Top 5 cards

Well here goes, it seems that as this is the last day of 2010 it is time to reflect the past year of creativeness. I have managed to list my top five favourites and it was very difficult even though I only had 53 posts for the year I had to be ruthless to get to 5, 10 would have been an easier number.
I love this lotus pendant die the results are amazing

A cute little guy from Paper Pretties

I used this image twice this year one in pink and one in blue as my two nieces had babies, I love the vibrant pink ink.

These two cards made with the same Penny Black sets are just the cutest. I love water colouring these images.

Tinkerbell is a favourite no matter what age.

Enjoy your New Year celebrations and be safe.

Thanks to all you have looked at my blog throughout the 2010

Take care

Maryann

Rock around the clock

It is raining here yet again, actually it is heavier than yesterday, so it is once again I'm in the stamping room. Today I decided to make a monochromic card, I have seen some really nice ones out there but I think I really need lots more practise. I used Mojo Monday sketch mojo170 for my layout this card and used Paper pretties challenge PW133 for inspiration I thought this card could be used as a birthday card for an aged rocker male or female. This set reminds me of the Happy days tv series it certainly was a favourite.
Supplies:
Stamps: Paperpretties
Paper: Kaiser DP - Grunge, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, very vanilla
Other: Coffee Archival ink, Latte Adirondack ink, copics, foam dots, sponging block, brads, ribbon, thread, button, nestabilities.

TFL
Maryann

Pretty Little Pixie

Hello All,
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I had a very quite Christmas here, I had a phone call from my daughter in China, lunch with my Husband, Mother in law and my other daughter and her boyfriend. It drizzled rain all day so it was rather nice having a roast dinner, than sweltering in the heat but we still ate outside in the undercover patio. Just Ian and I were left after lunch, so while he did some relaxing I did some stamping.
Time for me to make a card that I will need next week my Great Niece is 2, she reminds me of a little pixie. I started with Mercy's tuesday sketch MTSC105 and go a bit carried away but if you turn the sketch you can still see it there.
Supplies:
Stamps: EK Sucess disney stamps Tink
Paper: DP- Sandylion Disney - Fairydreams, Blue Ballet, White & glitter card, phrase - Disney tinkerbell DP
Other: Nestabilities - Mega oval and mega scallop oval, glitter buttons, thread, flowers, starlite black ink copics, cuttlebug - Star embossing folder, foam tape, corner rounder punch, stardust embossing powder, heat gun

TFL
Maryann

singing angel

Today I decided to make a non- traditional christmas coloured card. I used some new christmas presents from friends. You can't really see it but I punched a strip of dcwv sweet stack embossed page with the martha stewart punch.
Supplies:
Stamps: stampavie - nativity 3
Paper: dp- dovecraft- christmas fancy, white & pink cs, dcwv sweet stack
Other: copics, ms punch - linked trim deep edger border punch, MFT - doiley die, ribbon, foam dots

TFLMaryann

Chirpy Reindeer

I just love this Designer paper it is called Chirpy from Kaiser. I have used Mojo169 from Mojo Monday sketch blog for my layout.

supplies:

Stamps: Papermania - Joyeux Noel

Paper: DP - Kaisercraft- Chirpy, Stampin up - Candy lane, chocolate chip and very vanilla card

Other: brads, ribbon, nestabilities, circle and scallop cirlce, foam tape, brilliance coffee bean ink.

TFL

Maryann

more Christmas cards

Just sharing some more Christmas cards the other day I purchased a card pack that had a coloured and die cut edge, the 20 cards in four different designs were also scored for the perfect fold.


I just inked up some snowflakes in red ink for the background and layered on the stampavie images.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampavie - LAU09 - polar present & PEN28 snowy & Rudolph, unknown clear snowflakes Paper: Rosies's studio - die cut cardmaking pad, red and white card
Other: Copics, nestabilities, rocket red gold ink
TFL
Maryann

Polar Present with gold button

I purchased some Stampavie stamps the other day, great for a clean and simple christmas card.

Supplies:

Stamps: Stampavie - LAU09 Polar Present

Paper: Green and white card and designer paper

Other: nestabilities, copics, ribbon, thread and gold button

TFL

Maryann

More Christmas cheer

Don't you just love it when you find some nice designer paper and only show one side on your cards. Well I couldn't resist this paper and since it was on the table from the other day, I made this simple card using both sides.



