Sparkles Christmas Challenge 93 - Christmas Is For Kids

This is my Sparkles Christmas Challenge for this month.  Sybrina chose this theme, which is Christmas Is For Kids.  This is mine.  Santa is always keeping track of the naughty and nice list...I wonder if it is now a spread sheet?  Santa must have an elf or two that is computer savvy.  

This card was fun to create.  I like the base format, which has many names, but the one I learned from  was called an Imperial Card and it probably can be found on Heartfelt Creations.  I cut the base  from 6x12 white card stock.  The decorative paper is Kaiser Craft - Silent Night Collection, which is not new, but hopefully can be found somewhere  on line.  I also used Authentique Christmastime Evergreen.  You barely see this one, as it is only peaking out from under one of the frame layers.  Sadly I don't know the name of the designer paper where I cut the front sentiment.  It was a scrap.  The tree on the outside panel was cut from a Memory Box die.  The tree was not large enough to go from top to bottom, so I cut it, and stretched it .  The sentiment covered it, a nice way to get more from your dies.  The mittens are also Memory Box and cut from Kraft paper, and decorative paper.  The inside sentiment is from Stamping Up and it fit perfectly....that was a happy accident as Bob Ross would say.  

Here's what my card looks like closed.  This card was really fun to make.  I'm not sure which little or big kid will receive this card, or maybe I'll just keep it for one more year and use it as a decoration.  

Now....it's your turn.  I look forward to seeing your creation.  So get those crafty supplies out and get inky or gluey and share what you've made with all of us at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  

Until next time....Happy Crafting.

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Blue and Gold Christmas

I'm sure everyone is thinking about the end of summer, the beginning of the school year and for many of us creating Christmas cards.  So, here is my Sparkles Christmas Challenge card for September.  Pat chose the theme for this challenge the cards need to show blue and gold.

When I sat down to create my card, I was sure this was going to be a quick one for me....boy was I wrong.  My original plan didn't look on paper like it did in my mind.  So into the trash bin went idea #1, which I'd tried cutting 4 times.  The die, a large one just wasn't cooperating.

I decided to move on to idea #2, which is based on what you are seeing now.  What I did realize...I don't have Christmas patterned papers in blue and I thought I had many choices of blue solid papers....guess what, I don't.   At this point I was getting a bit frustrated.

While going through my paper pads, I found a 6x6 pad that is not Christmas, but it is blue.  My card is made from Vintage Romance by Maja Designs.  I love the papers, but they are not Christmas themed.  The patterns are tiny and I think rather quilt like.  I think these four papers worked well for the front of this card.

My snowflake was die cut from a Memory Box Die - Bianca Snowflake #98193.  I first cut the die using a gold mirror card stock, but it was just too shiny.  I cut the design again using a mottled gold card stock.  I liked this cut much better.  I did use the mirror gold to frame the layers of blue card stock.  The sentiment "Let It Snow" is a 1995 Annette Allen Watkins stamp - #C1371.  The center of the snowflake was cut from a piece of scrap blue card stock.

And now on to the inside of the card....

The inside of my card uses two more pieces of the Maja Design paper and I added 1/2 of the mirror snowflake I originally cut to use on the front of the card.  I do like the look.  My sentiment is from Stampabilities - 2008, Warm Your Heart - GR1145.  That's it for my inside and out.  I hope you too will take some time to create a blue and gold card and share it with the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  

I think my helper was a bit tired today.  She is always at my feet when I create.  

I don't know why I'm sharing this photo, I will name this photo persistence pays off....

I do tend to make a mess when I'm in creative mode.  Thankfully, if I clean up after each creation it's an easy and quick process.....Here's what my desk should look like.  

Well, I guess I'm ready to start my next creation.  Until next time, Happy Crafting, I look forward to seeing your blue and gold creations.  

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Birthday Wishes

My buddy Virginia brought this format to me.  Sorry the photos don't do justice to this layout.  The outside, opens to a pretty surprise.

