A Treat Box For Sparkles Christmas Challenge

A very quick post today.  As are most of us, I am crafting away trying to get little exchange gifts made and a bit of decorating done, Christmas cards finished, and shopping done, and on and on....The December Challenge at  Sparkles Christmas Challenge is to make anything but a card.  I was inspired by Jan B and made this little candy box from her inspiration.

I love this paper by Prima and it works perfectly to decorate the boxes inside and out.  I covered the window with a clear bag that I cut  just slightly larger than the window opening.  The opening was cut using a Spellbinder Nestabilities.

This little project is quick and very easy.  Saturday (12/3) there is a Christmas Workshop sponsored by Paradise Scrapbook Boutique and Ever After in Paradise CA.  I'll be assisting anyone wanting to make this little gem.  There are kits available to make lots of sweet projects.  Check out Paradise Scrapbook Boutique on Facebook.  I hope to see my crafty friends for a day of making fantastic holiday gifts.

Here's a close up.....

Every month, there is a gift to be won and all you need to do is enter your creation and you just might be picked....Check out the rules here.  And this is what you could win.....Caz does it again sponsoring and offering this prize.  Who doesn't need more stamps and... I could never have enough gems!

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is creating......

Until Next Time.....Happy Crafting, Merry Christmas and I look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.

As Always, Hugs from me to you,

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #70

I can not believe how fast the year is going.  I guess when you go on vacation from the end of August through the first week in October, time slips by, in the joy of spending time with family and friends.  I was celebrating Birthday #70..... My kids wore me out, I went to 2 SF Giant/Cubs games.  I was so impressed with the Cubs fans.  They treated me so well, even though I was wearing the SF Giants Jersey my kids had given me.  My Mid-west daughter Amy and my Son Damon took great care of me.  I was so pleased to be able to spend time with both of them and their families.  My niece Paula hosted a family get-together  and it was fun seeing everyone.  My sister, Becky, kidnapped me and we were able to spend time together. That was great fun as we've not had sister time in a long time.  My California son, Dan joined us and we spent time with family, which is always great fun.  Then I went to Colorado to spend time with my friend Dee Dee and she had a week to wear out even teens.  Then home for a day and off to San Francisco to spend a week with my son Dan.  It was wonderful having 3 of my 4 kids together.  My Aussie son Aaron and family were with me in spirit and I was happy to spend some internet time with them.  It was especially nice to be able to FaceTime while my granddaughter Bridget and her horse Smarty were in a competition.  My kids are so spread out, it's wonderful having FaceTime and UpClose time with all of them.

Back to business..... this month, Sparkles Christmas Challenge, is sponsored by Sandra H.  Thanks Sandra for the fun challenge and The great gift from  Buzzcraft Clear Rubber Stamps x2....yup x2.  It's easy to play along.  Create a card using the monthly theme.  This month Holly and Ivy.  Add your creation to the Sparkles Challenge and you just might win.  Want to see what you could win?

Aren't they the sweetest stamps?  I love them.  Get busy.....show some ivy and holly......

Here's what I did to make my card.  First, I must say, this card was so easy.  I was beginning to feel challenged by the theme, then I went to my new Graphic45 paper and within 5 minutes I had everything cut and ready to put on my card.  I think this was the easiest card I've ever made.  

Here's the inside:

The base of the card is craft paper, the frames are a dark brown card stock and all of the decorative paper came from the 8x8  Graphic45 card stock pad - St. Nicholas collection.  The Merry Christmas is an Impression Obsession die #DIE233-M.

That's it for me this month.  Until next post.  Happy Crafting,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Show Me A Snowman

Snowmen are my favorite.  For this month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge, Caz chose the theme of Snowmen.  I am loving the white cards and Snowmen fit my recent theme of white.  I'm also loving the shaker cards and what better to guard the snow in a shaker card than a snowman!

My little snowman is a Tutti die.  My snowflakes are Memory Box dies.  I've colored portions of him with my Spectrum Noir pens, and glittered him using glitter pens.  I added sequins, embossed my background added a little stamped sentiment and this card is ready for the mail.