Stamps: Papermania - joyeux noel
Paper: stampin up - Ridindghood red and very vanilla, DP dashing
Other: Brilliance - Rocket red gold & starlite black ink, nestabilities, foam dots, ribbon

TFL
Maryann

swinging z fold

Today my niece is 30 and it has always been a challenge to create cards for her, she is a card maker and likes everything so I try to make a special construction one. The other day I saw this tutorial from Beate on Splitcoast stampers. Beate does great tutorials written and also with a video for the visual learner, you can find the tutorial here.

I start with the die cut shape in very vanilla and sponged the edges with antique linen for an aged look, I also sponged the flowers to match. I used a stamp positioner to place my sentiment. Something I don't use very often I usually just eyeball it.
The left side of this designer paper is raised felt giving it a great texture and I just dressed up the right side with the mft die and bling.

Supplies: Grace Taylor design clear stamps, Autumn leaves - elegant flourishes, stampin up - Whimsical words.

Paper: Black and very vanilla card, DP - DCWV La Creme stack

Other: assorted flowers, brads, nestabilities labels 4 die, MFT - Faux crochet die,Tim Holtz - antique linen ink, sponging block, brillance - starlite black and pearlescent beige ink, rhinestones, stamp positioner

Thanks for looking

Hugs

Maryann

Christmas cheer

A clean and simple card using sketch sss96, I am rather behind in making my christmas cards, so I will be making a few clean and simple cards.
I stamped the image and verse and cut it out with my rectangle nestability while I had the die there I drew around the inside avoiding the image for the border.
Stamps: Papermania - joyeux noel
Paper: stampin up - Ridinghood red, very vanilla, DP - dashing
Other: starlite black & rocket red gold ink, martha stewart border punch, ribbon, nestabilities

TFL

Maryann

gold framed tree

The other day a watched a tutorial on Gina K designs stamp tv, it looked like so much fun, so here is my first attempt.
How to create a metallic embellishment.


The sketch I have used is from Mercy's tuesday challenge MTSC103
You can't really see it but the green designer paper has a raised felt feel to it.
Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin Up- lovely as a tree
Paper: Kaiser craft - belle collections 6x6 stack, green, Burgandy, white card
Other: gold embossing powder, versamark ink pad, starlite black ink, watercolour pencils, nestabilities oval and fancy tags.

Hugs
Maryann

Make a wish

Today my baby girl is Twenty.

Happy birthday Kait.

I love this penny black image just like my girl loves her cupcakes. LOL

Todays card was made using my new dies' from My favorite things, these dies' are wafer thin, light and very easy to use for fantastic results. The sketch I have used is sssc94 from Sweet Sunday sketch challenge

Supplies:

Stamps: Penny Black - Critter Party

Paper: white, regal rose, DCWV - DP sweet stack
Other: watercolour crayons, My favorite things - Faux crochet border & doily die, satin ribbon, nestabilities circle
Have a great day

Hugs

Maryann

white with colour

I found this rubber stamp in a container of unmounted rubber stamps. I stamps the image in black and sponged blue around the edges, for a softer effect.
Supplies:
Stamps: unknown - unmounted rubber
Paper: white & DCWV Latte cardstock
Other: Embossing folder, blue ink, martha stewart punch
TFL
Maryann

walking in a winter wonderland

Today's card was made using Paper Pretties sketch from December 1st PWC130 .
This designer paper was found in a 12x 12 card stack, it was printed on the top and bottom of the page, I felt that this sketch suited it very well, I also liked the way that the ink matched.
supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black - Christmas critters, Penelope & Percy - sentiment
Paper: DP - Hunter leisure christmas cardstock, rose red, cream
Other: pearlescent poppy, starlite black, watercolour pencils, brads, nestabilities, ek sucess punch

TFL
Maryann

Let it snow

Hello,
We have been having the strangest weather of late usually it is very hot and we are in the pool every day, but as the years go by it is getting cooler and cooler. I hope that one year we may just have a white Christmas but I have a feeling I may have to travel over seas for that to happen.
So I thought I would share this card with you, recently I purchase this sizzix embossing folder, it reminded me of dripping snow and this little snowman is so cute. The challenge for CCEE this week is to use a snowman on your card CCEE1048.
Supplies:
Stamps: hero arts - cm006 christmas, Penelope & Percy christmas greeting
Paper: blue & very vanilla, blue glitter card
Other: ek success square punch, ms punch, sizzix embossing folders, ribbon, starlite black ink
TFL
Maryann

Happy holidays

Well Christmas is nearly here, I have only made 4 Christmas cards, I hope to get some more done once I start my holidays.
Todays card was inspired by several challenges, mojo164, C4C63, CCEE1046.
I picked up a small pack of designer paper the other day and they really go well together. I coloured the image with water colour crayons. I didn't have any grosgrain ribbon that matched, so I used my copics to colour the ribbon and thread that attaches the button.
Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black - christmas critters
Paper: Kaisercraft DP - dear santa collection, DCWV brights mat stack.
Other: Grosgrain ribbon, embroidery thread, staples,copic violet, watercolour crayons,button, nestabilities, ds tape, black ink
TFLMaryann

Xmas Challenge

Last month I was given a project/shoe box by a friend, it was part of the challenge at her club. Inside the box was all the items needed to create 2 cards along with instructions & photos of the cards that she had made. Even though every thing is the same as her cards I have altered the layout placements and landscaped the cards for a different twist.This was fun and a great idea for like minded people to use for a different kind of challenge.Supplies: Brads, designer paper, punched shapes, ribbons, card, stamped image, foam tape, embossed card.

The only thing that I needed to add was the glue/tape and also some glitter in the shaker card.

Thanks for looking

Hugs
Maryann

Just living

I created this card so time ago but I have only just taken the photo, the challenge on CCEE was to used wood,CCEE1041. The sketch was from splitcoast stampers SSSC71. I used the sizzix embossing folder designed by Tim Holtz called Woodgrain and used a sponge block to add colour. The flower and dragonfly was stamped with adirondack ink and the words over stamped with black ink, it was then cut out with nestabilities circle, I then sponged the edges andused a destresser tool on the edges. I am not totally sure this technique is for me. A large brad was used for the centre of the fabric flowers.
Supplies:

Stamps:Lucy's stamps flower set 1942LQ

Paper: close to cocoa, pumpkin, cream

Other: nestabilities, tim holtz destresser tool, sizzix embossing folder, sponging block, adrondack inks - Latte, peach bellini, mountain rose, butterscotch, terracotta, black, ribbon, brad, flowers

Thanks for looking

Have a great day.

Soccer Crazy

Hello,
Today I needed a birthday card rather quickly so I made this simple card. On Crazy 4 Challenges blog the challenge was to make a square card C4C62, which is really easy to do, as I love square cards but they are a pain to post, luckly this was hand delivered.
This card was made for my daughters boyfriend, yes I now he is 20 and the image is a bit young but he is a keen soccer player and has been playing for a while, and his team colours are black and green.

The soccer balls were punched out from some designer paper and the image is from stampavie, I live there images they have very crisp lines and clear images. I have used copics on the image.
supplies:
Stamps: stampavie - gillian roberts - GR011 soccer crazy
Paper: black, green, cream and dp
Other: copics, 11/4 & 1 3/4 punches, ds tape
TFL
Maryann

Pink Baby Shower

This weekend my Niece is having a baby shower, as you may have guess she will be welcoming a little girl to her family.
I have used the september sketch supplied by boomerang stampers list, I love this stampin up set although I never thought I would use this particular image as much as I have. I also like this flourish set, it is so easy to add some bling to it which is Crazy 4 Challenges C4C56 a few weeks ago.

I was looking at some card tutorials on you tube and came across a few on nappy/diaper cakes, they looked like so much fun, this is the the one that I made.

I have hidden several surprises in the cake. Two Baby bottles filled with milk bottle lollies( treats for the siblings and maybe Mum), socks rolled into rose flowers, two outfits, 2 bibs, a rubber duckie and a balloon. All these items are held together with rubbers bands, ribbon and curling ribbon to look like frosting.
Card supplies:

Stamps: Stampin up - She's all that, Autumn leaves - flourishes elegant

Paper: cream & pink card

Other: Adirondack - watermelon ink, paper flowers, brads, rhinestones, nestibilities circle die

TFL

Maryann

T Slider sample

For club this month we had planned to make a t slider card, but it had been months since we had all gotten together that we just chatted and made a quick shopping trip to the craft store, that ran out of time so the challenge was to make one for homework. This is my sample, you can find a tutorial on splitcoast stampers, I found this very useful and watched it several times as I had some trouble converting the inch instruction to centimeters.
I made the card to match the image and had no idea on what size my slider pieces should have measured so it took a lot of fiddling to get it right. I coloured the house mouse image with watercolour crayons and layered it onto a nestabilities die cut frame. The verse was punched out with the stampin up scallop punch.

Some nice examples can been seen on Frances's blog Stampowl's studio.
Supplies:
Stamps: Housemouse, Stampin up
Paper: Kaiser paper, red and white cs
Other: Tab punch, scallop punch, nestabilities die,water colour crayons,ds tape, adirondack watermelon ink.
TFL

Maryann

Christening bunnies

Some stamping time at last, I left this rather late, I needed a christening card for my great nephews for this morning, I sat up until midnight making it last night. I knew the christening was happening but didn't have a religious stamp, especially one for babies or for that matter twin boys so I kept putting it off.

I just knew I wanted two of something and I thought of the zig zag card that I had seen on StampOwls blog and when I saw this sketch from Taylored Expressions I thought it would be perfect.

I had this cute Peter Rabbit set from Beatrix Potter that I purchased from spotlight earlier this year. Since I needed two rabbits I stamped one, masked it and then stamped another one overlapping the first. I coloured one bunny in green and the other in blue, the boys are identical and my niece like to use these colours to keep them separate. I didn't have a religious embossing folder so I chose the star one, well they are up in heaven..

I also wanted to try ribbon pleating it was quite fun and easy to do, so you may see a few of my cards done with this ribbon. I also like the way this design is able to stand up for displaying.

Supplies:

Stamps: Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Paper: White and blue card

Other: cuttlebug embossing folder,ribbon, copics, nestabilities oval and oval scallop

TFLMaryann

Golfing Thankyou

I have had a wonderful time golfing this month and have managed to come home with prizes every time I have played. Of course on sponsored days it is rather nice to send special thanks for the trophy.
I have used this weeks sketch from Taylored expressions sketch challenge TESC125
I used my nestabilities to cut ou the circles and the cuttlebug embossing folder tiny bubbles to make them look like golf balls.
It is rather hard to find golf stamps for ladies as it is reconized as a male sport, I even googled women golf stamps and only came up with one image that was more suited to a comedy card , not excatly what I was after. So I have used this little golf ball hiding its eyes and coloured the tee pink as the sponsor was female.
I like how it turned out a quick and simple card and by changing the colour of the tee it will also be suitable for a male card.
Supplies:
Stamps: Clearstamps www.sullivan.com
Paper: designer paper: white & green card
Other: brads, copics, ds & foam tape ,cuttlebug eb, neastabilities circle

TFL
Maryann

Orential Flowers

Today's card is just something that I made some time ago,I think I was on holidays. I really can't remember if it was made from a sketch or just my layout idea. I do know it was my first attempt to make background card that was wider than the usual size for the cuttlebug embossing folder. The ribbon is in the middle to hide the join.
Supplies:
Stamps: onyxxpressions - floral centrepiece
Paper: orange, grey and white card
Other: brads, copics, cuttlebug embossing folder, ribbon
TFLMaryann

Sharing in your sorrow

Today I attended a family funeral this is the card I made, I used sketch OCCSC29 from our creative corner weekly sketch challenge. I inked up the tree with oregano ink and the over stamped the leaves with meadow, this gave the tree a two toned look. I am not over impressed with my stamp positioning of the verse, I think I will cut the image out before stamping in the text if I happen to use this stamp again.
Supplies:
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: white, always artichoke, dp- wintergreen
Other: nestabilities labels 5, ribbon, flower, adirondack ink oregano & meadow, black ink , ds tape, foam tape.

TFLMaryann

Born to shop

Welcome,
I have had a busy week but I managed to make this card, which is a bonus for me to get into the craft room.
Today's card is made using Sweet Sunday Sketch SSSC81. I actually made this card on a sunday, yeahh.
I started with stamping the heart in the light coloured ink and over stamped it with the coffee bean, then black for the verse.
I very rarely do the inside of the card as I like to put a printed sentiment inside, but this verse came free with the current Creativity Magazine.

Supplies:

Stamps: Grace Taylor; docrafts bubbles - born to shop

Paper: Chocolate chip, very vanilla,old olive, DP - afternoon tea

Other: flowers, brads,ribbon,brillance pearlescent orange and coffee bean, Memento black
TFLMaryann

As pretty as a Rose

I picked up this stamp from a craft show, you can see other Morehead stamps here, isn't she really cute. I think I will keep my eyes open for others in this range of stamps they are so nice. For those in Australia you can order them from the stamp shak.
The sketch I have used is from Sweet Sunday sketch challenge SSSC75, which was posted a few weeks ago on the sweetest thing. I dug out my favourite stampin up designer paper Bella Rose.
Stamps: Morehead Inc - you & me 0301
Paper: Pink, Red, Cream card, DP - Bella Rose
Others: Ribbon,copics,ms punch,circle punch
TFLMaryann

Just for you

The card I have made today is for a double challenge Taylored Expressions TESC123 and Our Creative Corner "It's embossable".

I was asked to make a 21st card and I wanted to add a charm. This charm is actually a charm used on your wine class, so you don't forget which is yours. I still have a bit of the wrapping paper left from the card that I made last month, I like to recycle when I can.

I purchased some empty envelopes in various sizes from the local newsagent, sometimes I create cards and I just don't have an envelope to match, this time I measured the envelope and made the card to match.

I tied the ribbon and charm with black thread and added beads, they look like olives in the top of the glass, unfortunately it is a bit hard to see in this photo.

Supplies:

Stamps: Rubber Romance Verse - Grace Taylor stamps

Paper: Green,Blue,Cream, Black, DP-wrapping paper

Other: MS Punch,beads,ribbon,charm,thread,copics,nestabilities,black ink, cuttlebug embossing folder

Thanks for looking

Maryann

Your'e too kind

Todays card was made using Mercy's Tuesday sketch MTSC82 from a few weeks ago. I made this card as a thankyou card for the sponsor of a golf day, the club colours are green & white. The argyle embossing folder is great to use with golf themed cards.

Supplies:

Stamps: Clear stamps: www.sullivan.com, Stampin Up - Whimsical words

Paper: Green & White, Dp - Windsor Knot

Other: Nestabilities, cuttlebug embossing folder, argyle & ting bubbles, copics, black ink

TFL

Maryann

Ride the wave

I made todays card for the CCEE Stampers sketch CCEE1030, somewhere in my notes I forgot to write the floral theme. I needed a card for a young male birthday and it was a bit hard to put flowers on it. I guess I will probably be like Tosh and get buzzed for the missing flowers, so I will have to try and make another one soon, it is a great sketch.
Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Pretties
Paper: black,blue,white, DP - SU Jersey Shore
Other: Nestabilities, cuttlebug embossing folder - distress stripes, copics

You light the way

I volunteer for Red Cross in the kiosk at the local hospital, this card was made for our convener. Happy Birthday Neil. I love this image ( I use it quite a lot for male cards) it is so easy to use watercolours. This time I have use water colour crayons instead of my pencils, I think they give the image a softer effect. The I have used is TESC117.


Supplies:
Stamps: PSX , Verse - Penny Black
Paper: Chocolate,blue,white card
Other: Ms arch border punch,brads,water colour crayons,water pen, nestabilites die

TFL
Maryann

It's a boy

I picked this stamp up at a craft show last month, I know several people that are welcoming new born baby boys into the family. I used CCEE 1024 sketch from CCEE Stampers.
The image was coloured with copics cutout with nestabilities and sponged around the edges. Some bling was added with pearls.

Supplies:

Stamps: Whiff of joy Claude Celebrating Giraffe, Fern Gully Rattle

Paper: Very vanilla, blue card DP - DCWV scrapbooking in a stack

Other:nestabilities mega oval & scallop oval, nestabilities circle, ribbon trio, pearls, copics,ribbon, brillance ink.

TFLMaryann

Way to go

This week my Daughter graduated from University, she likes to read alot so every year I make a card for her birthday, but this year I made it for her graduation (her birthday was just the day before). I used Paper Pretties PWC109 for the sketch, the DP was made with clip art., I also frayed the ribbon to look like tassels.
Supplies:
Stamps: Studio G,
Paper: Black, white card. DP clip art
Other: nestabilites, ribbon, brads, eyelet, foam tape.
TFLMaryann