More Hugs

July 1, 2014 July 2, 20142

Maria

You can NOT deny that this is just the cutest card ever! I couldn’t help but feel so loved by my Pals when I opened this card.

My sweet Circle of Pals Maria R. one of my down-line sent this sweet thing wishing me well wishes. Maria is a hobby demonstrator who joined Stampin’ Up! just for the discount. Anyone can join for any reason for as long as they want, no questions asked and you can learn more about it here.

Just Because

This second card was sent by one of my favorite Pretty Pals, Frances. I say one of my favorite Pals because honestly I’ve lost count of how many I really have. There are over 300+ plus of us and after a while it’s hard to keep track… LOL.

What I can tell you is that the friendships I have made are out of this world. Pals live all over the United States and we communicate virtually through email, a private Facebook page, and webinars.

Anyone can become a Pal and you can find out pretty much anything about us right here.

Stamp Used on Second Card:

Vivid Vases Wood Stamp Set

$11.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Feeling the Love

June 27, 2014 June 28, 20142

Since I’ve been homebound in recovery mode, card-making has taken a back seat. I made a handful of cards prior to my surgery and since then I’ve received some cards from my Pals and friends.

Wow, do I feel the love. This is what card-making is all about. Sending them to loved one’s and friends who can use a pick me up. If I could only describe how good I feel when getting something special in the mail besides a bill. (LOL)

Just Because

This very sweet one was given to me by my friend Rose. I met Rose last year through a referral program sponsored through my up-line where we find local Pals. We communicated on-line and after I returned from deployment she came over for my shoebox card swap. She’s been my friend ever since and I truly enjoy her friendship.

Again, the friends I’ve made in the last three years are priceless. Learn more about my Circle of Pals here. Get your card-making on and be on the look out for my next post because I’ve got more cards to show you that I’m so excited about. They are so darn cute, just like little kittens.

You Are My Sunshine

June 22, 2014 June 23, 20142

It’s been a week since I posted a card, but for good reason… I had abdominal surgery. My entire body is finally 100% awake… for those of you have had ANY type of surgery, you know what I’m talking about.

Not only are you put to sleep, but every cell in your body (to include your internal organs) also go to sleep. Abdominal surgery, however, is a little different. As everything in your body begins to awaken, pain is one of them. LOL

I thought I’d be able to post while laying in the bed, but nope… usually I just drifted off to sleep. So, I’ll hurry and tell you about this card before I get tired again and take a nap. This post alone has taken me several days to put together…LOL.

Sunshine

My card today was made with the Ray of Sunshine stamp set and I think it’s just so cute. As I sat to prepare this card for this post I could hear the Beatles in the background singing…Here Comes the Sun…and I say it’s alright.

How did I make the sun rays? I stamped the rays and then snipped each one individually and adhered them straight on the DSP, but adhered the sun with Stampin’ Dimensionals for an a raised look.

To clear any confusion, I made this card and a few others way before my surgery. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit in a chair for quit a while. See you back soon.

Designer Series Paper Shares Available: Get 60 sheets of our entire Designer Series Paper Collection for only $15.95 with free shipping! Paper measures 6×6 inches. Perfect to try before you buy an entire pack. Click here to view each paper design.

Email me if you have any questions.
maggie@maggiemadecards.com
or call
707-646-1972

Items Used to Make Card

Ray Of Sunshine Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$19.95

Park Lane Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Park Lane DSP Color Match: Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Whisper White.

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Sssssscore!… Soccer Mom

May 3, 2014 May 3, 20143

Thank you Soccer Ball

Are you a soccer mom? Or just know one? This creation came from the inspiration of my BFF Michelle. She asked if I could come up with a soccer themed card and with the help of My Digital Studio… I scored! LOL.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL RETIRING PRODUCTS

AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Products Used:

Mds Free Trial – Digital Download

$0.00

Game Day Soccer Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download

$7.95

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$8.50

Garden Green 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.95

Fringe Scissors

$9.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Blog Signature

In a NY Subway

April 2, 2014 April 1, 20141

Masculine

Oh how I miss visiting New York. I’m a West Coast girl who loved living on the East Coast for four whole years! I don’t mind cold weather… it gives me a reason to stay inside and craft… LoL.

Shoveling snow? Well, that’s a part of life and a great way to stay fit. Many have asked what was my favorite thing about New York… I must say I can’t point out one specific thing. I loved everything… even the people… LOL. They aren’t rude – just straight forward!

This is a new sketch challenge for me and when I saw it, I knew I just had to try it! Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 213

Lesson Learned: Don’t ever be afraid to make a card size that is outside your comfort zone. I very rarely make card that are not the standard A2 size (4-1/4″ x 5″ or vice-versa). The card base on this oddity is 7-5/8″ x 8″ and once it’s folded in half it becomes 7-5/8″ x 4.

