Hi Friends!

I received my demonstrator pre-order of the amazing products from the 2019 Holiday Catalog (available on Sept 4th). All I can say is, "Wow!". There are so many gorgeous new stamp sets, papers and embellishments. You will not be disappointed! If you need a catalog, please send me an email and I will get one to you.

As the name implies, the Holiday Catalog has sets for all the holidays in October, November and December, including New Year's. Since this is only August, I was struggling to create a Christmas or Thanksgiving card. In my  mind it was simply way too soon for that. Today's card is from a new set called Boo to You. A super cute Halloween set that begs to be colored with your favorite coloring tools!

My favorite element on this card? The googly eyes! They come in several colors and sizes and are the perfect touch to this card. Who doesn't love a cute monster with googly eyes?

I'm working on a few other Halloween cards with the same set that I will post this week. 

Thank you for dropping by! 

Mary Ann

Boo To You Cling Stamp Set
$18.00

Ornate Frames Dies
$34.00

Assorted Googly Eyes
$6.00

Granny Apple Green 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Textured Weave Ribbon
$7.50

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$8.75

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$8.75

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$9.75

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

So Saffron Light Stampin’ Blends Marker
$4.50

Balmy Blue Light Stampin' Blends Marker
$4.50

Layering Circles Dies
$35.00

 

I have one more project to show you that showcases the beautiful designer series paper from the Good Morning Magnolia bundle. The paper is called Magnolia Lane and it is BEAUTIFUL!  I love the color combination of Petal Pink and Mossy Meadow. And, don't get me started on how fabulous this Petal Pink organdy striped ribbon is!

This project is another oldie but a goodie. It's had a number of different names over the years like box card, card in a box and explosion box. This is a quick and easy card/box that makes a BIG statement. 

The box measures only 2.5" x 2.5". It's the perfect fit for the tea light birthday cake!

For the bottom:

1. Cut a 7.5" x 7.5" piece of cardstock
2. Score @ 2.5" and 5"
3. Rotate cardstock 90 degrees and score again at 2.5" and 5"
4. In the 4 corners, create a diagonal score to the horizontal score line
5. Burnish and fold all score lines to create the box.

For the top:

1. Cut a 4.25" x 4.25" piece of cardstock (or my preference is designer series paper)
2. Score @ 7/8" on all 4 sides
3. Cut a line from the edge to the scoreline in all 4 corners.
4. Fold in corners and adhere to side panels to create the lid.

I hope you enjoyed today's project. As always, I appreciate you stopping by!

Mary Ann

Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon
$8.00

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$8.75

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$9.75

Special Celebrations Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$33.00

---

Posted at 11:28 AM in 3-D items, all occasion, birthday, Cards | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tags: birthday card, explosion box, handmade cards, lake nona, Magnolia Lane DSP, mary ann reiner, stampin up demonstrator

Reblog (0)

Well, look at me! Two posts in a row. That's probably because I'm excited to show you another card using the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set. Not only am I showcasing this beautiful set again, but I also wanted to (re) introduce the diagonal double pocket card. When this fancy fold first came out over 10 years ago (yep, that long ago!) I made a lot of these! This fold has several possibilities. With two pockets:

1. One pocket can be used for a gift card and the other sentiment.
2. Create your own birth announcement and enclose a photo.
3. Keep both tags as I have done for a sentiment a personal note. 

Sometimes it's just fun to get a non-traditional card!

If you would like a chuckle, I made a tutorial for this fold in 2009: https://www.thejoyofstamping.com/files/double-pocket-card.pdf It's a bit old-school, but it shows how long it's been around. Videos are in my future!

Thanks for stopping by!

Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon
$8.00

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$9.75

Rhinestone Basic Jewels
$5.00

Stitched Shapes Dies
$30.00

Silver Metallic Thread
$3.50

Linen Thread
$5.00

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$10.00

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Stampin' Dimensionals
$4.00

---

Posted at 09:01 AM in 3-D items, all occasion, Cards | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tags: diagonal double pocket card, Good Morning Magnolia, lake nona, Mary Ann Reiner, stamped cards, Stampin Up! demonstrator

Reblog (0)

Hello!

Remember me? 

It's been a while.

Two years and two months to be exact.

One might think that I quit crafting or stopped blogging. Fortunately, neither is correct. I simply took a bit of a hiatus from blogging, but my love for stamping and all things Stampin' Up! continues.

I'll admit that I am a bit behind on using technology and social media for my crafting projects - so much to re-learn! Technology is amazing but it changes so quickly. I know there are so many cool advances with blogging and videos and Instagram, etc. I promised myself to start up again slowly. This post was the first step. My posts may be a bit simple initially, but I will eventually get up-to-speed.

I took some time off of work this past week to enjoy some time in my craft room. Creating with the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set and coordinating designer series paper was my first priority. The images in this set are beautiful! I made quite a few projects and will share them over the next couple of days.

This is a 4"x4" card which showcases the magnolia bud. It's the perfect small card to accompany a gift!

There you have it...my first post in over 2 years. 

Baby steps...

Good Morning Magnolia Cling Stamp Set
$36.00

Magnolia Memory Dies
$35.00

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$8.75

Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$8.75

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
$9.75

Gold Faceted Gems
$5.00

 

It has obviously been a very long time since I have posted. I had fully intended to keep this blog up-to-date when I returned to full-time work, but..

Stampin' Up! is on the brink of releasing a brand new catalog - just a mere few weeks away. I have pre-ordered some items and expect them early next week. The idea of dedicating time in my craft room, like I used to, is exciting, and something I desperately need. The idea of actually posting a project is both exhilirating and intimidating. I hope it's like riding a bike. 

I celebrate 15 years as a demonstrator this year, I think it's time for me to get back to the craft that I loved all these years.

Stay tuned...I hope the next time you visit you will be looking at my most recent creation.

Mary Ann

A few years ago I came across a Halloween/Fall project,created by a fellow demonstrator Connie Collins, that I just loved. It seemed so simple and easily duplicated. I saved it to a file on my computer and there it sat...for over two years. Last weekend I finally took the time to go through my saved projects searching for the perfect 3-D treat for my co-workers. And there it was...

I needed to make a dozen packets and I didn't have a lot of time to make them, so these were perfect! Since the original project was made by Connie several years ago, many of the products used are retired, but with some creativity, these could easily be made with items available in the current catalog.  I tweaked a few things from the original to include the woodgrain stamp and sentiment but overall I stayed true to her design.

Here is my completed stash.  It was fun to give these away.  Such an easy way to make someone smile.I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work with such great people. I wanted my sentiment to reflect that I truly am grateful for them!  I have had jobs in my life where giving something like would not be an option, but not this one!

Have an awesome day...stop by again soon!

I've been stamping and crafting for a long time and while I enjoy creating cards and 3-D items for various occasions, I'd have to say that Halloween is probably one of my favorite.  I don't do a lot of decorating around the house or have my front yard covered in Halloween-related lawn ornaments, but crafty things have my full attention.  Over the next couple of days I'll be showing some of the things I've done lately.

Today we'll start with the card.  Several times a year I swap cards with other fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrators to share ideas or to show our customers.  This card features several great new products in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog.  It's hard to for me to pick a favorite new product because this catalog is jam-packed with them, but there's something about black spider web doilies that just make me happy. What's even better is that 24 of them come in a pack!  These doilies are not just for Halloween.  I'll be posting other projects using them in the near future.

A listing of the new products used is listed below. The stamp set is called If the Broom Fits and I can't help but smile every time I use it.  

Come back tomorrow to see the candy treats I made for some of my co-workers.  They make such a great gift for anyone!

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann

 

Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Spider Web Doilies
$4.50

If The Broom Fits Wood-Mount Stamp
$13.00

Black Glimmer Paper
$5.00

Happy Sunday!

I spent yesterday preparing for a class I am having this Thursday to introduce Stampin' Up! to a few ladies. I have a variety of things planned from beginner to intermediate level but this card is my favorite.

Cased from a card created by Sandy Mathis, this card has so much texture and interest and it's so feminine!  I love pretty things and to me this card just screams pretty.  When I first started stamping over 13 years ago, one of my favorite techniques was collage stamping.  I had so much fun making this card and it came together so easily with the versatile botanical images from the stamp set called Butterfly Basics.  Every image in this set has so much detail and there are three sentiments too.

But, for me at least, the show-stopper of this card is the gorgeous butterfly. Created with the Butterflies Thinlits dies, I used gold foil paper and Blushing Bride card stock.  Adhered together with a few mini glue dots and then topped by a rose from the Artisan Embellishment Kit.  

Who wouldn't love to receive this card in the mail?

My hope is that my new "students" will enjoy making this as much as I did.

Have a blessed week!  Thank you for stopping by.

 Interested in learning more about Stampin' Up!?  Contact me today for your private class. 

Butterflies Thinlits Dies
$24.95

Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Stamp Set
$23.95

Artisan Embellishment Kit
$9.95

 

Happy Sunday!  I've spent the past week getting back into the groove again at work which also included handing out thank you notes to co-workers for some really lovely Christmas gifts.  Creating feminine cards is FAR easier for me than masculine.  I'm always wanting to add some "bling" or some other embellishment that likely would not be appreciated by my male coworkers.  Fortunately, Stampin' Up! has created  some really great masculine or gender neutral sets that helps making these kind of cards easier.  The card below uses the set, Wetlands (#126697).  With the addition of some retired designer scrapbook paper and a bit of baker's twine and a button, my work was done!  This card was inspired by the a sample in the Stampin' UP! catalog. 

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a great week!

Mary Ann

Well, it's been a long time coming, but after 12 years as a demonstrator, I finally got my dream craft room. We moved about a year ago to a home that had a "media room" and my husband graciously gave me that room to call my own.  I worked with a wonderful rep from More Space Place who helped me design a functional and organized room.  I am so happy with the results!  It honestly has made crafting more efficient and a lot more fun!  Take a look:

 The picture above shows my crafting table put away in the cabinet allowing for ample space for me to move about in the room. In the second picture the drop-down table provides ample crafting space in length and width but tucks away nicely in the cabinet when not in use. It is based on the idea of a murphy bed.  I really love how everything has a place and is in easy reach.

 Above: I had a window seat made that is comprised of file drawers.  Two of the drawers hold designer paper and the third drawer are files pertaining to business and personal use.

Below: On the opposing wall from my desk is my die cutting station.  I had the cabinets raised so I could stand at the counter without any discomfort in my back.  All of my die cutting supplies and embossing folders are within easy reach either in the cabinets above or in the drawers.

Behind the closet doors is where all of my card stock is stored.  I was able to purchase paper racks from a store that went out of business many years ago. The doors are kept closed so the sun doesn't fad the paper.

Thank you for letting me share my new room!  I have taken a bit of a break from stamping over the past several months but am happy to be back at it in my new room.  

Mary Ann