My Favourite Five Christmas cards for 2011

Choosing my top Favourite five Christmas cards this year wasn't a difficult task seeing as I only made 7 different designs. I had to keep it simple as I had busy last few months  and then had surgery two weeks ago, I have just managed to sit at the computer for a short time and have yet to be able to get any stamping done. Perhaps this week.

The oval gate fold I love this design and it only takes alittle more effort that a usual folded card for a stunning look.

This card was my first venture with sewing machine on my card.

My first use of the hero arts stamp and die sets works perfectly with Paper Pretties image

Gotta love those stampabilites bunnies

Certainly can't go pass Penny Black critters for a favoutie card.

I think cute cards were definitely the theme for 2011

I hope each and everyone of you had a wonderful Christmas

Hugs

Maryann

Oval Gate fold

 I had so much fun creating this card after watching the video tutorial on Dawns Stamping Studio

 The front stamp is from Magenta. I made the flower using the spellbinders poinsetta die, I placed pearls in the centre and on the bottom corner.

 The ovals were cutout using nestabilites oval dies.

the stamp inside is from papermania. 

Maryann

Happy 21st Kait

Today's card is for my Darling Baby girl who turns 21 today, Kait put in her request a pop up card, so I had to put on my thinking cap. While I was thinking my Friend Frances posted a waving pop up on her blog and the timing was just perfect.

I thought this MFT stamp would work just great, stamped the image and paper pieced the dress using copics for the shading. Since I wasn't posting this card I wanted to add flowers and I guess I went alittle crazy it just kept growing.

As you can see the flowers on the inside is the reason for the ones on the front. It is great the way they just pop up when you open the card. This Mft stamp set was the one I was going to originally use, I was gald to be able to put it in there too. I coloured the image and cut it out and then used plaid glass finish on the wine glass.

This is another veiw of the opened card with the waving flowers.

Supplies:

Stamps: My Favorite things " A'la mode sets"

Paper: black, white, red card, DP- DCWV La creme stack & glitter stack

Other: MFT mini rolled roses die-namic, oval and scallop punch, leaf punch,sizzix swirls die, ribbon flowers pearls, acetate, nestabilities, Plaid glass finish,

Maryann

Graduation Time

It is graduation time here and my daughters have friends who they wanted to give cards to.

For this card I stamped onto white card and matted it onto the fleur de lis nestabilities, the cap was popped out with foam dots and finished it with ribbon and black gems.

In side I added the die cut the word graduation and the you did it stamp.

This card was a combination of Birthday and graduation. The Hero Arts Poppies were stamped with black ink and embossed with stardust embossing powder. 

and inside I once again use the fleur de lis die and along with the fleur de lis border die and the sizzix graduation die. The stamps are from studio G.

Have a great day
Maryann

Penny Black Christmas

This card was made using two different penny black images to create a scene and the text is from paper pretties.I coloured it with copic pens, matted, sponged and destressed the edges for a shabby chic look. The snowflakes were made using a Martha stewart punch.

I have enterd this card into the Bommerang Stampers List COTM

hugs
Maryann

Bundle of Joy

A Clean and Simple neutral baby card using  fiskars stamps, nestabilities, mft die-namic border die and designer paper.

Maryann

New house

Todays card is something different from xmas cards for a change, but I really need to get back to Christmas cards as I am so far behind. This card was requested by my daughter for a friend who has moved into a new house.

I just love these cute critters from Penny Black, they seem to suit any occasion. My sketch layout out is from splitcoast stampers SCS361. The text was computer generated and that along with the image were cut out with nestabilities, the edges were then sponged for a softer effect. Pearls and gems were added for some bling.

Fairy Inspiration

Isn't this Fairy so cute, she can be found at La la Land crafts and the colours I have used came from  Inspiration Friday Mauve, silver and white combo

Maryann

Gliding By

I made this card for my friends daughter who is having her first white Christmas overseas. The Paper Pretties image was cut out and matted using some nestabilities dies and the snowflakes surrounding the girl were made using the hero arts and sizzix stamp and die set. I also used the martha stewart border punch, snowflake stickers and gems for the centre of some snowflakes.

Card inspiration Paper Pretties PWC180 non traditional christmas colours

Maryann

Fa la la la la

This is a quick and simple card using a housemouse stamp, it make me want to sing Fa la la la la.

Layout Inspiration - Sweet sunday sketch challenge SSSC143
Maryann

Snow buddies

Hi there, For todays card I have used this cute stampavie stamp that I purchased last christmas, the spellbinders poinsetta die is this years purchase, I am loving it. Expect to see it several more time over the next month.

