tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40635314137743279952024-03-13T13:48:33.617-07:00Releasing the DragonflyMary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-15673742036860922222013-07-01T09:48:00.000-07:002013-07-01T09:48:12.003-07:00The whirlwind continues!Well, since I last posted anything substantial...<br />
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We became engaged.<br />We bought a house.<br />
We halfway-remodeled a house.<br />We moved into our home. It's cute. It needs more remodeling. I'm hoping to share some of the projects that we complete to make it ours. <br />We got kittens. Now they're cats. SO SO cute. I'll share pics. Promise.<br />
We got married. I'm a wife. I have a husband. My boyfriend has a wife. It's me. It's bizarre. But amazing. I'm loving it. <br />
My contract is ending and I need a new job. Blah. I hate that part of being a grown-up. Moving on. <br />
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See why I haven't been posting? <br />
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But I'll be posting, soon. I'm going to be making a few gorgeous desserts for an up-coming Independence Day celebration. I'll share photos. Maybe recipes. Yum. <br />
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Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-24263888499212627572013-05-14T11:16:00.002-07:002013-05-14T11:16:15.793-07:00Coming back...<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Soon!! </h2>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0iIjXOTZWY/UZJ_RU_nGgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/IIOLcUiO9jU/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m0iIjXOTZWY/UZJ_RU_nGgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/IIOLcUiO9jU/s640/spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-35826193072428514062011-09-29T10:53:00.000-07:002011-09-29T10:53:23.165-07:00I took the summer off.Unintentionally. Life just comes before blogging, sometimes, and I have a life to live. GET OFF MY CASE! Okay. So maybe you're not on my case. Just be nice to me and welcome me back, alrighty? I haven't been here in so long Blogger wouldn't let me in and I had to go through the whole password reset process. Jeesh. <br />
Passive-aggressive much?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, I'm back, and I've got some sharin' to do!</div><br />
Eric and I went to Niagara Falls over Labor Day weekend. We don't get to go away for fun very often, and since my birthday is August 31st, I like to designate that long weekend my "birthday weekend" and use it as an excuse to celebrate. Just a couple of pics:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72sStZuaeJQ/ToStjITCRoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/B2JsjawdMME/s1600/greenbutterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72sStZuaeJQ/ToStjITCRoI/AAAAAAAAAdM/B2JsjawdMME/s320/greenbutterfly.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ5CLSkZD58/ToSuNZdWkDI/AAAAAAAAAdU/2EkF1cNZmCs/s1600/us%252C+Niagara+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ5CLSkZD58/ToSuNZdWkDI/AAAAAAAAAdU/2EkF1cNZmCs/s320/us%252C+Niagara+Falls.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHpaIoh6NOc/ToStogJu47I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/zHddMrFZoM4/s1600/Canadian+view+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHpaIoh6NOc/ToStogJu47I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/zHddMrFZoM4/s320/Canadian+view+falls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We went to the Butterfly Conservatory on the Canadian side. I've been dying to get there ever since I knew it existed, but in all my trips to the Falls I never made it. Well, we headed over there on our second day of the trip, and I'll be honest, I have never seen a more mesmerizing place. Truly, I could have spent all day in there. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend it. Also, check out the pic of The Falls from the Canadian side...they really do get the better view, don't they? Oh, and look at us in the middle there, all cutesy. :) <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> And in other news...</div>We (and by "we" I mean myself and a boat load of friends) have spent the past month or so raising money for <a href="http://clarabug.org/">Clarabug's Quest for a Cure,</a> and this past weekend was our picnic/walk to cap off this year's efforts. We raised almost $6,000 this year, all of which will go toward The Golisano Children's Hospital and Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. For more info, check out the website at <a href="http://clarabug.org/">Clarabug.org.</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Woohoo!! $6,000!! We ROCK!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I made this cute ladybug themed cake for the picnic. Check it out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8ppzf8DLi8/ToSqCIX8-lI/AAAAAAAAAdI/pgwzT8bSoVI/s1600/ladybug+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8ppzf8DLi8/ToSqCIX8-lI/AAAAAAAAAdI/pgwzT8bSoVI/s400/ladybug+cake.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wont tell you how incredibly frustrating certain aspects of this cake were, and I won't point out the many imperfections associated with it. I'll just say it went over VERY well, and was completely devoured, even the little ladybugs, which I made cake-ball style a la <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/">Bakerella</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More to share, soon enough...pssst...I have an apple crisp in the oven. More about that tomorrow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And maybe a card, tomorrow, too.<br />
;) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-27440408995123818452011-06-15T15:03:00.000-07:002011-06-15T15:04:06.550-07:00Thinkin' Pink<div style="text-align: center;">Hello!! It's been WAY too long! But I'm back to crafting, and posting and I'll do my best to visit my challenge sites as much as I can to get back into the swing of things!!</div><br />
In the meantime, allow me to start by sharing two of the MANY cards I created at a crop this past weekend. Some of my crafty friends and I try to get to get together a few of times per year to do this, and it always turns out to be a great time with way too much food eaten, way too little sleep, and some lovely creations! (And by the way, we started out the weekend with a Zumba class at a local elementary school. It was a fundraiser, so we thought, "What better time to Zumba?" Holy smokes. Zumba...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VngjhYK-MKU/TfkqmGVSSDI/AAAAAAAAAdA/Hormpk0AL5k/s1600/tinymiracle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VngjhYK-MKU/TfkqmGVSSDI/AAAAAAAAAdA/Hormpk0AL5k/s400/tinymiracle.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love this...the ribbon, the button, the itty-bitty feet...I thought it turned out well...what do you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgArmI6eQRg/TfkqucfOzxI/AAAAAAAAAdE/bEYpGp9qUKc/s1600/livelaughlove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgArmI6eQRg/TfkqucfOzxI/AAAAAAAAAdE/bEYpGp9qUKc/s400/livelaughlove.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a bit proud of this one, too. Sometimes things come together just like you pictured them, you know? I LOOOVE when that happens!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> All of the PP is from Basic Gray, and everything else if from my stash. I would tell you the colors of the CS, but all my supplies are all mixed up so I don't really know...I CAN tell you that they all came from PTI. (Where else?) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-83042095101742036702011-05-25T11:43:00.000-07:002011-05-25T11:46:01.685-07:00A superstar's birthdayI made this card for my nephew Dennis, whose birthday was on May 10th. Dennis is a superstar in SO many ways, and I love to tell him so! A quick google search told me that Dennis shares his day of birth with some really amazing people. There's this guy named Paul Hewson, better known to the world as <b>BONO</b>! Also, Fred Astaire was born on May 10 and so was Sid Viscious!! What an eclectic bunch of talented people!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UB9Tg396Qg0/Td1MXMRaqnI/AAAAAAAAAc4/f3fPAtaqIXo/s1600/DSCN0624%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UB9Tg396Qg0/Td1MXMRaqnI/AAAAAAAAAc4/f3fPAtaqIXo/s640/DSCN0624%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJS211B7JMI/Td1LoRaSQpI/AAAAAAAAAc0/zP5AAnqudZA/s1600/DSCN0622%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The BG paper is from my stash. The stars are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gODmW_qULL8">Grungeboard,</a> which I inked with distress ink. The biggest one is also embossed with some glittery EP. I don't get to make cards for boys very often, so I hope Dennis doesn't think the hemp bow is too girly. I needed an accent but wanted to keep it a bit rugged, you know?<br />
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I hope everyone is FINALLY getting some sunshine...we sure have needed it here in Binghamton. And for those of you in the Southwestern United States...you're in my thoughts...hoping everyone is safe and sound...Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-21930030563869086862011-05-25T11:11:00.000-07:002011-05-25T11:11:36.479-07:00Graduatiooooonnnnn!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">I'm back!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had to take a couple weeks off from blogging, crafting, and pretty much every day life so that I overcome my ridiculous procrastination problems and finish my work...but I did it, friends! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm now a master of Public Administration! WAHOO!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Now I can get back to card making. What's that you say? I should be trying to find a job? Pshaw! <i>*sly grin*</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCC5X_J0eTo/Td1GCjxNdAI/AAAAAAAAAcw/AsNvm1tRsj8/s1600/Hooraygrad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCC5X_J0eTo/Td1GCjxNdAI/AAAAAAAAAcw/AsNvm1tRsj8/s640/Hooraygrad.JPG" width="435" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-871782942928755192011-05-09T07:41:00.000-07:002011-05-09T09:00:14.978-07:00First Communion Celebration<div style="text-align: center;">Hello! Happy Monday...or happy whatever-day-it-is that you're reading this!</div>This past weekend, we had loads of fun celebrating with friends for their daughter's First Communion. I really love those times when the sun is shining brightly and kids are running everywhere and I'm surrounded by laughter, great people, and amazing food. It makes me realize how truly blessed I am. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofL-FbRHM90/Tcf6aHphAsI/AAAAAAAAAcg/8oWO3mdFeOQ/s1600/Blessed2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofL-FbRHM90/Tcf6aHphAsI/AAAAAAAAAcg/8oWO3mdFeOQ/s640/Blessed2.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the card that I made for Marta. The sentiment is from a PTI sentiment set and the butterflies are from PTI's Round and Round set. The rest is from my stash...don't you love that blue leaf button? You can't tell from this pic, but the PP is embossed with glitter, as are the butterflies. That little sparkle is always perfect for a little girl, don't you think? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also made cupcakes for the party...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V00YyevHFR0/Tcf8Njq8dyI/AAAAAAAAAck/1hquxNtFmXM/s1600/cupcakes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V00YyevHFR0/Tcf8Njq8dyI/AAAAAAAAAck/1hquxNtFmXM/s400/cupcakes3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yes...cupcakes as far as the eye can see...They were a big hit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great week, friends! I'm off to finish my LAST WEEK AS A GRADUATE STUDENT!! </div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-47627421790380879762011-05-07T18:36:00.000-07:002011-05-07T18:36:18.378-07:00Finding Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interesting what inspires us sometimes, isn't it? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7bzlzPBEQ4/TcXrP1XaouI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ePULN_MJqFM/s1600/Just-smile-card4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7bzlzPBEQ4/TcXrP1XaouI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ePULN_MJqFM/s640/Just-smile-card4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7bzlzPBEQ4/TcXrP1XaouI/AAAAAAAAAcY/ePULN_MJqFM/s1600/Just-smile-card4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Recently, a friend was feeling overwhelmed by life in general and expressed herself on her FaceBook page. A good friend of hers, whom I have never met before, left the following comment:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i>"...work to find joy in whatever hits you..."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br />
I was moved by this and it started an interesting stream of thought for me. I won't post it all here, because who wants to read a novella when they're scrolling blogs? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will say, however, that I remind myself every day how lucky I am. My body works properly, as long as I take care of it. I receive love every day, as long as I give it. I do well in my endeavors, as long as I do my share of the work. I find joy in what hits me, as long as I look for it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This whole stream of thought led to the creation of this card. The image is from <a href="http://www.diecutswithaview.com/search_results.php?keywords=travel&x=0&y=0">DCWV's Travel Stack</a>. The sentiment is from <a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/stamps_papertray.html">this PTI sentiments set</a>. The flowers and ribbon are from my stash. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where do you find joy? I'd love to hear it! </div><div style="text-align: center;">By the way, if you're interested in reading a witty, intelligent, articulate blog by a woman who writes with her "true voice" check out the page of <a href="http://td365.wordpress.com/">Tobi-Dawne Smith, the mastermind behind that lovely quote up above. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Her site is a great read! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-63227068288628051402011-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:002011-04-26T08:01:25.204-07:00Chalk murals and stuff<div style="text-align: center;"> Hey there!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>If you read <a href="http://releasingthedragonfly.blogspot.com/2011/04/daffodil-spring.html">my last post</a> with my entry for the <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/sscmonthlybloghop/forum/topics/april-blog-hop-starts-here">Simply Scrapping Crafts April Blog Hop</a>, you would have seen my link to the website of a pretty amazing artist, and I thought I'd share some more info. <br />
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My BF, <a href="http://www.pepperink.com/">Eric Maruscak</a>, is an illustrator, graphic designer, and cartoonist, but most people know him for something else. He travels to conventions all over the country and draws <a href="http://www.pepperink.com/chalk-art-gallery/">GIANT CHALK MURALS</a> of superheroes, Anime characters, cartoon and graphic novel stars. He's been to Seattle, LA, Orlando, Chicago, NY, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Baltimore....and he's drawn for companies such as Nintendo, Lucas Films, Funimation, characters from Marvel and DC comics...the list goes on. <br />
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Here are a couple of photos to get you started, but you really should hop over to his website at <a href="http://www.pepperink.com/">www.pepperink.com</a> to get the full effect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWS2mm8xtQk/TbbcCS-qWlI/AAAAAAAAAcI/MjVP3PHgUAY/s1600/Captain+America.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oWS2mm8xtQk/TbbcCS-qWlI/AAAAAAAAAcI/MjVP3PHgUAY/s320/Captain+America.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XNR-6lbJGQ/TbbcEumGNwI/AAAAAAAAAcM/abWyh7IrVPU/s1600/Bioshock+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XNR-6lbJGQ/TbbcEumGNwI/AAAAAAAAAcM/abWyh7IrVPU/s320/Bioshock+2.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQusKK0QQmM/TbbcHBleboI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/I5Ut-VIKJwo/s1600/Gronk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQusKK0QQmM/TbbcHBleboI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/I5Ut-VIKJwo/s320/Gronk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUao_7SnVFc/TbbcJnNQmXI/AAAAAAAAAcU/dfL8ZIF9lzA/s1600/Star+Wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUao_7SnVFc/TbbcJnNQmXI/AAAAAAAAAcU/dfL8ZIF9lzA/s320/Star+Wars.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />
I strongly recommend you watch the <a href="http://www.pepperink.com/videos-and-interviews/">time lapse videos</a> of Eric's chalk murals. They average about 30 hours to complete, but the videos show the whole process in about 5 minutes. It really is quite spectacular.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I hope everyone is enjoying some sunshine, today. I'm off to put the finishing touches on my Master's thesis. Wish me luck! </div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-65578700762887992612011-04-25T07:22:00.000-07:002011-04-25T08:42:07.774-07:00Daffodil Spring - Welcome to SSC's first blog hop!<div style="text-align: center;">HELLO!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_neycYpaKM/TbWOyErPRRI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bTH1NN3aQJI/s1600/SSCBlogHoplogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_neycYpaKM/TbWOyErPRRI/AAAAAAAAAcE/bTH1NN3aQJI/s200/SSCBlogHoplogo.png" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are you here for the <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/sscmonthlybloghop/forum/topics/april-blog-hop-starts-here">Simply Scrapping Crafts April Blog Hop??</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">WELCOME to their, and MY first-ever Blog Hop! I'm so excited to be a part of this madness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvFx6-EB_p0/TbV1oxodf7I/AAAAAAAAAcA/ea89xM06HOM/s1600/Sunflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvFx6-EB_p0/TbV1oxodf7I/AAAAAAAAAcA/ea89xM06HOM/s400/Sunflower.JPG" width="385" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our theme for this hop was "Seasons." The mission: Create a design keeping our own part of the world's current season in mind. Well, we're in Spring here in Central NY, and all it's done is rain, rain, rain! I try not to gripe about it, though. It just means sunny days and warm breezes are right around the corner! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To me, Spring means daffodils. I adore them for all their brightness and uniqueness, (honestly, what other flower is shaped so crazy?) as well as their resilience. I didn't have a daffodil stamp and couldn't find a digi I liked...I considered taking a photo of one lone daffodil that is growing next to my house, but no time for all that. What to do...what to do...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lucky for me, <a href="http://www.pepperink.com/">the love of my life is a super-talented artist.</a> When he came home from work and I said, "Can you draw me a daffodil?" (and I won't lie, I might have batted my eyelashes a little...) he said, "Sure." Friends, I watched over his shoulder as he sketched out this lovely flower in about 3 minutes on a piece of cardstock. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I colored it in with a combo of Marvy Brush Markers and colored pencils (no yellow or orange Copic in my life right now) I fussy-cut it and struggled with the perfect layout. Tough. So I decided that the flower was too spectacular for a layout and just placed it on the card. It needed a stem, though, so guess what!? I drew one! Not the real artist in the house! ME! </div><div style="text-align: center;">The butterflies were cut from an old calendar page that I had in my stash, and the sentiment is from Stampin Up!'s Friendship Blooms set (now retired.) I added the bow for a little extra color.<br />
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Happy Spring, and WELCOME to everyone! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Interested in joining the SSC community and/or getting involved in future hops??<br />
<a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/sscmonthlybloghop">Go here!</a></div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-4348874836998767022011-04-25T06:14:00.000-07:002011-04-25T06:14:47.121-07:00Back where I came fromThis past weekend, I made a rare visit back to my hometown and spent some time with family. You know how these visits go: zipping around to try and spend "just enough" time with loved ones, and that "just enough" is never really "enough," is it? Also, there were a few people missing, but I'm hoping to rectify that the MOMENT I get this darn Master's Degree out of the way! (Just a few more weeks!)<br />
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While I was there, I hung out with my seven-year-old nephew, Nolan, and his little sister, 5-month-old Samantha. I snagged some iPhone shots and filtered them with this AMAZING iPhone app called Instagram. I have many, but thought I'd share two of them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w_RxTyOPAk/TbVxsJNuD2I/AAAAAAAAAb4/z3ci7bLK0JI/s1600/nolanBandW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8w_RxTyOPAk/TbVxsJNuD2I/AAAAAAAAAb4/z3ci7bLK0JI/s200/nolanBandW.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is Nolan. Looking very. Very. Serious. Actually, he was trying to pretend he didn't want his pic taken and was attempting fake crankiness. I think it's a perfect shot. The filter is called 'Gotham.'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qIJHtDMuY/TbVyllgWWMI/AAAAAAAAAb8/n-G2LckJadE/s1600/Samanthaseyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qIJHtDMuY/TbVyllgWWMI/AAAAAAAAAb8/n-G2LckJadE/s200/Samanthaseyes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's Samantha. Can you get over those eyes of hers? I think the filter I used for this was 'Nashville.' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And what did YOU do, this weekend? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-44796607050381243192011-04-22T10:11:00.000-07:002011-04-22T13:54:03.259-07:00Design challenges...whew!<div style="text-align: left;">When I saw <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/creativecardchallenges/forum/topics/april-20th-challenge">Simply Scrapping Crafts' Sketch Challenge</a> for this week, I got excited because it perfectly matched a card that I was already working on. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(I know what you're saying: "Excited? Really? You're a big dork, Mary." Whatevs. Don't judge me.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ohq1MMlszU/TbG0aEojJkI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6Bvf9E1qGe8/s1600/WonderfulFriendButterflies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ohq1MMlszU/TbG0aEojJkI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6Bvf9E1qGe8/s400/WonderfulFriendButterflies.JPG" width="381" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I kept thinking this needed another element, but since the background is so busy, I decided to go with it and just leave it as it was. The PP is Basic Grey, the sentiment and the butterflies are from <a href="http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=105763">PTI's Round and Round Collection.</a> (I know I use that a lot. I LOVE IT!) Everything else is from the ol' stash.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This week's <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/caschallengegroup/forum/topics/april-22nd-cas-challenge">Friday CAS challenge</a> was to incorporate paper piecing into the design. I am not typically a paper-piecer and I don't have a lot of stamps that lend themselves to that technique, but I did what I could do, deciding to make a bookmark (or a tag) instead of a card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvZwoObNRlg/TbG0VHrG3NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/VXcFf1FP5X4/s1600/BeKindBookmark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvZwoObNRlg/TbG0VHrG3NI/AAAAAAAAAbw/VXcFf1FP5X4/s640/BeKindBookmark.JPG" width="337" /> </a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The doves (from <a href="http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-19225/*Inkadinkado-Clear-Stamps-99568/Detail">Inkadinkadoo's Good News set</a>) are stamped on a PP scrap (Basic Grey, I think) and embossed. The flowers and leaves are from <a href="http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-14924/Stampin%27-Up%21-SALE-A/Detail">SU!'s Botanical Blooms set</a>, and are cut out veeerrryyy carefully.The BG is colored with a Copic.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know the pic is a bit overexposed. It's a gloomy day outside and I'm impatient. Again, no judgement. ;)</div><br />
Hey there everyone, just a thought: While you are celebrating whatever holiday suits your fancy this weekend, please take a few moments and look around, and appreciate the gifts we're received from Mother Earth.<br />
And please, please, give Greetings and Thanks to Each other as People. <br />
Be Kind.<br />
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</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-66303569074810092162011-04-17T10:18:00.000-07:002011-04-18T10:55:32.755-07:00Monochrome Love<div style="text-align: center;">Hi and Happy Day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I created this card for the <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/caschallengegroup/forum/topics/april-15th-cas-challenge">April 15th challenge at Simply Scrapping Crafts</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evjMLbC7V6I/TasePrFIngI/AAAAAAAAAbs/AwL_RRoEs7A/s1600/Monochrome_Love_Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-evjMLbC7V6I/TasePrFIngI/AAAAAAAAAbs/AwL_RRoEs7A/s400/Monochrome_Love_Final.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The challenge was to make the design monochromatic, or varying shades of just one color. I decided to go out on a limb and make mine all shades of cream, or eggshell, or off-white...you choose what you think it is. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Did I do alright? What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used hand-made paper that my friend Katie gave to me a few years ago and have never really pulled out. I love how the pieces of twine swirl through the BG paper. Such a cool idea. I used a slightly difference shade for the heart. Sentiment is from <a href="http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-19225/*Inkadinkado-Clear-Stamps-99568/Detail">the Good News stamp set by Inkadinkado. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's stamped with <a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/ranger-industries/69902-antique-linen-tim-holtz-distress-ink/">Tim Holtz's Antique Linen Distress Ink. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of handmade paper, stay tuned for a review and some fun projects made from my talented friend <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kimberlymaemoore">Kim's</a> handmade paper! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a lovely day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-78226089584527694062011-04-13T10:33:00.000-07:002011-04-14T08:18:54.903-07:00Barry's Birthday Turtle<div style="text-align: center;">I'd like to present to you my first ever digital stamp! WOOOHOOOOOOOH!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRj_zGn0RSc/TaXcxepNaZI/AAAAAAAAAbo/7VjEk3LdRag/s1600/Birthday+turtle+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRj_zGn0RSc/TaXcxepNaZI/AAAAAAAAAbo/7VjEk3LdRag/s400/Birthday+turtle+card.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uq5ljPlGiak/TaXakSxjhJI/AAAAAAAAAbk/s-EPgu7VMfg/s1600/Birthday+turtle+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> How CUTE is this turtle?<br />
My friend Hadassah contacted me to ask if I could come up with a card on the quick for her boyfriend Barry's Birthday. (Say THAT sentence three times fast!) She told me he dug turtles and that he liked things "cute". (Even revealing the little stuffed kitty he keeps next to his bed...teehee!)<br />
Ahem. Sorry, Barry.<br />
So, because I didn't have a turtle-ish stamp, I went on a search and I found this adorable digi over at <br />
<a href="http://copicmarkerscrapbooking.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/turtle-digital-stamp-freebie-happy-saturday/">Making Our Mark</a>. <br />
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He is colored with a combo of Marvy Brush Markers, Copics, and colored pencils. The sentiment is from PTI's Round and Round set, and the <b>HURRY!</b> letters are just a printed font/cut/glue job.<br />
(Is that cheating? I hope not! Cause I did it!) <br />
The background PP is Basic Grey.<br />
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Oh, and I got a little help from my super-perfect, super-talented, boyfriend,<a href="http://www.pepperink.com/"> Eric Maruscak,</a> to add a bit of texture on the ground around the turtle. It was a perfect touch. <br />
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Enjoy your birthday, Barry!! I hope you take lots of time to "Celebrate Today!"</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-53243066059824878072011-04-11T09:37:00.000-07:002011-04-11T10:17:57.911-07:00Happy First Birthday, Liam!<div style="text-align: center;">Our friends Kim and Jason have this amazing little boy called Liam. </div><div style="text-align: center;">He is sweet, and smart, and hilarious. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Truly, this boy will brighten your day no matter what might bring you down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unbelievably, Liam turns ONE, this week! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnnsUtGx-6I/TaMqq6XRAhI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/uT6vTpVJoL8/s1600/LiamBday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnnsUtGx-6I/TaMqq6XRAhI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/uT6vTpVJoL8/s320/LiamBday.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We were lucky enough to attend Liam's party this past weekend, and here is the card that I made for him. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not that he cared. Babies don't care about cards, ya know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But how could I not? He's pretty special, after all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The PPs are both from <a href="http://www.diecutswithaview.com/products.php?id=113">DCWV's Nana's Kids Collection. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sock monkey is a loose rubber stamp from that same giant collection as my last post, which I colored in with Copics and colored pencils. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a beautiful day here in Binghamton! I hope the sun is shining on you, wherever you are!</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-27821792946715340192011-04-09T10:16:00.000-07:002011-04-09T10:16:33.308-07:00I'm sweet on you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ_QUrQhgTk/TaCR0tz3V0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/t9zSZ2pgFxg/s1600/ImSweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ_QUrQhgTk/TaCR0tz3V0I/AAAAAAAAAbM/t9zSZ2pgFxg/s400/ImSweet.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made this simple card for the <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/caschallengegroup">April 8 CAS challenge at Simply Scrapping Crafts.</a> What do you think? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually really like it. </div><br />
The PP is (can you guess?) <a href="http://www.basicgrey.com/scrapbook/shop/category/6x6-pads">Basic Grey</a>, of course.The sentiment and sweets are from a giant set of loose rubber stamps that I have had forever, and are stamped on <a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/pm_paper.html">PTI cardstock</a> (I don't know the color name, sorry...) and embossed with white.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear what you think! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy your weekend! We're off to celebrate our little friend Liam's first birthday! YAY!</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-50385095117561999992011-04-03T15:07:00.000-07:002011-04-03T15:07:48.611-07:00Asian inspired...and cake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't say that I'm totally in love with how this card turned out, but since I was trying some new things, I thought I'd post it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8oeYa88Uf1U/TZjqK2CxjbI/AAAAAAAAAbE/x_XijAtND5k/s1600/Asian+inspired.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8oeYa88Uf1U/TZjqK2CxjbI/AAAAAAAAAbE/x_XijAtND5k/s400/Asian+inspired.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stamped that UH-MAZING <a href="http://inkadinkado.eksuccessbrands.com/">Inkadinkado</a> background stamp on gray CS <a href="http://www.shopcaron.com/Dew-Drop-Versamagic-Chalk-Ink-Pad--Red-Magic_p_1426.html">withVersaMagic chalk ink in Red Magic.</a> The little Chinese symbol stamps are from <a href="http://www.heroarts.com/">Hero Arts</a>, and they say Love, Good Luck, Longevity, and Health. (Or at least, that's what the package tells me. If someone thinks or knows differently, feel free to drop me a line.) I embossed those to really make them pop, and I think it worked. The branch is from a set called (I think) Branches, but I don't have the packaging anymore, and I can't remember where they're from! HELP! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please ignore those silly swirls around the edges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They didn't come out like I pictured in my head. Don't you hate that? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like, sometimes you realize you should have just left well enough alone, you know? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, well. How about some cake? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XW20VJsrdE/TZjqN8vYWMI/AAAAAAAAAbI/EWqDgJnt8PA/s1600/Texas+sheet+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XW20VJsrdE/TZjqN8vYWMI/AAAAAAAAAbI/EWqDgJnt8PA/s320/Texas+sheet+cake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Texas Sheet Cake. Downsized. (I used <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/"></a><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/">The Pioneer Woman's recipe</a>, cut it in half, and baked it in a 9-inch round pan for a dinner with my book club, last night.) It ain't pretty, but it was goooo-ood!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-20989235286330078522011-04-02T10:00:00.000-07:002011-04-03T09:17:58.478-07:00Friends 'til the endHappy Saturday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEyVME8qat0/TZYwNl0dNlI/AAAAAAAAAbA/SqK75MLxyiY/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEyVME8qat0/TZYwNl0dNlI/AAAAAAAAAbA/SqK75MLxyiY/s400/003.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Today's card is for the April CAS challenge at <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/">Simply Scrapping Crafts.</a> Do you need a little motivation to get into your craft room and start pulling things out? Join these guys. They have all sorts of challenges going on, every day. (I <span style="color: #cc0000;">heart</span> these challenge things. It's a great excuse to get crafty.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The PP is <a href="http://www.basicgrey.com/scrapbook/">Basic Grey</a>. (Die-hard fan, over here.) The flower is a die-cut, and the sentiment is a rub-on. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you see the little grommets at the bottom? Cute, huh?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OOH!! One more thing!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to wish a <i style="color: purple;"><b>WELCOME TO THE WORLD</b> </i>to a most beautiful baby girl, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Brooke Rose Vielkind. <br />
Born 3/31/2011</div><div style="text-align: center;">Little one, I hope you know how lucky you are to have been born into the family that you have.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to meet you.<br />
Love, "Aunt" Mary<br />
(And please don't be mad at me when I accidentally call you "Brookie." It's just what I do.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-52604496549226011322011-04-01T10:27:00.001-07:002011-04-01T10:29:15.971-07:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Warm Wishes </h3><div class="post-header"></div>Warm wishes, indeed! We could use some here in Binghamton. Gloom, gloom, gloom. I suppose all the rain and chilly temps mean that spring, and SUNSHINE is on the way though, right?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I made this card for the final March Challenge over at <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/forum/topics/march-30th-challenge?groupUrl=creativecardchallenges&id=2676203%3ATopic%3A370086&groupId=2676203%3AGroup%3A308371&page=5#comments">Simply Stamping Crafts </a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PROUyGplOmA/TZYIAre4voI/AAAAAAAAAa8/dERPsu_spKY/s1600/warm+wishes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PROUyGplOmA/TZYIAre4voI/AAAAAAAAAa8/dERPsu_spKY/s400/warm+wishes.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, I submitted it too late for it to make the challenge. Woopsie!!<br />
Oh well. Congrats to the winners and I'll try to be more diligent, next time!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The PP is a scrap from my stash and the green embossed CS is from some that <a href="http://kismetartlife.blogspot.com/">Dana</a> Cuttle-bugged for me. The flowers and the leaves stamp is from <a href="http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/servlet/the-14924/Stampin%27-Up%21-SALE-A/Detail">Stampin' Up!'s Botanical Blooms</a> set, and the sentiment is from one of those nifty little acrylic sets you find in the dollar bin. I added that fun fluffy ribbon at the top for some extra texture. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I wanted to share this amazing video that I came across that reminds us to take time and enjoy our time here on Earth, and to appreciate the gifts we've been given.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GhOUaszMGvQ?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-39206277278375113642011-03-27T14:33:00.000-07:002011-03-28T12:42:35.458-07:00Imagination<div style="text-align: center;">Hello, and happy-almost-Spring to you!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Today's post is a card that I had actually forgotten I'd made, until I uncovered it while cleaning up my craft area. </div><div style="text-align: center;">*SMILE*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The deep purple (plum?) CS is from a package of textured card stock that I've had for ages but forget to pull out, most of the time. Both the pussy willow image (stamped in Spring Rain) and the sentiment (stamped with a watermark and embossed with silver EP) are from <a href="http://www.stampersanonymous.com/cat-index.html">Tim Holtz's Nature's Discovery collection for Stampers Anonymous. </a>The brads in the corners are a soft lavender, even though they're showing up kind of pink in the photo. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Hope you're all enjoying a little sunshine, wherever you are.<br />
Have a great week!<br />
</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-92044547925855773312011-03-24T07:34:00.000-07:002011-03-24T07:36:05.996-07:00Welcome BabyHey, Friends!<br />
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Today's card is brought to you by the color PINK! I don't usually go all-out girly like this, but sometimes it's ok, no? Yes? Of course it is! (Especially when one of your best friends is about to have a baby girl ANY DAY NOW!! YAY! Go, Nelson!!)<br />
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This card is my entry into a challenge over at <a href="http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/page/challenges-1">Simply Scrapping Crafts. </a>We were instructed to use only one stamp - just one - on a design. This isn't usually an issue for me, as I tend to use just one image or sentiment on a card and then focus more on my PP and LO, but for this one I found myself WANTING to use some of the cute images I have. Instead, I drew this little carriage (pram? I love that word) on an old piece of Basic Grey and then just cut out the pieces. I know the wheels are screwy...don't judge me, I don't claim to be an artist.<br />
Everything you see is from my stash. PPs are from <a href="http://www.basicgrey.com/scrapbook/">Basic Grey</a>, polka dot ribbon is (I think) <a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html">Papertrey Ink,</a> and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's <a href="http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=105763">Round and Round </a>collection.Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-61987806836881761602011-03-03T13:57:00.000-08:002011-03-03T13:58:06.408-08:00I'm here for you.<div style="text-align: center;">My friend is feeling blue. So I thought I'd send her a little pick-me-up. And I couldn't resist using some spring-y colors! (At this point in Central/upstate NY, all we want is SPRING!!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not that a pretty card is going to solve all of life's problems, but everyone likes a special surprise in the mail, just for them, right? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4gmmvlrcv1A/TXANQzEg5TI/AAAAAAAAAas/8JVrAaX0R5c/s1600/I%2527m+here+for+you.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4gmmvlrcv1A/TXANQzEg5TI/AAAAAAAAAas/8JVrAaX0R5c/s320/I%2527m+here+for+you.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Everything you see here is from my stash and the sentiment is from <a href="http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=105763">Papertrey Ink's Round and Round</a> set. </div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-12463054201794174492011-03-03T07:49:00.000-08:002011-03-03T08:18:10.030-08:00French bread and lemon barsWell, HELLO!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes I get overly excited about visiting friends. And I like to bake. A lot. I use it as a relaxation tool, a procrastination tool, a gift-giving tool, and a way to feed my pretty much constant craving for sweets. So when we were invited over for dinner with our friends the Murphys and their way-cool daughters, I started thinking about what I could contribute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
FRENCH BREAD! <br />
That's your cue!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGLlmnzesfU/TW-y_wV5pnI/AAAAAAAAAaU/aRAsdlSF_UE/s1600/DSCN0298%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGLlmnzesfU/TW-y_wV5pnI/AAAAAAAAAaU/aRAsdlSF_UE/s320/DSCN0298%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /> </a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is a great recipe that I found at <a href="http://food.com/">food.com</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This bread was really delicious...the crust was crispy and chewy, and the inside was perfectly...well...bread. Six year old Abby Murphy even said it was "so yummy she didn't need butter on it." How can you argue with a review like that? I (and Abby Murphy) highly recommend you make it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also made lemon bars. I decided to try the <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=126211">Weight Watchers</a> recipe and after one disastrous failed attempt (long story - I'll spare you...let's just say you need to make sure you have powdered sugar in the house BEFORE you start baking. Sigh.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These were so good...take a look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SiL83fKKqSY/TW-1rWIKqwI/AAAAAAAAAac/pIQuz_NQARU/s1600/DSCN0328%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SiL83fKKqSY/TW-1rWIKqwI/AAAAAAAAAac/pIQuz_NQARU/s320/DSCN0328%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Once upon a time in my life (for like the first 25 years of it) I REALLY disliked lemon bars. I know what you're saying. I don't know what's wrong with me, either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eKg3ieTLOrc/TW-3y12yYII/AAAAAAAAAao/95ira5evLTo/s1600/174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eKg3ieTLOrc/TW-3y12yYII/AAAAAAAAAao/95ira5evLTo/s320/174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lemon bar Jenga. Fun if you're a thrill seeker. Not so much if you plan to eat them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-24962917797372654982011-01-28T21:11:00.000-08:002011-01-28T21:11:29.100-08:00Happy Birthday!<div style="text-align: center;">My friend Marta is turning 8!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marta is a fantastic girl: hilarious and giggly and outgoing and smart and ARTISTIC!! She loves to draw and really likes those "learn to draw" books. So, for her birthday, along with a book on how draw princesses, crowns, fairies, and castles <b>AND</b> a package of wicked-cool colored pencils, we picked up a drawing tablet. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOe0YCAoOI/AAAAAAAAAZo/1nkcrQQVwbw/s1600/DSCN0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOeoSBoFnI/AAAAAAAAAZk/duWYJ1OcBdM/s1600/DSCN0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOefTVYwsI/AAAAAAAAAZg/z8wlHA0zzFs/s1600/DSCN0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOefTVYwsI/AAAAAAAAAZg/z8wlHA0zzFs/s320/DSCN0117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Now, this is not suitable for a little girl. Well, it might be, but certainly not one as special as Marta. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So I blinged it out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOeoSBoFnI/AAAAAAAAAZk/duWYJ1OcBdM/s1600/DSCN0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOeoSBoFnI/AAAAAAAAAZk/duWYJ1OcBdM/s320/DSCN0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (You can't tell from the photo, but it's way blingy, thanks to green and purple <a href="http://www.rangerink.com/products/prod_decorativeglue_stickles.htm">Stickles</a> and magenta EP.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also made her a card. Cute, huh? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOe0YCAoOI/AAAAAAAAAZo/1nkcrQQVwbw/s1600/DSCN0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TUOe0YCAoOI/AAAAAAAAAZo/1nkcrQQVwbw/s320/DSCN0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Marta's party is tomorrow. Her mom says there will be about 24 kids there. Is she <b>CRAZY??</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'll post again soon, if I survive. </div></div>Mary Maruscakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04854665191459679501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063531413774327995.post-82297342301552765602011-01-10T20:02:00.000-08:002011-01-10T20:04:38.454-08:00Butternut Squash Pie<div style="text-align: center;">Hello!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just a few days ago, I wound up with some extra butternut squash after roasting some up with potatoes for dinner. (Which, by the way, is one of our current favorite side dishes...) I wondered what I'd do with my remaining squash until I got a brainstorm! PIE! Whoda' thunk it? Well, plenty of people, it turns out. I went on a recipe search and found so many variations... since Martha doesn't usually do me wrong, I started with <a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/recipe/gingered-butternut-squash-pie">this Martha Stewart recipe.</a> I didn't use her pie recipe, but I did use her ginger snap crust recipe, since I'm not a fan of making - or eating, for that matter - regular pie crust, and I had a box of ginger snaps on hand. I wound up using <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/pierecipes/r/r71128d.htm">THIS</a> recipe, since the required ingredients coincided with those in the cupboard at my time of pie-making motivation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvRmb-fnEI/AAAAAAAAAZI/kfnL0q33F1Q/s1600/DSCN0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvRmb-fnEI/AAAAAAAAAZI/kfnL0q33F1Q/s320/DSCN0087.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The finished product...er...masterpiece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvS52Wbf3I/AAAAAAAAAZM/vPcoQ63HqDQ/s1600/DSCN0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvS52Wbf3I/AAAAAAAAAZM/vPcoQ63HqDQ/s320/DSCN0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I whipped up a little nutty praline topping for our slices with pecans, brown sugar, and butter. I could eat that stuff all by itself, to be completely honest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvTRNAqqQI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Lm2Mwwt-HKg/s1600/DSCN0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvTRNAqqQI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Lm2Mwwt-HKg/s320/DSCN0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh lordy...this is just getting better and better...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvTd0VoLFI/AAAAAAAAAZU/rOD56NLIXpM/s1600/DSCN0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g9Z0g_bAN04/TSvTd0VoLFI/AAAAAAAAAZU/rOD56NLIXpM/s320/DSCN0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The verdict...DE-LISH! </div><div style="text-align: left;">This is somewhere between a pumpkin pie and a sweet potato pie...but didn't really taste like either. It tasted like....well, pureed squash with lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and brown sugar. And that's a flippin' delicious combination. I highly recommend you try making one NOW, or you know...invite me over for a pot luck and I'll bring you one.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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