New Bike - ePlay Fabric Challenge

I have this layout, with fabric, over at the eclectic Paperie blog today.  You should see what the other designers have created with fabric.  I am out of my league:o)

I have to tell you that I not much of a sewer and don't have scraps of fabric hanging around.  My mom does but she lives four hours away.  So, I called my gal pal and asked her to scrounge up a handful of scraps that I might incorporate into my layout.  

I realize that you have seen some pretty serious fabric play this month, but I am going to bring it to you simple style.  My style.  Scrapbook style.  

I swear to you, there is fabric on this layout!!  I used it as I would paper.  Cut blocks, tucked them in, and applied a strip on the bottom.  Nothing earth shattering but still fun and fabric adds a bit of texture to my layout.

Mary-Ann

keep on truckin

I created a clean and simple encouragement card over at The Rubber Cafe.  Be sure to stop by and leave a comment stating how much to just love it:o)

See ya soon.

Creative Spaces Vol. 3 - holla!!!

Welcome to my humble blog.
This is where I share my recent scrapbooking creations, updates on my little family and more scrapbooking.  You have probably found your way here through Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine blog hop for the Creative Spaces Vol. 3 magazine or you are my loyal family!

This is big news for a small town girl from the Northeast.  I will be buying every copy in a 20 mile radius!  If your on my Christmas list, you know what you will be getting!

Paper Crafts team has suggested we share some of our scrapbooking space, behind the scenes photos of the "photo shoot" or maybe a tutorial.  I have decided to share some photos of my space.  Some have been posted here before but I am pretty sure most of you are happening upon my blog for the very first time, so all I share will be a surprise.

When you get to my "big spread" in the magazine, (pages 78, 79, 80 and 81), after my mugshot you will see photos of this enormous, over sized, back-breaking, 500 lb, custom made oak desk with hideous gold knobs (pg 80).  The magazine mentions that a "friend" made it for me.  I told Paper Crafts staff who really made it for me, but they thought it best to be generic and say "friend" instead of the truth, and suggested that I share the story with you myself.

Truth is, an inmate made it for me.  One of the long-term kind:o)  Yup, you read that right.  I had it made in the woodworking department at a correctional facility that I used to work at.  The inmate even signed underneath if you need proof!  Why you ask, I am not sure!  Maybe he thinks he will be released and become famous and I could turn this hefty monster over for folks to see his autograph.  

It is loosely based on a desk I saw in a magazine.  It is amazing, if you don't have to move it and you can get passed the knobs.  It has custom pull outs, slide outs, drawers, 13x13 adjustable storage on both sides, storage space and two flat surface pullouts for additional work space.  

I do gasp at the thought that the inmate may be released from his life sentence, leisurely strolls through his local craft store, picks up this magazine at the check out and happens upon "his" custom desk and the fact that we have called him a "friend!"

Here are a few of the behind the scene photos.  If I shared them all, you would notice a pattern..... a brown, sexy, beautiful beast on the floor in each shot.  I had to lock her in a bedroom so the poor photographer could work his magic.  I must say, I have seen the magazine and he has made my teeny tiny craft space look gigantic!

So this is a tiny glimpse into my space where I create.  

You will see more details in the magazine.  I love the light gray cabinets I have as well.  They are from Martha Stewart's Home Decorators Collection from Home Depot.  I love love love the thin wide drawers that come with dividers if you want.  I like a clean space so having all of these cabinets with doors, for me, is essential.  Plus, my studio is inside the front door of my house so I NEED quick clean up.  

So, sneak peek is over.  You gotta buy the mag to see the rest!  

I will have to charge for any autographs:o)

I truly appreciate each and everyone of you that stops by. 

 Hope to see you again.

Continue on to the blog hop here.....

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking magazine  

Catheat Just Something I Made

Kristi and Kelli at Lolly Jane

Beckie at Infarrantly Creative

Haeley at Design Improvised

Tracie at Cleverly Inspired

Carola at Boxwood Cottage

Lia at Lia Griffith

Jen at Tatertots & Jello

Jennifer McGuire

Jill Yegerlehner/Jillibean Soup

Amanda Coleman

Jen Gallacher

Becky Olsen

Stephenie Hamen

Jodi Sanford

Elle Price/Elle’s Studio

Mary-Ann Maldonado  <<<YOU ARE HERE

Michelle Hill

Sherry Mendoza

We R Memory Keepers

Graphic 45

Cosmo Cricket

Fancy Pants Designs

Simple Stories

Michelle at Chalkboard Blue

Stacy Cohen

DCWV Inc.

Hazel & Ruby

eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle Blog Hop (Day2)

Welcome to Day 2 of the eclectic Paperie & Add a Little Dazzle Blog Hop! 

 We have more exciting projects to share with you as we continue with our Blog Hop.

My creation...

You can see that I have created a simple layout using the Outrageously Orange Metal Sheet from

 Add a Little Dazzle.  It matched perfectly with my "Date Night" paper by Chickaniddy Crafts.  Working with metal is new to me, so cutting it with a die cutting machine was my obvious choice.  I dug out my Big Shot and my favorite dies to include Decorative Strip Spring Greenery.

I layered, added a few of my loose embellishments, machine sewed and added a few splashes of Dylusions Ink Sprays.  

If playing with something new frightens you, try small steps.  Like I just did.  I loved the brightness the metal brought to my page.  Hmmm, maybe next time I will try sanding a little bit.

Prize Alert!

Make sure to stop by and visit each of the Design Team Blogs for a chance to win 1 of 2 prize packages from eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle  valued at $25.  You have until Friday, June 27th to enter.  The winners will be announced on both blogs on Saturday, June 28th.  You must leave a comment on all blogs.

Here is where you need to go next...

Sue Carrington 

Monica Weaver

Karen Crossen 

Cathy Parlitsis 

Julia Aston 

Mary Ann Maldonado  <<< You are here!

Micki Harper 

Vicki

Broni Holcombe 

Missed Day 1?

Visit Eclectic Paperie and Add a Little Dazzle to check out Day 1 of the Blog Hop!

Thanks for stopping in.

Car Selfies

Hi there folks!

  I am up over at the A Flair for Buttons blog today with my Car Selfies layout.  

We (my dog and I) try to find ways to entertain ourselves at the bus stop.  She often sleeps, but on occasion there is another dog or a squirrel that might have her attention.  So during those times, I try to catch some cool bus stop, car selfies.  I created this layout with just a  couple of them.  

Check out that old man neck, gets me every time.

This badge had me the moment I opened the package.  

Just look at that flair!  Perfect!

Happy Birthday

Oh my goodness, if you know me at all, you know that I am not a fan of coloring or fussy cutting, but this guy, was just too cute not to use.  

It is from The Rubber Cafe's Creative Cafe kit of the month - Let's Hear it for the Boys!  

This is a pretty simple card.  The ink splotches, machine stitching and foam tape for dimension make it look much more complicated than it really is.  Head to the TRC blog to get the nitty gritty on this handsome fellow.

Here is the inside!  I just love it!

See you next time.

Creative Spaces Vol 3 sneak peek

Lordy, I have to share this small peek at the upcoming Creative Spaces Vol. 3 magazine.  

So, GO HERE!!!

There are 13 pages of deliciousness.  

Here is an amazing glimpse into what the mag has in-store.

EEEKKKK, I am so excited.  Only problem, I will be deep in the woods and won't be able to witness the social media excitement.  Boo.  But, fear not, I will be watching my cell for the first glimpse of a bar on my way out of the forest.

Walk - A Flair for Buttons

Today I have a layout over at A Flair for Buttons.  I am keeping it simple and clean today.  Be sure to check it out.

You're a Catch - The Rubber Cafe

This card is on The Rubber Cafe blog today.  I used the Creative cafe Kit of the Month - Let's hear it for the Boys!  Which includes Echo Park papers and custom stamps.  For the skinny, head to their blog.  I think I am a big fan of doodling to add embellishment, are you?

Of course stitching is a must.  Since I have rearranged my room, my machine is always available.  

Thanks for stopping in.

Baseball Season

 The Braves may not have won the playoffs but what a fun team. They lost several games at the beginning of the season and so many games got rained out.  But the last half, man, the coach would say "the bats were on fire!"  There were such great players on this team.  Some could really smack the ball while others fielded well.  They had great sportsmanship and finished the season in third place  before the playoffs.  Bubba made some great friends.  So did I.  I feel a little sad now that it is all over.  A little empty feeling when we are sitting at home on a week night, not rushing out the door to the field.  I do love being a baseball mom.  I hope he continues the sport.  Here are a few pictures I captured  of the team.

This was when then started this new chant and cheer.  I overheard one of the 9 yr old boys say, "It doesn't matter what the score is, we just need to play our best."  

Bubba and his Chum.

Me and my chums!!  During one of many rainy days.

Here is one that an other parent took during the season.

I snuck this group photo during pictures.  

Here are the boys after they were defeating during the playoff games.  Still have fun.  

Here is Roman's coach that put in tons of time with these boys.  

FYI, the team that beat the Braves was in the last place standing for playoffs.  They have won two games now and are in the semi-finals.  Wouldn't it be cool if they won the whole thing?

Thanks for hanging with me during my reflection of the baseball season.  It was so much fun.  Can't wait til next year.

Creative Spaces Vol 3

I have been giddy for several months now thinking that my plain ole' space is going to be featured in Creative Spaces Vol 3.  I hosted a photographer that has shot photos for Vera Wang!!  I have not yet seen the complete issue but can share the news with you starting today. 

 You will see how I organize, sort and display my hoarded scrapbooking products.  

On June 24th we will have a blog hop!  All the designers featured in the magazine will be a part of the hop and you can jump to and from each blog.  Sounds like fun, right?

Here is a sneak peek at this issues cover!!  

Nope, that is not my space but I do have that same desk!

You can probably see my smile from where you are...

Vroom and Let's Take a Trip - for eP and A Flair for Buttons

Today over at eclectic Paperie and A Flair for Buttons, and I am sharing two layouts created with this months eP Kit of the Month and my stash of flair.  It was so much fun sitting around with my gal pals last month creating in eP's studio.  My intent was to scrapbook a picture of a corn flake that my son found.  It looks just like the USA.  I never got to it, but there is still time.  I found other photos that just had to be used with this months product from Jillibean Soup.

Greatest Dad

I am starting with one of many Father's Day cards over at The Rubber Cafe.  For this card, I have used packaging to create a hidden pocket that will hold a super sweet picture of my son with his dad.  Head over to their blog for the breakdown and the shakedown:o)  Wow, you can tell it is getting late.

Sneak peeks

 I lost all my creativity since the sun has come out.  I have wanted to spend all my time by the shark infested pool instead of in my scrap space.  Can you see it?  

BTW, this book is really really good!

So, last night and today, I have been creating for The Rubber Cafe, Eclectic Paperie and A Flair for Buttons.  Some are combined together while others must use only their own product.  Here are a few sneaks of whats to come here on my blog.... and on theirs!

There is some really great product out there right now.  I have been using Echo Park and Jillibean Soup.  Fun fun.  See you again real soon.