This set, Winds of Grace, is one of the first sets I bought from the new catalog.  I really struggle to find stamps that I can use for masculine cards, but this was an easy choice for me.  Before I was married, I collected lighthouses.  I was obsessed with anything that was a lighthouse or lighthouse related.  I used to have a spare bedroom decorated in a nautical theme and had dozens, and I mean dozens, of lighthouses - some from around the world.  As an adult living in Michigan, I would go to as many lighthouses as I could around the state.  One of the best times I ever had on one of my lighthouse tours was with a couple of friends, riding on the back of a motorcycle in the Fall.  The colors of the leaves and trees in Northern Michigan were spectacular and riding along the lake was beyond words.  On that trip alone we stopped at four lighthouses.  It was simply awesome.

We created this card at one of my recent stamp camps.  I was inspired by this card on SCS.  I CASED the card and added just a few more details.  It's hard to tell in the photo, but the sailboat is elevated by pop dots to give it some dimension.  I also added some coordinating ribbon.  This is a really simple card suitable for anyone.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann

From time to time I get bored with the "traditional" card fold with the opening off to the side or from the bottom.  This fold is called the Z-fold because of the way the top layer is folded.  When you pull the top flap to the left, it reveals the message inside.  This type of fold works well when you have an image large enough (like the elephant) to cover a good portion of the front.  The nice thing about this fold is that it still fits perfectly in an A2 envelope and it still measures 4.25x11 before it is folded.  So, like the other folds I mentioned, you can get two cards from one piece of 8.5x11 cardstock.

We are in the final days of the Valentine Bundle promotion!  The last day to purchase it is January 31st.  If you would like to have it before time runs out, contact me at [email protected].

Wishing you a blessed day.

Mary Ann

While I can't complain of snow and freezing temperatures, it has been a little gloomy here in Orlando.  The rain is great and every now and then a cloudy day can do the soul good.  But...I want my sun back!

Since I can't get any cooperation from Mother Nature, I made my own bit of Spring.  This image is from the set Thoughts of Father.  This set has been met with mixed reviews, but I was drawn to it immediately.  I'll admit, the image with the bird on the oil can surrounded by flowers is not typically what I would go for when making my dad a card, but I knew I could make it for other purposes.  It kind of looks like a watering can, doesn't it? 

This card is headed to my dear friend, Vicki, who will admit this was not a set she was drawn to.  I'm hoping that when it hits her mailbox and she sees the versatility of it, that maybe, just maybe she will see its potential... or maybe not. 

Am I the only person who likes this set?  Sheesh!

Have a great Friday!

~Mary Ann

Isn't he cute?  This adorable elephant is part of a stamp set called Happy Heart Day and is also the featured stamp set in the Valentine Bundle promotion.  I love coloring line-art images with my Stampin' Up! watercolor crayons with my Aquapainters.  While I realize there are a number of different ways to color these images, the crayons are my favorite.  The color blends so easily.  These work best on watercolor paper or Stampin' Up!'s Shimmery White cardstock simply because the paper is more durable and absorbs the water better.  In my opinion, the crayons are an essential tool to the "stamper's tool box".

For this card, I finally opened my Basic Gray cardstock.  I've had it forever, but have never used it til now.  I thought it would compliment the color of the elephant and give a little emphasis to the focal point.  For another added touch, I used Dazzling Diamond glitter on the flowers.

I haven't decided who will receive this cutey-patootie, but it will be someone special!

Happy Tuesday.

~Mary Ann

Simple is not very easy for me.  I always think my simple cards need a "little this" or a "little that" - before I know it, they're not simple anymore.  My BFF, Debby, was more satisfied with this card than I was and insisted that I post it.  She kindly reminded me that not everyone likes multiple-layered cards or the ones that take an engineering degree to complete.  Okay, okay, I get it. 

This adorable egg is from the set A Good Egg in the new Spring/Summer Catalog.  I'm not usually a "whimsy" kind of person, but I really thought this was a cute set.  Obviously it will be great for Easter, but it also includes the sentiment. "You crack me up".  I can use that anytime of the year.

We're just about a week and half away from the start of Sale-a-bration - Stampin' Up!'s biggest sale of the year.  For every $50 you spend, you get your choice of one exclusively designed stamp set.  There's no limit to the number of sets you can earn!  If you want to take a peek at the Sale-a-bration catalog, click here.

Thanks for stopping by.

~Mary Ann

I've neglected a lot of things over the past week, including my blog.  I've been contending with the stomach flu (yuk) and my daughter had final exams this week which meant late nights of studying and quizzing.  She is SO happy to have finals behind her now (me too) and able to enjoy a four-day weekend.  I am happy that I am feeling better and able to take care of my family and, of course, get back into my craft room.  Things are definitely looking up around here.  My husband is getting stronger each day after his open heart surgery and will probably go back to work full-time next week.  Even my dog, Kayla ( I <heart> my dog) had an emergency trip to the vet this week and is on the mend.   Even with these minor "hiccups" in my life, I recognize how much I have to be thankful for.  God has truly blessed me.