 

Layout inspiration Mojo Monday - Mojo 214

Maryann

Happy 21st Adam

Just catching up with some posts today this card was made for my daughters boyfriend who turned 21 on the weekend. The request was for a red ferrai this is the closest I could come to giving him one. Layout inspiration is from Sweet Sunday Sketch sssc139 I used Karen Foster designer paper, copic pens and also the Martha Stewart border punch

TFL Maryann

Happy Birthday Imogen

On the 7th my great niece turned one this is the card that I created for her. The stamp is from Kanban  such a cute stamp and suitable for a girl or boy. I wanted a bright page this designer paper is just perfect, I coloured the balloons to match the extra balloon and presents on the left were highlighted with dimensional magic. The ribbon and thread were white, I coloured them with my copics, this is great for matching ribbon to any designer paper.

Supplies:

Stamps:Kanban Birthday Simba

Paper: DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies, citrus cardstock stacks, SU whisper white, melon mambo

Other: copics, dimensional magic, foam tape, ribbon, button, thread, ms punch.

The layout inspiration cute card thursday CCT188

Hugs
Maryann

Out of this world

This card was made for my brother in laws 50th birthday, we gave him a gift voucher for 5 laps in a V8 race car.

The layout for this card  depended on the designer paper, I wanted the words out of this world as a focal point. I wanted to add some embellishments, but didn't have any in a motor car theme, so I made my own.

I started out with a piece of black card and ran it through the cuttlebug clockworks embossing folder. I chose a few focal points and cut them out. The car is from Papermania Nostalgia classic car set, I have coloured it with copic pens. Along the top I cut out a strip of designer paper, I just loved the words very suitable if you are thinking of doing an extreme thing.

Trust that little voice in your head that says

" Wouldn't it be interesting if..." and then do it

Hugs
 Maryann

Bookmark swap

My daughter and I love reading, if fact every birthday I give her a new bookmark, so when I saw this swap on one of my online groups I just had to join. Making 20 for 20 was a huge task, if fact I ran out of copic ink colouring in the dressing gown but it will be great to have 20 new bookmarks to use.
Stamps: rubber romance, paper pretties

Paper: chocolate chip, dcwv garden party stack
Other: copics,ms border punch,ribbon, hole punch
Maryann

Time for cake

Hi there, I have a few birthdays coming up and it is always great to have cake for your birthday, but some of us are alway watching the waist line so a cupcake card is great instead. I came across this site called Cute card Thursday and the challenge theme "was time for cake" so here is my card. I have used Mojo Monday mojo209 for my layout.
Supplies:
Stamps: Stampnavie, inkadinkado
Paper: chocolate, pink, white card, Cre8tiv Designer paper
Other: copics,ribbon,button,black & brown ink,hot glue, MS cupcake punch, nestabilities labels one & spiral blossom two

Maryann

Happy 21st Matthew

I made this card for my friend's sons 21st birthday, what boy doesn't want a Ferrari F50 even if it is just a picture. I used Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge sssc137 for my layout. The 21st embellishment was one of those bits that you use as confetti it was gold and I just coloured it black using a copic pen.

Supplies:
Stamps: Papermania Nostalgia classic cars
Paper: Red,white, black card, Rosie's designer paper
Other: brads, MS Punch,copics,21st embellishment
Maryann

A touch of Elegance

For this card I wanted to create a soft effect using distress ink and sponging. I inked up the flower with two colours, once stamped I used nestabilities oval die to cut out the image. While the die was in place I sponged the edges, I did the same with the verse. They were then matted using the scalloped die and chocolate card. I used the mini rolled rose die-namics and attached pearls in the centre with hot glue. The roses were made with the same designer paper that I used for the background.
Supplies:
Stamps: Lucy's stamps from Kazazz
Paper: Designer paper, cream and chocolate card.
Other: distress ink- tea dye,brushed corduroy,antique linen, milled lavender, MFT mini rolled rose die-namics, pearls, marianne leaf die, nestabilities, lace, sponge, hot glue.
Maryann

Sending you a smile

For todays card I thought I would try a clean & simple card with no layers, not an easy feat. While I am happy with the way it turned out I keep thinking it needs a bit more. It took me ages to get the colour of the circle to a shade I was happy, I had to use several different colours. The card is gloss which is great for blending die inks on but you have to be careful when stamping as it is easy for the stamp to move.
Layout Inspiration from Clean & Simple blog
Stamps: Basic grey, paper pretties
Other: Gloss card, adirondack & brillance inks, circle punch mask

Maryann

Super Cupcake

Happy Birthday Sky. My Nephew's girlfriend is having a fancy dress 18th birthday party. I am looking forward to seeing the photos of all the costumes. Now I wanted to make a card in the same theme and thought is was about time I christened this La-La land Marci stamp. To start I coloured the image with copics but I must have used the wrong card and they did bleed a bit but that was ok as I had planned to cut the image out anyway. I used My favorite things sketch mftwsc36 for my layout inspiration and the colours were inspired by the Marci stamp packaging but since Sky is blond I changed the hair colour. I hope that she does like the pink and purple colours.
I found this sheer ribbon that match very well and I went with the button embellishment, actually it is two button I had a small silver button that fitted perfectly inside the larger purple button. The colours didn't photograph very well but they are purple and silver.

For something different I did the inside of this card using the Martha Stewart border punch some scrap card and a stampin up stamp and punch.
Supplies:

Stamps: La-La Land, stampin up

Paper: white, black, rich razzelberry, DP DCWV glitter stack

Other: copics, ribbon, buttons, thread, MS border punch , SU scallop punch, foam dots

Hugs

Maryann

Spring Flowers

Today I am sharing a card with you that I made for the Boomerang Stampers List COTM Spring theme, I showed you my other entry yesterday. I was in total shock when I recieved an email to say that I had won, my card now graces the home page for the month of September.
I used the Penny Black stamp and coloured it with copics adding twinklette pen to the flower centres, then framed the image using spellbinders nestabilities. The flower was made with mft die-namics upsy-daisy die and finished with a button brad. The swirls are decorative swirls 3 from sizzix and the Designer paper is DCWV Citrus. I also used flower ribbon and paper piercing tool and mat around the top edges.

Hugs

Maryann

For my special bud

Well can you see it down on the left hand side the daisy that caused me so much stress, admittedly it is the one that I had to finish by hand cutting the felt but it looks so beautiful. I created this card for the boomerang stampers list COTM theme "spring" and used Sweet Sunday Sketch 131 for the
layout.
The girl and verse is from stamping bella, I have coloured her with copics. The designer paper is sugar & spice 6x6 stack from dovecraft. I have also used a Martha Stewart border punch and spellbinders nestabilities. And used some sponging with distress ink antique linen around the edges.

Hugs

Maryann

What a mess

I recently purchased the MFT daisy die-namics, I really liked the look that I have seen on several other blogs. I have used die-namics before but usually just the layering type. It seemed pretty simple just run the die through your die cut machine, I had used it with paper and didn't have any problems as you can see in the photo on the left. But I wanted to use felt for a softer look but this is where my problems began. After several attemps I was wasting too much felt, now I had tried to put extra shim layers to get an even pressure on the die but nothing worked. Then I thought because I am using a very old sizzix machine I had better pull out my brand new big shot that I had yet to christen. As you can see in the next photo it still did not do the job and cut all the way through in the centre and I had to hand cut the last of the petals.

I also had a simular story with the rolled rose die it did not cut all the way through and when I tried to unwind the cut felt it just fell apart and I created some pretty deformed roses. Again I have used this die with card and am very happy with the results although it is a bit fiddly getting the roll just the way you want it. I did a search and found several tutorials on these dies and have a better understanding on how to use them, but I can say I don't think I will be using them with felt too often.

TFL

Maryann

Celebrate the season

I had this image stamped and coloured for some time, it is a rather large image and needed the right sketch to make a reasonable sized card. I made the medallion with 6 punched scallops and I folded them teabag style to give the dimension. For my layout I used Sweet Sunday Sketch SSSC132.Supplies:
Stamps: Stampabilities, Stampin up
Paper: White, blue card, DP
Other: scallop punch, brad, copics
Hugs
Maryann

Graduation Dreams

I created this card using Paper Pretties stamp set. It has a some really nice verses that you could use for any occasion. I stamped the boy and coloured him with copics, cut him out fee hand and sponged the edges for a softer effect. The panel to the left was punched with the ticket punch both were then layered onto black card. The medalion was created with a 5cm x 5cm square with punched corners the corners were then flipped out to show the edges, it was then topped with the the punched circle again I softened the edges with ink. The designer paper was a bit left over in my scrap pile, brads were then added to complete the card.

Inspiration for this card

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C102

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge SSSC130

Paper Pretties PWC167

CCEE Stampers CCEE1134

Supplies:

Stamps: Paper Pretties

Paper: cream,brown,black card, Dp

Other: copics, brush gold brads,ink black & antique linen, stampin up ticket punch, EK Sucess corner & circle punches, sponge.
Hugs

Maryann

Chef Marci

Today I inked up La la Land stamps Chef Marci, they have just the cutiest range of stamps. This is the first time I have used the mini rolled rose die from MFT, I love the look but it is a bit fiddly getting the roll right, I think a bit more practise is needed.

I used Taylored Expressions sketch challenge TESC145

and Our Creative Corner Colour challenge for my inspiration.

Supplies:

Stamps: La La Land Stamps Chef Marci, sentiment - Paper Pretties

Paper: Basic balck, basic gray, real red, green &white card, DP Rosies wedding stack

Other: black ink, copics, MFT mini rolled rose die-namics, leaf punch, hot glue gun,foam tape,MS border punch.

Have a great day

Maryann

Special Delivery

I had this image coloured and sitting on my desk, just waiting for the right moment to use it. It was a bit of a long time to wait for Easter card. So I it would make a rather cute baby card you never know when you will need one of those. I had the brown and blue card still out from the other day they match so well together.
Supplies:
Stamps: Mouse Mouse, sentiment paper pretties.
Paper: scrap DS, white brown and blue card
Other: ribbon, button, thread, copics, corner punch, ms border punch

Hugs
Maryann

It's a boy

A Clean and simple baby boy card with this cute designer paper and lovely ribbon.
Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: cream and blue card, Designer Paper
Other: copics, nestabilities, ribbon

Maryann

Lily and friend

This lovely Stamp is from a get well set from Kanban, I haven't added a sentiment because I am not sure if I will use it as a get well or a birthday card. I have coloured the white flowers & ribbon with my copics to match the colours I have used for the dress.

Supplies:
Stamps: Kanban
Paper: brown and white card, DP Dovecraft Sugar and Spice Stack
Other: copics, brad, ribbon, paper flowers, MS border punch

TFL
Maryann

Have a great day

Today card is clean and simple, some days you just need a quick card. Winter is nearly over but over the past week we have felt the strong windy days and today I just needed some bright colours, roll on spring.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin Up - delight in life
Paper: Orange, cream & Pink card
Other: punches martha stewart and stampin up, ribbon, gems,thread, button, adirondack inks red pepper, mountain rose, latte.

Maryann

Cracked Glass

The idea for this card came last month when I had to choose a theme for the COTM on
Boomerang Stampers List. I found this tutorial link for cracked glass on splitcoast stampers Beate does the most amazing tutorials. I did this technique many years ago so it was great to refresh my memmory. I don't use my embossing folders often enough and never with ink, but I really like the effect so I just have to try it again.
Supplies:
Stamps: Grace Taylor - Bird Blossum
Paper: Cream, pink and brown card.
Other: adirondack ink - coffee bean,raisin, current, embossing powder, sponge, heat tool, pearls, brads, copics, ribbon, MFT die-namics, leafy branch embossing folder, word window punch.

TFL
Maryann

Bringing gifts

It is a cold and cloudy day today and feeling every inch a winters day. A perfect day to make a winter card. This is my first Christmas card for this year,( I usually make my cards at the last minute and very clean and simple), even though it is hot here at Christmas time snowflakes are still a great decoration to use. I have combined Mojo Monday mojo205 and Paper Pretties PPMC05 Challenges. I stamped my image with black brillance ink and coloured it with copics, I am getting the hang of colouring with these pens. I then used the nestabilites oval die and sponged the edges. I wanted to add some pleated ribbon but it wouldn't stay down with just tape so out came the sewing machine. I can tell I had to dust off the cobwebs as I have not used it for years, but it worked perfectly. I love chocolate and blue colour theme and would never have thought to use it in a Christmas card, I usually stick with more traditional colours.
Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Pretties
Paper: 3 bugs in a rug, white,brown and blue card
Other: Martha stewart punches, nestabilities, cuttlebug snowflake die, brad, sewing machine, copics, sponge, ribbon.

Hugs
Maryann

Mosiac Tile

This card was for July COTM theme techniques on BSL. I have used a stencil to create the faux mosaic tile. Dry emboss some card and while the stencil frame is held in place, stamp and colour your image, then using a versamark ink pad and thick embossing powder, emboss it and once it has cooled take off the stencil and walla a beautiful faux tile for you card.
Supplies:
Stamps: My Stamps orential lady, unmounted fan
Paper: pink, yellow and white card
Other: brilliance ink, flower, threads,embossing powder, stencil,heat tool.

Maryann