Maura's Musings: holiday

Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Monday, November 15

Funky Trees!

Hello Monday my friends! Welcome back to this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - TREES.

I am a huge fan of trees, and my early career was in forestry. Trees have always been a part of my life, from climbing them as a kid, to planting trees, to watching them change through the seasons. I had lots of ideas for this week's challenge with trees, and decided to have some fun with the Tim Holtz Funky Trees.

JOLLY FUNKY TREES

I began with a stenciled background. Since I am using more than one color, I found it helpful to tape the stencil in place so it wouldn't shift.

Isn't Simon's geometric snowflake stencil pretty?

I thought bright green trees would be fun against this background. Kind of reminds me of Dr. Seuss.

After the trees were adhered, I sprinkled on some shaved ice to add to the winter feeling.

I punched out some silver circles to add as ornaments.

Final step was to add some velvet ribbon and the stitched quote. I used a stamp from the Tim Holtz Stamptember 2021 for the words, and villainous potion oxide ink.

Why not have some fun with trees this week in any style from funky to natural?

Now it's your turn to create and share. Our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp are offering a $25 shopping voucher to one participant, and we love to spotlight our faves.

SUPPLIES:

Tim Holtz Sizzix FUNKY TREES Thinlits Dies	Simon Says Stamp GEOMETRIC SNOWFLAKE stencil	Tim Holtz Idea-ology COOL VELVET TRIMS	Tim Holtz Idea-ology STITCHED SCRAPS Embellishments	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad PEACOCK FEATHERS Ranger
Tim Holtz Ranger VILLAINOUS POTION distress oxide ink	Stampendous SHAVED ICE	Simon Says Stamp MATTE SILVER MIRROR cardstock	Simon Says Stamp SLIMLINE WHITE Scored Cards	simon says stamp green apple card stock
Simon-Says-Stamp-Card-Stock-100-GREEN-LEAF	Simon Says Stamp CRAFT TACKY GLUE	ranger mini round ink blender	Craft Scissors - Tim Holtz	Tim Holtz Idea-ology TINY ATTACHER Stapler Tool Mini Staples
Scor-Tape 1/4 Inch Crafting Tape	3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent	We-R-Memory Keepers CROP-A DILE POWER PUNCH 025	Glossy Accents	Sizzix BIG SHOT EXPRESS Gray and White

A great place to shop!

Simon is on Instagram - use #sssmchallenge

Be sure to check out all the gorgeous trees from the design team.

Thursday, March 5

Simon Says Stamp: Lucky to Know You Release

Hello crafty friends! Simon Says Stamp has a new release - LUCKY TO KNOW YOU! I am working with the Inlaid Crosses die cuts from the release. I made a card for St. Patrick's Day and tags for Easter.

A trio of crosses on my St. Patrick's Day card, made with a mix of metallic papers, Authentique Dublin papers, and some sparkle and glitz from Buttons Galore & More. The outside cross design reminded me of Celtic crosses.

I added a very faint leaf design under the crosses with Simon's Leaves Stencil and Iced Spruce.

Shamrocks and bling...

Next, I decided to make a trio of tags which could be added to a gift or used as a bookmark for Easter.

I stenciled the background paper to add some interest with Simon's Flora stencil and a mix of Dusty Concord and Picket Fence paint.

I thought they looked a bit plain, so doodled around the edges, then added a bit of sari ribbon.

I hope you've enjoyed my peek at the new release! Maura

Monday, June 24

Stars and Stripes

Hello Monday, my friends! Welcome to our STARS AND STRIPES challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! With the Fourth of July coming up here in the USA, I thought I would make a card to celebrate freedom.

We've had a great month with our guest designer, Jess, who has such a wonderful talent in mixed media! I have really enjoyed her projects, as I am sure you have. Jess, it's been great pleasure working with you.

UPDATE: I am thrilled to have my Stars and Stripes chosen as a Favorite of the Week July 6 at Splitcoast Stampers!!

STARS and STRIPES

I started by cutting a sheet of yardstick into a 5.5 inch square card, and then stamped my images on the leftover strip. I also cut squares out of the Stamperia Mechanical Fantasy paper (I think I have found a new favorite steampunk source!)

I swiped distress oxides in red first on the craft sheet, spritzed it with water and laid the paper down on it. I repeated this with the blues.

I laid my pieces out onto the chocolate card stock square, and popped up the stars and USA.

Next, I added in stripes of white with stencil and white paint, using a cosmetic sponge. Then, I decided on my gear placement.

Then, I decided to have some fun with embossing powders and laid down a couple of layers of Vintage Beeswax. Note - this is a great way to create an encaustic look without the mess of wax. I heated the beeswax up and sprinkled some Boho Paprika onto it and melted that in across the card.

Details...

There you have it, my steampunk style Stars and Stripes card. I hope I've inspired you to join us in this fun challenge! One lucky participant, drawn at random, will win a $50 shopping voucher from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!