Envelope Punch Board

$19.95

However, I knew not to worry about finding the perfect envelope because once I figure out who I’m going to mail it to… I will use my handy dandy Envelope Punch board to make one with. HA! The envelope punch is so much fun to use there there are days when I just want to make envelopes all day long… LoL.

Quick true story… during Sale-a-bration (sorry if you missed it), I earned a FREE Big Shot Die-Cut Machine. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m thrilled to know I’ll have an extra one to use during a workshop. Then again, I toy with the idea of giving it away once I hit a certain milestone in my Stampin’ Up! journey. Kicker is, I’m gonna let y’all determine what I do with it. I welcome your comments with suggestions of what you would do with it if you were me.

Perhaps I should give it away the moment I get 500 “Likes” on my Facebook page… hmmmm… now that’s an idea. My thoughts are churning.

Manly Monday: Owl Be There

March 31, 2014 March 31, 20143

I’ve got to say that had one very busy and fun weekend. Yes, it rained some on Saturday, but it was gorgeous rain and it cleared up faster than the rain started.

I scoped out places to eat near Natomas in Sacramento where I will be attending the premier of Stampin’ Up!’s 2014 catalog on April 28th! My Circle of Pals and I will be hanging out in that area that day and I can hardly contain myself!

If you want me to reserve your FREE 2014 Catalog please let me know right here! Please keep in mind, you must not have a current demonstrator to get your FREE catalog. Current customers are already on my list and you will be the first to get yours!!! YAYYY!

Masculine

Today’s Manly Monday card is a special one. It’s one that was made during a One-on-One card class today with my friend Pam. She’s no stranger to crafts and she’s been itching to come over and make a card.

Masculine

Pam doesn’t have a blog and I would love for you to leave her a comment about her sweet manly owl card. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Don’t forget today is the LAST day you’ll be able to earn free products because Sale-a-bration ends TODAY. Click here to get in on the good deals.

Hello with My Digital Studio Hybrid

February 28, 2014 March 13, 20140

Hello MDS Hybrid

Have your ever been minding your own business going about your day when suddenly in your thoughts someone you know pops into it? I have heard that when this happens that we should pause and pray for that person. Yesterday as I was preparing my service dress uniform ready to attend a Celebration of Life memorial, I received a text from a very good friend and it said, “Hi Maggie, I’ve been thinking of you and I just wanted to say hello, how are you?”

It was the second message I received tht morning and it brightened up my day and felt very grateful that I have friends who stop whatever they are doing to let me know they thought of me and wish me well. It is proof to me that my friends and I connect on a spiritual level.

As a carmaker, I know that when the Holy Spirit leads me to send this card to someone it is because I’m being used to bless someone. Snail mail brings so much joy that one smiles from ear to ear. Go on give it a try… send someone a card.

Hello MDS Hybrid

I can produce this card on my My Digital Studio software in multiples to have readily available, so that when a loved one pops into my mind, I can send them this card and make their day.

LESSON LEARNED: To dress up a My Digital Studio card simply add a strip of ribbon with a little pop of color and in a minute you have a beautiful clean and simple card.

Live in my area? Check out my events calendar here. Come stamp with me or attend one of my free beginners classes where I will introduce you to the basics of card making. You will make new friends and if you’ve never made a handmade card before you will discover a new passion. The best FREE therapy that will release your stress. Let’s just call it Paper Yoga!

Saleabration Details

Click HERE to see the Sale-a-bration brochure or send me a message HERE to get a FREE one mailed to you.

[one-fourth-first]
MDS Free Trial – Digital Download $0.00

Chalk Talk Framelits Dies $24.95

[/one-fourth-first][one-fourth]
Love You To The Moon Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download $4.95

Big Shot Die-Cut Machine $99.95

[/one-fourth][one-fourth]
Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock $8.50

[/one-fourth][one-fourth]
Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock $6.95[/one-fourth]

Thinking of You Under the Tree

February 22, 2014 March 1, 20141

Thinking of you

Everyday someone becomes an Angel and everyday we carry our Angels in our hearts forever. Losing someone we love is one of the most heart piercing moments we will all experience at one time or another.

For me, my first experience of loss was when my grandmother passed away. I was only 11 years old, but I was fortunate enough to have spent so much time with her every summer when school was out. To this day, 34 years later… I still miss her dearly and think of her daily. She is my Angel.

This card is one of those that is so difficult to not only give to someone, but as a card-maker they are even more difficult to make. Nevertheless, we must because at one time or another at whatever age we must go through the difficulty of losing a loved one.

Thinking of you

This particular stamp set has always been difficult for me to make. For one, that tree! I never know who to situate it on the card and I thought about layering it with grass, but I didn’t like the look of it and it made the oval shaped look awkward. So, I decided on snipping it and stamped the backgroup with Versamark Ink.

Before you decide to sign up for any membership always know the full disclosure and you can read mine HERE!

Click HERE to see the Sale-a-bration brochure or send a message HERE
to get a FREE one mailed to you.

Forever & Always

February 17, 2014 February 20, 20140

Rings Many of us have a three-day weekend and I know how I’m spending it… making cards! My first gathering since returning home just to enjoy the company of new friends, fun, and laughs. I’ve started my first Shoebox Card Share and I’m filled with so much excitement that I’m just giddy like a school-girl.

Wedding This card almost didn’t make it to the blog. Why you ask? Simply because I wasn’t 100% positive if it was just the way I had envisioned. As it turns out I had a change of heart… LOL.

Originally, I wanted the card to be clean and simple with a similar look (but not the same) to this one here.

Wedding The silver embossing is what sold me to go ahead and post it. I love the way it just popped off the whisper white cardstock.

The indent left behind by the square framelits was not appealing to me at first, but the more I stared at it, the more I loved it. It gave it an added sophisticated effect to it.

Products You’ll Need to Make This Card:

Loving Thoughts – Clear-Mount Stamp

$23.95

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$8.50

Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

Silver Stampin’ Emboss Powder

$4.75

Heat Tool

$29.95

Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels

$4.95

Squares Collection Framelits Dies

$26.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Two of a Kind in Hybrid

January 17, 2014 April 23, 20153

MDS Hybrid

It’s fraternal two of a kind in hybrid using My Digital Studio (MDS)! Two reasons why I used MDS to make these quick & easy cards. 1) I do NOT feel intimidated by digital card making. 2) You can print from your home printer and add a couple of cute buttons (or ribbon) and turn it into a hybrid card.

I’m sure you can see the difference (real quick) in these two cards. No, the angle the pictures were taken is not what I’m talking about… LOL. I added a piece of Whisper White cardstock to the card on th right just to show you what you can do.

So, go on and get your groove on with a free trial of My Digital Studio. Click here to get it now. Those of you who signed up to receive the free template… it’s already in your inbox. You can still sign up here.

Products Used: Crushed Curry cardstock, Subtles Candy Dots, and of course My Digital Studio. Click here to get your free trial.

With this design I took advantage of Margaret Moody’s sketch challenge over at the Pals Paper Arts.

Don’t Forget Your Kid’s Valentine’s

[one-half-first]Click here to buy these now.[/one-half-first][one-half]Click here to buy these now.[/one-half]

Your kids will love giving these cute monsters away to their friends and classmates. Buy them the cutest valentines around. Only available for a limited time. Comes with 18 boy or girl monsters (sold separately, 18 googly eyes, 18 adhesive hearts…. and they’re only $5.95!

Your children will love putting on the hearts and googly eyes. =)

Pals Blog Hop: 2014 Occasions and Sale-a-bration

January 14, 2014 January 14, 201410

Blog Hop1

Welcome to our first blog hop of 2014. This month we are excited to show you the new products available in the Stampin’ Up! Occasions Catalog as well as a preview of the free products you can earn through Sale-a-bration at the end of January.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Beth Beard at My little craft blog number 22 on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

Thank You

Gosh, I feel all gitty about this blog hop after a couple of months of being away. After returning from my deployment I needed some time to get back into a normal routine.

I had a few trial starts, but after much travel, I’m refreshed and more focused. I thank you for supporting me while I was away. You (yes YOU) will never know how much you helped me pass the time fairly quickly.

Thank You

A Leadership highlight was the use of gold on our projects and I couldn’t resist the gold embossing powder. La Vida No Tiene Que Ser Perfecta Para Ser Maravillosa (Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful).

Products Used: Stamp Set: Banderines Perfectos (134505), Squares Collection Framelits (130921), Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper (132995). Paper: Gray Slate, Whisper White,Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay. Other: Gold Embossing (109129).

The next stop is Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts, number 24 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.

Category: Just Because

More Hugs

Feeling the Love

You Are My Sunshine

Sssssscore!… Soccer Mom

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL RETIRING PRODUCTS

In a NY Subway

Manly Monday: Owl Be There

Hello with My Digital Studio Hybrid

Thinking of You Under the Tree

Forever & Always

Two of a Kind in Hybrid

Don’t Forget Your Kid’s Valentine’s

Pals Blog Hop: 2014 Occasions and Sale-a-bration

Click to View Mini Catalog

Click to View Annual Catalog

Click to View Annual Catalog

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