made From Scratch stamp set and the doodle design is from the Love A La Carte stamp set.

I finished my design by using some Doodlebug patterned paper. Instead of using twine, I decided to use the bow from a Christmas die-set by NND called Pines and Holly Die Set.  Here is my version of the challenge.

nndinkypaws40

What do you guys think? I hope you got inspired today and join us for this challenge. For more information, please visit http://www.inkypawschallenge.com. You have two weeks to join the challenge.  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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