Non Traditional Christmas.....

Hello again: This is a second post for today, I had a bit of time to finish this card to add to my Christmas stash, I don't think I have enough yet. I will link it to a few challenges at the end of this post.

This image is from a Power Poppy set called Cozy Cupfuls, super cute images that you can color any way you want to. Stamped it on water color paper with Stazon black ink and colored it with Sakura Koi water colors and SU markers and an aqua painter.

The pattern papers are from Lili of the Valley (retired), the sentiment from the set.

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This is a picture of the finished inside of my card.

The border is done with "Bordering Blooms" from SU (retired), the sentiment and little gift from Power Poppy's 2 sets, Merry Littles and Ponsettia 

I'm playing along with this challenges.

Merry Monday

Through the Purple Haze challenge #136 "Untraditional Christmas colors.

Crafting by Design "Get Ready for Christmas" October Edition.

Fab "n" Funky challenge #368 "Christmas"

Watercooler challenges #142 "All About Christmas"

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

Season of Thanks.....

Hello everyone: I noticed the other day that I'm low on my Thanksgiving cards and I need to add a few more just so I wont get all crazy trying to make some with very little time to spare.

Here is this one that I will also link to a few challenges at the end of this post.

I still have some of my beloved Lili of the Valley pattern paper, I like it a lot because it's one sided, I can't imagine turning this pretty pattern upside down. This card is pretty simple, I stamped this leaf from the retired Stampin' Up! set called "Gently Falling" that came out back in the 2011-2012 Holiday Mini catalog.  I stamped this leaf on watercolor paper with SU markers then, I went over the image with a damp aqua painter to move the colors around.  I added some spots with another retired SU set called "Gorgeous Grunge". The little sentiment is from Flourishes.

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I've been finishing the inside of my cards to save time when I need to mail them, here is a picture of this one.

The sentiment is from "A Season of Thanks" from Flourishes (retired) and the leaf is from a Our Daily Bread set called Autumn Blessings.

I'm playing along with the following challenges.

The Color Throwdown

Freshly Made Sketches

Double D Challenges "LEAVE" it to me! "Use leaves and the mood board"

The Sisterhood of Crafters "I See Spots"

Words 2 Craft By Challenge #46 "Autumn"

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

Seashells, Seashells by the Seashore.....

Hello everyone: Seashells always bring the most beautiful memories of the many years my hubby and I took our grandchildren on Spring Break vacations. We went to several National Parks including Yosemite, The Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Yellowstone. Other times we just went to Panama City, FL. escaping the cold weather here to go soak up some sun and play on the beach or the pool, the kids just loved it and so did we. 

Here is this card made with my only Seashell stamp set from Flourishes (retired) called "Seaside Life" by Marcella Hawley, beautiful images of this little seaside treasures.

I stamped this images on water color paper with Stazon black ink and colored them with SU markers and the aqua painter. The sentiment is from the set and it's stamped on Vellum, I didn't want to cover up this pretty shells. I added a pearl to emphasize the meaning of the sentiment.

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I always finish the inside of my cards, it's a time saver when it's time to mail them.

The sentiment is one of my most favorite about Friendship, it's from another retired set from Flourishes called Gerbera Daisies.  The line of little shells is from the Seaside Life set.

I'm playing along with this challenges.

CAS Colours & Sketches

Little Miss Muffet Challenges #174 "Anything Goes"

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

BOO to YOU!!

Hello everyone: I have another "Spooky" card to share with you today, this one is made with one of my most favorite SU sets called "Monstermaniacs" (retired, sigh!!😞)

Love this little monsters, they make the cutest cards for kids.

Just stamped it on a piece of Strathmore mixed media paper with Versafine black ink and clear heat emboss it then, colored it with SU markers and an aqua painter.

The little bat on this guy's antennae is from Kraftin Kimmie and the "BOO" sentiment from another retired SU set called "Best Friends".

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card. I always finish the inside, saves me a lot of time when I mail them to family and friends.

The sentiment is from Stampendous and the little spider from SU "Googly Ghouls" (retired too)

I'm linking this card to the following challenges.

"Less is More"

The Paper Shelter Challenge #315 "Halloween"

Stampavie and More Challenge #292 "Halloween"

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

You Little Monsters!!!!!

Hello everyone: I have another card to share with you today, I will link this card to a few challenges at the end of this post.

This card was made with a super adorable Stampin' Up! set called "Make a Monster" from the 2010-2011 catalog.  I bought it because all of this Monsters are just adorable and perfect for kids cards and, of course, Halloween cards too, after all, what's Halloween without a few scary Monsters, right?

I just stamped this images on water color paper with Stazon black ink and colored them with SU markers and Prismacolor pencils. The sentiment is from another retired SU set called "Best Friends" that came out back in 2006.

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card, doing this saves me a lot of time when it 's time to mail my cards.

This sentiment is from the retired SU set called "Dark and Dreary" from the 2010 Holiday Mini.

The eyes are from the "Make a Monster" set.

I'm playing along with these challenges.

"Less is More"

Stinkininkers "Monster Mash"

Tuesday Throwdown #366 "Spooktacular"

Cards und More Challenge #196 "Halloween"Crea Chicky's Challenge #14 "Halloween"

Delicious Doodles Halloween "Scary or Cute" I went with Cute.

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.
Until next time, happy stamping.
Hugs from Maria.

Bundle of Joy.....

Hello everyone: I haven't made any Baby cards in a long while so, here is one more to add to my stash, I never know when I'll need one, especially when my daughters ask me for a card with just a few hours in advance. I'm linking this card to a few challenges at the end of this post.

The front of this card is made with one of the cutest Baby sets ever from Stampin' Up! called
"Baby Bundle" that came out in the 2010-2011 Catalog (retired😞). I love this cute and adorable images, so perfect for Baby cards of all kinds.

I stamped it on Strathmore mixed media watercolor paper with Stazon black ink and colored it with SU markers in very soft colors. I like to make Baby cards gender neutral unless we know in advance what the future parents are having.

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card, this saves me a lot of time when I mail my cards.

The inside of this card was stamped with another adorable and sadly retired set from Stampin' Up! called "The Best of Brides and Babies" that came out in May of 2013.  I wanted to keep the inside also very soft so I stamped the sentiment and the row of Teddy Bears in Gray Stazon ink then colored the images with Prismacolor pencils.

I'm playing along with the following challenges.

CASology  Babies are what we cherish the most.

Addicted to Stamps and More I went with the words, babies always make you smile.

Ike's World Challenges #100 CELEBRATIONS.

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

All Decked Up!!!

Hello everyone: After a frenzy of Halloween cards I'm here today with a Christmas card for the new challenge over at RETRO RUBBER which is a fun sketch full of possibilities. I hope you come along and play with us, we can't wait to see what you create.

I made this card with a super cute and sadly retired Stampin' Up! set called "Snow Much Fun" that was in the 2011-2012 idea book and catalog, love this cute snowman images and sentiments.

I stamped the Christmas Trees on some watercolor paper from Strathmore with Stazon black ink, colored them with SU markers, an aqua painter and added some highlights with Prismacolor pencils then, I fussy cut them and "planted" them in this cute crates from a retired Flourishes set called "Topiaries" , I added some Rhine Stones and a star to each to make them look so festive.
The patter paper is from my stash and the sentiment is from a Power Poppy set called Cozy Cupfulls.

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Here is a picture of the inside of my card.

The Sentiment is from another Power Poppy set called Ponsettia, the little mitten is from Merry Littles from Power Poppy too.

I hope you come and join us at RETRO RUBBER and please make sure you use at least one stamp that is OLDER THAN A YEAR.  Stop by the blog to see the awesome inspiration my teammates have for you.

I'm linking this card to the following challenges.

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #81 "Christmas for Kids"

Christmas Card Challenge

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #356 Anything Goes Christmas/Traditional Christmas colors.

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

Let's get Sketchy.....

Hello everyone: The SHOPPING OUR STASH challenge has a new one for you that we think you'd like. We want you to pick a sketch, any sketch, old or new and join us in our gallery.

This is the card I made using the sketch from Sunday Stamps, I will provide the link at the end of this post. 

This card was easy to create using a retired Flourishes set called "Christmas Borders" I just love this little gifts that can be used for any occasion.

Just stamped them on some Strathmore watercolor paper with Versafine black ink and colored them with SU markers and Sakura Koi watercolors.

The pattern paper is from my stash of Holiday paper and the sentiment is from a Power Poppy set called Poinsettia, I tied a bow with some silver thread.

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card.

The sentiment is from Stampabilities and the little candle from Power Poppy Merry Littles.

I'm linking this card to the following challenges.

Sunday Stamps

So hop over the SHOPPING OUR STASH blog and see what my teammates have created for your inspiration, you'd be happy you did.

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

Miss You.....

Hello everyone: I have a quick card to share today and I'm making a dash to enter it into the CASology Challenge with a CUE WORD "SORRY", here is my interpretation of this word.

This card was made using 4 different stamp sets, all retired. The bench is from a Flourishes set called "Around the Arbor", the bird from a Stampin' Up set called "Scene in a Garden", the sentiment from another Flourishes set called "Friendly Reminders" and the inside sentiment from Flourishes set called "Gerbera Daisies"

Stamped with Stazon black ink on watercolor paper and colored with Sakura Koi watercolors.

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card.

I'm entering this card on this challenges.

CASology My interpretation of the word is that you really feel SORRY when you miss someone dear.

The Brown Sugar Challenge #271 "Orange, Brown, Green"  I'm going out on a limb here with a bit of orange on the bird's belly, the green grass and the brown bench.

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.

A Fly By Wish.....

Hello everyone: I have another fun card made with my "new" (to me) Stampin' Up! set called "Best Friends" that came out back in 2006, which is like 5 years before I started seriously making cards. I don't know if any of you recall this set but it's one of the best Halloween sets ever from Stampin' Up!

I'm linking this card to a few challenges at the end of this post.

I'm having so much fun inking up this images, this fabulous Witch is obviously going somewhere in a hurry, maybe to a Halloween party?

I stamped this image on Strathmore mixed media paper with Stazon black ink and colored with Sakura Koi watercolors. I added a spider web die cut from Stampin' Up!, then I kind of thought this panel needed something else like some bling or ribbon but in the end, I just let the Witch shine on her own.

The stamped sentiment is from the set.

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Here is a picture of the finished inside of my card. 

The sentiment is from the "Best Friends" set, the spider web and the spider are from another SU set called "Bite Me!"

I'm linking this card to the following challenges.

A Gem of a Challenge #205 "Spots or Stripes or Halloween"

All Sorts Challenge Week #438 "Halloween"

Sweet Stampin' I went with "Cobwebs, Sentiment and Witch"

The Fairy and the Unicorn Challenge #8 "Witching Halloween"

Crafty Calendar Challenge  "Halloween"

Thank you for stopping by, I always read every single comment you so kindly leave on my posts, I want you to know I appreciate them more than words can express.

Until next time, happy stamping.

Hugs from Maria.