Please check out the Design Team creations and I hope you create a snowman card to enter this month's challenge.  Of course there is always a little blog candy that can be won.  If you want to find out what you could win, head over to the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.

Caz is sponsoring this month's challenge.  Do you want to see what you could win?  What are you waiting for?  Get creating......

This card doesn't have a snowman, well not an assembled one, but it does have lots and lots of snowflakes.  Like I said earlier, I am loving shaker cards, so here's another one.  I call it Noel.  Wonder why?

Until next time,  enjoy Autumn and Happy Crafting.

Hugs from me to you,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Angels We Have Heard On High

The leaves will soon be changing and the weather looking on to cooler days and colder nights and before we know it the grass will turn softly white as frost softly tickles the soon to be sleeping blades and the holiday season will soon be upon us.

Every year I promise myself I will have made all my Christmas cards by November 1st, and every year I am scrambling to finish on December 1st.  This year I am feeling will be no different.  That said, my plan is to make several using the same format but with different dies.  I love white based cards that are simple yet lovely.  I think my little angel card is both.

This month, Brenda chose the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  The challenge is to create a card with an Angel or a Fairy.  My friend Virginia has a beautiful Angel die and she allowed me to borrow her.  Thank you Virginia and thank you Brenda for the inspiring challenge.  Of course, like all months....you are invited to join the challenge and you could win.  Want to know what?  This month  Sandra H is the sponsor of the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.    and this is what you just might win.
You know you can't win if you don't play along!

The little angel card inspired a few more cards.....

And Another.....

And Another.....

The inside off all are the same.  

Some torn paper, a stamp or two, an embossing folder and simple dies and the cards are complete.  I like cards that can be made quickly and these cards were just that.....

The Sparkles Design Team has created gorgeous cards.  I hope you will check out what everyone has made.  I also hope you create a card to share.  

Until next time.....happy crafting.....

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Catching Up....well sort of....

Happy Friday to everyone.  I do hope this day brings happiness in your world.  In July I posted a Holiday card on Sparkles Christmas Challenge and I loved how simple the layout was.  I thought how fun it would be to make more, but not just for Christmas.  Here's what I made.

and here is the inside

This card I'm leaving with no sentiment.  Why?  Because I don't want to cover the umbrella. 

You say what umbrella......do you see it now?  And here's the inside....

Here's another blank card.  I wanted to have this on hand so I could add a sentiment when needed.  

I used the same embossing folder on all of the cards.  I was surprised at how embossing the paper changed it.  And another inside.....

I couldn't stop without making another Christmas Card.....

and the inside

I wrote instructions for the card I shared with the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  If you'd like a pdf file I'd gladly email one to you.  The cut sizes will make it easy for you to use with any papers.  I'm leaving on vacation on Friday, so email me and I'll get one out before then.  Otherwise, I'll be back early September and I'll send copies then.  Here's the card I shared on the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  

Until next time......

Happy Crafting and Hugs from Me to You.....

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #67

This month's challenge.....Create a card with a shape.  Here's my card.....

This month's challenge came to us by Helen N.  Thanks Helen, this was a fun card to create.  I'd been thinking about what to make for a few weeks.  This morning it came together quickly.  As you probably have guessed, I love vintage cards.  I have a sheet of Santa Graphics and this one fit the card perfectly.  I did a lot of border punching and added the punched borders pretty much everywhere.  The photo doesn't show the gold very well, but I added touches of gold to the punched borders.  The sentiment was added and the front of this card is complete.

This month's sponsor is Marianne Design.  And if you want to know about what you could win... hop on over to Sparkles Christmas Challenge   You'll find the rules for entry and learn more about the exciting prize.  

Here's what the inside of my card looks like.  I do like this sentiment.....

I'm off for the Monday Play Day with the girls.  Maybe I'll get something done and I can post it later. I say maybe because on girls play day there is a lot of laughing, a little eating, and then if there is time, we will actually work on projects!  I'll bet it sounds a lot like play days in your neighborhood.  

Off I go, have a wonderfully crafty week and we'll catch up later,

Hug,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Birthday Window

I had some time to play today.  I thought a window card might be fun.  I again played with more of the Foam Fronts Karen brought in.    Another easy card to make. I used more buttons, beads and bling.  What better to fill a window.  A Sentiment, some flowers and this card is almost finished.

The inside repeated the same papers from the outside (Blue Fern), I added another sentiment,  and die cut to create a frame.  A little bling and this card is complete.  

Sorry about the photo, I tried taking the photo outside and the sun was so bright it washed out everything....Then I tried making a correction.  I guess I just need a class or two.  But you get the idea... right!

Well that's it for now.  Have a crafty day and until next time....Hugs from me to you.

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Cloth, Paper and Love

My friend Edy came to visit and surprised me with this beautiful quilt.  Seems turning 70 has it's true benefits.  I love the color yellow and Edy could not have picked more beautiful colors.  THANK YOU SWEET FRIEND!  I will cherish this quilt always.  And yes, she made me promise I would use it, not just cherish it....so I promise, I will.

I could never thank her enough for all the time and love she put into this beautiful quilt.  So I tried to make her a paper quilt.....

I embossed the background, used a "quilt type" die to make it appear like a quilt. I added a few more dies to finish the front of the card.

Here's the inside.  I always try to bring some of the elements from the front of my cards into the inside.  I think I probably managed that....don't you?

Certainly not a quilt, but tons of love is embossed into these papers.

Off I go.  Enjoy your day and I hope it finds you able to do a bit of crafting.

Hugs from my world to yours,
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Two posts in one month....I am on a roll!

Hello and can you believe it....I am on a roll.....2 posts in one month.  Really though, I am sad that I am not doing many more.  I am creating.  I just don't seem to find the time to show what I've made.  So, here goes.

A group of gals try to get together on Thursdays.  One Thursday I teach a class.  One Thursday Karen teaches a class and two Thursday's a month we play.  Yesterday was a play day.  I went planning to work on an album, but I was distracted by new product.  Can you believe that...distracted!  Kaiser Craft has a new line and this paper is called Mademoiselle.  One side of the paper is patterned and one side has great graphics.  You can see which one I chose.  I used another on the inside but you'll see that in a bit.  Karen also brought Foam fronts into the shop and I couldn't say no to the oval.  There are about 4 other shapes....don't worry, I'll be making more of these.  Anyway.  She also has lovely bottles of buttons, pearls, sequins and seed beads.  The colors all go so well together and the accent color of blue added perfect interest.  I added a few flowers, some ribbon and bling and this card is done.  Well the outside is.

Here's what I did to the inside....

The Graphic side of the Kaiser Craft paper made the perfect sentiment.  I love it when cards come together quickly and this one did.  The tiny little flower paper is also from Kaiser.

Here's a link to Karen's blog  I love it that she has so many beautiful papers and ribbons (lots of other beautiful things too).  Paradise Scrapbook Boutique 

Here's a link to her FaceBook Page:  Paradise Scrapbook Boutique - FaceBook Posts

I guess I should think about my post for Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  That is coming up quickly.  So, until next time....Happy Crafting.

Hugs from Me to you,
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday to my family and friends who call this country our home.  This year has been a challenge for our country and the month of June was filled with unimagined sorrow.  I stand with my friends in all countries who believe as I do in freedom for all and equality for all.  My prayer is that one day we can all learn to love one another, respect one another and live together in peace.  

Love and Peace to All,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles - Christmas In July

July already?  When I think of July, I think of Christmas in July.  Those of us who make Christmas/Holiday cards start the process early.  For me, that's July.  Depending on the number of cards I will be mailing, I always want a few different cards that will mail for the cost of one 1st. Class stamp.  This card fits the bill.  I also like making a sketch/layout that can be used in many ways.

This card is great especially if you like assembly line cards.  All the pieces can be cut at home and then taken to a crop for quick assembly.  This card is definitely quick and pretty darn easy.

The inside was easy too....with just amount of room for a quick note....

The Sparkles Christmas Challenge this month is:  Snowflakes.  Thank you Pat for the fun challenge.  And......the prize this month is gifted by Sandra H and the prize is.... 3 Cuttlebug Embossing folders.

It's easy to win.....check out the rules Here.  

Well, that's it for me today....so, until next time....HAPPY CRAFTING

Mary Mac

AKA: GlitterGrammy

Happy Sparkles June Challenge

Ah, June 1 and time for another Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  This month's challenge is "Must Have 2 Dies"  Now that doesn't mean you can't have more and obviously I have.  I love the Memory Box Dies and I used three on the cover of this card.  I altered one of them (the center of the wreathe, see the snowflake?  Well it came from the  Matrice De Decoupe die.  The wreath is Frostyville Wreath.  Merry Christmas is a PoppyStamp die, another one of my favorites.  So, that's three on the outside......

And now for the inside....I took parts from the outside dies, and parts from the inside dies (Frosty Border) and created the inside of my little card.  

The sponsor this month is Little Claire Digi Stamps...

Pull out your Christmas Dies and start creating.  You can't win if you don't enter!  I'll be looking in to see what you've created.

Before I sign off, I want to tell my buddies, I hope to be back to posting more often.  Sometimes life just gets in the way of sitting down to write.  I have been creating cards and a few other fun items, I just haven't had time to share.  Maybe I'll just do a post photos of what I've been creating.  Until next time.......

Happy Crafting, Hugs from Me to you!
Mary Mac

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #62

With temperatures in the 70's here in Northern California, our weather looks more like spring than Christmas.  That said, the theme of this month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge is "Old Fashioned Christmas"  Pink and green are not what I think of for Christmas, but I think it does go well with this digital image. I stamped the sentiment onto the picture, did a bit of layering, added some ribbon and this card is finished.

This month's sponsor is

Check out the fabulous prize on the Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog.  The Sparkles Christmas Challenge is easy to enter and the prizes never disappoint.  For the ins and outs click on the link above.  

Here's what I did on the inside of my card:

Couldn't get any easier than this.  

Off I go for now.  Feeling like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.....seems like the older I get the slower I get.....Until next time....

Happy Crafting,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

February Sparkles Christmas Challenge

This month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge is Winter Landscape.  Thank you Jane for the inspiration.  My landscape is tiny and Santa standing in the snow is a little treasure.  I think both are super cute and I couldn't pass on the chance to use them.   I've seen this split layout over the past few months and I thought I'd give it a go.  It's super easy, but wow's anyone receiving it.  I've made a few this month for birthdays and I also made another Christmas design that I will show later.  Decorative paper, a die or two, graphics, a bit of Stickles and the outside is finished.

The inside was super easy.  I did use Stickles around the outside graphics and decided I liked it, so I also used Stickles on the inside.  A sentiment, some snowflakes and a spot for a little note and this card is finished.

I hope this little card inspired you and I do hope you share what you've created.

This month's sponsor is

Fantastic Ribbons

Before I go, I've had tons of emails asking me where I've been.  I'm here, and yes, I have been busy creating.  One day soon, I hope to post many of them.  Note I said HOPE!  

Until next time,  Happy crafting and Hugs from me to you!

Mary Mac

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Sparkles Christmas Challenge of 2016. Thanks Babs for the wonderful Vintage Christmas Tag Challenge.  I hope you find life slowing down a bit and you will be able to play along with this year's challenges.  I'm cheating a bit....I made this box and the Santa tag, which was secured to a ribbon band  for an ornament exchange at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.

I love making boxes and this Blue Fern paper proved to make a quick vintage box and Santa is the perfect vintage tag.  My finished box is 4x4x1.  I used one sheet of the decorative paper, some Stickles and ribbon and this box and tag is complete.

Crafty Sentiment Designs is our wonderful sponsor this month.  Be sure to check out how to enter Here.

Until next time....Happy Crafting and check out the Design Team creations.  It's 12 months until Christmas, but it's never to early to begin.....I think the fact that we are all rushing around in December is proof of that!

Hugs from me to you,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy