My Sweet Girl

The girls in my house have to stick together.  We are outnumbered.  You can see just how affectionate my girl is just from this photo Seriously, we were sitting on the couch, and she leaned her head on my shoulder.  True story!  I just so happen to have my phone in my hand and here you have it.

It is not often that I stick to a color pallet that I have in mind, it usually takes twist and turns and then I have a whole rainbow of colors I swore I would stay away from.  But this time I stuck to my my original gold and pink pallet pretty well.

Mary-Ann

Jillibean Soup Blog

I am pretty excited to share that one of my Mini Album projects has been highlight or spotted over at the Jillibean Soup Blog today.  Click here to check it out!

Or, I shared it before on this blog and you can see the complete album here!

Catch-up

I have been very busy lately, researching and then buying and then waiting on my new computer.  I can probably go days without using it but when gone from the house and at the apple store, all I can think to do has to do with that machine!  It is frustrating.  Thought I was prepared but I wasn't!  So in the meantime, I sorted my sequins.  I stopped at MY favorite little antique store last week and found the PERFECT solution for these little guys.  I can not wait to share it with you, problem is, I didn't have enough to fill what I bought and now need to wait for more to arrive in the mail.  As long as the display looks pretty right?  Isn't that what it is all about!

Oh these colors make me happy!  I also signed up for the Studio Calico ColorTheory class that starts in March so I am pretty excited!  I need color to put an end to this drab winter.  

Be back soon!

Mary-Ann

Tutorial: Gift card holder

Yesterday I was on The Rubber Cafe blog but forgot to post here!!  Not sure what I was thinking.  I shared how to create a gift card holder card.  I've also included a tutorial on how to magnify your stamps!

I started with the cream card stock cut 8 1/4 x 5 1/2, folded in half. Before I started layering my papers, I needed to find out how large I need my first block of paper to be that will hold my gift card pocket.  

To create the transparent pocket for my gift card, I traced the edges of my gift card on a page protector I had on hand.  I traced these lines slightly larger than the card.

I ran it through my sewing machine to create edges.  

I used my paper trimmer to cut out the block, being sure to cut on the OUTSIDE of my sewed lines.  

Not happy with the look, I put it back in my sewing machine and sewed all three sides to create a more uniformed look.  

I added this pocket to paper.  Then I layered a few other papers for design.  This is how the pocket looks on the completed card.

For the next step of the card, I wanted to add the cool thermal coffee cup to my pocket. The stamp itself was slightly too small for what I had in mind. So, I stamped it on paper and ran it through my copy machine magnified by 150%. Be sure to use cardstock that is sturdy.

Next I laid down my print paper over the copied image

And ran it through the copier again, I wanted to use the patterned paper on the center of the cup.

I carefully trimmed out both copies with fine tip scissors and attached the floral paper to the cup.  Now I have the really cool stamped thermal coffee cup, but at a much larger scale.  You could do this technique with any of the stamps.

I stamped and trimmed out my title.

You can see from this angle that I layered my title around my coffee cup with various levels of foam tape.

Here is my completed card.  Any type of gift card can be added, for any event!

Tata,

Mary-Ann

Gamer & Ouch! Get Up!

I am featured over at A Flair for Buttons blog today with two layouts!   The Etsy store may be on vacation for a couple days but creating with flair never stops!  I recently asked for two specific flair.  Epic Fail and a pair of headphones.  Both, perfect for what I had in mind for my next layouts.  

My first is Gamer.  He is too cool for school wearing a skull bandana, a Wreck-it Ralph t-shirt and kid sized headphones, which aid in his selective hearing.  I created this layout using Studio Calico's Sugar Rush kit, OhDeerMeKit by Feckled Fawn and the perfect flair!

My second layout for today is Ouch! Get up!  

Told you the flair I requested was perfect!  Disclaimer:  my son was not hurt during this event.  Matter of fact, I said wait, let me get my camera!  He got up saying, "Mom, I am glad you made me wear my helmet!"  This was the perfect opportunity to throw out there that I DO know everything!

gulp!  Look at those wooden dots by MME.

Since my layout was greens and blues, I used some of the Fresh Cut tape strips by Basic Grey and layered them and added embelishments to the top.  I think it helps pop my arrow flair!  Sometimes with older chipboard letters, they tend to loose their stick.  I reinforce mine with stitching.  The random pieces that do not fit under the stitching get a dab of glue.  For the vellum, what better way to attach than an extended reach stapler from Staples or Tim's Tiny Attacher if is close enough to the edge.  Hope you are inspired to create with some flair on your next layout.  

Our family camping trip - 2013

When I was a kid, we went camping every summer.  Was it fun then?  I don't remember it being a bowl full of laughs but I remember lots of things about it.  Like the one time we saw a bear.  I stopped going when I grew up, went to college, moved away and had other fun things to do!  Since we have planted roots so close to home, we started going back with my family for two years now.  Is it fun now?  Not so much for me or so I pretend:o)  But the fun thing about it is spending time with family that I don't see often.  My husband and son love it and it makes them happy.  So, I guess I do like it but won't completely admit it.  We did see a bear our first year back but not last year.  I hate camp cooking.  Camp cleaning.  Sleeping where bears can get me.  Hiking through the woods where bears can eat me.  Packing up in the rain.  

So, I thought I would create this mini using a Farmhouse Paper Company mini album and Jillibean Soup paper collection called Cold Avocado Soup!  The colors in this collection were just perfect for my outdoor excursion.  I threw is a tad of twine, tags and enamel dots.  

Thanks for going along on my adventure.  Its almost time to submit reservations again for this year!

Mary-Ann

Smile

With this being my second blog post for today, I will keep it short for your sake!  I am in LOVE.  So with that said, I created a special Valentine just for him.  Its ok to use pink and hearts and girly things for this occasion so I did just that.  You can see more details over at the eclectic paperie blog!

Thanks for stopping in.

Mary-Ann

Perk Up

Today I am over at The Rubber Cafe again sharing a quick card you can share with someone not feeling so well, sad, or under the weather.  It would be really cute attached to a care basket full of cookies and tea!  If you need my address, private message me:o)  I love unexpected gifts!

Mary-Ann

Designing for the Rubber Cafe

Hey guys, I am excited to announce that I have been invited to design for The Rubber Cafe! 

For my first post over there, I have taken the Cafe Creations kit of the month and created a project life spread.  It is a leap but I hope it is well received.  Wish me luck.  You can head over there for the complete tutorial, if you enjoy the PL layout, please make a comment!

I need to point out that coffee ring..... isn't it darling?  It is my favorite of the whole bunch!  I will be using it and using it over and over again in the future!  

I really enjoyed experimenting and doing something different with the card kit.  

Thanks for popping in.

Mary-Ann

Love : mini album class this weekend

All of the local scrapbooking stores are gearing up for Valentine's Day and I will be teaching this mini album class this weekend,

Friday February 7th 

6pm - 9pm

eclectic Paperie

Exeter, NH

Saturday February 8th

1pm - 4 pm

Ink About It

Westford, MA

Hope to see you there!

Mary-Ann

My to-do list!

I swear that my to-do list is never ending.  I really do keep a list, a never ending list.  I scratch something off and add three more things.  Maybe I shouldn't keep a list.  It is depressing.  But what would be more depressing is my lack of memory.  

So, big things on my list today was to do Bubba's party invites, Valentines for school and finish his Pinewood Derby car.  All have been accomplished.  

1.  Birthday Party invites complete, ready to hand out tomorrow and mail.

2.  27 Valentines complete and ready to be sent to school.

2a.  Quick unexpected trip to the doctor:o(

3.  Finished painting Pinewood Derby card and attached wheels, being sure they rotate appropriately.  Don't get me wrong, I solicited help from my two boys on this part:o)

It may not be the fastest car of the track but it surely will  be the coolest!

Derby is tomorrow, I'll keep you posted:o)

Mary-Ann