I love this paper, it is Mintay by Karola the collection is 7th Heaven.  The papers are from Poland and since I am Polish (and a few other things) I was drawn to this collection.  The flowers and butterflies were fussy cut, the inside die used on the side panels is Tsssatina Border 98302  by Memory Box the sentiment is from Close To My Heart - Card Chatter - Birthday D1475, and the four corner dies are from DieNamics.  I'm sorry I don't know the number.  They are quite old.  

Virginia saw the format for this card on Heartfelt Creations.  I'm sorry I don't have a link to it.  It was called an Imperial Card.  I'm sure there are several by other names.  This base is super easy to cut and the panels are easy to cut they are all rectangles....

Well, that's it for today.  I wanted to share this layout because I love it.  I am working on another using the SunKissed paper from Graphic45.  That just might be my next post.  

Off to clean up one mess and start on another.  

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  GlitterGrammy

Sun Kissed

This card was so much fun to create, and there are lots of elements that added to the fun.  Many of the elements were fussy cut from the Graphic45 Sun Kissed Collection, as was the base and the cover graphic.  I don't remember the name of the fold, I saw it on YouTube and I didn't save it to my library...I don't know how that happened....

The die cuts were colored with Tim Holtz Oxide Ink prior to cutting and some were then sponged for a bit more detail.

Here are the dies I used:

Frantic Stamper:  FRA-DIE-09506 - Ocean Floor
Marianne - Creatables - LR-0230
Scrapping Cottage - CCE-269-Conch Shell
Tutti - Fishing Net - TUTTI-444
Memory Box - Big Brain Coral - 99733, Seaweed Stalks 99717, Delicate Sea Fan - 99744

All dies were purchased from:  FranticStamper  I don't know if you've ever visited Fran's site, but it is filled with tons of supplies.

I stenciled the envelope using Memory Box Diamond - 88522 after I created the envelope using We R Memory Keepers Envelope punch board.

I was inspired to make this card by the fold, and  knew I wanted to use the Graphic 45 paper.  The rest just seemed to happen...

Here's the inside.....

Off I go.  Celebrating Independence Day AKA: 4th of July.... I need to get the ribs ready for the grill.  

Sending hugs and Happy Crafting...

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Impossible Cards - I am loving making them.

Impossible cards are everywhere.  It is almost impossible to look at blogs you are following without seeing one.  I decided I needed to join the fun and let me tell you, this card has everything I require.  I need something different....something with space to add embellishments and something that won't break the bank when mailing.  This is it!  This card is 4 1/4 x 6.  I saw Jan B make one on YouTube, so I thought I'd give it a go.  And I love it.

Here's the back and there is plenty of room to write a note.  Soooooo on to telling a bit of a story on myself.

I am on the Design Team for Sparkles Christmas Challenge and this month I've been recovering from a knee repair and haven't been doing much crafting.  That said, I am feeling better and decided that it might be nice to make a Christmas card with this month's challenge.  So..... I put together another Impossible Card, this time using a 5x7 base that I had seen on Mixed Up Craft on YouTube.  Being so late in the month I thought, if I don't finish this card today I will be too late to post it.  So this is what I created....

I wanted to use my newest set of frame dies (PoppyStamp Double Stitch Square Frame) which makes making shaker cards so easy.  I added a digital die bear and several other dies mostly by Memory Box.  I was impressed with how quickly this card came together and I was equally proud of being able to complete a card for this month's challenge even though I'd asked to be excused for one month.  

Now to make the long story short, I checked my notes for  the theme of this month  and guess what....It isn't bears.  So, I am posting another impossible card, but not for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  I must say, I do like this Christmas card.

Here's the back side with it's sentiment and with a place to add my own greeting.  I now have another sweet little card to add to my Christmas stash, but sadly not one for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  

I did learn something that might be a good technique.  This larger card was a bit floppy.  It just wasn't standing up so I added a hinge to both sides and the problem was fixed.  And it's hardly noticeable.  If you are using card stock that is of a lighter weight, or if you are adding embellishments that are a bit heavy you may want to think about adding a hinge or two.  For this card I made mine 1 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide.  I folded the 1 inch side in half to measure 1/2 inch and glued the hinge to the moving part.  

Well that's it for now.  I'm hoping to get a card made for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  If I don't, I do hope you will check out what everyone has created.  So please have a look on May 1st.  

  

Until later, hugs and happy crafting.

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Two Cards Made for 2017

I am on a roll.  Football games must bring out the best in me.....My first card was posted earlier today.  The sequins filled ornament is my most recent.  I'm always amazed that two cards can be made using the same supplies and they look different.  If you read the previous post you will know the supplies I used.  Here's what is different.  Sequins instead of a glitter ornament and I didn't frame the card with mirror silver.  If you look really close you will see one more difference.  The background on one card is embossed, on the other it is debossed.  I was surprised at the visual difference.  I was also surprised by adding the silver border made the card look smaller.

Off to organize my dies.  So.....if you don't already know, Sparkles Chistmas Challenge would love to see what you can create using the theme lots of glitter.  My sequins card won't count for the challenge, but it was fun to make and I have another card ready for Christmas of 2017.

Again, Happy New Year!  I hope to start sharing more in 2017.

Hugs from my world to yours,
Mary Mac
Glitter Grammy

Happy New Year and My First Christmas Card of 2017

Happy New Year!  I know that Christmas cards are probably the last thing on the mind of most people, but not me.... For several years, I've celebrated the New Year making my first Christmas card for the upcoming season.  My husband watches football, and I pretend I'm watching as I sit at my craft table playing with paper.

Santa brought me this ornament die (Memory Box) and I couldn't wait to give it a try. This month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge was the perfect place.  Pat G. picked the challenge which is:  Lots of Glitter....I die cut the ornament 3 times.  The base was cut in mirror silver.  I used red glitter paper for the Ornament and the Sentiment and of course green glitter paper for the ivy.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder to give the background paper some dimension.  Almost forgot...the sentiment die is from Echo Park, Designer Dies and yes, it cut through the glitter card stock....sometimes glitter can give me a bit of a head ache.

How about playing along with this month's challenge.  And as always there is a prize.  So create your masterpiece, and post it on the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  You might win....and better than that, everyone who visits will see your spectacular creation!

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  I used to, but then I didn't keep them so I've decided it's better for me to make goals throughout the year.  My goal is to get my dies and rubber stamps organized and cataloged.  It is honestly quiet an overwhelming project.  I started a few years back and quit before I gave it a good effort.  So......the day after Christmas I decided to begin.  I happily found that I had given it a better effort than I thought,  I had actually die cut several of the dies and now they needed to be put into a master book.....I am now caught up with the ones I'd already cut, but there are many more that need cutting.  I'm lucky because I have an area I can leave this project set up and I am determined to not put it way until I am finished.  There will be no out of sight, out of mind this year.  When I finish the die project, I will share......

I'm off......Again, I send wishes for a Most Happy New Year.  May it be filled with Love, Peace and Health.  Until Next time......

Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Autumn Splendor Challenge

I could not help myself....I had to play along.....

Autumn/Fall is my favorite time.  The temperatures are cooling down (well, usually but not this year) the trees are sporting beautiful leaves in glorious colors.  I was at my local Scrapbook store... you know, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, and Karen just received a new line of Graphic45 papers.  I found one with lots of graphics and decided to cut one and frame the pieces.  So that's my focal graphic.  Then, I added my favorite Poppystamps leaf dies, see them peeking out from behind the graphic?  And I needed to say Happy Halloween, so I used a Memory Box Border, which I cut to fit the 1/4 fold card.  I added some ribbon a bit of leaf confetti and the outside is done!

And the inside could not have been easier.  My buddy Mary Jane gifted me some 6x6 paper, which is what I used for the background both on the front and inside.  A little rubber stamp witch and some bling and the inside is complete.

I love the monthly challenges and I think you will love playing along.  You could win a super prize, so, how about joining in.  It's easy!  Check out how:  Right Here!  For a bit of inspiration and the rules check out what the Design Team has created.  

That's all for now,  Have a super crafty week,

Hugs,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy Birthday Cathy

Today our card group is celebrating the birthday of a very special lady.  Without her our group would miss her smiling face, her positive attitude and her subtle sense of humor.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHY!

This is the card I made for her.  I've got to say, Blue Fern is a paper company that PSB introduced me to and I am so glad Karen brought these lovely papers to her shop.  I'm on a cutting spree, and these papers are perfect with tons of flowers.  I cut the lamp post for this card that is 6x6.  It was too long, so I simply removed the center section of the pole and the post fits perfectly.  A bit of die cutting, dry embossing and the front of this card is complete.  I have to say, Memory Box created a fantastic die Distressed Babtisia Collage and it added the perfect touch to the top left and bottom right corner of this card.  I mounted the layers to a white 6x12 base.

I used another of the Distressed Babitisia Collage dies (there are 4 in the set) to create the inside.  I wanted the computer generated sentiment portion to follow the same shape, so I cut it again in coordinating paper, but a bit smaller this time. Then I trimmed away the decorate pieces to leave what looks like a torn piece.  I made a bit of a mistake, so I covered it with the layered signature.  Added more cut flowers and this card is finished.

Off I go for a day of play,  Until next time.....Happy crafting and Hugs from me to you,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Poppystamps and Memory Box Blog Hop

Memory Box and PoppyStamps are having a joint blog hop.  There are prizes, to find out how to win hop on over to the Poppystamps Blog page for all the information.  This blog hop begins today and ends on December 4th.  You have until the 10th of December to enter.  Good luck everyone!

If you came to my blog page from

Memory Box
or
PoppyStamps

You are traveling in the right direction.....

Now on to a bit about my place card..... 

I like to have handmade place cards for guests. This year, for Christmas I am making place cards that can be used later as a decoration. Let me first give you the dimensions of the frame, which by the way is exactly the same as the one I use for my mini-calendars. Cut a piece of card stock to 4 x 12 inches. Score at 4 inches, 8 inches, 9 3/4 inches and 11 1/2 inches. Fold and glue to form the frame.

 Now on to decorating..... I die cut the Mod Snowflake Background on glitter card stock.

 I then ran a piece of white card stock through my Xyron machine. You could also use spray glue.

The size of white card stock I used was about 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches.  Now glue the Mod Snowflake Background (#1034) to your piece of glued white cardstock. You might be asking what white card stock?  I only see red. Well, after you glue your Mod Snowflake to the white card stock, you will have sticky everywhere the die did not make contact with the card stock. As you can see, I chose red glitter to cover all the sticky openings. Trim your glittered piece to 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 and glue this piece to your frame and decorate.

I chose the Snow Flocked Tree die (#1096) and added chunky glitter. I die cut the Vintage Merry Christmas (# 1105) on a thick glitter cardstock. And it released beautifully. Note: All machines cut differently. Sometimes you will need a shim, even if your cardstock is thick. My little deer is from Memory Box. It is one of my most cherished dies. It's called Leaping Deer (No 98390). I will write the name of each guest my little deer. I added ribbon, a bit of bling and a bell. This place card is complete. I'm sure you will find many different ways to decorate your place card. If you create one, please email me to let me know. I'd love to see what you've created.

I'm going to share my top secret peanut brittle recipe....so don't tell a soul!  Promise!  I've been making this every Christmas for probably (yikes, more years than I want to remember...) I'm guessing at least 30 years and probably more.  

There are two hints and these hints will make your peanut brittle perfect, every time!  First:  Don't cheat on the heat.  You MUST cook the mixture to 240 degrees prior to adding the peanuts and the butter.  And then you MUST continue cooking until you've reached 300 degrees.  Second:  Spread your candy mixture so that it is as thin as you can get it.  If you follow these two rules you'll have PERCECT  peanut brittle. (Sorry there is no photo.  I haven't made any yet this year.  It's on my schedule for mid-December.  I'll try to remember to post a photo soon.)

Have all the ingredients and tools ready before you begin.....

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter
1 pound salted peanuts

Butter:  2 cookie sheets and put them into a warm oven.
In a small bowl combine:  baking soda, 1 teaspoon water and vanilla.  Set this aside
In a heavy sauce pan combine:  sugar,  1 cup of water, and corn syrup.

Cook the sugar, water and corn syrup until the temperature reaches 240 degrees.  Stir occasionally
Stir in the butter and peanuts and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 300 degrees.  Stir continually.  This mixture will easily burn if you don't stir. 

Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda mixture.  Your heated mixture will bubble up, don't be afraid it's supposed to.

Immediately pour onto the two cookie sheets and spread to a thin layer.  I use the back of a spoon to do this.  This is where an extra set of hands are very helpful.  I spread to about 1/4 inch.  Cool and break candy into pieces.

Never double this recipe or any candy recipe.

If you are following the hop in order, your next stop is a visit to

Sherry Eckblad  

And here is  the list of everyone hopping along today......

Memory Box
Poppystamps

Mary McMillan   -You Are Here

Sherry Eckblad 

Sue McRae  

BibianaMartinez-Ziegler 

Pam Simpson 

EvgeniaPetzer 

Sherry Hester 

While you are hopping, how about checking out:

 Birch Press Designs

Birch Press Design has gorgeous unique gifts for all the ladies on your list.  Check out the recipe cards.  They are the perfect gift for club exchanges, stocking stuffers and just to have on hand for those unexpected guests.  I absolutely love the aprons.  They are so pretty.  They remind me of women in the 1940's, which is the era of my favorite movies. 

For a chance to win, don't forget to comment on the Poppystamps and the Memory Box Blog pages.  Winners will be posted on December 15th.  Good luck to evreyone. 

Off I go to see what everyone has created.  Have a most special week. 

Let It Snow.....

This month the Sparkle Christmas Challenge is Snowflakes....Thanks go out to Amy for this fun challenge.   And thanks to, to Di's Digi Downloads for sponsoring this month's challenge. 

This month the prize is a $10.00 voucher....wow! 

 It wasn't all that long ago and the snows were falling.  In some areas of the country folks were shoveling their way through daily.  Here in California we do get snow, but ours comes, stays long enough to be enjoyed and then it melts away.  Last year we had no snow and very little rain.  We are in a drought now and I think all Californian's are praying for lots of snow and lots of rain.  So, to think about snow in August, is the thought of a Celebration of the Winter  Season!  I do hope Mr. Winter is impressed with my snowflakes and sends us many of his.

My card is 6x6.  The paper is Bo Bunny, My snowflakes were made using Poppystamps, Memory Box and IO dies and  Martha Stewart punches.  The background die is from the new Poppystamps release Big Bubble Background.  The ribbon is from my stash and the sentiment is one of my favorite Stampabilities rubber stamps that I stamped in white ink and heat embossed it using a white pearl embossing powder. 

I hope to see lots of snowflake cards this month.  How about joining in.  It's easy, it's fun, and it's a great way to stay focused on getting those holiday cards completed.  Come see what everyone has been creating.....Here.  Until next time.....

Hugs to all,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #42

Happy July 1st.  And welcome to another Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  Boy the year is really flying by....Thankfully, I have one more Christmas Card ready to be signed and mailed.  This card uses lots of what I like.....an up-cycled Christmas graphic.  This one was hard to photograph.  lots of silvery shine.  But the image was so pretty I just had to use it.  I guess I don't think of a lavenderish blue color for Christmas, but it sure turned out well.  The Poppystamps "Merry" die is perfect for cards I love the size and it looks great in all colors.  I don't know the name of the background paper, and I guess it's not really Christmas, but I sure like how it brought the card to life.  Some silvery ribbon and the outside of this card is done.  Now what to do on the inside......

A simple inside, with room for a holiday note.  I really like the Memory Box snowflake.  It adds the perfect amount of glimmer.

Be sure to check out the Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog.  And if you want to join in, the theme this month is a Winter Scene.

This month's sponsor is.....

If you are the lucky winner you can have your choice of 2 dies or 1 die and 1 stamp.... WOW!  So, show us what you've got and maybe you'll be the winner!  Be sure to link your creation on the Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog page.  And be sure to check out Marianne Design.

Before I go....I want to welcome the newest member to our design team....Welcome Caz!  I know you'll have as much fun as I am.  Check out Caz's site by heading to the Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog page.  

Until next time.....Merry Almost Christmas and Hugs from me to you!
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

National Scrapbook Day at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

I made a card to celebrate National Scrapbook Day....I forgot to post it....ok, another year, another few brain cells missing!  So, here it is....

I love the window dies, and I purchased the cake dies from Karen some time ago.  I made a card similar to this one a few months back and when I saw the Melissa Frances Every Day Is A Holiday paper line, I thought it's time to make another Sweet Shoppe card.  Here's the inside....

By now you know I love dies.  Karen is carrying a new line, one I'd not heard of...The company is Little B.  I love the sentiment dies and they are perfect for cards....not too big and not too small.  Does this sound like what baby bear might say?  As you can see, I'm using Little B, Spellbinder Poppystamps and Memory Box dies....One can never have too many dies!  My husband might not agree!

Back to National Scrapbook Day Celebration....I forgot to take my camera and worse than that, I forgot my phone had a camera....so, I took no photos.  I'm hoping someone posts  photos, I'd love to share.  It was a fantastic 2 days of crafting.  Pizza and salad party on Friday.  Lots of snacks and goodies on our table.  I gave a demonstration on the Spellbinder tool that the bits out of the dies (exact name not known...hey, in my tool excitement, I threw away the packaging!)  Anyway it works and it works EXTREMELY well! I demonstrated it on a Cheery Lynn Doily die there must be 100 or more little pieces that need poking out of the metal die.  They fell out with no effort....none at all!  I am Jazzed! 

Saturday started with breakfast with the girls.  I shall not share the conversation, but it was about baseball....Many technical questions were answered!  Some needed follow-up!  Then to Karen's to find out that our desks had more goodies and there were donuts and coffee and sweet treats.  Our set of tables had 8 girls 3 of whom I did not know.  Within a few hours we were all laughing like school girls as we crafted away.  I'm not sure if any of us finished many projects, but we sure had fun. 

I hope my thousand words created at least one picture for you.....looking forward to the Christmas crop.  I hope to see everyone there and maybe, just maybe, I'll remember to take a photo or two!

Off for now.  Catching up on posts and designing today.  Tomorrow it's off to crop with the Monday group and a day to celebrate Cathy's birthday!

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

Happy Birthday My April Friends

It seems several of my crafty friends are born in April.  So Happy Birthday to each and every one of you....be you up close or thousands of miles away, each of you have brought great happiness to my life.

The card I am featuring is made from Graphic45 cardstock and it is actually baby girl paper.  I love the soft colors and this collection has so many to choose from.  There are lots of dies (ten on theoutside) , which most of you know is my favorite embellishment.  The lace window curtain adds the perfect touch.  of course what would a card be without a bit of bling!

And this is the inside.....

I've had this book die for a long time, I must admit, I don't use it often, I think it's perfect here.  The corner die is one of my newest Memory Box dies.  It's large, but so delicate, not to forget pretty, I just couldn't say no to this one. 

Until next time,
Happy Crafting from Northern California
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy