A Sparkly Noel

Well this is it.....It's December already and this will be my last Christmas creation for 2015.  I'm going to tell you I am cheating a bit.  Last year I designed a card for a Gift Workshop at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  I loved the fact that I could use left over glitter paper to  cut the letters.  So, this year I saved any piece big enough to use for one of the letters.  I also used scrap to make the solid portion of the ornament.  Well, what's left?  Yup, the silver glitter portion is also a scrap.  And at night while watching TV, I put the pieces together.....good idea?  I thought so.

As luck would have it.  The Sparkles December Challenge just happens to be Die Cuts.  Which is my very favorite.  I love dies and I use them as often as I can.  I'm not an artist, so using dies makes my life easier and often times much faster.  So, now that my card is finished....how about sharing how you create with dies.

Santa isn't the only one to gift.  Sparkles has two sponsors this month:

and

So, How about heading over to  Sparkles Christmas Challenge and enter your project using dies.  Who knows, you just might be a lucky winner!  

Until next time, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!  I hope wherever you are you are safe, healthy and surrounded by those who love you.  

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Happy Birthday Damon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAMON!  My oldest is having a birthday.  I won't give his age as he might comment with mine!  I always have a problem creating cards for boys and men.  I purchased this card stock quite some time ago.  I loved it when I bought it, and then couldn't decide what to make with it. Recently, I was at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique  and saw this anchor die (Spellbinder Inspire).  Everything clicked....and I knew exactly what I would create for my son.

I die cut the Happy Birthday (Poppystamps) and the anchor.  I cut them on a mirror silver card stock and I didn't like how shiny it was.  It made the anchor look too new.  So, I dabbed clear pigment ink on the dies and covered them with a thick silver embossing powder.  Heated them and this is the result.  I like it!  I used a collection of Fabscraps papers and I love them.  Sadly, I've looked everywhere and I can't find this collection.  I think everyone must have liked it as much as I did.  I used tiny jewels and some clear dots and the front of this card is finished.

I saw this format on Splitcoast Stampers.  A very talented gal named Norma Lee created some cards using this format.   This is what I made.

This is a time consuming card, but one I'm sure will be in my favorites for 2015.  See the coin bits?  I have no idea whose dies these are, but you emboss first and then die cut.  I then inked the papers to get this coin color.  The pieces I used for decoration are all from the paper collection.  More tiny jewels, which my friend Brenda gifted me some time back....thank you Brenda.

Ok....I was gifted with three sons and a daughter.  When I saw this paper, there was a graphic that I knew I had to use.  Normally the back of my cards only have info about me and how to contact me.  When I saw the graphic, I knew I needed to use it....here goes ladies...Meet my three sons!

I'm sure my sons will be pleased with this.  Knowing that people don't always look at the back of cards, I added a raised clear dot so hopefully Damon will wonder what got stuck to the back and have a look.  

Time to get busy chasing dust bunnies.....I've been a bit lax of late.  My dust bunnies have multiplied and it's time to chase them down.  So until next time.....

Happy Crafting, Hugs from my world to yours.  

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Sparkles Challenge - Favorite Color Combinations

It's June 1st and it's time again for the Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  This month Jo challenged us to make a card showing our favorite color combinations.   I thought, boy this is going to be easy.  Well it wasn't.  I think my favorite color combination is the combination of  colors I'm using on the card I'm making.  Narrowing this down, I love gold, and when I think of Christmas I think green and red.  I'm trying to also work with patterns and I love stripes and dots together.  That said, here's my card for the month of June.  Thanks Jo for making me think colors.  The papers I used are from Echo Park, from the Tis the Season collection 6x6 pad.  I don't know what year, as I seem to hoard Christmas Papers and if the year isn't written on the collection...I don't know what year I had to have them! Of course there are Poppystamps Dies, and a Spellbinder die or two.  I wish I knew the name of the company that made the rubber stamp, but, sadly, I did not keep the packaging! And here is the inside.....

I'm leaving the inside sentiment free at least for now.  I'm not sure who I'll be sending this card to, and I may opt for a short handwritten note, rather than a stamped sentiment.

Check out the other gals on the Sparkles Design Team.  There is always lots of inspiration there.  And, there just might be a prize for someone lucky, lucky, lucky. 

The sponsor for this month is:

I'm off to play.  Tomorrow my life long buddy, Dee Dee, is coming for 2 weeks of play.  Our goal is to get many Christmas cards made.  That said, we have not defined "many"  I'm sure there will be some, and lots of fun mixed in. 

Before I go, I had a friend say, Christmas Cards already?!?  To that I said, yup, and when you are busy stressfully trying to make cards for friends....I'll be in the kitchen playing with cookie dough.  My card class for July will be Christmas cards.  I'm so glad the girls want to start early!  I was also asked how many cards I need a year.  Last year I needed 73.  This year the list seems to be staying about the same. I'm also trying very hard to make the cards flat and Quarter Fold.  This keeps the price of mailing low. 

Ok, off to straighten up my craft room and making the house a bit more tidy!

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

Santa Made It to a card!

 A few days ago, I colored this Santa and I was excited to put him onto a card, but the image is so large I had a problem finding the perfect way to display him.  He fits perfectly on Spellbinders Romantique die.  here's the problem....it is a bugger getting the paper to release from the die.I didn't want to tear the image, especially since I'd taken forever to color it...I put freezer paper against the die, then taped my image to the freezer paper.  Much easier to release the image and no tears, or tears!  Isn't it odd they are spelled the same?  Hmmmmm!  Anyway, getting back on topic....I love coloring on 28 pound Hammermill Color copy digital paper.  It's really smooth and I can blend more easily.  Another reason sticky dies are a problem.  the freezer paper solved the problem.  I added some bling and some glitter and did some pen work and a little sentiment and the outside is done...now for the inside.....

Pretty simple, a border punch and a sentiment and it's done.  Best of all, with the exception of Santa, everything is done using up "stuff".  I shall head over to Pixie's Crafty Workshop...If I hurry I can make it before the gates slam closed. I'm also skipping over to Crafty HazelNut's Christmas Challenge and posting my little Santa. 

Have a crafty weekend....Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Window Birthday Card

I am really loving these window cards.  This card is for a friend's birthday.  Since we always seem to be watching what we eat, I thought I'd make her a card that is full of sweets, but no calories.  This entire card was made from snippets.  One would think since most of them are white, it would have been quite easy....well guess again.  I had to dig through my snippet box to find enough of the "same" shade of white....who knew!  The brick background is a Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder.  I sponged Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Spun Sugar over the bricks for a bit of color.

I don't know the maker of the tiny flower paper, a friend gifted it to me.  I think it is perfect for the inside of the Sweet Shoppe.  The Window, Shutters,Cakes and Cake Stands are all PoppyStamp dies.  The square is Spellbinders.  You can't really see this, but each cake has the top decorated with Flower Soft.  The rubber stamp sentiment is Stampendous,  The Sweet Shoppe is computer generated. 

The glass in the window panes was cut from a clear lid from a yogurt container.  I ended up cutting the window twice so I could sandwich the "glass" between.  The knobs are gems I've had in my stash, as is the butter fly.  The inside sentiment is from Close To My Heart. 

The ink and the embossing powder are both from Imprintz.  Very sparkly it is....I love it!

I hope I've finished this in time to post on Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  If not, I may have to try to shimmy under the gate...tried that once before and got caught....Check out Pixie's Crafty Workshop

OOPS!  I just skipped over to the playground and the gate is locked tight, I tried to shimmy under, but caught my jumper on the corner of the gate...I ran off leaving a bit of jumper behind....I am soooo busted!  I'm going to have to wait for the rattling of the keys and slip in then.

Update:  Ok, here's what I love about blogging.  There is always someone who can help when you are lost in space.  Today I had a problem with Mr. Linky....come to find out Mr. Linky wasn't wrong, this ole bird was confused.  Di sweetly walked me through and taught me the error of my ways.  I am now a graduate of the Linky academy.   Now....keep in mind, tomorrow is a new day and I am sure there will be some cyber adventures that are waiting for me....I am now off to link this page with Mr. Linky!  Thanks Di.....

Until later,  Happy crafting,
Mary Mac AKA:  Glitter Grammy

It is Wednesday and I've been busy....

What Is On Your Workdesk?  Julia's desk is looking way too tidy....what's with that Julia?  It does feel good doesn't it?  Check out Julia's desk, and then hop around the world to see what everyone else is doing.  Grab your jumper and here we go....

So here's my desk.  Not too exciting, but I have to tell you I've had a VERY productive week.

April is a busy month for girlfriend birthdays.  three of my very favorite girls are within days of one another.  So,  Happy Birthday Dee Dee, Mary Jane and Brenda.  May we spend many, many more years with our fingers in glue, glitter, paper and ribbon.  I made the first card and I love, love, loved it.  Normally, I would not dream of making another the same way, but I was smitten by the first card, and so another and another were born.  The card stock is old and I'm not sure when or where I purchased it.  It did make  a beautiful card (if I do say so myself).

Of course there are Memory Box and Spellbinder dies, and Martha's Glitter gave lots of sparkle.  Ribbon and flower are from PSB, and the butterflies are also from Miss Martha.  Again, Happy Birthday Ladies!

As you know, I've been coloring with my Spectrum Noir pens.  Today I decided the images really needed to be placed onto cards.  So....here's what I did....

I planned on saving these Christmas cards for Rudoloph Day, but then that would be cheating, or would it be?  Ok, truth be known, I'm not good at keeping a secret, so now you know why you're seeing these....

and here's the inside

And this is my favorite.  I love snowmen and this is one of my very favorite rubber stamps.

And another inside...

And last, but most certainly not least....Meet Avery.  He made his grand appearance 4-9-2013.  My sister Becky is a very proud Grandma.  Congrats to Mom and Dad and Big Brother Rowan.

I'm about to shut my computer down and pack my bags for a day of card making.

Hugs to all,
Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

What's On Your Workdesk 193 and Valentines Day

 Here's my desk.....but before I talk about it....let me share this card....

My friend Dee Dee made this beautiful Valentine card for me....I've been saving it to share....so, Happy Valentines Day!  And thank you Dee Dee for the beautiful card. 

 And now on to  my workdesk:  Wednesday again and you know what this means....Julia's place is filled with desktops and it's .time to show off your workdesk.  How about joining in...it's fun.  Today mine looks fairly neat...oh yes it does....I'm not showing the ironing board and my second desk...not so neat!  So, a few weeks back Mary H and I exchanged some napkins.  Having seen her blog post about making cards from napkins, I reflected on a time gone by, when I loved making napkin cards.  I sent Mary some from my stash, and she generously sent me some beautiful napkins from her treasure box.  Above are two napkins I used to make these cards.  Check out her blog to a link to directions.  They are easy, fun and quick to make....

Pretty neat yes?  I think so.  I want to thank Mary H for reminding me that I have napkins that make beautiful graphics for cards.  And I want to thank her for sharing a great selection of her napkins.  I'll be showing more cards later.

Look at all the extra pieces I have for more cards.....

 The past week was a busy one.  I finished the scrapbook I made for my kids.  It will be going with me  in June.  Lots of love went into the scrapbook and it was fun spending time with the kids and grand kids through photos.  My Granddaughter loves to craft, and making little projects for her is what I hope will encourage her to love paper crafting.

A few weeks back I was looking in on Sarn's blog and I noticed that she had a section on Zentangles.  I've had the "How to" books for quite awhile I sent her an email and she "sort of" challenged me to make one.  Well, who could ignore a challenge.... I'd tried my hand at bits and pieces, but never put one together.  My pieces were more doodling than completing a 3 1/2 inch tile....Well, another item I can check off my bucket list....This may be a collection of one, or maybe I'll be doodling away, who knows.  For now.....here's my Zentangle.

 I've had my nose stuck to the grind stone lately and though I've looked at blogs on my ipad, while watching TV with my honey....I feel like I've been away from one of my favorite blogs for far too long.  The girls on the playground are probably running wild and I'm not there to join in....so, I'm headed there now.....I'm not sure my napkin is a snippet, but the cardstock and frames are from bits and pieces so, Miss Di....I'm comin to play.  The snippet card she's showing this week is oh so sweet.  Check it out!

I'm posting this a few hours early because Wednesday is my card class...It's going to be a busy class as there are many dies to cut.  Because I will be there very early, I won't have time to post before I go, so, I'm posting right before I head off to bed.   If you're in Chico on Wednesday, head on over to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique and introduce yourself.  For more info...check it out here.

Hugs and chat later.
Mary Mac

WOYWW 177 - Carta Bella and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Saturday was Carta Bella Day at Karen's - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Well, here we are.  This is the afternoon group, our project was a  2 page lay-out using Carta Bella Christmas Day papers. (If you haven't seen them, might be worth a look at them)    The morning group ran out before photos could be taken, or more truthful, before we remembered to take them. The big kid in the back is Lindsay, the Carta Bella guy who tried keeping us all in line...I think it might have been easier to herd cats.... we did have a good time!

And here's Karen, I'd like to thank her for bringing Lindsay to her shop.  It was a fun day and we left with loads of goodies....

A few days ago, I posted a photo of a card I made using snippets left from making the Christmas album.  Thanks to Lindsay, I have many more snippets and below are a few of the cards I made using them.  I've gotta say, albums are a great way to collect snippets, not that any of us need help collecting them.  I'll be posting these cards on Di's blog....and I hope to spend some time tomorrow seeing what the others have been doing.  Di reminded me that Thursday is Rudolph Day over at Sarn's blog page.  If I get my act together, maybe I can actually make another card....Oh...I just remembered a new Memory Box die I purchased last week....I'll be making a Rudolph card using that...(that is if I don't forget!)  It's not too late, if you want to play along...

 

 

 

I made this card this morning.  I purchased the Spectrum Noir pens and though I haven't been doing much coloring lately, it's always been something that I've enjoyed doing.  I've got to say, using the pens is different than water color and after watching video's I'm learning to get the colors I was hoping for. I'm still working on shading.  So, about this card.  The papers are from CartaBella, the rubber stamp is from Stampabilities and is called Christmas Tale (not new, from 2003)  The dies are from Memory Box and Spellbinder.  All of these cards are made from snippets,

 

Do you want to see the mess I made making these cards?  It's Wednesday and it's the day to share our work desks...so, thank you Julia for giving us the place to post our little messy work desks.  Check out the other creative desks and see what was created there....and if you're feeling brave....post your little corner of creativity...

Oh....while going through the blue box, I looked through the lid and saw this.....

I always knew there was someone helping me put my projects together.  I had to laugh, I don't remember putting any of these parts in this order, although I do remember putting the epoxy pieces on the pink pad...do you think maybe, while I was sleeping, the pieces crept onto the paper pad?  OK, I can pretend...

Off I go, tomorrow it's supposed to rain and I'm hoping to get into my room to tidy up, and then make another mess playing with my pens and stamps....

Until next time....Happy Creating!
Hugs to all,
Mary

 

 



 

 

Workdesk Wednesday And The Weeks Are Flying By!

My goodness, it's another Wednesday, where have the days between gone?  I've been working on mini albums, one for Christmas and a Halloween Album, both are finished and I'll share them when I've shown them to the recipients.  Until then....here's a card I worked on this morning.  It's made from the snippets left over after making the Christmas Album.  All the papers used in making the tree are CartaBella Christmas Day Collection.  The background is a beautiful pine green suede.  The border punch is EK Success and it's becoming a favorite.  Not just for Christmas, but I'm seeing tons of uses.  I die cut the pieces for the tree using Spellbinder rectangles both straight and scallop edge.  The scallop was cut using mirror gold.  The base of the card is Paper Accents Brown Bag.  Everything on this card, with the exception of the base is from snippets.  Have a look over at Di's blog and see the creative ways others are using their snippets, and check out all the fun things Di's been up to.  She's been one busy gal, but then what else is new, I'm not sure the woman ever sleeps!

I'm happy with my card, and the albums, but do you want to see the mess I created making them....You might want to be sitting down....

Oh, that's not the only mess.  When one place gets too messy to work, you have to find another spot...

and here's another  little problem I created.  Somewhere one of my dies is hiding.  I've checked the trash and all the normal places.  I'm hoping that the little die fairy will place it back on my now clean desk!  I'm sure it's somewhere hiding, I just haven't discovered where that hiding place might be!  Check out Julia's great blog, and if you have a minute check out some of the folks who bravely post their workdesks. 
Saturday Lesley from CartaBella is coming to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique, I'm REALLY looking forward to the layout and the cards.  I'm also looking forward to having a man teaching us gals.  Karen says he's entertaining and very knowledgeable....and there will be prizes and yummy treats.  What better way to spend a Saturday....I think there are some spaces available if you want to come and play.  Give Karen a call.  Check out her blog to see what we'll be making.  Check it out here

Shhhhh don't tell anyone, but Karen got her long awaited shipment of Memory Box dies.  I'll be selling pencils and apples on a street corner to support my Memory Box habit!  I absolutely love them. 

Before I forget, and at my age (slightly over 21, by 4 decades) that comes easy...ok... I love Fiskars products and especially the cutters.  I was having a problem with my cutter and I contacted Nikki from Fiskars.  She promptly responded, and settled my problem quickly.  Thank you Nikki and thank you Fiskars. 

I don't want my blog to sound like an ad for paper and tool manufactures....I just get soooo excited when I can share the products I love, with fellow bloggers.  If I get too preachie...please let me know...

Ok...putting my soap box away and I'm shortly heading off to bed. 

Have a most wonderful and creative week.  I'm sure I'll e-see you very soon. 

Hugs to all,
Mary



 

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

I'm often asked where I get my ideas?  It might be easier to ask where don't I get them.  I look at many blogs, I read magazines, I look at catalogs.  I visit stores and look at supplies, and I go to crops and see what others are doing, and then, I make it my own.  I've been trying to think of a card for Operation Write Home, one that can be used in more than one way and one that can use snippets that I have laying around.   What you see is what I came up with.  The outside uses Graphic 45 Romantique paper that I've had for quite some time.  I think I must have been planning to use it in a class because I have several sheets and I must also have made something with it, because I have several snippets.  I have enough to make 14 of these cards( 3 per full sheet).   I was gifted a beautiful doily die for my birthday (thank you Brenda), it's Cheery Lynn Designs Nautical Wheeler.  I think the stamp is Stampin Up, it's no longer on the wood piece, so I'm just not sure.  The ribbon was purchased at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. 

For the inside I used a Spellbinder Label #8 and a piece left over from the front of the card (the reverse side).  And I used a Martha Stewart punch for the edge.  Everything was either sponged or swiped with Tim Holtz Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.  I wanted a pretty card to send to Operation Write Home, and one that would be flat so the postage wouldn't be so much.  I like it, I hope it will be one that creates a memory for a soldier's family and friends. 

Now do you want to see the card that inspired me?  I'm sure I'll be asked how I came up with my card from looking at Jackie's card....I'm not sure.  I just know I've been looking at her card for a few weeks and today when I looked at it....I saw my card being born....Thank you Jackie for inspiring me:

I guess you could say, it doesn't matter where inspiration comes from, what is important is where it goes...and this inspiration will be going on to Operation Write Home.  For more information on starting a group in your area, check out the link above.  I hope to see some of you at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique on September 15th.  If you can't make it and you have cards you want to share, drop them off any time during September.  Check with Karen for rules.

I think I'll head on over to Pixie's Crafty Workshop to post my snippet card and to have a look at what others are up to....Until later, and I think it will be awhile before I post again.  I'm going to San Francisco and won't be posting until after I get back. 

Don't forget to enter my Blog-aversary drawing.....you might just win a really nice gift box/bag... check out previous posts for more information.

Until later....

Hugs to all, happy crafting and I hope to bump into you in cyberspace....
Mary AKA: Glitter Grammy