LIFE IS GOOD!

In the deep, dark chasms of my stamp room, I came across some ready-to-embellish, wood picture frames.  I think I may have purchased them during one of my shopping sprees at JoAnn's or Michaels months, if not years ago (yikes!).  This picture frame was begging to be decorated.

I love Stampin' Up! designer series paper.  In the last catalog, my favorite series was Petals and Paisleys.  I loved the colors, the design and loved that it coordinated with the stamp set.  I bought a lot of it - and I mean a LOT, so I was more than disappointed when it retired January 1st.

Since I can no longer demonstrate with this paper at workshops and classes, it only made sense for me to use it up with personal items.  I decided to make this frame for my niece.  When I was in Denver this summer for the Stampin' Up! convention, I had the opportunity to see my niece and her boyfriend.  I snapped a few pictures and decided to make this frame for her and include one of the pictures I took of her and her significant other.  Hope she likes it.

Happy Monday.

Mary Ann

My absolute favorite craft magazine is Papercrafts.  As many of you know, there are dozens and dozens of scrapbooking, rubber stamping, jewelry making and whatever other craft you can think of, magazines on the market.  When I first started stamping, I felt like I had to have them ALL.  Now, many years later, I have learned what my style is, determined the type of projects I like to make and have a sense of what is "trendy" and what is not.  This magazine has it all and I anxiously wait for every publication to appear in my mailbox.    If you haven't been to their website, you should take a look at it (linked above).  There are videos, downloads, project ideas and hundreds of other things to browse through.  You will have creative overload midway through your search - trust me.

Today's card was inspired by a card I saw in one of the Papercraft magazines.  I was trying to figure out a way for me to show you my source of inspiration, but I'm certain there would be a copyright issue.  It appears in Card Creations Volume 5 and it is a Mother's Day card.  The card is various shades of pink (my favorite color) and is just beautiful.  If I can find a way to post that card, I will.  Anyway, this is my rendition, using Tempting Turquoise instead of pink, but the overall concept and layout is the same.  The sentiment is from the set Enjoy Every Moment. 

I hope you have a great week and can "enjoy every moment". 

Happy Stamping!

Mary Ann

Okay...let's try this again.  The last time I used this set (12/29) my "stamping mojo" was M.I.A.   I was getting frustrated with it because I just couldn't make it work.  I've had some time away from it and I was ready to take another shot at it this morning. 

I really love this flower from the Embrace Life set.  For this flower, I stamped it on watercolor paper and used my aquapainters and reinkers to color it.  It may be hard to see in the picture, but I added a bit of Dazzling Diamond Glitter in the center just for a touch of bling.  I cut it out and secured it on to black cardstock.  The rest should be pretty self explanatory.

Everything was going along pretty well with the card and, generally speaking, I was pretty happy with it.  When I got to the point of taking the photo to upload all of a sudden I realized...OMG, my brads are crooked!!!  Oh, for cryin' out loud!!!  Just shoot me.   Is this a joke?  Do I have bad karma?  What is it with this stamp set and me?   Can I not get at least one stinkin' card to come out right with this?  Give me a freakin' break!

On a completely different and HAPPIER note, the new catalog is now officially up and running on the Stampin' Up! site (www.stampinup.com).  I'm going to take the next couple of hours to place a nice little order, make some updates and improvements on my blog and grab myself a nice hot cup of coffee.  In my next post, I will be a kinder, gentler blogger...

For those of you who have your wish list complete and are ready to place your order, drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll get it placed for you right away.

Have a GREAT day.

~Mary Ann

Happy New Year!  I wish all of you a year of kept resolutions and good health.  But , beyond all else, I wish you the ability to enjoy life. 

Isn't that a great sentiment?  The stamp set that I used in today's post is called Enjoy Every Moment and is featured in Stampin' Up!'s new Spring/Summer Idea Book.  It's an 11 piece set and retails for $29.95.  It is one of my favorite new releases and very versatile.

I was recently surfing other stamping sites and came across Julee's blog.  Every Monday she introduces new card sketches called Mojo Monday.  When I saw this layout, this stamp set was the first thing that came to mind.  It came together very easily for me, contrary to other projects over the last week or so!  The designer paper is Cutie Pie which will still be available in the new catalog.

Speaking of the new catalog...It will be available to view online on January 2nd at noon Mountain Time (2pm for us East Coast gals).  I have been revising my "wish list" for the last couple of days and can't wait to place my first order from the new catalog.  It feels like Christmas all over again! 

For those of you who already have the new catalog in your hot little hands, and want to get your order placed tomorrow, contact me and I'll get your goodies ordered as soon as it goes "live".

Time to take down the Christmas decorations and embrace a new year and a new beginning.  Enjoy life!

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann