As you know, the Spring One-for-One Swaps have been mailed out, and I’m sharing them all with you here The first batch was shared on Monday (check it out here). Today, I’m sharing a single card that I’ve selected from the bunch as one of the best. I am in awe of Maria’s artwork, and I am going to share three things I love about this card. I wish I could mail this around to each and every one of you so you can hold it in your hands and see it in person. Here’s Maria’s card: 
And here are three things I love about Maria’s card (showing self-restraint by selecting only three):
- A showcase of gorgeous images. When I first opened the envelope, I knew it would be something beautiful. When I removed this card and held it in my hand, I was a little upset because Maria clearly did not use a stamp set from Stampin’ Up! – but WAIT! She did. The way she so cleverly presented and artistically painted the images, I didn’t even recognize Nature Walk. But there it is! The partial images really shine in this card.
- Watercoloring. Maria is a very talented watercolorist. The way she added life to the images is spectacular. BUT – I really love the huge impact of the colorful shading she adds to the outside of each of these boxes. While the images are mostly colored with dark and neutral colors, the boxes come alive with the soft and bright highlights.
- Focus. Look closely at the shading on this card. The card base and outside frames are dark, dark, dark. The white panel behind the six squares is sponged around the edges (and the sponging continues until almost the center of the card). But, there’s a bright spot in the middle of the card where the sponging stops. That white space, along with the symmetry of the card and the highlights around the edges of the squares, draws your eye directly to the center of this card. Do you see what I’m talking about?
Maria did not use ALL Stampin’ Up! products (the paper and “smile” sentiment are not ours) , but the focus of her card is all Stampin’ Up! (the inks, the images and the retired twine). Who’da thunk Maria could make this with Stampin’ Up! products? I did. I’ve seen her work before, so I wasn’t shocked – had to pick myself off the floor, but I contend that I was not shocked.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today! More shares are on their way later this week (including Part II of Sonny’s swap card), so be on the lookout!
Brian
I’m so glad you showcased Maria’s beautiful card. Her talent should be known. She is an amazing artist. It’s also really cool that she is a Hoosier.
amazing card. WOW. Maria you are truly an artist.
I have that stamp set & I love it. I want to ‘case’ Maria’s design – but I just know I could never get the watercolouring anywhere like as good as that! It really is lovely – and I bet you found that one hard to mail back out Brian!…… or did you mail it back out? 😉 Vx
I tell you it’s a good thing you didn’t “pass that card around” it would have stopped with Me! Wow Maria! Do you have a blog? You must share your love of paper crafting the the world! As you know there are many friends out there waiting to meet you on these blogs. Beautiful. You should share through tutorials and classes. Enjoy your hobby!
OMG!! Brian, you truly honor me with this post!! How kind of you, how sweet of you to show my card here today. I love water coloring so much that this is one of the reasons I get stamp sets I can color that way. Thank you so much for your words, you make me feel like a star.
After seeing the coloring on that card Maria – you are a star! Since coloring is NOT one of my talents you can probably tell from IN that I am sitting here drooling. I love the way you tied the twine also. Magnificent!
Hear, hear….I so agree…fabulous!
Oh my gosh, Maria, this is truly amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing Maria’s beautiful card.
WOWSERS…….that card is beautiful!
I recognized the stamp set immediately because I love it but am amazed at your use of color and technique. A beautiful card and hands down, a keeper. As a host of the swap I would participate and keep the best for myself. The host deserves the best one thus the maker of the best deserves a Brian King card. Thanks to Maria for sharing her card.
Wow! This is a masterpiece, Thank you for sharing it in so much detail, Brian. I would love to see more of maria’s work.
OH MY WOW-NESS. That is simply stunning. I love it for all the same reasons as Brian and then some. I think my favorite thing is the background coloring – makes the images just pop off the paper. I’m with previous commenters – I’d like to see more of Maria’s work. Brian – you can be her agent….get this woman to blog!!
This one should really be framed! It’s absolutely gorgeous. It just screams SPRING. Maria thanks for allowing Brian to share this with us and Brian…excellent choice to showcase!
This should be hanging in an art/card gallery. Watercoloring is something I struggle with. You should give lessons. Outstandiing card Maria!
You guys make me cry and smile at the same time. How kind of you, I’m overwhelmed. I’m just so grateful to Brian for allowing us to share our passion for stamping with each other. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Beautiful card! She is definitely a very talented lady. Thanks for sharing!
Maria, your card is amazing! Love what you have done with that stamp set…it’s my favorite of all the cards that I have seen. And your watercoloring is gorgeous! So glad that Brian featured your card today for all of us to see 🙂 Have a great day!
Maria…WOW! Would love a watercoloring lesson from you! I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. You certainly have a gift and Brian has a very talented friend in you. Each image is a masterpiece in itself.
Well, Finally ! I am late coming in this morning but, when I saw Maria`s card I flipped ! I am Maria`s swap buddy and I get Maria`s cards all the time …I have told her a billion times how talented she is …I am so glad you showcased her card ,Brian ….I push Maria almost as much as I push you ! I love the Nature Walk done this way …. Get her to show her Zentangle cards ,Brian …I know they aren`t SU but, WOW … Yay !! You outdid yourself on this one ,Maria …. btw for those of you that don`t know …this lady is an Iron Man marathon runner ! I have forbidden her to go to Chicago for the event !!!!
Very pretty! You are lucky to have a customer like Maria! She is super-talented, Brian. Maria – thank you for sharing your craft with us. This card is beautiful
Maria is an active blog follower and commenter and participates in all my card swaps, but – alas – she is dedicated to another demonstrator. I’ll get what I can take, though. 🙂
Wow oh Wow oh Wow! Great job Maria! And Brian, thanks for sharing that special card with us!
Absolutely stunning, Maria! And for all of those who are wondering…it is even more gorgeous in person! It is displayed in a place of honor in my dining room. Thank you, Maria…I treasure this beauty created with one of my favorite stamp sets…
Oh Ann, you got my card?? WOW!! that is so cool. I so love this swaps, it’s so much fun to make and receive cards from all over the Country and now, the World. This is one of my absolute favorite stamps sets and I hope they will carry it over to the next catalog. The images are so gorgeous and detailed. Thanks Ann, for your kind words.
Yay Maria! This card is beautiful and as the lucky recipient of several of Maria’s cards, I can attest to the fact that her water coloring is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Brian, thanks for showcasing her beautiful card.
So lovely–thank you both!
Brian – I give you a lot of credit for not keeping this one! If I were in charge of the swap it would be sitting on my hutch! LOL
I sent it to Ann, hoping she would soon return it to me. No such luck! 🙂 She won’t give it up.
Wow! That is a work of art, and a card the receiver will keep. Thanks for sharing, Brian. I learn so much from your Three Things posts.
This card is a wonder to look at it is so beautiful . We are among greatness ! Thanks, Maria it did my heart good !
Maria, I have been quietly lurking on Brian’s blog for sometime now and have been so very close to commenting many times but was just a little shy. However, this post and your beautiful card pushed me over the edge! My daughter is a watercolor artist by profession and by the looks of this card you should be also. Thanks to you and Brian for sharing your amazing talent.
Wow! What a beautiful card!! You are a very talented artist!! I have never been able to get watercolors to turn out like that!!!! Thanks for sharing it Brian!!! Maria do you have a blog??
No Sharon, I don’t have a blog, my life is a bit complicated right now, no time, maybe in the future. I’m just enjoying participating in this swaps, lots of fun.
Wow! What an amazing work of art! I have struggled with watercolouring in the past, and this is just spectacular! Thanks for sharing! I’m excited to CASE her shading and colouring techniques!
I’m going out for a run right now but I had to stop again to tell you guys, again, that I appreciate tremendously all the kind and sweet comments you had left here. It’s an honor to be showcased like this, it humbles me indeed. I’m no expert by any means but I truly love water coloring. I took a class a long time ago at the Merrillville, IN. high school that only lasted a month, 90 min. twice a week, they cancelled the class because only 3 people, me included, registered for the next session, I was very sad. But I did learn a lot about shading and blending, the teacher said that, in order to get the shading the paper has to be wet, not soaked but more than damp and then just aply the pigment concentrating on the edges of the image and then, moving your brush outwards.
Anyway, thank you all and thank you dear Brian for giving us the chance to share what we love.
XO.
Maria.
Thank you Brian…this card is truly a piece of art and I agree with someone else who said it should be framed,…maybe Ann did! I love when you showcase someone’s card….and your comments always impress and inspire me!
Just beautiful!!
Maria. I am always in awe of your watercoloring talent. Too beautiful for words.
Brian, thanks for sharing Maria’s beautiful artwork. Love it! Maria, you have a truly incredible talent. Hope to see more of your visual delights!
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Brian, thank you for showcasing Maria’s beautiful artful card. It really makes me want to step up what I do, paying more attention to the details.
I have learned two great lessons in the two days I have visited your blog. No wonder I subscribed right away. Bravo Brian! Marvelissimo Maria!!!